A silky smooth beat matched with some impressive lyrical dexterity from Detroit hip hop quartet Clear Soul Forces.
Clear Soul Forces:
/RjK
*Artist #632
Tag Archive for New Artist Thursday
Maallem Paco Abderrahmane* – Damman Lebled | (NAT)
I am really not sure what I can say about this other than I can’t believe how utterly transfixed I have been by it over the past couple of days. It is otherworldly and hypnotic, perhaps reminiscent in this regard of last year’s favourite by The Congos.
I really don’t know much about it other than it is from Morocco and it you are interested you can find out more at Moroccan Tape Stash. I discovered it via DJ/Rutpture who sadly played his last Mudd Up! radio show last week.
/RjK
*Artist #627
Laura Mvula* – Green Garden | (NAT)
A friend sent me this earlier in the week. Initially, I dismissed it as not my kind of thing but slowly its infectious beat has crept into my brain. Also, it has a rather hypnotic video to match. All in all it rather reminds me of the Solange track I was (guiltily) obsessed by last year.
Laura Mvula is British singer, who is originally from Birmingham. This track is taken from her debut album Sing to the Moon which was released a few days ago.
Laura Mvula:
/RjK
*Artist #622
The Majestic Arrows* – I’ll Never Cry for Another Boy (rehearsal) | (NAT)
A friend (thanks Maggie) sent me this song a couple of days ago and I haven’t been able to stop listening to it or hearing it in my minds ear since.
I know very little about the song or artist other than I really like it and intend to try to find out more. It is taken from an Eccentric Soul collection which was released by Chicago Label The Numero Group.
I’m not sure I can put it any better than the person who uploaded the YouTube video: “rehearsal for I’ll Never Cry for Another Boy, sounds nothing like the version that was released, but what it lacks in gloss it makes up for in what can only be called sheer magic.”
/RjK
*Artist #616
Foxygen* – San Francisco | (NAT)
I have to give it up to fellow bloggers Far from Cyan for this discovery. The track is so fresh and infectious. It has been playing on a loop in my head for the past week or two.
Foxygen are a Californian duo who make 60’s influenced indie pop. They sound like they were meant for a different era. This is taken from their recently released We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic album which was released on the JAGAJGUWAR label.
The fact that the song is ostensibly about my favourite city in the world does it no harm but there is more to it than that. I love the retro, somewhat irreverent sound.
I left my love in San Francisco.
That’s okay, I was bored anyway…
Foxygen:
Foxygen
/RjK
*Artist #611
Hugh Masekela and Letta Mbulu* – Mahlalela | (NAT)
This track, from legendary South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela, is startling. Full of passion and urgency it sounds like a call to arms and makes my pulse quicken a little any time I hear it.
It is taken from his compilation The Chisa Years 1965-1975 (Rare And Unreleased) which was released a couple of years ago on BBE (Barely Breaking Even – great name for a record label).
For one reason or another I seem to have been listening to a lot of South African music so for in 2013 and for the most part have been really enjoying it. Look out for a few more tracks in the coming weeks. I still need to get around to posting Dark City Sisters again, who were big favourites from last year.
Hugh Masekela:
/RjK
*Artist #607
Daphni* – Yes, I know | (NAT)
Jeremih* – 773 Love | (NAT)
This track from Chicago rapper Jeremih was released toward the end of last year. It is a little insubstantial but it makes me want to move! Sometimes that’s I you need from a song.
/RjK
*Artist #601
Darkstar* – Timeaway | (NAT)
One of the very best things about writing for this blog is getting sent music. This is sometimes bands or DJ’s sending me their own tracks but more often just my friends sharing music that they are excited by. Whist I don’t always share it, I never tire of feeling the warm glow of people’s enthusiasm. Also, I’m frequently introduced to artists I wouldn’t otherwise have encountered.
Darkstar are one such band. A friend (thanks Maggie) sent them along this week and I have been listening to them repeatedly since. Its dreamy and fragile and has rather hypnotised me.
Their album News From Nowhere is out on Warp Records on February 4th. Check it out
/RjK
*Artist #598
Vieux Farka Touré – Fafa | (NAT)
I have often found myself surprised by the journeys that writing this blog has taken me upon. Perhaps the most surprising (and most fruitful) has been the exploration of World Music. I have found so much music that is joyous and pure and that I couldn’t have conceived of two years ago.
Speaking of which, if you had told me that I find myself listening to (and enjoying) a Radio 3 program called World Routes I probably would have laughed. But this is the situation I find myself in.
It was through this avenue that I discovered Malian musician Vieux Farka Touré. His music is so striking and I like how it sounds so timeless. Even though this track is taken from his 2008 album Fondo, it sounds like it could easily be centuries old.
/RjK
*Artist #595