Betty Wright and Lil’ Wayne reunite on a new track called ‘Grapes On a Vine’ produced by ?uestlove/The Roots. The pair first collaborated on Tha Carter III back in 2008.
First and foremost I must applaud both Wright & Wayne for ever working together, this pairing says a lot about both artists’. And thankfully, the results this time round are stellar too. Wright sings the hell out of the track, growling and hitting those high-high notes throughout, while Weezy offers that all-important contemporary nudge with his feature verse.
‘Silent Night’ starts off real strong; With Brandy unraveling her unmistakable alto vocal over a dark, moody, post Drake-step beat. Light bulb moment – this [sound] is what Brandy should be doing.
I’m not sure the song evolves in the strongest way, but tying it all together is Norwood’s sultry, beautifully controlled voice. My satisfaction for the track dips in and out, my main gripe being the section just before the hook. But if these sonics, themes and tones evolve and carry through into a cohesive long player, I think Brandy has the potential to come back with a critical smash; One that is relevant and forward thinking.
Brand new track from one of my favourite bands making music today. ‘Run Right Back’ is the b-side to ‘Lonely Boy’, the first single to come off The Black Keys’ forthcoming album El Camino.
Their unique charm, channeled via gritty Blues and deep south Rock’n'Roll is riddled with eccentricities and invariable quality. They do what they do unlike any other band around.
I know this is not a new track but having just discovered this acoustic version of ‘All Yours’ from their stunning longplayer Finest Hour it had to be shared and I just don’t care! Ruby Wood on vocals smacks it, as does the trumpeter. If you don’t have the album already, dig yourself a hole, do 20 push-ups and then head over here and do the right thing. Beautiful music.
Taken off their most recent album Pala, the Friendly Fires’ new video for ‘Hurting’ reminds me of ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ meets ‘Short Circuit’. No?
Erm…..not sure if you are ready for this one! Dropping officially tomorrow this cheeky slice of bass heavy pie is one you want to get stuck into. He comes from the Big Smoke. His name is Last Japan AKA Marco Giuliani and he has remixed for the likes of Crystal Fighters and is on the Bullet Train roster. UK Bass all day urrrryday. Press play, download the gratis EP and support.
Woiiiii, all the dancing crew. This is taken from Zane Lowe’s show last night, excuse him butting in at the end of the track. Yasmin and the original nuttah’s get the remix treatment from the lord of the dance MJ Cole. You know what you are going to get before you even think about pressing play, dope string stabs, cheeky vibing 2-step beat and a rolling bass. Hear for yourself and let us know what you think.
Sepalcure aka Machinedrum and Braille bless us with this video offering off their current single ‘Pencil Pimp’ which comes off their upcoming selftitled longplayer which is out on November 21st. Directed by Thor Brenne under art direction of longtime Sepalcure cover designer Sougwen Chung. Dope.
This new Jamie XX produced (just been informed, this isn’t actually produced by Jamie. Wishful thinking, maybe?) leak featuring Mr. OVOXOKUHNGJHGJVBOXO (I’ve given up on that stuff) is hard to sleep on. The whole world and their mother ‘copped’ the leak of Take Care this week – it felt like an official release the way that blogs, industry folk and every other man on road critiqued it. Not going to pretend I wasn’t one of them, but unlike most I shall be (legally) copping the hard copy on Tuesday and supporting. The production, much like this track is dope from start to finish. Really like the progression.
Once described as the “renaissance man of electronic music”, Nicolas Jaar returns with two new tracks. Unlike most electronic music, Jaar is determined not to remain in the background as nothing more than ambient, strange sounding noise.
At 21, Jaar forces his way to your aural sensibilities and packs as much as possible in these two tracks. After his successful debut, Space Is Only Noise, it may seem the EP tracklist is short but believe me the content is huge. Warming synths, crisp pianos, miminal sound beds, rough vocals, pauses, distant kick drums…I could go on. It’s all there. Yet, for some unknown reason after listening, you still know Jaar has more stored up elsewhere.
Small Copenhagen/Holstebro based label, (don’t even ask me to pronounce that!) are set to release their debut project on the label from their Danish electro enthused outfit, Sekuoia. The Trips EP will include two songs which I found on the label’s Soundcloud, both would fit perfectly amongst the (Godfather) James Blakes and Mount Kimbies of this world.
The two tracks although dark and spacey, don’t have the same grim nature or almost suicidal effect of a Holy Other or the rough edge of a Burial. No, for me Sekuoia provide a dreamier side of electronic music, more so on delicate chilled out ‘Nothing’. Even on the deeper, moodier ‘Evenings’, a positive soothing rhythm maintains throughout.
Although what may seem like newbies to this ever expanding genre, it seems Sekuoia definitely have their foot in the door.
‘Evenings’
‘Nothing’
Trips will be released on the 9th December on Fødselsdagsbarnets Pladeselskab
Our homie Full Crate was honoured a place at the exclusive Red Bull Music Academy held in Madrid, mixing with the likes of Benji B, DOOM and Ms Badu. Listen below to Crate live in the mix at RBMA’s Erykah Badu after show party. Big!
P.s Be sure to check out Full Crate’s new release‘Golden Glasses’.
YES! After a couple months of tracks, remixes and visuals, the two Odd Future campers, Syd The Kid and Matt Martian are set to release their debut album, Purple Naked Ladies digitally on 20th December.
The whole Odd Future camp have had undoubtable success this past year. Growing out of the blogosphere bubble to mature into a talented bunch of singers, songwriters and producers for themselves and others. Watching Tyler and Frank Ocean leading the way for most of the year with the masses, it’s great to see that there is plenty more freshness in this camp.
The album will include ‘Love Song-1‘, ‘Cocaine’ and ‘They Say’ and colloborations with Left Brain and Mike G. Hit the jump for the rest of the tracklist.
Purple Naked Ladies is released digitally December 20th and physically January 17th.
A week after the first shortened version of ‘Make My’, The Roots stick to their commitment and release a video every Tuesday at 12.06pm for the next couple weeks. You will have to ’llow us on the other side of the pond dealing with the time difference, but here is the second installment up top. Can’t wait for the album drop!
The Infamous are back with a a gritty 5 track EP before the release of their new album which will follow.
Out in the next couple of weeks, the leaks have begun and I am liking the sound of the lead track ‘Conquer’. Less of the weak Hip Pop that is filling the charts and blogorati and more of the fully loaded substance rap that many of us grew up on. The EP also includes a collobo with Nas, check the rest of the tracklist over the jump.
