Tag: R&B

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Music

Beshken ft. Soraya – Right Time

Santa Monica-based producer Ben Shirken AKA Beshken, partnered up with Soraya for this simply enjoyable song, “Right Time”. It starts off slowly, with only Soraya’s voice softly caressing our ear drums alongside a keyboard, after which melds with an uptempo medley of drums and organ sounds. Occasional manipulation of vocals, and breaks in tempo add character to the song. The R&B mixed with electronic elements has me keen. I often have ADD with music, so to find a concoction like this is refreshing and intriguing. It helps that I’m a huge fan of female vocalists with the smooth characteristics that Soraya’s voice holds.

The layers that make up this song are organic and complementary; no-one is overbearing over the others. Because of this, the listener is invited to envelop himself, yet the song won’t consume him wholly. It can easily be the smooth background music in a social setting. Right now I’m picturing a couple, sitting in a dimly-lit room, getting to know each other. Is this the right time for [……….]? I can’t quite figure out what the song is alluding to, but I can infer it’s a significant moment for something to happen. What do you think?

 

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Music

Dee Edwards – (I Can) Deal With That

Dee-Edwards-2006-1

Sometimes it is necessary to take a break.

There was a point yesterday where I was siting at work (yes, we work in offices with horrible fluorescent lighting and mandatory skirts too) and nearly cried when I got another request for another project due two days before I ever saw it.

It is these times where you need a reality check the most. As much as I scorn the people who post those little quotes every day with their spirit phrase or whatever. I openly scoff, but deep down, I sort of love them. “If you fear failure, you will never go anywhere.” “Life is what happens outside your comfort zone.” “You are a victim to the rules you live by.” “Live each day….” you get it. So stupid, but something about it makes me feel like I just pet a puppy.

But I think it helps sometimes that you get your cheerleading squad going for you. However you find it. I called my boss which helped. And watched Bridget Jones with a bottle of champers and a good friend which really helped.

I like this song because it feels like the one you have on the walk back from a shitty place or situation and you realise it was a speck in the timeline and sometimes you just got roll with it. We made it this far already.

This song from Dee Edwards is great for it. And just like a great philosopher, there are gems interwoven in this one.

“I won’t bother trouble if trouble don’t bother me.”

Dee Edwards – (I Can) Deal With That

 

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Music

Moon Boots – Off My Mind

 Moon-Boots-No-One

 

“I can’t get you off my mind, no matter what I do.”

So begins one of the funkiest tracks you’ll ever hear, Moon Boots’ “Off My Mind.” This gem came out over two years ago, and provides a nice into to what Moon Boots is all about.

“I don’t like the term nu disco,” the US-based producer said in an interview with Indieshuffle. He’s right. His music is more emotionally invested than disco, less about the party as about the sensual experience. It’s disco in the vein of “I Feel Love,” the right amount of house, a heavy dose of R&B, and a referential stability keeps us focused on the groove.

The French Express label, home to Moon Boots and contemporaries like Jonas Rathsman, Perseus and Isaac Tichauer, is the latest dance-centric crew riding a rising tide of popularity in their home niche. The artists have been steadily producing for a number of years, but fandom has just now reached critical mass, and these guys are hot. They’re booked to feature at Coachella’s highly regarded DoLab stage, and also rostered at Ultra (Miami) and Movement Electronic Festival (Detroit).

Take this track, for example: a snare-cymbol track lends it some bmore club-inspired grit, while an Aeroplaneesque lead synth purrs its way through a barrage of swirls and stabs. While some other French Express land closer to classic industrial house, Moon Boots stays comfortable in a pop mentality while paying respects to his influencers, who must include Lindstrom, Chic, and Utah Saints (the riff at 2:50 is pure “Something Good”).

A brief tangent: What will it take for this music to be truly considered “mainstream”, not in the derogatory sense, but in the sense that it’s selling well and casual music listeners are away of its existence? Indie is obsessed with the 80s, rock is less and less rebellious, and pop is dominated by rinse-and-repeat throwaways. I don’t believe it will happen with French Express, but I do believe that, within the next decade, the shift to the internet will be complete enough that the notion of mainstream will no longer apply. Corporate dollars wills till push some artists to the top, but I forsee fewer and fewer long-running, BIG bands and more of the bubble-pop cycle of genre preference we’ve been seeing since electronic music went viral in the US.

This isn’t a rhetorical exercise…we at EMPT love to know what you think about music culture. Please share your thoughts in the comments, but not before pressing play.

For those who like Funk night, clubbing in Berlin, or just plain like to shake it in front of the mirror, Moon Boots is for you.

Moon Boots – Off My Mind

Categories
Classics Music

Betty Wright – Clean Up Woman

By now you’ve heard of Lorde, the 17-year old pop sensation who has  taken over international airwaves with a slew of stripped-down, subtle hip-hop crossovers. It’s exciting when someone so young comes out of nowhere to score a huge hit, especially one with such an “authentic” image (in these days of Photoshop and costumery, anyone who wears their natural hairstyle gains street cred).

