#185 – The Bravest Man In The Universe

Bobby Womack is back! And his new song, ‘The Bravest Man In The Universe’, is a class bit of work. His voice sounds as rich and as emotive as ever, while the production (from Damon Albarn and XL head-honcho Richard Russell) adds a depth and groove that gives a great modern spin on the Bobby Womack of old. It’s funky, edgy and, above all, really, really good.

Review: Belleruche – Rollerchain

Tru Thoughts’ Belleruche are now on to their fourth full-length release and they’ve made a concerted effort to shake things up a bit. We all know that they do the DIY electro-soul thing well, so it seems that they wanted to show us they can make a darker, more complex sound work too.

Luckily, they don’t disappoint.

#173 – Look Around The Corner

I’ve been sitting on this for a week now, enjoying it all to myself. And I really have been enjoying it. Quantic is a name that ought to be used as an adjective: “That track is so Quantic”, “I just had the most Quantic meal” and “I met this girl last night and we totally bumped Quantics”. Okay, so that last one wasn’t an adjective, but who cares. My point is he’s been consistently great for over a decade now and reassuringly this new album seems like it’s going to stand up next to his previous ones (of which there are many).

#153 – Kae Sun

Kae Sun is a Toronto-based, Ghana-born songwriter. He’s been making some small waves back in his home country, but it’s about time everyone heard about him. He’s got a soulful, slightly gravelly voice that shines through the songs, which are sensitively written stories. The fact that it’s all acoustic gives the songs an authenticity; they’re enormously easy to relate to.

#144 – Let’s Make Lemonade

Today it’s the turn of Seattle-based, electro/soul duo Fly Moon Royalty to grace our pages. Although that could be me being a little big-headed… AdraBoo and Action Jackson have been making music together for about two years and they seem to have crafted something polished, delightfully pop-y and really, really listenable. The new  album Fly Moon Royalty is out on February 6th on Sportn’ Life, a local label. Their sound is a mash of funk, soul and electro in the vein of Gnarles Barkley (an obvious comparison, but no less valid because of that), Janelle Monaé and, to my humble ear, a hint of Robyn.

‘Lemonade’ is a slice of  summery pop

#101 – Animal Farm Told Me To

Have you heard of Animal Farm? And no, I’m not talking about the controversial (one-time banned) George Orwell novel. I’m talking about the Hip Hop group out of Portland, Oregon. If not then fret not. We have got a bit of a treat for you, as the five of them have kindly taken the time to do our little musical interview. But before you get to their choices, listen to their track ‘Test Of Time’ which features Talib Kweli who is easily one of my favourites. This song came to my attention thanks to the daily RCRD LBL mailout some time ago and it’s been getting a steady rotation since. A funky sample and a great lyric/flow adds up to a song that you will listen to plenty! We actually featured it a little while back, but seeing as we’re so generous here’s another listen.

Animal Farm – Test Of Time Feat. Talib Kweli

The guys have just released their newest single and you can listen to it here. If you like it, then follow the link to their Soundcloud page and get it free.

Animal Farm – Culture Shock Feat. Rob Swift

Just after the drop we’ve got the guy’s choices and there are some right good eggs in there. I reckon my favourite is probably Fury’s choice. But I’m a sucker for Q-Tip…

#99 – Rizzle Kicks

I’m about to break what I would imagine is a cardinal rule amongst bloggers and proper journalists, I’m aiming this post at a demographic of one; and that one just happens to be SF&L’s editor Sacha.  In addition to a carefree attitude towards rules I’m also blessed with a character flaw that I often like to excuse as a pro-active imagination. I find that, quite involuntarily, whenever there are gaps in my knowledge of any particular subject I have a tendency towards plugging them with guess-work and fabrication passed off as actual fact. This has led me to the decision that from what I do know of Sacha’s music taste I ‘know’ Rizzle Kicks will be the perfect distillation of said taste.

Rizzle Kicks

#93 – Rolling In The Remixes

Umm. Yes, we do have (another) Adele remix. And it’s a pretty good one, to be honest! Hourglass Sea is possibly the best thing to have come out of Bradford. I know that expression is usually followed by a since… but I didn’t really think there was a since. He has remixed/remade the superb pop song into something that you can imagine being played by a synthy, rocky band with a drummer on angry drugs in the background. You should really turn this one up very loud. And if you like it then you can see him playing at Bungalows and Bears at the end of the month for Tramlines.

Adele – Rolling In The Deep (Hourglass Sea Remix)

How better to follow a remix like Hourglass Sea’s than by some pretty synth from RAC. He’s taken a shot at remixing some rap, namely a song by Theophilus London (who remixed the Jamie xx’s version of Florence + The Machine’s ‘You’ve Got The Love’ a while back). When he put it up on his Tumblr he said he was way out of his comfort zone working on a rap song, as “you can pretty much do anything”. Well, he’s done a cracking job,

#83 – Weekly Roundup

Another week gone. And it’s been a pretty big one too. I quit my job on Friday  and I’m off halfway around the world today. So as my final roundup for a while I’m putting up some good songs! First up is hot off the press by the people behind HEARTSREVOLUTION. I remember the first ever Kitsuné compilation I got was number 6, which, for the record, is a bloody good one! They had a song it back then called ‘Ultraviolence’, which I really enjoyed. So imagine my happy face when this was sent along. It’s a fascinating song with a jarring melodic loop in the background that sets off Leyla Safai’s vocals wonderfully. The whole thing is melodic and very re-listenable. You’ll want to play it back-to-back a couple of times before you’re satisfied you’ve got all you can from your first listen(s).

HEARTSREVOLUTION – I.D. [Buy]

Now for a producer called Bibio. This song is another electronic one, yet it’s a funky as anything from the 70’s. And it’s got an 80’s flute synth in the background. It’s a bit of an odd medley, but it’s very good fun. Bibio is James Wilkinson and he’s been making music for way over 10 years now. This is the only song I know by him, but I’ll soon change that. Enjoy ‘K Is For Kelson’.

Bibio – K Is For Kelson [Buy]

Beirut are one of those bands that I go back to again and again.

#76 – Because It’s Sunny Out

Well, it is. And it has been for rather a long time. While it makes me wonder what on earth is going on with the seasons, ultimately it works out pretty nicely for me. Here are some songs that should be listened to while drinking a (fancy) cider in one of the Queen’s Parks with your friends. Maybe even in one of the sun loungers, if you’re prepared to get fleeced.

Toots & The Maytals – Take Me Home Country Road [Buy]

Barrington Levy – Here I Come [Buy]

I think I fell in love with this song because of Anchorman. In fact, I know I did. So, Mr Ferrell & co, thank you.