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Soul

In The Mix: Weekly Round Up (9/23)

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Lots happening this week at B3SCI HQ, from announcing CMJ shows to premieres. Here’s a quick look at some tracks that have made their way through our personal rotation this week. Have a spin at them below, and get familiar with something else pretty damn cool that happened this week here.

The Chain Gang Of 1974 – Sleepwalking

Adulescens – Wings

Jarell Perry – Getaway (w/ Thurz) (Rambo Hollywood Remix)

Will Buck – Muscle Memory

POLIÇA – Smug

MØ – Never Wanna Know

Lexy and the Kill – Oh

Joel Compass – Run

The Witch Hunt – Army Man

C A T H E D R A L S – Unbound

Mike Hughes – (That Girl Is…) Misery

Vikesh Kapoor – Carry Me, Home

Hudson Taylor – Second Best

AZEKEL – Be Mine ’03

Elephant – Shapeshifter

WET – No Lie

Ben Khan – Eden

JWRIGHT – Too Much (Drake x Sampha Remix)

Patrick Baker – Summer Love

reviewed by
09-27-13

Premiere: Phil Beaudreau – I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times (Beach Boys Cover)

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The great Phil Beaudreau returns triumphantly with this vibed cover of The Beach Boys classic “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times”. One of Brian Wilson’s most harmonically and compositionally accomplished songs, super producer Dawaun Parker adeptly spins Wilson’s tune into an unexpected (and really rewarding) jazz-inflected direction. Warm caterwauling synths, cooled-out beachside vocal layering, and clattering looped horns well outfit Phil’s thematically on point soulful-in-the-aether singing. Phil Beaudreau will close this Monday’s residency night with Zak Waters at The Satellite for a B3SCI presented show, more info here.

Phil Beaudreau california (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.7

brown8

reviewed by
09-26-13

Interview w/ Bo Saris

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Here at B3SCI we love nothing more than a great soul artist. With only two songs released to date, London based (by way of Netherlands) soulster, Bo Saris is one we’ve been keeping a close ear on. The recent Universal Republic signee has set the blogosphere a stir with his more than authentic Motown friendly blend of retro pop. And from our recent conversation with Bo Saris we’ve learned there’s so many more layers to know. Check out his debut EP The Addict this October and have a look at our recent chat with him below. Also for those of you in the UK, don’t miss his upcoming performance October 18th at St. Pancras Old Church in London.

B3SCI: Was there a point in your life that you knew American bred soul and pop music was the perfect sound for Bo Saris?

Bo Saris: I never really thought about it so I guess you could say I fell in love with that type of music naturally, I just connected with it without having a explanation for it.

B3SCI: We’re sure that you get this question a lot, but being from the Netherlands… how is it your sound feels so genuine and authentically from the golden age of Hitsville USA? It’s like you actually lived through it five decades ago…

Bo Saris: First of all, if that’s how I sound to you guys then I’ll take that as a huge compliment! In a way I did go through it by just growing up with that music being played in the house a lot & I could identify with it from the start.

B3SCI: You’ve collaborated with the likes of Bondax amongst others? Do you dabble much in the world of co-writes and music production?

Bo Saris: I do more now & it’s good fun! At first I wasn’t familiar with top lining/writing on dance music, I wasn’t even familiar with remixes being made of my music until last year’s remixes of “She’s On Fire”, which I loved! I guess it made me realize that it doesn’t hurt at all to become more diverse in music when you collaborate & that two styles can blend very nicely. Till now I’ve worked with Chase & Status and Bondax in the UK and both sessions were really cool & great experiences. At the moment my main focus is on the EP & upcoming album but I’ll definitely do more collaborations in the near future.

B3SCI: Has there been any other projects you were involved with that fans may come to find as a surprise, before you found your voice…stylistically?

Bo Saris: No I think that for most people it’s quite obvious that its soul music that has inspired me the most. They may be surprised by the different styles of music I’ve listened to & liked which was very diverse. For example “Rage Against The Machine” which I liked as kid to or “Frank Zappa” the weirdness/humor sometimes in his music I really enjoyed. And yes, in my teens I was a massive hip-hop head both underground & the more popular stuff. Snoops “Doggy Style” for instance was one of my favorite records back in the day, still is actually when I listen to it. But maybe that’s not such a big surprise given the fact it had such a huge “Clinton’s Funkadelic” vibe which is basically the kinda stuff I grew up with too. Soul,Funk & Jazz were my main influences so even Miles/Coltrane/Parker were well appreciated in our house. So as I said quite diverse.

B3SCI: You are currently based in London. How ids things on the UK music scene, and do you gig often? When will you come play a show in the United States and are there any plans for SXSW?

Bo Saris: Yes I’m based in London & I love it because it’s a vibrant city where lots of creative people live & work. It’s definitely the right place for me just now. We’ve gigged a few times, but that’s something we’ll start doing more & more in a few months time. I’ve just announced my first proper headline show in London on October 18th at Old St Pancreas Church.  I needed an album finished and to release some songs first. Now that the album is done I’m able to really focus on the live side. Hopefully we can start doing gigs in the US real soon. I’d love to play SXSW!

