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Soul

Othello Woolf – Odysseus

Interestingly, the marquee for “Odysseus”, by London R&B singer Othello Woolf, covers all literary bases from ancient (“Odysseus”) to medieval (Othello) to modern (Woolf). “Odysseus”, much like its actual intended reference point in Greek myth (a ref that definitely takes a measure of boldness to pull off) , lyrically describes a love story that persists against odds. That, and it’s a knockout of a track, offering a top class future R&B instrumental and enough melodic swagger to make Othello, Virginia Woolf & Homer all nod their heads.

Othello Woolf – Odysseus

Othello Woolf (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
01-24-13

Robert Raimon Roy – Axela

Jacksonville R&B man Robert Raimon Roy (a/k/a Rob Roy) dials up a haunting bit of eerie neo-soul with “Axela” off his Dim Mak LP Le Tigre Blanc.

Robert Raimon Roy – Axela

Robert Raimon Roy (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
01-23-13

Zak Waters – Runnin Around

Our family Zak Waters is back with a new single and video for “Runnin Around”. On the track, Waters earns ample b3 points for “Runnin Around”s immediate hooks and tastefully anthemic chorus. What really knocked out the whole b3 team, though, is “Runnin Around”s awesome (and again tasteful) nods to early 80’s R&B in its instrumentation and feel. Can we really ever get enough lazerblast synth leads.

Zak Waters – Runnin Around

Zak Waters (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
01-23-13

Laura Mvula – Green Garden

Laura Mvula is soul songwriter out of Birmingham UK. Coming off a Brits’ Critic’s Choice nomination (with AlunaGeorge and Tom Odell), which is a really big deal if you’re unfamiliar with the award, Mvula is readying the release of her February debut LP Sing to the Moon. Ms. Mvula often gets compared with Nina Simone, and that influence is certainly a component of her sound, (the rattling rhythms, the precise diction) but what’s especially remarkable about Laura Mvula is the unexpected twists in her music. “Green Garden”, Sing to the Moon’s second single, features among other really cool qualities, some next harmonic voicings and melodic turns.

Laura Mvula – Green Garden

Laura Mvula england (Facebook)

Rating 8.6

reviewed by
01-18-13

Dag Savage – When It Rains (Feat. Aloe Blacc)

The West Coast team of Johaz (rhymes) & Exile (beats) a/k/a Dag Savage get some soulful support in the form of Aloe Blacc’s buttery tones. Dag Savage’s “Salvation” EP is out today, so catch a little holy ghost, and get at your neighborhood iTunes ASAP.

Dag Savage – When It Rains Ft. Aloe Blacc

Dag Savagem california (Official)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
01-15-13

Justin Timberlake – Suit & Tie (Feat. Jay-Z)

Of course we love this. Still, everytime we hear the 50 year old man component of this track rap about make-up sex, it’s a little weird. Welcome back, JT.

Justin Timberlake – Suit & Tie

Justin Timberlake (Official)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
01-14-13

Avant – Best Friend

Cleveland R&B man Avant returns to his hometown blog with new track “Best Friend”. Embracing more modern trends in R&B with spacier textures and broader more opened-up arrangement, “Best Friend”‘s DNA (especially melodically) is still squarely late 90’s/early 00’s. Look out for Avant’s upcoming “Face the Music” LP, due in February.

Avant – Best Friend

Avant (Facebook)

Rating 8

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reviewed by
01-10-13

George Maple – Uphill

Aussie-born London-based George Maple’s sultry A class lead vocal headline her newest track, the nouveau R&B-informed, minimalist “Uphill”.

George Maple – Uphill

George Maple england (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

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reviewed by
01-08-13

Denitia Odigie – Weekend

Denitia Odigie continues to impress the b3 team with new track “Weekend”. Driven by jazz-inflected guitars, quiet storm rhythms, and a overall breadth to the track that sounds almost analogued to latter-day Radiohead (the picked arpeggios, the deep in the mix glacial vocal harmonies) “Weekend” is an absolute do not miss track.

Denitia Odigie – Weekend

Denitia Odigie (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

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reviewed by
01-08-13

Azekel – Get It On (T-Rex/XXYYXX Cover)

East Londoner Azekel delivers a compelling red wine-flavored 2 AM marriage of T-Rex’s “Bang a Gong” on top an XXYYXX instrumental. We’re just bummed we didn’t think of first. A+

Azekel – Get It On (T-Rex/XXYYXX Cover)

Azekel england (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.1

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reviewed by
01-08-13

Lion Babe – Treat Me Like Fire

Lion Babe a/k/a the New York duo of Jillian Hervey (who, suprise, is Vanessa Williams’ [“Colors of the Wind” and “Ugly Betty Vanessa Williams not 90210 and Soul Food Vanessa Williams] daughter) and production wiz Lucas Goodman put the b3 crew on R&B notice with their silky smooth late nighter “Treat Me Like Fire”. If you’ve ever even once in your life listened to a Erykah or Aaliyah record and liked it (We probably can’t be friends if the answer to that question is no btw) then you’re going to want to get ears on “Treat Me Like Fire” ASAP.

Lion Babe – Treat Me Like Fire

Lion Babe (Official)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
01-02-13

Interview with Daley

Team B3SCI recently phoned-in with Mancunian soulboy Daley as he traveled by train through the English countryside back home from London. Check out our conversation below for what he had to say about his forthcoming UK tour with R&B ‘it’ star Miguel, his new album, past and future projects with Damon Albarn, SXSW 2013 and more…

Daley (Facebook)

reviewed by
12-26-12