You may remember back in January we featured a trailer of Charles Hammond Jr’s debut EP Hello, My Name Is… Despite it’s short length, enough was heard to whet our appetites and intrigue our ears. Thankfully with the project now released (and available for free download), we can report our expectations were met and in parts, exceeded.
Hammond’s 4-track extended player is a dramatic and dynamic offering; A showcase of powerful chops, melodic understanding and song writing. Kindred to the likes of The Foreign Exchange, Maxwell, Dwele and Rahsaan Patterson, Charles infuses his Soul with Jazz, Funk & Rock. Listening to his key changes (especially on the EP’s opening number) I wouldn’t be surprised if he cited Kim Burrell as a influence too.
Refreshingly, Hammond largely avoids the mundane stereotypical approaches to his brand Soul; A spectrum of music in much need of a rejuvenation (in my opinion) right now. ‘The Truth’ does flirt a little close to that ‘middle-of-the-road’ sound but thankfully his powerful performance overshadows most concerns. Not to mention, the strength of the other tracks featured more than makes up – especially ‘(Re) Introduction’ and ‘The Beautiful Struggle’.
‘What Profit’ is the newest offering from Grammy nominated singer Dwele that’s been floating around the interwebs. Taken off his yet-titled forthcoming LP, he dedicates the song to his female admirers, informing them on what he’s able to offer if he were their man.
Not a bad track, just one that I feel I’ve heard many times before from him – it’d be good if he’d experiment and push what he does forward a bit more.
After the hiatus of what has felt like a lifetime, Lauryn Hill returns to British shores this Saturday to an highly expectant and packed Indigo2 audience. Later in the month, the venue also welcomes Young Jeezy too.
Seattle duo, THEESatisfaction come over to storm through with their first set of solo shows, Dwele returns for his yearly pilgrimage at Jazz Cafe and radio station NTS celebrate their first birthday in all day style. Jump over for all and much more.
L.A native Bago released ‘Dr. Lock’ late last year, somehow it evaded our ears – but with a voice that kind of reminds me of Nikka Costa and a vocal style undoubtedly influenced by Erykah Badu, it couldn’t go un-posted. Forgive us for the delay, we here now though…
With chords that’ll remind you of the D’Angelo, Dwele, Jill Scott et el circa 2000, this track is a sultry slice of contemporary (dirty word alert!) Neo-Soul. And while produced excellently by Alexander Spit – it’s Bago’s voice that really strikes hardest. Her tone is textured and her harmonies pristine – the way her voice has been directed really accentuates what she has too (again, kudos to Spit).
A video for ‘Dr. Lock’ was released recently also – peep that here and listen/download the track below…
Last night’s London Eye takeover, held by RBMA’s International Festival was arguably one of the biggest music events of the year and most certainly one of the most memorable. Red Bull and it’s worldwide tour took over the EDF London Eye for one night only – each pod hosted by a different DJ/collective/artist.
Our crew was split across two pods – the Deviation pod and the Andreya Triana pod.
Floating above the city lights while Andreya Triana (supported by Tanya Auclair) sang songs off of her critically acclaimed Lost Where I Belong album was both surreal and serene. With London as her backdrop she fully embraced the electric and jovial atmosphere created by just 20 people inside a capsule. The connection between her and those gazing in adoration was simply beautiful. Not to mention, unforgettable.
The Deviation pod, spearheaded by tastemaker extraordinaire Benji B featured a string quartet (a stroke of genius which once again separates this movement from any other around). While Benji played Soulful grooves from the likes of Erykah Badu and Dwele the quartet accompanied – their sonics engulfing the capsule and all within it. But in true Deviation style, the tempo was upped with some classic Garage & Hip Hop bangers. MJ Cole / Lil’ Wayne with strings = winning.
Everyone, in every pod (artist and guests alike) came out with glowing smiles, all fully realising that they had just experienced what will probably be a once in a lifetime event.
This type of feat is only achievable by a forward thinking, innovative company like the ones hosting. I want to go again!
As the PinBoard team recover from all the birthday cake gobbled down whilst celebrating our trilogy of years bringing good ‘ish to your ears and now eyes, treat yourself to one of the amazing artists that will be in the capital this month. If you need encouraging, go back and watch our EXCLUSIVE Red Bull Rehearsal Room sessions, our in-house production crew, PinBoard Film did earlier last month with Andreya Triana and Ghostpoet, both of which you can catch live in April.
Well, Dwele did mention to me when I interviewed him, he should be back on these shores in April and he didn’t lie.
Friday 1st April and Saturday 2nd April to be precise.
I saw him two, maybe three years ago at Jazz Cafe, UK songstress Tawiah opened on the brink of going on tour with Mr Mark Ronson and Dwele was truly amazing. He is one artist that is more than worth the 22.50 pound sterling you are parting with. You know you will see me there, so make sure you get your tickets now.
Gifted Films Inc and Okayplayer together present a new documentary on the late, great J.Dilla. “Still Shining” is a “comprehensive remberance piece on [Dilla]” and will available on February 7th via thejdillaproject.com. Compiled of unseen personal photos and rare concert performance, the documentary will also feature exclusive testimonials from friends and frequent collaborators like Erykah Badu, Dwele, Pete Rock, Bilal, ?uestlove, Busta Rhymes, Phat Kat, Common, Q-Tip, Houseshoes and more.
I’ve really been loving hearing some of my favourite artists (Phonte, Q-Tip, Dwele, Janelle Monae) speak so highly on another one of my favourite artists – Bilal. This time Questlove shares this thoughts on his ‘performance artist’ and expresses why he has so much respect for him as a singer and as an artist.
Last week we post up 2 separate videos featuring Phonte & Q-Tip talking about Bilal and his forthcoming LP Airtight’s Revenge. This week Dwele names Bilal as his ‘favourite vocalist’, he also states that it’s too ‘vain’ to be playing his own material in the bedroom, so he always turns to Bilal’s record to…Set the mood. Ha.
