Anthony Valadez should be no stranger to readers of this blog, or any Los Angelenos out there. He's a DJ, producer and all around tastemaker. Just Visiting is his most recent album and a really beautiful piece of work inspired by his late night / early morning experiences in Los Angeles. Tapping into his vast network of relationships with awesome music makers, Valadez has pooled a great selection of talent to lace his downtempo beats, including Sonnymoon , Mar , Joya Mooi and Miles Bonny. As a DJ we've been used to Valadez' razor sharp [...]
If you're one of those people that would prefer to avoid the Olympics, I'm afraid you best click away from this post. Bit unusual perhaps to find mention of the Olympics here, but so far I've got at least two good reasons to bring 'em up. And this is the first. Here in the US, the more conscientious of us were quite dismayed and disgusted to learn that NBC, the sole broadcasters of the Olympics over here, decided to edit out the part of the opening ceremony that featured a tribute to those who perished in the London bombings of [...]
Yuna is a wonderful new singer that I discovered, I think with the help of KCRW . She's Malaysian-born but now based in Los Angeles and signed to the FADER label. This acoustic cover of Frank Ocean's "Thinkin Bout You" perfectly demonstrates her vocal skills. The more I listen to it, the more I kinda like it better than the original, although I have to say that it's so different that its really a case of apples and oranges. I'll have more from Yuna coming up in future posts. For now, try this on for size and [...]
So this brilliant gem of wistful,summery house music comes from the Scottish outfit Discopolis . I discovered this track thanks to it being featured in a scene from the BBC3 TV show "Lip Service" , and I've had it on repeat ever since. BUY AT iTUNES: A couple more tracks for your enjoyment....Let me know how you like 'em! We Should Have Been Born In Canada: Lofty Ambitions:
This track came into the inbox with zero introduction, but for some reason I clicked on it in any case, and was pleasantly surprised to find a "squelchy" hip-hop soundscape, thick with electronic grooves and a solid thump. The track is taken from an album by the French (apparently) producer L Rey, Paz y Amor vol. 1 which is available on BandCamp . That album features some similarly experimental-sounding hip-hop instrumentals, although with some obvious jazz and funk influences.
Maybe y'all already knew this, but this Kimbra chick is apparently kinda hot sh*t at the moment. All of a sudden I keep hearing about her, and just bought her album Vows on Emusic. I had anticipated it being much more indie-kid, but in reality it has a nice quirky soulfulness to it. Adding to the frenzy, this remix landed in my inbox t'other day. Producer Feature Cuts has given "Settle Down" an electro pop facelift, and it works really well. Check out the video below.
Yay! Dwele's back with a smooth n' catchy new single "What Profit", which precedes a brand new album, his fifth no less which will be released in late summer. Dwele's last album, "W.ants. W.orld. W.omen. (W.W.W.)" was released in 2010 so it's been a while since we've heard anything from the man. The track is fairly typical Dwele I would say, which, while not ground-breaking, is still a welcome sound amongst the junk that generally seems to prevail these days. I look forward to hearing more from the album. What do you think of this first track? Take a listen [...]
This is an awesome slice of underground soul music that would be well worth paying for, but Mar has kindly made it available for free. The singer/songwriter from Amsterdam has crafted an excellent EP that keeps it sexy without crossing over into cheesy. Production comes from FS Green and Full Crate, so you know the sound has a futuristic feel, placing it at the forefront of a new R&B movement. On every front - from songwriting, to vocals, to overall class, Mar measures up to, if not bests, any of the current crop of mainstream male R&B stars. This is [...]
Lord knows where or how I discovered this gem, but I was digging through my notes of 'things to post on ye olde bloge' and came upon this bookmark. Sinitus Tempo makes jazzy, downtempo beats with a hip-hop flavor. Peaceland is just one of several releases you'll find on the Bandcamp page, all of a similar ilk. And honestly, that's about all I know about this person. So I'll let the music speak for itself....
The other day I got an email in my box via the Moovmnt fellas - Julie Dexter - Transitions (produced by Zo!) it said. Awesome, new Julie Dexter, I thought. However, turns out this track was released several years ago and Moovmnt were showcasing it as part of "slept-on sundays." So clearly I'm guilty of sleeping on it, but am glad Moovmnt brought it to light again, it's a really great track. Once I heard it, I kinda wanted to hear more collaborations between these two, although none could be found. I also could not find an album on which this [...]
