Really enjoyed exploring the Project Thirty-Three blog produced by Jive Time Records, a Seattle-based store specializing in used vinyl.
Project Thirty-Three is an archive of vintage album covers that share the fact that they convey their message with simple shapes (circle, rectangles, squares and triangles), bold typography and concise copy. A site that showcases a genuine love for music and a treasure trove of inspiration. Well worth a look.
D’Angelo has long reigned as the mysterious king of neo-soul. Much like Lauryn Hill, his 2000 opus Voodoo was followed by zilch, preferring to remain in the shadows as a peripheral figure in the music world, and finding himself in and out of jail and putting on a few pounds in the process. …Read More.
I’ve been itching to listen find out more about MED’s Classic LP ever since it surfaced on Stones Throw and I caught sight of Eric Colman’s and Jeff Jank’s Blue Note riffing cover. As MED puts it when asked about the album’s moniker:
“I called the LP Classic because thats the approach I took: create music that has the potential to be played by every generation. This album deals with current issues, personal and within the community. Good-feeling music will always last and allow hip-hop to grow.”
With contributions from Aloe Blacc, Talib Kweli, Oh No and Kurupt, Madlib on production duties and beats by Oh No, Georgia Anne Muldrow and The Alchemist, it seems like it the LP may well live up to its name.
Having spotted a poster advertising her forthcoming gig at the Nation of Shopkeepers and been seduced by the kooky, nonchalant charm of the fresh-faced girl staring back at me I decided to do a quick bit of digging…which revealed that Lianne Le Havas is actually a cog in the Warner Brothers machine that’s been grafting to get her featured in the hottness section of any credible muso publication going, and have even roped in everyone’s favourite weird uncle Jools Holland to put her on Later…with Jools Holland. Whilst I’m unsurprised that everything isn’t quiet what it seems – it rarely is – there’s no mistaking that Ms Le Havas has a voice and presence that are getting people excited.
The Stepkids
The Stepkids
Stones Throw
I’ve had this album for less than 48 hours. I’ve played it five times. It’s very, very, very good.
Bonafide profiled Alex Clare a few months ago, so we’re pleased when a link to his cover of the Etta James track Damn Your Eyes popped up in our ever overflowing and chaotic inbox. Damn Your Eyes is a damn good track from the man with a great bushy beard and an even better voice.
Various
True Soul Vol 1 and 2
Now Again
Ever since the now mythical Chains and Black Exhaust compilation piqued my interest at the turn of the millennium, I have been a habitual consumer of the output of Memphix, Now Again, Mochilla and the other connected labels and acts that specialise in this genre. Chains and Black Exhaust proved an elusive prize. Every so often I’d read a tit-bit about it on a forum or in a knowing review. It’d be on my radar, whetting my appetite but then would prove impossible to find and it’d disappear down the Wanted List and I’d forget about it. I finally nailed it a year or so ago and, with all it’s Hendrix-esque, un-fettered lushness, I was engrossed.
The point of these ramblings? That there is a whole other world of good stuff out there which aforementioned labels have an un-canny habit of unearthing, dusting down and preserving for future generations. And you, dear reader, should be making the most of this.
“Industry rule number 4080, record company people are shady.”
Unfortunately Q-Tip has been proved right time and time again and no one knows this better than Bilal. His 2006 album, the tragically ironic titled, Love for Sale was deemed unmarketable by Interscope and then leaked mysteriously shortly after. While we live in a time where accidentally on purpose leaks are a promotional tool, for Bilal it was the final nail in the coffin and the album was never released. …Read More.
The first in what is hopefully going to be a regular blog post, and not go the way of the much missed Kool Keith Tuesdays, Introducing shines a light on those just off the radar and first up is Alex Clare. …Read More.
As usual we’ve raised the stakes and aimed to put out something that you won’t find anywhere else. A UK themed issue from the red and blue colour scheme to the fashion imagery through to the innovative musicians and artists we’ve spoken to, issue 04 celebrates our very own local originators.
Peep the roll call of exclusives. On the music tip we’ve got exclusive features with the bedrock of UK hip-hop. From the grey High Plains of Huddersfield, Jehst and the YNR crew, cover star Klashnekoff reloading for his next saga, the cerebral thoughts of Ty, electronic pioneers Coldcut/Ninja Tune and Daddy Skitz. Also in the mix is the un-definable Jamie Lidell, floating vocals from Fatima, the relentless underground warrior Cappo and Radio 1xtra DJs Benji B, Mista Jam and DJ Target.
On the visual side of things we chat to street artist agent provocateur D*Face, visual storyteller Slinkachu, dope designers Oscar and Ewan, and include illustrations by some of the UK’s finest pencil wielding talent.
Oh yeah, and from across the Pond, the one and only Mutha Fecking Gaslamp Killer drops in for a cup of tea. Cop your copy here or from the usual stockists including TATE, Fopp, Magma, Rough Trade and all good record stores.
