The (brief) Story of Charles Bradley
I put on Charles Bradley for the first time today just before running out the door in a flustered rush and I’ve been itching all day to get a chance to properly sit down and listen to him.
For various reasons and to my bemusement, Charles Bradley’s talents as a performer were never picked up on until now, however his life experiences make his music, lyrics and overall character that much more meaningful and sincere.
After reading his biography online, we learn that he spent a large chunk of his life on the streets in New York trying to get by and along with his family, grew up listening to soul godfathers like James Brown, Solomon Burke, Arthur Alexander and Otis Redding and as a result, gained a huge love and admiration for the music. It was only recently though that Daptone Records discovered him performing covers under the name Black Velvet in NYC and that is the real start of a much needed break for such a timeless voice.
Thinking about it now, this current age of music is never better for an act like this. The early days of the soul godfathers were unforgiving at best despite the glitz and glamour we see in images and videos and discovery platforms like blogs, YouTube, social networks and more enable his talents to spread to every corner of the globe.
Charles Bradley – The World (Is Going Up In Flames)
Charles Bradley – Heartaches and Pain (Live in KEXP)
Charles Bradley – Why Is It So Hard (Live in KEXP)
Find out more about him via his Facebook page.
We’re smitten!
Feist (Clock Opera Remix)
Still haven’t managed to give Feist’s latest album a listen, but it’s on the to-do list so it’s almost a bit cheeky checking the remixes out but oh well.
Moshi Moshi act Clock Opera were assigned the task of spreading some of their own magic on track 4 from the LP and it’s really strong.
Feist – How Come You Never Go There (Clock Opera Remix)
Clock Opera aren’t just remixers and their own music is well worth a listen. Lesson No. 7 was released on the tube just a few weeks ago.
Clock Opera – Lesson No. 7
Introducing… Simian Ghost
Swedish chillwave act Simian Ghost have a pretty cool sound, and have been getting themselves some decent exposure supporting breakthrough artists like SBTRKT and Mount Kimbie in Sweden. The band’s first EP Lovelorn was released today, and this sweet electro-pop track ’Bicycle Theme’ is the first single from that. Keep an eye out for the bands first full length LP on release in the new year.
Simian Ghost – Bicycle Theme
Michael Kiwanuka – Home Again
My heart warms everytime I hear Michael Kiwanuka. There’s something timeless about the way he presents his music and the title track from his upcoming EP was unveiled today before it’s release in January. Although he’s already released an EP, he will surely be on countless ‘Ones to Watch’ lists by the end of the year.
Michael Kiwanuka – Home Again
I’ll never forget when we met with Michael back in July at Lounge on the Farm festival. I’ve never met such a nice guy, he was chatting the whole time and was so relaxed. We all stood behind the camera in awe as he sang.
Michael Kiwanuka – I’m Getting Ready // Mahogany Session
Duologue
Using bands to describe others is an exhausted practise in music journalism and so I let out a slightly frustrated sigh when the bulk of Duologue’s descriptions online compare them to the likes of Radiohead and Foals.
That sigh was shortlived though because after listening to the lead track and video from their new EP – the relation was abundantly clear and yet not directly with the actual sound and more their approach to music. Push It is smart, cleverly structured and intriguing which is largely how I feel about Radiohead and Foal so perhaps I should rethink my opinion.
Duologue – Push It
The track and video blew me away and the band have a few dates in December including a London one which we’re definitely going to attend.
- Wednesday December 7th / Bristol Thekla Small Room
- Thursday December 8th / London Electrowerkz
- Sunday December 11th / Manchester The Castle Hotel
- Monday December 12th / Liverpool Shipping Forecast
As for the EP titled ‘A-B’, it was released last week on Wild Game Recordings.
Welcome, Rebecca Ferguson
Never before has an X Factor contestent featured here on Mahogany but Rebecca Ferguson has a rightful place on this blog because in my opinion, she has voice unlike many others and given the right course of action, she could become the one truly reputable popstar to spawn from the saturated mess that is television music competitions.
To track back slightly for people who might not have watched the last season, the only reason I sat through the likes of Cher Lloyd and other similar deadbeats was to hear Rebecca’s performance and despite the judges comments, her shy nature was refreshing amongst the strangely over-confident bunch of moany emotional teenagers.
Now she’s in the midst of launching her hugely exciting career which begins online with a series of fantastic live studio tracks and below are the first the emerge.
Rebecca Ferguson – Fairytale
Rebecca Ferguson – Nothing’s Real But Love
She has so much potential for 2012 and my fingers and toes are crossed in the hope that her major record label don’t completely fuck it up with their strategy and she shines through for her honest, talent and passion for music. Her debut album Heaven drops in early December!
POW! // Teebs
We’ve been following LA based producer Teebs for a year or so now, and as an artist he is going from strength to strength. Currently riding the wave of his recently released second LP ‘Collections 01′, Teebs makes stunning glitchy ambient music full of soul and a really human touch. Although his music would be broadly called electronica, there are so many real instruments and percussion sounds laced through his tracks that the results are really warm and seductive – a rare thing for electronic music.
Teebs – Just The Yellow Bits
Teebs – Verbena Tea (feat Rebekah Raff)
Currently part of LA’s Brainfeeder family including artists as diverse as Gaslamp Killer and Thundercat, comparisons to one of Brainfeeder’s most well known names – Flying Lotus – are understandable, however it feels like Teebs has a more soft sound than FlyLo. The two producer’s also work really well together, as this Teebs remix of ‘Archway’ shows.
Flying Lotus – Archway (Teebs Remix)
Teebs also pushes the more experimental side of his music. ‘The Tropics EP’ released with fellow producer Jackhigh shows a more glitchy warped sound than his solo stuff. He is also a phenomenal visual artist and one constant across every Teebs release is the stunning visuals on the covers. Check them out.
Jackhigh & Teebs – Tropics
Azealia Banks
That enormous Azealia Banks track ’212′ is back on YouTube having been swiftly taken down ahead of her whistle stop UK tour. Now she’s been, smashed it and created plenty of buzz in her wake, the video is back in business.
Azealia Banks – 212.
