D.C.’s Justice League of America book hasn’t been good since Batman got mad about at the crew for using Zatanna to erase the memories of certain villains who knew the secret I.D.s of JLAers.  That storyline was always a bit implausible—I know Batman doesn’t kill, but is a memory-wipe any less intrusive than the kinds of traumatic brain injuries and crippling blows he’s inflicted on hundreds of chaps over the years?  But at least it was good.  Since then, the series has struggled under various writers and artists to regain its ground as the D.C. version of The Avengers.  (Fitting, perhaps, since The Avengers aren’t even The Avengers anymore.)  In next month’s JLA #38, a new writer will join the team, and he’s announced his roster.  Eisner-award-winner James Robinson’s will be the new writer.  Unfortunately, he’s also the dude who has been writing “Superman” these last months, a comic book that does NOT star Superman (he’s out in space on the 12-issue “World of New Krypton” maxiseries, also written by Robinson).  So Robinson is responsible for what, in my view, has ruined a character who had (maybe for the first time ever) actually gotten pretty interesting under Geoff Johns.

So who will be in the new JLA?  Well, the two best members will be the original Green Arrow and Green Lantern, a duo who have worked together in the past and who have ties to the original JLA lineup, along with the original Atom.  But joining them are: Dr. Light (girl version); Mon-El (who has some kind of silly relationship to Superman); The Guardian (a lame dude who Robinson seems to dig, based on Robinson’s superwriting); and . . . Who did I forget?  Oh, yeah: Congorilla (the yellow talking ape).  Come on.  Just to round it out, the lineup will be half-full of former Teen Titans: Donna Troy (who hasn’t been Wonder Girl in years, and who doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense as a heroine); Batman (who is really Nightwing, who used to be Robin) but not Robin (who is really Bruce Wayne’s son); Cyborg (who has spent his life devoted to helping kids and young superheroes, but now for some reason will sign up to play in the big boy sandbox); and Starfire(!).

The JLA are supposed to be DC’s flagship characters—the ones who exemplify the DCU.  In the past few years, DC has killed many old-time regulars (Bruce Wayne, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Aqualad, etc.), exiled it’s central character (Superman), and rearranged and busted up its best teams (JLA and Teen Titans).  I suppose that from that perspective, it makes sense that the new JLA roster will be a bunch of B-listers and wannabes, but from the point of view of a comic book fan who wants to be wowed and inspired, this lineup sucks.

Again: Congorilla?  Really?

If Kurious’s new album, “II,” sounds old-school, he can be forgiven.  The Harlem Latino has been around since the 1990s . . . When he released his first album.  He’s been affiliated with the likes of MF DOOM, The Beatnuts, Pete Nice, KMD, House of Pain, 3d Bass, Del The Funky Homosapien, MF Grimm . . . It might be easier to ask if there’s a ‘90s underground rap legend who he didn’t mix with.  And yet it’s taken a decade-and-a-half to put out a sophomore album (the follow up to 1994’s “A Constipated Monkey”).  Does he still have skills?  Yes.

In fact, he hasn’t changed much.  Track one, “Back with Vic,” is basically a turntable showcase for producer Vic Padilla, supported by Kurious’ verses.  It’s also the most interesting track, beat-wise.  These are old-school beats, and old-school rhymes that rely more on vocabulary than profanity, more on retrospection and nostalgia than bling or banging.  Of course, the must-have track here is “Benneton,” featuring MF DOOM and MC Serch.  To my knowledge, those two haven’t played together in a very, very long time.  And they reminisce, with DOOM gratefully thanking Serch for that MC’s role in his career.  Couple this with the chipmunk Journey wail, and you have a gold star single, one of the best of the year.

“Rain On Me” samples The Who’s, “Reign O’er Me” (these samples can’t be legal), and it’s a solid track as well.  Another one of the standouts, particularly since it’s a love song—a form of rap usually reserved to LL Cool J or silly crap.  Kuri sends shout outs to loved ones and victims of molestation—that’s something you don’t hear often in hip hop.  As he says, “I ain’t sugar coating shit.”  He’s also got a song on here about family (“Mysterious”), and on “Prosperous” he replaces the idea of monetary riches with those of fatherhood, advising that rap should “make kids more intelligent,” and confessing that he takes the trash out every week and apologizes for the stupid things he’s done in the past.  Kurious Jorge is back, and his album is a great reminder that hip hop can have meaning, and can be optimistic at that.

Benetton Kurious with MC Serch, M.F. DOOM and Kadi Amin

BONUS: KLASSIC KURIOUS

? (Questionmark) MF DOOM and Kurious from Operation Doomsday (one of the best indie rap albums of all time)

1.  It looks like Hollywood is considering doing “X-Men 4.”  Doesn’t this project seem like a no-brainer?  I’ve also read they’re considering a “New Mutants” flick.  That’s all well and good, but it’s X4 I’m most interested in.  How are they not filming at least two X-movies simultaneously right now?  There should be one ever year!

