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Interview w/ JMSN

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Resident B3 scientist Erin Feathers recently connected with rising indie R&B producer, and all around creative-type (best watch out for those), JMSN for a brief one-on-one about the musician’s story, music, and what the future holds. Take a look at their conversation below.

B3SCI: A little background on yourself for our readers, after several attempts to be happy making music on major labels, you fashioned your own label for the release of your 2012 album †Priscilla†. Can you tell us more about your label White Room Records and how it has affected you most as an artist?

JMSN: I think that its affected me in the fact that I finally have artistic freedom. No politics. No bullshit. Just Music. Thats what it’s all about. White Room is my canvas.

B3SCI: †Priscilla† attracted a good deal of attention this past year and helped spur on a few big-name collaborations. You sang accompanying vocals for Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid M.A.A.D City, which was one of the best albums of 2012. Has working with other artists tempered any of your darker perspectives and musical intuitions?

JMSN: Not at all. I think that life decides where I go with my music. Sure these experiences are a part of my life, but more emotional situations decide the shape my music takes from here.

B3SCI: We’re fans of your videos from †Priscilla†. Is there a particular director or film maker who inspires you most? How important are visual cues to you and your music?

JMSN: I wouldn’t say I look at particular film makers as much as I look at particular films. I love when film makers can make things move like a song. Flowing with the energy of the shots is important. It takes different approaching to think of video in a different way then just watching it.

B3SCI: Unit 6 is your latest collaboration with Ab-Soul. The lead single “You’re Gone” is a catchy club stinger with racy lyrics and a playful swagger. Did cough syrup have anything to do with it? Kind of joking, but seriously.. was there something behind the vibe on this track?

JMSN: I don’t know, honestly. This was originally gonna be a JMSN song, but the verses we’re too hip hop. So I actually had the chorus on there before Ab got on it. I was kind of making a post †Priscilla† song about closer. Ab came in and flipped it to how he saw fit him.

B3SCI: If you were ever given the choice do a project with Usher, would you be on your best soft-and-sensual-R&B-behavior, or would you try to talk him into going all out with a dark and more experimental style?

JMSN: If we’re talking about me as a producer, I cater to the artist. I would see where his minds at. Where he wants to take things. I would help him do that to the best of my ability. I mean don’t get me wrong, you’re gonna hear JMSN influences in my production no matter what, but I will never tell an artist what to write about or what kind of song to make. That’s just not something I would want to hear Usher release if it’s not him you know.

B3SCI: What was your first impression of Los Angeles after growing up in Detroit?

JMSN: Hahaha. Great question. I hated it at first. The whole “Hollywood” bullshit. I’ve found good people out here now though. When you can separate yourself from that, you’re good. I also love the weather.

B3SCI: Name a proud moment in your life that is also embarrassing as hell.

JMSN: I have no idea how to answer that question. Ha.

B3SCI: What appeals to you most about producing your own music?

JMSN: You know exactly what you want and you make it happen. As well as learning on the way.

B3SCI: You recently collaborated with Tyga on his new LP Hotel California. Can you tell us something first-hand about the experience?

JMSN: Tyga is an awesome dude. It’s all about the music with him, so we got on good. It was great to collaborate with him. I’m very proud of the song too. Came out great.

B3SCI: Can you elaborate on your plans for a solo project?

JMSN: I’m working on it as we speak. Pretty far into it. The Blue album. Just making sure the story is right for this one. I wanna make sense of all the ideas and experiences I’ve had in this amount of time, to make a good body of work. I can’t wait for people to hear the evolution of JMSN.

Ab-Soul & JMSN – You’re Gone

JMSN (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

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reviewed by
03-10-13

Justin Timberlake – Suit Tie (Four Tet Remix)

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Four Tet’s latest remix creation (this time for Tennessee-based R&B singer Justin Timberlake) sent the synapses the internet-wide ablaze earlier today. So in the event that you were up to something this afternoon that didn’t involved being parked in front an internet screen and you haven’t heard Four Tet’s “Suit & Tie” remix yet, you can sort that out below. (p.s. it’s really really good).

