Latest Soul Posts

Yellow Shoots – More Alive [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - November 18, 2015

The clock and calendar have it all wrong, as far as we’re concerned. We’re looking at the display in the top right corner of our computer screen as we type, but it can’t be correct. It can’t be Wednesday morning. Why’s that, you ask? Because Yellow Shoots has us feeling like it’s a Friday night, late, lit up by only the faint glow of a few candles around the bedroom.

“More Alive” is the eponymous single to the More Alive EP, and for those of you who’ve been following its path, you’ll know that it’s also the fifth and final single. If you haven’t been tuned in, let us catch you up to speed before you dive in. Yellow Shoots is the moniker for the Pennsylvania-based, multi-faceted, multi-instrumentalist and producer Greg Matthews. As you start to wade into his work, you’ll notice nuances of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop, all of which are tied back to his experiences while studying guitar at The University of the Arts. Since then, he’s relocated to the new musician mecca of Brooklyn and started up the project you’re hearing now.

We’ve included the full EP for your listening enjoyment, but today’s focus is all on the premiere of “More Alive.” Featuring LA-based MC Mayo, this tune is rife with sexuality, both vocally and instrumentally. It boasts a smooth bassline, pronounced kicks, and a seductive, distorted guitar riff, all of which lie delicately underneath Yellow Shoots alluring vocal tone and lyrics, and a heated verse from Mayo.

Take a listen through, but try not to get too hot and bothered at work. You still have half a day until you can put this playlist into proper action.

’More Alive ft. Mayo’

Soundcloud

’Soul Find Me (ft. Faja)’

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’Yellow Shoots – Pieces’

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’Yellow Shoots – Tame You’

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’Yellow Shoots – Hold Me Down’

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[Soul] FKJ – Better Give U Up

Posted by Mitch Marzuola - November 14, 2015

FKJ
Better Give U Up

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How do you define groove? No matter how it may appear, there’s an undeniable, intangible feeling tied to the term. The air between the notes plays an equal, if not more important, part than the music itself when structuring this phenomenon, and, before you know it, you’re bobbing your head and becoming part of the song. FKJ, a member of the outstanding French label Roche Musique, thrives within the lush soundscape that is his signature coordination of soul, electronic, and hip-hop influences, and “Better Give U Up” exists as yet another testament to his proficiency at creating essential grooves.

As a multi-instrumentalist, producer, DJ, and now vocalist, FKJ, short for French Kiwi Juice, certainly isn’t new to the scene, and the precise execution of his entire body of work to this point showcases an artist who has no trouble expressing his message with transparency and a genuine sense of passion that’s highly appreciated by everyone listening. “Better Give U Up” is a bouncy, boom bap centered creation that already has built high anticipation for his album on the way, and, as we’ve witnessed previously, it’s going to be a project to cherish.

[House] Allen French – Rosie

Posted by Matthew Bloss - November 13, 2015

Allen French
Rosie (Original Mix)

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San Francisco made Allen French has been programming dance sets under various monikers for the better part of the last decade, and that type of deep, personal club experience has clearly attached itself to his brief, but sophisticated catalog. While only releasing original music as Allen French for the past year plus, the now L.A. based producer wields a sound that would take most artists a much longer time to develop; fusing the kind of classic house soul and energy that was heard in Chicago’s mid-80’s Warehouse years, with a sprinkled air of contemporary edge to forge a sonic palate completely his own. The latest from French and first release on the aptly named French Press Records, “Rosie”, takes its listener on a fervid arc as its foundation is gradually built upon the usual house layers of thumping kick-drums, scuzzy synth builds and rolling bass, but is lifted further through its live instrumental elements including stabbing bongos and a flitting flute hook. That vocal should sound pretty familiar as well, taken from Alan Lomax’s original prison tune “Rosie”, and while we honestly never could’ve pictured that timeless vocal taken to the dance hall, Allen French pulls it off effortlessly. Just beautiful stuff really. But rather than read about, do yourself a solid and listen to “Rosie” above.