2.  I’m in favor of a comic movie about just about any character.  But Archie?  Really?  That idea is almost as dumb as, like, having a Spider-Man musical or something.

3.  They’re doing a Ghost Rider 2, also.  The first one sucked, but maybe they’ll get it right this time.  What’s that?  Nic Cage will return?  Oh, well.

4.  Superman/Batman Public Enemies comes out on DVD this week.  It can’t possibly be worse than Batman/Pirate of the Carribean Public Enemies, which came out earlier this year . . .

5.  Todd McFarlane is working on a sequel to his underwhelming Spawn movie.  There’s a movie that should have been waaaaaaaay better.  Kinda like Ghost Rider.  Or Daredevil.

6.  Despite the Disney deal, Sony has renewed its right to make a fourth Spider Movie.  Seems like a no-brainer.  The big shock is it might not be out until 2011.  Talk about leaving money on the table.

7.  A few others you might not know about, also in the works with tentative release dates: Doctor Strange (2012) (neither the comic nor any of the movies have ever been very good, but a recent animated DVD was worth a watch); Wonder Woman (2011) (I was interested when Joss Whedon was attached; now, not so much); Nick Fury (2010) (war movies usually suck, and a war/superhero movie just sounds stupid—why they would do this instead of relaunching Daredevil is beyond me); Thor (2010) (with Kenneth Branagh as director, this is the one I’m most excited about).

8.  Oh, and then there’s Red Sonja starring Rose McGowan.  I’m sure it will be good for one thing.  Or two things.

9.  Anyone heard anything about Deadpool?

10.  Finally, this isn’t movie, it’s video game: Ultimate Alliance 2 is a very good game . . . Until it isn’t.  The boss-battle at the end is super-lame and way too easy, and the final battle just kinda comes out of nowhere.  The game is short—too short.  The first one took 30 hours to clear; this one has a lot less story and a lot fewer interesting things to find behind corners, etc.  And the villain choices are odd (who the hell is Scorcher??)  But play-wise, it’s awesome.  The new Songbird, Gambit, Phoenix , and Cyclops are my favorites, and I appreciated the retooling of Luke Cage and Iron Man.   It’s so lame that I wish they’d release a third one.  Soon.

P.S.-Remember how much I raved about the new Diacon Panthers album?  No?  Shame on you.  Go refresh your memory.  They are the best unsigned band around right now.  And now you can buy their album for a pittance.  Go here.

01. Michael Jackson – I’ll Be There Remix (Prod. By Beatnick & K-Salaam)
02. Marvin Gaye – Ain’t No Mountain (Prod. by Beatnick & K-Salaam)
03. Stevie Wonder – My Cherie Amor Remix (Prod. by Beatnick & K-Salaam)
04. Michael Jackson – Never Can Say Goodbye (Prod. by Beatnick & K-Salaam)
05. Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On Remix (Prod. by Beatnick & K-Salaam)
06. Stevie Wonder – Uptight Remix (Prod. by Beatnick & K-Salaam)
07. Michael Jackson – ABC Remix (Prod. by Beatnick & K-Salaam)
08. Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get It On Remix (Prod. by Beatnick & K-Salaam)

Link

This is a remix project featuring classic songs from Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder , all over Beatnick & K-Salaams production

Good ol’ Uncle Bob.

J-Love’s Hidden Darts series are some of the best mixtapes ever.

This year brings us volume 5.  Enjoy.

I’d appreciate any diggs, stumbleupons, or any “hearts” at Hype Machine.

Ghostface – Hidden Darts Vol.5 (Hosted By J-Love)
1. (00:00:18) – Track 1
2. (00:02:29) – SLEPT ON TONEY
3. (00:01:39) – A.B.C
4. (00:03:47) – WU OOH FEAT RAEKWON & METHOD MAN
5. (00:02:01) – CRIMINOLOGY PT 2
6. (00:03:16) – DA G HIDE
7. (00:03:08) – THE RICH FEAT RAEWON
8. (00:03:36) – WHAR FEAT KOOL G RAP & RZA
9. (00:03:20) – BARRELL BROTHERS FEAT BEANIE SIGEL & STYLES P
10. (00:03:59) – FULL METAL JACKET FEAT J-LOVE , MEYHEM LAUREN , WIGS & TRIFE DA GOD
11. (00:03:53) – AMSTERDAM FEAT TRIFE DA GOD & WIGS (PRODUCED BY J-LOVE)
12. (00:03:46) – SHAKEY DOG (RMX) (PRODUCED BY J-LOVE)
13. (00:03:26) – CHINA TOWN FEAT M F DOOM
14. (00:02:39) – TRIALS OF LIFE FEAT PRODIGY
15. (00:02:40) – MESSAGE FROM GHOSTFACE

Link

See, this is still better than the TMNT flick with Vanilla Ice.