Music's Top 12 of 2012

Being the audiophile I am, it's no surprise that I 'discover' new music all the time. I've got to give a word up to Spotify and the good ol' Youtube for helping me along my musical trek of the interweb. Along my winded musical journeys of 2012, I've caught onto some great artists that deserve a a second listen- particularly in the soul department. The following is an alphabetical re-cap of those that caught my ear.

 Enjoy

1. Alex Clare: British singer with dubstep production. In his debut album, The Lateness of the Hour, his soulful potential is revealed in the track " Hands are Clever" but otherwise, the album fails to do his pipes justice. In my humble, non-musically-inclined opinion, it's pretty annoying to have that "whompy" bass overpower such a great, scruffy voice but he compensates quite well. That'll do, Alex, that'll do.

Alex Clare covers Etta James' "Damn your eyes"

2. Allen Stone: Seattle soul crooner who looks like Shy Ronnie & sounds like Donny Hathaway. Seeing him make bras come off in concert in November 2012 at Trees in Dallas convinced me that he's got no shortage of sex appeal in his pitch-perfect runs.

Allen Stone, "Unaware"

3. Bernhoft: Norwegian master of looping who is the sexiest one man band I've ever set eyes/ears on. So much power with such control sends shivers down my spine.

 

Bernhoft, "Choices"

4. Birdy: 16-year-old Brit with an angelic voice overlaid piano that lends itself so well to her first album of cover songs. She makes you forget how good the original is, so that you never want to got back.

Birdy covers Phoenix's "1901"

5. Daughter: London-based Indie rock band with haunting melodies and unapologetically sinister lyrics. This girl is bitter and not afraid to belt about it-well, more like whisper about it. Their "Wild Youth EP" has lead singer Elena Tonra whispering sweet nothings in the audiences ear so melodically that it's not until the second listen that we hear her say things like"I love you so much, but I hate your guts". Definitely a #1 if you're looking for awfully fantastic break-up anthems.

Daughter, "Landfill" from His Wild Heart EP

6. Emeli Sandé: British-born Scottish singer/songwriter and winner of Harper's Bazaar Musician of the Year 2012. Her debut album, Our Version of Events, is full of highly cinematic ballads over the piano with a gospel undertone. Some uplifting, some downright depressing- all emotional and fantastic. I would suggest it on a rainy day or a long drive- alone; because this is some heavy stuff.

Emeli Sandé, "Kill the Boy"

7. Jamie Woon: This UK singer/songwriter describes his music as "... R&B, groove-based vocal-led music ...". 

Jamie Woon, "Waterfront"

8. Jessie Ware: British singer/songwriter who Clash magazine called Ware "the missing link between Adele, SBTRKT and Sade". 

Jessie Ware, " Sweet Talk" 

9. The Heavy:  A late discovery, on my part, but a good one. This British indie rock group has a hefty bluesy-rock vibe in the likes of The Black Keys. Their third studio album, "The Glorious Dead", has gritty neo-soul leaking from the squeals of lead singer Kelvin Swaby with gospel-esque back-up. 

The Heavy, "What Makes A Good Man?"

10. Selah Sue: I like to refer to this chick as the musical love child of Lauryn Hill & Amy Winehouse. This Belgian singer/songwriter is in a league of her own with a sound that bridges R&B, Rastafarian, and neo-soul- a seemingly terrible combination that she pulls off so well. I find the best asset in her music to be the truly positive message she projects in the ways of R&B predecessor, India Arie. 

Selah Sue, "This World"

11. SBTRKT: Musical project of Brit DJ Aaron Jerome. He frequently works with singer Sampha to create remixed indie-electronica that isn't overbearing. 

SBTRKT Feat Sampha, "Hold On"

12. ZZ Ward: American blues/soul musician with a healthy dose of hip-hop infused into her sound seamlessly. Her lyrics are full of cunning innuendos and sass (the kind that isn't annoying). And as much as I hate to say it, she sounds like a less coo-ey version of Adele. 

