RollnSmokeRecords Presents: Smokin' New Covers of Great Old Songs ...

1. “Creep” – (RadioHead) – Scala & Kolacny Brothers [9-28-2010]. A spectacularly soothing cover – complete with full choir and piano -- of the alternative rock original.

2. “Check It Out” – (Buggles) -- Nicki Minaj featuring Will.I.am [9-3-10] [single]. This R&B power-duo run a duet over and remix a memorable 80’s disco refrain “Video Killed the Radio Star.”

3. “Crazy” – (Gnarls Barkley) -- Ray Lamontagne (un-released) Ernest acoustic rendition of genre-bending original.

4. “Black and Gold” – (Sam Sparro) -- Katy Perry from SWEETHEARTS (Starbuck’s) [1-30-09]. An admittedly late-find, but a shockingly well-done cover of a spectacular contemporary R&B classic by Katy Perry who really delivers.

5. “Love Song” – Death Cab for Cutie (The Cure) -- from SWEETHEARTS (Starbuck’s) [1-30-09}. A naturally-played alt-worthy cover of a Brit rock classic.

6. “Evil Woman” – (ELO) -- Mike Posner [12-29-2009]. This contemporary R&B / hip-hop remix of 70’s classic rock –n- roll stalwart grooves along a plentiful mojo all its own.

7. “Dear God 2.0” – (Monsters of Folk) – The Roots [6-21-1010]. Phili Rap group covers unlikely indie track – call it Beard Rap – with original harmonies laced throughout.

8. “Such Great Heights” (Postal Service) -- Streetlight Manifesto [3-16-2010]. Circus-like horns, guitar and mad-vocals from slightly-manic New Jersey ska-punk outfit who cover everything from early-70’s S&G classics to indie millennium.

9. “Pretty in Pink” – (Psychedelic Furs) – The National [un-released]. Indie rock cover of 80’s film icon track by band of Brooklynites.

10. “The Kids” – {MGMT) – B.o.B. featuring Janelle Monae [4-27-10]. Mixing alt-rock with hip-hop and a lovely cameo, this emerging pop-rapper from ATL loads this track onto his first full-length album release.

11. “No Diggity” – {BlackStreet} – The Klaxons [un-released]. Spare, simple cover of early-90’s R&B track by rock band out of the U.K.

12. “Electric Feel” – (MGMT) – Katy Perry (un-released). Pop songstress covers this alternative track with sufficient angst and spare back-up.

13. “Relief” – (R. Kelly) – Sam Amidon [3-29-2010]. An unexpected take on R&B master track by singer-song-writer with imperfect but appealing voice against string (banjo) bass and wind.

14. “White Rabbit” – (Jefferson Airplane) -- Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (3-2-2010). As part of the new ALMOST ALICE soundtrack, this version of the 70’s hippy-druggie classic is down
with less rock and features clear, bright vocals and a trippy close.

15. “Cool Like That” – (Digable Planets) – Kidz in the Hall (unreleased). Easy re-mix of the soul acoustic hip-hop track complete with big string bass in the background by new-gen MC/DJ (-- friends from UPenn --) duo out of Chicago.

16. “Kiss Me Through the Phone” – (Soulja Boy) – Mike Posner [unreleased]. Detroit-bred and Duke-educated alt-hip-hopper re-mixes last year’s hip-hop blockbuster by pairing up with raps by Izza Kizza.

17. “I Can’t Go for That” -- (Hall & Oates) – The Bird and the Bea [3-23-2010]. Among nine other covers of the 70’s and 80’s popular duo classics, Inara George puts her wispy voice to use, and this one emerges as the best.

18. “She Got it Made” – [Rupert Holmes] -- Plies [3-29-10]. An unexpected re-mix of “If You Like Pina Coladas” that overwrites a 70’s pop icon with edgy, contemporary rap.

19. “Don’t Stop the Music” – (Rihanna) -- Jamie Cullum [3-2-2010] With jazz-infused piano and cool percussions, Brit jazz musician covers R&B songstress.

20. “Armada Latina” – (CSNY) -- Cypress Hill featuring Marc Antony and Pitbull [3-2-2010). A remix of the cult 70’s hippy classic with a twist of hip-hop and a dash of south of the border fiesta.

21. “Your Love” – (Annie Lennox) – Nicki Minaj [2-8-2010] Emerging R&B duet mistress uses the backbeat and refrain to Annie Lennox’s song “No More I Love You’s” as the backbone of this pop rap track.

22. “Don’t Stop the Music” – [Rihanna] -- The Bird and the Bee [un-released]. An eerie cover of the R&B original against an atmospheric backdrop.

23. “Under Pressure” – (David Bowie) – Jedward [1-31-2010]. Irish teen duo (and identical twins) mix Vanilla Ice with Bowie for their own pop take on the 80’s classic.

24. “Use Somebody” – (Kings of Leon) -- Pixie Lott [1-27-2010]. Young, emerging British siren covers already fantastic song in lovely acoustic ballad.

25. “Ordinary World” – (Duran Duran) – Red [2-10-10]. An intriguing rock cover of the 80’s original.

26. “Party in the USA” Remix – (Miley Cyrus) -- Notorious B.I.G. (un-released). An unlikely cocktail of girly-q pop and hard-core old school rap.

27. “United States of Pop 2009” – (Jay Sean and Lil Wayne) -- DJ Earworm [un-released]. A clever musical collage of hugely popular hits from 2009, set primarily to the pop song “Down.”

28. “Crossroads” – [Robert Johnson] – John Mayer [11-10-09]. Spare with percussion, back bass and electric guitar solos – with a dash of vocal duet -- and you’ve got a funked-up version of the rock original.

29. “Heartless” – [Kanye] – Kris Allen [11-17-09]. American Idol from Arkansas covers Kanye’s dramatic track with guitar riffs and a pop sensibility.