Tag Archives: Soulection

[EP Review] Sonder releases emotional and minimalist project, “Into”

Posted by Dominic Powell - February 4, 2017

Sonder
Feel

Sonder – Lovely

Sonder
Sirens

Sonder
Too Fast

Sonder
Baldwin Park

Sonder
Searchin

Sonder
Care

The triumvirate of Atu, Dpat, and Brent Faiyaz have spent the better part of the 2010’s coming into form and finding their signature styles. As some of the more prominent, talented producers in the experimental hip hop / R&B realm, Dpat and Atu both gained a fair amount of recognition among the initiated in 2013. Vocalist Faiyaz made his splash in early 2015, steadily gaining popularity since. Upon signing their allegiances with the Soulection family, both producers released dazzling, emotional projects – both still land favorably on the ever changing bulls-eye of quality music.

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R&B
Soul

[Album Review] Sango & Dave B – Tomorrow

Posted by Dominic Powell - July 22, 2016

For the readers out there who regularly tune in to our podcast, Music Ninja Radio, it is common knowledge that Kai Wright (aka Sango) is one of our most played and beloved producers. Since first bursting onto the scene via his remix album More Balloons and solidifying the fanbase with his debut LP North – an album that I still refer to as the greatest collection of music since its Summer 2013 release – Sango has truly spearheaded a sonic movement. Working with the influential Soulection crew, as well as the Grand Rapids/Seattle collective Astronaut Gang (AGO), Sango has pushed the boundaries of experimental trap & instrumental hip-hop well past would-be contemporaries everywhere.

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[15 to End 2015] Ninja Dom’s Best of the Year

Posted by Dominic Powell - December 30, 2015

As a sweeping generalization, 2015 will go down as a year dominated by collectives. Future Classic, Hegemon, Moving Castle, Soulection, HW&W, Wedidit, Monstercat, and French Express pooled their talents together to commandeer the music scene this year. The technical aspects commonly associated with “Future” crept into the DNA of producers, becoming a topical theme across genres from the most obscure to the most mainstream.

In particular, and as one of the most recent additions to the TMN staff, it has been quite a journey both as a contributor and music fan since early April. Without the collaboration of the entire staff – the guidance of editors and advice of my fellow writers – year one as a ninja would not have been possible. Along the way I’ve covered tours, shot music festivals, and met some of my favorite artists, who have graciously exposed me to their own intricate webs of sound. That being said, below is my best effort to reduce thousands of great tracks released this calendar year down to a manageable number. Enjoy the tracks below, in order of release date, and see you all next year!

’Oceaán – Veritas (Young & Sicks Mixed Feelings)’

Stream Only

Although it has nearly been removed from all channels of the internet, this remix of Veritas is a fluid tune, incorporating contrasting techniques in a way that set it apart this year.

’OBESØN – Mon Amour’

Download

This is both my favorite song ever and the answer to the hypothetical question “if you could only listen to one song for the rest of time…”

’San Holo – We Rise’

Buy

Deserving of a spot on all lists, this has been the de facto party-starter and pregame anthem since it’s release in February.

’Alison Wonderland – Run’

Buy

The title track from AW’s debut album taps into the talents of fellow producers Djemba Djemba and AWE in creating this hooky, electronic masterpiece.

’Mura Masa – When U Need Me’

Buy

For an artist focused on quality over quantity, this is Mura Masa’s greatest creation to date.

’DIVERSA – Burning House’

Buy

Burning House is the most powerful release of Diversa’s, serving as a benchmark for the current wave of Drum & Bass producers to measure up against.

’Jamie xx – The Rest is Noise’

Buy

Jamie XX has been graced with near unanimous approval of his album In Colour; The Rest is Noise incorporates his most polished elements in a lengthy rainbow-colored instrumental.

’Tory Lanez – Acting Like (Prod. by Shlohmo)’

Soundcloud

Another up and coming artist out of the blooming Toronto hip-hop scene, Tory Lanez, enlists the help of Shlohmo in putting together this dark, rhythmic jam.

’Golden Vessel – Borrowed Time (ft. Tiana Khasi)’

Buy

Melbourne locals Golden Vessel and Tiana Khasi teamed up to create one of the most enchanting and soulful pieces of the year, bar none.

’Thundercat – ‘Them Changes”

Buy

As the most groovy track of the summer season, this was also an introduction and revival of the nostalgia-pumping funk genre, which used to dominate the charts.

’Tame Impala – The Moment’

Buy

Parker shows off his adaptability on this one; in cutting the downtrodden lyrical content against a synth-driven bridge full of cheery guitar riffs and rhythmic hand claps, the single is inextricably linked with the bridge in fellow Australian band Pond’s recent release, “Medicine Hat”.

’Moi Je – Fais Rien (PETIT BISCUIT Remix)’

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Although the title literally means ‘do nothing’, it is nearly impossible to hear this remix by Petit Biscuit and not be tempted to move by the upbeat tempo.

’Khai – Do You Go Up’

Buy

This bubbly, minimalist tune is carried on the strength of its hook and the catchy vocals of its creator.

’SevnthWonder – Maria I’m Drunk (Ft. Deverano) (Travis Scott Cover)’

Buy

As the most notable track by the best up and comer out of 2015, this remix displays a vision and creativity beyond SevnthWonder’s years.

’Finding Hope – Wonder’

Buy

With roots in the ambient genre, down-tempo is the most calming style of music. The deep, pleasant reverie continues through Wonder and does not end until the close of the song.

