Artist: awfultune
Track: sunflower
Release: Single
Label: Self-Released
Location: New York, US
Artist: awfultune
Track: sunflower
Release: Single
Label: Self-Released
Location: New York, US
Artist: Two Another
Track: Another Night (Bad Tuner Remix)
Release: Two Sides (Deluxe)
Label: Virgin Music UK
Location: Amsterdam and Stockholm
Artist: Bad Tuner
Track: Coast
Release: Single
Label: Caroline International
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Melbourne AU act Fortunes turn in seriously impressive new stream “Angel”. Very accomplished melodically (the track reminds us a bit of Raheem DeVaughn or even D’Angelo in that department) and expertly framed-up by a spare set of 808’s and cycling loops of vocal and additional rhythmic samples, “Angel”‘s emotive impactfulness is enormous and immediate.
LA producer and Flo-fi label co-founder Fortune retouches superb slow-burner They track “Back it Up” to a stunning result. (We marveled at the original from the LA-based duo in October and noted their immense rising-star promise.) We really appreciate the vintage vibe soul chorus sample Fortune adds in for the intro and we think he also does a fantastic job at enhancing the duo’s outstanding r&b-dipped vocals with a provocative sense of cool understatement. Excellent remix. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
The London-residing duo of Christina Wood and Cicely Goulder, KALEIDA, return on track “Detune”, the first stream from upcoming sophomore EP. An icy/glacial lumbering number “Detune” moves with a cool measured pace and features a set of melodies that seep in and throughout the mix in a sort of symbiotic “whole-music” (I’m sure there’s a fancy German loan word for this) that is quite powerful overall. “Detune” is an excellent almost cinematographic approach to pop writing that adeptly uses vast swaths and characteristics of the tune and recording to create a encompassing and very potent listen.
KALEIDA (Soundcloud)
Lose yourself in the quiet groove, sweltering beats and textured percussion of new chill track “Rotation” from LA producer and Flo-fi label co-founder, Fortune, off his new “Venha Conmigo” EP. Reviewed by Erin Shay
Fortune 
(Soundcloud)
Favorite vocalist and legend Mavis Staples will release a new EP for Anti Records. Listen to the Son Little-penned and produced (and excellent) title track “Your Good Fortune” below.
Mavis Staples 
(Facebook)
Usher… A$AP… Neptunes?! Could B3SCI ever lie to you? Press play!
Usher feat A$AP Rocky – Hot Thing (Prod. The Neptunes)
Usher 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
“Lady” by tUnE-yArDs, Angelique Kidjo, Ahmir ‘?uestlove’ Thompson & Akua Naru is not just a mouthful but quite the earful too, in a good way of course. This interesting collaboration pulls together African singer Angelique Kidjo’s and Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs’ vocals with rapper Akua Naru and The Roots’ drummer ?uestlove for a blinding re-make of “Lady” by the Nigerian Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. What’s more – this is just the first track from the forthcoming album (RED) Hot + FELA as part of an AIDS awareness initiative. To support the course you can download Lady from the iTunes link below. By Nathan Hetherington
(RED) Support (About) (US) (Canada) (UK)
Rating 8.4
We caught tUnE-yArDs at Outside Lands in SF this past weekend. The band drew a huge crowd for their side stage performance. The actual set was just awwwright. Anyway, (segue), Beastie Boys royalty Ad Rock turns the t-ys blogosphere smash “Gangsta” from a bouncer to a stunner. Now watch while we stunt.
tUnE-yArDs – Gangsta (Ad Rock Remix)
Ad Rock 
(Twitter)
Not gonna front, kinda sounds like the Clipse. (which is freaking AWESOME). Great beat, great rhymes, and even a (sorta) great 50 feature. Get psyched, “Fear of God” is due March 21.
Pusha T – Raid (Feat. 50 Cent & Pharrell) (Prod. The Neptunes)
Pusha T: (Official) (Facebook) (Twitter)
Rating: 8.1
