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Romania’s Boehm is one of those producers that has released great song after great song. It seems that the streak won’t ever stop. He recently came out with a new song called “Future Self,” and we’re here to tell you it continues his streak.
“Future Self” is a pop-tinged house record that features the vocalist Melody Noel who, with one song, has jumped on our radar in a big way. Her performance in this song is beautiful; prepare to get some frisson while her voice soothes your ears. Good thing is, there’s more great components to this song that come from Boehm. He doesn’t let the vocal be the only thing that shines in this song as his instrumental is a home run. Highly melodic, “Future Self” is something you’ll be humming in your head until the end of the Summer for sure, and maybe until the end of the year. It’s one of those special records.
It’s been a few months now that we have been seeing the name “bitbird” circulating through out our feeds. With all the great music the name was releasing, it came as no surprise when we discovered the person behind the new label was none other than electronic artist, San Holo.
To kick off the creation and amassed success of bitbird, Holo has released the label’s first ever EP, Gouldian Finch, a compilation containing an array of the label’s newly signed music ranging from hip-hop to bass to acoustic. Initially, San Holo teased us with his own first release with his creative company, “Still Looking,” which only set an exciting example of what else we could expect to see from bitbird. In addition to his single, listeners will get a taste of the diverse and talented sounds distributed by the label on the ‘Gouldian Finch’ EP. Indulge your ears’ taste buds and take a listen to the brand new EP below.
We are very happy to introduce Tim Suby, the newest addition to our list of artists to watch. He falls in the rare category of artists who have truly mastered the ability to produce a sound that will appeal to a diverse audience. We can justify this through his most recent release “k goodnight,” which features the buttery vocals of Jessie Reyez. In which he combines differing elements that are perfectly proportioned. The piece comprises an invigorating tempo that is led by a playful beat, which is wrapped in a ribbon of melodious sensuality. All in all, the music is simply addicting.
I don’t know if this applies to just the ninjas, but we’re ready for the weekend. Friday is here, and our Party Playlist is ready to get good times rolling in. Today we have collected a dozen tracks that have been put out recently as free downloads. Some big names including Black Tiger Sex Machine, David Heartbreak, Kandy, Elaksi, and Getter put out top-notch singles this week that we absolutely had to share with you in this collection. This week is almost all party, with very little pre-gaming to be done, except for the first song, which comes to us from Jeremiah Red, otherwise known as KROQ’s on air DJ. Check out all twelve records, and enjoy the next few days off. If for some reason you still have to work, let these records set you free in your leisure time. Most importantly, #danceirresponsibly.
For the readers out there who regularly tune in to our podcast, Music Ninja Radio, it is common knowledge that Kai Wright (aka Sango) is one of our most played and beloved producers. Since first bursting onto the scene via his remix album More Balloons and solidifying the fanbase with his debut LP North – an album that I still refer to as the greatest collection of music since its Summer 2013 release – Sango has truly spearheaded a sonic movement. Working with the influential Soulection crew, as well as the Grand Rapids/Seattle collective Astronaut Gang (AGO), Sango has pushed the boundaries of experimental trap & instrumental hip-hop well past would-be contemporaries everywhere.
Since 2013, Sango has been grinding nonstop, putting out projects regularly and dotting standalone works and remixes in between each of them. 2014 saw the release of the Tuebor mixtape and the Until Then EP, two projects distributed in tandem with AGO and Michigan rapper Waldo respectively. 2015 brought us Hours Spent Loving You, a seven-track release featuring SPZRKT throughout. With a knack for effortlessly rotating new figures in as the Robin to his Batman, Sango has produced with Dpat, Joose, Ta-Ku, Amos Rose, SEVENth, JMSN, and countless others.
You feel good as that these are people you know, their vocals are a part of your creation and you’re not borrowing or using other people’s past work. – Kai Wright
In a Kid Cudi-like move (a la Speedin’ Bullet 2 Heaven), Sango broke from the traditional path and explored his own unique creative process in releasing Da Rocinha 2, Da Rocinha 3, and the Mais Mais Mais EP. Following this lengthy and successful foray into the world of progressive Latin American drum beats, foreign vocal samples, and Brazilian inspired anthems, Sango has circled back to a more straightforward brand of hip hop with his latest creation, Tomorrow.
Released July 22nd, Kai’s latest work – this time paired with fellow Seattle musician Dave Bowman – is a polished hip hop project; short enough to keep the attention span of the modern fan at just under 40 minutes and intricate enough to impress those with an ear for subtlety. As NPR’s Kiana Fitzgerald accurately points out, Dave B’s harmonization on the intro track “Zonin’” invokes immediate comparisons to Chance the Rapper’s trademark flow.
