Adam Prescott & Deemas J – They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) (Reggae/Dub)
“Tru Thoughts Covers 3” features re-workings of classic tracks from afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, funky soul man William DeVaughn, jazz fusion band Weather Report, modern superstar Frank Ocean and golden era hip hop giants Pete Rock & CL Smooth, to name just a few. The star track isAdam Prescott and Deemas J’s collaborative flip of Peter Rock & CL Smooth’s – “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y).” It features Deemas J toasting in the dancehall tradition over Prescott’s dubbed out version of Pete Rock’s horn-laden magnum opus.
Protoje feat. Koffee – Switch It Up (Reggae/Dancehall)
The intro to Protoje’s “Switch It Up” hypnotizes with its tropical, head-nodding soundscape. Once the beat kicks in, Protoje and Jamaican Grammy winner Koffee strike with a celebratory chorus about getting along with everybody and not succumbing to negativity. “Switch It Up” is the title track and most recent single from Protoje’s fifth studio album “In Search of Lost Time.” With two of Jamaica’s biggest contemporaries sharing the spotlight on “Switch It Up,” the song serves as a nice splash of summer as we head into another long winter.
Potatohead People feat. T3, Illa J & Kopak – What It Feels Like (Hip Hop)
Vancouver-based hip-hop producers Potatohead People continue their run of hard-hitting drums and ear-grabbing loops on their third album, “Mellow Fantasy”. The duo has never shied away from their debt to the production style of hip-hop super producer J Dilla. “What It Feels Like” brings together two members of Dilla’s inner circle: his brother Illa J and T3 from the Slum Village crew. Along with Vancouver rapper Kapok, the trio’s rhymes deliver a soulful bounce to this nostalgic piece of boom bap.
Jim-E Stack feat. Kacy Hill – Can We (Soul / Pop)
Jim-E Stack’s latest effort, Ephemera, showcases his ability to produce soulful, danceable pop music that seems customized for each of his talented guests. “Can We” features a dusty piano melody, a swinging break beat and the pixelated hums of candy-voiced Kacy Hill. The track is reminiscent of “old school” Kanye West with its breakdowns, sped up female vocals and infectious beat. That is not a bad thing by any means.
Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio – Call Your Mom (Jazz/Funk/Soul)
Brace yourself for this intoxicating jazz funk bomb recently released by the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio as the lead single of their upcoming album “I Told You So” via Colemine Records. A chunky bass line, snappy organ stabs and a silky guitar tone will have your head nodding and your heart smiling for days on end. No vocals necessary on this instrumental cut as the title says it all; a great reminder to “Call Your Mom”. She needs to hear from you!
Aesop Rock – Holy Waterfall (Hip Hop)
Independent hip-hop hero Aesop Rock’s latest effort, “Spirit World Field Guide,” packs an aggressive punch full of haunting, electrified beats and lyrics that touch on anxiety, existential dread and crippling paranoia. Given today’s unnerving political climate, the punches hit hard.. On “Holy Waterfall” a buzz saw synth circles to a bang on a trash can beat, setting the stage for the hard-edged flow of Aesop’s brain busting lyrics about existing in an apocalypse.
Causeway – We Were Never Lost (Synth Wave)
The dark, swirling synthesizers pull you close until the disco drums snap in and Causeway’s smokey lyrics grab hold. “We Were Never Lost” feels like wandering around a city’s skyline drenched in fog late at night. Produced by Italians Do It Better label head Johnny Jewel, ‘After Dark 3’ is a compilation featuring label mainstays like Desire and Chromatics while also shining light on fresh new talent from around the world.
Dugong Jr. – Regret (Electronic Pop)
Up and coming experimental electronic producer, Dugong Jr, comes into his own on his latest EP, Pleasure Principle. The Melbourne-based artist ignores definitions of genre to deliver a refreshing dose of futuristic soundscapes. “Regret” features a throbbing back and forth, synth-heavy beat reminiscent of Kaytranada’s finest work with ethereal pads and heart-poking piano notes at just the right moments.
Quantic – Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five (Disco/House/World)
Quantic has a deep knowledge of and passion for soul, disco, Latin, African, dub and electronic music. His studio, Selva, was conceived as an oasis of light, natural wood and all the vintage recording equipment imaginable. On “Selva Selects: Thunderclaps” he compiles the best products of the space into a riveting mixture of sounds exemplary of his excitement for sharing influences from around the world. “Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five” is Quantic’s heavy disco version of the Wings track from 1973 where pounding piano riffs of the original get beefed up alongside soaring horns and a propulsive drum beat.
Thundercat – Fair Chance (Floating Points Remix) (Soul/House)
Already on numerous “Albums of the Year So Far” lists, “It Is What It Is” is Thundercat’s most complete musical statement yet featuring a who’s who of modern luminaries. Standout track “Fair Chance” features Ty Dolla $ign and Lil B as the three reflect and reminisce on the loss of their close friend, Mac Miller, who tragically passed away in 2018. With British producer Floating Points at the helm on remix duties, the track comes to life with four-to-the-floor energy over a shuffling house beat that would be sure to make Mac flash that famous smile.
Dameer – Believe (Psych/Funk/Rock)
Will Holland, bka Quantic, has a deep knowledge of and passion for soul, disco, Latin, African, dub and electronic music. His studio, Selva, was conceived as an oasis of natural light, plenty of natural wood and all the vintage recording equipment imaginable. On “Selva Selects: Thunderclaps” he compiles the best products of the space into a riveting mixture of sounds exemplary of his excitement for sharing influences from around the world. Standout track “Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five” is Quantic’s heavy disco reinterpretation of the Wings track from 1973 where pounding piano riffs of the original get beefed up alongside soaring horns and a propulsive drum beat.
