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Track Reviews

Foals – My Number (Trophy Wife Remix)

Trophy Wife, whom we’ve covered on b3sci a few times, and who’s track “Wolf” made our Top 50 tracks of 2011 list return with a very good tropically-inclined dancefloor-ready remix of Foals’ great “My Number” single.

Foals – My Number (Trophy Wife Remix)

Trophy Wife england (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
01-23-13

TNGHT – R U Ready

If Godzilla had Spotify, we’re pretty sure his “Destroy Tokyo Jams” playlist would just feature “R U Ready” 20+ times. It’s that GODZILLA heater.

TNGHT – R U Ready

TNGHT (Facebook)

Rating 8.645

brown8

reviewed by
01-23-13

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

brown8

reviewed by
01-23-13

FLASHLIGHTS – Scarves (Summer Occasion Remix)

Oakland artist Summer Occasion gives Flashlights’ “Scarves” a style of makeover much like his nom de producer would suggest he would; selecting for a most smoothed out mid-July sipping-bellinis-on-a-yacht diced pineapples feel for the mix. Ace.

FLASHLIGHTS- Scarves (Summer Occasion Remix)

Summer Occasioncalifornia (Facebook)

Rating: 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
01-23-13

The 1975 – Chocolate

“Chocolate” is sweet as its name suggests, a buttery concoction of harmony and pop that’s soulful to its core. The track is the first release from The 1975’s forthcoming Music For Cars EP, the final installment of their EP trilogy, which is set for release March 4th. The band are currently in the studio working on their debut album with producer Mike Crossey (Arctic Monkeys, Foals, to name a few) and it’s a safe bet that we can expect more great things from these guys in 2013. Preview “Chocolate” below.

The 1975 (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
01-22-13

Sea of Love – My World

Check out the otherworldly as bathed in the sweetest, most syrupy molasses (think a more modern sounding Mazzy Star) of Dresden, Germany act Sea of Love and their track for “My World”.

Sea of Love – My World

Sea Of Love (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
01-22-13

Rave’s Fave: BRMC – Let The Day Begin (Single)

If this were an random choice for a cover of The Call, it would be awesome enough. Not only does Black Rebel Motorcycle Club totally nail this version of “Let The Day Begin”, but leader Robert Bean was the son of Michael Bean, who fronted The Call in the 80’s. Father Michael was on the road with BRMC in Europe, doing sound for the band, when he suddenly passed away in his early 50’s. Specter At The Feast is the new album from BRMC that drops in March, and this is the first single. What a great choice! For my ears, my fave BRMC tunes are always the more uptempo tracks that rock. By Bruce Rave

BRMC – Let The Day Begin (Official)

* Links and playlists from Rave’s weekly new music show can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!

reviewed by
01-22-13

Ab-Soul & JMSN – You’re Gone

“You’re Gone” is the first preview from Ab-Soul & JMSN’s upcoming collaborative LP, Unit 6. “You’re Gone” is a definite first mark in the dope column for Unit 6 and has Team B3 that much more keyed up for its release. “You’re Gone” is ambitious (like orchestra tones out the ride ambitious), the production is next level, and it sounds nothing like the current rap milieu. Win.

Ab-Soul & JMSN – You’re Gone

Ab-Soul (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
01-22-13

SA5H – Ticket To Okinawa

Hard club music is indeed a tricky task. Too much thump can easily get in the way of a track being danceable. You can’t bust a move if the knock overshadows the rhythm. “Ticket To Okinawa” does it just right. SA5H’s intense build up manages to get you jumping like a party-crazed guido. Right when you may think it is too much, a mesmerizing drop ensues. By Teddy Pendergrass

SA5H – Ticket To Okinawa

SA5H (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
01-22-13

Cloud Boat – Wanderlust

Cloud Boat’s “Wanderlust” is beautiful. The track is being released in March as a double A-side with “Drean”. The unpredictability of “Wanderlust” is what initially drew us to it. The opening minute or so is about as gorgeously executed downtempo guitar music gets. At that minute mark, “Wanderlust” grabs tighter; it twists into an absolutely stunning vocal-led set of melody and from that point forward doesn’t let go.

Cloud Boat – Wanderlust

Cloud Boat (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
01-22-13

Bondax – Gold (Snakehips Remix)

b3 favorite Snakehips refashions Bondax’s “Gold” track from late last year into a space bass winner. The hooks are a bit more immediate, the R&B flourishes turned up, and there’s enough invaders-from-the-deepest-reaches-of-the-cosmopolitan-cosomos beeps and bloops to go around to this galaxy and the next.

Bondax – Gold (Snakehips Remix)

Snakehips (Facebook)

Rating 8.4
brown8

reviewed by
01-22-13