Recent Posts
- Album Review: DJ Unwind – Épais (Downtempo/Trip Hop)
- New Artist: Sevyn Streeter – “I Like It” (Video)
- You Should Know: Andreya Triana (Video Interview/Soul Bounce)
- Black Cab Sessions: Solange performing “Bad Girls”
- New Album Releases: May 7, 2013
- You Should Know: Onra (Video Interview/The Daily Motive)
- New Video: Janelle Monae & Erykah Badu – “Q.U.E.E.N.”
- New Album Release: April 23, 2013
- New Video: Leonard Friend – “Every Woman”
- New Album Releases: April 9, 2013
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Album Review: DJ Unwind – Épais (Downtempo/Trip Hop)
DJ Unwind’s new album is a welcomed diversion in this chaotic world we live in today. Épais, which means “thick” in French, is a lounge-filled musical tapestry of downtempo sounds. The producer says, “2012 was an unsightly year for many and at times felt like humanity was moving backwards instead of forward. Épais seems appropriate for the times to help soothe folks from a paranoid, antisocial, violent and insecure society.”
Even now, weeks after the Boston Marathon bombings, Épais has a calming effect on the mind as well as the soul. As a musician and remixer, Unwind (born Brad LaBarbera) has that laid-back vibe about him. Even in our email exchanges, there was a soothing feel to his words, his spirit.
The eight-track LP features three songs with 18-year old Australian folk-pop singer Hannah Karydas (“Mannequin,” “The Last Fall” and Old Ways New Games”). According to Unwind, “The Last Fall” is dedicated to two young family members who passed away last fall within weeks of each other. Though a self-proclaimed “non-conformist”, the Minneapolis-based DJ also performs under the pseudonym “Oceans of Velvet” with UK guitarist, Paul Allender. Their music can be found here. Épais is available on iTunes now.
Épais | Velvet Music Group | electronic/downtempo/trip hop
Track List:
1. Mannequin (feat. Hannah Karydas)
2. Autumn Cinema
3. The Last Fall (feat. Hannah Karydas)
4. Gatsby
5. Old Ways New Games (feat. Hannah Karydas)
6. Galaxies
7. The Beach (feat. Levphonic)
8. Épais
New Artist: Sevyn Streeter – “I Like It” (Video)
Up-and-coming artist Sevyn Streeter is a kind of doing her thing. Signed to Atlantic Records via Chris Brown’s indie label CBE, I caught wind of her last week while listening to an old episode of R&B singer Raheem Devaughn’s internet radio show on BLIS FM. She reminds me of Aaliyah in a lot of ways: cute, sassy and confident in her singing approach. And it seems her buzz is getting louder after rocking BET’s Rip the Runway in March; and her hit single “I Like It” garnering more than two million views on YouTube in the last several months. Having penned tracks for big names such as Estelle, Brandy, Fantasia, Alicia Keys and her mentor, Chris Brown, the songwriters’s debut LP is set to release later this year.
You Should Know: Andreya Triana (Video Interview/Soul Bounce)
British soul singer Andreya Triana is an artist I’ve been following since 2009; the following year, I interviewed her for Nu-Soul Magazine. She’s really humble and down to earth. Here, the songstress speaks on new music, her writing, tour plans and then she shares a new tune “Everything You Never Had,” the first single from her forthcoming EP (due out soon).
I agree with Soul UK, the writer at Soul Bounce who says, “Andreya sounds best when everything is stripped right back and you can really focus on her gorgeous tone, and “Everything You Never Had” is a perfect example, as she sings a deeply emotional tribute to her mother.”
It’s a beautiful song, but I didn’t expect anything less.
Though featured on several music releases over the years, from Flying Lotus’ “Tea Leaf Dancers” in 2007, Mr. Scruff’s “Hold On” in 2009, as well as many tracks with fellow Ninja Tune artist Bonobo, Triana released her debut LP Lost Where I Belong in 2010.
Black Cab Sessions: Solange performing “Bad Girls”
Back in February, indie singer Solange visited London’s Black Cab Sessions, where musicians perform one song in one take in a big ol’ London cab. The Houston native sang an acoustic version of “Bad Girls,” a single from her True EP, a seven-track electro-pop R&B set released in November last year. The sometime DJ and model really impressed me with the cohesiveness that still makes True a good listen.
