There is another high quality 7" on its way on HopeStreet Recordings - and this is just some incredibly beautiful soul music. The Meltdown is a soul band based around singer Simon Burke and saxophonist Lachlan McLean.
The record starts with its lead single "Better Days" which might be one of the best soul tracks you've heard in a while. All doubts should be removed the moment when Burke's vocals kick in. Both musicians have roots in the country genre which show here and there though the dominant character of The Meltdown has to be the smooth and brassy old school soul approach. All this combined with some accurate songwriting will get you three great and originals tunes.
The two producers and music collectors Fulgeance and DJ Scientist collaborate on the latest feature of First Word Records roster "The Soviet Tape Vol.1" for one of the most exciting beat tapes your will hear in a while.
The record features 21 tracks and guest appearances by Blu, Open Mike Eagle and DistantStarr. Yet the main thing about this one still remain the beats which are built on samples of old soviet vinyl records. And you probably couldn't find a better personnel to put these sounds together. In each track you can hear the precise work of Fulgeance and DJ Scientist how the beats are carefully constructed and clothed in a gritty and funky outfit.
Get the stream on Bandcamp before the release next week.
After releasing a full speed hardcore record earlier last year régresser from Australia are dropping their second record which appears with a slightly different approach.
The intensity of the music stayed the same but this time it is packed in two tracks that combine for almost 20 minutes. There is a certain calmness in both songs that is conradicted by threatening dark atmospheres. Somehow you just know that those guitar harmonies are bound explode sooner or later and that is exactly what is happening. Régresser build an incredible tension that unloads in heavy riffs and harsh vocals. Every tune is a dark trip through beautiful and yet disturbing moods with a monumental ending.
Get the full stream and free download on Bandcamp.
The new ChillxWill album finally dropped on Ill Adrenaline Records. "Almighty" is the third full length record by the Tacoma-based MC.
The track "911 (Platoon Remix)" gives you the chance to get an impression of the sound on this one. It features an incredible old school vibe with rough beats, great rhymes and a second rhyme by BriskInTheHouse. What's not to like about rap music like this? It's that simple and old approach to the hip hop genre that takes some incredible talent and skill to get it done properly - ChillxWill's definitely showcasing that he's got it in him.
Get the stream of the single on Soundcloud or get the album in any kind of physical form.
With their brand new selftitled release Peace Creep from San Francisco will surely become your next favourite punk rock trio. The band draws inspiration from all kinds of rock styles and developed a unique and rough sound on a total of 6 tracks on this EP.
It all starts with the incredible opener "Control Yr Crime" that moves with an intense pace through different moods. The punk rock character in Peace Creep's sound blends with all kinds of heavy rock genres and is probably what people should be talking about when they mention the term alternative punk rock. Tracks like "Radio Free Alcatraz" are building on great tensions that are often unloading in massive jams. It's an exciting brand of high energy rock'n'roll music that you should not sleep on.
Through numerous releases Aaron Goldberg has gained the reputation of a
top class jazz pianist and his brand new album is definitely living up
to the expectations. "The Now" features a classic trio line-up with
Goldberg being accompanied by his long time companions Reuben Rogers on
bass and Eric Harland on drums. The music on this record is simply beautiful constructed; finding a nice
balance between song-like structures and on point improvisations. And
this is what this album is about: capturing a certain moment in time,
the now. Goldberg's jazz approach creates a new mood and character each
time a song is played depending on how and when it is performed. But as
much as this album might be called a musical snapshot in time it is
also a timeless brand of jazz that moves through different vibes and
rhythms; presented by a group of playing with a great sense for harmony
and momentum...more
Memory Man - Broadcast One
Though you could already listen to a lot of Memory Man's works on his Bandcamp he has just recently dropped his debut record "Broadcast One" on Chopped Herring Records - and it's a huge one.
The DJ from Texas features some incredible MC's on this album like Edan, Prince Po, Kool Keith, Mr. Lif, Busdriver or Open Mike Eagle. This concept hip hop record was seven years in the making and a few beats and rhymes in it you will know that it was worth it - bringing together old school rap vibes in a modern outfit...more
Myles Sanko - Forever Dreaming
"Forever Dreaming" marks the first full length album by british soul man
Myles Sanko. His 2013 EP "Born In Black & White" already proved
that you can expect good things from this talented singer and
songwriter. As a soul fan you probably won't experience a lot of spectacular
surprises but what you will find is a top class soul album with
everything you could wish for. Uptempo tunes like "Shooting Star", slow
ballads like "Where We Need To Be" or jams as in "Take A Look At Me Now"
- it's all there. There's also a lot of positive energy flowing
through every track on this record which makes it such an entertaining
one...more
Jake Xerxes Fussell S/T Debut
Just a few notes in Jake Xerxes Fussell's preview track off his upcoming
album and you can already tell that you're listening to something
special. Who would've thought that the way how he is picking the strings
of his guitar and his singing in "Star Girl" might ever sound so
refreshing? On the one hand this is due to boring trends in country and
folk music. On the other hand it is due to some incredible talent. We're
talking about a traditional folk approach that is deeply rooted in the
North Carolina territory and what could easily become one of the finest
things you might have heard in this genre in a while...more
Hey Mister! - Rocket Summer
Hey Mister is a three piece rock band from Toronto that released their recent album a few months ago. Think of all the aspects you like in a positive punk record and you will
find it in "Rocket Summer". The Riffs, the speed, the vocals - it's all
there. The danger of creating song structures that sound predictable is
eliminated by the fact that almost every track ends before the two
minutes mark. Thus on a total of 14 songs this album will stay with you
just a bit over 20 minutes, but since we're talking about very
entertaining 20 minutes I bet that you couldn't care less; just keep
hitting the repeat button...more
T Bird & The Breaks - Harmonizm
After a lot of smaller releases
it is nice to see T Bird & The Breaks releasing a full length album
again. The funky ensemble from Texas dropped "Harmonizm" a few days ago
and again it's nothing but great soulful music and cool vibes. Heavy funk grooves or sweet soul vibes, you will surely find it on this
one. The blend of traditional approaches and a kind of modern way how to
do things especially on sound production works perfectly on this album.
Yet the best thing about this group still remains the positive energy
in every note they are playing. Tunes like "Justine" or "Ain't No Sugar"
will surely put a smile on every listener's face and a certain pep in
their step...more
The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra is not only one of Australia's top afrobeat ensembles - it is also home and starting point for some interesting side projects. Thus on a brand new 7" single you can hear singer 1/6 rap on side A while Lamine Sonko's vocals appear on the B-side featuring the groups incredible rhythm section.
So after all you will still find some stunning afro grooves on this one only clothed in a slighty different style. Listening to "Cosmetic Love" and "Jappo" you will notice that both tracks are actually build on what is more or less the same instrumental motif though with a different approach in vibes and musical genre. Really something that will make you look forward to the complete groups full length release next year.
