Watch: A Crazy Thing Called Love - @taywalker

I first found Tay Walker listening to him perform Karma on Black & Sexy's web show, The Number. After that I didn't even know I had already heard of him.

He's a frequent collaborator with The Internet and Syd. In fact Karma has two versions. The one featuring The Internet is featured on our Sub-R&B: The Fall Edition playlist coming in at track nine. Tay Walker was the kind of artist that required further digging. In my research I've found this new gem. A Crazy Thing Called Love dropped in June and the video is super cinematic. Don't get this confused with the classic Queen record. This is what true R&B sounds like. Music used to be about love and Tay is no stranger. I'll let Tay tell his own story and we'll be sure to keep him in our radar from now on. Check out the video for A Crazy Thing Called Love after the break.

Review: 99.9% - @Kaytranada {Written by @Natural_Nation}

On May 6th Kaytranada, Haitian-Canadian electronic music producer and DJ, released his debut studio album 99.9% from XL Recordings. The album features a 15 track set list with countless features like Syd tha Kyd, Anderson .Paak, Little Dragon, and River Tiber just to name a few. Kaytranada's general sound typically features a mix of hip-hop, r&b, funk, house, disco and a number of other genres mixed together in an electronic dance style. The producer has made a name for himself making unique remixes to popular songs as well as producing original pieces for various artists. He has built quite a track record over the past few years. 99.9% was the first album I had ever listened to made by a producer/DJ so it took me a few listens to fully digest. You could almost argue that there would be no one better than a DJ to create an album with a cohesive sound. Their entire responsibility revolves around their ability to create and change energy in a seamless way. That being said Kaytranada accomplishes those seamless transitions with this album. 

The album opens up with Track Uno. One of the few songs on the album without a feature. The song features a fresh classic house sound with a repetitive 3/4 beat, cymbals, synthesizers, and drums tied into a electronic song. The beat and the bass becoming amplified as the song continues.

Bus Ride featuring Karriem Riggins and River Tiber come in on track two. The percussion combination, heavy in cymbals, is placed over a light accompaniment of piano and violin. The main focus seems to be geared towards the drums, with what seems to be like a drum solo part of the way through.

After viewing the tracklist I was eager to make my way to I got it good. Why? The feature on this song is Craig David. Craig David! One more time, for those not truly grasping this moment. Craig David! Do you guys remember him or Fill me in and 7 days!? Anyway, this feature tickled me to say the least. I'm sure Craig has had music since his first studio album but I'm just going to be that girl. In this song, Craig David sings about treating his woman to what she desires. In his words "hes got it good". Money does not seem to be an issue when it comes to the right one. This has more of an R&B vibe which is to be expected with the featured singer. 

Together featuring Aluna George and GoldLink makes it to my list of favorite tracks and not just because of the feature by GoldLink. Although, GoldLink seems to flow seamlessly over this track. This is one of my favorite songs on the album because I like the light-hearted vibe and the way all three of these artists come together. 

Weigh off featuring BADBADNOTGOOD is another one of my favorites. Mainly, because I really really love the addition of the bass guitar. The song infuses the hypnotizing bass riff with synthesized sounds. I can not help but to some how be reminded of the Gorillaz.

Despite the weather is a song that displays a vibe and sound that match the title perfectly. At first listening to the track I was momentarily confused by the title but then I quickly understood. The sunny feel of the song brings across the message that despite the weather it's still going to be a great day. 

Glowed Up featuring Anderson .Paak is one of the two songs on the album with a music video. After hearing one project from him I don't doubt that he will be one of those special artists that I like everything from. So, it did not surprise me that I took an affinity to this song from the very first listen. Paaks's voice alone can keep just about anyone intrigued.  

Youre the one , track 11, features Syd tha Kyd from the musical group The Internet. It is very clear this is a combination that does no wrong. The song is much more upbeat than their collaboration that came out last year, titled Girl. The song was featured on The Internet's album Ego death. Despite the upbeat tempo you can still expect to hear Syd's sultry voice and candid lyrics.

