We’ve reached August which can only mean one thing… here’s the August mixtape!
This month’s is a hybrid of Pop and R&B with a few curveballs… enjoy!
Tag: Babyface
March Mixtape
Here’s the mixtape for March! 20 songs old and new that we’re loving at The Music Box.
Music Monday – Volume Eighty Seven
1) Jahmene – Down for Love
Brilliant hip-hop/Gospel fusion from 2012 UK X Factor runner up Jahmene Douglas. This is his first original composition (début album was an amalgamation of cover versions) and is from his forthcoming second album, on which he has reportedly collaborated with a range of established names.
2) Babyface and El Debarge– Walking on Air
Fizzy and uplifting R&B track from hit songwriter Babyface and El Debarge (of Debarge fame). It’s a cheery and catchy with lovely lyrics.
3) Babyface – Our Love
Gorgeous R&B ballad which closes Babyface’s latest album, the brilliant ‘Return of the Tender Lover’ (hence why it’s our album of the week!). Gentle piano arpeggios and Babyface’s silky smooth vocals layered into luscious harmonies remind us of his forte to write brilliant songs, particularly ballads.
4) Rihanna – Kiss It Better
Brilliant down-tempo progressive R&B track abundant with squeaky synths and wailing guitars. Rihanna at her best.
5) Ronan Keating – Breathe
Lovely pop-rock ballad comprised of Keating’s powerful vocals, sweeping strings and acoustic guitars with a gorgeous chorus.
6) Tundran – Still Afraid
Catchy electropop track built of various sounds and instrumentation.
7) Timbaland and Mila J – Don’t Get no Betta
Brilliant and catchy R&B track emphasising what Timbaland does best. Fun and mechanical production elements and punchy percussion compensates for its repetitiveness and simplistic nature.
8) Nothing But Thieves – If I Get High
Stunning and haunting acoustic-based ballad which evolves into an electrifying climax.
9) Jarbird – Iona
Ethereal and dreamy Pop ballad from London-based band Jarbird.
10) BASECAMP – Comfort Zone
Laid-back and minimalistic electropop influenced track. Catchy, funky and an enthralling listen.
Music Monday – Volume Eighty One
Music Monday is our weekly feature which showcases the hottest tracks in the world right now.
1) Wretch 32 ft Anne Marie and PRGRSHN – Alright With Me
Wretch 32’s commercial crossover is a triumph. Anne-Marie showcases her powerful vocals on an impossibly catchy hook whilst Wretch 32’s rap is refreshingly clear.
2) Babyface – We’ve Got Love
Whilst Babyface is an artist in his own right, he is also the songwriter behind many huge hits by the likes of Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown and Beyonce. ‘We’ve Got Love’ is his latest single, a catchy & uplifting R&B track with elements of new-jack swing. It’s a song which is bound to fall beyond the radar commercially but it’s one of the best R&B tracks in years.
3) NAO – Bad Blood
Slick and soulful vocals coat an eerie electro track with reverberating vocal samples. Nao is an up and coming British singer-songwriter from East London with a sound best described as ‘neo-soul with electronic’.
4) Grace Feat. G-Eazy – You Don’t Own Me
Whilst it’s still not a patch on the original by Lesley Gore back in 1963 , Grace & G-Eazy’s modernised interpretation is enjoyable. Produced by legend Quincy Jones (best known for his work on Michael Jackson’s ‘Off The Wall’, ‘Thriller’ and ‘Bad’ albums), G-Eazy’s rap and hip-hop beats bring the track into the 21st century.
5) Liss – Try
Danish band Liss perform a perfect spin on Pop music on the incessantly catchy ‘Try’. Abundant with broken vocal samples and tropical house-influenced synths, it’s a fun throwback to 80’s synthpop.
6) The 1975 – Ugh!
The 1975 perform their best Prince initiation on this R&B-Rock jam. Featuring heavily auto-tuned vocals, tinny guitars, luscious layered harmonies and rubbery bass-lines, it’s absolutely brilliant & fuses 80’s & 90’s music together perfectly.
