Subtle layering of emotional songs with attitude both playful and deep make Stacey Dowdeswell an artist to keep an ear on. Her debut album Turn That Light Out oozes soulful and mostly contemplative songs, co-written & produced by label mate Scrimshire, benefited with added depth and clarity from Benedic ‘Nostalgia 77‘ Lambdin’s engineering. Electronic heads should check the pair of remix albums where Stac’s songs are reimagined by beatsmiths like Bonobo, Ashley Beedle and Natural Self. Bass driven “All Or Nothing” is a full-bodied red wine, and “Tip” is a mature, intelligent track, while Hint’s counterpart takes all that maturity into the club and shakes it like there ain’t no tomorrow.
Los Amigos Invisibles, possibly Venezuela’s greatest musical export, has been active for more than a decade. The band’s latest release, Not So Commercial (2011) offers remastered b-sides and alternate versions from previous recording sessions, following the successful, critically acclaimed and Grammy winning record Commercial (2009). This quick 25 minutes EP, however, offers some tasty “leftovers” for your next party. From funky-disco to reggae stylings and smooth acid groove, this EP will please your ears and move your feet.
Musician and composer Pedro Luis Ferrer has been an active Cuban musician since 1965. In his native Cuba he is famous as a musical innovator as well as a sharp social critic and a master of the guaracha musical style. He combines the influences of dynamic Cuban sounds, including Cuban son, guaracha-style songs with his own lyrical poetry. Ferrer’s latest record Tangible (2011) sparkles with bursts of horns, Latin percussion, earthy guitar and and the tres, inviting your feet to move.
Breezy with a beat, their infectious, sunny pop songs are riding waves and moving your shore. Pop doesn’t enter my playlist often, but this I cannot resist. Milo Greene is a new quintet in Los Angeles, harmonizing bliss like Local Natives drenched in glee from Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. (thx, Elana)
“You’ll hear smoky soul, flights of dazzling invention and intricate layers of deeply felt emotion. With a voice that belies her age; twenty year old Kimbra already enchants her audience, having been inspired by jazz greats such as Nina Simone, while also bringing a contemporary edge more akin to Bjork and Camille.” I haven’t been this excited about a song in a while. (thx, benschwarz)
Lance Ferguson is one of the most prolific Funk & Soul producers in the retro scene, being the guitarist and producer for The Bamboos, Kylie Auldist & Cookin’ On 3 Burners, as well as having produced for a slew of acts on the Tru Thoughts, Freestyle Records & Record Kicks labels. On Her 12 Faces he teams up with Australian artist Megan Washington as the main singer among a few instrumental tracks. This second album as Lanu displays the full breadth of Lance’s versatility as a producer and shows he can do more than retro-soul or raw funk. Schizophrenic? Not quite, but many faced for sure. All songs tell a story, be it vocalized or written in melody. “Beautiful Trash” is an uptempo, sunny affair that has Washington bouncing along a retro vibe. “The Roosevelt Blues” is equally playful (both in vibe and execution) and envelops you in a lo-fi sumer breeze.
A true friend sitting next to my soul. Talking with me. Laying in a green field on a hill. Wildflowers dance the breeze. Sun shines… bright blue sky… curious clouds mozy by. Trees and forests are not too far away. Hills and valley, mostly. Talking about anything. Stars, dreams – what we enjoy or what others destroy. Comforts found together.
The Sweet Hurt, Wendy Wang’s solo project, has been around in various forms since 2003 — since then she’s released a handful of EPs, plays for what seems like a thousand different bands (including The Bird and the Bee, Priscilla Ahn and Obi Best), and last year, released her first full-length album, The Sweet Hurt LP. The album was well worth the wait; it’s winsome and strikingly honest, and highlights Wendy’s talents as a songwriter and instrumentalist. Like the name suggests, there is a quiet loveliness that pervades the entire album, highlighted by the elegant chamber pop arrangements. Take a listen to the stunning “Things Fall Apart” and the impossibly catchy “Hugs” below!
Nostalgia 77, also known as Benedic Lamdin, is a prolific producer of Jazz with a highly developed sense of rhythm. On the 22nd of March his new LP The Sleepwalking Society will be released on Tru Thoughts. This is officially the fourth Nostagia 77 studio album and it has taken almost four years since the previous release. In the mean time he has worked with Jazz legends Keith and Julie Tippett, played with Larry Stabbins of Stonephace and produced for Sara Mitra & Lizzy Parks. Last year he released two albums on his own Impossible Ark imprint: the afro-funky project SkeletonsSmile LP and an afro-latin influenced project with Hugo Mendez titled Rhythmagic Orchestra. See discogs for an extensive list of his work. Out now is the single “Simmerdown” featuring the warm vocals of german Josa Peit (also on soundcloud). Josa provides all vocals on the upcoming LP, of which the track “Cherry” is included below. More material by Josa Peit can be found on her soundcloud.
Zaz’s (Isabelle Geoffroy) music reminds me of Caro Emerald’s. Her voice however, is completely different and quite unlike the mellow sultry voice of Caro – and the songs demand that. Her music evokes vintage nostalgia, with passion and zest. “Je Veux” and “Ni Oui Ni Non” express this perfectly.
Aurgasm seeks to bring you an eclectic menagerie of aural pleasures. We scout out music you've never heard and deliver only the finest. Expect music curiously different, yet simply enjoyable...
Paul Irish is a music-loving web geek in San Francisco.
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A true friend sitting next to my soul. Talking with me. Laying in a green field on a hill. Wildflowers dance the breeze. Sun shines… bright blue sky… curious clouds mozy by. Trees and forests are not too far away. Hills and valley, mostly. Talking about anything. Stars, dreams – what we enjoy or what others destroy. Comforts found together.