B3SCI: “She’s On Fire” and “The Addict”. Two great songs that we’ve had the pleasure of hearing from Bo Saris so far. What more can we expect on your forthcoming EP? Is there a name for the EP and a release date?

Bo Saris: The Title of the EP will be “The Addict” It will contain “The Addict”, “Little Bit More” and another track I picked only for the EP!! Some great producers have done some remixes, including a Todd Edwards mix of “The Addict” which will also be on there. The release in the UK is planned for October, it’s definitely getting released in the US as well. 

B3SCI: Is there a particular track on the EP that you feel especially proud of as an artist? Is there a story with it worth sharing? 

Bo Saris: Well actually there’s a story behind all the tracks for me. So it’s hard to just pick one. But if I had to I would choose “The Addict”.
There’s something about that song that makes me emotional sometimes because of the fact it’s drawn from my real life experiences, which most of the songs are but when you write something about the pain & struggle your friends go through, you share that pain, it’s just something that crawls into your soul & it makes you show a more vulnerable side, which is a good thing I believe.

B3SCI: There’s so many colorful tones and lush arrangements on songs like “She’s on Fire” and “The Addict”. Where does the writing process typically begin for you? Do you have a ‘go-to’ instrument that you first like to write and arrange with?

Bo Saris: I play a little guitar & piano and that’s helped but also being in the studio with a producer creating a track, laying down a groove on the spot works very well for me. I’ve had producers send me tracks and that’s also worked for me. As long as the music triggers me then melodies & lyrics come out quite easy. There are many different ways of writing for me. For example, when I got the music for “The Addict” from my record producer Andrew(Dre) Harris I knew exactly the kind of melody & story I wanted to write. And so did the guy who I wrote the lyrics with bye the way, Jones Wetterberg. 

B3SCI: We have to ask, what would you say to the Godfather of soul, James Brown if you’d ever had the chance to meet him?

Bo Saris: I would say: Let’s make it funky Godfather!! Yeahhh I feéééél good!! And of course I would want to give him a big hug & say thank you for what you’ve created & added to music history. 

Bo Saris netherlands (Facebook)

reviewed by
09-25-13

Ta-Ku – Krule Love

taku

UK melancholy merchant King Krule’s f w/ me if you want or don’t, I’m not bothered either way sound seems the perfect cross-genre match for Australian-based producer Ta-Ku’s f w/ me if you want or don’t, YOU will be bothered either way beats. Krule’s melody, vocals, and tune are all about knifed out inside Ta-Ku’s mix and what replaces it is a syrupy melange of soft-touched bass and delicate programmed hi-hat and snare. Listennnn.

Ta-ku (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
09-24-13

Janet Jackson – That’s The Way Love Goes (Final DJs Remix)

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The Terry Lewis & Jimmy Jam-produced “That’s The Way Love Goes” is one of the best R&B tracks ever. So why remix it? Enter Final DJs and their 80’s synth-pop inspired heatrock of a mix. FDJs select for big room synth textures and balance them with smooth as silk house beats to create an A+ juxtaposition and an overall very good remix.

Final DJs (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
09-24-13

Interview w/ Max Frost

Max Frost - Main Pub - Jason Haro

It’s been a big year for Austin singer songwriter Max Frost. Post-SXSW buzz, his track “White Lies” became a blogosphere hit. Since then, this 21 years young musician has signed with Atlantic Records and will be touring this fall with Gary Clark Jr in support of his forthcoming debut EP, Low High Low. B3SCI writer Brian Litwin recently had the chance to catch up with the young pop star in the making to chat about his massive year, song concepts, Geddy Lee, Texas BBQ and more! Have a look at their chat below.

B3SCI: Please introduce yourself to the B3SCI audience.

MF: Hey! I’m a 21 year old singer/multi-instrumentalist/producer born and raised in Austin, Texas.

B3SCI: We are picking up some soul, funk and pop influences? Who specifically would you consider your main influences?

MF: I wouldn’t say I have a ‘main’ influence. I draw from lots of music that I’ve loved over my life that spans from Albert King to Bob Dylan to Led Zeppelin to OutKast.

B3SCI: Are there any influences of yours that may come as a surprise to fans?

MF: I’m a huge Rush fan! Haha…

B3SCI: What can we expect from your debut EP Low High Low out October 8th?

MF: Five songs that represent my musical evolution over the past few years and also give a window on the styles I’m developing for the upcoming album. The theme came from the emotional content of the songs as well as the lo-phi against hi-phi production style.

B3SCI: “White Lies” has gained critical acclaim from reputable online press outlets. It’s an extremely nice mix of radio ready dance and catchy pop music, but there is more to it. What was the catalyst that spawned White Lies?

MF: “White Lies” was created as an experiment like most of my songs. I drew the concept from experiences I’ve had in relationships and stylized the song with the idea of creating an old school song on a modern groove.

