Stuff I've Been Listening to 24 - Synths please

 

Loose Ends (UK) - Hanging on a string 1984

Always loved Loose Ends and this classic track from them.

Welcome welcome. Here is a new post with some of my favorite synths, mostly across soul, jazz, funk, hip hop, and rock. I didn't always know that I loved synths, I just like good music. But after hearing some chatter about synths in general and some of the machines created to make the sounds, I thought I'd share some of my favorites, not the best synths ever. This is totally subjective. Enjoy.

Little Dragon (Sweden) - A Place to belong (2007)

This is the first Little Dragon song I heard from my boy Miguel. Fonky.

We Are King (Minneapolis/LA) - The Greatest (2015)

Agggh, one of the illest soul groups of recent to write and produce w/ synths!!

Squarepusher (UK) - Plaistow Flex Out (2001)

Was turned on to Squarepusher by my homie and drummer Valentino 

Pink Floyd (UK) - On the Run (1973)

Always loved this Pink Floyd album! 

Kool & The Gang (Jersey City) - Summer Madness (1974)

Classic joint from a classic jazz, rock, soul band.

What is this? 

This series is called "Stuff I've been listening to" and this is my place to share music that I listen to while I work, process, decompress, and live life. Some of it is new, some old. But I'm always listening. I share in the hopes that you will find something that inspires you. Please share with a fellow music lover.

Satoshi & Makoto (Japan) - Crepuscule Leger (2017)

New! Don't know much about these cats, but I dig it.

Jneiro Jarel (Philadelphia) - Soul Starr (2005)

Discovered Jeniro aka Dr Who Dat? at the record store and became an instant fan. 

Björk (Iceland) - Hyperballad (1995)

Heard Bjork through one of my best friends in the 90s and was blown away

Zion I w/ Mikos da Gawd (Oakland) - Saving Souls (2016)

RIP Zumbi, this is one of countless synth flavored Zion I songs

Did you miss the last installment of this series? 

Stuff I've been listening to 23: More Jazz

Stuff I've been listening to 22: Instrumentals

Stuff Ive been listening to 21: Raps

Stuff Ive been listening to 17: Soul

Stuff Ive been listening to 19: UK Artists

Sexual Harrassment (Midwest US) - I need a freak (1983)

House party track tried and true. First heard it as a child.

Chaka Khan (Chicago) - What Cha Gonna do for Me? (1981)

Radio classic on kiss fm in the Bay

Marcos Valle (Brazil) - Naō Tem Nada Naō (1973)

Found this cut via Madlib!

Kraftwerk (Germany) - Numbers (1981)

These cats are German, but this is straight up electro classic hip hop material. 

Ok, one last one fam....

Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein (Austin) - Kids (2016)

Discovered the guys through the Stranger Things soundtrack which was both old and new, simple, yet amazing! Reminds me of 80s movies and that was the point! Keep listening to new and old music. There are tons of great artists still coming out with music. If you're not sure where to look, check out your local DJ, playlists, mixes, and your local independent radio stations......

Stuff I've Been Listening to 23 - More Jazz

 

Nala Sinephro-space 4 (2021)

I've made a post about Jazz before but its high time for this new one featuring some musicians new and old. Straight ahead, fusion, funk, experimental, and a few things in between. Like Nala for example. I LOVE this track from her Space 1.8 album. She's a harp player who gets it. This one features Nubya Garcia!

R+R=Now - Change of Tone (2018)

This is a super group w/ Robert Glasper, Terrace Martin, Christian aTunde Adjuah, Derrick Hodge, Taylor McFerrin, and Justin Tyson

Bobbi Humphrey- Set me at ease (1975)

OG Bobbi Humphrey on the flute and featuring the Mizell's and Dorothy Ashby

James Mason- Rhythm of life (1977)

Found this joint via Egon and man it grooves!

