Kiefer: i love my friends

New from LA-based pianist and producer Kiefer comes a loose, funk tune that OkayPlayer astutely says “could have easily been pulled from the Voodoo sessions” by D’Angelo. This silky smooth, jazzy track, “i love my friends,” appears on Kiefer’s just-released album When There’s Love Around.

Kid Arth: FastLife

From Rome-based recording artist Kid Arth (aka Arthur Marco Barbut), the pithy track “FastLife” ensnares with emotional vocal delivery atop a melodic soundscape. “The song talks about the way that we young people live in the streets,” he tells us, “the way that, between love and our unresolved problems, we are on the run, trying to achieve something for ourselves.” Lostlukex produced the single, which is Barbut’s …

Lee “Scratch” Perry: Disco Devil

Innovative and influential record producer, singer and songwriter Lee “Scratch” Perry passed away in Jamaica this weekend, aged 85. The prolific artist (who produced records for the Congos and Bob Marley & The Wailers) is not only respected for pioneering dub and reggae, and helping spread Jamaican music around the world, but also for his unique production techniques and experimentations—done mostly at his iconic Black Ark …