Posted on

Joe Goddard // Gabriel EP

Joe Goddard, bka Ulysses and fellow Hot Chip accomplice is a force to be reckoned with on so many levels. Let’s see, he’s a more than capable vocalist, a maestro of the synths and syncopated beats. No doubt, his is a world in which making timeless music is not just a means to an end, it is perhaps life-sustaining. I’m revisiting his August 2011 Gabriel EP for good reason, it transcends this-worldly plain and delivers you right into the arms of seventh heaven. The title-track, “Gabriel” (Ft. Valentina) and “All I Know” are 14 minutes  57 seconds of unadulterated bliss. This is music that nourishes the soul. And you know I just had to provide the optics for you enjoyment too.  See and hear it all after the jump. Peace. Continue reading “Joe Goddard // Gabriel EP”

Posted on

maglia rosa group // penelope

It is raining here in Michigan, and the precipitation is as persistent as it is chilly. The sky? Well, it is as expected. Overcast and gray. But there is hope yet. Currently, I’m listening to the Maglia Rosa Group and so there is at least sunshine upon the airwaves ringing my ears. The Maglia Rosa Group hail from Norwich, U.K. But really their physical location is a moot point, because it’s their music that is of importance. Listening to the song, “Penelope” I get the feel of something not easily defined. For one, the music Daisy, Matt, Owen and Sam make is too sophisticated to be categorized as mere Pop. Yet, the tag adult contemporary is a mismatch too. So, what to do? Well, I’ll just enjoy the music sans labels. I’m especially unarmed by Daisy’s smoked honey voice. It’s a voice I hope to hear more of, and I think you’ll want the same. You can head over to the band’s Facebook fan page for additional tracks. Peace. Continue reading “maglia rosa group // penelope”

Posted on

The Men // A Minor

The Men are an incredible noise punk/alt rock band out of Brooklyn, NYC. The bands immaculate song “A Minor” is featured on the Record Store 2012 Sampler: Todo Muere Volume 2, the song kicks a whole lotta’ butt. So, if you like bit of raucous music be sure to check ’em out. Also, these guys will be playing at The Pyramid Scheme in good old Grand Rapids in June. Check out the band’s music and tour schedule after the jump. Peace. Continue reading “The Men // A Minor”

Posted on

chet faker | i’m into you | video


 

chet faker | i’m into you | video

 
Chet Faker isn’t an artist shrouded in mystery. A bit of mystique? Yes. This talented singer/songwriter/producer wears his intent, and perhaps his heart too, on his musical sleeve. No secret either how the music he creates is just plain lovely. I also find Chet Faker to be fearless, or maybe it’s just high-octane confidence, either way it’s all good. Here is an artist who can tackle Radiohead’s song Nude and reduce it to its spiritual essence, no mean feat. And CF is equally comfortable (and very capable) of reaching into the R&B archives of 1996 and polishing off Blackstreet’s No Diggity by Blackstreet into a new-found glowing radiance. After the jump, check out Chet Faker’s secret live session performing his very own, I’m Into You at S.O.TERIK‘s Showcase at SXSW presented by FILTER Magazine. Peace. Continue reading “chet faker | i’m into you | video”

Posted on

childish gambino // eat your vegetables

childish gambino // eat your vegetables

All rappers are not created equal. It’s a fact worth knowing. Donald Glover bka Childish Gambino is poised to methodically carve out a special niche in the world of Rap and Hip Hop. It’s the geeky, nerdy and oh so proper Negro thing to do, it works for him. His is a new kind of brand new, and although the establishment seems unfit to market him his growing fan base will more than rise to the occasion and by word of mouth do his marketing for him.

On the track Eat Your Vegetables we hear CB waxing poetically about Trayvon, among other things, and it’s nice to see the facets of growth and maturity shine through. Be on the lookout for a forthcoming Mixtape Childish Gambino soon. And if the photo has you flummoxed, well it just may be the graphics to said soon to be released mixtape. Peace. Continue reading “childish gambino // eat your vegetables”

Posted on

Shany Kedar & Benjamin Esterlis // Comfort You (Songs By Other People)

Just let your tears run wild …

This morning I found something unexpected and absolutely gorgeous in my email inbox. Let me introduce you to Shany Kedar and Benjamin Esterlis and their sumptuous collection of heartfelt songs. Their recent release is an eclectic compilation of odes by not a few iconic musicians and songwriters that span decades. Comfort You (Songs by Other People) is presented in the low faltering last light of a vanishing sun. And like those final visages of pulsing light, these songs shimmer and glow with a soft radiance.

Shany and Benjamin have deconstructed these sonic tributes with such tenderness, and reassembled them piece by piece, using only the melted notes softened by their deep admiration for the material and the lovely heat of their burnished vocals. For me, the songs “That’s Life I Guess” made famous by Billie Holiday. “I Don’t Want You On My Mind” written by Bill Withers. And the final track “I’m A Drifter” written by Terry Callier. All of these songs are molten. But really, the entire body of work inches the temperature up, and what delicious degrees by which to work up a sweet sweat. This album just makes you want to love somebody. Or if by chance your the victim of a broken heart, these songs will provide weld and salve enough to help mend you back together again.

Check out the entire release after the jump. Plus, budgets be damned! ‘Cause with this one you can name your own price! But, even after you’ve purchased the LP, you’ll find these songs are ultimately in a word, priceless. Peace.  Continue reading “Shany Kedar & Benjamin Esterlis // Comfort You (Songs By Other People)”

Posted on

Kimbra // Settle Down (Video)

Something wonderful is happening down-under and it’s spreading like wildfire. Get ready for a hot summer and a Tsunami of above-par music from our brethren and sistren from Australia. Kimbra has a voice like melted sunshine and powered moonbeams and her song “Settle Down” just does it for me on so many levels. Take note, ’cause I’m sure we’ll be hearing a lot more from her. Plus, the video just kills. Kimbra’s U.S. debut album ‘VOWS’ will be released on May. However, the Settle Down EP is available now on iTunes. Peace.

Kimbra – Settle Down from Forum5 Recordings on Vimeo.

Also, check out the song “Somebody That I Used To Know” with the artist/producer Gotye. Plus, I’ve also included the vicious TheFatRat remix. I got you covered from head to toe. Enjoy.

“Somebody That I Used To Know” (TheFatRat Remix)

(Via TheFatRat)

Posted on

Joywave / / Koda Vista

There is something very familial about the Rochester, NY band Joywave in that the band is much more than the sum of it’s four core members (Daniel Armbruster, Sean Donnelly, Paul Brenner and Joseph Morinelli), and when quartet need additional help a veritable village appears and the number of counterparts can easily swell to almost a dozen members. Perhaps that is the reason the band sounds so expansive. But quotients aside this band is drawing comparisons to MGMT and Passion Pit, and although the music call fall into the super sonic ultra electro realm is also vastly different in so many ways, but alas I’ll let you be the final judge. Listening to the bands mini-album Koda Vista one hears so many influences. Instant favorites are “Who Do You Like” and “Smokestacks” but the fun doesn’t have to stop there. For an additional hit or two on the music bong, check out the band’s August 2011 7″ featuring the songs “Ridge” and “Traveling At The Speed Of Light”. On that note, listen responsively. Peace Continue reading “Joywave / / Koda Vista”