Stereo Williams on Diamonds and Pearls as a blueprint for Black musicians who dared to be different
D to the I to the A to the M, O to the N to the D to the pearls of love.
Category: R&B
RKZUK – Kinda Like This (Yebba's Heartbreak) (prod. Gifted)
Fuck the Tories indeed. When you listen, you’ll get it.
Sampleface Five: Japanese music samples
Where would we be without Japanese music and its trendsetting behaviour?
Leftover Links: Record Label Releases 4
It’s time for more Leftover Links featuring music from Jakarta Records and Illect Recordings.
Rhye - Needed
The track is from Rhye’s latest album, Spirit. There I was watching a football match and the incidental music at the end reminded me of a Rhye song. Then I remembered they had a new album out, so I gave it a spin. And it was literally what I needed. Great segue. Needed is a …
RKZ - Impossible feat. Sonni Mai
The RKZ/Handbook partnership serves up an “Impossible” delight with guest vocalist Sonni Mai. Understated imagery is a beautiful art form. The concept fuelled decades of art in the mid-20th century and minimalism is all the rage today. When RKZ and Handbook weave their musical threads, the finished product is indicative of that style. But with added …
Noah & Shagabond - Arouse
Noah & Shagabond keep it wavy with their collaborative effort, Arouse. “We decided to meet up in Toronto for some studio time last September. I had a bunch of beats I had been working on over the summer that I was really excited to show Noah, but only one really stood out at the time. …
ross & clement - coastin
Facebook sucks but sampling groups offer well-needed gems such as ross & clement’s coastin. coastin is a smooth R&B meal with all the 90s-style trimmings. Groove is the main ingredient helped by the sample, Soul II Soul’s Back To Life. There’s a sense of indulgence too, with rich textures and a slow syrupy tempo. Actually, …
Leo Napier - Before I Go Away (Le Wanderer Remix)
Leo Napier gets the remix treatment by Le Wanderer on latest single Before I Go Away. A move from the US to Ladbroke Grove may puzzle some but there’s no mistaking Leo Napier’s vocal qualities. The US-born London-based singer has made a bit of a name for himself, lending his talents to Gramatik’s Native Son …
Weslee - Gassed (Stripped)
The faceless duo released a stripped-down version of their acclaimed track, “Gassed”. Our logo was clearly inspired by The Masked One so we respect artists who like that level of anonymity. Weslee is such a group, comprising of two enigmatic individuals but their talent is no mystery. Mistajam picked Gassed as his Hottest Record In …
MALIKA - Run
London soul singer MALIKA just wants to be free on new single, “Run”. We’ve been blessed with some burgeoning talent in our inbox this week. MALIKA is a singer-songwriter from London and Run blends heavy percussion with beautiful vocals in a song about breaking away from an unfulfilling life. The track will feature on her …
Cory Henry Performs Billie Jean at the BBC Proms
Witness Cory Henry’s multi-instrumental cover of Billie Jean with Jacob Collier, Cory Henry, Jules Buckley and the Metropole Orkest. You don’t need to hear what I think about this, you just need to hear what Cory Henry did. All I will say is it made me ugly cry from start to finish. Arranged by Jules Buckley and …
J Dilla: Back To The Crib Mixtape
The unearthing of Dilla treats continues as the Boiler Room release a mixtape of his listening habits. Something a little different from the J Dilla archives in the form of a mixtape but not of his own music. Boiler Room and BBE Records have released an unheard mixtape recorded sometime around the turn of the …
Jae Franklin - Music & Love (Prod. by Wax Mantic)
Get into Jae Franklin’s Music & Love produced by Wax Mantic. To continue the smooth theme for Sunday, we stumbled upon Jae Franklin’s Music & Love and thought it pertinent to share the decadence. Produced by French producer Wax Mantic, the track glides from start to finish with sensual chords and Franklin’s sultry vocals. A …
Equals - Nightfall
Gifted The Great + Blakesmith = Equals. Here is their new EP, Nightfall. In the words of John “Hannibal” Smith, I love it when a plan comes together. I especially love it when music is involved and the collaboration between producers Gifted The Great and French-based Blakesmith is a prime example. Their new EP, Nightfall, dropped …
PLAYLIST: Buttery Jams
Inspired by Bus Crates, here is a 2-hour Spotify playlist of “buttery jams” from the likes of Herbie Hancock, Bobbi Humphrey and D’Angelo. You know when you’re reminded of the sweetest song and suddenly your mind is flooded with tracks that complement it? That’s what happened a few hours ago when my friend Bus Crates posted …
RKZ - Visionaries (Prod. Handbook)
RKZ keeps it smooth like butter with his latest track, Visionaries. There are some rapper/producer partnerships that just click and RKZ alongside Handbook go together like Batman and Robin. Visionaries is the third song involving Handbook’s production and jumping straight off the mellow sounds from Favourite Song and Think Of Me, RKZ performs accordingly with …
RKZ - Science X Soul
Sampleface’s RKZ drops his latest free mixtape, Science X Soul, featuring the likes of Shawn Sanderson, Kaly and Raxstar. If you’re close to the goings on of RKZ’s music career, you’ll know just how much has gone into this project and for how long. Science X Soul is the singer/songwriter’s latest 14-track mixtape and packs …
ONE TO WATCH: Lily McKenzie
South London’s own Lily McKenzie is our One To Watch. London is full to the brim with immense talent and one of those underground stars is Lily Mckenzie, a singer/songwriter and pianist. After a string of releases, she has dropped her latest EP “Support Machine” featuring fellow South Londoner Giggs. The Brit School alumnus has gone from …
NEW MUSIC: Mel - Burning Stones
Singer-songwriter Mel drops “Burning Stones”, her first project with Detroit’s Black Milk. There are times when you can be a greedy music fan. Your favourite artist might drop the dopest album but you’re still wanting more. Luckily, one of our personal faves has been on hand to drip feed the masses with a little something …
