Whoa. “Lavender & Dandelion”, the debut track online from bi-coastal tandem MUN & SOL, is stunning (yes, stunning is a word that’s gets thrown around blogs a lot but “Lavender & Dandelion” is really stunning. Warm rhodes, low-touch beats and a soul-stirring tenor vocal set a perfect piece of R&B-influenced indie pop. Take a listen.
Welcome SONDAR to B3SCI. The Nashville (ostensibly) girl-girl duo tap into a very strong bit of melodic writing (that “if it’s OK with you darling, if this doesn’t sound alarming” bit is particularly memorable) on debut track “Singlewave”. SONDAR, we are listening.
The talented Trapo previews first track from upcoming “SHE” EP. “Bad Gal” hits a jazzy polyrhythm-driven (bongos!) groove tipped up with piano accents and Trapo’s smooth effervescent and melodic flow. We love.
New-to-B3 artist Artlife are the electronic duo of Casper Jansen & Benjamin Brommer (two close friends who currently live in Amsterdam, Netherlands). We’re jamming out to the duo’s new highly recommendable up-tempo piano-melody-infused remix of Astronomy tune “Something About You” (and totally loving it). According to the Artlife Soundcloud page, after being asked to remix the song by Astronomyy himself the pair set out to create a mix that “keep[s] the deep chords and cool vocal lines while making it more up-tempo and energetic”. Artlife does a beautiful job at highlighting the melody and texturing the remix with their signature multi-dimensional piano-led instrumental touches and phenomenally enhancing guided guitar riff. Our very favorite part of the remix is the euphoric dramatic pause-y portion around 1:25 where there is a perfectly enchanting cohesion of instrumental elements. This is a fantastic remix, we actually like it better than the original. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Get acquainted with Moscow-based groove-maker artist Rare Cuts, who recently released this superb edit of “Concrete Jungle” the funk-centric Little Beaver track off their 1976 album When Was The Last Time. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Greek producers (and friends) MANSTA (Manolis Stavroulakis) and Benet (covered here) team up for a comprehensively brilliant disco-detailed take on saxy chart-topping vocals-led Crusaders gem “Street Life” (which apparently was part of the Crusaders 1979 hit studio album of the same name). Amazing. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
We’re listening to the deep-steady subterranean tropical rhythms, honeyed vocals, and sublime chirpy dance-y tropical rain-forest ambience of “Lifestyle” from new-to-B3 artists London-based producer Seb Wildblood (owns London label Church) and Berlin producer James Booth. If you enjoy the song as much as we do, be sure to check out “Lifestyle” as a part of Wildblood’s forthcoming six-track cassette series. Keep your ears peeled, you can expect the sixth track to hit soon. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
World renowned London Underground music show The Boiler Room debuts new track “Vanilla Selbt”, a uniquely spun instrumental deep house beauty from European producer Kickflip Mike, a.k.a. Joschka Seibt, who (according to TBR) is best known for being at the right-hand of vet Euro producer/musician Max Graef. “Vanilla Selbt”, the fifth original track to release off Money $ex Records “005” EP, is The Boiler Room’s top choice out of the five tracks (we agree). We’re totally compelled by Kickflip Mike’s outstanding chime-y effulgence on the track and also love how he masterfully weaves an inventive mix of beautifully garish distorted drum sonics into the track to act as a kind of stormy-side grounding balance to the chipper melodic scales. Awesome tune. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Wow. “Skipping Stones”, the new track from Gallant and Jhene Aiko is one of the best tracks of 2016. The Adrian Younge and Stint co-produced “Skipping Stones” has us visualizing MG and TT in the modern era. It’s that accomplished. Red Bull Sound Select will release the modern soul ballad tomorrow, February 5th.
Essex UK rock band Wayde who we liked back in August for their hooky “Eleanor” return with new one “We’re Here”. The track (especially in the verses) builds on the 90’s melodic chaos dynamic explored on “Eleanor” while releasing out into a big loud power chord-driven chorus part that has us doing some radical mid-90’s-inspired head-bobs. We think you’ll like it. Stream “We’re Here” from Wayde below.
“Dreamer” is the title track from a forthcoming new EP by Welsh producer Dellux for MTA Records. “Dreamer” gets its bread on a cool blend of unexpected turns in the production and rhythmic choices (there’s a fidelity to the rhythm tracks that feels new) and a well-pitched bit of atmosphere for the late night club. We like it.
A well-deserving trio is starting to see the national light of day. The Record Company, headed up by Chris Vos, have become major players in the LA scene since their 2011 formation. Just back from a European trek, they’ve toured with such diverse luminaries as Brian Setzer, Buddy Guy, B. B. King, and Social Distortion. They sound fresh, and I think of it as hard, blusey roots-rock. They cite influences from John Lee Hooker to punk bands to the Rollling Stones. You’ve probably heard their tunes on TV over the years. “Off the Ground” is already getting radio love around the country. It’s a grimy mid-tempo track that features Chris’ smooth, deep pipes and slide guitar in front of a killer rhythm section as he prods himself to “pick myself up off the ground.” The Record Company can also rock it uptempo with the best of them and should definitely be seen live. Their Give It Back to You album is out February 12. Reviewed by Bruce Rave.
Check out Bruce’s weekly “Go Deep” radio show; air dates and times for “Go Deep” as well archived past shows can be found on Bruce’sblog. Don’t forget to follow Bruce on Twitter too!
