I got turned on to Yannah Valdevit by her song, Western Horizons. Then, I went to her new album, Equilibrium. The fact that it is on world renowned label, Tru Thoughts, is enough for anyone to check a new record out, and I'm glad I did. This is actually her first worldwide release, with co-production duties going to Zed Bias. Lots of great electronic sounds, with a hint of jazz in there, which was a clencher for me. The lead off track, "Gotta Keep Me Goin" has been on repeat for a little while now, so I figured I should share with you, and then I can move on to obsessing about something else.
You can really see Jamie Lidell picking up the new music trends and molding them with his super soul vocals. Compared to his last two albums, this track is leaps and bounds in a more electronic direction, and I actually didn't like it the first time I heard it. Jamie's vocals, though, are undeniable. The tone he carries is amazing, and worth checking out if you've never heard his previous material. His new self-titled album is set to release in February 2013 on Warp Records.
So yeah, as much as I can talk bad about the pop/dubstep sound, I still woke up with it in my head, and I still enjoy it. Download for free on Jamie Lidell's website.
Super Sleeper! I can’t believe this came out A YEAR AGO. I hate myself for missing that. Been a fan of Nikko since her Love Seen album came out in 2010. Gorgeous vocals over quite simple, but very intoxicating, production.
I had a blast making this one. All year I’ve been compiling this list, and I ended making Forward Listening 22 a 2-hour and 40-minute show. Music from all around the globe, released in 2011.
1. Charles Bradley – Golden Rule [ No Time For Dreaming; Daptone ]
2. The Stepkids – Shadows on Behalf [ The Stepkids; Stones Throw ]
3. Toro Y Moi – Still Sound [ Underneath The Pine; Carpark Records ]
4. Aischa Traidia – What’s Going On [ Single; Melting Pot Music ] bandcamp.com
5. Seun Kuti & Africa 80 – You Can Run [ From Africa With Fury: Rise; Knitting Factory ]
6. Tunde Mabadu – Viva Disco *Instrumental [ Nigeria 70: Sweet Times; Strut ]
7. Bibio – Light Sleep [ Mind Bokeh; Warp Records ]
8. Thundercat – Boat Cruise [ Golden Age of Apocalypse; Brain Feeder ]
9. Pharaoh Monche – Still Standing *feat. Jill Scott [ W.A.R. ; Duck Down ]
10. Amerigo Gazaway – Breakadawn [ Fela Soul; Gummy Soul ] bandcamp.com
11. Sebastian – Embody *DJ Premier Remix [ single; Ed Banger ]
12. Robin Hannibal – Transit [ Bobby EP; Plug Research ]
13. Grace Jones – This is Life [ Hurricane; Play It Again, Sam ]
14. Stac – Head on Me *Blue Daisy Remix [ Turn That Light Out: The Remixes, Vol. 2; Wah Wah 45’s ]
15. Little Dragon – Nightlife [ Ritual Union; Peacefrog Holdings ]
16. LDFD – Outtacontrol [ Outtacontrol EP; Magical Properties ]
17. Thievery Corporation – Where It All Starts [ Culture of Fear; ESL ]
18. King – Hey [ The Story EP; Self Released ]
19. Wild Cookie – Serious Drug [ Cookie Dough; Tru Thoughts ] Freddie Cruger & Anthony Mills
20. Kraak & Smaak – Wasted With A Smile [ Electric Hustle; Jalapeño ]
21. Bombino – Tar Hani (My Love) [ Agadez; Cumbancha ]
22. Tinariwen – Tenere Taqhim Tossam [ Tassili; Anti ]
23. Mongo Santamaria – Mongo’s Mambo *Joe Claussell Remix [ Africa Caribe; Hammock House/Fania ]
24. Captain Planet – Get You Some [ Cookin’ Gumbo; Bastard Jazz ]
25. Chris Berry – Lari’s Theme [ OKA!; Oka Productions ]
26. Michael Kiwanuka – Tell Me A Tale [ Tell Me A Tale: The Isle of Wight Sessions; Communion ]
27. The Echocentrics – Crescent Sun [ Sunshadows; Ubiquity ]
28. Garfield Adams – For My City *feat. Josh Koslow [ 1st Things First; Self Released ] band camp
29. Jesse Futurman – I Love You So [ Super Basement EP; Jus Like Music
30. Agnes Obel – Close Watch [ Philharmonics; Play It Again, Sam ]
31. DJ Shadow – Enemy Lines [ The Less You Know, The Better; Verve Forecast ]
32. Dengue Fever – Ugu [ Cannibal Courtship; Fantasy ]
33. Daedelus – Penny Loafers [ Bespoke; Ninja Tune ] Inara George Bird & The Bee Living Sisters
34. Chrissy Murderbot – Bussin Down [ Women’s Studies; Planet Mu ]
35. El Rego – Vimado Wingman [ El Rego; Daptone ]
36. Ikebe Shakedown – Tujunga [ Ikebe Shakedown; Ubiquity Records ]
