Latest Soul Posts

[Electronic] Artifakts – Hustler

Posted by Mark McNulty - December 14, 2016

Artifakts
Hustler [Free Download via Philos Records]

“Hustler” is the most recent release from the “ever-evolving hip-hop project” known as Artifakts, the musical mantra of Garret Meyer from Milwaukee. This cooler-than-cool, six-minute jam session may be the greatest work yet from this highly-capable producer. A sturdy funk bassline and drum break form the backbone of the song, while piano keys flutter above this foundation whimsically. Resonant samples from what sounds like a string quartet take center stage, followed by a saxophone sample. “Don’t you Know By Now?” a vocal sample repeatedly questions. The mix moves along modestly in this manner until an unexpected drop makes way for a wobbling space-age synthesizer.

Hip-hop was once made by collaging an infinite array of samples, and electronic music by manipulating drum machines and synthesizers often past their breaking point. Both of these once rarified techniques are more accessible to producers today. Those like Artifakts who take advantage of this embarrassment of riches can provide us with sublime soundscapes which simultaneously sound like they’re prepared in the past and flung backward from the future. Meyers is organizing so much musical material on “Hustler”, showcasing his skills for sampling and synthesis and creating a tune with tangible texture and warmth. Pick up a free download from Philos Records here.

[R&B/Soul] Xavier White x Ronin – Real Company

Posted by Tyler Trew - December 13, 2016

Xavier White x Ronin
Real Company

Soundcloud

We weren’t sure if we were going to get another records from Xavier White before the end of the year, but we’re glad we did. He’s been killing it this year with some huge releases and here he adds another with “Real Company.” This one just dropped today with the Brooklyn producer Ronin.

Xavier is one of the best underground R&B acts you will come across. His sound has so much potential, don’t be surprised when he’s rivaling the top artists in the entire industry. You only need to look so far as any of his singles, but his newest is one of the strongest pieces of evidence you can find. “Real Company” is a soulful venture into a bit of a lighter sound for Xavier, whose aesthetic is generally of a darker tone. Thing is, Xavier can do anything he puts his mind to. Enjoy this single and get ready for whatever this cat has stored for 2017. Big things coming.

R&B
Soul

[R&B] Steven Christopher – STAY

Posted by Hank - November 25, 2016

STEVEN CHRISTOPHER
STAY

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An R&B song that stands out is a hard earned accomplishment in today’s music world. Without diving too far into one electronic genre, Steven Christopher uses a touch of future beat and trap elements to bring a modern sound to the genre. His latest release, “Stay,” is a straight up R&B hit largely due to the impressive vocal work. The track’s arrangement and production make it forward-thinking while staying true to the style’s roots. Check it out and keep an eye on Steven for new music.

R&B
Soul

Alex Clare – Tell Me What You Need (Tropics Remix) [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Mark McNulty - November 24, 2016

Tropics has spent years writing intelligent ideas and trying and tinkering with sound to express them, from early acid-jazz experiments to more recent original like the astonishingly avant-garde “Home and Conscience”. After all his development and genre-blending work, Ward strikes a strong, original balance of elements on this remix of Alex Clare’s “Tell Me What You Need.”

Here Tropics aka Chris Ward creates a soundscape that is emotionally ambiguous but full of delightful sonic flourishes. We loved Ward’s introduction of his own voice into his composition last year, and we love his ability to fold Clare’s bold croon into the smooth fabric of this new advanced production. The complex beat almost manages to divert attention from the starry vocals – no small task. The organic instrumentation which Tropics introduced on last year’s “Rapture” makes this remix so pleasurable, particular the skipping drum beat, crisp cymbal strokes and the minimal, echoing guitar pluck which play off each other for a polyrhythmic effect. The acoustic material blends soft and smooth with the synthesizers that Tropics and admirers of his music have always been so fond of.

For an artist who has never stayed in the same sonic space for too long, Tropics has moved again to beautiful new surroundings with this fresh remix.