[Indie] Folded Like Fabric – Patiently

Posted by Matthew Bloss - October 27, 2015

Folded Like Fabric
Patiently

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Some songs simply have a way of injecting a special feeling into the start of your day. Such was the case this morning when we came across I Tried, the debut EP from Folded Like Fabric and their opening single “Patiently”. Folded Like Fabric is the Hastings, UK based project of Jay Mooncie & Connor Sims, and the pair’s jazz inflected take on a contemporary blend of R&B, pop, and indie sensibilities have had us swooning head over heels since first consumption. “Patiently” ambles out of the gate into a slow-burning build as Sims’ misty reverberations -which carry the faintest echoes of If You’re Feeling Sinister era Stuart Murdoch– dominate the first guitar-tickled half of the tune before picking up a loungey drum roll and gradually evolving into a more complete version of itself. The perfect pairing with your morning or afternoon coffee, trust us.

I Tried was released on 25th September via Beauvoir Records and can be picked up here. In the mean time, and since you’ve already made it this far, enjoy “Patiently” from Folded Like Fabric above.

[Future] Pham – Movements feat. Yung Fusion (Delusion Remix)

Posted by Ivan Chung - October 21, 2015

Pham
Movements feat. Yung Fusion (Delusion Remix)

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Here’s a tune to help get through your Wednesday struggles. Delusion fused soulful keys with Yung Fusion‘s rap verse, resulting in a remix of Pham‘s “Movements” that perfectly showcases the producer’s sound. The tune gets kicked up a notch at the beat drop, which has a subtle house beat that’s mixed in with distorted synth. The intricate drums and masterful sampling skills are barely scratching the surface of what the young producer can do. It goes to show that dance music is not exclusive to big room, but also to chill vibes and other “lighter” music.

We are very impressed by this release by Delusion. Make sure to tune in as we’re expecting more music coming your way.

[R&B/Hip-Hop] Snakehips – All My Friends (Feat. Tinashe & Chance The Rapper)

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - October 20, 2015

SNAKEHIPS
All My Friends (Ft. Tinashe & Chance The Rapper)

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Snakehips have been making waves over the past couple of years, establishing themselves as one of the most talented production duos to emerge from the UK through a steady stream of fantastic remixes as well as some incredible original content that includes collaborations with Tory Lanez, Sinead Harnett and Kaleem Taylor. Their latest outing however has all the right ingredients to make for a surefire hit, as they’ve landed possibly the biggest features of their careers thus far in Tinashe and Chance The Rapper for a new song called “All My Friends”. Snakehips are no strangers to crafting catchy hooks, yet “All My Friends” might be their most easily accessible tune to date, featuring an exceptionally relatable chorus that’s bound to echo throughout your brain for at least a few moments after the song has ended. We expect this to become the ultimate anthem during those late Saturday nights out on the town just as everyone prepares to pack up and head home. You can stream the track above, but make sure to snag yourself a copy on iTunes as well.

[House] Pat Lok – Your Lips ft. DiRTY RADiO

Posted by Matthew Bloss - October 19, 2015

Pat Lok
Your Lips ft. DiRTY RADiO

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It’s always a treat when two of our favorite entities come together for a warranted collaboration, and we’ve gleefully gotten to add another groover to that list on this fine Monday. TMN mainstay Pat Lok, who most recently stopped by our pages with his remix of The Knocks’ viral single “Classic”, has added another soulful house gem to his carefully crafted catalog by enlisting the vocal duties of fellow TMN regulars, Canadian indie-R&B slingers DiRTY RADiO to create “Your Lips”. “Your Lips” is equally suited as a club-ready track or casual listener, pairing pulsating deep-disco vibes to DiRTY RADiO’s sensual vocal track, which results in a silky smooth melody that beckons its listeners to the dance floor. This one’s already garnered support from BBC Radio 1Xtra as well as artist support from the likes of Tensnake, Moon Boots, Goldroom, and more; solidifying Pat Lok’s staying power in the process. Stream “Your Lips” above and let’s start dancing away this Monday afternoon.