The collaboration between vivid producer Quantic and vocal gem Alice Russell was never meant to happen. Even in a perfect alternate universe, Look Around The Corner exists in a fractured state as two equally appealing albums–one instrumental and one soul. Listeners might notice a similar resonance between the two works, but never fathom a combined fantasy. Although in an another alternative universe, our universe, these two musicians found one another, wrote an album and subsequently ripped a hole in spacetime. Perhaps this is how they achieved such a rich genuine sound. All they had to do was reach back 40 years and pull it though. It’s obvious, this is how Quantic formed The Combo Bárbaro, their backing band.

If by some cruel act of God, all soul, funk and latin music were erased from history, and only this album existed, one could faintly hear the echos the Buena Vista Social Club, Bernie Worrell and La Lupe. Instrumentally, this album is authentic to a variety of genres. From the pitchy latin guitar tones, to the funky Fender Rhodes keys. The track “Su Suze” is the modern day blue-eyed latin soul. “Boogaloo 33” is a perfect take on vintage rock, complete with Buddy Holly tones and tight-wristed jazz percussion. Add this to Quantic’s warm analog sounding production and a genuine glint catches the ears of the most casual listener.

After scaling the keystone that is the instrumental base of Look Around The Corner, the listener must ascent the vocal range of Alice Russell, which is as vast as it is beautiful.  Between moments of instrumental virtuosity, Alice Russell’s warm tones accent stories that are equally genuine. She ranges emotionally from the sorrow on “I’d Cry” to the optimism on “Look Around The Corner”. The track “Su Suzy” tells the story of domestic violence. It’s unfortunate that this topic is universal, but Russell begs the listener to get on a train and escape. You can almost picture a woman frantically packing her belongings as the tempo spirals in unison with aggressive percussion and flute. Russell flexes her soul prowess on the track “I’ll Keep My Light In My Window”. Those sensitive to authentic soul music will agree, this track strikes a reminiscent chord.

One can’t help but picture Quantic’s Sonido Del Valle Cali studio, full of talent and brimming with collaborative thought. In a time when so much music is created under a single pair of hands, it’s reassuring that a group of individuals with instrumental diversity, exist under one roof for the sole purpose of creating a single album.

4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5 out of 5

Stream “Roosevelt Blues” below and hit the skip for the download.

Download: Lanu – “Roosevelt Blues” [Right Click, Save As]

One of the greatest things about music, and the artists who make the music, is their ability to give. Hear me out here: music gives its listeners something that we can enjoy, or perhaps on a deeper level, use to help us make meaning of our surroundings. Musicians (and here I speak of true artists) give their voice to the world, often acting as our modern-day storytellers. But what I find most impressive is when musicians give a spotlight to other musicians.

Ben Lamdin, better known as Nostalgia 77, is remarkable at repeatedly giving the spotlight to new artists, helping them share their voice with the world. For example, he put many casual jazz fans onto Lizzy Parks and Keith and Julie Tippett. And for his fourth Nostalgia 77 album, he does it again – this time allowing German songstress, Josa Peit, to take center stage. It’d be overkill to ramble off the names that Ben has worked with and shared his spotlight with, which is one of the reasons it makes it difficult to fathom that this, The Sleepwalking Society, can possibly be just his fourth studio album as Nostalgia 77.

Fresh off of his Skeletons afrobeat side project from 2010, Ben maintains a bit of this world influence for Sleepwalking. In fact, there is a curious amalgam of all sorts of influences here – from afrobeat to deep funk, to jazz, electronic and hip-hop – Ben and Josa blend it all into a spectacular nine-song exhibition. Most notable is the album’s standout piece, “Blue Shadow”, which sets Josa Peit against light afrobeat percussion and sultry trumpets and horns. In fact, it would not be a stretch by any means to say that Peit sounds rather like Amy Winehouse in her vocals here – complete with the allure of lust and mystery.

Other tracks take on a more direct genre approaches. “Beautiful Life” is a pure jazz track – and an incredibly fine one at that. Meanwhile, “Mockingbird” takes a more folk-like stance, adding to the rustic feeling of the entire album. The production on the album is subtle, with the rewards lying in finite details. In other words, don’t come into this album expecting some big beat hip-hop mixed in – that’s just not what this one’s really about. All the while, Peit is in top form vocally, never missing a note.

