Image

PHOTOS: The Neighbourhood with JMSN @ The Fonda in Los Angeles 7/15/13

The neighbourhood The Fonda crowd Russ Ramos 7-15-13

Photos and Words by Russ Ramos

While walking up a busy Hollywood Blvd on my way to The Fonda Theater this past Monday night, I passed a sea of people (about 90% ladies) waiting in line anxiously outside of the club. Upon entering the venue I grabbed myself an overly priced beer and headed straight to the photo pit. As the opening DJ pumped out trap jams, locally based new R&B sensation JMSN prepared for his set on stage. JMSN (pronounced Jameson) wasn’t just an opener, he was one the most captivating lead acts I’ve seen in a while. There was no counting-down minutes until The Neighbourhood took stage, from beginning to end, JMSN had an energy that resonated throughout the theater. Here’s some photos from his set below.

JMSN michigan california (Facebook)

JMSN The Fonda 2 Russ Ramos 7-15-13

JMSN The Fonda 1 Russ Ramos 7-15-13

JMSN The Fonda 3 Russ Ramos 7-15-13

JMSN water The Fonda Russ Ramos 7-15-13

More EDM hits filled the house speakers as The Neighbourhood’s team prepped for the band’s set. At first, the band took stage minus frontman Jesse Rutherford. As all of the girls in the audience were flipping out, Rutherford finally made his presence. There was a moment of hysteria and you would’ve almost thought Justin Bieber himself had taken stage. Every track The NBHD played was like a sing a long. The crowd held their hands up high, shouted the lyrics and just gave off great vibes. These pictures help say it all. Once again, The Neighbourhood comes back to The Fonda in LA next month on August 15th. Don’t sleep on this.

The Neighbourhood california (Tumblr) (Facebook)

The neighbourhood The Fonda 3 Russ Ramos 7-15-13

The neighbourhood The Fonda 4 Russ Ramos 7-15-13

The Neighbourhood The Fonda Russ Ramos 7-15-13

The Neighbourhood The Fonda 1 Russ Ramos 7-15-13

The neighbourhood The Fonda 2 Russ Ramos 7-15-13

reviewed by
07-17-13

Joel Compass – Astronaut

Joel-Compass-658x350

“Astronaut” will be the title track on South London producer/performer Joel Compass’ upcoming due in September EP. Premiering last night on Mistajam’s 1X show last night, the brand new “Astronaut” does the R&B/garage revival thing very very well; complete with bits of melody and instrumental that are light years past many of the genre’s biggest current purveyors.

Joel Compass england (soundcloud)

Rating 8.0

brown93

reviewed by
07-17-13

Nick Brewer – So Good

nick brewer

Nick Brewer and B3 seem to be on a bit of a vibe here. The jazzy tones of “So Good” and the UK rapper’s subtle easy-on-the-beat rhymes are not only refreshingly unique (especially for the Brit rap scene) but also manage an immense catchiness and a stick with you quality that maybe separates him from many of his jazz-hop sort of peers. We’ve had “So Good” on repeat all day and we’re pretty sure you’ll be doing the same after you press play.

Nick Brewer england (Official)

Rating 8.0

brown93

reviewed by
07-17-13

The Rub – Feel You featuring Lil Fame & Misun (Marco Polo Remix)

marco polo remix

Marco Polo remixes the Rub (New York DJs Ayers and Eleven) track “Feel You” featuring B3 favorite Misun from earlier this year. M.P.’s remix sports a decidedly a mid to late 90’s feel, particularly in how the diction on Lil’ Fame’s verse and the way the retooled beat break together sound absolutely beamed in from 1997 or 1998. Get a sample below.

Marco Polo newyork (Wiki)

Rating: 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
07-17-13

Kyson – Missing Things

kyson

Berlin-based Kyson announces debut LP The Water’s Way to be released on L.A. label Friends of Friends. The first preview from Water’s Way is the melodically spectacular R&B-tinged melancholy of “Missing Things”.