37. Bing Ji Ling – Dreaming [ Shadow to Shine; Tummy Touch Records ]
I’m proud to announce Forward Listening Vol. 21, available now on The Noise Academy’s website and iTunes. 2 hours of goodness from Chris Berry, MdCL, Captain Planet, Colman Brothers, Toro Y Moi, DJ Cam, and more…
Charles Lloyd Quartet – Dream Weaver [ Concert in Athens; ECM Records ]
Me’shell Ndegeocello – Don’t Take My Kindness For Weakness [ Weather; Naive Records ]
Chris Berry – Lari’s Theme (End Theme) [ Oka! OST; Oka Productions ]
El Rego – Do Do Baya [ El Rego; Daptone ]
Empresarios – Cumbia Savage (Instrumental) [ Bestia EP; Fort Knox Recordings ]
Amerigo Gazaway – Stakes Is High [ Fela Soul; Self Released ]
Jonwayne – Just A Minute [ I Don’t Care; Self Released ]
DJ 2-Tone Jones – Blue Hype [ Shaolin Jazz: The 37th Chamber; Self Released ]
DJ Center – You Got The Love (Applejac’s Hookah Lounge Remix) [ Everything in Time Remixed; Push The Fader ]
MdCL – Alabi (feat. Sandra Nkake) [ Renegades; Tru Thoughts ]
Bio Ritmo – Dina’s Mambo [ La Verdad; Electric Cowbell ]
Mongo Santamaria – Mongo’s Mambo (Joe Claussell Remix) [ Africa Caribe; Hammock House/Fania ]
Captain Planet – Samba Radiante [ Cookin’ Gumbo; Bastard Jazz ]
Colman Brothers – Another Brother (Big Band Mix) [ Colman Brothers ; Wah Wah 45’s ]
Hour 2
Mocean Worker – Do Like Ya Like [ Candygram for Mowo!; MRI ]
Sun Singleton – Ready (Opolopo Remix) [ Stilnovo Sessions Vol. 1; Stilnovo ]
The Getalong Gang – Better Than This [ It’s All House; Public Recordings ]
Aischa Traidia – What’s Going On [ Single; Melting Pot Music ]
Toro Y Moi – All Alone [ Freaking Out EP; Carpark Records ]
Kutcorners – Diamond (Wajeed Remix) [ Single; 11-inch Records ]
DJ Cam – A Loop [ Seven; Laurent Daumail ]
Garfield Adams – Build and Destroy (feat. Derrick Buck) [ 1st Things First; Stemulated Music ]
J-Live – No Time To Waste [ Said Person of That Ability; Triple Threat Music ]
Evidence – You [ Cats & Dogs; Rhymesayers ]
J.Bizness – 260 Dionne [ Flips Vol. 1; Self Released ]
Jose James – Trouble [ Single; Self-Released ]
Sarah Linhares – Here [ Messages from the Future; Public Transit ]
Grace Jones – This is Life [ Hurricane; Play It Again, Sam ]
Daedelus – Penny Loafers [ Bespoke; Ninja Tune ]
Bjork – Dark Matter (With Choir & Organ) [ Biophilia; Nonesuch ]
Moby – When You Grow Old [ Destroyed; Mute ]
I’m really diggin the Chrissy Murderbot “Women’s Studies” album on Planet Mu. It came out in April and it took me a few months to get to it, but I’m all over it as of late. Chrissy Murderbot is a DJ/Producer from Chicago, combining UK Bass scene and Juke/Footwork styles. I was trolling the internet and found out they made a video for one of my favorite tracks from the album, “Bussin Down.” Love the Dayton sample!
Before I praise this track, let me say that this might be the worst ending to a song I’ve heard in a long time. That said, I’ve been simmering on this one for a minute. Really listening to it as much as possible. Extremely strong beginning, with heavy drums and compelling guitar. It’s to the point where I’m waking up with this in my head. Hannibal has been making serious waves in the past two years, especially with the success of Quadron. He is working with numerous artists on multiple projects, but this is from an EP that is 100% Robin Hannibal. Production, vocals, everything. I get a feeling that this is more of an example of demos that Plug Research decided to release, which is why you have certain moments such as the end of this song that make you ask, “what was he thinking?!” Either way, I love this track…
This is jazz for 2011…Some real, nitty gritty, space funk, jazzadelic, herbie vs. george duke type of goodness. Thundercat is a bassist out of Los Angeles. His debut solo record is produced by Flying Lotus and is out now on Brainfeeder. Enjoy this one in the car at the beginning or end of your day.
LDFD is a beatmaker based out of Dallas, TX. Don’t know much more about him, but I’m DIGGIN this release! There’s a relevant electronic sound here, but utilizing a sped up vocal sample from Janet Jackson’s “Go Deep” (whaaaa?!) makes it sound so much more soulful than just any wobbly dubstep track.
