Terrible news from Daptone Records. After battling pancreatic cancer for some time, Sharon Jones passed away today. She leaves a body of work that reinvigorated soul music, and her presence will be sorely missed. RIP.
Soul
[Music] Marta Ren & The Groovelvets – Stop Look Listen
Portugal’s got soul! Marta Ren is part of a worldwide neo-soul wave which groups like Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings got rolling several years ago, and her take on the genre is a marvel to listen to.
[Music] Benjamin Clementine live at the Burberry Menswear January 2016 show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZSZEFUMpz4
I have about zero interest in Burberry Menswear. It’s not my thing, though I can see where it would appeal to those who get a kick out of clothing. This video was supposed to highlight Burberry’s line of clothing, but that gets smashed immediately by the arresting voice of Benjamin Clementine, a man who, shockingly, spent part of his teenage years living as a homeless person. He’s really got quite a future ahead of him.
[Music] James Brown – Escape-Ism (Complete Take)
There’s little that’s better than James Brown and band hitting their stride. Here’s 19 minutes of Escape-Ism!
[Music] Bishop Bullwinkel – Hell to the naw naw
Oh, man, this is a real person, apparently. I have found this year’s summer hit.
The next time someone bothers me to do something I find offensive, this will be my stock answer: “Hell naw, to the naw naw naw!”
[Music] Prince RIP – I Would Die 4 U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VCpLBrjjMk
Prince has died. Another massive loss, another long round of phone calls of friends sharing why they saw him as a pivotal artist during the 1980s. May he rest in peace.
[Music] Nina Simone – The Ballad of Hollis Brown (Live)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm-g0p2yTaU
Thanks to ace typographer Nick Sherman for posting this classic from Nina Simone!
[Music] Melodiya Ensemble – Vashi Lyubimye Pesni Igraet
Funky Jazz from the house band of the Soviet state record label, the Melodiya Ensemble. There’s almost no info on the band, but there is an article on Soviet Funk, so enjoy.
[Music] Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings – White Christmas
Though I normally prefer listening to hymns during this time of the year, it’s time to break out some soul music as well, courtesy of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings.
[Music] Lucid Fall – Warm Sunshine [루시드 폴 – 햇살은 따뜻해]
This one comes from South Korea, courtesy of my good friend, Max Franosch, who has a taste for music I respect deeply.
Lucid Fall have a sound that remind some chilled-out neo-soul band married to a Dylanesque bossa nova sound. This guy is worth keeping an eye on!
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 