In Australia right now for the world-first Soulfest are a long list of some of the most talented and influential contemporary soul, r&b and hip hop artists on the planet. Angie Stone, D’Angelo, Leela James, Anthony Hamilton, Maxwell, Aloe Blacc, Mos Def, Musiq Soulchild and Common. Each artist came with with their own band and back-up… Continue reading Melbourne Soulfest 2014 – Silky Smooth Sunday Soul Dreams
Author: Beaver on the Beats
Flying Lotus – You’re Dead! But Your Spirit Ain’t
“The first time you listen to You’re Dead! try to clear 30+ min of your super busy and important schedule and listen to the whole ride…” Flying Lotus- Sep 19 Flying Lotus (aka Steven Elllison) posted that about 2 weeks before the official release of his new album. Two weeks afterYou’re Dead! arrived into my hands I’m posting… Continue reading Flying Lotus – You’re Dead! But Your Spirit Ain’t
A Better Today And Tomorrow With Etana
If the soulful voice of Jamaican diva Etana over the reggae skank in her music don’t make you feel good, or at least better, I don’t know what possibly will. Soul Diva of Reggae Etana is an Angie Stone, Jill Scott, India Arie or Leela James of reggae music. Like those divas of stature in the… Continue reading A Better Today And Tomorrow With Etana
Exquisite Tones of Leela James
Hear any Leela James song and you’ll know that it’s a Leela James song without being told. You won’t know from the sound of the music. It’s not exceptionally different to the familiar, classic, feel-good sounds of R&B music from yesteryears. x But you will be absolutely sure it’s Leela James’ music by the sound of her voice.… Continue reading Exquisite Tones of Leela James
Flying Lotus: Coronus, The Terminator
The new Flying Lotus album drops on October 7th. After hearing the latest teaser track from it, ‘Coronus, The Terminator’, You’re Dead! has for me become the most anticipated new album music release in a very, very long time. I am absolutely bursting to get a hard copy of this album into my hands and… Continue reading Flying Lotus: Coronus, The Terminator
D for Red Baraat’s ‘Dhol n Brass’
D in Beaver’s ‘A to Z of Fusion Genres’ could also go to New York’s Red Baraat for pioneering the fusion music genre of ‘Dhol n Brass’. The dhol in that phrase refers to the Punjabi drum and the rhythms of Bhangra music – played by Red Baraat’s founder and band leader Sunny Jain – who’s joined in… Continue reading D for Red Baraat’s ‘Dhol n Brass’
Independent Music Stores – The Last To Know
“Once upon a time it was just the radio stations that knew about a new music release before we did. These days now that it’s all on-line, we’re the last to know.” This was what a local independent music store owner said frustratedly to me this week as she searched on-line for a long time,… Continue reading Independent Music Stores – The Last To Know
Wild Marmalade Consistencies
Musicians in the world have certainly taken on as their own, the live and improvised didjeridu-dance sound of its Australian originators Wild Marmalade. But after experiencing Wild Marmalade’s Sunday show at Brunswick Heads, I’m convinced that none of them could really sound like, or sound as good as these highly skilled, Australian artists do when doing… Continue reading Wild Marmalade Consistencies
Little Dragon Live & Sublime in Sydney
On their 3rd visit to Australia, I was blessed this week to finally get the live Little Dragon experience I’d been waiting so long for. Only Sydney and Melbourne got shows on this tour. Consistent with the band’s other sold-out shows this year on their seemingly-non-stop tour schedule in the U.K, U.S.A, Japan and Europe… Continue reading Little Dragon Live & Sublime in Sydney
D is for ‘Dancehall Electro Hip Hop’ – ℅ P-Money and Gappy Ranks
Hip hop I love, most Dancehall not. The only dancehall music I have in my collection are videos from live shows in Jamaica. But dancehall melded with hip hop, that’s a different story – one I’m more into hearing. Dancehall joins my cd collection for the first time in the form of P-Money and Gappy… Continue reading D is for ‘Dancehall Electro Hip Hop’ – ℅ P-Money and Gappy Ranks