I keep on thinking that Abel’s albums after House of Balloons will live up to their predecessor, they won’t. I’m not saying Abel will never top it, it’s just not gonna happen in this trilogy. The problem isn’t Abel’s vocals or lyrics, it’s the production. Doc Mckinney & Illangelo are fine producers, I just don’t think they stepped up Abel’s sound in the last two albums. There is a shitload of producers that could do something completely different, completely original with his voice and it’s gotta be Abel’s next step.
That said, it’s still a damn decent album with lyrics that are evolving through simple honesty. Abel has one interesting story, not just because of his quick rise to fame, but how he’s taking it all in. Make sure to check out his “Dirty Diana” cover, as well as the rest of the album (shit.is.poetry). I still can’t believe I never thought up Abel covering MJ, so obvious now.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/31361907" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18"]Anything with Earth, Wind & Fire stamped on it is an automatic listen for me. And, although One Love’s take on this doesn’t shy too far away from the original, it’s still got a healthy, new kick to it while still having that Earth, Wind & Fire pizzaz that we all love so much.
[audio:September-One-Love.mp3|titles=September (One Love Bootleg)]First thing that hooked in my head were JMSN’s ghostly highs similar to The Weeknd. Dude’s got quite an angelic voice and with this supporting remix by Kno, it makes his vocals all the more elegant & neo-soulfulish.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/28173878" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18"]Drake’s sophomore album, Take Care, releases on November 15, but here’s a sneak peak from Flow 93.5. Unfortunately, this radio rip of “Crew Love” has those annoying ass watermarks all over it. Once I find a version without ’em, I’ll throw that up, but take a listen to this for now.
*Update: got a legit copy up now. Lovin The Weeknd viiibes. Actually like Drake in it too – usually I have to rely on remixes of Drake to appreciate his flow.
[audio:Crew-Love.mp3|titles=Crew Love (Take Care)]“Like Smoke” was produced back in ’08 for Winehouse’s Back to Black album, but never made the cut. Now it’s being released with a bunch of her other Hidden Treasures, which is set to release December 5.
The track, as the whole album, will be a bittersweet dedication just in time for the cozy-time season. Can’t say this shows off Winehouse’s moving vocals to the utmost, but still brings the soul, as always. On the other hand, Nas speaks it well, blending in with Winehouse like only two with such talents could.
RIP Wino.
[audio:Like-Smoke.mp3|titles=Like Smoke]R3hab’s electro bass buzzer takes Rihanna’s “We Found Love” and pushes it to a whole different dance level. Strangely, I get some Halloween vibes from it and even a few Matrix ones too, but I’ve always been attracted to the weirdness in music.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/26057007" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18"]In this installment, JAYBeatz mashes up Drake’s “The Real Her” & The Weeknd’s “Thursday,” and once again topples both originals. I hear so many Weeknd remixes, yet so many fail to capture where The Weeknd is pushing R&B – JAYBeatz is one in a handful that takes this vision and pulls off a spin of their own. He should really start considering a full-length mashup album featuring these two, it would get mad promoted.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/26159903" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18"]I’ve always had an affinity for The Weeknd’s vocals, but for some reason or another I wasn’t feeling it in Drake and his version of “Trust Issues.” I guess it took Jaybeatz mashup with “I’m on One” to set me straight. Here’s a tune to just sit back and let these two release our everyday stresses of everyday life.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/17867132" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18"]With two mixtapes that’ve already dropped this year and one more on the way, Abel Tesfaye, aka The Weeknd, has got to be one of the most prolific artists of 2011.
In what I’m guessing is the first single to drop from his third album, Echoes of Silence, “Initiation” is another haunting look into this R&B fiend. With vocal manipulations throughout the track, this shit feels trippier than ever before.
Echoes is expected to release October 24 for Drake’s birthday. Can’t wait to hear how he raps up the year.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/25093314" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18"]Screw dubstep, hip-hop, alt rock, electronic; screw it all. It’s all about the Funk. This site may be flooded with just about everything electronic, but as soon as I can find my new groove in this funk scene, I’ll be all up on it.
For now I’ve got Cassian’s remix of “When You’re Dancing”, which brings in the percussions, horns and all the instrumentals for that rhythm and beats beaut-A-ness. Enjoy rockin out to this nostalgic bring back and if ya got any new funk you’ve found, drop it on us!
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