Posts from — December 2008

Released: 04/11/2008

This is a solid debut! But you would not expect otherwise when released on Stones Throw. Mayer Hawthorne provides us with two beautiful soul ballads (Just ain’t gonna work out/When I said goodbye), which his idols Curtis Mayfield and Smokey Robinson would have been proud to count as their own. 

Stones Throw head honcho couldn’t believe his luck when he first heard the tracks. “He showed me two songs and I didn’t understand what I was listening to,” Wolf recalls. “I asked him if they were old songs that he did re-edits of – I couldn’t believe they were new songs and that he played all the instruments.” “I think Mayer is the only artist in the history of the label that I’ve signed after hearing only two songs,” says Peanut Butter Wolf. “Sometimes, you just know it’s the right thing to do.” 

The single is released on an incredible limited red 12″ in the shape of a heart. That will surely get you the attention of that beautiful girl on the floor. 

Listen to both songs on YouTube, here and here.

Fat City | MySpace | Stones Throw

Released: 21/11/2008

I am absolutely madly in love with this track! Jazzanova have provided us with tons of quality productions in the past, but their recent stuff have been particularly smashing. If you haven’t heard “Theme from Belle et fou” or “Let me show ya” you have missed out on a few gems. 

For “I can see” the German dj and production collective have teamed up with Ben Westbeech. He adds beautiful, hopeful lyrics, making song an uplifting delight that will put a smile on your face, with a terrific production where the rhythm section, horns, strings, arrangement all support and reinforce each other. You loved what Mark Ronson did last year, and this is up the same alley. Additional remixes comes from Mark E and Holy Ghost!

Check out the official video on YouTube

Juno | Jazzanova | MySpace | Ben Westbeech | Fat City

Released: 04/09/1970

Dusty Springfield is easily one of the best British soul singers of all time, and her work from the 60s and 70s should be a part of any good soul collection. For me, her cover version of “Spooky“, which was released on the b-side of her “How can I be sure” single that stands out. It was originally an instrumental song by saxophonist Mike Sharpe (Shapiro) which first charted in 1967 hitting #57 on the US pop charts. The most famous version is by Classics IV, when guitarist James Cobb and producer Buddy Buie added lyrics (Harry Middlebrooks, Jr. is also credited as a writer).

For me, it is Dusty Springfield’s cover version that is the best one. She adds that soulful, sexy vibe packed with fragile emotion and class. Amazingly, Dusty’s version only reached the mid 30′s of the charts in the UK, while David Cassidy had a big hit with it only 3 years later, it was nowhere near as good as Dusty’s.

Apparently, has always demanded the impossible from herself. Among the producers and songwriters and musicians she’s worked with, her mixture of perfectionism and insecurity is legendary. Jerry Wexler, who produced nearly all of Aretha Franklin’s great work at Atlantic as well as the seminal 1969 album “Dusty in Memphis”, called her the most insecure person he’d ever worked with. For a year after it was released, Dusty couldn’t bear to listen to it – she later attributed this to her deep insecurity and her very real anxiety about being compared with the soul greats who had recorded in that studio. I find it quite amazing when you listen to the album, which is among the best of that decade.

The song was released in 1970 on UK label Philips, but the recording date was originally 24 January 1968 and included on the “Dusty…definitely” album.

Amazon | Wikipedia | Dusty-Springfield.com | Imeem 

Dear readers,

The first year blogging about music on this site has soon passed. I have really enjoyed it so far, and appreciate you stopping by every now and then. For me, christmas always gives me another excuse (as if I needed one) to listen to music, and I have put together a set of songs I think you will appreciate during the holidays. Obviously is addition to your recommended dosage of Sinatra. With no particular selection criteria or order, I just picked out downtempo, soulful songs I love. Let me know if you like them!

Terry Callier – Love theme from Spartacus
Azymuth – Vôo sobre o horizonte
Groove Armada – Think Twice
Donald Byrd – Christo Redentor
Amp Fiddler – I believe in you
Darondo – Didn’t I
Jon Lucien – Search for the inner self
Lizzy Parks – Raise the roof 

If you have Spotify installed, you can find most of them on my playlist.

Released: 01/12/2008

Another powerful soul voice, best packed in the same bag as Alice Russell, Nicole Willis and Sharon Jones. Filed under funk. I first heard about Gizelle Smith with the release of “Working woman“, and she has kept up with quality standards on this new single. 

Both cuts provide something different. The title track “Snake charmer” being downbeat, psychedelic and spaced out soul. “Out of fashion” is a modern dancefloor funk classic. It has got gospel-inspired powerful vocals, funky riffs, horns and slow and bouncy bassline.

Called the golden girl of soul – the label is just that – golden.
BTW, check out how Kenny Dope reworked “Working woman”

MySpace | Tunes.co.uk | Fat City | Juno Records

N.E.R.D consists of Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo (as a duo you know these two as the Neptunes) as well as Shay Haley. The three childhood friends have been releasing their fair share of quality hiphop since the debut album “In search of…” was released back in 2002.

At the moment they have just released their third studio album “Seeing sounds“. 

Mixing up hiphop, funk and alternative rock they sure know how to put on a live show. Tomorrow they once again visit Oslo. Im looking forward to hear personal favourites such as “Provider“, “Frontin“, “Run to the sun”, and “Stay together“. There is still a few tickets left, so no hesitation if you’re not sorted yet. 

Are you joining me at Sentrum Scene tomorrow?

Released: 26/04/2006

Nina Simone is one of the truly great voices in the 20th century. She recorded over 40 live and studio albums and was nominated for 15 Grammy Awards. Her music and message made a strong and lasting impact on culture.

“Ain’t got no/I got life” is taken from the 1968 album “Nuff said”. The album won an Emmy and “Ain’t got no” was one of her most popular hits in Europe. Simone was a true soul singer, but more in terms of emotions and lyrics than form and structure as she combined a host of genres. The lyrics refer to the slavery and oppression of black people, and was released only three days after Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated. Singing about what she ain’t got, and how important it is to appreciate yourself and life. Despite its grim societal message, it is a catchy, feel-good, uplifting number which you will find it difficult not to sing along to. You loved Mark Ronson. You’ll love this one.

Check out the brilliant “Remixed and reimagined” compilation that was released on Sony/RCA in 2006. ”Ain’t got no. I got life” was resurrected that same year when it was used in an ad for Müller, and even got a single release with the re-touch by Barry Barnett & Jeff Powell aka Groovefinder. 

Check out this live performance on YouTube. 

YouTube | Amazon | Groovefinder |