“Keeper” is new from Copenhagen soul duo FURNS. Highlighted by vocalist Monika Valudi’s soft subtle alto, “Keeper” continues the quality of arrangement and writing that broke the band on the 100k spins on Soundcloud on “Sparks”. “Keeper” succeeds too on its great use of space, lack of obviousness in its musicality and restraint of rhythm. A++++
FURNS 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.6
Tenru is the production project of Australian electronic musician David Jones. The great syrupy R&B-referencing breaks of “The Way She Moves” fit palette-wise and thematically just between legend labels HW&W and Soulection. Well done.
Tenru 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
Mr. “Drank in My Cup” Kirko Bangz (the similarly of which to Kurt Cobain took me ages to suss out) is prepping the release of his debut LP Bigger Than Me. The Houston-based Bangz is accompanied on the chill sounds in the cut of “Rich” by mainstream R&B newcomer August Alsina on the hook. We like it.
Kirko Bangz 
(Official)
Rating 8.5
Toronto-based OVO-affiliated and the featured vocal on Drake’s “Hold On, We’re Going Home” Majid Jordan put the remainder of the alt-R&B genre in a vice on the very impressive “A Place Like This”.
Majid Jordan 
(Soundcloud)
Rating: 8.7
Mr. Yeaaah Man, and author of one 2014’s best singles “Good Kisser”, is on to another something good with new one featuring Nicki Minaj, “She Came To Give It To You”. Working in a similar mid 70’s Curtis/Marvin palette as the aforementioned “Good Kisser”, “She Came To” wins on its A+ rhythmic sensibility and pocket perfect melodies. We love it.
Usher 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4938
JVM’s melodically wonderful “Cavalier” was one of our favorite tracks of last year. Here L.A. duo MOORS fashion “Cavalier” around a great eased-back R&B beat that makes the song brand new (and great) all over again. James Vincent McMorrow’s Post Tropical is out now on Vagrant.
James Vincent McMorrow 
(Official) (Facebook) (iTunes)
Rating 9.0
The great Jack Garratt, freshly signed to Turn First (Dan Croll, Laurel, etc), and in ascent following his excellent breakout single “Worry” remixes that very track with stunning results. The soulful ethos at the original “Worry”‘s center is very much intact but what’s been woven into the new instrumental by Garratt through a seamless blend of varying styles and genres (nu-house, 90’s R&B, current pop) is truly fantastic. The new mix’s quality is indicative of the deeply talented artist. Listen to the B3 premiere of Jack Garratt’s new mix for “Worry” below and look for Jack’s Buy Remnants EP out July 14.
Jack Garratt 
(Soundcloud)
Jack Garratt (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.2123
Classic soul-inspired Aussie Meg Mac continues her momentum with soaring “Roll Up Your Sleeves”. The piano soul of “Roll Up Your Sleeves”, while maybe a bit more school of Sam Smith than Sam Cooke, is still in its great melodic writing and arranging cut from a not too dissimilar DNA to either artist. Meg Mac’s self-titled EP is slated for an August release.
Meg Mac (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
Young Billie Black makes her B3 debut with the modern and sultry “I Don’t Need Another Lover”. The West London-hailing Black’s lighter-than-air and quite good vocal works well on the track as a neat counterpoint to the song’s heavier bass and dance elements. We are into it.
Billie Black (Soundcloud)
Rating: 8.8