You're the one flows seamlessly into Vivid Dreams featuring River Tiber. The transition is actually so flawless that you do not quite realize that the other song has ended. This is easily one of top picks. The simple incorporation of the maracas had me sold at first sound. They instantly reminded me of DJ/Producer Sango. Sango is a producer from Seattle who is heavily influenced by Brazilian music. I could not help but to pick up on the underlying hints of Samba inspired rhythms in this song. So it makes perfect sense that Lite Spots and Leave Me Alone featuring Shay Lia were equally some of my favorites songs off the album. The theme carries continuously through all three tracks. I can only assume the woman featured on Lite Spots is speaking Portuguese but I'm not entirely sure. However that particularly track is far funkier than both Vivid Dreams and Leave me alone and, for that reason, is my favorite of the three.  




The album ends quite strongly winding its way down with River Tiber and Shay Lia and finally coming to a close with a feature by Little Dragon on a track titled Bullets. Kaytranda has made me a believer when it comes to taking my time out to listen to albums made by producers and DJs. Honestly, that is something that I did not really consider doing before this album. Anyone who is already a Kaytranada fan will thoroughly enjoy this album. Anyone who is not already a fan prepare to add him to your playlists. Listen and enjoy.  Rating. 4/5

Download it on iTunes here

Full Tracklist
1) Track Uno
2) Bus Ride (feat. Karriem Riggins & River Tiber)
3) Got It Good (feat. Craig David)
4) Together (feat. AlunaGeorge & GoldLink)
5) Drive Me Crazy (feat. Vic Mensa)
6) Weight Off (feat. BADBADNOTGOOD)
7) One Too Many (feat. Phonte)
8) Despite The Weather
9) Glowed Up (feat. Anderson .Paak)
10) Breakdance Lesson N.1
11) You’re The One (feat. Syd)
12) Vivid Dreams (feat. River Tiber)
13) Lite Spots
14) Leave Me Alone (feat. Shay Lia)
15) Bullets (feat. Little Dragon)

In My Ears: Editor's Picks week of 12-6-15

Throwback Jawn: Unbreakable - Michael Jackson featuring The Notorious B.I.G

I woke up early this morning and put my phone on shuffle. The King of Pop is always a wonderful way to start your day. I promise you're favorite has drawn some kind of influence from this man. Everyone will always debate Thriller and Off the Wall being Michael's best albums. That's no debate but my favorite (there's a difference between the best and favorite) has definitely got to be his 2001 offering, Invincible. Not gonna recap the whole album but the first track featured a posthumous verse from Biggie himself. Come on, just not fair. Listen to Unbreakable by Michael (not Janet this time) Jackson below.



Song on Repeat: Tink - Treat Me Like Somebody

Throughout the week I found myself listening to a friend's freestyle to this so much I went back and listened to the original. Over, and over, and over. It also doesn't help my ex covered this in a poem she performed a little while ago. Feel free to call me a sap, I am one. Now, for those of you wondering why Tink was featured on XXL's freshman list this year listen and see why below, Treat Me Like Somebody.



Under the Radar: Syd - Smile More

Last week Syd the Kid of The Internet dropped some music on her own. It's always fire hearing from her. In Smile More she really shows off her jazzy voice in this one. I can see myself 40 years old dancing with my wife in our living room to this. Listen for yourself below. Oh sidebar, shoutouts to the Internet's Ego Death with the Grammy nod this year, well deserved.



Projects of the Week:  BUSH - Snoop Dogg (Lion, whatever) & Alina Baraz & Galimatias - Urbana Flora

Earlier this year when we interviewed Joe College we spoke a little off camera about our favorite projects of the year thus far. He mentioned this one by Snoop I think a lot of people missed out on. Start to finish BUSH is pretty dope. My favorite track is California Roll which enlists the talents of Pharell and Stevie Wonder. Nothing but net. This week I also took the time to listen to Alina Baraz. You're probably asking who is that. It's okay, I was too. I don't know much about her but her project with Galimatias is an awesome listen. This one was a referral by a friend who knows my ear well. We sat in her apartment and listened while sipping some vino. Anyone who knows me knows I like new age R&B with a synth and bouncy production. It's almost eerie. This needs to be listened to through speakers not headphones. Let me know what you think. Listen to California Roll and Urbana Flora in it's entirety below.