Melanie Fiona links up with Drake (who co-wrote the track) on new song “Been That Girl”. “BTG” is squarely in the 90’s-influenced backbeat-driven R&B slow jam column. There are definitely more modern touches on the track, hints of Drake’s Take Care sort of sound can be heard but this one is no doubt styled as a throwback.
Melanie Fiona 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.1
WWPJ closed out Terrorbird’s Wednesday afternoon showcase, turning in a blistering 30 minute set that caused at least partial hearing damage for a good portion of the house.
Miguel, rocking his newly styled “Tesfaye fade”, put on for all the R&B stans at the SOBs’ Belmont showcase. Mixing in refashioned live versions of hits “Quickie” and “All I Want Is You” with newer less-commercial material like “Adorn”, Miguel seemed to satisfy the mostly packed Belmont. If for nothing else, (the set did come off a bit weird), Mr. Jontel certainly left a full measure of effort out there.
Gary Clark Jr, who closed the Warner Brothers set at La Zona Rosa gave nothing short of a starmaking performance. This is Clark’s time. So versatile (both stylistically, vocally, and perfomance-wise), Clark is still no doubt doing what others before him have done or are currently doing but what separates the 28-year old is his feel and his believability which was on full display during his set. Gary Clark Jr. is the real deal.
We Were Promised Jetpacks 
(Facebook)
Miguel 
(Facebook)
Gary Clark Jr. 
(Facebook)
TURNTABLE.FM is throwing can’t miss party tonight featuring sets from Diplo (who was on our flight into Austin on Monday. sup Diplo), A-Trak, ?uestlove & Flying Lotus. If you want to be there and don’t want to wait in line (more South by SouthLINEwest amirite?) get an email here with 3/15 and blahblahblahscience in the subject line before 8PM CDT tonight. First entry in wins the passes. Go and get it, girl!
The opening sortee in this week’s official SXSW music showcases was last night’s Pitchfork showcase at Mohawk. Among those on the bill were b3sci faves like Shlohmo, Schoolboy Q & one of our biggest must-sees for the festival, UK beatsman Star Slinger. Hitting a stage already left nicely warmed up by True Panther duo Teengirl Fantasy, Star Slinger had the house on lock from the moment the first bit of space-bass bumped through the venue. Mixing tracks from Jessie Ware & Rihanna with original compositions and new shit (there were maybe 4-5 new beats and mixes dropped into the set), Star Slinger’s brand of interstellar electro booty rap totally wrecked live.
We are HUGE fans of Electric Wire Hustle. Their debut LP (despite being nearly three years old) is still in constant rotation around b3sci. The chance to finally see the New Zealand-based trio live was an opportunity we could not pass up. An Andre 3000-esque styled Mara TK and his mates keyboardist keyboardist Taay Ninh and drummer Myele Manzanza ripped through uptempo joints like the b3sci #1 song of 2009, “They Don’t Want” and then easily dialed down into more smoothed out tracks like set closer “Perception”. The multi-talented mult-tasking Ninh and the crazy skilled drumming of Manzanza were a perfect frame to Mara TK’s mindblower Marvin Gaye-styled vocals. The mixing at Swan Dive, where EWH’s set took place, did leave a bit to be desired however. We definitely would love to hear the trio perform at a venue, less like a shoebox, and more suited to their sound but that aside, the performance the band turned in was class. A+
Delilah grabs Chase & Status collaborator and b3sci fav Liam Bailey for this re-worked version of her song “Breathe”. Due to be Delilah’s next single, “Breathe” gets a great new quality of depth and feel with the addition of Liam’s soulful backing vocals. Look for Delilah’s upcoming debut From the Roots Up due soon.
Delilah 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
We couldn’t be more in love with this song right now (knocks so soft). Usher opened up the purse and dropped a little of that Bieber $$$$ on a new vid which you can watch below. If b3sci has a wish for 2012, it’s for these two to do a whole album. An Usher x Diplo album could/would be a game changer not only for both artists but for the whole music game. MAKE IT HAPPEN GUYS. March 2012, month of the soft heater. Go and get it!
Usher 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.7
By Stephen Dobrinich
Saying Bobby Womack has got soul is like saying Jordan is going to post big numbers if you put Ehlo on him in single coverage. See game 5 in the first round of the 1989 NBA playoffs. In the spirit of His Airness, Bobby brings it on ‘Please Forgive My Heart’ the first track released from his upcoming Damon Albarn co-produced album ‘The Bravest Man in the Universe.’ So whether you’re cooling it at home, or you’re getting set to start one of the greatest dynasties in sports history give this track a spin.
Bobby Womack 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.2
Our man Miguel takes us there with “Gravity”, new from his “Art Dealer Chic” mini-EP. Tracks like “Gravity” and “Adorn”, while as sleek and prime as they come, definitely mark a different, less commercial direction for Mr. Jontel on this mini-EP. The next Indie R&B darling, throwback crooner, Top 40 hitmaker, seems from here the path diverges. Miguel is a mega-talented dude, player can knock down all three roles and etc but there must be a focus, a path forward. Which will Miguel choose?
Miguel (Facebook)
Rating 8.3
By Trevor Meyer
The One and Nines are a band out of Jersey City that offer up some great rhythm and blues. “Tell Me” is a song that flat out makes you feel good, and it’s always nice when it feels like a band is truly enjoying playing the music that they love. That’s what’s so great about these guys, their music beams with authenticity, dedication, and fun, all of which combine for an undeniable chemistry. Pick up their 7” that also features the song “Make it Easy.” We can’t wait to hear more from these guys.
The One and Nines 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
No dude, we do not want to hear your “No Church in the Wild” dubstep remix. There are about 900000000 “No Church in the Wild” re-dos festering within the internet’s darkest reaches, some good, some shitty, some awwwwright; but b3sci guaranteed you haven’t heard a “NCITW” version like this yet. Ex-Pussycat Doll (the one with the truly mindblower of a voice) Melody Thornton jumps on the Throne beat and absolutely kills it. We are talking chalk outline on the pavement, cold case kills it. Sing it, Melody.
Melody Thornton 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
Vancouver duo Evy Jane come strong with new single “Sayso”. If you’re into Quadron or Kimbra or other like female-lead progressive R&B, Evy Jane is your definite go-to mix for that “special time” this weekend when the lights gets low and the mood gets soft. Too good.
Evy Jane – SaysoEvy Jane (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
Sinkane a/k/a Ahmed Gallab a/k/a/ multi-instrumentalist dude for Yeasayer lets loose on a brand new funky as funky can be single with “Runnin'”. Get funky.
Sinkane – Runnin’Sinkane 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.2
