Essential Sounds (2010/05/30)

Aloha one and all welcome back to another edition of Essential Sounds, as always I am your human satellite for all things musical and once again I come bearing gifts. But before we move on to this week’s treats its come to my attention that we are all but at the bitter end of May and my first month with Essential sounds and FRED Entertainment. I have loved every minute of my time here and I’m extremely grateful for having you wonderful people on board. So enough of the sentimental stuff let’s move onwards and upwards and heres hoping June proves just as fruitful as May.

1. “How I Got Over” by The Roots

If you’re unfamiliar with the wonderful work of The Roots, “How I Got Over” is an excellent introduction to this truly versatile hip hop troop from Philly. On a instrumental tip the track is held together like glue by the ever funky drumming from iconic sticks man ?uestlove. However the beautiful blend of soulful keys and smokey vocals gives “How I Got Over” it’s gloss. Of course no Roots song is complete without an on point flow from Black Thought who is easily one of the strongest and most consistent MCs to ever plug in a mic. Despite being veterans of the game now, The Roots are still bringing fresh goods to the table which in a market oversaturated with rotten apples can only be considered a blessing.

2. “Flashover” by Klaxons

Since gaining critical and commercial acclaim after their 2007 Mercury Music Prize win the nu-rave trio have worked their socks off on new material only to scrap it and start all over again. Three years after their debut and debunked rumours of a Dr Dre collaboration Klaxons are back with “Flashover” the first single from an as yet untitled sophomore album. The first thing you might notice about Flashover is that it manages to come across as somewhat familiar yet the slightest changes in sound seem to have the biggest impact. The leftfield lyrical structure steeped in mystic mythology and the Gregorian monk like vocal hooks are back but they’re mixed in with a rougher dirtier sound throughout. This not only gives “Flashover” an edgier sound but provides a wonderful juxtaposition in sound when placed next to blissful digital meltdown and staccato piano section we encounter in the final act. If this is a sign of things to come then I believe good things are coming our way.

3. “ADD SUV (Armand Van Helden Vocal Mix)” by Uffie feat Pharrell

Ever wondered where Lady Gaga might have got her “original” style from? Well excluding Madonna, Grace Jones, Peaches and David Bowie of course, take a look or rather a listen to France’s alternative Goddess, Uffie, and you’ll find it’s pretty much a no brainer that Uff has had a significant influence in spawning the “Fame Monster”. But I’m not here to follow the band wagon I’m here to deliver this musical gem and drop it in your ears. This reworking of Uffie’s first single from forthcoming album Sex Dreams And Denim Jeans keeps the funky vocoded vocals and killer verse from Pharell Williams it also in true AVH style adds one hell of a funky guitar riff. Working his magic on Uffie’s tounge cheek look at Hip Hop consumerism Armand Van Helden takes an already solid song and gives it a burst of disco dance ability which is simply undeniable. Listen to it and try your best not to dance, I double dare you!

4. “Silence” by Camo & Krooked feat Nina

This week in Essential Sounds were breaking new ground, our fourth pick is from drum ‘n’ bass/dubstep duo Camo & Krooked. Despite being very familiar with the former I must admit that I am quite the novice when it comes to the valued art of dubstep. I know a little bit but this little grasshopper still has a lot to learn. However if anything “Silence” only makes me want to dig deeper into this particular sub genre. With atmospheric thunder storm and rainy ambience combined with a sincere and emotional vocal delivery from guest star Nina Silence is one part beautiful melancholy yet this is balanced out by the warm sub bass and rolling drum patterns which give the track an almost uplifting appeal. But the well crafted contrasts don’t end there, despite revelling in the fresh sounding dubstep instrumentation the vocal performance seems to channel the spirit of early 90’s dance anthems. A truly post modern wonder if there ever was one.

5. “Month of May” by Arcade Fire

If like me the inclusion of “Wake Up” on last year’s trailer to Where The Wild Things Are wetted your appetite for all things Arcade Fire again then fear not as this week saw the return of the Canadian natives and their eclectic stylings. “Month of May” is really quite a different sound to their previous material right from the start we can hear how its full of get up and go. The straight up ensemble of guitars, bass and drums is not only reminiscent of rock ‘n’ roll as it used to be but it also gives Arcade Fire their sexiest song to date. This comes courtesy of the booty shaking groove forged by the songs solid rhythm section. Some die hard fans might not fully appreciate the new direction but to me it shows an already inventive band taking a further step into musical progression.

–Malcolm Foster

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