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Track Reviews

Spector – Celestine

photo via Richard Johnson

photo via Richard Johnson

UK’s new thunder Spector keeps rolling with “Celestine”. Frontman Fred Macpherson has one of those voices that instantly recalls the timelessness of the best 80s pop, and with the band and killer (dare we say early Killers-esque) tunes to back that voice up, “Celestine” combines the electro stylings of “Grey Shirt and Tie” with the anthemic aspirations of last spring’s introduction, “Never Fade Away”. Zane Lowe debuted the studio version on Radio 1 the other day and b3sci’s got you for the replay.

Spector england (Facebook)

Rating: 8.2
brown8

reviewed by
03-30-12

Moon Boots – Got Somebody

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Straight off that French Express and couriered direct to you for preview is Moon Boots’ awesome new 80’s boogie R&B flavored track “Got Somebody”. Get it girl!

Moon Boots (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
03-29-12

The Hundred in the Hands – Faded

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The Hundred in the Hands’ Commotion record was one of our favorites of 2010. THITH announced today the follow up to Commotion which will be called Red Night and will be due June 12 on Warp. “Faded”, Red Night’s first single, carries a nice emotional acuity and momentum to it. Consider us stoked for Red Night.

The Hundred in the Hands newyork (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
03-29-12

Bwana – Can’t You Just

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We featured Leeds UK via Toronto producer Bwana and his stunning mix for Arthur Beatrice just a few days ago. We’ve still got that on some serious rotation. Today, Mad Decent dropped Bwana’s latest the Erykah Badu-sampling “Can’t You Just”. Yes! Featuring a sharp kinetic glide and some really nicely layered synth flourishes, “Can’t You Just” is another winner from the Canadian. Ride out to this one.

Bwana canada (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
03-29-12

I-20 – Little Boy (Feat. Ludacris and Twista)

i20

Georgia rapper I-20 rounds up a pair of big name features in Ludacris and Twista for new track “Little Boy”. The star here is most definitely the beat and its southern soul/spiritual sample. That said, the verses aren’t bad as a whole and do get better as the song progresses; I-20 is OK, Luda is adequate, and Twista just wrecks it. There’s something about Twista’s rapid-fire flow and the laidback buttery beat that really works. On repeat.

I-20 georgia (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
03-29-12

Sandro Perri – Love & Light (Tom Croose Remix)

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Tom Croose (not to be confused with Com Truise or Tom Cruise) is an LA based producer and a fave around b3sci. Here Mr. Croose hooks up with the Sandro Perri song “Love & Light” for a stunning, consciousness-bending, transportive edit. The mix is immediate and visceral but also sounds exotic & undiscovered too; the best sort of blend for music in this style. Make sure you check this one out.

Tom Croose california (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
03-28-12

Adam Smith – Islands

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Adam Smith, a 21-year old UK-based producer, releases his debut full length Islands. The entire 8-track release is great (we’ve had it on rotation at b3sci HQ much of the day) but our pick from the mix is the beautifully kinetic, neatly atmosphered title track. Listen.

Adam Smith england (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
03-28-12

Ro Ransom – Limousine

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You won’t ever see b3sci riding in a limousine. “Limousine” is the first single of Harlem rapper Ro Ransom’s upcoming Ransomnia project. This is some serious heat right here. Brandun DeShay’s beat is one of the freshest we’ve heard yet in 2012. The rhymes are 100% on point. We’re stoked for Ransomnia.

Ro Ransom newyork (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
03-28-12

IKONS – Sister

ikons

IKONS rep 2012 Gothenburg, Sweden (along with bands like Little Dragon & Ace of Base & Volvo) but sound like something straight out 1991 Manchester. These Swedes would fit easily on a big Brit festival from that era with bands like The Happy Mondays, Inspiral Carpets & (yes) The Stone Roses. If you’re into any of those bands, British rock, 90’s rock, good songwriting, guitar music, anything like that you’ll want to give IKONS a spin. Get started with the track and vid for “Sister” below.

IKONS sweden (Myspace)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
03-28-12

Stalley – Home to You (Feat. Wale & Anthony Flammia)

stalley

330. Stalley gets a run on the R&B tip on latest track “Home to You”. Featuring the soulful tones of NY crooner Anthony Flammia, it’s a bit of a different look for the MMG lil’ bro than we’ve heard thusfar but we’re digging it. Wale’s also on the spaced out track turning in what amounts to a relatively forgettable feature; he does however make hip hop’s (probably) first Samardo Samuels reference. Samardo, you made it.

Stalley ohio (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
03-28-12

RAVE’S FAVES: Gold Fields – Moves

By Bruce Rave

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One of my top SXSW live discoveries was Gold Fields from near Melbourne, Australia. They are tight, energetic and danceable, with 2 sick percussionists. “Moves” is perfectly titled. It has a retro bottom-end topped with a modern vibe. I played this song on my show last Friday, and it got a super reaction.

Gold Fields australia (Facebook)

Check out Bruce’s “Go Deep” show on Fridays 1-3 pm Pacific, 4-6 pm Eastern, 9-11pm GMT. Also listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

reviewed by
03-28-12

Marina & The Diamonds – Primadonna (Burns Remix)

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Yeah like we could resist this one. UK producer Burns knocks this new “Primadonna” out the park and then some. Burns dials up some space/garage type tones in the mix but buoys it nicely with some good punch. You will like it. We promise.

Marina and the Diamonds england (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
03-28-12