My new obsession . . .

My sister Jaime, is always so gracious when I drill her about finding new music for me. She allows me to steal her own obsessions and finds, and will even send me CD's in the mail of artists she knows will rock my soul.

My friend Liz, (the one born with soul) and I have our own personal CD trading party where, every few months we'll hand the other a CD dedicated to the other filled with tunes that a) remind us of one another or b) we want each other to discover.

Then there are the multiple receptions I've filmed where certain tunes will ALWAYS get the crowd grooving, and others that will easily clear the dance floor. Although I wouldn't opt to pop the CD into my car, I've discovered that Latin and swing music will always motivate people to "shake that thang"-- thus my secret love was birthed for Salsa. The guys who do dance- DANCE to this stuff, meanwhile the girls get to be flung all over the place, dipped, twirled, tossed, it's just fun to witness.

And then there is my favorite ice-breaker question of all time where I drill new people I meet about their favorite artists and it's amazing what genres of music you can be introduced to by asking semi-strangers what's on their current ipod playlist. Most of the time, that person will blush a bit before divulging his/her top five but once we connect on at least one of their preferred artists, the conversation can flow-- allowing a comradery sealed with a "secret handshake."

Because of that, I have had a blast on my short commutes around the city blasting my most current number one's inspired by other people's play lists, and now I'll provide the same for you!

Here are a few artists (current and past) that "Rock my World":

Ray LaMontagne - Trouble is on constant repeat but I also fancy Forever My friend and Jaime tells me that his other tracks are worth the discovery!
Jose Gonzalez - (He's been recommended to me by a few people)
Feist
Timmy Curran
Joshua Radin - Closer is a fav. / his stuff is featured on Scrubs
Damien Rice
Radiohead - Never, ever forget them. Ever.
Timbaland - I love him because I love beats. And he mixes his beats with some of the most dance-able artists out there. I didn't say they were deep or talented. I said dance-able.
Kat Deluca - Whine up (speaking of dance-able)
Justin Timberlake - He grew on me. Because he was a boy band member I wanted to hate him. I promise. Then he went and mixed with Timbaland and uh. Hello?
Michael Jackson - You Rock My World (we love to hate him- but this song is SO cutting edge for the time period it was recorded. Try not moving to the beat. I dare ya.)
Nat King Cole & Barry White - Don't forget about these brothas' their stuff is timeless and totally sexy!

I am always on the hunt for new hits to blast, so next time you see me. Educate me!

Let's hear it for shaggy-haired smooth-voiced acoustic guitar-playing red-headed duets!