New Album Releases: May 7, 2013
Noteworthy releases for today:
Fitz and The Tantrums, MORE THAN JUST A DREAM (soul-influenced indie pop) [Elektra Records]
Little Boots, NOCTURNES (pop-disco-house) [On Repeat Records]
You Should Know: Onra (Video Interview/The Daily Motive)
You Should Know is my latest segment on showcasing new artists, musicians, bands, duos, singer-songwriters, emcees and DJs. Mostly independent artists, yet good music all around. So sit back and read all about them.
I first heard of Parisian beatmaker Onra in early 2011, while living in Brooklyn, New York. He had released his newest LP Long Distance the previous summer via All City Records. The album is a mix of electronic music, “vintage funk and R&B, all filtered through hip-hop’s rhythmic, lyrical bounce;” it features tracks with Oliver DaySoul, fellow French beatmaker Walter Mecca, and T3 from Slum Village, as well as soul singer Reggie B and keyboard player Buddy Sativa (whom Onra recently completed a free form jazz-electro project with called Yatha Bhuta Jazz Combo).
In 2007 and 2011, respectively, Onra (born Arnaud Bernard) released Chinoiseries and Chinoiseries Pt.2 on All City Records, instrumental LPs created from Chinese music records he found in China, Thailand and Viet Nam. The producer is French with Vietnamese ancestry. In 2012, Onra released his newest EP Deep In The Night – a five-track electro-hip hop mix via Fool’s Gold Records; the EP also appeared on my Top 30 Music Releases of 2012.
Below peep the video interview The Daily Motive conducted a few months ago, where Onra speaks on music, DJing, his J Dilla influence and a whole lot more.
ONRA INTERVIEW | The Daily Motive from Mateo Vega on Vimeo.
Onra’s discography:
- Deep In The Night (EP) Fool’s Gold Records 2012
- Chinoiseries 2 (CD, 2LP) All City Records 2011
- Long Distance (12″, CD, 2LP) All City Records 2010
- 1.0.8 (LP) Favorite Recordings 2009
- Byron & Onra -The Big Payback (12″, CD) Just Like Vibes 2007
- Chinoiseries (7”, CD, 2LP) Favorite Recordings 2007
- Onra & Quetzal Present “Tribute” Bo Bun Records 2006
New Video: Janelle Monae & Erykah Badu – “Q.U.E.E.N.”
“Welcome to the living museum where legendary rebels throughout history have been frozen in suspended animation,“that’s the intro to Janelle Monaé’s latest video for her new single “Q.U.E.E.N.” featuring Erykah Badu (aka Badula Oblongata). The jazz-funk-hip-hop mash is the lead track from Monaé’s upcoming sophomore release The Electric Lady due out this summer via Atlantic Records.
Directed by Alan Ferguson, the visual stars Monáe and Badu as thawed-out rebels who throw a dance-party in a futuristic museum, where she and the rest of her ‘Wondaland’ crew show off their latest dance moves. Such a dope video! Watch it below and be sure to cop “Q.U.E.E.N.” via iTunes.
New Album Release: April 23, 2013
Noteworthy release for today.
BRIT Award winner and soul singer Emeli Sandé shares first-ever iTunes Session via Virgin Records. The eight-song EP was recorded live at the historic Capitol Studios in Hollywood, California. See track list below.
Track listing:
1. Heaven
2. Where I Sleep
3. Suitcase
4. I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel to Be Free)
5. My Kind of Love
6. Next to Me
7. Clown
8. Read All About It
New Video: Leonard Friend – “Every Woman”
Artist: Singer-songwriter Leonard Friend | Song: “Every Woman” | Album: LXLF (available for free download here) | Genre: Pop/R&B
New Album Releases: April 9, 2013
Noteworthy releases for today.
Boney James, THE BEAT (R&B/Jazz/Latin) [Concord]
Gary Clark Jr., THE iTUNES SESSION (blues/rock/soul) [Warner Bros.]
New Music: The Hood Internet – “Suit and Commercial” (Justin Timberlake x Daft Punk)
Chicago-based production duo The Hood Internet mashes up two unlikely artists to create new sounds, which is sometimes better than the original tracks. Here they pair Justin Timberlake’s latest “Suite & Tie” with Daft Punk’s 2005 Gap commercial that featured actress Juliette Lewis.
NYC: Alt-soul singer Maiysha performs at The Living Room, Mar. 29
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Maiysha will hit the stage at The Living Room in New York City on Friday, March 29 at 9pm. She will share the spotlight with musician Matt Singer.
The Minneapolis-bred, Brooklyn-based artist mixes the genres of R&B, rock, blues and jazz to create a sound that garnered her a 2009 Grammy nomination for her first single “Wanna Be” in the Best Urban/Alternative Performance category. The song is from her debut LP, This Much Is True: (2008) released via Eusonia Records.
