Tag Archives: 2019

Bennie Maupin – The Jewel In The Lotus

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Avant garde spiritual jazz

Moods

A spiritual album defined by interplay and pause

Thoughts

chilled out beautiful soulful jazz, hip, I guess you could call this spiritual jazz. I like the use of percussion and keys, it's almost just like traces of just random lines that dissolve into nothing. An avant garde tactic but here it's employed well. Flute is really difficult for me to get right but he nails it, stretching notes into texture.

Some of it gets too avant and free for my tastes like on Mappo and excursion, creates a stirring presence that in my opinion detracts from the spiritual that's on the title track and ensenada ( the latter being the real standout on the album).

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Bennie-Maupin-The-Jewel-In-The-Lotus/release/13642739

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U69QwzAhz4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG1LcUuxp5A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgwLP5jcjjs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW_t-kgs9pw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A78fDGSj5w

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Bennie Maupin – The Jewel In The Lotus

Description: Album Review of Bennie Maupin – The Jewel In The Lotus


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Four Tet – Anna Painting

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

solid electro techno

Moods

Four Tet at his most accessible and danceable on this tight EP

Thoughts

Four Tet has such an admirable discography as he's able to cover a range of styles well. Here he's more accessible than his sometimes  experimental self delivering tracks that you can't help but move too. Slight long individual track durations keep you locked in with their hooky movement. Rhythmic, loose feel due to his organic production methods. I always find a lot to enjoy on his releases.

Ends with a nice ambient number.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Four-Tet-Anna-Painting/release/14099064

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBxmnfI4ryk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8v2Wra-YoU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCuPRW0P74s

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Four Tet – Anna Painting

Description: Album Review of Four Tet – Anna Painting


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Louis Cole – Live Sesh And Xtra Songs

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

quick funky synth pop jazz

Moods

A distinct capture of Louis Cole's live magic

Thoughts

Louis Cole has some of my favorite musical moments on YouTube. He uses the "broadcast yourself" mentality in the best way. To get a sense check him out on YouTube with his solo project, the synth project knower or Jacob Mann big band.

Some of this set is on YouTube accompanied by a large horn section and backup singers. The unfriendly acoustics of the house this was recorded in give it a DIY quality. Usually I would dislike this as the levels are a little fucked up but here it adds charm. He's coming out swinging with a highly energetic set of songs that displays the 'fun' of his songs which can only be captured in a live setting as opposed to the studio where his tracks can feel awkward.

I realize none of this describes the sound, just gotta hear it.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Louis-Cole-Live-Sesh-And-Xtra-Songs/release/13450294

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kLHN29qorg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxEIQQkhyeI

Spotify


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Louis Cole – Live Sesh And Xtra Songs

Description: Album Review of Louis Cole – Live Sesh And Xtra Songs


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Kornél Kovács – Stockholm Marathon

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Hip glitchy dreamy electro with Rebecca and Fiona vocals

Moods

A dance record for dreaming about the dancefloor

Thoughts

Tight. There is a certain overall pleasantness here (maybe it's the key? Really prevalent). Glitchy. Super fresh. For the kids but not trendy, classy. Moves.

Just noticed Rebecca and Fiona are the vocals on a bunch of these tracks which I think is an awesome pairing. Their first record, think synth pop, is a guilty pleasure and it's nice to hear them on solid productions here. Hope they continue working on more fruitful projects.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Korn%C3%A9l-Kov%C3%A1cs-Stockholm-Marathon/release/13545372

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raVn_eF9aJQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iV62dIVm4o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebzYr8FOWvQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MxB6lSOyc0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcWZA-YWj_w

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Kornél Kovács – Stockholm Marathon

Description: Album Review of Kornél Kovács – Stockholm Marathon


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Self Esteem – Compliments Please

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

pop with production that incorporates string elements and theatrical idea

Moods

It's like the glee club geeks got stylized by mtv

Thoughts

Initially I enjoyed some moments of this but it felt uneven. Great harmonies, acapella-group-like, which is technically impressive. Productions feature mostly sexy beats and lyrics that are genuine and heartfelt. It's pop in many flavors: full on Acapella, dramatic seriousness that soars like a Broadway solo, and danceable club ready tracks. She sings with such confidence that's hard to deny. Definitely a natural talent as melody is offered at every turn with a well-thought out vision at play. This is not an amateur effort and clearly a project of someone who has experience as a songwriter (she was previously a member of the group slow club).

