Archive for May, 2009
The group’s eye-raising name, Vib Gyor, is simply a mnemonic for colors in the visible spectrum (violet, indigo, blue, green, and so forth). The five Brits behind this colorful, burgeoning band have already collaborated with producers whose big-time credits include Sigur Ros, Radiohead, and the Cure — and influences of each can be heard on “Fallen,” an ethereal sparkler that finds lyrics of perseverance wrapped in a warm blanket of layered guitar. If you like the track, check out this album.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
It’s hard when one wants to pursue a creative career against the will of one’s parent. So it can only be exponentially more difficult when one’s father was the great, late West African guitarist/vocalist Ali Farka Touré. Guitarist/vocalist/percussionist Vieux Farka Touré eventually earned his father’s blessing and has gone on to make his own contributions to Malian music. “Fafa” features a foundation of coolly executed drumkit and percussion work, over which Touré’s urbane vocals and majestic guitar work effortlessly glide. If you like the track, check out the album.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Puerto Rican reggaeton producer Naldo came to the attention of many a club-goer after his contributons to the Mas Flow compilations. His slick, syth-heavy style is all over this new track from his forthcoming album while the mic gets passed over to De La Ghetto for the sweet vocal work. If you like the track, check out the album.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
In jazz, a popular phrase among players is to bring some “church” to the bandstand. Singer/songwriter/pianist Diane Birch does that with her soulful music in more ways than one. The youngest child of a travelling preacher, she spent time with her family in Africa and Australia before ending up in Portland, Oregon. Initially underexposed to non-secular music, she studied classical piano before exploring a broad spectrum of American music. “Rise Up” begins with a easy-going bluesy piano, warm horns and Birch’s enveloping voice. Check out the brilliant multi-layered “choir,” which shines both on the choruses and accompanying the infectious clarinet solo at the end. If you like the track, pre-order out the album now.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Anuhea provides a sweet reminder that looks can be deceiving. This blonde-haired, blued-eyed singer/songwriter is actually Hawai’i born and bred, and laidback “Right Love, Wrong Time” showcases her engaging brand of R&B with a breezy twist — befitting of Anuhea’s island roots. File this sultry song somewhere near Lauryn Hill, Little Jackie, and Colbie Caillat. If you like the track, check out the album.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Domino Saints bring many of the street sounds of Puerto Rico to the surface and combine them into one groove-heavy whole. “Buenos Dias San Juan” is a monster of a track with solid, no-nonsense horns matching a dub-friendly guitar riff and some elegant vocals from Giselle Ojeda. If any tune demands the return of the boombox, it’s this one.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Is it too early to think about the summer songs of 2009? The fledgling Charlottesville, VA quintet Parachute’s “Under Control” is an early qualifier, if not. Opening with a brief, dual guitar-and-keyboard instrumental exploration, it quickly transforms as infectious piano chords and Will Anderson’s soaring vocals join in to make it an irresistible pop-soul gathering. Organ stabs, whirling guitar interplay and sing-along group backing vocals join in for the chorus, as proverbial drinks in red plastic cups are raised and iPhones are illuminated and waved in communal celebration. If you like the track, check out the album.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
This week we follow a path we rarely go down with our Discovery Download – stand-up comedy. If you’ve ever watched VH1′s Best Week Ever, you’ve probably caught some of Finnegan’s material. He’s disarmingly funny, self-deprecating . . . and he has new stand-up album out, Au Contraire. With this cut, he analyzes the art and etiquette of the high five. If you like the track, check out the album.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
This trio hails from Santa Barbara have hit pop-punk gold in the form of their new single, “No Te Aguites”. The song has a formidable rhythm section in members Gustavo and Marcos (first names only, please!), who pound out a sky’s-the-limit mixture of power chords and fierce drumming. Vocalist Heidy brings it all home, mixing lascivious Spanish/English vocals in her Stefani-esque quaver. If you like the track, check out the album.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
The sharp-dressed MC called Boaz hails from Pittsburgh and, based on the tracks from The Audio Biography, is likely to follow in Wiz Khalifa’s big footprints as far as bringing attention to the PA sound. “No More” shows off Boaz’s wise-hustler stance via verse after verse of molasses-thick wordplay, while producer Soulstar ties it all together with Curtis Mayfield-esque deep funk beats. If you like the track, check out the album.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
