Run The Jewels - Yankee and The Brave
Finally a glimpse at what’s to come on RTJ 4. El-Producto and Killer Mike are “back at like a crack addict” on their newest track, “Yankee and The Brave”. If you’re not a fan of the RTJ project, there isn’t much here for you. They stick to the same formula of fire production from EL-P (the beat switch :50 seconds in!!!!), and killer rhymes from both artists. The content hasn’t changed. There are still jewels to run and El-P and Killer Mike are coming for them. This track has all the great rhyme content we’ve come to expect from these two; complex rhyme schemes ( “Big daddy smokin big Cali in a black alley in a black Grand Natty rollin down Old Natty. Hair Nappy, matt as a black granddaddy, all fact. No cappin, fat, black, bold captain, stay floatin”) comedy (Yo Michael run like your hungry and get your ass in the ride. I’d rather have and not need you than watch your rotten demise. And you still owe me for them Nikes you do not get to just die”), violence ( I got one round left, a thousand cops outside. I could shoot them or put one between my eyes. Chose the latter it aint matter, it ain’t suicide”), social commentary, (The crooked copper got the dropper, I put lead in his eye. Plus we heard he murdered a black child so none of cried”). It just works. I’m convinced that as soon as RTJ 4 drops, Covid will crumble in fear and the pandemic will be over.
Mavi - Self Love
The arts are a great coping strategy for life. Life imitates art, a picture is worth a thousand words, my post received 13K likes, etc etc. This track sums up the themes and concepts explored on Mavi’s debut album, while also showcasing his lyrical capabilities and competence in not only his selection of beat production but extracting emotion from the beat that matches his input. A more somber song, but for me is the highlight of the album.
Durand Jones and The Indications - Make a Change
So soulful. We need the guitar looped and turned into a beat. The drum beat is tight. Mr. Jones offers the most basic of advice, love yourself. The saxophone break is so great. This is simply a great opening track to a great album.
Gemini - Alabama Shakes
Further evidence that DJ Screw was a genius. The stretched out guitar and bass tones really set the tone for the song. It also connects with the theme of Howard’s story in the song.
Kamasi Washington in SA
If you’re a fan of jazz don’t miss this show. I came across Kamasi while listening to Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp A Butterfly”. Kamasi lent his talents on a few songs and I’ve been a fan since.
Watch Kamasi Washington - Live at the 85th Anniversary of The Apollo Theater.
Los Espiritus
I think the spirit of Omar Rodriguez-Lopez was summoned through the bass of this song. I hear similarities to bands like Portugal, The Man and The Mars Volta (minus the screaming). Very cool guitar grooves. They also like to finish the main part of the song, then let the band venture out and experiment with different sounds while maintaining the same rhythm.
Brittany Howard
2020 is going to be incredible. I can't wait for this show. “See I’m one half of 3/5ths right?” So much soul in this song, while expressing the challenges of growing up in a biracial family in the south.
https://www.sacurrent.com/sa-sound/archives/2019/12/10/alabama-shakes-brittany-howard-headed-to-aztec-theatre-with-new-solo-record
Khruangbin
A cool aspect of music is discovering new bands by accident. In 2017 I went to a show to see Chicano Batman, a band out of LA. The themes of their songs resonate with me and I was pretty excited to see these tuxedo wearing musicians put on a show. What I wasn’t expecting was to be tranced by their opening act. Khruangbin is a trio out of Houston that creates a unique sound. Minimal lyrics, psychedelic rock, and Laura Lee. Whatever your musical interests are I highly recommend this band. They put on an amazing show and the band is tight. Just incredible musicianship. Take a ride with Khruangbin, it means airplane.