Cry Wolf, quite honestly, shocked the hell out of me with their cover of David Banner’s ‘Play’. It’s dirty, and I never knew how dirty Banner likes to get until Cry Wolf spelled it out quite clearly.
Now the Cry Wolf duo is up to nogood on their cover of Rihanna’s ‘Please Don’t Stop the Music’ with vocals provided by Maigan Kennedy. It’s dark as hell and I bet that’s how Rihanna would’ve originally wanted it (popstar problems).
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Like my run in with Tommy Lee and even our first time with Solange, I didn’t recognize the name until I looked it up. And unlike her sister, Solange has taken the alternate route and we keep digging up one fine style of soul after another because of it. First, her collaboration with Theophilus London – it’s worth a listen – and now with her single, ‘Losing You.’ Beyonce may have the popular vote, but Solange is teaming up with some quality producers who are putting the progress back into soul music.
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I’m still quite stricken by how well music has been progressing these last few years. If you can’t see (or hear) what’s going on creatively around the world, you’re not exploring it enough. It’s out there, in all forms. Jessie’s ‘What You Won’t Do For Love’ is the latest distinction I’ve come across. It feels like she’s singing straight to me and isn’t that what music’s about. And who did this beat woofta.
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We may just have the sexiest shit of 2013 right here and it just so happens to be a One Direction cover… and I’m okay with that. Vicktor Taiwò runs soul circles around these One Direction lyrics and tops it off nice with a little hypnotic vocal distortion – love it, when done right. I should really make up a mix of One Direction spin-offs, that’d be one sexy mix.
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Last year if you had asked me which country was home to the most quality and innovative producers, without hesitation I would have said France. In the past few months, however, it’s clear that either my alliances have shifted or the UK is on FIRE with their creative and talented producers.
Maribou State is the latest UK production duo I’ve stumbled upon and whenever I try to listen to something else, they find their way back into my playlist. Genre-wise, they go by “ambient” or “future garage”, but genre has become such a fluid idea with electronic music that they really can’t be classified. Every instrument and sound in this song is isolated in such a way, that each time you listen you hear something new. The vocalist, Saint Savior, gives the song a driving purpose and and the light percussive beats give the song a light and airy feel. It’s a pretty easy song to fall in love with, so don’t fight it, just let it happen.
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Soul music is back with a whole new influence. Just two years ago I couldn’t find a half decent disco track, let alone anything funk or R&B. So like I do best, I filtered the shit out of the web and found me some good ol’, new-fashioned Soul music. This new style of Soul, however, isn’t like before, there are all sorts of electronic influences grown in. So let’s take a look at my Soul obsessions of 2012 and see what’s in store for the future.
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I was first introduced to Eat More Cake with their remix of The Other Tribe’s ‘Skirts’ and now they’re up to nogood on APDW’s ‘The Love Inside of You.’ The song features Candi Staton who’s got one hell of a voice and is further proven with EMC’s eerily funkster beat. Make sure to take a close listen in, there’s a few electro treats in there.
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Bananas may call this the “version for those who like less singing,” and as much as that’s true, it’s more like the version that picks the best vocal parts in ‘Adorn.’ Miguel’s voice is undoubtedly powerful in more ways than one, but Sammy Bananas’ “Adlib Dub” highlights the best of it. He can really hit those notes at times.
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I hardly ever fall in love from the first go, but Malinchak’s ‘So Good To Me’ hit right from the start. It’s one of those tracks you know will stick by you for the rest of your life (yea, it’s that good).
‘So Good to Me’ starts off slow, but keeps you intrigued until the heart of it all. Once the vocals kick in, however, it’s full flavored bliss. Although it’s hard for me to describe exactly what makes this so special, it’s quite clear to see once you listen in.
Make sure to check out the rest of his music as well and let me know what you think. I won’t listen to anything else of his until I’m sure sick of this (it’s gonna be awhile), it’s just something I do.
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Catching Flies lays out for us a four-track EP, titled The Stars, and my is it electro mastery. Vocal manipulation is almost becoming a necessity for my ears and I haven’t heard such fine manips since Madeux or TIP. Catching Flies borrows from a few fine vocalists for all four songs – Coldplay, Bajka, Mt. Wolf & the last which I couldn’t find credits for (credit your samples, people). In the end, some tripworthy tracks that’ll definitely be in my next beats to blaze to edition.
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