Esperanza Spalding - Formwela 3 (2021) 

Been following since the myspace days and love how she continues to play and grow

Lonnie Liston Smith-Bridge through time (1980)

You know, Lonnie has so many incredible jams. First heard this through The Conscious Daughters

What is this? This series is called "Stuff I've been listening to" and this is my place to share music that I listen to while I work, process, decompress, and live life. Some of it is new, some old. But I'm always listening. I share in the hopes that you will find something that inspires you. Please share with a fellow music lover.

Emma Jean Thackray-Rain dance/wisdom (2020)

I love how Emma Jean mixes jazz with electronic, house, funk, and hip hop. Shout out to the UK jazz scene!

Horace Silver-I've had a little talk (1972)

Song for my father is one of my all time favorites but when I heard Osunlade play thisssss?!

Destiny Muhammad Trio- Blue in Green (2022)

Destiny is an ILL harpist and vocalist from the Bay Area! Dig how she plays Miles and her own!!

Alfa Mist - Galaxy (2020)

Alfa Mist is an incredible UK producer and piano player, peep this remake of Eddie Henderson's classic

Madison Mcferrin- No time to lose (2017)

Madison is the next in line after Taylor and Bobby to show and prove. She can compose, produce, and sing!!

Did you miss the last installment of this series? 

Stuff I've been listening to 22: Instrumentals

Stuff Ive been listening to 21: Raps

Stuff Ive been listening to 17: Soul

Stuff Ive been listening to 19: UK Artists

Stuff Ive been listening to 20: Remixes

Keep listening to new and old music. There are tons of great artists still coming out with music. If you're not sure where to look, check out your local DJ, playlists, mixes, and your local independent radio stations.

Takuya Kuroda- Do they know (2016) 

I came across Takuya through vocalist Jose James and always dug this track

Amel Larrieux - Try your wings (2007)

Love Amel since Groove Thory, since Infinite Possibilities, Bravebird, Morning. Peep this remake of the Blossom Dearie song from 1958

Yussef Kamaal- Live at Brownswood studio (2016) Individually these cats are amazing but their joint album "Black focus" is incredible.

Agggh, there's so many great jazz records. Some you might of slept on or never heard of are artists like Meshell Ndegeocello, Kokoroko, Yazmin Lacey, Melissa Aldama, Grover Washington, or Butcher Brown. I wanna give a special shout out to this legend though.

Roy Hargove - Poetry (2003)

This was the first album that really got me hearing how dope Roy was, then I started to see his name with so many other great artists. Rest In peace brother Roy! Stay tuned for the next "Stuff I've been listening to" and drop a comment if there's someone you recommend!

Stuff I've Been Listening to 22 - (Instrumentals)

 

Wha gwan? I got hip to this group through my mom who loves "The New Birth". This group "The Nite Liters" is an off shoot or sub group of the New Birth and its the band I believe. Anyway, dig it. LINK . If you're new. Every year I share some music that I love from many genres. The core is Black music. Take a listen to these instrumentals and beats! The Nite Liters - KJee (Louisville, 1970)

Slept on this album. I dig this beat. Alchemist has so many bangers across his career. Link to listen. 

The Alchemist - No Window Tints (FETTI) (Los Angeles, 2018)

Don't know much about Peruvian Pysch or the hisory of cumbia, but I love this instrumental version of "Botecito" by Los Orientales de Paramonga. I wrote about this song back in 2014 here on the Muphoric Sounds blog.  

Los Orientales de Paramong- Botecito (Paramonga Peru, 1972)

This entire LP is headphones/ ride out music. One half of the Stuyvesants, brother Allmos made this dope album. Aromas is my favorite song off this. 

Allmos- Aromas Naturalle (Portland, 2017)

Kokoroko is an amazing band lead by trumpeter Sheila Maurice Grey from the UK and I love their mix of jazz, high life, funk, and everything in between. 

Kokoroko-Age of Ascent (United Kingdon, 2022)

Love this dude DJ Harrison. First heard him via Ivan Ave from Oslo. He's a multi-instrumentalist from Richmond Virginia and is also a member of Butcher Brown. His bandcamp is full of incredible beat tapes like this. Pen Eyes 9 is my favorite. 

