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T. Williams – Heartbeat ft. Terri Walker (Original Mix)

House music and vocals never really seem to work anymore. It just always sounds so corny. It’s a shame because some of the best club tracks that ever thrived were with this same trait. 2008’s In Search of Sunrise 7: Asia CD1 is classic. And, DJ Tiesto’s compilation is full of that style. In 2012 I find myself skipping dance songs as soon as I hear a voice. Luckily I didn’t avert T. Williams’ “Heartbeat”. The featured singer Terri Walker’s inclusion is above par. She is such a smooth backdrop to the funky title. The echoes and trance are the icing on the cake. By Teddy Pendergrass

T. Williams – Heartbeat ft. Terri Walker (Original Mix)

T. Williams england (Beatport)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
12-26-12

Interview with Daley

Team B3SCI recently phoned-in with Mancunian soulboy Daley as he traveled by train through the English countryside back home from London. Check out our conversation below for what he had to say about his forthcoming UK tour with R&B ‘it’ star Miguel, his new album, past and future projects with Damon Albarn, SXSW 2013 and more…

Daley (Facebook)

reviewed by
12-26-12

Mont Brown – Cash Rules (ft. Pace-O, TJ Atoms, & Swiper)

“Cash Rules” comes to us via Mont Brown and features fellow Astronaut Pace-O Beats and two other Philly emcees, TJ Atoms and Swiper. Pace-O’s psychedelic, eerie beat and everyone’s clever delivery/punch-lines scream raw hip-hop. Mont talks like the OG, telling you how it is. Pace might just have everybody saying “Cash Rules Everything Around Me, CREAM” all cover again. TJ Atoms has the wild, what did he just say so quick flow and, “I’m Fresh Prince Y’all Jeffrey.” Philly’s style and substance is definitely different. But don’t we miss unique music? I know I can’t wait for Mont Brown’s forthcoming Helmets On 3. By Teddy Pendergrass

Mont Brown – Cash Rules (ft. Pace-O, TJ Atoms, & Swiper)

Mont Brown (Facebook)

Rating 8.0

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reviewed by
12-24-12

Poolside – Kiss You Forever

Remember how cool John Travolta was Disco’n in Saturday Night Fever? That jamming music has disappeared. Fortunately, Poolside is now re-imagining the 70’s funk (Daytime Disco). They do it swell with “Kiss You Forever.” A popping drum sound gracefully flows with a simple piano. And do I hear cowbell? The biggest draw-in is the “I wanna kiss you forever,” that bridges the instrumental. It really feels like The Bee Gees are back at it. As if I am clubbing with babes on Miami Beach with a thick moustache in 77. By Teddy Pendergrass

Poolside – Kiss You Forever

Poolside california (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
12-24-12

Rave’s Fave: Teleman – Christina

Remember Pete and the Pirates from a few years ago? Their hooky indie-pop song “Jenny” was a fave of Anglofiles everywhere. Many of us felt the song should have done better in the US. Pete is back with his new band Teleman. His plaintive vocals front a beautiful, melodic track that should sit very well with you over these holidays. This single will be released on Moshi Moshi in the UK on January 14. Let’s hope that Pete’s time has come. By Bruce Rave

Teleman – Christina

Teleman (Official)

*Check out Bruce’s Moheak Radio “Go Deep” show on Sunday nights 7-9 pm Pacific, 10-12 am Eastern, 3-5 am GMT. Listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

reviewed by
12-24-12

Black Ceiling – Don’t Hurt Me

“Don’t Hurt Me” by Black Ceiling starts the collective’s recent four song So Neon EP release quite fittingly. The refix of Haddaway’s 1993 “What Is Love” may seem cliché, however the mixture of “don’t hurt me” vocals and hard-hitting bass with an eerie overcast of hums and drums is near perfection. It takes several listens to even get past this first track on the EP. And replaying the intro uncontrollably tends to be a good sign for any release. By Teddy Pendergrass

Black Ceiling (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

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reviewed by
12-22-12

Review: Jessie Ware @ Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles, 12/13/12

Jessie Ware took to the Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles on Thursday evening 12/13/12 for the first west coast leg of her debut US tour. The venue that night was packed with fans who had been patient (to say the least) in the months leading up to the show. The performance had originally been scheduled to take place at the venue’s smaller stage and Bar section, yet due to an overwhelming demand, extra tickets were raffled off in a ‘try your luck’ type fashion, leaving many crossing their fingers for the chance to see the rising star. ‘Luck’ actually proved to be a good de-script for anybody who got the chance to see the recent Mercury Prize nominee perform that night, as Ware gleefully showcased tracks off her stellar debut LP Devotion for the first time ever in Los Angeles… and second time ever in the States.