ZZ Ward, "Put The Gun Down"

All facts curtesy of Wikipedia

All videos curtesy of YouTube

Album en Revue: Kimbra, Vows (2011 International Version)

     Kimbra Lee Johnson, or just 'Kimbra', is easily the best and most versatile artists of the 2011/2012 scene. With the August 2011 release of her premier album “Vows” (International Version), she has taken the indie pop charts by storm that's gathering momentum in the U.S. by a roaring Perez Hilton enthused SXSW 2012 tour and the June 2012 release of "Vows" (US Version).  Not bad for this New Zealand 22-year-old. Though skating on the coattails of Gotye’s 8X Australian platinum single “Somebody That I Used To Know” in 2011 certainly doesn’t hurt either. However much I hate the synth-overload that has exploded to make the 2010’s the LEAST promising era in music for those of us who actually want to hear artists’ real voices, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised when I researched some live footage of this girl belting away and sounding, dare I say, better than she does mastered. Plus, this girl has mad style and unparalleled stage presence. 

Kimbra live on Jimmy Kimmel

"Vows" offers something for everyone. Pop-laden melodies that will stay stuck in the form of “Settle Down” & “Cameo Lover”. For the vintage enthusiast, her jazz background is showcased most heavily in “Good Intent” and a cover of Nina Simone’s “Plain Gold Ring”. Personally, Kimbra had me at “Call Me”, in what seems like an unexpected, and undeniably R&B track. Every song is threaded seamlessly within this whimsical jazz nouveau album. It maintains momentum with layer atop layer of Kimbra’s own breathy coos. It takes you colorfully into every little girls’ fantasy courtship and engages the drawbacks of such commitments in  “The Build Up”, “Withdraw”, and my album favorite “ Wanderings Limbs”.

Live 2011 "Sideshow Alley " Performance of  "Wandering Limbs"

The best thing about Kimbra is that she can address such serious subjects without being too heavy. Her approachable, quirky style is just plain fun and she’s got to have some seriously good art direction behind her videos to compliment her larger-than-life voice. “Vows” offers a breath of fresh soul with each distinct track deeper and more alluring than the one before.

SXSW Dream Line-Up

My SXSW Line-Up

            Well people, it’s that time of year again.  South by (Motherluvin’) Southwest in good ol’ Austin. My music festival cherry was popped last year when I went to SXSW unexpectedly last year. I can honestly say that no other experience has cemented my hipsterdom than that; the buzz of the city as thousands of people cram onto 6^th street, the instantaneous and fleeting friendships with kind and drunk fellow music-lovers, and of course-all the new music I was exposed to.

 This year, I’m getting smart and having a plan. As nice as it was to rely on twitter and other social networking avenues last year, it just sucked having to walk around aimlessly.  I’d  love to share the wealth  with  my top 5 recommendations/ Dream SXSW Shows for 2012. There are plenty in between but these few are, by far, superior in my sans-expertise musical opinion. Enjoy.

1. Kimbra- new musical girlcrush. Sorry Hayley Williams of Paramore.

2.     Alice Smith- so glad that this soulful songstress is back on the scene. Hope some new material will pop up.

3.     Penguin Prison- Most unexpectedly cool band ever- with a feel that’s like Maroon 5-with a synth. I actually coaxed the drummer to give me one of his drumsticks when I saw them at The Bat Bar at SXSW 2011. I know, such a groupie. 

4.     Citizen Cope- bound to be a dope show. hehe

5.     Ingrid Michaelson- To be completely honest, if I get to go to this show & hear this song- I most definitely will cry

"And now, the final frame..." : An ode to the Amy Winehouse you didn't know

In light of the tragedy that struck soul music last Saturday, July 23rd, I 've done some some digging and found rather graceful photos of the late, great Amy Winehouse. Yes, it's true; amid my googling of " Amy Winehouse fashion" -which rendered mostly tabloid filth like pictures of Amy W. looking a little less than coherent- I actually managed to find becoming photos of her. Not just becoming, stunning. Most of them are circa 2003 ( when Amy's first album Frank came out) and before, so it's no wonder that she looks so voluptuous and radiant. So here's an ode to Amy minus the beehive, cigs, and scantily clad frame that reveals just how fashionable and truly beautiful she was.