DJ Harrison- Pen Eyes 9 (Richmond,VA, 2021)

This whole LP is fire. Jahari Massamba Unit is drummer/producer Karriem Riggins and producer Madlib. Merde is my favorite track from the album. 

Jahari Massamba Unite - Merde (Detroit/ Los Angeles, 2020)

Kiefer is such a dope musician. His work as a producer and jazz pianist is instantly recognizable when you hear it. Peep his catalogue. 

Kiefer - Superheo (Los Angeles, 2021)

This is a dope cut from vibraphonist and vocalist Roy Ayers. Produced for the 70s Blaxploitation flick Coffy starring Pam Grier. Fans of Hieroglyphics will recognize this one from Casual's first LP.

Roy Ayers - Brawlin Broads( Los Angeles, 1973)

I became familiar with "The Putbacks" through Hiatus Kaiyote and I dig the way they play alone and with other artists. This is my favorite track from this album. 

The Putbacks - Hold on (Melbourne, 2018)

I grew up listening to this band and I love Sade. If you go back and listen, the band included an instrumental song on most of the Sade albums including their solo Sweetback album. Siempre Hay Esperanza is dope but this is my favorite.

Sade - Mermaid (United Kingdom, 1992)

Georgia Anne Muldrow, the producer and vocalist has a ton of records under her belt including an album by Elzhi entirely produced by her, and several instrumental LPs such as Vweto 2. This is my favorite from that album. 

Georgia Anne Muldrow- Bass Attack Rap (Los Angeles, 2019)

If I were a producer I would add an 808 and some drums to this interlude produced by Lianne La Havas and Geo. Its my 2nd favorite track on this album. But as it stands, I would listen on repeat for days.

Lianne La Havas - Out of your mind (London, 2020)

That's it, there are so many more like this snippet from Oddisee's new material but thats it for today. If you like discovering new music check out some of these other posts I've made over the past few years. Remember, even though you may have a sweet spot for a specific era or period, there's always great music to be discovered and appreciated. Some of its old, and some is brand new! The best way to hear that new new is through your local favorite DJ. Playlists are great too, but hug a human through your speaker.

Stuff Ive been listening to 21: Raps

Stuff Ive been listening to 17: Soul

Stuff Ive been listening to 19: UK Artists

Stuff Ive been listening to 20: Remixes

EDIT: Added later

ESG (Emerald , Sapphire, & Gold) - UFO Classic rock/hip hop shit

Stuff I've been Listening to 21 - (Raps)

 

Sa-Roc (Atlanta)- Hand of God

What up tho? This is not a playlist of all time greatest rap songs, my favorite rappers, or even the best raps to come out in the past 6 years. These are just a few songs that I remember playing over and over by various MCs. Mostly in the US and the UK. 

Blackstar (NY/Spain)- O.G.

Klassy (Los Angeles)-Traveler

Mach Hommy (New jersey) -Self Luh

Every year I upload a bunch of songs or podcasts that I'm listening to. Because music is such a big inspiration for me as an artist I do this pretty frequently. Theres so much music coming out compared to when I was a teen. I'd say DJs are still the best way to hear the good shit. Going to festivals is good. So is checking out playlists on streaming services.

Ayentee (Berkeley,Ca) -Wanna Stay Gotta Go

Nayana IZ (UK) - Walking

Namir Blade (Tennessee) - Space Ghost

Some folks I'd like to mention that you might have passed up because they're got enough buzz are Freddie Gibbs x Alchemist-Babies & Fools, Nipsey Hussle-Double Up, Nas-Speechless, annnnd, what are you listening to rhyme wise? Like, you play it on REPEAT type shit.

Little Simz (UK) - Woman

Mani Draper (Richmond, Ca) - Dialed In

Deezy Hollow (San Diego) - Backstroke

Kota the Friend (Brooklyn)- Sunny Day

Ok if you missed some of the previous playlists like this I made feel free to check out some of them here:

Remixes

House Music

Jazz

Soul

Rocky Rivera (San Francisco)- Bad News

Ivan Ave (Norway) - Bike Lock

Chynna Rogers (Chicago) - Bat Country (RIP)

That's it fam. If you missed this hip hop documentary, check it out. Its the legendary Souls of Mischief!

