When I had the opportunity to interview Texas soul singer Leon Bridges about this album earlier this month, he told me about how people’s expectations of him to continue emulating a fleeting moment of inspiration throughout his entire career are beginning to get him down. Bridges exploded dramatically and decisively onto the scene with vintage … Continue reading Leon Bridges – Gold-Diggers Sound
Jazz Fusion
Jacob Collier – Djesse Vol. 3
A musical prodigy and the disciple of both Quincy Jones and Herbie Hancock, multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier has made a lasting impression on many musicians due to his unparalleled technical skill and understanding of music theory. The third installment in his Djesse series comes loaded with quite a few interesting guests, but not even they can … Continue reading Jacob Collier – Djesse Vol. 3
Thundercat – It Is What It Is
I’m glad that enough people have delayed their albums that I actually get to talk about someone like Thundercat on this blog – the jazz bass virtuoso is one of the most incredible musicians working right now on a technical level and has done more than his fair share of taking good albums and making … Continue reading Thundercat – It Is What It Is
The Internet – Hive Mind
R&B/funk collective The Internet, now on its 4th studio album after the disbanding of parent group Odd Future, unleashes the collection of subdued, effortlessly cool tracks Hive Mind. Their young producer Steve Lacy, already making hits with other big name artists like Kendrick Lamar, brings his multi-instrumentalist skill to the complex jazz-funk instrumentals here, while … Continue reading The Internet – Hive Mind
Thundercat – Drunk
Virtuoso jazz-funk bassist Thundercat, now exposed to a wider audience due to his outstanding work on Kendrick Lamar's magnum opus To Pimp A Butterfly, unleashes his third studio effort and first since 2013. The album is sprawling, conceptual and incoherent in the best way, musical tidbits flying past you before you even have a chance to … Continue reading Thundercat – Drunk
Chance The Rapper – Coloring Book
Chance the Rapper has returned with his first solo project since 2013’s soulful and extravagant Acid Rap, and in the process elevates the sound we’ve come to love from him to a new level by infusing it with his newfound interest in gospel music. Chance’s diverse musical palette and wide range of influences and collaborators … Continue reading Chance The Rapper – Coloring Book
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 