THEESatisfaction – Awe Naturale
Sub Pop: 2012

Over my couple of years writing here at Potholes I’ve been pretty clear about my affinity for R&B that is alternative, on that progressive soul, boho booty bump, or rooted to the gut bucket blues. Tight song writing, big hooks, and catchy melodies are low on my preferences for contemporary rhythm-n-blues as the late-50s to early-80s had that game on lock. The truth is in a world where rap, electronic, and indie rule the blogosphere, it’s hard for R&B and Soul music to get heard around the other noise. Luckily, last year, people who really don’t listen to R&B, fell over themselves to speak about the reinvention of the genre due to artist like Frank Ocean, The Weeknd, and even James Blake. It was a nice change of pace, but while intention were good, it mostly fell into the “they’re GOOD because it’s not like R&B, really.”

Well, hailing from Seattle, Washington are two women who go by THEESatisfaction that I hope soon will get more attention. Taking the templates Sa-Ra and Georgia Anne Muldrow littered throughout the past half decade, and tying it to the aesthetics of the neo-soul movement, these young ladies breathe as much warm life into the supposed stale genre as any critical darling. Fresh off playing a part in last year’s arguable masterpiece Black Up, Stasia and Catherine channel that energy into their debut Awe Naturale. It’s an album that is rooted to the spirit of the free jazz of the past and the cyber punk energy of the present. Afrocentric, GLBT identified, and non-dogmatic, the album is 30 min of cosmic wanderlust and earthly truthfulness.

Three minutes in, the gloomy effervescence and emotional poignancy of “Earthseed” builds off a stark piano melody that’s surrounded by stuttering drums and siren-like harmonies. That is quickly contrasted by the strutting cyborg-funk of their lead single (and candidate for video of the year) Queens, that is all sex-positive and futurist cool. Yet, the brightest light in the constellation of this long player is “Existinct”. A play on the words exist and extinct with an undulating sample that flows under the wavy vocal arrangements so blissfully one can picture a couple walking on a beach near sunset without a care in the world. Ironically the song itself is about finding comfort when reflecting on loss. Other songs like “Bitch” and “Sweat” are delightful as well. While some songs are more of a challenge rhythmically, or not as prone to fun and play, Awe Naturale is a concise set of songs that gets THEESatisfaction’s ideas out clearly and with originality. So light your vice, sip some yack, and sway to the next level rhythms of these two women.

4 out of 5 stars

4 out of 5

Hit the skip to check out the performance.

Hit the skip to view the performance.

You’ve heard us say it time and again, Shabazz Palaces’ Black Up album is damn near the best release we have seen in 2011 so far. With the June 28 release just one week away, Shabazz hops on the full album stream bandwagon and lets NPR have the “first listen.” While most of you probably snagged a leak by now, for those of you that haven’t give this brilliant project a listen, brace yourselves for pure genius. Hip-hop has never been taken in such a direction, and I hope artists in the future can start to follow suit in their progressive vision.

Head over to NPR to give Black Up a stream in its entirety.

Maureen, most notable for her interview with J Mascis, sat down with Ish of Shabazz Palaces to delve into some rather personal topics. A lot of people are claiming that Shabazz Palaces’ upcoming Black Up album is the best of 2011 so far, myself included, and this serves as a great way to get more familiar with the artists behind the magic. Black Up will be available June 28 via Sub Pop.

Hit the skip to view the incredible awkward interview.

Shabazz Palaces, to me, represents much more than just a new brand of music. I have been hoping for years that someone would come along and bring hip-hop back to a place where experimentation and progression was once again encouraged. While Shabazz Palaces has been around for a few years now, it is only as of the past year or so that they have really gained some traction in the independent music world. With their upcoming album Black Up dropping June 28 via Sub Pop, Shabazz took to the stage for a special performance at KEXP’s Hood To Hood, where they unleashed some cuts from Black Up, their 2009 EP Shabazz Palaces/Of Light, and some unreleased gems. [via]

Hit the skip to stream and download the entire performance.

Download: Shabazz Palaces Live At KEXP’s Hood To Hood [Mediafire]

Shabazz Palaces Live KEXP FM 5/20/2011 by hotglassofkoolaid

I’ll just put it out there right now, Shabazz Palaces, come Dec. 31, will hold the best album of 2011. Sure, there have been a ton of awesome projects that have dropped so far, and I am sure there will be a lot more down the road, but I can’t see anything coming out quite as perfect as this piece. With production so gritty and progressive and lyrical content that is both fun and insightful, Shabazz Palaces’ mysterious persona will finally be unleashed to the mainstream when their full-length debut, Black Up, drops June 28 via Sub Pop. The final track on the album, “Swerve” for short, “Swerve… The Reeping Of All That Is Worthwhile (Noir Not Withstanding)” for long, is laced with one of the most powerful, swinging beats on the album. If this track doesn’t get you pumped, you need to rethink your love of music.

Hit the skip to stream and download the single.

Black Up Tracklist:
01. free press and curl
02. An echo from the hosts that profess infinitum
03. Are you… Can you… Were you? (Felt)
04.A treatease dedicated to The Avian Airess from North East Nubis (1000 questions, 1 answer)
05. Youlogy
06. Endeavors for Never (The last time we spoke you said you were not here. I saw you though.)
07. Recollections of the wraith
08. The King’s new clothes were made by his own hands
09. yeah you
10. Swerve… the reeping of all that is worthwhile (Noir not withstanding)