Lafayette Afro Rock Band* – Hihache
I stumbled across this while meandering around YouTube Sometimes it is scary how well Google seems to know me and my taste in music.
This is a perfect slice on Funk that I have been enjoying throughout a very relaxed Sunday. Some strong horn action which is always a good thing. It reminds me a little of the wonderful Parliament Funakadelic who I saw this time last year. I can’t believe how fast 12 months have slipped by!
/RjK
*Artist #572
Naught by nature* – Hip hop hooray (GPF)
This isn’t too substantial but it is an old fashioned party tune. A hip hop banger from New Jersey’s Naughty by nature, which I think is a pretty amazing name for a band.
/RjK
*Artist #570
Alt-J* – Tessellate (NAT)
I know I am very late on these guys. I meant to post them earlier in the year but didn’t get around to it. I was reminded of them when reading NME’s top 50 albums of 2012.
Alt-J are from Leeds and really came to prominence this year when their debut album An Awesome Wave won the Mercury prize.
/RjK
*Artist #569
Rick James* – Mary Jane
Rick James? What a beast! I was going to post this on a Friday but then I realised that I wasn’t guilty about it at all. Simply put, it is FLY. The video here is also suitably manic.
The only issue is that Dave Chapelle has meant that I haven’t been able to think about Rick James in the same way.
/RjK
*Artist #568
Sam Cooke and The Soul Stirrers – Peace in the valley
I don’t think I have yet encountered a voice that’s more pure than Sam Cooke’s. This is never more true than in the early Gospel music he recorded with The Soul Stirrers. The music is simple and his voice is unshackled and full of fervour. The result is simply startling.
/RjK
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – How can U luv me?
Another top tunes from 2011 favourites Unknown Mortal Orchestra who’s track Ffunny Frends was number 10 in my Top 30 of 2011.
They are from New Zealand by way of Portland, Oregon and I really like their washed out sound.
/RjK
I was talking with a friend a couple of weeks ago about Joni Mitchell and it reminded me of Laura Nyro (like Nero) who was a 1960’s contemporary of hers.
This is from her 1984 album of the same name and is simple and quite beautiful. Some nice mellow, Sunday listening.
/RjK
*Artist #567
Los Angeles rapper Kendrick Lamar is one of a Cadre of new hip hop artists who have caught my attention in 2012 to very pleasing effect. This is taken off his recently released major label debut studio album good kid, M.A.A.D. city.
While I don’t love the repeated use of the word bitch, otherwise I really like what the song has to say. Also, given the reviews I have read and how much I like the album I expect to hear much more from Kendrick in 2013.
I can feel the changes. I can feel the new people around me just wanna be famous…
/RjK
*Artist #566
Neneh Cherry* – Buffalo Stance (GPF) (Helen Chandler guest post)
I know very little about Neneh Cherry – she wasn’t really on my childhood music radar, except with ‘7 Seconds’ which was played on the radio a lot in 1994. Buffalo Stance is a song I came across much later – but I instantly felt like it reminded me of something.
I’ve heard it a lot over the last few years and it seems to be experiencing a resurgence. A quick search for the track on YouTube reveals that it’s currently being used as the intro music for Jamie Oliver’s 30 Minute Meals. That made me re-think posting it, but let’s be clear – I love it in spite of Jamie Oliver, not because of him.
Parts of the song still sound amazing – the main hook is kind of melancholy in a way that only ’80s music can be and the beat is one of those that sounds fresh in a retro sort of way. The lyrics and the ‘scratching’ have dated the track a bit, but I love Neneh’s attitude.
This fits really nicely into a Friday afternoon playlist full of ’80s and ’90s classics or brightens up a dull Monday. Enjoy it with mug of tea and a Fruit ‘n Nut.
/HC
*Artist #565