I Come from the East, Bearing Gifts

-- Jordan Hyman

Late Christmas perhaps, three drastically different gifts all of great significance. I know you were led to believe there was three wise men, however we found ourselves stuck in mountains and I was forced to eat them. But, in doing so, I got their knowledge, so no worries.

To start off, this is the band that got me into music. They were my first lick of infinity, perhaps even a necessary catalyst to a personal spiritual journey (although I'd rather refer to it as a "cosmic amble"). Here it is: Neurosis -- Belief. Live from the Contamination  festival in 2003, the track from their Times of Grace album in 1999.



Then, a through-the-window glimpse into my favorite hip-hop family of Definitive Jux. In an apartment, three MCs (C-Rayz Walz, Aesop Rock, Vast Aire), apparently in a state of possession by the Ganja-Goddess (or the Devil-Reefer depending upon your disposition to the popular psychoactive's legitimacy), freestyle, spitting improvised rhymes simulatenously dope AND ill. Also: notice that they're playing the beats on a Sega Dreamcast -- I knew there was a reason I loved these guys.



And ultimately, nothing succeeds the great Oingo Boingo. Must I even preface this beauty?



Jordan's top 10 of 07 on its way...