ListenUp
New music and a look at the lives of music legends George Jones and Richie Havens
Richie Havens: Freedom
Sweating and strumming the guitar with artistic force, folk singer Richie Havens opened up Woodstock in ’69 with a three-hour-long, 11-song set that culminated with “Freedom.” A star on the rise, the Brooklyn artist set the tone then and continued to do so throughout his extensive career, which not only included several chart-topping tunes, but also the founding of the Northwind Undersea Institute—an environmental education center for children in the Bronx. Havens passed away Monday, 22 April 2013 and will be sorely missed.
Kalabrese: Independent Dancer
“Oooooh, you blow my mind…” croons Sacha Winkler, the Swiss artist better known as Kalabrese. His just-released album, Independent Dancer, has all the makings to blow your mind with its captivating blend of styles, which span electronica, funk, disco, indie music and more. Kalabrese’s Erlend Øye-like vocals feature throughout, adding a distinct sexiness to layers of sound that ultimately inspire late night boogies on and off the dance floor.
Quasimoto: Planned Attack
Stones Throw offered a glimpse at Quasimoto’s forthcoming album, Yessir Whatever with the release of “Planned Attack” on SoundCloud this week. While we’re looking forward to more hits like this from Madlib’s “helium-voiced alter ego,” we’re admittedly just as excited to pick up a physical copy, which will come with a “peel-off cover sticker revealing Quasimoto’s guts.” Out 18 June, the album is comprised of 12 tracks made over a 12-year period, now mixed and mastered for the first time.
Blludd Relations: Even Steven
Effortlessly catchy, “Even Steven” is from British producer Bullion and Jesse Hackett (of Owiny Sigoma Band fame), who together work under the moniker Blludd Relations. Pop on some headphones and take a stroll around the park on a sunny day with this one, the relaxed, funky tempo is sure to put a little swagger in your step. “Even Steven” is out now on Bullion’s new imprint DEEK, which will put forth eclectic tunes from Nautic, Blue Roses and Van Conk, as well as more from Blludd Relations. A lot to look forward too!
George Jones: He Stopped Loving Her Today
Known as much for his love of cocaine and whiskey as his incredible ability to write and perform, country music legend George Jones passed away Friday at 81 years old. His discography includes a mountain of number one hits, many of them duets with one-time wife Tammy Wynette, and he will remain a paragon of the classic country sound. You can hear many of these songs, including “He Stopped Loving Her Today”—the CMA’s song of the year in 1981—on the Grand Ole Opry‘s tribute to him on Spotify.
