Leon Bridges – Coming Home

It’s an incredible feeling when you can be transported back in time with music. Sure you can play some soulful Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, or some Dianna Ross & The Supremes and instantly think of the 60’s, but to be transfixed by soul with modern day music; now that’s quite a feat.

Leon Bridges (his name even brings you back) captures that exact tone and feel of the early 60’s. His soulful melodies, punchy vocals and all around groove gives us a chance to pay homage to the artists who did it best. His single “Coming Home”, from his debut album of the same name couldn’t be more 60’s even if you tried. His style is romantic, but not to be confused by the “romanticism” that is played in today’s R&B (turned to instant sexy time). It’s the effort of trying to be a “Better Man” for his baby, or simply telling the story of his mother from New Orleans, without any care of rhyming schemes or structure. It’s Romantic, easy going, it’s comfortable, like a warm blanket of soul (is that weird?)

I haven’t even mentioned his smooth swinging back up band, full of Doo-Wop vocals, subtle brass and bass, and that groovy drum kit that plays just a tick behind the beat, matched with a live recording on vintage equipment and tape…Can I Get An Amen.

Similar Artist: Sam Cooke, Ray Lamontagne, The Temptations
Leon Bridges will be playing in Toronto at Danforth music Hall on October 23rd.

2nd Son x Allie – All For You

In the midst of all the snow, slush and god forsaken wind shield fluid that does more damage then good, all we need is just a little break; a glimpse of summer that seems to be an eternity away. Insert the duo of Toronto producer 2nd Son and soul queen prodigy Allie to give their rendition of what it’s like to walk in the sun again.

After releasing their EP “Strange Creatures”, which garnered a handful of local and national gigs (NXNE, CMJ, Manifesto), 2nd Son x Allie bring us another soulful collaboration that makes you move and warms your soul. The hand-clapping snares, dream like synths and punchy beats from 2nd Son, along with Allie‘s every so soulful vocals allow us to dream away the cold and walk along the sand, despite all the frost bites.

It may be a little while until we are graced with a full length LP from this dynamic duo, but until then, bundle up, grab some cocoa, press play and let your ears do the warming.

Gavin James – Remember Me

While I was trying to write up another entry for New Music… I just couldn’t wrap my mind around the song I chose, it didn’t hit me like the others did and I started to write just for the sake of writing, instead of the sake of sharing. Then suddenly an email popped up from the folks at Focusrite, with a video recording of an artist named Gavin James. I was a little skeptical at first, but as soon as I heard the strings being plucked, and the mic picking up the voice, I knew there and then that I had to share this with you.

The whole point of this video is to promote the (freakishly cool) interface, but the voice of Gavin, matched with his electric guitar gave a surge of intimacy, even through a promotional video! I automatically began searching for more and more music from this man and each song was as beautiful as the next.

I realize that the whole point of this blog is not only to share great music with you, but also to share my realization that you shouldn’t do something because you have to, you should and must do what you do because you want to, it’ll make a world of a difference.

(Here is the original song)

For Fans Of: City & Colour, Mumford & Sons, Ben Howard

#NewMusicForTheWin

She & Him – Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me

Do you ever feel like you were born in the wrong era; that today’s choice in fashion and music just doesn’t suit you? I for one feel like this generation was just not meant for me. What I would do to go back to an easier time where discos, roller skates, leather jackets and combing back my greasy tattered hair was the norm.

She & Him‘s version of Mel Carter‘s “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me” makes me wonder how different it may have been back then. Just think, this was the music that made people dance, made audience cheer, and gave a reason for people to spend the night out. Huh, how times have changed.

For fans of: Zooey Deschanel, Regina Spektor, The Shins

PS. This is Mel Carter‘s original  “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me”

#NewMusicForTheWin