December 20th, 2007 by Julija
français-africain // pop nouveau
Originating from Western Sahara in Algeria, growing up in a multi-cultural environment, Soha blends a variety of styles in her work. Mixing musical traditions from around the world, the prominent Cuban, Latin, jazz and soul influences, Soha gives an appealing vivacity to her sound. The soulful beats and warm equatorial flavours of “Tourbillon (Serre-Moi Fort Si Tu M’aimes)” contain a seductive quality, while “C’est Bien Mieux Comme Ça” creates a festive yet relaxed pace.
Pulsing with passion and energy.
Soha – Tourbillon (Serre-Moi Fort Si Tu M’aimes)
Soha – C’est Bien Mieux Comme Ça
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December 15th, 2007 by Kyle
nu-jazz // downtempo
At 11 years old, Hervé Poudoulec begins hearing and feeling music over the radio. His mind collects fragments and wonders what to do; pondering from Rock to House, Dance and Jazz; amassing over 4000 samples before experiencing The Cinematic Orchestra’s ‘
Motion‘ – helping to align hidden vibrations. Kira Neris graciously strides from downtempo and jazzy affairs to voluptuous dance vibes with an earnest underlining.
Marvelous samples enriched in soulful harmonies.
Kira Neris – Open Doors
Kira Neris – Un Été Sans Fin
+ Purchase/Visit
December 12th, 2007 by Julija
afro-beat // funk
Fusing vintage influences with the modern psychedelic, Israeli multi-instrumentalist and composer Ophir “Kutiman” Kutiel captures the essence of the great funk. Loaded with scratchy guitar riffs, horn arrangements, and the catchy vocal hooks of his affiliate musicians, wonderfully produced Kutiman’s first full-length album delivers everything we love about hip-swaying funk and the feeling of the 70’s. Dabbling in afro-beat, soul and disco grooves, Kutiman keeps my head spinning and my feet moving.
Intoxicating experience for your body and soul.
Kutiman – Music Is Ruling My World (feat. Karolina)
Kutiman – No Reason For You (feat. Elran Dekel)
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December 9th, 2007 by Michelle
singer-songwriter // indie folk
Alex Brown Church, the man at the helm of Sea Wolf, enlisted the help of other members of
the Ship (a collective of bands and artists in the LA area), to flesh out the tracks on his debut album
Leaves in the River. The well-crafted and detailed album is testament to Church’s discerning ear and his years of songwriting with the band
Irving. The darkly emotive songs are forlorn and soothing at once, a characteristic that makes the record one of my favorites of this year.
“Like a sudden rush of water through your heart and lungs.”
Sea Wolf – Middle Distance Runner
Sea Wolf – The Cold, The Dark & The Silence
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December 4th, 2007 by Julija
electropop
Renaud Létang, one of the most sought-after French producers, known for lending his hand to Feist, Jamie Lidell, Manu Chao and Peaches, took interest in the songwriting attempts of a young Australian model Michaela Gehrmann a.k.a. Micky Green. Combining his professional skills, Micky’s desire to create music, and focusing on rhythmic structures, the two recorded
White T-Shirt (2007). Blessed with a stylish production, “Oh!” provides the listeners with fashionable electro beats, while retro-romantic “Now it’s gone” is both surprisingly quirky and delicate.
Electro-tinged treats.
Micky Green – Oh!
Micky Green – Now It’s Gone
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December 2nd, 2007 by Julija
swedish pop // singer-songwriter
Multi-instrumentalist with a strong background in jazz, a member of
Hello Saferide, Maia Hirasawa is one of the most adored artists in Sweden. Since her solo debut, Maia has received highly positive reviews throughout Scandinavia, been nominated as one of “the Women of the year” in two Swedish magazines, and her
first single was mentioned in several audio blogs. One of her fun pop type songs, “Crackers” instantly makes the day colorful and lively, as listening to the catchy melody line, you will find yourself smiling and singing.
Glimpsing into a world of pop perfection.
Maia Hirasawa – Crackers
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November 30th, 2007 by Paul Irish
bhangra // indian dance
It’s always fun to check out
my last.fm stats and see what I’ve aural addictions I’ve formed recently. The latest is DJ Rekha’s
Basement Bhangra mix featured on Fader.
Bhangra is one of those genre’s that I want to love more, but haven’t considerably found the sounds I want.
Talvin Singh‘s old work qualifies, but this new release from Bhangra’s dirty princess delivers the ass-movers I’ve been seeking. The beat from “Teri Sadi” gets me riled, but peep the mix
(or full CD) for the complete experience.
From Bombay to basement.
Amar Arshi & Taz Dhillon – Teri Sadi
DJ Rekha’s Basement Bhangra micromix on Fader
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November 25th, 2007 by Julija
shoegazing // experimental
Throughout his strongly evocative pieces for the soundtrack of Farväl Falkenberg, Stockholm-based composer Erik Enocksson reverberates the stories of a small sea-town life. As Erik Enocksson merges his minimalist folk tunes, sweeping instrumentation of acoustic guitars, piano, creaky wood, ethereal choir chant, and the simplicity of whistles and hand claps, he perfectly captures the feelings of isolation and hopefulness. Influenced by the coastal area, the soundscapes stimulate the sensation of brooding notes and a subtle hint of threat.
Losing yourself in a cinematic-shoegaze experience.
Erik Enocksson – The Joy of D.H. Lawrence
Erik Enocksson – The Lingering Procession
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November 19th, 2007 by Julija
bluegrass // folk
Expanding understanding of American roots music, in a place described as a cross between a garage and studio in Texas, Dawn Landes and The We Sorta Tried Bluegrass Band recorded a cover of Peter Bjorn and John’s “Young Folks”. As a result, the whole bunch rendered the pop classic into a bluegrass gem of switching male-female vocal parts, accompanied by acoustic stringed instrumentation. New York-based gifted interpreter, sound engineer and songwriter Dawn Landes possesses a natural ability for bridging raw folk and alt country, and the beguiling intimacy and spontaneity of her songs is comparable to such artists as Beth Orton and Cat Power.
Giving new life to old-time traditions.
Dawn Landes – Young Folks
Dawn Landes – Twilight
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November 17th, 2007 by Kyle
bossa nova
Sometimes, we need to slow down. When my days get too busy and nights are too short, a little bossa nova can work wonders. Ana Martins, daughter of Brazilian composers Nelson Ângelo and Joyce, provides exactly that with her debut album
Futuros Amantes. Her voice lightly wisps together a delicate blend of soft trumpets and violins, subtle drums, playful xylophones and pianos, all accompanied by acoustic guitar.
Warm up and relax with ritmos do Brazil.
Ana Martins – Brigas Nunca Mais
Ana Martins – Nada Parecido Com Você
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