Check out the Disclosure remix – which is even better…

Thanks to Audio Diva and XO’s Middle Eight  for the tip

Emeli Sande released her debut album t “Our Version of Events”. Having won the Brit’s Awards Critics Choice and delivered three outstanding singles, it was about time her album dropped. I saw her live last December at Koko, London and she was polished. I’d heard the entire album live, and was mesmerised by her talent and song writing. So, I approached the album with apprehension due to some less-tahn-favourable reviews, but bought it regardless. I think it falls just short of brilliant due to what sounds like a little restraint in the arrangements. She could have gone in an edgier, direction – as Nellee Hooper did with Bjork’s Debut, hence the Leona Lewis or Alexandra Burke album comparisons. But hell, she’s written with Alicia Keys and is the Brit newcomer. She should be huge this year and definitely has a sound the US would buy. Here’s a review of some of the tracks:

Hope. Stunning and worth the album price alone. Worthy of Alicia, Leona or any soul diva. I melt when those strings come in at 2.00 mins.and I’ve replayed this time and again already. This song made me cry at the concert. What a softy. 

Clown. Beautiful. The strings on the first chorus give me chills. Enchanting middle eight. A personal, elegant song.

Suitcase. Solid, soul ballad. It could benefit from a more raw, emotive , extended ending to give it that kick into amazing.

Heaven. Superb, career-defining song. A best-of single in 2011 hands down.

My Kind of Love.I was waiting for more percussion and it feels restrained or like a single edit. Great song though. Could be a 4th single with a re-swizz.

Daddy. I prefer this recorded version to the many live performances I’ve heard now. Perfect trip-hoppy percussion and the crisp Massive Attack-style strings really snap.  Drama, drama.

Next To Me. Smart 3^rd single choice. A bit Motown, a lot soulful and very urban.

This is the performance that sold me and thousands of others. Overall, a much better album than I expected. 7.5/10

Maverick Sabre “Lonely Are The Brave” (buy)

OK, so I’m writing this short review and read a tweet from Popjustice that Marverick is part of the New Boring. I know what they mean in that it’s a safe sound (in order to sell units) and he’s not a Gaga-attention grabbing pop star. Whatever.

This seems like a companion album to Emeli ‘s. This debut album is  modern, urban soul some of which reminds me of a male Amy Winehouse. Maverick has a distinctive voice (either you like it or not) but I like it, a lot. Wikipedia described his sound as post-dubstep, or reggae-fusion. LOL at the new genres, but I expected a more hip-hop affair – perhaps I was expecting a Streets-like album, but instead it’s soul of the horns, strings, bluesy, Plan B type.  He’s from Hackney, is 22 years old and featured on Professor Green’s 4th single “ Jungle” as well as collabs with Chase and Status. Mostly though, you’ll hear a personal, gritty and honest album. I need to play this a few more time to get under my skin but I tweeted that I thought it was 15% better than Emeli’s. I’m not sure now.

I Need. Scratchy, old Hammond organ soul.  His first single.

Let Me Go. OMG I love this. Portishead sample, harp sweeps, dramatic chorus. Up there with pop song of 2011 for me.

Cold Game. Mid-tempo string-laden. “I don’t want to live this way, but sometimes there‘s no other way”.

Tonight, we popped down to our local pub for their 8th birthday night – it promised some 80s and 90s house and good times. It was a little patchy actually, but some stellar tunes were dropped, namely Alison Limericks “Where Love Lives” (a tune I could listen to all night), Ten City “That’s the way love is” , Shannon “Let the music play”, and Mariah’s “Dreamlover” (amazing). Then it seems a lot of Whitney was being played. I saw a guy on the dancefloor pass his phone to a stranger to read what was on the screen. I guessed something had happened, then it dawned on me as Whitney toon after Whitney toon was played. We’ve lost her. And we were at an impromptu tribute night.  And while I can’t say I was a massive fan and I loved everything she did, I respect that voice. But she was troubled.

We’ll have weeks and months of tributes and there will inevitably be questions and speculation about her death. But, whether you agreed with how she lived her life, it always came back to the legacy that she leaves and that’s her talent. She had a gift, a voice, a shining light that captivated millions. We all desperately wanted her comeback in 2009 and tour to be successful. Actually “Million Dollar Bill” was great. She dropped some soul on us, and threw down that voice. I recall a moment or two on the dancefloor with that song. But sadly, the hits didn’t come and we all relegated her to whatever the media told us about her. Her light has gone out.  R.I.P girl – you’ll live on.

Foremost Poets “You’re Surrounded” (buy it)

The spoken lyrics talk about the earth being surrounded and under threat and to put your hands up. That’s in the ‘you’re under arrest’ way and the ‘…for detroit’ way. And is that a tap dance percussion loop in there? Funky stuff indeed.

Second up is something new about Mars from Leo Zero “A Billion Years Ago”. Brand new on his 2012 label Leo Trax and with a free if you’re quick .wav download(s) from his site. Inspired by the vibe on the floor at the legendary Back to Basics party in Leeds. Get on the floor more Leo and make tracks like this, which bodes well for the album. It’s deep booty shakin’ house at its best.

Get it quick: Leo Zero ” A Billion Years Ago”

His debut album was released in April 2008, almost 4 years ago and is still one of my favourite pop albums. It think it was the funk and soul influences that won me over. Yes, it was. The loping, synthy Cottonmouth, the best song Prince never wrote Hot Mess or the total funk jam Clingwrap, it was an album chock full of underrated pop. I havent even mentioned Pocket or 21st Century Life.  Fast forward to 2010 and he slips out Pink Cloud which is all 90s inspired and housey and instrumental. Apparently it was an art project (check the video) and not a single from the new album. Give it a few spins and it’ll grow into a tuuuuuune.

The new album ‘Return to Paradise’ is due in May 2012 and if The Shallow End is anything to go by I’m excited. He’s said there’s lots of live instrumentation and more 70s and 80s influences. Ready now.

Will Young “I Just Want A Lover”

Back To House Mix

It’s been a while since I was around these parts and I have Rotciv to thank for prompting me back into action. Thanks.  It’s not as if there is no decent music to write about, far from it. Just been lazy. Anyhoo, on with the post.

Following the last post about producers I’m following, 2011 is turning into a bumper year for fresh sounds from all over the world. So I thought I’d profile some more producers who’ve got my attention. Lets start with…

Maceo Plex  Recent track Falling is the one that got my attention. Having relaunched himself with a new name and more groove-based house sound – he’s turning out some great tunes.    Buy

Check out his remix for Azari & III of their new single Manic. One to watch I think.     

Francis Inferno Orchestra Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Griffin James is amongst a crop of producers from Oz who are, in my opinion, leading the charge for house right now. Further deepening the disco-sampling, slo-mo, 90s house revolution he blends it all up into a new kinda deep house.   Buy

Tornado Wallace  Another Aussie from Melbourne, he’s been dropping some great deep house sounds for a while now on the Instruments of Rapture and Delusions of Grandeur labels. The track that has totally sold me is Rainbow Road. All squidgy synth bass and strings. Luvvly. Oh, and a Revenge remix. Nuff said. Counting the days til the digi release on 17 Oct.   Buy