Been meaning to check out BJ the Chicago Kid‘s new “In My Mind” album. Like most music nowadays it never made it out of my inbox though due to a lack of time and interest.
Luckily the homey Blue told me about this one amazing track titled “Turnin’ Me Up” on the new album released on Motown. He was sure I was gonna love it and guess what this indeed is the the tune. It doesn’t happen often I get something handed to me on a silver platter. So when it does I need to give credit where credit is due.
The rest of BJ the Chicago Kid’s album is what you would expect from a modern-day R&B release. Features from Kendrick Lamar, Chance The Rapper and Big K.R.I.T. Very major controlled by a major. All but for the very last cut of the album. That one is straight butta and sounds more like a modern day D’Angelo track.
In a far far away fairytale wonderland there once lived three queens named Amber, Anita and Paris. They were better known as KING, a super trio that filled the world with joyful sounds of bliss. Their rich vocal harmonies and warm synth textures are as comfortable as a big warm fluffy pillow on a cold winters night.
Their “The Story” EP came out 5 years ago, but after half a decade of waiting it can now finally put a big smile on our and your faces. We happily present to you their long-awaited debut album titled “We Are King“. Everything on here has been self-produced and the album is also self-released. With songs like “Red Eye”, these ladies from Los Angeles are definitely right back in our top 5 list of favorite artists to listen to.
Some time ago Breezy Lovejoy made the transition to Anderson Paak. It seems like only yesterday (2012) that we were listening to “O.B.E.” vol. 1 and this Summer, he was the most talked about rapper on Dr Dre’s “Compton” album.
Really happy to see talented people like Anderson Paak ‘make it’. Even happier to finally wrap our ears around his latest album titled “Malibu“, which is available via Steel Wool Records. With BJ the Chicago Kid featuring on “The Waters”, you know this was gonna be LiT like Christmas. On productional duties we have heavyweights such as Hi-Tek and Pomo. Of course .Paak gets some additional vocal support from The Game, Schoolboy Q and Talib Kweli.
Like we said .Paak doing it big and still making that dope music! You can purchase the new album on iTunes if you haven’t done so already.
Discover Anderson Paak on Soundcloud
Many consider Kirkis to be a mad genius when it comes to music. Some might go as far as to call him a madman. We don’t know him that well, but I guess we’ll stick to musical genius.
Fresh Selects tried to sign Kirkis early 2010, but he had already promised a record to another label. Instead he attempted to remix a track for Mndsgn, which ended up as a completely new track titled “Cold Crush“. To bring it full circle Mndsgn decided to remix Kirkis’ attempt to a remix (ya’ll still following?).
A few years ago we came across this multi-talented Melbourne musician and with his unique brand of lo-fi, maniacal proto-punk, jazz-funk fusion he managed to grab our attention. When Fresh Selects hit us up about premiering “Cold Crush” it was a no brainer!
And so the 7″ single drops January 21st and can be pre-ordered on the Fresh Selects Bandcamp page. A cold crush indeed, served in two very different styles; with the post-it legend himself, Gangster Doodles, immortalizing both artists for either sides of the sleeve, for Fresh Selects’ first ever 7″ release. Good looking out Kenny and we can’t wait for the next vinyl release!
Discover Kirkis on Soundcloud
Discover Fresh Selects on Soundcloud
So young Sam Gellaitry has blown the f*ck up over these past year and with good reason. Last summer the producer out of Stirling made this track titled “Rise/Set” which was released on Soundcloud not too long ago.
It’s a demo cut with a rather abrupt ending, but never the less Gellaitry showcases his originality in sounds. Really appreciating these strings by the way. Let it be know that Sam Gellaitry has often been imitated, but never really equaled. The Soulection affiliated producer might just be the most refreshing talent of last year.
If you haven’t yet, get acquainted with Sam’s music and check out his Soundcloud page.
In case you haven’t heard about Teklun from Baltimore, wake up you have been snoozing. This kid has been droppin’ heaters for a minute and we suggest you take a listen for yourself.
So back in 2014 he released his debut album,”Ridin’ Round”, via HW&W and that track “Wurly” had us like whoa. Today marks the release of “Ridin’ Round” 2. Trust me when when I say there are some raw beats on here no doubt. A strong personal favorite is “SUB CLIQUE”, but go ahead and browse through the entire thing for yourself please.
Former b-boy Inkswel brought us a ton of funky music made in Australia. Not too long ago Jules Habib decided to try his luck in Germany and moved to Berlin.
He’s connected with the Rush Hour crew and is getting ready to release his forthcoming debut album on BBE. The album, titled “Unity 4 Utopia” will be released (in January) on vinyl through Oye Records as well. The track “Outerspace Connection” is the first single to drop and it features none other than Steve Spacek & Harvey Sutherland.
Catch a cosmic vibration and pre-order Inkswel’s album right here!
More than twelve years ago I met Mar through his big sis, who also happens to sing. Back then he was still a teenager, but over the years Mar has grown into a modern day R&B crooner, that sweeps women worldwide of their feet. When we meet again congratulations are in order.
A few weeks back Mar released his third EP titled “When We Meet“. With six brand new songs he ventures into deeper, uncharted territories of the sound we have come to love from the singer-songwriter slash producer. When We Meet will deliver an elevated musical experience to lovers of Alternative R&B music and “Majesty of Mystery” is the cherry on the pie.
Grab yourself a digital dose of Mar and purchase the EP on Bandcamp or iTunes.
The year is coming to an end and KA-YU from the far north delivers some November goodness for our Werk Space project.
KA-YU is a Moluccan/Dutch producer and percussionist who reps the Darker Than Wax crew. He came down to the Red Bull Studios Amsterdam to work on a Grime-inspired instrumental track titled “Near Extinction” and we love the soulful twist. Of course we believe you can never go wrong with rhodes and that a free download is still a beautiful thing, even in the age of streaming.
Some incredible artwork was made by Lucky Dubz, who tattooed his original design on actual pigskin. Also much love to Joao Costa for shooting and editing the video. Henning will end the year with some Christmas Funk, but more on that later.
Back in June we came across Honolulu-based record label, Aloha Got Soul, who has finally re-released Mike Lundy‘s holy grail “The Rhythm Of Life” album.
Four cuts of this Hawaiian Soul gem were released earlier this year by way of two 7-inch vinyl records. The title track is by far the most amazing song on there, but wait till you get a load of “Love One Another“. You will discover many more wonderful finds on The Rhythm Of Life…trust me! Sadly the master tapes were lost in a fire many years ago, so the seal on Mike’s only personal copy was broken. After being remastered by Aloha Got Soul, it finally found it’s way into the world again after 35 years.
Read this interesting interview with Mike Lundy before you pick up a digital copy (which came out yesterday) or pre-order the vinyl.
