Here’s the mixtape for March! 20 songs old and new that we’re loving at The Music Box.
Tag: hot music
FEATURE: Ko JazZ – Jazz Daniels EP
Ko Jazz delivers his latest project Jazz Daniels EP, an EP comprised of a rich jazz/hip-hop fusion. It’s a polished, bold and substantial piece of work from the chilled-out jazz-influenced ‘Honey On The Rocks‘ to the heavier hip-hop ‘The Brewery‘.
You can read the overview of the EP supplied to us below:
The unsung hero of iLLustrious, KoJazz finally delivers his newest project, Jazz Daniels EP, which is entirely produced by in-house beatmaker, Solidified. The most ambitious element of KoJazz’s sprawling Jazz Daniels EP was its attempt to trace the pervasive ills of his drinking habits and cleverly providing drunken tales throughout hypnotic production. The conceptual idea was spawned by Token Photo and Jazz’ liquor of choice. KoJazz raps about the highs and lows of alcohol consumption. The project features Bishop, MeRCY, Rell Burgundy, YoAmanduh and others which all came through with stellar guest appearances. Producer Solidified, provided sonically the perfect backdrop on every record that you often find yourself drunken with amazement. Whether you find yourself texting your EX because of “Drunk EXting” or confessing your sins due to “I Swear To Drunk, I Ain’t God”; KoJazz gotta song for everyone. There’s a message in the bottle. Make sure to listen responsibly.
Standout Track: Gentleman Jazz
KoJazz – Jazz Daniels EP // Entirely Produced by Solidified
https://soundcloud.com/kojazz/sets/jazz-daniels-ep@KoJazz
@Solidified_
Listen to the EP below:
Music Monday – Volume Eighty Four
1) Rationale – Something for Nothing
Soulful R&B track featuring fluttering synthesisers, jittering guitars, broken samples and funky bass lines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q79owpLDjo
2) Beachbaby – Sleeperhead
Energetic guitar-driven indie track from four-pieced band Beachbaby. It’s a moody but powerful track, integrating other genres such as shoegazing, Pop and post-punk.
3) Field Music – Disappointed
Low-key indie rock track from Sunderland band Field Music.
4) Walk The Moon – Avalanche
Energetic, catchy Pop-py track from US pop-rock band Walk The Moon. Indie-guitar riffs, synthpop synths and a driving beat makes it particularly reminiscent of the ’80’s and it works beautifully.
5) Travis Mills – Don’t Need Much
Dirty house track featuring little more than club beats, a funky bass lines and Mills’ rap. Incessantly catchy.
6) Craig David & Big Nastie – When The BassLine Drops
Craig David returns to his roots with this huge Garage track, aided by grime artist Big Nastie. It’s reminiscent of his 1999 début ‘Re-Rewind’ and is a welcome return for David after six years away from the music industry.
7) Selena Gomez – Hands to Myself
Saucy, steamy and sultry dance-pop track, reportedly inspired by Prince’s signature sound. Gomez whispers over minimalistic instrumentation comprised of little more than bouncy percussion, hand clips and tribal-pop elements.
8) Reba McEntire – Just Like Them Horses
Sweet piano-led Country ballad by American country music singer Reba McEntire from her twenty seventh album ‘Love Somebody’.
9) Nate Reuss – Take It Back
Gentle waltz-like ballad by Fun. frontman Nate Reuss. Dreamy, reserved with a delicate sprinkle of Reuss’ quirky, idiosyncratic vocals.
10) Walk off The Earth – Hold On (The Break)
Uplifting, inspiring and catchy Pop track from Canadian rock band Walk off the Earth. Ascending bass lines, clinking percussion and gorgeous layered harmonies result in an epic arena anthem.
Music Monday – Volume Eighty
1) Shura – Touch
Slick and smooth, this is an effortlessly cool R&B jam by Shura.
2) Tame Impala – Yes I’m Changing
Melancholic and moody but a brilliant track which mirrors lots of ’80’s pop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhlPXa6g4C8
3) The 1975 – Ugh!
The 1975 dropped another incredible track this week. This is reminiscent of some of Prince’s funkiest material and it’s bloody awesome.
