Tag Archive for Current

Charles Bradley* – Where Do We Go From Here

One of the great pleasures of writing this blog over the past few years has been people sharing with me the music that they love and that inspires them.

This was one such track, which a good friend and regular musical co-conspirator sent me last week. It is right in my wheelhouse (soul, my first love) and given that I hadn’t heard it before it was a double pleasure.

It is taken from Florida singer (and general bad ass) Charles Bradley’s recently critically acclaimed 2013 album Victim of Love.

Charles Bradley:

Charles Bradley/RjK

*Artist #718

Neko Case* – Night Still Comes | (NAT)

I came across this track, by American singer Neko Case, on Pitchfork this week. While it isn’t the type of thing that gets my pulse racing (it is just a little tame perhaps) it has been playing on repeat since. It’s funny how that can happen sometimes.

It is taken from her wonderfully titled upcoming album The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You.

Neko Case:

Neko Case/RjK

*Artist #717

Clear Soul Forces – Strangers In The Night

This track from 2013 discoveries Clear Soul Forces makes it two Detroit tracks in a row. I really like the simple hook and some impressive lyrical dexterity here.

Even though the Motor City may be ailing it’s music has shaped my playlist in 2013 just about more than anything else (and I don’t even mean Motown – this is an ever present that by now I take for granted).

Whether it is Theo Parrish, J Dilla, Black Milk or Moodymann it seems like a disproportionate number of Detroit artist have gotten my musical attention recently.

Clear Soul Forces:

Clear Soul Forces/RjK

Fredy Massamba* – Ntoto

What I really find interesting about this track (and especially the video) from Congolese artist Fredy Massamba is how American it seems. It is like American (or maybe French, like blog favourite MC Solaar) hip hop culture transplanted to Africa, so completing a cycle.

Fredy Massamba:

Fredy Massamba/RjK

*Artist #713

 

Banks* – Warm Water | (NAT)

I don’t know too much about rising L.A. singer Banks, having discovered her earlier in the week via the Guardian’s New band of the day series. The word that comes to mind here is sultry and it’s certainly very catchy. Is she an American version of Jessie Ware?

Banks:

Banks/RjK

*Artist #712

Arthur Beatrice* – Midland (Bwana Remix) | (NAT)

A friend gave me an excellent tip last week about London Fields Radio. My usual sources of new music were starting to run dry and it has a wealth of new and interesting shows to delve into so it was fortuitous timing.

And it was on the LFR show Everything is Borrowed that I discovered London band Arthur Beatrice. I don’t know too much about them beyond the fact that they seem to be somewhat enigmatic and this is an enjoyable remix of their debut single which was released last year.

Arthur Beatrice:

Arthur Beatrice/RjK

*Artist #709

Vondelpark – Come On

This soothing, ethereal number from English band Vondelpark is just what I need today. After a friend’s wedding yesterday I am feeling rather delicate.

It is taken from Seabed which they released earlier in the year and is well worth a listen.

Vondelpark:

Vondelpark/RjK

Jessie Ware – Sweet Talk

I have developed a real soft spot this year for British singer (and modern day Sade sound-a-like) Jessie Ware. Running, which I posted in January has been one of my favourite tracks of 2013 so far.

Both tracks are taken from Devotion, which was released last summer.

Jessie Ware:

Jessie Ware/RjK

Luísa Maita* – Lero Lero | (NAT)

The biggest musical revelation of my meandering blogging journey over the past couple of years has definitely been world music. However, this has largely focused on African music.I have therefore put some effort into exploring other musical destinations. This is how I came across Brazilian singer Luísa Maita on the excellent Aurgasm blog. I really enjoyed the wistful quality here.

Luísa Maita:

Luisa Maita/RjK

*Artist #706