“Sometimes I feel you lookin’ for the devil in me”…
Enter Natalie Duncan.
Currently working on her debut album, singer/songwriter/musician Natalie Duncan (of Nottingham) recently released two live videos recorded at Universal Studios.
‘Devil In Me’ is a enchanting ballad, built on a plethora of influences. Vocally, you can observe Duncan channeling the disaffected pain of Soul & Blues but musically, it’s the majestic calm of Classical which glues the composition together. Displaying a powerful instrument through her textured voice box and commanding such elegance and poise on the piano should make this young lady a very interesting observation over the next 12 months. It’s with great hope she retains the passion, authenticity and rawness heard here across all her future work.
After the jump, watch Natalie’s performance of ‘Uncomfortable Silence’ – a noticeably more Pop (via Adele) styling.
Unashamedly smiley-face old school dancefloor vibes with the piano House jabs and a smitten vox pop chop, as PinBoard tipped South London duo/siblings return with this glorious 7 inch available January 30th. The digi-copy can be pilfered here now.
Stockholm’s indie power-pop group Miike Snow return with this brilliant first offering from their forthcoming sophmore album. The band recently announced that work on the as-yet-untitled album is complete, ready for a 2012 release. If the triumphant, horn-laden ‘Devils Work’ is anything to go by then we can expect a prizewinning follow-up to their acclaimed 2009 debut.
Jamie XX sits down for a rare video interview with The Creators Project – in the piece he discusses his wide ranging influences, the beginning of his production career, his live shows, remix projects and that all important new XX album.
Can’t fault this guy, arguably the most influential producer of the year – his Gil Scott-Heron remix album (for example) is still on heavy rotation.
Remixes like this expose talent on both sides. The artist who originally made the template is now on my radar and the one that bravely reshaped it. In this instance, the remixer shines for me.
Teengirl Fantasy generate a bounce beat wrapped in a dream with an underlay of soothing synths and tranquil keys, far enough removed from the Brooklyn duo’s original. Credit due to the globe trotting production duo.
Listening to this new cut from Ghostly’s Shigeto has made me so relaxed, I’m almost horizontal. Fading in and out of tender keys, mid tempo percussion and a lo-fi soul edge, is everything that you would want in a winter’s production.
This is the title track taken from the LP Lineage out on January 31st. Listen below and drift.
Brownswood is one of my favourite British based labels. Pioneered by Gilles Peterson, championing homegrown talent such as Zara McFarlane and PinBoard homie Ghostpoet and to add further variety is Gang Colours.
The 24 year old Southampton artist, delivers a pleasant balance between instruments and electronics. Giving each one space to showcase, breathe and for the listener to enjoy the lucid piano melodies, snare patterns and the weighty rhythms.
An EP already is out already on the market and if this track is anything to go by, Gang Colour’s forthcoming LP The Keychain Collection may be one of next years breakthrough electronic acts.
The Keychain Collection out 27th February 2012 on Brownswood.
A slice of avant R&B, amplified with perky synths and gritty bass here. In the form of the girl boy duo, Pandr Eyez. The poppy vocal of Ferren Lloyd sits alongside the rumbling beat in an awkward manner and is cheapened slightly by the mechanical random sounds. Minus that quirk, Lloyd’s bravado with Tom King’s growling soundbed and male ego snippets sum up this laptop era sound. On paper, not sure I would take to this track, but for some reason – (could be Lloyd’s sexy no nonsense swag seeping through or THAT purring bass) I do.
Not too sure about the rest of the EP yet, which you can catch over the jump but would definitely file it next to New Look.
The LA based girl beatsmith dropped this track on her SoundCloud a few days ago giving us a taste of what didn’t quite make it on her debut album in 2009. TOKiMONSTA’s productions keeps you as enthralled as ever, even with this 3:14 minute throwaway.
For Completion of Proof, the Curtis Brothers have enlisted a powerhouse crew of musicians including drummer Ralph Peterson, Jr., Brian Lynch on trumpet, and their Artist Collective mentor, Jimmy Greene on saxophones.
The group also includes alto saxophonist, “Big Chief” Donald Harrison. Percussionists Rogerio Boccato, Pedro Martinez, and Reinaldo De Jesus help bring further folkloric Pan African flavor to the date. Throughout this recording there is a strong drum feel, which is echoed in Russ Musto’s authoritative liner notes suggesting an Art Blakey Jazz Messengers atmosphere. The original music of Completion of Proofspeaks in clear, unified tones; each track is carefully plotted out thematically, and delivered with the kind of high artistry one would expect from this impressive cast of musicians. A brave man who literally took on the Chinese army alone inspired the brisk opener ‘Protestor’. The clarion call urgency of the horn-rich theme statement is bold and declarative. They follow that with a song for their niece ‘Madison’. ‘The Wrath’, ‘Mass Manipulatio’, and ‘Manifest Destiny’ comprise a Manifest Destiny suite. These are carefully programmed and plotted selections that continue to bear fruit and further reveal themselves with each listen. Shouts to Elements Of Jazz.
I feel 2012 is going to a big year for the Black Keys. With the album officially out worldwide tomorrow and a tour in place, the promo run begins. Here is the duo doing their thing on Saturday Night Live.
Here’s a little promo video (produced by PinBoardFilm) to celebrate the release of the 10″ vinyl edition of Full Crate’s infectious new project Golden Glasses.
If you haven’t already, we strongly recommend you grab yourself a copy – injections of UK influences, combined with Crate’s impeccable craftsmanship makes Golden Glasses one of the most impressive extended players of 2011.
Still a little perplexed by the emergence of The Internet. While we continue to internally dissect the OFWGKTA movement, we can’t but feel a little exited about this project. This offshoot of Tyler’s gang has most impressed – delivering new-neo-digital-Soul (#ijustmadethatup) to an entirely new generation. What’s best about this – sonically and lyrically the music holds up. Looking forward to Purple Naked Ladies (Dec 20th)…
Here goes the (half) title track off Common’s new album The Dreamer/The Believer. Like the rest of the LP, this was produced by No I.D and also features John Legend. Give it a spin…
