A believable cover of the classic Neil Young tune by UK singer-songwriter Laura Marling. The feel of the recording is that as if it was conceived within the space of a half-imagined dream; somewhere between the gravity of the song’s subject matter and the ethereal, airy, buoyant quality of Laura’s vocal performance. Produced by Jack White.
Laura Marling – The Needle and the Damage Donerating: 8.3
Current tourmates Gaslamp Killer, Daedalus and Free the Robots link up here for this killer remix of the track for “Impulse”. The song’s gentle opening of subtle beeps and plastic-sounding noise fades is more warning than invitation. Shit gets heavy. Bass blasts, drums thump, hips and shoulders begin to shake and sooner than you’re awareness can catch up; you’re out your seat and you’re on the floor, you’re letting the beat rock. (At least that’s what happened to us.)
Gaslamp Killer and Daedelus – Impulse (Free the Robots Remix)rating: 8.1
Brooklyn chillwave collective Small Black paid a visit to Club Underground at The Echo in Los Angeles last Friday. The band delivered their blend of organized chaos to a packed house of Friday-night musical thrill seekers, rightfully amped after solid sets from unsung heroes of the eve Young Prisms and Class Actress.
Small Black are a thought provoking band. To me they seemed the type of band who’s live show could make or break the way you perceive their vision. After several listens through their New Chain LP, their live experience only seemed to become more relevant to me. I had already fallen in love with the endless overtones which ring throughout “Weird Machines” with its clever melody complementing a simple syncopated rhythm. There was a vision here and I needed to experience it live.
These New Yorkers had a full sound, both bold and ambitious. There was plenty energy, but this was, after all, chillwave… and leave it to any LA crowd to acknowledge that. While listening I’d noticed that like many acts who use an album’s recording to paint a picture, the live experience felt different. This is what I was looking for. Stripped down and raw… what’s the statement? On tape, a layered sound of airy synths echoing to all-hell, melodic vocal buried in, became two live synths, bass and a full drum kit. As were my impressions of the album, moments lacked genuineness; But also like the album, certain musical ideas were translated into significant statements. Next enter the irony of their ‘chillwave’ label, these dudes were a rock band playing on different equipment.
There was among the gathered masses a genuine sense of excitement to see Small Black. Their timely LP and enthusiastic performance says a lot for other bands on the scene. “Camouflage” felt even more reminiscent of an abstract take on The Cure’s “Pictures of You”, and it became clear “Search Party” ordered for dancing. “Weird Machines” remains a standout even with it’s stripped down sound live. It’s a song of true writing substance. Set closer “Photojournalist” was no doubt a pleaser and half the audience had dispersed by the time the band came out for an encore.
Small black had left me with a new perspective on their vision. Which is what I wanted. I’d recalled one of their banterings about between songs. “LA is the most realist shit on the west coast.” Right. Now, where’s that New Chain LP?
Small Black – CamouflageSmall Black info / buy Small Black music
Class Actress info
Young Prisms info
Classic shit from ’96 from Ms. Braxton.
Toni Braxton – You’re Makin’ Me High (Remix) (Feat. Foxy Brown)
You know when Cookin’ Soul puts their name on a jam, you know you’re talking some serious top shelf shit. Yeahhhhhhhh, we’re guessing Wiz is gonna totally get lit to this remix. If we were Wiz we’d prob totally get bent to our own remix too. Holla!
Wiz Khalifa – Black & Yellow (Cookin’ Soul Remix)Wiz Khalifa – Black & Yellow (Cookin Soul Remix) from Cookin Soul on Vimeo.
rating: 8.2
The Major Lazer crew keeps it fresh on this track for “Up All Night”. We’re digging the rattles of the bass on the verse and that massive shout-it-out chorus. We’re thinking weekend soundtrack material. Let us know.
Alex Clare – Up All Night (Prod. Diplo & Switch)rating: 8.1
b3sci fav DJ Shadow brings his Live From The Shadowsphere tour into Boston this Sunday @ House of Blues. The b3sci East Coast Team will be there, and we’re psyched! Get down to House of Blues Sunday to catch the legendary DJ murder it live. And hey come hang with us! (HINT: We love free drinks!) SoCal ‘s Pigeon John opens.
What up world. Our bud Michael Stanley was so pumped about today’s lineup of bangers he picked up his tele to rattle off a few riffs, solo lead hammer ons, and deep fret string bends. So Michael, buddy, preach us the business.