Zanski – Soul [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - November 21, 2016

Zanski
Soul

Soundcloud

Following a successful string of releases that have racked up over three million streams on Soundcloud and Spotify, the now Toronto-based Zanski is ready to offer up his debut EP, Collapse.

This five-track collection is coming your way January 13th, but we have an exclusive sneak peek at the first single. “Soul” is a groovy little number, featuring funky guitar licks, heavy, thumping basslines, and a playful balance of alternating versions of Zanski’s own voice. Creating his own vocal harmonies with separate recordings, he’s able to blend RnB and pop seamlessly, bringing together the best of both worlds. His impassioned delivery can be felt throughout, a testament to what this track and EP mean to him.

Since moving to Toronto, I’ve had a lot of time to take in everything around me and really hone in on my music making process. ‘Soul’ is about feeling alone; like you’re not moving. It’s a feeling I had before I arrived. The song encapsulates the stagnation that artists can feel and the release that you get when there is a change of scenery.

Make sure to keep up with all the release by following Zanski on Facebook, Soundcloud, and Twitter.

Soul

[Album Review] Uyama Hiroto – Freeform Jazz

Posted by Mark McNulty - November 16, 2016

Sometimes an album catches you off guard, rising from nowhere and roaring into your ears with new sounds and ideas. Such an album grows on you over time, and eventually can reorient what music and sounds you thought you liked. Freeform Jazz, released on November 1 by Japanese producer and multi-instrumentalist Uyama Hiroto for Roph Recordings, is such an album. Emotionally rich, culturally diverse, and technically brilliant, it’s the artist’s third full-length release, his first since 2014’s Freedom of the Son, and it appeared with little to no fanfare or publicity in the United States.

Little information exists about Uyama Hiroto online, but he could first be heard playing the saxophone and clarinet in the music of deceased Japanese beat legend Nujabes, whose blend of jazz and hip hop was known for its technical precision, immaculate sampling, diversity of influence and melancholic vibe. Though Nujabes, real name Seba Jun, passed away in 2010, Uyama Hiroto has been driving forward the Japanese jazz/hip-hop sound and style, which itself has roots far deeper than Nujabes. Hiroto’s prior releases are excellent, but they don’t stray too far from Nujabes’ work. Now, high artistic risk pays off with a high reward on Freeform Jazz, which elevates his own sound and the Japanese jazz style to even higher ground.

The beautiful artwork on the album’s cover is representative of the musical elements which make the album so magical. First, like the painting, the music is rooted (although not exclusively) in prior Japanese musical tradition. Pentatonic scales and warm, emotive piano phrasing saturate the record, and recalls the work of 1970’s-1980’s jazz piano player Ryo Fukui. Constant melodies from the xylophone mix with the piano to establish a backdrop which sounds the way a Japanese maple garden looks in the autumn. This wash of colorful sound can be most clearly heard on “Yamato Damasii”.

’Yamato Damasii’

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The album’s cover has a certain liquidity to it, a fluid rearrangement of the traditional horseman image which looks as if it’s being reflected in water. Similarly, Hiroto filters his acoustic material ever so delicately, resulting in music which sometimes sounds like its being played in a glass of water. Listen to “Skipper” for that effect exemplified.
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[Music Video] Xavier White x Paul Couture – Bad Blood

Posted by Tyler Trew - October 13, 2016

One of my personal favorite R&B tracks from this year is “Bad Blood.” Xavier White and Paul Couture dropped this one back in July, and now they have a music video to supplement the song.

We thought things couldn’t get any better, but they do. It only fits that one of the dopest songs gets one of the dopest music videos. From the song and video, there’s certainly some influence from Drake in it, which isn’t a bad thing in this case. Xavier keeps cool with his own unique style and sound, that’s much darker than his mainstream counterpart. One of the things that the song had that really was interesting was its slow-motion feel; which is expressed to a tee in the video. All around, this is kick ass. If you haven’t grabbed the free download yet, do it.