Undoubtedly, the highlight of this week’s R&B content has already been delivered, with the hugely-anticipated release of The Weeknd’s second project, Thursday. There’s also new music from upcoming UK singer Chrome, dropping off an energetic single for his latest video.
Very diverse episode this week, with some mainstream pop, old-school style soul and the usual R&B fare all made available for your listening pleasure, and plenty of big names providing that content. Click below to fill yourself with R&B nourishment.
A very exciting free project from the fantastic Mayer Hawthorne, as he tackles six very diverse tracks and offers his own modern yet vintage (oxymoron?) soulful spin on them.
Any self-respecting soul fan will be clamouring for this one, and you can get yourself that little bit more hyped by heading over to Stones Throw’s website to read Mayer’s track-by-track breakdown of the EP. It makes for very interesting reading and adds a welcome depth to the project, preventing it from becoming ‘yet another covers project’. Grab the free EP below.
Despite already being sick of Christmas songs, I’d never let that come in front of brand new Mayer Hawthorne material and Mayer justifies that with yet another great effort. This one uses the instrumenal of the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s song of the same name, and infuses it with the relaxing, buttery vocals that Mayer Hawthorne brings to every track he touches. It’s a great instrumental as it is, and throwing in some smooth vocals makes this an enjoyable vintage soul effort, Christmas or no Christmas! My favourite vocalist right now? I’m struggling to think of any currently active artists that are as consistent.
If you haven’t heard the original, you’re doing your ears a disservice: correct that by clicking here. It’s a great little ode to life as a single man, and the legendary Jazzy Jeff gives it a more urban friendly revamp with a whole new production.
If you’re not completely into your soul music, I’ve got no doubt you’ll find this version easier to connect with, as Jeff serves up a retro-inspired production that draws on a range of influences (there are bits of soul, hip-hop and R&B styles in here) to switch the track to a slower, more deliberate pace. Not quite as good as the original for me, but this will possibly have a wider appeal.
Full of big names this week, with contributions from Trey Songz , the new single from Akon and more. You already know what’s coming next…let’s recap on the last week:
I’m very proud of this episode. I’m pretty happy with almost every track, and as a result it’s reduced down to around 15 tracks. Very digestable, and hence easy for you to give most of it a shot. Click on and agree with me, all of you. Thanks.
I REALLY need to remember to do these. I prepare them all week, setting up playlists and filtering songs, but come Friday I end up being massively distracted and completely forget all my hard work.
You’ll forgive me after the click though, of that I’m sure. I’ve made sure all the big hitters are involved in this milestone episode. Don’t believe me? Prepare to look (even more) like a fool.
Consistency is the key, and like last week there are 18 tracks for you to check out. Pretty much full of names you should be familiar with by now, giving everything a go this week is made a lot easier in that respect.
Savour these episodes-next week could be my last R&B Friday for a few weeks as I’m going away. What/who will substitute for them you ask? Wait and see. Still one more to go after this one though!
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