Willis Earl Beal* – Evening’s Kiss
The weekend’s carousing has left me still feeling pretty delicate (yesterday was a very long day). As such, I needed something quiet and gentle to ease my racing mind and this did the trick. I don’t know too much about this guy, other than he is based in Chicago.
I see from his website that he has some shows coming up in London so I might try to go and check him out in person. I will keep you posted.
RjK
*Artist #439
Radiohead* – Lotus Flower
Radiohead are a band I feel like I should be into more than I am. I have just never really been able to get it. Maybe they are a bit too bleak for me. The fact that they are the 437th artist I have posted on here probably says it all.
I do like this though and their downbeat, mellow sound is probaby right for this morning. I have felt better! The Spanish beer went down easily last night. It is taken from their latest record, The King of Limbs.
Barcelona has been very fun. I got to see Lionel Messi score four goals in Pep Guardiola´s final home game. The Nou Camp is very impressive. And I am in one piece so far which is a bonus!
RjK
*Artist #437
This guy finally has some new material (that I can find on youtube)! It has been a long wait since he put out my favourite track of 2011 at the end of 2010. I really like this, just like BTSTU it is quiet and smooth. There is something both retro and contemporary about it which makes it great.
It sounds like it should be on the soundtrack to the movie Drive. I can definitely imagine The Driver cruising around full of quiet, brooding intensity and listening to this as it slowly builds and builds.
RjK
Jay Electronica – Dear Moleskine
I have heard this a lot recently and really enjoyed it. It seems like Jay Electronica is set to be one of the breakout acts of 2012, certainly in the hip hop world.
The main reason I like it so much is the clever and fresh sounding sample. I have been thinking about samples quite a bit since posting Pete Rock and CL Smooth a few weeks ago. It really is an art form, I am a total sucker for a clever sample.
RjK
Nneka* – Shining Star (Joe Goddard Remix)
I don’t know much about these guys beyond the fact that they are German and I hadn’t heard them before the past couple weeks.
This is very enjoyable even if it flirts with being overly maudlin. It has a somber power that I find quite striking and the ambiance fitted in well with my downbeat mood caused by the wretched weather in London this week.
/RjK
*Artist #424
Sun Araw, M. Geddes Gengras & The Congos* – Happy Song
This was ideal listening earlier for a jarring Monday morning. It is mellow, languid and hypnotic and soothed the day away.
This is taken from an interesting upcoming collaboration between roots reggae pioneers The Congos and hip LA band Sun Araw. I intend to investigate it some more as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
RjK
*Artist #422
Vondelpark – HipBone
London band Vondelpark were favourites from last year that I have finally gotten round to revisiting. I was in the mood for something quiet and this was just the tonic. It is hypnotic and has a washed out sound that seems to be en vogue at the moment.
And you’ve got it going for you…
RjK
EMA* – California (NAT)
EMA, South Dakota singer Erika M. Anderson, is angry!
This is a little poppier and more angular than my normal diet but I have also been feeling an increasing sense of frustration recently and the sound of her venting struck a chord with me!
RjK
*Artist #417
Erykah Badu* – Window Seat
I am a little late on this as it was released a couple of years ago. It is nonetheless great and I was reminded of it when I was at home over the weekend. It’s so smooth and mellow.
Random fact about Erykah Badu – Ms.Jackson, the Outkast song, is inspired by her relationship with Andre 3000 from the band.
RjK
*Artist #414