[Hip-Hop] GoldLink – Spectrum (prod. Louie Lastic)

Posted by Ash El Gamal - October 8, 2015

GoldLink
Spectrum

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Any one who frequents TMN will know that we’ve been fans of GoldLink and his self-described “future bounce” style for quite some time now. Since he released his iconic mixtape, The God Complex, last year, he’s only grown in popularity receiving some huge co-signs along the way. Today, the DMV hip-hop pioneer announced his long-anticipated debut album along with its second single, “Spectrum” (“Dance on Me” will also be featured on the project).

“Spectrum” carries the energy we’ve come to expect from GL combining a dance-floor ready instrumental courtesy Louie Lastic with nimble flows and out-of-the-box lyricism. Similar to GoldLink’s recent collaboration with Falcons, “Vroom,” the chorus makes perfect use of a Missy Elliot sample that melds flawlessly with the track’s energy. Once again, it’s an interesting juxtaposition as, in many ways, Missy’s timeless style feels like a precursor to the movement GoldLink has started. In this day and age, a full-on collaboration between the two doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibility. While we wait to find out, “Spectrum” will definitely be in heavy rotation.

Goldink’s debut album, And After That, We Didn’t Talk, drops on November 16th via Soulection and can be pre-ordered here.

Hip/Hop

[Electronic] Oshi – Heal You (Redo) Feat. Jamal Woon & Courtney Bennett

Posted by Dominic Powell - July 22, 2015

oshi
heal you (oshi redo) ft. jamal woon & courtney bennett

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Following along a trail blazed by the enormously successful Madeon a few years ago, the EDM world has seen an accelerated movement of ambitious young producers putting their stamp on the scene. From artists like Sam Gellaity to CRNKN, artists are touring shows and performing at venues where they normally wouldn’t be allowed entrance. One of our favorite artists in the 18-and-under category, Oshi, has released the first track from his upcoming EP today in “Heal You”.

When the London based youngster first appeared on our radars, we knew his novel, wavy sound would catch on. Fast forward many more releases and 50,000 followers later, and we have received his best work yet.

Oshi, making a name for himself through quality redos and flips, has toured with members of the Soulection crew and garnered attention around the world. Impressing fans with original works and edits of big names like Fetty Wap and Towkio, this producer is certain to continue his rise among a crowded field.

In his remix of “Heal You”, Oshi samples the currently unreleased work of frequent collaborator Jamal Woon. Oshi’s iteration somehow infuses the beautiful vocals of Courtney Bennett and Woon with a darkly haunting pitch modifier, giving it a hazy feel. The song seems to starkly contrast his previous works, that is, until the 1:05 mark when some of Oshi’s more familiar production techniques shine through. With an array of electronic samples, “Heal You” picks up the pace over the chorus and injects life into this slow jam of a remix.

TMN is excited to hear what Oshi has in store for us in the future, as an EP is clearly in the works. Fans can download “Heal You” here, as well as keep up to date on all of his new releases via Soundcloud or Bandcamp.

[Electronic] Louie Lastic – Close2u

Posted by Ash El Gamal - July 15, 2015

Louie Lastic
Close2u

Soundcloud

Fans of Goldlink will likely recognize the name Louie Lastic for his production credits on three consecutive songs on The God Complex–“Bedtime Story” being our personal favorite. Even as Goldlink has continued to ascend, Lastic’s chosen to keep a low profile, with relatively blank slates on social media and no solo releases of his own. As a fellow DMV-native, it’s somewhat safe to assume that Lastic is an in-house producer of sorts for Goldlink and, therefore, at least partially, albeit quietly, responsible for the “future bounce” movement.

Yesterday, Lastic, who seems to have a similar affiliation to Soulection as Goldlink, released his debut solo track and, it’s everything you’d hope from him and much more. “Close2u” carries the signature bounce that can be found in Goldlink’s music with soulful undertones that will have your head-nodding from the get. Although there’s certainly a “future” aesthetic going on, Lastic simultaneously gives a nod to classic hip-hop production utilizing a masterfully chopped Maxi Priest sample and a perfectly placed backing string section. Without a single dull moment, this dynamic production is hopefully the first of many from the talented producer.

[Chill] Kehlani – Jealous (Mr. Carmack Remix)

Posted by Dominic Powell - July 15, 2015

MR•CAR/ACK
kehlani, jealous (carmack remix)

Soundcloud

Mr. Carmack has always maintained a peculiar aura, even amidst his recent surge in fame. In many ways, he has intimated the qualities of a pseudo- ghost writer for progressive and future music as a whole (TMN has chronicled many of his releases here and here and here). Moreover, his guiding influence has been felt far and wide without direct connections to many artists, in large part, due to his staying power over the years. He may have been better suited to call himself Mr. Consistency.

To that point, Carmack is held in unanimous high esteem by his peers, despite lacking a level of popularity or notoriety (among general music fans) which would typically accompany the talent and reputation of works as great as his. By setting the bar within the Soulection crew and the music producing community at large, Carmack has been releasing tracks this summer at a break-neck pace.

Following up his #SongsFromScratch collaborative release under Adidas+YoursTrulySF with Kehlani last month, Carmack has revealed a remix to the songstress’ latest hit, “Jealous”. Kehlani’s massively popular hip-hop/soul track receives a complete revamp in this latest rendition; Carmack introduces a deep bass line and smooth vocal oscillation techniques, giving the remix a dreamy and ambient quality.

Fluctuations in the dynamic scheme and timely interjections of future elements throughout the tune keep the listener engaged with the instrumental aspects of the song and steal some of the attention away from Kehlani’s moving vocals – which is no small feat. “Jealous” really comes together at the 3:12 mark after Lexii Alijai‘s fast rapping third verse, when Carmack is able to merge the style of the original with his own distinct impression of the song.

Keep tabs on Carmack this summer: music festival enthusiasts can catch his sets at Camp Bisco in Pennsylvania, Hard Summer in L.A., and at the Canadian music festival Shambhala.

Photo credit: GL Askew II