“Skin” is prob the best leak we’ve heard off Loud which drops tomorrow. Ugh… “Only Girl in the World”, everything that song gets wrong (Don’t even get us started… But since you’re here: the distastefully heavy synth punches, the shouty chorus vocals, the goofy song concept, etc) “Skin” gets right (OK, maybe not the goofy song concept). Rihanna’s vocal sits comfortably in the track and the instrumentation supports the tune rather than overpowers it. Check it below.
Rihanna – Skin
An unreleased Wiz Khalifa track? YEAH! Where do we sign up? BELOW!
Wiz Khalifa – Stunt’n via illRoots
The fashionable Mr. Ronson gets this fashionable remix treatment on the track for “Somebody to Love” by the equably fashionable Briton beatsman Herve.
Mark Ronson & The Business Int’l – Somebody to Love (Herve Very Vox Remix) via SKOA
Everyone loves UK garage, right? Right. It’s a London Thing is a brand new night, a tribute to 90s UK garage, at Visions, Dalston on Sat Nov 13th. To kick things off DJ Haus ‘n’ Benz aka HOT CITY will be playing a very special, one off, 90s UK garage set. Expect to hear the likes of MJ Cole, Amira, Tuff Jam, Artful Dodger, DJ Zinc, Nightcrawlers, Danny J Lewis and many other great records of that era.
And to our favourite UK readers if you’re in LONDON and wanna go, b3sci is set to lace you up with a pair of free tix, all you gotta do is be the first to hit our email @ inbox. It’s that simple. This is set up to be a top night at the garage. Email us!
“Bring The Light” is the new and first offering from Liam Gallagher‘s post-Oasis group, Beady Eye. With a full-length Steve Lillywhite produced debut expected to drop in early 2011, this band of former Oasis members Gem Archer, Andy Bell, and touring drummer Chris Sharrock [plus unofficials: Jay Darlington (keys man) and Jeff Wootton (bass man)] is no doubt looking to hit the ground running in the New Year.
I once read a quote along the lines of “Oasis is like religion, you either believe in it or you don’t”. Over time and after many conversations with music fans I’ve learned this happens to be a very true statement. (Whats the Story) Morning Glory was a first album of mine, a collection of songs with such a sound… and Alan White’s drumming was such an ideal complement… it’s needless to say not many albums since have measured up. While Oasis and non-Oasis fans alike may claim that Liam isn’t much of a singer anymore, let alone a songwriter, this album should put such concerns to rest one way or another. In our books, Liam Gallagher ranks one of the best frontmen of all time and we can only hope that he’s got a spark of that brilliant rock-naivety that brother Noel Gallagher seemed to have lost sight of, or interest in, post Be Here Now.
Oasis LPs, Definitely Maybe, Don’t Believe The Truth, Be Here Now all were in heavy rotation here at B3SCI throughout the night until 2:00 am (LA time) as we anticipated the official (UK 10:00 am) release, reminding me of past days waiting at Tower Records for midnight album releases. The track doesn’t disappoint. It’s classic oldskool Rock and Roll with the type of attitude any Oasis fan of the band’s last four albums will appreciate. If you’re one of those expecting “Supersonic” or “Columbia”, then don’t even press play. And one thing is for sure, it’s definitely not the song from the 22 second clip that the band leaked earlier in the week! The release is now available for free download on the band’s website and as a limited 7-inch press that also features a b-side of the groups take on World Of Twist’s “Sons Of The Stage”. Also worth mentioning for all the Shoegaze fans in the house, the former Ride guitarist Andy Bell has turned in his Oasis bass for a guitar in Beady Eye, and along with Gem Archer will be contributing some new songs to the forthcoming album.
In other news, Noel Gallagher, former “Chief” guitarist and Oasis songwriter is expected to drop his solo project sometime next year. Alan McGee (founder of Creation Records) recently mentioned during an interview with BBC Six music that he’s heard some of Noel’s new material, “Noel’s demos are absolutely amazing. Totally amazing. The reason that guy is quiet is he knows what he’s got up his sleeve.” We can’t wait.
Beady Eye – Bring The Light (FREE download)Beady Eye info / buy it / Pretty Green
rating: 8.5
Says she wants cake. We got all the right ingredients. Cake. Cole has the game in his hand’s palm right now. Too Easy. This self-produced track for Purple Rain is some sick smoothed out shit. Get into below.
J. Cole – Purple Rainrating: 8.4
Out your seats! And onto the dance floor! Lean back with the track and thug out with us to this brilliant Twelves Remix of Munk’s Violent Love.
Munk – Violent Love (The Twelves Remix)rating: 8.1