4) Girls Aloud – The Loving Kind
Completely forgot about this track until it appeared as a suggested video on YouTube the other day. Written by The Pet Shop Boys, this is one of their best.
5) Donny Hathaway – This Christmas
Smooth and soulful, this is old-school Christmas music at its best. Absolutely brilliant track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSBvJG2yLJQ
6) Snakehips ft Tinashe & Chance the rapper – All my friends
Love the chilled out nature of this and the chorus is very anthemic.
7) Roxette – It Must Have Been Love (Christmas for the Broken Hearted)
Before this track came to prominence, it was actually a Christmas song. Not a lot had to be removed to turn it into a generic track and both versions are lovely. One of the best and most emotive power ballads from the ’80’s.
8) James Bay – Hold Back The River
This is still an incredible, rousing and uplifting track. James performing it on the BBC Music Awards reinforced that for me.
9) Cliff Richard – Young Love
Anything by Cliff is a guilty pleasure. I have no idea how I came across this but it’s a nice little song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXc7REiJwMc
10) The Pretenders – 2000 Miles
An often forgotten about Christmas song. It’s not the most cheery of festive songs but it’s a brilliant song and Chrissie Hynde’s vocals are still some of the best out there.
Music Monday – Volume Sixty Six
1)Tamzin Archer – Sleeping Satellite
Moody 90’s pop track with lovely lyrics and an incredible vocal performance by Tamzin Archer.
2) Des’ree – You Gotta Be
Self empowering, sunny pop-soul track bound to leave a smile on the listener’s face. Featuring a tinny keyboard sound and R&B percussion, it is SO 90’s but with a lovely message.
3) Kate Bush – This Woman’s Work
Stunning piano ballad by Kate Bush, written for the John Hughes movie ‘She’s Having a baby’. Featured in the film’s dramatic climax, it’s a fitting accompaniment to the emotional scenes but is just as beautiful as a stand-alone song.
4) Maxwell – This Woman’s Work
This may be the first time Music Monday has included two different versions of the same song in the same playlist but this had to be done. The original, as previously mentioned, is a beautiful piano ballad by the ever-elusive but incredibly talented Miss Kate Bush. Maxwell, known for his slick falsetto vocals gives this an R&B makeover complete with a twinkling harp, weeping guitars and R&B percussion. It’s a gorgeous interpretation of a lovely song.
5) Joe Jonas – Levels
Joe Jonas has certainly reinvented himself from the cheesy teen-rock he produced with his brothers and is fast becoming the latest pop-prince in the music world. The bar was set high by Jonas’ debut single ‘Jealous’, a huge pop hit which charted well around the world. ‘Levels’ is just as good, however; if not, better. Incredible falsetto vocals and funky production carry this catchy track.
6) The Weeknd – Shameless
Moody Ed Sheeran-esque ballad with gorgeous falsetto vocals by Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd. Obsessed with this right now.
7) The Weeknd – Tell Your Friends
Soul-infused R&B jam from The Weeknd’s latest album ‘Beauty Behind the Madness’. Produced by Kanye West, it’s much in the same vein as some of West’s early material.
8) Oh Atoms – Sugar Mouse
Pretty and gentle little folk ballad featured in cult favourite ‘Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging’. Gorgeous harmonies too.
9) Robbie Williams – The Road to Mandalay
One of Mr Williams’ most underrated works and one of his best lyrically. Genius, poetic lyrics crooned over gentle guitar strums and a gorgeous French melody leading the chorus. Simple but beautiful.
10) Michael Ball – Love Changes Everything
A very personal choice by myself as this was played at a funeral I attended last week. Beautiful song composed by theatre guru Andrew Lloyd Webber for his musical ‘Aspects of Love’ and sang flawlessly by Michael Ball.
Music Monday – Volume Sixty Five
‘Music Monday’ is a weekly blog in which I compile a list of ten songs I have been enjoying in the past week. This edition features Robbie Williams, The Weeknd, Kings of Leon amongst others.
1) JoJo – Save My Soul
JoJo is best known for 2005 smash R&B hit ‘Leave (Get Out)’, released when she was just fifteen years old. Since then, she took a hiatus and returned a five years ago but with limited success. ‘Save My Soul’ is a powerful and emotive ballad from her latest EP ‘III’ with a soaring melody, crashing percussion and haunting piano chords. Stunning.