Stuff I've been listening to - 20 (Remixes)

Otis Redding- Sitting on the dock of the bay DJ Spinna remix 2021

Listening to this remix of Otis Redding the other day reminded me how a good remix can really light up a depressing day. With isolation from family, friends, and restrictions I look for inspiring things to share. And I started this series of blog posts, to share good music new and old. The majority of this will be hip hop, soul, and reggae but I know many genre's have their dope remixes.

     

Brandy - I wanna be down IAMNOBODI remix 2013

The Roots - Silent treatment Da Beatminerz Remix 1995

Maylee Todd - Hieroglyphics Tall Black Guy Remix 2012

Mega Banton - Sound Bwoy Killin Salaam Remi Remix 2000

Teedra Moses - Be your girl Kaytranada Remix 2013

The Pharcyde - She said Jay Dee/Dilla remix 1995

Little Dragon · Seconds (Syd The Kyd of OFWGKTA remix)

Little Dragon - Seconds Syd The Kyd Remix 2010

A remix is a restructuring of an existing song. It could have the same beat and different verses, the same lyrics and a different beat, or a slight change that makes the song slower or faster. Either way it is an improvement of an existing song. These are some of my favorite remixes. It's not comprehensive, it's a list of what I like. Feel free to comment with your fav remix!

Dead Prez - Hip Hop w/ Sault Pele Durian Funk remix 2020

Capelton -Tour Dynamik Duo Remix 1994

De La Soul - Stakes is High w/ Fela Amerigo Gazaway Remix 2011

D'Angelo - Cruisin Remix 1995

Trackademicks · E-40- "Tell Me When To Go" ft. Keak Da Seak (Trackademicks Remix)

E40 -Tell me when to go Trackademicks Remix 2006

 

Timeless: Untitled/Fantastic remixed by Georgia Anne Muldrow from MOCHILLA on Vimeo.

Slum Village/J Dilla - Untitled/ Fantastic Georgia Anne Muldrow Remix

And there are so many more. For instance, the Luniz "I got 5 on it" remix, A Tribe Called Quest "Bonita Applebum" remix, NWA's "Dopeman" remix, SWV "Right here", or the Black Hippy Remix of "That Part" by Schoolboy Q. Ahhhh there are so many lesser known artists w/ dope remixes too. What's your favorite remix?

Want to hear more music? Check out my posts from the past!

Stuff I've been listening to 19 - UK Artists

Stuff I've been listening to 18 - House Music

Stuff I've been listening to 17- Soul

Stuff I've been listening to 15 - Jazz

Stuff I've been listening to - 19 (UK artists)

 

Greentea Peng - Dingaling (2021)

It feels like I've been listening to a lot of UK(British) artists lately from a few genres but mostly hip hop and soul. Here are a few of those artists. Hearing how they do their own thing and flip soul, hip hop, jazz, or house really trips me out sometimes. One of my biggest wishes is for more US based MCs, vocalists, and producers to collaborate with them. Got some folks I should hear? Leave a comment!

Yusef Dayes & Tom Misch - Storm before the calm (2020)

Cleo Sol - Sweet Blue (2019)

Little Simz-Backseat  (2016)

Eric Lau-Masamba (2017)

Kokoroko- Carry me home (2021)

Nayana IZ - TNT (2020)

Sault - Little boy (2020)

Andrew Ashong - Never dreamed (2013)

I wish I could tell you where everyone is from but I do not always know. And I'm trying to include artists from the past 5-10 years mostly. If we were going back in time I would include artists like Soul 2 Soul, Massive Attack, Radiohead, Loose Ends, or Sade.

Omar - I want it to be (2016)

Zilo - Show me whats mine (2021)

Blue Lab Beats - Memories (2019)

Hawk House - Chill pill (2014)

Hollie Cook - That very night (2011)

Shout out to Osunlade, Gilles Peterson, Vanessa Warren, Thinkbeat Radio, and the Colors YouTube channel for some of the gems!

