Diddy – Dirty Money* – Ass on the floor (GPF)
This is defiant. I guess that is the point of posting “guilty pleasures” on Fridays. I know this is interminably naff but it still inexplicably moves me.
Them haters can’t tell you nothing…
RjK
*Artist #413
This guy was another who I found reading reviews of this year’s of SXSW festival in Texas. I don’t know too much about him other than he is super fresh and from the musical hotbed that is Montreal.
The track reminds me a little of BTSTU in that it is arresting, electronic and more than a little hypnotic. I hope he come up with a little more to back it up than Jai Paul though. What ever happened to that guy? I clearly gave him the kiss of death!
/RjK
*Artist #412
Bobby Womack* – Please forgive my heart
This is from Bobby Womack’s new record. Yes, you heard that right. It is a collaboration with Damon Albarn and Richard Russell called The bravest man in the universe. His voice still sounds strong and arresting. I was surprised to find that this is the first song of his that I have posted.
In other news I am headed home for a few days. Can’t wait for a relaxing couple of days in the Emerald Isle.
RjK
*Artist #411
A friend gave me a tip about this guy (thanks Davy). It is always nice to listen to music that comes via a recommendation. I am perhaps guilty of trying too hard to return the favour though!
I really like the sound here, it’s soothing quality has been welcome this morning. It has a refreshingly simple, old school jazz flavour and there is something heartfelt in the vocals. I can imagine him sitting at a grand piano playing it in a smoky bar after midnight.
RjK
*Artist #410
Jamie Lidell* – Another Day
It was a perfect spring day in London today and this is a perfect spring track. It is simple and uplifiting and was a good soundtrack as I meandered about enjoying the weather.
RjK
*Artist #408
Craft Spells* – Still left with me (NAT)
This is 4 minutes of pop perfection. Regardless of how pretentious and jaded I become I will always be an utter sucker for that. This pulls off the neat trick of being at once urgent yet languid at the same time. The melody and heavenly synth remind me a little of a more upbeat version of The Drums or New Order.
These guys are from Stockton, CA. I suspect it is significantly nicer than Stockton-on-Tees which strangely came up during the course of my manic and meandering conversation on Saturday.
RjK
*Artist #406
Kindness* – House
I am still feeling rather fragile after my weekend’s endeavours so this rather mellow number is welcome today. It builds towards a positive, uplifting end which reminds me a little of Passion Pit or Phoenix, both of which I need to revisit in the near future.
I can’t give you all that you need but I’ll give you all I can feel…
RjK
*Artist #405
Japandroids – Younger Us
As promised on Thursday I have slowly begun to sift through reviews of the SXSW festival in Austin to find some gems for you. Look out for some in the coming days.
These guys were favourites from last year and I read a glowing review of one of their festival shows. They are slightly noisier and more angular than the music that normally moves me but I find the youthful energy and vigour here just irresistible.
Also, Japandroids might be my favourite band name ever…
RjK
Mayer Hawthorne – Just ain’t gonna work out (Rory McDermott guest gig review)
Mayer Hawthorne, Scala, 7th March 2012:
In 1965 James Brown (and the Famous Flames) appeared in a naff woolly jumper on a television show called Ski party. Shot for a largely white audience it was surely his most sterilized peformace, watered down for white sensibilities. Like John Belushi appearing in Little House on the Prairie
And so I spent the first 20mins of the gig- feeling a bit duped. A rather lanky but well preened Michael McDonald flanked by a Ralph Lauren boy band sang through a nu-soul repertoire.
Then something quite odd happened – the music picked up, the crowd limbered and I stopped being a complete prat – I came round to his thoroughly infectious routine. By the start of the second half he had me in the pocket of his red velvet tuxedo.
Mayer Hawthorne is an entertaining guy, amicable and humorous when interacting with the crowd. His songs are overtly tongue-in-cheek with crooning more Neil Hannon than Neil Diamond (Note; can carry a tune better than either…..)
The smooth tone voice and falsetto range are a direct throwback to his musical roots (He grew up in Detroit, Michigan – The Motor City which put the MO in Motown). But this was not an imitation cover gig; it was a show. And a bloody good one.
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| From MH’s Twitter |
RMcD
Action Bronson* – Imported Goods
I heard this on a stereo at a houseparty I was at in Kentish Town on Saturday night. I immediately thought it was the legendary Ghostface Killer on the basis of the machine gun cadence and clever, colourful rhymes. But it turned that I was quite wrong, Action Bronson is also from NYC but physically he couldn’t look much different!
I have been hitting this hard for the rest of the weekend, I love the Diana Ross sample and slightly off-beat, dorky video. It has been something of a hip hop purple patch for me of late.
I want my cash stacked higher than the NASDAQ…
Also, while at the party I was talking to a fellow blogger who writes for This Greedy Pig, a pretty interesting fashion and music blog. Something for me to aim at…
RjK
*Artist #402