2) Tove Lo – Talking Body
Sensual and seductive synthpop song by Swedish recording artist Tove Lo. A fine pop track; catchy with an easy sing-along chorus.
3) Steve Angello – Wasted Love
Epic dance track with the Coldplay-esque euphoria. Dougy, lead singer of The Temper Track lends his vocals to this powerful and uplifting song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAODa-4S2B0
4) Daniel Bedingfield – Never Gonna Leave Your Side
This was always a little inferior compared to Bedingfield’s other famous ballad, the gorgeous ‘If You’re Not The One’. It’s a beautiful song nevertheless and a lovely pop ballad.
5) Richard Marx – Right Here Waiting For You
Slushy and sentimental ’80’s power ballad, a little cheesy but gorgeous nonetheless. One of the most beautiful ballads in pop history, evident from its extensive list of covers.
6) Kings of Leon – Use Somebody
A plea for help but refreshingly presented in an alternative rock format instead of as a ballad. An epic, emotive track full of stadium-rousing ‘oh’s’, wailing guitars and Caleb Followill’s raspy vocals. Still as good now as it was upon release back in 2008.
7) Robbie Williams – Different
One of Williams’ most underrated singles of his career. Co-written by Gary Barlow and Jacknife Lee, it’s a haunting and powerful pop-rock track aching with sincerity. Williams’ forte has always been the ability to put his heart on his sleeve and channel this into well-written lyrics. This deserved to fare SO much better on the UK chart.
8) Justin Bieber – What Do You Mean?
Bieber appears to have made it through his rough Britney-esque meltdown and has returned triumphantly with his best music yet. ‘I Need U’, a collaboration with Diplo and Skrillex was an incredible comeback and ‘What Do You Mean’ continues Bieber’s new electronic-dance-music sound. ‘What Do You Mean’ uses minimalistic instrumentation and gentle, funky production built up of squeaky, steel-pan-like synthesisers, skippy percussion and Bieber’s gentle vocal.
9) The Weeknd – As You Are
Dark, powerful and catchy track from The Weeknd’s (real name Abel Tesfaye) third and current album ‘Beauty Behind the Madness’. Canadian Tesfaye has been in the industry for a while but is only now finding worldwide success, aided greatly by ‘Earned It’, featured in this year’s Fifty Shades of Grey movie. Tesfaye is a pioneer of the ever-developing PBR&B (an alternative version of R&B music) and ‘As You Are’ is a strong demonstration of this. With slamming 80’s-styled percussion, echoing vocals and gentle synthesisers, it’s an explosing and haunting track. Incredible song.
10) The Weeknd – I Can’t Feel My Face
It’s easy to dismiss this song at first with it’s slightly deranged lyrics but it is also unmistakably catchy with its funky guitar riffs and heavy percussion. Very MJ.
Music Monday – Volume Fifty Eight
1) Lianne La Havas – Unstoppable
Luscious piece of R&B/Soul with silky smooth vocals. Co-written by Paul Epworth, frequent collaborator with the likes of Adele & Duffy, this soul infused track is oozing with class and perfection.
2) Lianne La Havas – What You Don’t Do
Lianne La Havas is my discovery of the week and I cannot get enough of these two tracks. Her jazz-styled vocals are full of passion and soul and I love the big-band and soul infusion that underpins this catchy track.
3) Miguel – Coffee
Sexy, sultry and sleek. Miguel’s smooth vocals smother stuttering synthesisers and heavy percussion, resulting in a powerful piece of R&B perfection. Awesome lyrics to this too. Cannot get enough of this right now.
4) Miguel – What is Normal anyway?
Effortlessly smooth, with pensive lyrics and tinny guitar sounds. Miguel at his best.
5) Night Drive – Drones
Awesome electro-pop track which clearly uses elements of 1980’s electro and rock music as an influence. Catchy as hell.
6) Royworld – Dust
Irresistibly catchy pop-rock driven song with an awesome hook.
7) Teitur – One and Only
Gentle acoustic track which draws upon folk influences. Beautiful.