The previous "Stuff I've been listening to" was about HOUSE music

Stuff I've been listening to- SOUL music

Stuff I've been listening to- JAZZ

Stuff I've been listening to - 18 (House music)

 

Opio- Granite earth (2005)

Sup fam, this is the latest installment of "stuff i've been listening to" and this one is dedicated to house music. I never really was a fan of house as a kid, teen, or even a 20 something. It wasn't until my 30's that I began to really appreciate it and now I love it. But specifically "deep, afro, or down tempo" house.  So here are some of my favorite joints. They range from hip hop/house to the above mentioned and are from a bunch of different eras. 

Smiles Davis- Count on my love feat Alice Smith (2020)

Aya- Sean (the first house record I bought before I knew what it was!) (2004)

Zion I -Antenna (2009)

Kerri Chandler - Sunday sunlight (2014)

Les Sins -Grind aka Toro Y Moi (2013)

Miguel Migs feat Lisa Shaw - Waterfall (2016)

Tall Black Guy remix for Roy Ayers Project - Luv Dancin (2011)

Anderson .Paak - Twilight (2019)

Teymori - Escapism (2018)

Mr Fingers / Larry Heard - Can You Feel it (1986)

Yvette Rovira - I Remember Love DJ Spinna remix (2015)

Ok, thats it for now. I would add Kaytranada too but he has sooo many songs. I'd just recommend both of his albums. Waajeed, Oddisee, and Dion Decibels have also come out with some pretty dope tracks/edits recently. 

Did you miss the last "Stuff I've Been Listening to?" its all SOUL!

Shout out to DJ's Wonway, Shortkut, Mr Choc, Rashida, Spinna, Spiñorita, and Zaki for lacing me with so much great music!

Stuff I've been listening to - 17 (Soul)

 

Welcome to the new normal. Every so often I will post a bunch of songs that I've had on heavy rotation. Why? I LOVE MUSIC. If I didn't paint, that's probably what I'd do. Here are some Rhythm & Blues/ Soul songs that have been keeping me warm. The first one is from Minneapolis' Carlitta Durand who I heard of via Phonte. 

Thee Sacred Souls (San Diego) are giving me mountains of soul! Peep this song. 

This entire LP from  Lianne La Havas

(UK) is fire, but this is my favorite song from it.

Talk about sexy. This song is dripping with it. Love love love Sebastian Mikael, his sound, and his style.

Alex Mali (Brooklyn) gives me chills with the funk, pocket, and the slurred feeling of this song. So much style.

Dope mix of styles here with Seba Kaapstad (Germany/S. Africa).

This LA native Sunni Colón gives a nice intro to his LP Psicodelic here.

Greentea Peng (UK) I found through Colors and man has she dropped some heat in the last 2 years.

Saving the best for last, this jam from Alex Isley and Jack Dine (Both LA) is just the cherry on top to a series of songs and projects they've been doing together and this song is just flawless. Add the young Masego (Virginia) just kills it as a feature. 

That's it. Whenever I hear people say (insert musical genre) ain't what it used to be I just think how much they're missing. Mainstream outlets aren't enough. Whether its Spotify, Soundcloud, Youtube, actual record stores, or my favorite (DJ mixes) just go digging for new music :)

Listen to the last "Stuff I've been listening to" HERE

Waxpoetics - Inspiring look back

Yo, just got an email from Waxpoetics with a link to this short doc about the magazine. This shit is really a dope magazine if you love hip hop, funk, jazz, soul, electronic music, etc. At the time when WP came out I bought the first or second issue (Berkeley Ca 2001?) because it had some art from Style Wars on the cover (classic graff film). And when this video was filmed I was actually living in NYC and contributed an illustration of 9th Wonder to the Hip Hop issue. Peep that here.

To see John Carlucccio's (Battle Sounds Doc) higher quality version of the video, go here.