B3SCI: You recorded all the instruments on “White Lies”. What was your favorite instrument to play on this track?

MF: Playing the bass was the best part for sure. It’s really the most important part and provides the motion of the groove and keeps the song funky against the electronic vibe.

B3SCI: You go on tour with fellow Austin native, Gary Clark Jr. starting on September 26th at The Wiltern right here in LA. You have a major label deal and you are only 21. Life must be pretty crazy right now, how are you handling all of this?

MF: I’m just trying to stay focused on my work and not lose sight of the passion that got me here in the first place. The momentum is great and I’m trying to enjoy everything in stride, but what’s really important to me is continuing to create music that I really love and am proud of making.

B3SCI: What is one artist, dead or alive, that you would want to hang with?

MF: I would kill to be able to go back and just be in the room while John Lennon wrote a song.

B3SCI: The Hype Machine backing seemed to help you get noticed by the overall music world. Do you have any advice for other up and coming artist on how to get your music out there so the “right” people can hear it?

MF: Be patient. Only put out what you think is your best work. Surround yourself with people who truly love what you create. Respect everyone. Be humble.

B3SCI: Last question – Tex Mex or Texas BBQ?

MF: BBQ all day!

MAX FROST ON TOUR

All dates w/ Gary Clark Jr. except *

9/21 Utopia, TX Utopia Fest*
9/26  Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern Theatre
9/27  San Diego, CA House of Blues
10/2  Oakland, CA Fox Theater
10/5 Austin, TX Austin City Limits Music Festival*
10/10 Salt Lake City, UT The Depot
10/11 Denver, CO Ogden Theater
11/11 Boston, MA Royale
11/12 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
11/16 New York, NY Terminal 5
11/20 Minneapolis, MI First Avenue
11/22 Indianapolis, IN The Vogue Theatre
11/23 Columbia, MO The Blue Note

Max Frost texas (Official)

reviewed by
09-23-13

A’LONNA – Fallin

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“Fallin” reminds us of so many things we love about that mainstream late-90s R&B. Dallas Austin, Darkchild, Jermaine Dupri, you know the good stuff. A’LONNA is an L.A. based newcomer with sounds seemingly well beyond her years. Having already caught the attention of producers like Timbaland and INDIAN, take note and sample “Fallin” from A’LONNA below.

A’LONNA – Fallin

A’LONNA california (Twitter)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
09-23-13

Review: London Grammar – If You Wait [LP]

London-Grammar-If-You-Wait

Reviewed By Mike Olinger

Last year English trio London Grammar posted their debut single “Hey Now” on the Internet. There was something immediately gratifying about the warm female vocals, liquid guitar playing and industrial rhythm section and by 2013; the song went on to receive over 800,000 hits on YouTube. The same song was also chosen to kick-off their debut album If Your Wait, released by Columbia Records earlier this month.

The buzz has only snowballed since the inception of London Grammar less then a year ago. It’s tempting to pop a hole in the hype balloon that has been fed by a Mercury Prize nomination and glowing reviews from cream blogs like Pitchfork and Consequence of Sound. Their reverb-heavy pop fits a little too well next to the burgeoning Alternative Mainstream and sometimes comes off as a well-calculated move towards that marketplace.

Sounding something like the love child of The xx and Florence Welch, the London three piece do manage to keep an evocative edge on their sometimes overly plaintive songs. Their single “Strong” is particularly poignant in its admission “excuse me for a while, while I’m wide eyed and so damn caught in the middle.” It’s confessional and the narrative lends itself beautifully to the band’s speedy rise to prominence, while lead singer Hannah Reid demonstrates just how powerful her vocals can get.

There are some subtle hints to golden era of 90’s trip-hop on “Strong” and “Stay Awake”, and key track “Metal & Dust” conjures up the irresistible vocal breaks of Imogen Heap. There is definitely a synergy between the rhythm section and the vocals of Hannah Reid, one that is captured perfectly throughout the eleven tracks on If You Wait by producer Dot Major. The majority of the album feels intentionally contained and streamlined, which is a positive for people who gravitate towards bands that can recreate their recordings live. No bells and whistles are needed to communicate the impressive dynamics of this band.

London Grammar has certainly answered the call for a stylish debut. It is indeed a slow building, sweltering collection of translucent electronica that calls out for a winter evening and a glass of red wine. Their melancholy lyricism and soft soundscapes seem to be the thread that connects to the majority of their listeners. If You Wait is a little bittersweet, a little over dramatic, but also lovely and confessional. For such a new group, it is an album brimming with graceful sophistication and the promise of greater horizons.

London Grammar england (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown93

reviewed by
09-23-13

Allison Taylor – Open (Rhye Cover)

allison taylor

Los Angeles newcomer Allison Taylor debuts with this delectably delicate rendition of “Open” from Rhye’s celebrated 2013 Woman LP. Lush in arrangement and tactful in subtle delivery, Taylor peaks our curiosity. We’re eager to hear more. Sample “Open” below.

Allison Taylor (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
09-19-13