I'm gonna give this album credit for sticking with me throughout 2019 and improving on relistens. That aspect alone suggests there is something worthwhile for alt-pop fans to checkout.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Self-Esteem-Compliments-Please/release/13311628

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w-FzH0008c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF5GSshWU3w

Spotify


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Self Esteem – Compliments Please

Description: Album Review of Self Esteem – Compliments Please


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

People Plus – Third Space

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Electro jazz

Moods

Spacey electro jazz – quite nice

Thoughts

A record that is both chilled out and energetic –  ambient down tempo textures meets tight jazz-like instrumentation. Longform instrumental songwriting makes this a record for specific audiences. But it's quite nice overall.

Jungle room has a Radiohead meeting in the aisle vibe. O.S.C.1. is a tropical dub thing.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/People-Plus-Third-Space/release/13594488

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4E8qrwv6wU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cr9GkR_o6w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9dY6chQ7Wc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBruPwYpObI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUy5rDnjwi0

Spotify


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People Plus – Third Space

Description: Album Review of People Plus – Third Space


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

K-Lone – Sine Language

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Gritty hip electro house

Moods

Raw textures compliment strong productions on this hip minimal electro ep

Thoughts

Resident Advisor said it well:

Sine Language features four very different productions, putting K-Lone's versatility on display. The title track draws on a vintage Detroit style, mixing electro beats and hip-hop vocals—hardly a novel idea in 2019. But a sweet, subtly out-of-place ambient breakdown interrupts the flow at the perfect moment, keeping things interesting. "Batacuda" and "Bells" are experiments at slower tempos, something we've seen a lot of from UK-based producers in recent years, particularly those in the Timedance camp. "Batacuda" floats along, emanating a drowsy humidity, while "Bells" is moody and thoughtful, coated in a chiming haze. "Missed Calls," a carefully crafted piece of taught, polyrhythmic braindance, is probably the best track on the EP. With this kind of eclecticism, a producer takes the risk of spreading themselves too thinly, but not K-Lone. He brings an intelligence and inventiveness to everything he does, unifying his work and making it essential listening every time.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/K-Lone-Sine-Language/release/13695712

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifxYPDdNtKk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erI8pZgHwnc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQHdaRoJFHw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTdoBtMea2o

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K-Lone – Sine Language

Description: Album Review of K-Lone – Sine Language


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Anthony Naples – Take Me With You

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

spacey shimmery electro with a pleasant beat

Moods

Cerebral

Thoughts

Upbeat with a downtempo dubby reverb. Has a nice flow. Tracks are short with new ideas ebbing into one another, like this approach compared with other producers who sometimes let an idea play on for too long.

Solid record.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Anthony-Naples-Take-Me-With-You/release/13076529

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1Fp2r4eCXY

Spotify


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Anthony Naples – Take Me With You

Description: Album Review of Anthony Naples – Take Me With You


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

The Comet Is Coming – Channel The Spirits

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

jazzy rock with heavy electronics and a slight psych vibe

Moods

a positively bumping affair

Thoughts

A true hybrid that shows the capability of genre bending. It's a big and rocking record, with this heavy hum underpinning the songs, showing the 'maximum' sound of dubstep and heavy rock. The sax adds a nice contrast to this heavy sound, cutting through sharply as a welcome texture. With his blistering free-jazz squawk it makes it feel like the whole thing could boil over at any point.

I like the overall style, jazzy without too much exploration. To be fair this is a studio album, a lot of these songs are prime jumping points solos; I'd be VERY interested to see this band live.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Comet-Is-Coming-Channel-The-Spirits/release/13379392

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXH5nv1aQpw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bih6JQzbFY0

Spotify


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The Comet Is Coming – Channel The Spirits

Description: Album Review of The Comet Is Coming – Channel The Spirits


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

The Japanese House – Good At Falling

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Synth pop rock

Moods

Some incredibly catchy and well crafted pop music.

Thoughts

Another BJ Burton jammer, dude is on a seriously good streak at creating memorable pop. After many repeated listens the album is top heavy with good singles like 'maybe you're the reason' and 'you seemed so happy', the later borrows from jangly 80s pop in a good way. Production overall borrows from that big synthetic 80s drum sound. Amber Bain's voice, a lovely indie (re: imperfect) front girl, is produced in a way that could carry ships across seas; full and extending.

The album takes a deliberately quieter and personal midsection. Amber lazily singing lines like "everybody hates me" in true millennial fashion is juxtaposed with Giorgio moroder like synth lines.

Production gets decidedly more basic as the album unfolds with the final two tracks really just leaving her singing some slow songs. It's not my favorite but they are genuine and crafted with love.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Japanese-House-Good-At-Falling/release/13372422

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEzYD4ZielY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J88UF4HxHhw

Spotify


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The Japanese House – Good At Falling

Description: Album Review of The Japanese House – Good At Falling


Rating: 3 out of 5