In case you missed it, WP left the scene for awhile and now they're back. Not only with new magazines fresh off a kickstarter, but also with new videos. Peep this one about Chicago DJs and musicians.

Curtis Mayfield, Ron Trent, Crate Diggers record fair.

Thee Sacred Souls- Rose/Justice

 

Loving this group and their soul!

This is also a dope protest song!

Stuff I've been listening to 16- Protest

whats your favorite protest song recently?  

  Some ones that have been on rotation, some I came across through Pendarvis Harshaw's article about protest music, and some which I just discovered. Don't let people convince you that young artists aren't speaking on the times. Shout out people like Bambu (Native Guns) or Rebel Diaz who are always speaking on it!!

You can see the last "Stuff I've been listening to" HERE

Daddy Thoughts 21- Father's Day Rap

Starting this one off with a new one- Skyzoo from brooklyn.

There are sooo many hip hop artists that mention their children but these are a few I actually remember.  I feel like, just with any music the song has to be dope. And second, it helps to have a positive message whether that is from a person to an absentee parent or a from a new parent to a baby or child. They all important. What about you? Which hip hop song about fatherhood comes to mind for you?
Classic from Bambu-Oakland/LA

Bru Lei · BetterMan~ Bru Lei

Bru Lei from Sacramento! Rico Pabon of "Prophets of Rage" -Oakland

Xzibit- LA Nas-NYC Classic from ED OG - Boston

The last joint I wrote about was called "Other Plans"

Stuff I've been listening to 15 - (Jazz)

Mary Lou Williams (Piano)  Lorez Alexandra (Vocals)
 
India Arie remake of a classic(Guitar/Vocals) 
Milt Jackson (Vibes) - Enchanted Lady  Dorothy Ashby (Harp/vocals)
 
Keyon Harris(trumpet/vocals) feat Georgia Anne Muldrow
 
Christian Scott! (Trumpet) 
Kev Choice (Piano) -Oakland Baby!!
Terrace Martin (Keys, Vocals)
Moses Boyd (Drums)

This is a very short mix of a bunch of old and younger jazz musicians. Please check out the previous post of music I've been listening to HERE

Freelance Chronicles 6 - Biz Podcasts

This is a short one. Here is one way I do research on improving the business side of my art making. I read books, articles, talk to people, network, all that. But when I'm not doing those, I'm often listening to podcasts about business or entrepreneurs. Here are a few I recommend if you make products for people to purchase. That product could be hiring you personally or purchasing a digital/physical item from you.

Why? Making art is only half the hustle, unfortunately we not only have to sell it, but we have to find out how to authentically reach our audience. Enjoy!

Dirty Old Ladies is run by three women in comics and it talks about tabling at events, conferences, distribution, and other insider news to the business of making comics. I started because of C Spike Trotman who is a Black woman who runs the largest indy comics publisher in Chicago. Listen

Ok, this brother Jay Jones gives some interviews, advice, and resources that are very interesting. Listen.

This podcast is run by Sonja Rasula who started the Unique Markets. This is super helpful because each episode is with a small or medium sized business owner and it involves Sonja giving advice about a specific tactic. Listen!

Etsy Conversations w/ Ijemoa Eleazu is a great business podcast whether you sell on Etsy or not. She interviews a wide range of guests about running a shop-physical and digitial. Listen to the many episodes HERE

Check out of the many episodes with Jeff Staples, this is show where Jeff interviews business owners and individual entrepreneurs about their biz journey. LINK

I love this show because the host Katie Hunt talks with small business owners about book keeping, marketing, social media, selling products, and more. She also runs bootcamps and communities online where folks can learn and share resources. Listen.

There are tons more, but check out these. I actually take notes on these. Sometimes I listen to episodes multiple times or follow up on resources I heard about through them. Good luck!

READ THE PREVIOUS POST:  How to work with me!

Here are some other honorable mentions worth listening to:

Dear Handmade life

This is NOT a podcast- Bobby Hundreds

How I built this-NPR

Creative Mornings
The Product Boss Podcast