Kyson germany (Facebook)

Rating 8.45

brown8

reviewed by
07-16-13

Mazzy Star – California

Mazzy+Star+Hope+Sandoval

The great Mazzy Star announced today that they will release their first LP in 17 years (since 1996’s Among My Swan) and it will be called Seasons of Your Day. Sample below the dreamy desert highway hush of excellent new Mazzy track (!!!!) “California”.

Mazzy Star california (Official)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
07-16-13

Thunderbird Gerard – Firewurx (Feat. Kenzie May) [Prod. By FTSE]

thunderbirdgerard

The tag [Prod. By FTSE] is quickly becoming a certain signifier of a must listen track. The UK producer’s hypnotic infinitely soulful nighttime hours style is a huge favorite around B3. Here, FTSE links up with oft-collaborator Kenzie May and rising London-based MC Thunderbird Gerard for the instantly-draws-you-in twilight blog rap of “Firewurx”.

Thunderbird Gerard newyork (Official)

Rating: 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
07-16-13

Keep Shelly In Athens – Recollection

Keep Shelly In Athens - Recollection

“Recollection” is first single from Keep Shelly in Athens’ debut (!) LP At Home. Brought to us via the cool team at Cascine, the track (along with the rest of the LP) will see a September 17th release. “Maturing in sound” is often music blogger/journo talk for this sounds more like what I want this band to sound like and in that department, at least for us, “Recollection” does represent a maturation in sound for the Athenian duo. The track is more melodic, the arrangement of it is more concise (easier to get into on the first or second listen than a large amount of KSIA’s previous material). That said, “Recollection” is no less inventive or interesting than “classic” Keep Shelly in Athens, the amount of ideas and just flat out work that went into a composition as dense and varied as “Recollection” have to be immense. Blah blah blah, to conclude, we love it.

Keep Shelly in Athens GREECE_FLAG (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
07-16-13

Marvin Gaye – I Want You Feat. Theophilus London & Superleague (Totescity Remix)

totescity

We’re usually pretty reticent to post “remixes” and “edits” of soul/r&b classics; like Marvin’s “I Want You” is one of best grooves ever period. So ostensibly we’re making a little leap here in giving Totescity, the Vegas DJ duo behind this new Theophilus London-featuring remix of “I Want You”, the Team B3/Estate of James Brown soul classic remix stamp of validation; but the remix truly is that fantastic. Hats off boys.

Totescity nevada (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
07-15-13

Mannie Fresh – Forever (Feat. Carmine & Mayalino)

mannie fresh

Of course we love this. Mr. “Bread and Baloney”, Mr. “Real Big”, Mr. one of the best rap producers ever Mannie Fresh drops new track “Forever”. Naturally, it’s interesting to hear someone with as lengthy as a career/record as Mannie embrace changes and new trends in music (the Future-esque hook, the 2 Chainz flow) but all told we’re bumping “Forever” out our trunk REAL BIG.

Mannie Fresh louisiana ( Twitter)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
07-15-13

Jesse Boykins III – Sparks (Coldplay)

boyking coldplay cover

The velvet-voiced favorite of the site Jesse Boykins III drops off a new recording in the form of a cover of Coldplay’s “Sparks” from 2000. Yes, that is Coldplay and yes, it’s Jesse Boykins covering it. The Brooklyn-based Boykins does a right on very good job of the Chris Martin-penned tune; if Stevie Wonder was into Coldplay (he probably is) and sounded vocally like Jesse, his version would probably sound a bit like this (one of the highest compliments we can give). Parachutes swag.

Jesse Boykins III – Sparks

Jesse Boykins III newyork (Official) (Myspace) (Twitter)

Rating: 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
07-15-13

Ben Pearce – What I Might Do (Kilter Remix)

Ben Pearce - What I Might Do (Kilter Remix)

Australian DJ Kilter hooks up an ace “dancing in the summer of 2013” viber of remix for Ben Pearce’s soulful “What I Might Do” track from last year. We’re really loving this one; get yours below.

Kilteraustralia (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
07-15-13