It’s a grab bag of earworms from the past, present and brand new, and a hearty celebration of strings and harp.
Yves Tumour - Kerosene!
That is 'Kerosene' from the 2020 album Heaven is a Tortured Mind by Yves Tumor. It’s raunchy, a bit shreddy but you must absolutely stay for the feature vocals of Diana Gordon - who takes this into some soaring 1980s melodrama.
Diana Gordon is an artist in her own right and a songwriter for Mary J Blige and Beyonce - specifically the line “He better call Becky with the Good Hair “famous from Bey’s record Lemonade.
Bill Withers - 'Can We Pretend'
As promised on Lost and Found - songs with strings and this Bill Withers' track fits the bill.
Jordan Rakei - 'Talk to Me'
Aotearoa born, Brisbane raised, London dwelling Jordan Rakei with 'Talk to Me' from his 2016 album Cloak. This is a track that will get under your skin, incorporating Latin and jazz elements.
Toro y Moi - 'Postman'
This new release from South Carolina's Toro y Moi has such an elastic bassline. The sentiment is a bit too relatable regarding the type of mail that seems to sparsely populate the letterbox these days. Keen ears would have heard a distinct lack of strings in that song Postman.
Baxter Dury - 'I'm Not Your Dog'
Son of Ian Dury of Blockheads fame, this is Baxter Dury with a moody, evocative track. The video is as compelling and memorable the song, shot in the dawn of an impending storm on a beach in Benidorm. Hit the play button below, it’s quite breathtaking.
Erny Belle - 'Venus is Home'
Erny Belle the performing name of Aimee Renata - this is her debut release. I can't wait to hear more from the Maungatoroto aritst!
Raphael Saadiq - 'Something Keeps Calling ft. Rob Bacon'
Raphael Saadiq one third of 80s/90s soul RnB trio Tony! Toni! Tone!. This track is from his 2019 album, Jimmy Lee, named after his late brother.
Young Disciples - As We Come (To Be)
Transatlantic soul - actually let’s call it what it is acid jazz. Yes that is acid jazz trio Young Disciples. Perhaps a music style we will see the return of as all things 1990s are seeming to be in fashion.
SAULT - 'Bitter Streets'
Jackie Wilson - 'I'll Be Satisfied'
Kadhja Bonet - 'Joy'
'Joy' feels incredibly dreamy and light with a might dollop of strings.
Mara TK - 'Toroa/The Albatross'
Wojciech Karolak - 'Goodbye'