8) Jesse Boykins III – Plain
Awesome dance track with slightly off-pitch synthesisers, a throbbing beat, soulful vocals and gorgeous harmonies. SO good.
9) Sam Feldt ft Kimberly Anne – Show Me Love
Based upon Robin S’ massive nineties dance track of the same name, Sam Feldt gives it the 21st Century treatment and makes it more electro than dance. It’s a pleasant update of the original.
10) Shura – White Light
LOVE Shura. This is SO 80’s; imagine a hybrid of Janet Jackson & Madonna and you reach Shura. Fierce tinny drums, aggressive bass lines and funky guitar riffs, it’s catchy as hell.
Music Monday – Volume Fifty Three
1) The 1975 – Settle Down
I love every single song from The 1975’s debut album but some tracks do get more listens than others! I neglected this song for quite a while but was recently reminded of how awesome it is. The slamming beats and funky guitar riffs contribute to its catchiness.
2) Gabrielle – I Wish
90’s R&B at its best with an awesome new jack swing vibe. Smooth, soulful with a message we can all relate to, this is an underrated beauty! Gabrielle has one of my favourite voices in Pop music and is worthy of far more credit than she receives. Many only know her for ‘Dreams’, ‘Out of Reach’ and ‘Rise’ but a listen to her Greatest Hits album proves her diversity and her level of talent. Love this.
3) Broken Social Scene – Major Label Debut
I watched ‘It’s Kind of a funny story’ for the first time last week and completely fell in love with it. Funny and moving, it tells the story of a teen boy who checks himself into a mental-health clinic. These guys did the score all the way through and this song played during the credits. It’s just a great feel-good song.
4) Queen & David Bowie – Under Pressure
One of Queen’s best songs and certainly one of my favourites. Gives me plenty of fond memories from performing in my school production of ‘We Will Rock You’ and from seeing the musical live in the West End twice. Bowie is a legend too of course. Irresistibly good.
5) Janet Jackson – That’s The Way Love Goes
Smooth and sultry, this song captures everything Janet Jackson is as an artist. Awesome production, clever sampling of James Brown’s ‘Papa don’t take no mess’ and a timeless song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUOkg4jFNus
6) Michael Jackson – Beautiful Girl
Stunning demo which appeared on Michael’s 2004 Ultimate Collection box set. The finished version (if it was ever fully completed) has never come to light but fans value this version greatly. Michael’s falsetto is gorgeous. Even his unreleased material was in a different league. Beautiful song.
7) S Club 7 – Sunshine
Track from the album with the same name, I’ve always adored this song. It’s so optimistic, so catchy and has an irresistible feel-good vibe. It’s a little bit more mature than some of their best known singles and Jon Lee’s voice is absolutely incredible on it. Some beautiful memories always return to me with this song.
8) S Club 7 – Have You Ever
Upon its release, I was never that fond of this track. Since their split, however, this song has found a place in my heart and it’s now one of my all time favourite S Club 7 songs. Written by one of my favourite songwriters Chris Braide along with Cathy Dennis (responsible for many of S Club 7’s material in addition to some of the best loved pop music over the past twenty years), this was released as Children in Need’s Official Single back in 2001. Beautiful, relatable lyrics, amazing vocals from Jo O’Meara and simply pop music at its best. Gorgeous.
9) S Club 7 – Two In A Million
Beautiful, mellow ballad from S Club 7’s début album and one of their more underrated singles. Jo O’Meara’s voice is absolutely incredible.
10) S Club 7 – S Club Party
This remains an absolute classic in the history of pop! Was very lucky to be able to experience this live once again when I saw a newly reformed S Club 7 perform live at the 02 Arena – the atmosphere was incredible during this song. Still much loved today.
NEW:
Album of the week:
Revolutionary Road: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Thomas Newman
Stunning score by my favourite composer, Thomas Newman. He’s been responsible for the scores of some of my favourite films e.g. American Beauty, The Green Mile & The Shawshank Redemption. His scores are always haunting and accompany any scene perfectly.
Music Monday – Volume Fifty Two
1) Usher – I don’t mind
God-damn awful lyrics aside, I love this. Slick, smooth and simple: the characteristics of the perfect pop song! Just don’t pay too much information to the lyric content and try and block out Juicy J’s completely useless rap!