But the novelty factor is hyperbolic. There have been many young stars to come and go over the years. Few have had significant staying power, though some notable exceptions (Judy Garland, Beyonce, Stevie Wonder to name a few) have left their permanent mark on the cultural landscape.

Today I’d like to introduce you to an artist you likely haven’t heard of: Betty Wright.

Ms. Wright began her career at age 2, singing in a gospel group with her siblings in Miami. Her solo career kicked off in 1966 when, at age 12, Wright signed her first record deal. She scored some local radio/club hits in her early teens, before bursting onto the national stage with “Clean Up Woman,” released just after her 17th birthday. The song reached #2 on the R&B charts, and became a crossover hit, reaching #6 on Billboard’s Hot 100 (when it mattered) and staying on the chart for 14 weeks. The rest of Wright’s career has been wildly successful: international tours, production for mega-stars, Grammy nominations and wins, and a continual output of new music (including a feature on a Lil Wayne track and collabs with Snoop Dogg and Joss Stone). Her biggest hit, “Tonight is the Night,” has been a cultural standby, sampled in honey classics “Knockin Boots” and “I Wanna Sex You Up” (which did so illegally, netting Wright a fat settlement).

And she opened for Bob Marley on the Survivor tour. LEGEND.

Betty Wright – Clean Up Woman

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Music

EMPT Presents: Indaba Music Weekly – KAASI “Where We Started” (feat. Jessica Sophie)

There really is something special about KAASI’s sound. When you get to the root of what makes a great recording shine above a field of hundreds, it’s usually the combination of sonic quality, texture, and an emotional connection you can’t fake. Each of KAASI’s tunes has that deepness that can’t be explained in necessarily tangible terms—his productions have that singular piercing ability.

His most recent tune, “Where We Started”, which features vocals from Jessica Sophie has already garnered upwards of 26 thousand plays since being uploaded on September 1st. Consistent with his “House&B” aesthetic, it’s a phenomenal sounding foray into noise, lush synthesis and a vocal line dripping with melancholic desperation. Turn the lights down low and immerse yourself in this tune.

Where We Started (Ft. Jessica Sophie)

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Classics Music Remixes Video

TLC – Unpretty (Follow Me Remix)

In 1999 TLC released their chart topping hit Unpretty to much acclaim, not only for it’s R&B almost mainstream pop status but for it’s message. Those who lived that decade know well plastic surgery and alike are much more socially accepted today than they were back then. Anyway, once a while comes someone out of the blue that gives us music fanatics faith in remixes and reworks. Truth be told I hadn’t heard of Follow Me or any of their work.  But the closes comparison of something similar to this done by a remixer was Cyril Hahn’s remix of Destiny’s Child’s Say My Name. It’s not as dark but it’s equally unique and refreshing.

Follow Me transform this R&B ballad into a groove-a-licious soulful slow dance track. The loop in the beginning is misleading and the surprise comes on the 27th second mark with that sick bassline and drumwork. If the musical gift wasn’t enough they’ve just released a visual companion to the remix. It’s an edit of the original video but synced to their rework.

It’s been only 3 days since they released the remix and I’ve replayed it so much that it seems a week since. I can’t get enough of it and I’m almost sure the same thing will happen to you. Follow me dub this type of sound “Midnight Groove”. I’d say those are very apt words to describe it.

TLC – Unpretty (Follow Me Remix)

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Music

ZZ Ward – Criminal

She describes it as “dirty shine.” One drop of her sultry voice and crafted rhythms, and you’ll be swimming.

ZZ Ward breaks through a crack somewhere between Amy Winehouse and Erykah Badu. Her voice is soulful and sexy while her rhythms meld the blues of her childhood with the hip hop of her teens. The boom in her vocals gathers you up in the narrative of her music.

I hear the rain on this old tin roof,
The rusty nails in the boards comin’ loose,
Spend my last two dollars on you,
You robbed me blind and you left no proof,
Poof, poof, mmm, disappear,
You should be sentenced for a thousand years,
You should pay me back for a thousand tears,
Insulting,

He’s just a criminal.”

Criminal, the title track of her EP, has the flow of hip hop, syncopated lyrics with the beat. She flows smoothly and powerfully with the simple piano chords, evoking the influences of Etta James and Big Mama. ZZ Ward will leave you craving more of her scornful melodies, so let the pleasure and pain wash over you.

ZZ Ward – Criminal

Categories
Music

Ciara – Promise

Face it, with the likes of T-Pain and friends at the forefront of the genre, it’s hard to take mainstream R&B serious these days. I won’t say the music is bad, there’s just very little authenticity. Still, a rose grows in Brooklyn, or should I say Atlanta. Dead smack in the middle of crunk & B, comes a freak of nature song called “Promise.” This song is slow, epic and flat out weird. Takes a minute to understand but you’ll soon find yourself listening to one of the sexiest and extremely good feeling R&B songs since the days of Prince. The dancing in this video is very impressive, nothing special just raw talent. High quality mainstream, enjoy.

Ciara – Promise

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