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Andrew Ashong & Theo Parrish – Flowers

Been a little quite with Tumblr but not here at the HQ. So much music its hard to decide what to put up. Today I’ve mostly been listening to this collaboration with Hackney based Andrew Ashong and Detroit’s house legend Theo Parrish. I became interested in this track after seeing Ashong’s live performance at Oval Space on a sun filled terrace in Hackney. Ashong plays live with electric guitar and backing band, including two beautiful harmonising female backing singers and a drum machine. With a small audience and a large cocktail I am now fully prepared to be mesmerised by Ahsong’s hypnotising vocals with accompanying three part harmonies that create interesting covers of Bob Marley and More.

This track uses the best of the two friend’s, Ashong and Parrish’s, musical skills. Parrish creates interesting jazz drums and keyboard but still maintains a laid back, house feel whilst Ashong’s modest voice cuts through the noise. This combination gave the track critical acclaim and was named Gilles Peterson's “Track of the year” last year. Although now a little old its still such a gem and is a perfect summer beat. Catch Ashong live or DJing over the summer at various locations.

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Zero 7 – Red, Blue And Green

We are die-hard fans of Zero 7 here at TIMBLT. However there new music has taken a different path to their down tempo electric albums such as “Simple Things” and “When it Falls”. After being quite for the past 5/6 years they have certainly developed their sound and have moved towards the more poppy house and upbeat disco/boogie that is creeping its way into the chart.

 This track is the B-side from the new “Simple Science” E.P. “Red Blue and Green” is a spacious trip into the cosmos that plays erratically with the stereo field, reminiscent of a Brian Eno soundscape. With so much space it’s hard for the ear to focus on one sound created by the British duo, which helps elevate this piece to alien status. The, harmonising, tribal chorus, that’s sparsely layered underneath, complements the astral aesthetics of the track. There is even more space created between the melodies and percussion through an offbeat, half time bass line that plays tricks with our ears.

 Big fans of the new work from Zero 7 but are sorely missing Sia’s vocals! Travel the Galaxy and have a listen.

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Zackey Force Funk – Cocaine Lady

This track is taken from Zackey Force Funk's latest album “Money Green Viper”. The album is described by the label “Hit & Run” as a “scrapbook of late night joyrides, fast women & demonic visions”. It is produced by a variety of artist and all feature ZFF’s haunting vocals.

Cocaine Lady is a futuristic funk filled track with dark undertones closely relating to ZFF’s own troubled life in and out of prison. The track, like most funk songs, is driven by the bass line that plays contrast to the simple 4/4 drum rhythm. The 80s synths give this one a slick future funk sound that oozes style.

Produced by Tom Noble and is available as a free download off “Hit & Runs” soundcloud. https://soundcloud.com/hit-run/cocaine-lady/s-p8Kcc

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Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry – Rastafari On Wall Street

Nothing screams the summer weather more than a bit of Dub Reggae straight out of Jamaica.

 This one is from Legendary Dub Producer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s Latest 2014 album “Back on the Controls”. It features Perry’s political lyrics about a Rastafarian taking over Wall Street. The heavy bass and offbeat nature conjures a classic Perry 70’s sound system culture. This is complimented by sassy horns with a lot of attitude complimenting dark harmonies against backing singers.

 Rastafari on Wall Street contains a variety of vintage, analogue equipment making this a very special Dub Cut.

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 Souleance - Segrados Do Samba

 With the world cup in Brazil drawing to a dramatic climax I thought It’d be fitting to listen to some Brazilian inspired music. This one is from French electronic producer Souleance.

The track begins with a beautiful Spanish guitar and Brazilian chorus sample. Then a heavy hip-hop beat is introduced followed by prominent bass line. The bass trills that happen throughout the piece bring it to life. Note the fantastic keyboard solo at 2.30. Despite this being a French produced track, the percussion, including the sparse Cuica, really highlight the Brazilian sound that matches the original sample.

 Great track, a lot of soul and movement. Have a dance on me!

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Lee Fields & The Expressions – Emma Jean Lee Fields has teamed up with The Expressions for a second time to create a new album titled “Emma Jean”. The album has some real gems including a cover of J.J. Cale’s 1971 record “Magnolia”. The Black Keys’ Front Man Dan Auberach has been a great admirer of Lee Fields musical styling’s and wrote the track “Paralyzed” for the album.

 Lee Fields has been making music for decades with his first album release in 1969. He is now 63 years of age and does not sound it. His tonality is just as youthful as when he was 18. Maybe this is why I am so mesmerized by his voice. There is such a soothing, bluesy timbre to it. The tight backing band “The Expressions” only reinforces Field’s talent with sassy horns and soulful Hammond organ.

 The album was written mainly in honour of Lee Fields late Mother “Emma Jean” in which the album is titled. Other great tracks are “Eye to Eye” & “ In The Woods”.

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Glass Animals – Pools

 Glass animals’ “Pools” is the 4th track of the debut album “ZABA”. The album was recorded and produced by London’s legendary Paul Epworth whose other works include production with, Primal Scream & Adele.

 “Pools” conjures imagery of a tropical nature. It begins with samples of jungle birds and other animals and continues with the introduction of syncopated percussion that really drives the track creating a hypnotising rhythm. The airy harmonies and mallet instruments help take you to another land.

 Other tracks from Glass Animals to listen to are, “Gooey” & “Psylla”

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Jamie xx – All Under One Roof Raving

 Jamie was out on the end of his tour with “The xx” when he produced this track. This new banger from him is a tribute to ravers and producers back home in London. It was written to be played in U.K clubs and festivals as he planed to spend most of the next year focusing on solo material to form a new album.

 This intense, dark and bass heavy piece is somewhat reminiscent of U.K producer Burial’s Production style. It does however maintain the aesthetic sound of Jamie’s previous work through the use of hang drums which are present in tracks such as “Far Nearer” and the live track “Touch Me”.

 The track features samples from the 1999 short film “Fiorruci Made Me Hardcore” one of the finest portrayals of British nightlife.

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Nao vs. A. K. Paul – So Good

If you heard anything from Jai Paul's leaked demo collection, or his other track then you may be more familiar with this sound. This track contains futuristic blends of sampled, live and synthised sounds.

The basic 4x4 hip-hop beat creates the heart of this track but it’s the lazy, offbeat, horn like keys that really bring out the rhythm. The high-pitched vocals, gospel chorus and soloing guitar create the Paul production style.

So much style and refreshing new sounds in this one.

I don’t know what they’re being fed in the Paul house but I want some.