Banks: Brain

Mahotella Queens, Banks + Shlomo, Habibi and more in the music we tweeted this week

LA-based songstress Banks has already been gaining well-deserved international attention for her seductive, soulful tunes, but this week the Clash magazine cover girl may have outdone herself by teaming up with critically acclaimed producer Shlomo on the new track “Brain.” It’s a perfect pairing; Shlomo plays to Banks’ beautifully haunting vocals through his signature style of provocatively slow beats, for a song that entrances you …

Mahotella Queens: Wozani Mahipi (Hippies Come to Soweto)

Mahotella Queens, Banks + Shlomo, Habibi and more in the music we tweeted this week

Originally formed in 1964, South Africa’s Mahotella Queens are still going strong (if missing some original members). The trio of enthusiastic ladies perform all over their native South Africa, as well as to sold-out shows across the UK. Our friends at Amateurism recently tipped us off to the talented ensemble with a blog post about the funky township song “Wozani Mahipi (Hippies Come to Soweto).” …

King Dream Chorus: King Holiday

Mary J Blige joins Disclosure, Young Turks' new imprint, Damon Albarn's first solo album and more music we tweeted this week

On Monday, the US celebrated the legacy of civil rights activist Dr Martin Luther King Jr—and his dream of freedom for all. The day was declared an official holiday in 1986, and to mark the occasion several musicians (including Whitney Houston, Run DMC, New Edition and Whodini) joined forces under the name King Dream Chorus, and performed a song called King Holiday. The musical tribute …