This is a really nice remix by Maribou State, of a new song from Mr. Fogg. After checking out more of each artist's music on SoundCloud, I have to say I think this collaboration highlights the best in both. The official blurb about the forthcoming release: Mr Fogg provides a second taste of what is to come from his forthcoming sophomore album with new single "A Little Letting Go", released through Kicking Ink/ Kompakt on May 28th. Built from spiralling layers of choral samples and intricate beat production, A Little Letting Go [...]
I get a lot of emails through this blog from a lot of artists trying to get attention for their little piece of the internet. I try and listen to what I can. Very generally speaking, most of it is mediocre at best. Few make the cut onto these hallowed digital pages ;) However, it's always super-rewarding to find a gem amongst them all. Maehlib, AKA Thomas Kaske, is one of these cases. He sent me a track via SoundCloud and I was immediately intrigued by his atmospheric, downtempo hip-hop beats. Leaning heavily on jazz, Maehlib creates layered, [...]
German DJ Paul Pre, one of my favorites, has a new mix he did for Laid Back Radio in Belgium, featuring "chilled beat music". As usual he comes correct with a selection of soulful, futuristic beats featuring AFTA-1, fLako and more (full tracklist below). Paul Pre for LDBK by Laid Back on Mixcloud Tracklist: 01. Shlohmo - Things I Lost 02. heRobust - Lumber Party 03. Jazzo & [...]
The Stereo MCs are back! They have a new album, Emperor's Nightingale out on August 30th. "Manner" is the first, and pretty impressive single to be released from it, and as you'll hear below, still features a strong hip-hop meets electro vibe. They sort of remind me of Daft Punk or maybe even Basement Jaxx in that they've mastered the art of still being prominently cutting edge with their musical influences, but giving it a polished, pop-friendly sound (and for once I don't mean that as an insult, hehe) at the same time. Looking forward to hearing more of the [...]
Jay Scarlett has just posted another wonderful AmpSoul mix. Described as Soul, Future Beats and Lovestep it features all kinds of soul, from classic to futuristic, expertly programmed by Mr. Scarlett. Ampsoul Mix by Jay Scarlett on Mixcloud
Yesterday's Machine is the debut release from King Britt's Saturn Never Sleeps project, his collaboration with singer/artist Rucyl. The blurb from the label describes it as well as I could: Their debut album, Yesterday’s Machine , combines an experimental create-in-the-moment vibe with inspirational lyrics and vocal sonics that range from Sade tones to Flora Purim’s ethereal layers. The result is well-crafted, intelligent, genre-pushing, electronic soul rooted in the duo’s collective years of experience and musical expanse. Listen and download the album for free below, and also watch the [...]
Nas is set to return after several years since his last solo album. "Nasty" is the first single from the upcoming Life Is Good (although a name change is rumored to be in the works), due in September. "Nasty" has a classic Nas feel to it - bangin' drums and Nas doing his thing solidly over the top. The track is produced by heavyweight beatmakeer Salaam Remi. Take a listen below. Definitely whets the appetite for the full-length wouldn't you say? Listen to Nas - "Nasty": [See post to listen to audio]
Zo! is a multi-instrumentalist / producer from Detroit who is on The Foreign Exchange Music label. His soulful hip-hop sound is a perfect match for that label, born out of the success of Phonte and Nicolay's original Foreign Exchange collaboration. Just Visiting Three is the latest installment in Zo!'s series of free eps in which he reworks cover songs with the help of a slew of progressive soul vocalists like Eric Roberson, Sy Smith,Nicholas Ryan Gant and more. Listen: "Everything She Wants" feat. Phonte [See post to listen to audio] "Let It [...]
Heard this track on Raul Campos' show on KCRW last night and immediately had to hunt it down. This is probably one of Tokimonsta's best yet - a totally addictive & melodic downtempo soundscape perfectly complemented by the delicate vocals of Gavin Turek. As HomeWorkOnTheFire points out, the catchy, soulful nature of this track really distinguishes Tokimonsta from her Brainfeeder labelmates who rarely weave melodies into their tracks. "Little Pleasures" is taken from the Creature Dreams EP . Tokimonsta - Little Pleasures (feat. Gavin Turek) by [...]
You may remember Emily King from a few years back, from her song "Walk In My Shoes". After she caused a stir with that track, she kinda disappeared. I have no idea what she's been up to since then, but this EP, released independently has just surfaced. It's less R&B than "Walk In My Shoes", and has a folksier, but still soulful feel to it. Take a listen below and let me know what you think. It's fairly low-key and mellow, but really allows her voice to shine. I think it's a grower.
Beatlife
Deer Tick – “The Rock”
Craziest Horse: The 15-Minute Like A Hurricane From Berlin
Escucha el ruidoso regreso de M.I.A.
Holy living fuck the new Die Antwoord video is intense