Finally, it should be noted that this album is paced with incredible thought and care. Being that it is more suited for easy or nighttime listening, Sleepwalking ends appropriately with “Hush” – the most mellow and electronic track on the album. Beginning with a hint of ambience and the light pitter-patter of cymbals, the ambitious (eight minutes long) “Hush” slowly unfolds into one of the most rewarding listens on the album. And although this album’s impact is likely to be understated in the grand scheme of things, it is comfortable, warm, enchanting and bold all in one. Lamdin assembles another winner.

4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5 out of 5

Stream “Little Steps” below and hit the skip for the download. As always, leave us your thoughts!

Download: Nostalgia 77 – “Little Steps” [Right Click, Save-As]

Here comes a pretty cool compiliation as the heads of Melting Pot, Ninja Tune, One-Handed, Plug Research, Tru Thoughts, and Ubiquity come together and contribute some of the stuff they have been working with. What caught my eye initially was the inclusion of Sonnymoon’s “Blast Off”, which we premiered not too long ago. It’s always nice to see some of the major contenders come together to put out some music, so lets hope the series doesn’t end at Volume Two. Check out the mix and share some thoughts.

Download: Label Love Volume 2

Fresh off their awesome new full-length, 270 Stories, Belleruche comes correct with an awesomely unique video for the single, “Fuzz Face”. The electro-soul of the music is complemented nicely by some visuals inspired by 3D computer animations. Shot and directed by Jamie Roberts, this video truly warps what we traditionally expect from a music video. (Also, it reminds me just a bit of the music video for Flying Lotus’ “Mmmhmm”?) I’m definitely looking forward to seeing more videos come from this group, as they seem to be hitting on some highly creative ideas.

Hit the skip to check the video for “Fuzz Face” and leave us your thoughts.

Stream “Dub Y Guaguanco below, or download it after the skip.

Download: Quantic Presenta Flowering Inferno – “Dub Y Guaguanco” [Right Click, Save-As]

Boris & Ian Astbury – BXI
Southern Lord: 2010

After releasing their psych-rock opus Smile in 2008 and a two-track LP with touring guitarist Michio Kurihara, Japanese trio Boris slowed its collective roll. Sure, the three shoegaze/punk/drone/metal/experimental rockers toured the globe and released a few scattered singles, but their time in the studio was apparently limited. That didn’t necessarily change in 2010, though this past spring brought the announcement of an EP with Ian Astbury, of the Cult. The results are engaging, if not surprisingly straightforward. Now, this shouldn’t really be all that shocking, as Boris changes its musical mindset from one release to the next. But to hear them and Astbury deliver a well-executed heavy shoegaze EP is, if nothing else, a testament to all of their abilities. The tracks on here are just as soul-crushing as they are tender, thanks mostly to the juxtaposition of distorted guitars, gigantic drums, and monotone-to-tender vocals, the last of which vary between Astbury’s solemn tone and guitarist Wata’s airy coo on Cult cover “Rain”. While this should all make for a rather perfect listen — and it’s certainly worth at least a spin or two — too often do these melodies and harmonies sound lifted from other songs you have heard before. That might evoke a feeling of nostalgia or at-home warmth to some. But it’s a shame that these two acts, Boris especially, have made something so musically tight and organic that also fails to find its own footing. – Andrew Martin

3 out of 5 stars

3 out of 5

Natural Self – My Heart Beats: Remixes And Versions
Tru Thoughts: 2010

It’s one thing to DJ and to compile a record of remixes and/or mashups. It’s one thing to play your own music – instruments vocals and all. It’s quite a whole other thing when someone does it all. From the remixing to the instruments to the vocals, Natural Self has taken it upon himself to dabble in a bit of everything on his latest EP, My Heart Beats: Remixes and Versions. Natural Self takes songs from various acts on Tru Thoughts, Brownswood and a few other of the finest labels Europe has to offer and reworks them into a stunning nine-track set of dance, funk, jazz and trip-hop. The real treat comes with the EP’s centerpiece, “Street Spirit”, which finds Natural Self singing Radiohead’s song of the same name over a track consisting of live organs in tune to DJ Shadow’s “Organ Donor” and a drum loop ripped from an unreleased Broken Keys recording session. My Heart Beats: Remixes and Versions is an anomaly in the realm of remix albums – rather than sounding merely like rehashed songs, Natural Self has crafted something entirely his own. – Zach Cole

4 out of 5 stars

4 out of 5

Hit the skip for the download link and track listing, and as always – share with us your thoughts.

Download: Natural Self – A Sound and a Feeling

Download: Hidden Orchestra – “Footsteps”