Rhye* – Open
Rhye are a fairly recent discovery for me. I really like their sound, “quietly fabulous” as The Guardian reviewer puts it and I buy that. The vocalist reminds me a little of Sade, which would be a very flattering comparison for anyone.
In general, some smooth and relaxing Saturday listening.
I am off to the Aviva Stadium today for Ireland against South Africa. Fingers crossed for a good game!
/RjK
*Artist #551
Michael Jackson – Man in the mirror (Hed Kandi remix) (GPF)
This is a bit cheesy but I kind of like it’s energy. The reason I was reminded of it was that I shared a enjoyable couple of pints with a fellow blogger tonight. They mentioned an entry they had posted “revealing” the fact that Michael Jackson is in fact Nani’s father. Outlandish and humourous stuff!
I’m starting with the man in mirror…
/RjK
LA Vampires and Maria Minerva* – A lover and a friend (NAT)
This is another in a long list of Lo-Fi, washed out songs that I have featured recently. It is a sound that seems to have grabbed me more and more as my blogging journey has progressed. Also a song in English two Thursday’s in a row!
This is from LA Vampires recently release collaboration with Maria Minerva on the well named Not Not Fun records.
Also, I can believe this puts me up to 550 artists! I still remember posting the first (Curtis Mayfield of course) like it was yesterday.
/RjK
*Artist #550
Gift of Gab – Way of the light
This is taken from Oakland MC Gift of Gab’s first solo album 4th Dimensional Rocketships going up. Great album name, even better content. It was a big favourite from university and I have already featured Flashback, which is equally excellent.
This was on my mind because I remembered the really fresh sample while in London over the weekend. My mind’s ear works in mysterious ways sometimes.
/RjK
Bobby Womack – Nobody wants you when you’re down and out
This is one of my very favourite Bobby Womack tunes, from the 1973 album Facts of life. His voice is so true here (as ever), laying bare experiences that were taken from his own troubled life during this period.
Bobby has recently launched a comeback releasing the Damon Albarn produced album The Bravest Man in the Universe from which I posted Please forgive my heart earlier in the year.
/RjK
Jaques Brel* – Jacky
This is the original, French version of a favourite track by Scott Walker which I posted last year. Both are breathless, manic and rather magnificent.
The reason I thought of it is that (don’t laugh) I have enrolled in a French class which I take after work once a week. Hopefully at some stage I will be able to understand what he singing about!
/RjK
*Artist #549
Benoit and Sergio – New Ships
This is a little more up tempo than the usual tracks I post on Sundays. However, this has infected my brain over recent days. Berlin/Washington, DC duo Benoit and Sergio make accessible house music, including the utterly hypnotic Walk and Talk which was a big blog favourite in 2012. Or in the words of Resident Advisor:
…a sense of place and narrative infuse their rhythms and melodies, transcending the confines of “tech-house” or “electronic pop” and entering a genre-free realm of cinematic imagery and visceral pleasures…
Not sure I would go that far! Solid track though.
/RjK
Ella Fitzgerald* – Love is here to stay
I was somewhat surprised that I hadn’t posted Ella Fitzgerald yet so this is as good a time as any to right that wrong. Her voice is one of the all time classics.
The reason I choose this Gershwin classic is that it was sung at the wedding I was at a few weeks ago in Oxford and I actually found myself to be a little moved by it. For someone as stoic as me that is really saying something!
The horns here are so smooth and languid, the way they complement Ella’s voice is a real treat. I find the combination to be totally irresistible.
/RjK
*Artist #548
Royce da 5’9* – Boom (GPF)
This mid-90’s Hip Hop banger from Detroit rapper Royce da 5’9 is one of my favourite party tunes. The beat is provided by hip hop legend and genius producer DJ Premier.
I am over in London for the weekend for a friend’s birthday and hope to hear some stuff like this tonight. This is for you Jimmy, here’s to a good night!
/RjK
*Artist 547
Altar Eagle* – Breakdown (NAT)
Tulsa, Oklahoma band Altar Eagle are new to me this week, having stumbled across them while meandering about the expanses of the internet, specifically in this case on Soundcloud.
They pull off the neat trick of sounding both modern and retro at the same time (I have spoken about this before). They are a little like Beach House meets Cocteau Twins.
/RjK
*Artist 546