In tow with stripped down and minimal three-piece band, Jessie Ware opened the evening’s set with the title track from her album. The crowd response seemed overwhelming to the singer as the mid-tempo R&B, AC vibes of “Devotion” set an exciting tone for the rest of the night. Between performing tracks, a talkative Ware wrapped a captive audience into her world with the personal touch of conversation, chatting up fans about her recent misquote in Pitchfork about Big Pun (“I love Big Pun” she clarified), how the venue reminded her of the place she had her prom, and even enquiring where she would go about finding some valley girls and even Larry David during her stay in the city. When Jessie wasn’t conversing with fans, her dynamic voice told story through the power of song. Leading her steady band of drums, 4-string bass, guitar, and the occasional synth (performed by her), Ware delivered on her unique style of sultry and no frills soul-pop and R&B, that’s equally smooth and chill as it is forward thinking. There were moments during the set that you could hear a pin drop. Her performance of “Wildest Moments” was a standout of the evening. The ballad, with it’s several recent primetime TV placements, displays some compelling Top 40 potential. It could very well be that next big, slow dance prom caliber tune. The crowd grooved along with the singer as they joined her to sing along to each and every song. Ware ended her set on a high with a strong performance of her ‘best tracks of 2012’ worthy jam, “Running”.

It has no doubt been a big year for Jessie Ware. And her performance that Thursday night only helped to assure any premonitions that with some more great records, and a chart topping hit or two under her belt, this young UK songstress is in the running as something like a Sade-caliber artist for the next generation. Only time will tell, but for now it seems that much is in store for the prospering young star.

Jessie Ware (Facebook)

reviewed by
12-22-12

BitCandy’s Top 3 for 2013

BitCandy is back to share some top new music compliments of a guest post via blahblahblahscience. So as you’re stocking your stuffings…without further a-darn-do, here are our Top 3 Picks for 2013 (queue celebratory trumpets)!

Kids Without Instruments

19 & 20 year old whiz duo, Kids Without Instruments, are not even outta college yet, but these talented Californians are already making solid art pop that could give Purity Ring and The XX a run for their moolah in 2013. We’re loving this preview of their new video, “Nausea Nostalgia”:

NO CEREMONY///

Little is known about NO CEREMONY/// beyond their Manchester bearings. This city’s rich musical heritage has undoubtedly influenced the trio’s not-so-chillwave, which is all at once tranquil and turbulent – a hypnotic oxymoron which Diplo and Joey Santiago of The Pixies have most recently been digging on.

Kate Boy

The Knife are back in business after a six year hiatus, but they face serious competition in the form of Swedish-Australian force, Kate Boy. So, we admit, we have only heard the one song, but “Northern Lights” is so hot damn sassy, our guts tell us that this guy-gal duo will be the next big thang in electro pop.

All of these artists were discovered by Curators – find out more about those bros, here. Finally, our thanks to the awesome blahblahblahscience for hosting today’s guest blog post from music filter and free online radio via BitCandy.

BitCandy (Blog)

reviewed by
12-21-12

Foals – My Number

Oxford based Foals have released another track from their third studio album Holy Fire, due out on February 12th, 2013. The first single, “Inhaler” served a nice preview for the album, but the second track “My Number”, which recently dropped via their Youtube channel, is what has me sold. This math rock quintet wastes no time ripping right into the lively track with an upbeat feel throughout. Foals have a slew of live dates lining the beginning of 2013, but all in Australia and Europe. I assume they will come Stateside for the summer touring season, maybe a major festival or two? Fingers crossed. By Brian Litwin

Foals – My Number

Foals england (Official)

Rating 8.7

brown8

reviewed by
12-20-12

K H U S H I – Magpie

“Magpie” by London band Khushi can only really start to be described as indie pop of the supremest vintage and composed of that perfect nexus of great melodic writing, beautiful instrumentals, and phenomenal harmonies that assure Khushi are band we will be hearing much more of (we hope!) in 2013. (ATG)

Khushi (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
12-19-12

Mike Din – Losing You (Ryan Hemsworth Remix)

R. Hems latest remix victim is Canadian producer Mike Din’s track for “Losing You”. Mr. Hemsworth slowcoaches the track with atmospheres and layers “giving it a bath” of immersive sonics. High priced baths.

Ryan Hemsworth (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
12-19-12

Walking Shapes – Pusher

NYC band Walking Shapes (ex-Click Clack Boom) come up aces on their first major release “Pusher”. The syncopated drum/guitar combos and hooky melodies remind us a bit of Radiohead’s “15 Step”, if instead of being “really into” Flying Lotus and bowler hats, Thom Yorke hung out more at the beach. A+ track, boys.

Walking Shapes (Facebook)

Rating 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
12-19-12