Chicago rapper Mick Jenkins links up w/ new Fools Gold-signee High Klassified for production on “The Water”. The lead and title track from Jenkins’ upcoming mixtape, “The Water” finds the CHI rapper easy gliding all over H.K.’s cooly-tipped after hours-styled production. A++
Mick Jenkins 
(Twitter)
Rating 8.4
We are loving the Dice Raw (The Roots)-produced new track from soulstress/songwriter Tess Henley. A bit different look for Ms. Henley from the sunny warm R&B sounds of “Daydreaming” that we featured a little while back, “Who Are You” is that cool, neatly harmonized minor-keyed soul that we go totally nuts for here at B3. Check “Who Are You” below and look for Tess Henley’s High Heels & Sneakers LP out now.
Tess Henley 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
“All We Can” is new from Brighton UK artist Yumi and the Weather. The deeper tones of Yumi’s (real name Ruby Taylor) vocal as well as her melodic choices work quite well w/ “All We Can”‘s mid-tempo bounce. That, and the track’s nice blend of accessory instrumentals; including deep-in-the-verb XX-style guitars and kinetic horn lines. We’re into it Look for an EP also titled “All We Can” from Yumi and the Weather on 10/21.
Yumi and the Weather 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.2
“Cry No More” is the debut track from London-based Vaults. “Cry No More” built initially on a neat interplay of a repeated bells figure and a simple bit of piano chords morphs a bit in sound and theme in its later half as synth swells move in and out the mix to expand and contract tension. Well done.
Vaults (Facebook)
Rating 8.2
“Deeper” is both the newest track and the title of an upcoming EP (due 9/24) from Freddie Gibbs & Madlib. Another instant classic in the MadGibbs canon, “Deeper” again showcases the nearly perfect dynamic/symbiosis (why not?) between Madlib’s steady soul-driven production hand and Gangsta Gibbs’ A+ diction and rhyme schemes.
Freddie Gibbs 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.9
Today marks the North American release of The 1975’s self-titled debut and full-length album. The album has been a favorite of ours at b3HQ (you can stream the LP here), therefore when the band asked us to take part in their series of artwork premieres (there is a different piece of artwork for each song on the album) for their song “An Encounter”… of course we were more than obliged. “An Encounter” is a sort of compositional adhesion that, while short in length, paints a bridge of allure between musical statements. As frontman Matty Healy best puts it…
“An Encounter” acts as cinematically paced scene change that ushers in the album’s second phase, our personal ode to an eighties movie. Symbolising the moment the two characters from “Robbers” meet for the first time, “An Encounter” is a hopelessly romantic soundtrack to our Bonnie & Clyde’s first encounter …
The 1975 (Official)(Facebook) (Read more about The 1975 on B3SCI)
The 1975 have offered up a full stream of their most excellent self-titled debut album in anticipation of it’s release this coming Monday (9/2). In a recent interview with frontman Matt Healy, the Mike Crossey co-produced album is aptly described by the singer as a ‘culmination of a life’s work’. And, as with any true album, there is a tangibility to The 1975. The lyrical ebb and flow of memories of youth, lust, and all the experiences they come with, is here captured by a new generation of pop music appreciators, with an incisive blend of fluidic R&B rooted rock. After all, it’s not every day that a new British band merits a lasting impression on the North American conscience.
The 1975 (Official)(Facebook) (Read more about The 1975 on B3SCI)
Reviewed by Brian Litwin
It really says something about a band to sell out a show, but to create such a demand for tickets that promoters will book an additional show (that will also sell out) – now that is pretty astonishing. With relentless touring as of late, a buzzing release in An Awesome Wave and multiple major syncs under their belt, Leeds based quartet Alt-J appear to be on the road to even greater things, at least if their performance this past Tuesday night on August, 27th serves any indication.
Opening the show was six piece Winnipeg act Royal Canoe. The group’s eclectic-pop styled approach proved a great fit for the many Alt-J fans in the house that night. Playing tracks off the upcoming (Sept. 3rd – North America) release Today We’re Believers, Royal Canoe captured wandering ears and engaged the masses. “Bathtubs”, the second single released off the new album, stood out with its catchy chorus, and my personal favorite song “Nightcrawlin'” offered up an eccentric rock mix to which the many music nerds in attendance could not help but groove.
Taking the stage next were Alt-J consisting of Gwil Sainsbury (guitar/bass), Joe Newman (guitar/vocals), Gus Unger-Hamilton (keyboards) and Thom Green (drums). Their set lasted a little over an over an hour and they wasted no time ripping right into their much lauded 2012 release, An Awesome Wave. Before the set began, I was a bit hesitant that Alt-J’s minimalist sound wouldn’t fill the Palladiums great hall, but after Thom Green’s first snare hit, the ringing guitars came in, and frontman Joe Newman’s bellowing vocals filled the space, I soon had no more need for hesitation. Alt-J played tight as ever, they sounded great, and were seamless from beginning to end. The crowd sang along to songs like “Fitzpleasure”, “Tessallate”, “Taro”, “Bloodflood”, “Something Good”, “Dissolve Me” and “Matilda”. The band laid down a killer Acapella version of “A Real Hero” by College & Electric Youth, and also premiered a new song for fans called “Warm Foothills”.
After a quick set break, Alt-J returned to stage for an encore performance in what seemed to be the most anticipated song of the evening, “Breezeblocks”. This was a show to remember… and I’ll note, Thom Green’s snare might be the greatest sound since Eddie Van Halen abused his whammy – just saying.
Alt-J (Official)