2) Gary Barlow – Offer My Peace
B-Side from the Japanese release of the wonderful ‘So Help Me Girl’. It’s classic 90’s schmaltz complete with bongo-type percussion and an electric piano but that’s a lot of what makes it so endearing! Wait for that key change 😉 Lovely little song.
3) Iggy Azalea & Jennifer Hudson – Trouble
Despite my best efforts not to like any of Iggy’s music, I always seem to get drawn in eventually… Despite some of her others which I won’t readily admit to enjoying, I will openly admit that I absolutely love this! Effortlessly catchy, simple, jazzy and just SO damn great. Completely forgot what an incredible voice J-Hud has. She makes it what it is, of course but there’s the perfect balance of rap and singing on it.
4) Longfellow – Where I Belong
Heard this on the radio and completely fell in love with it. It’s not ground-breakingly original but it’s a powerful song. Gorgeous falsetto on that chorus and love the piano too!
5) Janet Jackson – Let’s Wait Awhile
Critics would argue that this is classic 80’s cheese and yes it does have a particular element of that to it. Despite that, the message is still relevant today. It’s such an important song to multiple generations and utterly irresistible. Janet was an incredibly proficient artist in using her music as a means of raising awareness on many important issues back in the 80’s. This song is a part of that movement. The song’s producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis also do a sterling job on this beautiful song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J75aXgdmEPw
6) Janet Jackson – Nothing
Beautiful simple song by Miss Jackson. The resemblance to Michael is uncanny in some places…
7) George Michael – Please Send Me Someone to Love (Anselmo’s Song)
Lovely track from George’s last album ‘Patience’. Chilled out and obviously very personal (Anselmo was George’s lover who died from AIDS related illness back in the mid-90’s) it’s George at his best.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMtM1dl0qu8
8) John Mayer & Katy Perry – Who You Love
Yes it may be a little cheesy but it’s such a beautiful song. Love how the lyrics come from two different perspectives by the couple and it’s lovely to hear Katy’s raw, organic vocals without any of the usual processing it receives. I love this couple so much – two of my favourite artists together.
9) JLS – Close to You
Not exactly innovative but a lovely R&B love song all the same. Really love this.
10) Usher -Burn
An often forgotten gem from eleven (was it really that long ago?!) years ago. Usher does heartbreak R&B ballads like no other. Such a beautiful song.
Music Monday – Volume Twenty Nine
1) One Direction – Fireproof
There’s been a bit of a mixed reaction to this track which was made available for free for 24 hours this week. It’s a lot more mature with a soft beat and gorgeous harmonies and I absolutely love it. Such a great song.
2) Favela – Easy Yoke
Found this on a Spotify placement I was listening to yesterday and have listened to it over and over since. Such a beautiful song. Very spaced out and the strings are just stunning.
3) The 1975 – Heart Out
I’ve loved this since I purchased The 1975’s début album almost a year ago but the release of the video last week has given the song a new lease of life for me. So catchy it’s unreal and I love the saxophone break.
4) Ten Walls – Walking with elephants
Been hearing this on the radio a lot lately and I really love it. It’s great to have a classic instrumental club track in the charts.
5) Nina Nesbitt – Two worlds away
Found this completely by accident and have fallen in love. Such a pretty acoustic-based song.
6) John Mayer – Say
One of John’s more underrated efforts and one I feel even he neglects sometimes. This was written for and appeared in the movie ‘The Bucket List’ although I came to know it through the modern re-adaptation of ‘The Karate Kid’ a few years back. It’s the song that got me into John Mayer and it’s so pretty. It’s one of the most inspiring songs and I just love it so, so much.
7) Coldplay – True love
Hauntingly beautiful. Love this.
8) George Ezra – Barcelona
This man is such a talent. Really love this song.
9) George Ezra – Song 3
Another incredible song off George’s debut album. Awesome.
[Unfortunately this isn’t on YouTube]
10) Beck – Morning
I went and saw ‘If I stay’ at the cinema the other day and this appeared in the movie. I instantly fell in love with the soft guitars and the haunting melody. Such a haunting, stunnning song.
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