The funky duo, Tuxedo, exists of Mayer Hawthorne (Aquarius) and Jake One (Taurus), who have both been nominated for a Grammy. We’ve been a fan of both individual artists for many years, but together they form Voltron.
The Tuxedo collaboration began with an exchange of mixtapes back in 2006 and you can just hear both know their Boogie and Funk oh so well. Three tracks were mysteriously released on Internet as a free download nearly two years ago. We’ve been playing their music ever since and have introduced many DJ’s to it as well. In fact I know their music is an anthem at some of those parties now.
In between personal projects, these three tracks became a full album’s worth of Tuxedo. Original disco legend John Morales mixed the entire project at his home studio so you know why it sounds incredible. The music sounds true to the eighties, yet fresh as f*ck. What an amazing debut album released on Stones Throw Records with many future favorites to bounce to. Get your double vinyl or CD copy at the Stones Throw shop or visit iTunes to purchase get some digital Funk.
Big man Suff Daddy had you all pumpin’ like Reeboks, last time around on the Winter In Jakarta compilation.
The blunted beat smith returns with some brand new drunken boom-bap in the form of “What We Do“. Now as some of you may or may not know, ‘Suff’ means drinking heavily in German. And trust me I’ve seen this guy in action. The brother can hold his liquor no doubt about it!
We are always waiting for new music from Suff Daddy, so we welcome the news he is coming with a new album with open arms.
For the second instalment of our monthly Dutch producer series, ‘Werk Space’, we invited beatmaker Moods to the Red Bull Studios Amsterdam. Each month we invite a producer from the Netherlands to showcase his artistry and challenge him to work in an amazingly fruitful environment.
The Red Bull Studios Amsterdam is a state-of-the-art recording and production facility, where renowned and up-and-coming artists, are provided with everything they need in order to celebrate and create music!
Twenty-four-year-old Nick represents the city of Rotterdam, but is by his own admittance a true Zealander. Producing for over a decade now, Moods is probably one of the most talented producers coming out of the low lands. His forthcoming Sincere EP was released February 16 on 12-inch vinyl via Boogie Angst. Pre-orders are available here.
We invited the alluring SIAM from Ghent (Belgium) to lay down some amazing vocals and managed to record and mix everything within a day. Her jazzy style of singing fits perfectly on their newly created song entitled “Organic”.
Super excited to present the second piece of music spawned from this series. Early April all three tracks will be merged into one EP and released as a free download. Hopefully you will come to know, love and respect the many talented producers the Netherlands has to offer.
Artwork by Serena Indigo
Mixing & Mastering by Flixor
In case you love that new classic Soul sound from back in the days, like me. You are most likely going to love Idesia.
This USC Thornton School of Music educated band from Los Angeles is the next generation in Soul music. Their inspiring mix of contemporary Soul and Jazz music will satisfy the music needs of Jill Scott fans, but also wide audience of music lovers worldwide.
Miss Sophie Dimitroff’s mesmerizing voice makes their “Golden Dreams” EP a winner in my book. Best tune for me personally is “April Love“…what’s yours? Available on iTunes in case you were wondering.
Sauce81, who nowadays goes by the name of N’gaho Ta’quia, is getting ready to blow some minds on the dancefloor soon.
His brand new “Natural Thing” EP is due to come out next month on Floating Point’s label Eglo Records. The title track is pure uncut Funk and will be the choice of any respected club DJ. Nobu has been in our top 10 favorite Japanese producers for quite some time. You might remember Sauce81 teaming up with Grooveman Spot on their 77 Karat Gold project. Or what about his smashing “Fade Away” EP on Wonderful Noise?
Can’t wait to hear that b-side cut “Bustin'” and if you can’t either go and pre-order this Japanese modern Boogie double-sider from Sauce81.
I remember Sir OJ being one of the most promising Dutch producers in the game. Together with guys like FS Green and Full Crate they had the Internet goin’ nutz.
Now many years and many new music trends later, we find Joris on that Electronic music tip. His previous single wasn’t really our thing to be honest, but on his latest endeavor “Directions“, he calls in the help of Cody Chestnut. More importantly Jarreau Vandal is on the remix duty and let me tell you it sounds outlandishly good and really reeks of originality. The kid has been blowing our minds lately and here’s one Soulection member who is not standing still, but moving forward, sideways and upwards all at the same time.
Tonight we’ll be checking out Jarreau at the Soulection night at Voyage Amsterdam at the Melkweg. Esta, Sam Gellaitry, Evil Needle and the Whooligan will be showing their skills, so come all.
