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Rochelle Jordan – Shotgun

The beautiful 4 AM house-sampling “Shotgun” is the lead single from Toronto songstress Rochelle Jordan’s Pressure LP.

Rochelle Jordan – Shotgun

Rochelle Jordan (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
10-09-12

Snakehips – We’re Thru

Snakehips’ edit of Wild Belle really knocked us out. So we started digging. One of our favorite Snakehips discoveries is the sunnyside up good feeling of “We’re Thru”. Catch that wave below.

Snakehips – We’re Thru

Snakehips (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
10-08-12

Alex Hepburn – Pain Is

The uber-lovely and talented Alex Hepburn is a new singer-songwriter that we just can’t take our ears off of. The London based artist takes a page straight out the Janis Joplin Gospel of blues rock and soul with her new track “Pain Is”. A vocal finesse both controlled and capable, Hepburn can dig out the type of husky sounds only ever possible from a handful of gifted singers. You can near hear the lifelong search for home in Hepburn’s song. Take note to “Pain Is” below and keep an eye out for Alex’s debut album expected to see release spring 2013.

Alex Hepbun – Pain Is

Alex Hepburn (Facebook)

Rating 8.6

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reviewed by
10-08-12

THROWBACK SATURDAYS: Nara Leão – Corcovado

Nara Leão’s beautiful bright Tropicalia rendition of the Brazilian standard dates to 1971.

Nara Leão – Corcovado

reviewed by
10-06-12

Sid Pattni – Got to Learn Sometimes (Ta-ku Remix)

Ta-ku, a producer from Australia that we’ve been into for a little bit now, spins a sublime refix of fellow Aussie Sid Pattni’s “Got to Learn Sometimes”. One of the great things about this mix (one of many) is that it feels both very modern (the rhythms and overall sound to the track are quite current/quite October, 2012) and classic (there’s an aura of that great gloomy-sounding 70’s soul balladry here, something like The Dramatics’ “In the Rain”.)

Sid Pattni – Got to Learn Sometimes (Ta-ku Remix)

Ta-ku (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
10-05-12

Simeon Viltz & Mulatto Patriot – Once Again Feat. Pugs Atomz

We’re loving these chilled-out and soulful funky vibes on the latest leak from Simeon Viltz (of Primeridian) and Mulatto Patriot’s forthcoming Ray Elementary album. We just can’t get enough of those chirping horns and the classic laid-back flow. Get familliar with “Once Again” below.

Simeon Viltz & Mulatto Patriot – Once Again Feat. Pugs Atomz

Simeon Viltz & Mulatto Patriot (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
10-05-12

Tropics – Popup Cinema

The awesome Tropics a/k/a Londoner Chris Ward (whom you may remember from his really sharp remix of M83’s “Reunion” from earlier this year) delivers the sublime and soulful house song “Popup Cinema”, which is the lead track of an upcoming 3-song EP of the same name.

Tropics – Popup Cinema

Tropics (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
10-04-12

Mayer Hawthorne – No Strings (RAC Mix)

The remix big dogs RAC get their 80’s-inspired mitts on Mayer Hawthorne’s “No Strings” proceed to “make it funky”. #FunkyFridays.

Mayer Hawthorne – No Strings (RAC Mix)

RAC (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
09-28-12

Mary J. Blige – Everyday People (Prod. Pharrell, Jermaine Dupri & Bryan Cox)

MJB connects with three legendary R&B producers on newly unearthed track “Everyday People”. The illustrious production trio selects for Arrested Development’s ’92 “People Everyday” version of Sly and the Family Stone’s “Everyday People”. A sample of a sample. (The Grammys, the more samples.) For her part, Ms. Blige spits feel good winner line after line. So so def.

Mary J. Blige – Everyday People (Prod. Pharrell, Jermaine Dupri & Bryan Cox)

Mary J. Blige (Facebook(/a>)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
09-27-12

αtμ – September Nights

Here goes a hump day cooler c/o mysterious Ann Arbor, MI producer αtμ and incomparable Ms. Erykah Badu (& Martin Lawrence!). b3sci, Paul, and Tyrone.

αtμ – September Nights

αtμ (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
09-26-12

Lianne La Havas – Age (Ryan Hemsworth Remix)

The mighty RH train kept rollin’ with his latest remix for Lianne La Havas. The Canadian producer opts for warm billowing synths and minimal beats that neatly fit about Lianne’s vocal. Maybe our favorite mix from Mr. Hemsworth yet.

Lianne La Havas – Age (Ryan Hemsworth Remix)

Ryan Hemsworth (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
09-26-12

Kaya – LoveLight

The dreamy “LoveLight” is new from Toronto soulstress Kaya. “LoveLight” is the sort of track that has that seemingly endless capacity to receive the emotions/feelings/problems/biz of the listener. By Matt Easton

Kaya (Bandcamp)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
09-26-12