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Soul

J-Louis – All About the Panties (That Mara Hruby Flow)

marahruby2

Producer J-Louis goes 100% on b3 favorite Mara Hruby’s great Mos Def cover, selecting for a hypnotic after hours groove furnishing the track with a generous amount of cache and soul.

J-Louis (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
02-25-13

Charles Murdoch – Sleeper

charlesmurdoch

The more played out the “Future Garage” sounds gets, the more it becomes “Old” Future Garage, the more difficult it is definitely to impress, stand out, make an impression with a sound that is on the definite business end of its trendiness. Charles Murdoch’s “Sleeper” is that standout and so much more. The type and timber of the beats, the pitched down vocals, the languid instrumentals, they feel real. They feel like the product of an artist who needs to make this music, regardless of it’s fashion. That, and it helps, too, that Mr. Murdoch is also extraordinarily skilled. A++

Charles Murdoch australia (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

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reviewed by
02-25-13

Kwabs – Spirit Fade

kwabs

Check out the latest Dave Okumu (Jessie Ware) collaboration in the form of the infinitely soulful & immensely intimate and affecting new track from London-based singer Kwabs, “Spirit Fade”.

Kwabs england (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

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reviewed by
02-22-13

Jeremih – All the Time (Funkystepz Remix)

funkystepz remix

London’s Funkystepz put the UK bass in your face *and Jeremih’s) on their latest remix, the grimy nighttime creeper “All the Time”. (ABEANO)

Funkstepz england (Facebook)

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?

arewealmostthereyet

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

Shlohmo – Don’t Say No (Feat. How To Dress Well)

shlohmo

Shlohmo makes it all look so easy. The Los Angeles based producer yet again showcases his immense talent with latest single, “Don’t Say No” featuring How to Dress Well. The newest track from his “Laid Out” project, the new EP demonstrates Shlohmo’s unique ability to draw the listener out of their world and into his. How to Dress Well’s Tom Krell’s R&B-laden vocals and Shlohmo’s mastery of all that is beats make the wait for “Laid Out” due out March 5th, that much more difficult. By Phoebe Severin

Shlohmo california (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
02-19-13

Usher – Go Missin (Prod. Diplo)

usherdiplo

Y’all remember that song “Climax”? Yeah, same guys. V-Day winner.

Usher (Facebook)

Rating 8.4938

reviewed by
02-14-13

PARIS 96 – Afternoon

paris 96

Finally! Longtime friends Theophilus London and Jesse Boykins III make it legal with new PARIS 96 collaborative project. First track “Afternoon” is the perfect mix of JBIII’s sophisticated R&B stylings and T. London’s percussive rhyming playboy thing. Expect an EP from these two in April. Psyched!

PARIS 96 (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
02-08-13

Natural Self – Machine

naturalself

Check out the soulful (& awesome) hip hop-informed space pop of Natural Self a/k/a Brighton-based producer Nathaniel Pearn and his track for “Machine”. The single will be available Feb 18th on Tru Thoughts. Get familiar. (TLOBF)

Natural Self (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
02-07-13

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

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

R&B upstart Phil Beaudreau and producer Dawaun Parker convert another track to the gem category (each track’s been a diamond thusfar) with the beautiful conscious-driven “This Is Why”. The production (between the soulful horns and gloomy textured atmospheres) is absolutely lights out; and that dreamy falsetto chorus hook? Heavenly. Get familiar ASAP.

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

Phil Beaudreau california (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.7

brown8

reviewed by
02-06-13

Kacey Johansing – Pinecone

kacey johansing

“Pinecone” is new from Bay Area soulstress Kacey Johansing. Melodically styled more in the lane of torch song jazz or even classic Southern soul, Ms. Johansing on “Pinecone” takes her time with the tune; let each note breathe up and out into the mix. Arranged with some beautifully atmsopheric harmonies and an instrumental that we’ll make you feel as if you’re floating somewhere just off the Golden Gate, “Pinecone” winds and ebbs, sways and flows like any great story (or Sunday afternoon in The Bay). (KKS)

Kacey Johansing (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
02-04-13