In 2010, Maiysha delivered her live album entitled UnderCover, which featured cover versions of songs that inspired the singer. Guided by her signature version of Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” on This Much Is True, tracks re-worked on Undercover included Nancy Sinantra’s “Bang Bang,” Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” and Chris Isaac’s “Wicked Game.” Undercover was recorded live at the legendary Blue Note Jazz Club in NYC.
Record Store Day Official Film: “Last Shop Standing”
I think most every music fan at some point in their life has wanted to work in a record store. Not a big box chain store, but a small independently owned shop with a primary focus on music. It’s the meeting ground for like-minded music fans, nerds, artists, writers and DJs abound. “It’s like a library for your ears and your mind,” says Johnny Marr, about record stores, in the official RECORD STORE DAY film, Last Shop Standing: The Rise and Fall and Rebirth of the Independent Record Shop.
The documentary, directed by Pip Piper, is based on the book of the same name by Graham Jones where he “takes you behind the counter to discover why nearly 2000 record shops have already disappeared across the UK.” But it also delves into the rise, fall and re-emergence of record stores, as well as newer technologies like digital downloads.
Since 2008, Record Store Day has been celebrated every third Saturday of April. On this one day, independent record stores gather with artists to celebrate the “art of music” with exclusive vinyl, CD and promotional releases. Many stores host in-store performances and meet and greets as well. It’s a fun time for all!
So click here to see exclusives titles being released for RSD this year, which falls on April 20th, and start making your list!
New Album Releases: March 26, 2013
Noteworthy releases for today.
Dido, GIRL WHO GOT AWAY (alt-rock) [Sony Music]
Kendrick Scott Oracle, CONVICTION (contemporary jazz) [Concord Jazz]
New Video: DJ Day – “Land of 1000 Chances”
Artist: California producer and musician DJ Day | Song: “Land of 1000 Chances” | Genre: Nu-Jazz/Hip-Hop | Synopsis: “First of a 3 part series taking the viewer on a surreal visual journey through California, starting in iconic San Francisco.” | Album: Land of 1000 Chances, released Feb. 6 — now available on iTunes
New Music: India.Arie – “Cocoa Butter”
Always the lovely storyteller, neo-soul singer India.Arie returns with “Cocoa Butter,” the new single from her upcoming studio album, Open Door. The song seems to be an ode to the healing power of a new love. Open Door is a follow-up to Arie’s 2009 LP, Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics. Expect new project this summer.
[Via The Singersroom]
New Album Releases: March 19, 2013
Noteworthy releases for today.
Alice Smith, SHE (R&B/soul) [Rainwater/Thirty Tigers]
Justin Timberlake, THE 20/20 EXPERIENCE (pop/soul) [Sony Music]
Watch Justin Timberlake on Fallon performing “Strawberry Bubblegum”
Justin Timberlake continued his week-long run on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night (March 14), as the pop singer performed “Strawberry Bubblegum,” the newest live-previewed track from his upcoming LP, The 20/20 Experience (out March 19). Check it out!
[Via Spin]
New Music: Quadron – “Hey Love”
Hailing from Denmark, electro duo Quadron, consisting of producer and multi-instrumentalist Robin Hannibal and vocalist CoCo, releases new tune entitled “Hey Love.” The bouncy electro-pop single is from their yet untitled June 4th release, due out this summer.
New Video: AlunaGeorge – “Attracting Flies”
UK electro-soul duo AlunaGeorge puts their own seedy spin on childhood fairy tales in new video “Attracting Flies.” With the hook “little white fairy tales and little white lies,” the group re-enacts scenes from Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, as well as Rapunzel. The visual is directed by Emil Nava, who also created Jessie J.’s “Do It Like a Dude” and Price Tag” videos.
I wrote about the crew in January with the teaser single “Diver,” the sexy R&B-electro tune from their forthcoming LP Body Music. “Attracting Flies” is a follow-up to previous songs such as “You Know You Like It” and “Your Drums, Your Love.” Body Music releases on July 1.
New Album Releases: March 12, 2013
Noteworthy releases for today.
David Bowie, THE NEXT DAY (pop/rock) [Columbia]
Lady, LADY (retro soul/neo-soul/R&B) [Truth & Soul]
Laura Mvula, SING TO THE MOON (alt-singer-songwriter) [RCA Victor]
Adrian Younge / The Delfonics, Adrian Young Presents The Delfonics, (retro-psych-soul) [Wax Poetics]
