Image

Soul

Safia – Listen To Soul, Listen To Blues

safia

“Listen To Soul, Listen To Blues” is the latest from Australian newcomers Safia. Wow, just wow. What. a. track. “Listen To Soul” is, well, very soulful; but that doesn’t really begin to describe the track’s power, it’s otherwordly grasp. Listening to “Soul” is like receiving some sort of revelation from the universe’s supreme beings or something, it’s that heavy. We understand this is very hyperbolic praise for such a relatively unknown act but damn, yeah, you will just have to listen.

Safiaaustralia (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.7

brown8

reviewed by
06-12-13

Freeze-Tag – Fall In Love

freeze-tage EP

Freeze-Tag out of our home hood of Cleveland delivers in “Fall in Love” a unique and expertly styled take on contemporary R&B, adding less-traveled in 2013 textured to create a transportative, cinematic, progressive push to the genre.

Freeze-Tag ohio (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
06-07-13

Bahamas – Please Forgive My Heart (Bobby Womack Cover)

bahamas

Bahamas records a perfect cover (and we don’t say that lightly) of the great Bobby Womack’s “Please Forgive My Heart”. Keeping intact the track’s infinite soulfulness while managing to not do Bobby hokey or corny and bringing his own life and guts to the performance, Bahamas’ cover is one of the best of the year.

Bahamas (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
06-07-13

Doe Paoro – New Lows

doe paoro

SPOILER ALERT: 90’s R&B influences. 90’s R&B influence, the many-edged sword of the current indie milieu. Our inbox/ the internet is littered with track after track of “’90’s R&B influence” of varying quality. “New Lows” from Brooklyn’s Doe Paoro IS very good; great even. What separates “New Lows” is the tune, the strong melodic writing; really that’s what separates (especially at climaxes of cultural trends) all great songs. The tune, the melody, the song. “New Lows” is a very great song.

Doe Paoro (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
06-05-13

The Delta Riggs – Better

the delta riggs

If you’re in the mood for some good ol’ Rock ‘N’ Roll, The Delta Riggs bring it from Australia with some psychedelic/roots/jam rock. Reminiscent of a great night in a great dive-bar, their song “Better” is a slow groover, awash with soulful grit, latching on your hips and putting a smile on your lips. By Desiree Autobee

The Delta Riggsaustralia (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
06-03-13

Moses Sumney – Dwell in the Dark

mosessumney2

Moses Sumney, an alum of our B3SCI Presents shows in L.A., releases latest track “Dwell in the Dark”. The pensive, beautifully constructed “Dwell” is one of our favorite of the year thusfar. The song is so melodically perfect it’s as if some greater emotional truth (it’s that heavy) about music, life, the artist, etc is revealed with each successive listen. Capital P phenomenal.

california (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.5

brown93

reviewed by
05-31-13

Market East – Evergreen

marketeast

“Evergreen”, excerpted here from Philadelphia band Market East’s new Children of Summer EP, ably blends 60’s pop & the more pop-leaning tracks of great British Invasion bands (without sounding kitschy or tired) with a tremendous conveyance of melody, harmony & soul. Soul, that’s “Evergreen”s weapon, the track will immediately get at the most visceral parts of your music listening palette.

Market East (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
05-31-13

Laura Welsh – Cold Front

Laura Welsh

The super sultry-voiced UK R&B songstress follows up her great Dev Hynes collaboration “Unravel” with the doubly strong and infinitely sexy “Cold Front”.

Laura Welsh england (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
05-31-13

Quadron – Better Off (Feat. Kendrick Lamar)

Quadron

Oooh baby. B3 all-time faves Quadron break off a little something for you and yr boo to slow dance to with the new Kendrick (!)-featuring “Better Off”. It’s about to get very sexy on this blog.

Quadron (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

reviewed by
05-23-13

Preview: Phil Beaudreau w/ Dawaun Parker @ The Bootleg in L.A. this FRIDAY 5/24/13

beaudreau

One of the most exciting new artists in R&B right now Phil Beaudreau, makes his Los Angeles debut this Friday night at The Bootleg Bar. Rolling alongside AoE reigns-man and Grammy Award Winning producer Dawaun Parker, Phil will be performing tracks from his much anticipated Ether debut. Phil is a serious talent and Friday’s L.A. debut peformance is one you absolutely don’t want to miss. Details on the show and info on tickets can be found here. We’ll see you soon!

Phill Beaudreau – This Is Why (Feat. Dawaun Parker)

Phil Beaudreau california (Soundcloud)
The Bootleg (Info and Tickets)

reviewed by
05-23-13

The 1975 – So Far (It’s Alright)

1975 iv

The 1975 crew showcase some of their appreciation for R&B on “So Far (It’s Alright)”. Add the bands seducing knack for ethereal pop and you have yourself one fantastic tune. Check out the new song, “So Far (It’s Alright)” previewed from the bands forthcoming debut album, and grab the band’s new IV EP release available now.

The 1975 england (Official)(Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
05-21-13

Amel Larrieux – For Real (IAMNOBODI Remix)

Amel Larrieux

Shawty is a dime plus 99. German producer IAMNOBODI’s soft subtle remix of Amel Larrieux is that R&B ish you’ve been waiting your whole life for. Say you will, girl, say you will.

IAMNOBODI (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.10

brown8

reviewed by
05-16-13