Eminative + Four Tet: Makondi

Kieran Hebden (aka Four Tet) continues to push the boundaries of his discography. The difficult-to-categorize English musician spans electronic, house, and drum and bass. Now partnering with drummer Nick Woodmansey, who records under the name Eminative, Hebden expands into interpretive jazz with “Makondi.” Originally performed and arranged by trumpeter Don Cherry and drummer Ed Blackwell in 1982, this contemporary rendition is a minimalist version that …

Rihanna feat. Paul McCartney and Kanye West: FourFiveSeconds

It’s not every day Kanye West teams up with Sir Paul McCartney, though lately it’s been a fortnightly affair and recent developments suggest the Beatles frontman is producing West’s next album. The latest release in the admittedly odd yet harmonious partnership features Rihanna and a folksy, Western-tinged guitar riff. “FourFiveSeconds” is about as stripped-down as a pop song can get, with bare vocals and a …

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Stevie Wonder's tribute to MLK, the return of Björk, a South African supergroup and more in our weekly music review

Stevie Wonder: Happy Birthday Introduced by American Congressman John Conyers in 1968, it wasn’t until 1986 that the third Monday of every January would come to celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. The ridiculously long process for passing a bill which would honor the civil rights leader saw many people speak out on its importance, but Stevie Wonder’s pronounced crusade and musical tribute, …