Bilal tore the roof off the Jazz Cafe last night, putting on a spectacular 2 hour non-stop show.
We are all aware of Bilal’s vocal dexterity, but there is something about hearing his voice live that you simply cannot from playing a .mp3 or a CD. The range of his voice and the control he has over it is incomparable to any other male vocalist around. I can’t think of anyone, except for Prince, who can ‘scream’ as on point as Bilal does.
…And as much as I love hearing his older material (‘Soul Sista’, ‘Reminisce’ etc), for me – the real magic happened when he performed songs from his most recent album Airtight’s Revenge – songs like ‘Levels’ and the mighty ‘All Matter’ sent me somewhere else.
But, for the tradionalists out there – click play and watch him perform ‘Something To Hold On To’ off his Love For Sale album.
‘Iron’ is the title track off WOODKID’s debut EP which was released on March 28th.
Carried by a spectacular organ and a set of hypnotic tribal drums, this track, in all it’s cinematic glory wouldn’t sound out of place in a Chris Nolan superhero movie. A fact further emphasised by the visual which accompany it.
‘Iron’ undoubtedly has one of the best videos I’ve seen this year. Horses, owls, supermodels, weapons – it has everything. The way it’s put together and edited is completely inspired. The photography, the imagery, the movement – everything about it is incredible.
If Sade were to record a Bond theme song (which, now thinking of it – why hasn’t she already?) it would sound something like this. This is insane!
Sade delivers her unmistakable silk-like vocal, over a Neptune-esque bass drone and an entirely other worldly beat. I am officially buggin’ out, this is some next sh*t. Without question the most innovative Sade track I’ve heard in years. Maybe even the best.
Beyonce, Rihanna, Gaga et el – pay attention.
‘Love is Found’ comes off Sade’s forthcoming greatest hits album The Ultimate Collection.
It’s Monday, we need a pick me up – right? Look no further.
We’ve slyly been bumping this track for a few weeks now (yes Ma!), thought it’s only fair we share with you..
TEETH has ingeniously sampled Bey’s seductive opening line from ‘Video Phone’ and around it has crafted one madness beat. Dirty-south drums, orgasmic basslines, perfectly positioned synths – chopped-and-sexed. 5 minutes and 9 seconds of sonic ecstasy.
“Berlin creative space MADE recently played host to singer and songwriter Aloe Blacc, violinist and composer Mihalj “Miki” Kekenj and painter Jaybo, as the three came together to create a spectacular moment. Sit back and enjoy our latest episode of Highsnobiety TV, as Aloe, Miki and Jaybo share their mesmerizing performance and discuss how the overall journey transpired”
It’s rare I post about events outside of LDN Town, but when Prince makes an announcement – any announcement – I will happily divulge.
The Purple One called into George Lopez’ show to announce his 21-date residency in Los Angeles starting next week April 14th. The show, like the ones in London a few years back, will feature a whole host of special guests.
Marsha Ambrosius calls on Busta for the remix of ‘Far Away’, taken off her debut solo album Late Nights & Early Morning.
My position on remixes has always been – they needs to bring something extra that the original didn’t. When it doesn’t – I don’t really see the point. Busta’s additional verse during the opening does absolutely nothing to better the song or even give it a new prospective. And, despite knowing that this song could mean different things for different people, it’s original message (conveyed beautifully in it’s video) of the complexities of being openly gay in the black community was quite powerful – Busta’s verse distracts from that and makes the song about something else entirely, which I think is a shame. If he confronted those issues, maybe offered something from his prospective – that too would have been quite powerful. But I guess that’s asking a little too much from a rapper, eh?
Jay-Z jumps on Sade’s ‘Moon & the Sky’ for the official remix, which will appear on her upcoming greatest hits album The Ultimate Collection.
I didn’t think I was going to like this, but I really actually think what they did with it (the beat) is pretty serious. Adding those additional, (post-Drakestep) dark tone chords works a treat. That new drum pattern works too.
Update: This was produced by Noah ’40′ Shebib. What we say about that post-Drakestep. Lol.
Uncut is a fresh new live music night launching this month @ Cargo. Held every third Tuesday of the month the night will feature some of London’s finest up and coming artists performing live sets with some of the finest musicians in town. After the live showcase there will be an Open mic and jam session allowing artists and musicians in the crowd the opportunity to get up on the stage and join in on the fun.
The Launch will include performances from artists we have previously featured Nadine Charles and Shakka both who will be backed by The Remedies so you know its gonna be quality. Just £3 all night RSVP and get down there!
What happens when you take one slightly unhinged post-adolescent and merge his maniacal musings with a known Victor Frankenstein of genre perversions?
It results in this madness remix of one of the dopest joints off Bastard, now bastardized brilliantly if albeit without neural mercy by Stones Throw’s James Pants.
Tyler is a confessed fan of Pants and allegedly handed over the stems of ‘Seven’ for remixing himself. Pants self-titled next offering is out May 5th.
The sun is high in the city and we just want to swag our shit out.
Fresh from a recent signing to Warner Brothers (nice one mate, well deserved), this is brand new Spitta from a planned Covert Coup mixtape set to drop April 20th via CurrensySpitta.com.
Produced exquisitely by The Alchemist, this should assist with your herb exhalations in time for the weekend.
Yesterday our good friend Benji B previewed an exclusive, brain-fragmenting refix of ‘Give A Man A Rod’ by Blake himself, featuring heavier bass dips and an increased danceability on the ketamine-tripping original that dropped as a 12 inch during his pre-Paul Simon days (just kidding).
According to Fact Mag, Hessle Audio will release a heavyweight 2xCD/3×12″/digital label compilation entitled 116 & Rising on May 16 and this is one of the fine offerings from it.
Last night was the energetic, live album launch for Big Dada’s hotly tipped signee Dels down in London’s trend-hub, Hoxton.
Firing on all cylinders alongside his backing band, Dels ran through a set list of new favourites from the forthcoming debut LP Gob (released 2nd May), proving why his combo of intelligent lyricism and diverse, electronic soundbeds are marking him out as rather precocious step for Brit-Hop in 2011.
