Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Teebs - "Mirror Memory"

So apparently this was initially an Adult Swim single last year? Either I missed it or forgot, but it's one of the standout tracks on Teebs new full-length, Anicca, which came out on Brainfeeder October 25th. I was just wrapping up UMFM's Pledge-O-Rama so am still playing catch-up on a glut of music I backburnered but I am a little stuck on this particular album. Special shout-out to Sudan Archives who makes an appearance on a track and whose Athena is another fantastic release.

Jazzanova - "Little Bird (Feiertag Remix)"

While my favourite track on 2008's Of All The Things is "Let Me Show Ya" featuring wonderful vocals by guest Paul Randolph, but with the 10th Anniversary reissue of the album on vinyl, Jazzanova let pal Feiertag remix one of the cuts from the album and he made "Little Bird" a really dark version of the original, with haunting, echoed vocals from the great Jose James.

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Joe Henry - "Bloom"

So apparently the video for the track is called 3'40" to reference the duration rather than the song title, "Bloom," but regardless of what it's called, the new song from Joe Henry's forthcoming The Gospel According to Water just dropped today. As I've come to expect from him, it's another literate heartbreaker with great turns-of-phrase and Henry's evocative delivery.

The very first lines are "there's very little / we can leave behind / will truly mark this Earth / but treachery and love / are ours to keep / for all they're worth." - if you're not digging it by 0'40" then chances are you won't go the full 3'40"

For more info and to pre-order Henry's album - out November 15 on earMUSIC - head over here.

Thursday, September 12, 2019

LOONY - "Dare You"

Just got word this morning that Scarborough R&B act LOONY will be opening for Rhye this Sunday at the Garrick here in Winnipeg.

LOONY just dropped a new video for the track "Dare You" (below) and listening to the loping beat and delicate vocals, it's no surprise they'll be serving as the opener on all the Western Canadian dates.

My interview with Mike Milosh - aka Rhye - will air tomorrow night just after 6:30pm CT on my show TGIFR, and I'm pretty sure I'll be kicking things off with this cut.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Tawiah - "Recreate"

October 18th is an auspicious date. In my life, it's the day that Pledge-O-Rama, UMFM's annual funding drive starts (though you can support great campus/community radio ANY TIME). In the world at large, it's the album release date for Starts Again, the new record by London, UK neo-soul singer Tawiah.

"Recreate" is the first single from the album and it's a promising note to begin on. REALLY dig the arpeggiated harp on this one and not surprised to discover string arrangements are by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson.

While this is Tawiah's debut full-length, she has previously worked with a murderers row of RR faves: Cinematic Orchestra, Blood Orange, Mark Ronson, Kindness, Cee-Lo, Wiley, Zed Bias and Eric Lau

And the record comes out on the always-on-point First Word Records who continue to amass a brilliant roster of artists.

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Bridal Party - "Attention"

Didn't realize I'd taken quite so extended a break from RR - August turned out to be a busy month IRL and while there was a slew of music crossing my desk, I just didn't ever get my head above water to share stuff.

That said, I'm catching up on last week's releases as I was completely off the grid and found Too Much in my inbox from Victoria BC's Bridal Party waiting for me. It's a front-to-back solid slice of indie pop, but it was album closer "Attention" that really got mine.

It pairs a really bouncy track with a pretty scathing take on social media behaviour and great vocals from Suzannah Raudaschl that showcase her range - particularly on the chorus.

The band are about to hit the road - including a stop here in Winnipeg - and fingers-crossed I'll be talking to them for my radio show and possibly coaxing them in to UMFM for a live session.

Thursday, August 1, 2019

Audrey Powne - "Flowers"

I've only made brief mention of Melbourne, Australia act Leisure Centre here on RR, but the contemporary soul group and Hopestreet Recordings roster member have found their way into my playlists and heart.

Despite the group being on my radar, I missed the fact that band-member Audrey Powne released a solo single earlier this year, but thanks to a Bandcamp article about the Brownswood comp Sunny Side Up, I discovered this gem.

It begins with a glissando harp run and then a swelling horn line and by 0:05, I'm completely won over because these things check some psychological boxes for me. All this before the drums kick in and Powne intones "When you bought me roses / I should've questioned your motives." That first five seconds might not be enough for some people, but if you're not all in by the 30 second mark, by all means close the tab on your browser and walk away because I don't know what to say.

I've always looked forward to more from Leisure Centre and the Hopestreet label, but I've added Powne to the list of Melbourne music I'll always press 'play' on.