Four Tet england (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
03-08-13

Kat Dahlia – Gangsta

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This is really real. We don’t actually know much about Kat Dahlia, other than that she’s from Miami and born of Cuban immigrant parents. She could be anyone really. Object #1 here is the strength of the writing, the conviction and power of the vocalist, and the refreshing quality of “Gangsta’s” sound. We expect comparison after comparison to Lana Del Rey or Santigold or hip hop or whoever/whatever to surface but none of that really matters either. Removed from the hype/the music journalism panopticon/black hole, we are witnessing the genesis of a real and singular star.

Kat Dahlia (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
03-05-13

Roosevelt – Around You

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Roosevelt, who impressed last fall with his debut track “Sea”, returns with sophomore single “Around You”. Light, airy, “summery” but still very well conceived as a pop song, “Around You” is very impressive indeed. Look out for an EP release from Roosevelt a bit later this year on Greco-Roman.

Roosevelt Balthazar (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

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reviewed by
03-01-13

Zella Day – Save The World (SHM Cover)

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Zella Day lends her sparkling vocals to Swedish House Mafia’s current hit “Save The World Tonight” on this beautiful acoustic rendition. Don’t miss it.

Zella Day – Save The World (SHM Cover)

Zella Day arizona (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
03-01-13

Misun – Darkroom (Produced by Nacey)

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Misun’s impressive run of singles continues with new release “Darkroom”. The same D.C.-based cast from “Harlot” and “Battlefields” are your primaries again on “Darkroom” with rising newcomers Misun teaming with the equally skilled producer Nacey. “Darkroom”‘s blend of tight as tight hooks & instrumentation with just the slightest tinge surf rock in the guitar & drums is very very good and it may well be Misun’s best track yet (which is saying a lot).

Misun – Darkroom (Produced by Nacey)

Misun maryland (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
02-28-13

Lady – Get Ready

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Lady, the duo of 90’s R&B-stress & BlakRoc collaborator Nicole Wray and UK singer Terri Walker that we first hipped you to back in November, delivers a second single perhaps better that their first. The minor-keyed “sneaky groover” “Get Ready” is a different look as compared to that first single (the sunny skipping “Money”) for the Truth & Soul Records artists but its definitely one we’re into, like REALLY INTO. Excellent.

Lady newyork (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
02-27-13

Blondfire – Where the Kids Are (Funk LeBlanc Remix)

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The all nu-disco all the time cruise liner just landed at B3 station with an ace (and funky!) little mix for our friends Blondfire via SF remixer Funk LeBlanc. Spin it below and don’t be too shy to buy us a pina colada.

Funk LeBlanc (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
02-25-13

F Y F E – St Tropez

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F Y F E remains a somewhat mystery, having created quite a buzz in the blogoshphere with his January single, “Solace” followed by a solid month of silence. He is back now with a new track, “St Tropez”. and the song shows the work and time put in. FYFE’s simple vocal and lovely lyrics like “take me home, is this not home dear?” are drenched in twisty drums and with delicate synth and guitar. Though “Solace” did set the bar high, “St Tropez” is not far behind. By Phoebe Anne Severin

FYFE england (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

reviewed by
02-22-13

Magic Man – Paris

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Providence-based Magic Man are really really talented; almost too talented (give these other new bands a break guys!). On “Paris”, the band’s debut track (!), everything’s an A+’ from the melodies (very good), to the hooks (very plentiful), to arrangement (very skilled). If “Paris” is any indication (and it’s an emphatic one) Magic Man could be in store for a really major 2013.

Magic Man – Paris

Magic Man rhodeisland (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
02-21-13

Quadron – Hey Love

Quadron Hey Love

That moment when one of your favorite artists returns from a long hiatus with really great new material is truly a gift. Danish duo Quadron’s return single “Hey Love” is one of that moments for the b3 squad. “Hey Love” wins on its irresistible drum hook and singer Coco O’s subtle as silk empassioned delivery. It’s new Quadron!

Quadron (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

reviewed by
02-19-13

Jared Evan – Are We Almost There Yet?

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New York soul songwriter Jared Evan makes his B3 debut with the feel good “Are We Almost There Yet?” Evan gets on well enough on the track; particularly in the melody department, where JE’s laid back flow and in-no-hurry sung hook do nicely to complement Statik Selektah’s excellent (and the track’s true star) sunny Sunday afternoon beat. Jared Evan’s Boom Bap and Blues project is due a week from today, February 26th.

Jared Evan – Are We Almost There Yet?

Jared Evan newyork (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
02-19-13