Follow Sir OJ on Soundcloud
Follow Jarreau Vandal on Soundcloud
Now ESKA is one of those ultra talented singer who’s been simmering for quite a while in life’s backstage. This will soon come to an end for London’s best kept secret is about to unleash her self-titled debut album upon the world.
She truly possesses one of the most intriguing voices in the United Kingdom right now, as ESKA weaves together diverse musical elements – hints of folk, soul, psychedelia and electronica and pairs them with stirring lyrics. Her debut self-released “Gatekeeper” EP, was heralded by Bandcamp in their ‘Best Releases of 2013′. Having built an inimitable reputation as a writer and performer through collaborations with a staggering array of talent from Grace Jones, Cinematic Orchestra, Zero 7 and Bobby McFerrin together with performances in some of the world’s most famous venues and festivals, it’s time for ESKA to shine her own unique light onto the dark corners of the universe we call music.
The self-titled debut album “ESKA” was produced by electronic artist Matthew Herbert, Louis ‘slipperz’ Hackett and Dave Okumu of The Invisible (previous winners of iTunes ‘Album of the Year’ in the UK). Though her music is genre defying, it is safe to say that her wonderful song entitled “Heroes & Villains” is a mix between rugged and rootsy Reggae and sensual Soul music. At times she reminds me a bit of Googie Coppola, who happens to be one of my favorite vocalists EVER. If you (just like me) can’t wait for ESKA’s album to come out on April 26th, go ahead and pre-order it on Bandcamp.
Wander Lost was born from a place of immense frustration. Nick Price had just spent six months in his newly adopted home, Los Angeles, and things weren’t happening the way he had planned. His work as a songwriter was suffering and as he tried to write in different idioms and for different voices, he strayed further from the obvious path. Which was to write for nobody else but Nick Price. At some point the levy broke and the scale tipped. Two days later his debut single “Naked Souls” was written. Upon first hearing it, I thought to myself this is something else. No dime a dozen track. No this was something truly magnificent. Of course the rest is history and now we find Nick Price on the verge of the release of his Wander Lost EP.
Let me do a quick review since the EP only contains six songs. The intro entitled, “Lunar Precipice“, is a heavenly harmony that sweeps you off your feet right away. Now what else can I say about “Naked Souls“? It’s undeniably one of the best Soul songs I’ve heard last year. Still listen to it on a regular basis and I’m shocked it recently passed 136,000 plays. Nick’s second single, “Cabin Built For Two“, finds him back on the romantic tip.
The most beautiful song on Wander Lost (for me) is “Cold“. What a personal and emotional ride…wow! It doesn’t shame me to admit this brought me to tears at least once (such an emotional sap). I almost broke the replay button on this one. Okay whipe your tears, for the vocal interlude, “Ain’t Got Nobody“, provides a quick moment of cheerfulness. Wait with lyrics like ‘I’m so sad and lonely’? I’m confused. Ah finally Nick treats us to some crisp drums, uplifting rhodes and soothing sax on the last cut called “Running Back”.
Thanks goes out to several key contributors. Andris Mattson and Max Byrk, producers and instrumentalists from the band Moonchild, helped shaping the sound of this EP. Another important contributor was Charlotte Ficek who made some incredible and inspiring artwork. Wander Lost is available on iTunes and please show Nick some love and support…he deserves it!
Right before Valentine’s Day, sir Henry Wu from South London, released his “Negotiate” EP on Eglo’s daughter label, Ho Tep Records.
This is by far my favorite work from Henry Wu thus far and one of those few new records I am going to cop without thinking. Such an intensely deep and warm mature sound. Please have a listen to five wonderful soulful grooves that hover somewhere in between House and Soul music. Mo Kolours plays some additional synths on “Expensive Ghetto” and and on the prime cut “Just Negotiate” Simeon Jones delivers extra silky vocals. For those who find themselves turntable-less, no worries there is a digital version available on the Ho Tep Bandcamp page. Here you can also pick up the 12″ version or try your local record shop.
Good morning to all you lovers and haters. Rejoice on Valentine’s Day 2015 and receive this blessed gift!
Belgian producer ToolBox has been on our radar for quite some years now and when we heard he was working on something fresh and funky, we suggested he teamed up with the wonderful Miki Rose from Los Angeles. It took a little while, but all the pieces fell into place. We figured “U&I” would make the perfect Valentine’s gift from us to you. Even if it’s not a love story perse.
For those who are not familiar with ToolBox or Miki Rose, make sure you grab a free download and get hip to both. Miki is working on her debut solo EP, which is scheduled to drop on Darker Than Wax.
Follow ToolBox on Soundcloud
Follow Miki Rose on Soundcloud
Download directly by signing into Soundcloud below!
