LA band Grouplove recently re-released their debut EP on which the vaguely ’90’s college radio sounding “Gold Coast” is our choice track. If the EP is any indication, these guys could be massive. Get familiar below.
Grouplove – Gold Coast via theburningearRating: 8.1
Say what you want about Sean John, if there’s been one (positive) consistent thing throughout his career, it’s that the dude can pick beats. And “I Hate That You Love Me” has a beat that kills. The goofy lyrics, Diddy’s strange (lack of) flow decisions, all’s forgiven the second that beat drops.
Diddy-Dirty Money – I Hate That You Love MeRating: 8.1
Yet another permutation of The Raveonettes sound on this demo for new tune “Recharge & Revolt”. The Raves sound like a bunch of other bands, stylistic mutation to stylistic mutation, they liberally pillage any number of influences (Jesus and Mary Chain to MBV to ’60’s Pop) yet they always sound like The Raveonettes. “Recharge & Revolt” feels a bit more from the MBV, Ride territory of influence but is still 100% (pure love) Raveonettes. Great melodies, great male-female harmonies, excellent guitar layering and arranging all the hallmarks of good quality Raves shit. Raven in the Grave, the band’s upcoming LP is due in April. Psyched!
The Raveonettes – Recharge & Revolt (Demo)Rating: 8.3
Two legendary MCs hook up here (Is Black Thought in the legend conversation? We think so.) with an assist from some other dude with Legend in his name. In prepping this post, I spun Eric B. and Rakim’s “In the Ghetto” a few times this afternoon. It’s crazy how fresh it still sounds. Track is 20 years old. J.Period, who helmed this remake, absolutely does the original justice. The addition of electric pianos give the song a certain new depth and fit the vocal stylings of the track’s new personnel quite well (Black Thought & John Legend). Legend, really stands out, the soulful lines of melody he breathes into the track’s close are really ace and lend an added visceral texture to the track that only deepens its immediacy.
J.Period – In the Ghetto (Wake Up!) (Feat. Black Thought, John Legend, Rakim)Rating: 8.2
Contributed by Erin Routson
Bypassing death throes of a gnarly Cleveland winter, Chip tha Ripper takes a pleasure cruise with Gold Panda to the Caribbean. Relax, get hooked, go with them. Mind vacation.
Chip Tha Ripper – (Bitch I) Feel Good (Gold Panda Unofficial Hancock Version)Rating: 8.5
Crazy how much this Angie Stone jam still gets remixed. It’s like it’s still a current track. Def a testament to how killer the groove is on the original. Spanish DJ Kaze takes his crack here and pretty much smashes it. The track goes heavier here but it absolutely works. Kaze combines not only those heavier floor-filling elements but also the glide of Angie’s original track. The result is nothing short of a heater. Get into it below.
Angie Stone – I Wish I Didn’t Miss You (Kaze Remix)Rating: 8.3
Teachers flip 2010’s biggest creeper jam. Love the live-instrument assisted atmosphere that hangs over the track. Love the build in Nicki’s verse. Love the unexpected swerves underneath the vocals, a guitar overdub here, an added electro counterrhythm there. Next level.
Kanye West – Monster (Teachers Remix)Purchase / Teachers Soundcloud
Rating: 8.3
New music from London-based electronic artist Ghost. Track titled “Breathe”. This one’s mega.
Ghost – Breathe by Ghost.Music
Rating: 8.2
The freshest shit out of Connecticut we’ve heard pretty much ever. Jazz, funk, pop, soul, Beatles, it’s all here and it’s fucking great! We are SUPER stoked to catch these guys at SXSW. Sample the jam for “Santos & Ken” below and catch, if not a little Holy Ghost, a little Teddy Pendergrass or some Solomon Burke. Pour one out.
The Stepkids – Santos & Ken via Rollo & GradyRating: 8.4
Star Slinger flips our girl Gwen on this re-do of her biggest crossover jam “Rockin’ Chair”.
Star Slinger – Casanova’s Jump OffStarslinger on Soundcloud / Star Slinger on the web
Rating: 8.5
This Anenon Drone Mix of Ana Caravelle’s “Where Have You Been?” comes to us from the Basic Climb: Reimagined remix LP off Non Projects. The LA harpist/singer/songwriter’s debut is restyled on Reimagined by such electronic heavyweights as Dntel and Take and on this “Drone Mix” Non Project’s founder Anenon. There’s an excellent building quality to the track with a payoff in the tune’s final moments that is truly spectacular. Turn this heater way up.
Ana Caravelle – Where Have You Been? (Anenon Drone Mix) via XLR8RRating: 8.3
Cool new track here from the Godfather of Poptronica. We’ve always liked Moby best in this lane; compact dance rhythms, ambient melodic synths. “Sevastopol” is the lead track from Moby’s upcoming (due in May) Destroyed LP. It’s also included in a free three-song EP “Be the One”, that Moby is giving away on his website. Sweet!
Moby – SevastopolRating: 8.5
