www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hul_5x6aE4c

Tom Jones is back with a new record in which he’s put aside the loud and bravado performances, in place for it is a fantastic folky autumnal sound that will appeal to a much wider audience. After Marling and Mumford etc, the whole country has gone, well, country!

Producer Ethan Johns (Laura Marling, Kings of Leon, Ray LaMontagne) set his sights high on this track and the new album and can be heard on the banjo in this single, which Sir Tom is giving away as a free download.

Tom Jones – Did Trouble Me – download

Download audio file (Tom Jones – Did Trouble Me.mp3)

It’s just over a year since Michael Jackson passed away and Brooklyn-based producer J.Viewz and his group of incredibly talented friends decided to pay tribute with a very fitting (and jazzy) version of Smooth Criminal.

Last time we featured J.Viewz it was for his brilliant version of Nina Simone’s Seeline Woman -- check it here.

J.Viewz -- Smooth Criminal (MJ Tribute)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzGsoFjFHDU

Ok so we’ve been an official blog for almost a year now and when we were a tiny little thing we were barely getting 10 views per post. Now most of you haven’t seen these posts judging on the statistics so every now and then we’re going to put up some things we really want  you to hear.

OK so I just spent Easter Weekend watching Season 1 of The Wire from back to back and I’m straight up addicted, regardless of whether I’m slightly lost at times. It’s going to be very anti-social weekend as Seasons 2,3,4 and 5 are almost complete!

Now the show doesn’t rely too heavily on a score or soundtrack which I prefer but every now and then they choose tracks that fit perfectly with the gritty and unforgiving Baltimore scene.

The last episode of Season 1 ends with a track by an old American singer named Jesse Winchester and after a lot of digging I found it for you.

Jesse Winchester – Step By Step

Buy

Amazon

Anyone else addicted to The Wire? Leave some comments if you love that show as much as I do.

One thing I didn’t expect when I first started this blog back in February was to receive so much music from so many different kinds of musicians.

We don’t post anything on TMB that we don’t absolutely love so whatever we get sent has to make our ears twitch.

J.Viewz’ dropped into the inbox this week and my ears twitched alot!

Brooklyn’s Jonathan Dagan aka J.Viewz is an acclaimed producer and remixer whose electronic/jazz/funk sounds are tearing it up all over the world. He released his debut album, Muse Breaks, back in 2005 and since then he’s taken his music on the road with the help of his full live band including vocalist Noa Lembersky.

As well as original material, the musical group perform live renditions of J.Viewz’ remixes including versions of Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal, Depeche Mode’s Peace and his lastest, Nina Simone’s Seeline Woman.

Nina Simone -- Seeline Woman (J.Viewz Remix)

Download audio file (Nina Simone -- Seeline Woman (J.Viewz Remix).mp3)

On November 6th the live show touches down in New York City for a late-night set at the legendary Blue Note Jazz Club! You can buy tickets for the gig here!

Check out live version of Seeline Woman below -- their stage presence really reminds me of Groove Armada. All the musicians getting totally emersed in their own part of the song. Lovely stuff.

J.Viewz -- Seeline Woman (Live)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZXRF3ZsyiA

J.Viewz MySpace

Blue Note Jazz Club Site

It’s a funny thing how a movie trailer can grab your attention and even earn a blog post despite it being something you wouldn’t necessarily go and see in the cinema.

That’s all thanks to the clever music coordinators who select perfect songs for that changing scene in a trailer – that transition that suddenly draws in your focus.

I watched a trailer for a film earlier called How I Got Lost – not really my cup of tea but a classic Clarence Carter song dropped in half way through and now I’m looking to buy movie merchandise in the form of shirts, hats and coffee mats. OK so not that extreme but it’s a great song and now I may just watch the film.

Clarence Carter – Patches –

Another great song from the trailer for Skills Like This is a song by a relatively unknown American singer who goes under the moniker of The Wheel. I love how he continuously switches from a dark, low tone to a emotionally charged high pitch.

The trailer looks like something I’d love to watch however I haven’t heard or seen anything about it since I first saw it back in February.

The Wheel – My Hanging Surrender -

Dub Pistols are gearing up to release their new album titled Rum & Coke and the first official track to surface is Back To Daylight.

The song features Ashley Slater whose voice provides some easy listening goodness.

Can’t wait to hear this in the open air warmth (fingers crossed) of a festival -- surely the DP trumpets and saxophones will make themselves known on this song if performed live.

Just got the video for you -- so watch and enjoy

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwitrOosutQ

Have you seen Smokin’ Aces?

Bit of a silly film but hearing this OutKast oldie made the 2 hours somewhat worthwhile.

Alicia Keys, who looks incredible, is sitting with two other ladies in a Diner and the background music is indistinguishable however it’s not listed in the musical credits either so it drove me insane for a day or two whilst I was trying to find it.

Found it.

It’s just a classic – the trumpets of this song slide in like melted butter and we hear Andre 3000 at his poetic best.

OutKast – SpottieOttieDopaliscious

It’s been a while since The Love Below and Speakerboxxx albums- I think it’s fair to say we’re all ready for some more creative goodness from OutKast.

“We sell so much of this people wonder what we put in it”

There’s something about old microphones and how voices just cut through the air with them. You don’t get such a sound anymore however hard people try.

King Curtis orchestrates this culinary musical delight and the band are tight, there’s no doubt about that. Would have been an honour to have heard this one live as Curtis goes from musician to musician like their ingredients.

King Curtis – Memphis Soul Stew

Oh and look closely at the young left-handed guitarist on the right of the picture – guessed who it is yet?? Put these people out of their misery and add a comment if you know!

Now we’re going add a bit of spice to Curtis’ stew.

Wilson Pickett – Land of 1000 Dances

OK so evidently Fink is one of this blogs favourite artists and if there’s anything new on the man we’re going to post it.

His new album, Sort of Revolution, is scheduled for release in late May but we have a track from the album.

See It All is the first track we’ve got the from the new album and the piano is certainly a newly introduced instrument and it works perfectly. He’s captured his trip to NY in just over 5 minutes which might relate to when he supported REM at Carnegie Hall.

Fink – See It All

The tracklisting for Sort of Revolution makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

1. Come So Far (6:32)
2. Move On Me (3:39) feat. John Legend on piano
3. Six Weeks (3:04)
4. Nothing Is Ever Finished (4:09)
5. See It All (5:14)
6. Q & A (6:17)
7. If I Had A Million (4:44)
8. Pigtails (3:52) feat. Son Of Dave on harmonica
9. Maker (5:36)
10. Walking In The Sun (3:18)