Archive for the ‘soul’ Category

Belleruche

Thursday, June 28th, 2007 by Julija

british soul // turntable soul

The London based threesome of soulful singer, vintage guitarist and a DJ has attracted attention in the underground music scene before the actual album release. And there is a solid reason for that. From funky soul and jazz-like ballads to swinging melodies, combining their hip-hop fetishes with atmospheric instrumentation, Belleruche comes with a long-awaited refreshing sound. Certain delicious vocal similarities and rhythmic quirks makes me think of now parted Moloko.

Dusty vinyl + rum-fueled contemporary sound.
Belleruche - Minor Swing
Belleruche - It’ll Come
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Jumbonics

Tuesday, February 27th, 2007 by Paul Irish

downtempo // jazz // soul

I hate to be a label fanboy, but Brighton-based Tru Thoughts always seems to dominate in my best-of lists. Their roster is small and focused, but includes saucy downtempo heavyweights like Bonobo and Quantic. Jumbonics turns out an organic jazzy slip-n-slide, a pleasant distraction from your ruff-n-tumble day. It’s Money Mark meets Buddy Rich at the pad of Booker T and the MGs. It’s a deep soul ride.

Melody-led song-structures and a more mature soul sound.
Jumbonics - Bubble Drop
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Flanger

Thursday, January 25th, 2007 by Paul Irish

soul // german post-jazz

Flanger first recorded records in the experimental downtempo realm. When they started recording their 2005 album, Spirituals they seemed to take a page from label-mate Jamie Lidell’s book: they transitioned into more soul ‘n blues based songwriting. The reeded instruments in “Crime in the Pale Moonlight” provide the perfect accouterments to Riff Pike’s crooning. “How Long is the Wrong Way” gives us a little lighter jaunt down Finger Snappin’ Lane.

Where inspiration to play and sing come from above.
Flanger - Crime in the pale moonlight
Flanger - How long is the wrong way
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Voice

Thursday, November 2nd, 2006 by Paul Irish

urban soul

Gilles Peterson would be proud of me. Mr Peterson, radio host on BBC Radio 1 and one of my favorite DJs, has an affinity for a particular sound. What is that sound like? These adjectives might get you close: urban, sultry, smooth, jazzy, funky. And all those are perfectly applicable to New Orleans songstress Voice who just dropped a new CD on Toronto’s Public Transit Recordings. A grooving rhythm section and an eccentric tempo curl around Voice’s.. umm… voice. The result is close to the current West Coast soul sound (a la Raul Campos’ Nocturna show on KCRW).

Tight little one for the head nodders and the soul sistas.
Voice - Know Rhythm
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Fat Freddy’s Drop

Monday, September 18th, 2006 by Paul Irish

kiwi reggae-soul // dub

I can’t say that you Aurgasm readers often tell me what music I should be hearing (lord knows I get an earful from promoters), but one name that’s been thrown my way many times is Fat Freddy’s Drop. And if the popularity of the last multi-reader suggestion, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, is any indication, you’ll likely enjoy these guys as well. Not content with whipping up killer beats, they often lay down soulful R&B vocals to glide effortlessly into your ears. Last year, this seven-piece set picked up all four New Zealand Music Awards they were nominated for, as well as scoring Gilles Peterson’s Album of The Year.

Dubbed out groove from down under.
Fat Freddy’s Drop - This Room

Fat Freddy’s Drop - Wandering Eye


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