We’re into the decadent disco atmospherics, deep vibe-y tropical dance grooves and poignant interludes of metallic percussion on “C’mon Back” the new rhythm-based dance jam from UK vet artist Raw-Artes (recently covered here). Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Get familiar with new-to-B3 LA-based beats-maker, electro producer, and multi-talented musician Goodnight Cody, who describes his signature toy-beats sound (in a vid on FB) as an electronic lullaby. We love his vibrantly cinematic percussion-heavy future-infused vintage 70’s film-noir-vibe hip-hop track “West Adams” (which is a shout out to a neighborhood in South L.A.). Excellent. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
SG Lewis, author of one of 2015’s best songs “Warm”, connects in collaboration with PMR Records labelmate Dornik for coolly funky new track “All Night”. A+++
“More” the debut track from shrouded-in-anonymity newcomers 4am is beautiful. A terrific piece of melodic writing, that bit around 0:16 when the “give me more” turn in the tune first happens is one of those brief moments of magic that makes this whole music blogging thing a bit more worthwhile. We hope that’s a strong enough endorsement of “More”.
Japanese singer in London Rina Sawayama turns in an electric modern R&B makeover of MJ’s “I Wanna Be Where You Are”. Of the cover, which features a (and these are merely reference points as Rina’s voice is pretty singular in our opinion) Jessie Ware/Mariah-esque timbre in the vocals and a instrumental that reminds a bit fidelity-wise of Beyonce’s “Party”, Rina said about its genesis, “Online you can present your best edited self, and bypass lots of the messiness and awkwardness that comes with real human interactions. Your overheating phone substitutes human warmth. Weirdest of all- you’re together, but also very alone”. Stream “Where U Are” below.
Opia are the duo of producer Jacob Reske and guitarist Cole Citrenbaum. The pair met as math and physics majors at Yale and now ply their trade in R&B-driven modern pop. “Falling” excels on Mr. Citrenbaum’s blues/jazz-informed guitar playing which adds a cool texture/layer to a very current sound. Sample “Falling” below.
Check out the sensational new dreamy-whimsical airy-ambient synth-infused house track appropriately named “Clouds” from Newcastle UK male-female duo Monday Morning. A superbly calming combination of dynamic instrumentals, “Clouds”, is a picture perfect introduction to the pair’s debut “Clouds” EP (out now on Medium Rare Recordings). Reviewed by Erin Shay.
B3 Alaskan beat-maker fave .eets follows up his recent terrific melodic hip-hop tune “Flying High” (covered here) with new gem “Blue Lights”, a beautiful beat-laden vocals-led number which samples DJ Shadow’s Little Dragon-vocals-led tune “Scale it Back”. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Young multi-genre producer, guitarist and solo artist Atolla gives a shout out to Nas and samples “Life’s A Bitch” on his latest bass-heavy hip-hop production called “Life”. We like how Atolla (who’s new to B3) mixes up the classic tune with a timeless meld of syrupy beats, snappy technicolor chord-heavy instrumentals, and velvety vocal flow. Great track. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
LA-artist SNBRN (never featured on B3) takes an unreleased a cappella sample from late West Coast hip-hop pioneer Nate Dogg and transforms it into a dazzling Rudimental-vibe-vocals-tinged dance jam “Gangsta Walk”. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