7) Fleur East – Sax
Energetic and bouncy dance-pop track with funky guitar riffs and brilliant use of brass instruments. Whilst it’s been on the radio airwaves for weeks now, it’s still as hot as it was on its première.
8) WSTRN – In2
‘In2’ is West-London trio WSTRN’s début single; an R&B/Hip hop track with moody guitar riffs and an irresistibly catchy hook.
9) 99 Souls – The Girl Is Mine
99 Souls cleverly fuse two huge R&B tracks, Brandy & Monica’s ‘The Boy Is Mine’ and Destiny’s Child’s ‘Girl’ into a funky house track which is bound to become a huge club hit.
10) The Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Choir – A Bridge Over You
A strange inclusion on this edition, perhaps but in a chart so dominated by over-produced music, it’s refreshing to hear music in its simplistic form. Unaltered vocals accompanied only by a piano result in a gorgeous mash-up of Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ and Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’. And of course it’s for a brilliant cause.
Christmas Crackers – Day 13
1) CHRISTMAS CRACKER: Nat King Cole – The Christmas Song
2) CINNAMON COVER: Babyface – The Christmas Song
3) WINTER WARMER: Gabrielle – Tell Me What You Dream
Check back everyday this month for more festive hits!
Music Monday – Volume Twenty Two
1) Hot natured – Benediction
Such an awesome club track that I keep hearing on the radio. The bass line is great and the whole song is very 90’s. Absolutely loving this right now.
2) Tom Misch – Memory
Another track I heard on the radio that I am loving. Very chilled with lots of summer vibes through the downtempo beat, gentle strings and steel pan-like sounds. Love its changes in direction too – it changes direction multiple times but keeps its flow. Great guitar solo towards the end.
3) Adam Levine – Lost stars
I saw ‘Begin Again’ at the cinema, hence these next four songs. They’re all written by one of my favourite songwriters, Gregg Alexander, who’s behind some big hits (You get what you give, Life is a rollercoaster, Lovin’ Each Day, Inner Smile). This song is the lead promotional track for the film and it’s a gorgeous song.
4) Adam Levine – A higher place
Another from ‘Begin Again’, in the same vein as writer Gregg Alexander’s previous work for Ronan Keating. So catchy and Adam Levine’s voice is to die for.
5) Keira Knightley – Like a fool
A sweet song also from ‘Begin Again’. It’s simple but it’s beautiful.
6) Keira Knightley – A step you can’t take back
I could have included the whole ‘Begin Again’ soundtrack in this week’s blog but I wanted to keep it diverse plus I have been loving a lot of songs this week. This is played a few times in the film and it’s beautiful. I love the way it develops and builds.
7) 2Pac, Roger Troutman & Dr Dre – California Love
Heard this on the Nixtape last Friday and was reminded of what an absolute tune it is. SO catchy and just an all-round awesome hiphop track.
8) Counting Crows & Vanessa Carlton – Big Yellow Taxi
I know this is going to be controversial but I actually prefer this version to Joni Mitchell’s original. Don’t get me wrong, I adore Joni Mitchell and her version is obviously great but I love this interpretation more. It was fantastically adapted for the 21st Century and I love its pop-rock feel. Vanessa Carlton’s little ad libs and backing vocals make it even sweeter. One of the greatest covers of a song ever.
9) Babyface – Shower the people
I’ve always adored Babyface as a writer and equally, I have loved his solo career. His cover of James Taylor’s ‘Fire and rain’ is one of my favourite songs/covers ever. This is another cover of a James Taylor track off the same album on which Babyface covers his favourite songs. This is a song I managed to miss but it’s so beautiful. The original is just as great but Babyface’s harmonies and interpretation is smooth, sophisticated and fantastic. Can’t get enough of this right now.
10) Rizzle Kicks – Tell her
Love these lads – their energy, charisma and their uniqueness. This song is so catchy, something very 1970’s about it. Awesome song.
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