Pulling double duty throughout Tomorrow with his talents in both rapping and singing, Dave B brings a dynamic range rarely seen on a two-man project. In taking the best aspects from Sango’s previous works and vacillating between smooth crooning and hard hitting lyricism, Dave pulls his weight in making Tomorrow the latest in a long line of successful Soulection releases.
The following track, “Help Me Find A Way” is propelled by a trap-injected brass loop and toned down bass lines. As one of the early releases, this is a particularly strong example of the pair sonically pulling the best attributes from each other. Not to be outdone, “Drugs ‘n Such” features Dave B’s quick witted bars being recited in a cadence similar to Goldlink’s popular track “Dance on Me”. The song that stands shoulders above the rest, though, is “Do Not Disturb,” which features Seattle emcee Key Nyata in a sequence of sparring verses with Dave B over a hauntingly distorted melody.
After a passable interlude in “Gone”, Tomorrow picks the pace back up with the 3rd and final single released. “Parallel”, which features a choir vocal loop from the start, is interlaced with a bass-heavy beat pattern and an echoing Somali proverb. More so than any of the previous tracks, “Parallel” stands out as a track that would have been praise-worthy with or without the additional lyrics.
Oonuka isku hal ban ahay – “Parallel”
“Nothin” borrows from the sharp usage of silence as a piece of music previously seen on “SNS”, only to break that silence and capitalize with the particularly sing-songy lyricism Dave brings to this one. “Got It From”, the first single on Tomorrow, has the most soulful vibe on the album and contrasts sharply to the previously mentioned “Parallel”.
The outro track “I Don’t Care What Y’all Think” is a reminder that old habits die hard, as Wright can’t help but sneak in some of the Brazilian drum patterns and loops that he made popular with “Me dê Amor”.
Fans of Sango presumably will be kept satiated by Tomorrow for the foreseeable future. Regardless, if history is any indication, a new project is just around the corner for the rising star producer. Dave Bowman and his multifaceted lyrical style should also be making more regular appearances as a featured artist with other producers seeking a talented voice for their beats. Readers hoping to catch some of this project live will have one single chance next month; Sango’s only slated appearance this summer is at the Afropunk Fest in Brooklyn on August 28.
Rell The Soundbender is one of Panama City’s most talented musical exports. Eduardo Morell III, has pushed his music through avenues like OWSLA, SMOG and NEST, and has collaborated with the likes of Far East Movement and Bro Safari. Now, he’s here with his Palante EP and he’s brought it to the dojo for a first listen.
The Palante EP is made up of four tracks with collaborations from Los Rakas, JVZEL, and Harley Mac and Far East Movement. Rell starts things off with “Criminal,” a future house style record that gets things started with a bang. It’s got the energy and attitude to get any party started. With the second song, “Pesao” the sound is switched up to a more trappy vibe that pulls from the producer’s origins in hip-hop. Next comes “Siempre” a song you will likely be playing, well, always. It’s a catchy house jam that is a perfect match for club DJs. Lastly, “Jamma” hits hard with its vibrant, festival ready demeanor. “Jamma” will put a lot of mainstage producer’s works to shame.
Rell The Soundbender did an incredible job with this project, which has been released through Afrercluv. Stream it first here, save it on Spotify, or if you are into buying digital copies, then head over to iTunes.
If The International Association of Baby Makin’ Music existed, PLS&TY and Bobby Saint would most assuredly be poster boys for the organization given what they did with “Outlaws.” There’s no denying it–the soaring vocals glide powerfully over surging synths and heavy bass, giving everyone the perfect backdrop for their upcoming bedroom escapades.
No need to blush, here. We’re all adults. We all have that playlist, and we’re all continually looking for new additions to it. This shouldn’t come as any surprise to anyone at this point. However, if you find yourself in that minority, or you’re just a huge fan of this pairing’s work, we have another layer that might be of interest to you.
Seeing as how every true music fan loves nothing more than to belt out the lyrics to their favorite tunes, whether it be in the car, with the windows up, or in the shower, holding your back scrubbie like a microphone, the simple truth is that whether or not we actually can sing, we’ll gladly do so anyways. Today, we’re giving you a crash course in how to keep up with “Outlaws,” made possible by this handy lyric video.
If you’ve come to know and love the collaboration of Palm Beach-based PLS&TY and Barbados-based Bobby Saint, and their work via PRMD Music, then you’ll certainly be stoked at knowing the proper set of lyrics from “Outlaws.” Just promise us one thing–don’t start singing these bad boys out as you lay in bed with that special someone. It will most definitely kill the mood.