 "In my bed"

One of her earlier videos from Frank showing her infamously sultry 'boudoir babe' style. This woman had sensuality positively dripping from her coarse velvet pipes. Amy- I must say- you had me at that corset.

 Flawless. 

R.I.P. : Amy Winehouse goes "Back to Black"

Amy Winehouse

September 14th 1983- July 23rd 2011

 The lovely songstress Amy Winehouse has sung her last song and passed on today. This is such an untimely event and I truly feel a rift in my heart where she remained the go-to smokey voiced vintage Brit of our generation. Her music was incredible and she will be missed terribly. I will most certainly be playing her albums Frank(2003) and Back to Black (2006) for a good while in remembrance of this bright young star who seemed to be on the brink of recovery. So sorry Amy, thank you for blessing us with your talent. Details Below from TMZ.

Amy Winehouse Dead | TMZ.com

Amy Winehouse, "Back to Black" 2006

Amy Looking healthy with her newly produced artist Dione Bromfield at Itunes Festival 2011 on 7/20/11

Amy Winehouse at SXSW 2007

"And Now,  the Final Frame...Love is a losing game"

-Amy Winehouse

tres adorable

Getting Poned while Staying Posted: 6/15 Adele Canceled

 I knew  it was too good to be true when I snagged my Adele tickets from stubhub for a measly $77 each that hopeful April morning; that I, a mere live music lover would get the chance to be in the same room as those incomparable pipes. Seriously, the amount of talent that girl possesses should be illegal in the states.
My premature suspicions were confirmed by the ever-reliable facebook this afternoon that the rest of Adele's *SOLD OUT* North American summer tour is postponed due to an on-going bout with laryngitis.
"Are you kidding me!?!?!WHY?",
I screamed at my computer while making an "O" face that rivaled Macaulay Culkin's.
My fellow Adele addicts and I are disheartened that this had to happen in such an untimely manner, but the songstress did have this to say about her current state,
“I’m really frustrated. I was hoping with a weeks rest I’d be better to sing again straight away. However there is absolutely nothing I can do but take the doctors advice and rest some more. I’m so sorry. See you soon, love Adele” 
This should be enough to give us a piece of mind until the new tour dates are confirmed, right? I'm banking on it. At least it's only postponed and not canceled indefinitely- Thank You facebook users who don't know the difference, thusly causing me to seize earlier today.
 So for now, I will have to be satisfied by a pint of Red Velvet Ben & Jerry's soothing me into musical/sugar-induced comatose while I watch Adele's 21 track by track interview on http://www.adele.tv/home/. Until The tour dates emerge, my heart goes out to you, Ms. Adele. Get better for us.

P.S.
FUCK YOU, laryngitis

When the musical Gods close a door, they open a window, I suppose...
Desperately in search of a new music fetish after this Adele fiasco, I was halted by the image of a very intentional nip-slip amid a mass of balloons on the photograph below on a friend's facebook wall posts. I figured this should be interesting, and interesting it was. With a voice smoother than Trey Songz and Toni Braxton's love child and enough entendres to spark jealousy  in Wayne's world, Abel Tesfaye of the one-man-band, The Weeknd, combines catty trip-hop lyrics with creamy choral runs layed atop jazzy-ethereal 'aston martin music' beats. Almost like a James Blake, except for hip-hop. Case-in-point, this 20-year-old kid from Toronto makes a delectable musique nouveau sandwich. I really can't describe how different this music is, (in the best way possible) so I just suggest you listen.
GoodAss music from "The Weeknd"
OR download the whole mixtape POR GRATIS at http://the-weeknd.com/
Trust me, you won't be disappointed.