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

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

’DIVERSA – Burning House’
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’
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)’
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)’
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”
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’
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)’
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’
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)’
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’
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.

Related items:

Sunday Night Soul [Vol. 20]

Hello ninjas, and welcome to Sunday Night Soul Volume 20. We embarked on this journey exactly 5 months ago with the goal of finding only the best tunes the internet had to offer. What started off as a fairly modest effort, has now grown substantially to the monstrosity you see here (and we mean “monstrosity” in the most loving way possible). We’re proud to see how the field has expanded to include various different soundscapes, increasingly pushing the genre to new limits. It’s an exciting time for R&B music, and we’re pleased to be to sitting right here in the front row, watching it evolve right before our eyes.Of course, you can hear that growth for yourself below.

This week’s collection includes multiple doubles. By doubles we mean you’ll be seeing more than a few names repeated multiple times throughout. Whether it’s through remixes or features, what it indicates is that plenty of your favorites were incredibly busy this week. Standouts come by way of Zuper, Dpat & Atu, SZA, White Lights, Bipolar Sunshine, Gallant, Z.Woods, Mila J, Rush Davis, Muzi, Ta-Ku, Fei-Fei, subdaio, elkco, Lido, ForteBowieTOKiMONSTAFiggy and Dolphin Tears. That might seem like a substantially long list already, but that’s just scratching the surface of what tonight’s pallet has to offer.

’Zuper – Wake Up With You’
’Plue Starfox – Gold Eater (Feat; Muzzy Legault)’
’Melo B. Jones – Perfect Girl (Produced By Oh4Re△L?!)’
’Chiara Noriko – Where Are You Gonna Take Me’
’Rochelle Jordan – How To Feel’
’abhi//dijon – Let You Know (Dpat & Atu Remix)’
’Aquilo – Part Of Your Life’
’SZA – Child’s Play (feat. Chance The Rapper)’
’// White Lights – Sleepyhead’
’Jay Stones – Agartha (Prod. The Most Hiii)’
’YOUNG & SICK – HEARTACHE FETISH’
’Soulpersona – Hot Shower Interlude feat Princess Freesia (From The Lapdancer album)’
’M&O – House ft Donnie Trumpet’
’Dana Williams – One More’
’James Fauntleroy – I Don’t Wanna Be Alone’
’Bipolar Sunshine – Long Live A$AP (A$AP Rocky Cover) – Radio 1 Live Lounge Late’
’Sam Smith – Stay With Me’
’Clara C – Things Untold’
’Asher Roth – Fast Life (Feat. Vic Mensa)’
’Will Wildfire – Days In The East (Call On Me)’
’Gallant – Jupiter Grayscale (prod. Maths Time Joy)’
’Z.Woods – Undo’
’August Alsina – Kissin On My Tattoos’
’MirImage – Mine’
’Jacquees – Future Baby Mama’
’Coline Creuzot – You Tried It’
’Mila J – Smoke, Drink, Break Up (Remix) (Feat. Ty Dolla $ign)’
’Muzi – TRIBES X ANGELS (FT DIVINE CIGHT)’
’Rush Davis – Sin Pays The Bills’
’India Shawn – Floating Away (ft. James Fauntleroy)’
’Eric Bellinger – Rihanna Feat. K2’
’Nsha Feat. J Staffz – Slow Down (Prod. By J Staffz)’
’MPrynt – Don’t Hurt Me’
’Songwriter TC – Done With Love’
’Tiffany Evans – Footprints’
’Elevation Theory – Valentines Day’
’TeeFLii – 24 Hours ft. 2 Chainz (Produced by DJ Mustard)’
’M&O – Hollow’
’Glass Animals – Holiest Feat. Tei–Shi’
’BANKS – BRAIN (TA–KU REMIX)’
’Madeaux – EPINEPHRINE (FEAT. GALLANT)’
’Tev’n – Chasing Storms (Kwes. Rework)’
’XONA
Umbrella’
’Drake – The Motion (AVAY Rework)’
’O L V – Close To Us (GXNXVS Remix) (Feat. Låpsley)’
’FDLUXX – Repent 94’
’The Code – Her’
’subdaio. – Apsara (ft. Muzzy Legault)’
’Pascäal – Drowning In You (Mincha Edit)’
’Duncan Gerow – Alicia Keys + J Dilla = Girlfriend’
’Duncan Gerow – Brandy + 40 = Full Moon’
’NiceGuyxVinny – Savannah’
’Fortune & MadBliss – Inside’
’Låpsley – Painter (Hazy Mountains Remix)’
’M.I.A. – XXXO (T.Hemingway Remix)’
’Jhene Aiko – My Afternoon Dream (BeAle Remix)’
’BANKS – Brain (Fei – Fei’s Feided Remix)’
’Miguel – The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (prod. elkco rmx)’
’Chris Brown Feat. Tyga & Lil Wayne – Loyal (C. Justice Bootleg)’
’Pharrell – Happy (ForteBowie 1988 SOUL TRAIN EDIT)’
’Disclosure Ft. Sam Smith – Latch (Lido Remix)’
’Eric Bellinger ft K2 – Rihanna (Jeftuz Remix)’
’Uness – Top Down Caddy (produced by elkco rmx)’
’Tinashe ft Schoolboy Q – 2 On (TOKiMONSTA remix)’
’Seal – Kiss From A Rose (Durkin 3:30 AM Edit)’
’Foner – ctctct’
’✿ Harrison ✿ – How Can It Be (Feat. Maddee)’
’Stevie Wonder – Superstition (Autograf Remix)’
’Destiny’s Child x WKND – Say My Name’
’Tinashe – Vulnerable Feat. Travi$ Scott (Blood Diamonds Remix)’
’Ariel Camusso & Persian Empire – Time (123Mrk remix)’
’Figgy – Do It Like Us’
’LION KNGS – U & No One Else’
’JEREMIH – F*CK U ALL THE TIME (DOLPHIN TEARS REMIX)’
’Jeremih – Birthday Sex (Andrew Luce Remix)’
’Brandy – Paint This House (Ticklish Reboot)’
’DJ Cassidy feat. R. Kelly – Make The World Go Round’
Related items:

[Soul/R&B] Young & Sick – Heartache Fetish

YOUNG & SICK
HEARTACHE FETISH

Oh man, talk about a song that tugs on those heartstrings.
Nick Van Hofwegan, better known as the artist Young & Sick, released the single ‘Heartache Fetish’ off his upcoming album due out in two weeks.
“Dripping from your lips, written on your wrists…” are just some of the seductive lyrics of this soulful song. Y&S has a voice that reminds you of a hot summer day, when you slowly poor water over your head to keep you cool but still feel the heat on your lips. The song speaks of love, heartache, and the ever desire and fetish to have someone want you as much as you want them. Cannot wait to hear the rest of this crooner’s album.

Related items:

Sunday Night Soul [Vol. 15]

Sunday is finally upon us, and while that signals the end of yet another (hopefully productive) weekend, at least we have some glorious soul to help make the transition a little bit easier. February is nearly over, and considering that it’s one of the more passionate months of the year, we’ve had plenty of content to work with over the last few weeks. This week’s lineup is no different, as it’s packed with stellar offerings from the likes of Chloe Martini, Matt Miller, Joe Kay, Mar, Estelle, Abrina, LIZ, Hasta, and many many more. Check out the diverse selection below, and let the music take over your soul.

’Demplz – This Time’
’Jeremy Passion – Desperately (original)’
’Nick Hakim – POUR ANOTHER’
’Johnny Rain – Something New Maybe?’
’PARTYNEXTDOOR – Persian Rugs (Joe Kay’s Slowed Edit)’
’Pheo – Real Old Cigar (Joe Kay’s Slowed & Roll One Edit)’
’Kaleem Taylor – Love me Back’
’Kwamie Liv – 5 AM’
’Låpsley – Station (Le Motel Remix)’
’Mar – A Simple Go’
’477 – Just Cruisin’ feat. Vocalatti’
’Rainy Milo – Bout You (Tall Black Guy Remix)’
’Aaliyah – Rock The Boat (Cookin Soul remix)’
’Byron The Aquarius – Galactic Soul Ft. Distant Starr X Byron The Aquarius X Gala Ga’
’Estelle – Anyway’
’Gemaine Edwards – Freaky’
’Roses Gabor Ft. Shola Ama – For You…’
’Melat – Golden (prod. by Jansport J)’
’Abrina – Blowin (feat. Jeremih)’
’Elevation Theory – Do It To Me feat: Sara Mia’
’Kehlani – Raw & True’
’Brandon Williams – Now I Know feat. Jesse Boykins III & Robert Glasper’
’Jamie Lewis – So Beautiful (Musiq Soulchild Bootleg)’
’Mar – Ode To Her’
’Illangelo x Rochelle Jordan – What The Fuss’
’Pandr Eyez – Heartbreaker’
’Tiyon Christian – Tears Run’
’Wes. – No Flowers’
’Chris Brown – Counterfeit Feat. Wiz Khalifa & Rihanna’
’KR$CHN X Jeffrey dè Soul – Time Ill Spent’
’Doddy – All Over Me’
’DYNOHUNTER – The Real Thing ft. Precious Hill’
’Ill Esha – Happiness Is Lonely’
’Austin Paul – L A D Y’
’Dunson – Cross Town Lovers (feat. John Legend) (Remix)’
’LIZ – Y2K (Prod. by Lido)’
’LIZ – Say U Would (Prod. by C.Z.)’
’Partynextdoor – Persian Rugs (Marvel Alexander Remix)’
’vaisle – you don’t have to go’
’KojackParalelo – Any Time!’
’Janelle Monáe – PrimeTime ft. Miguel (Chloe Martini Remix)’
’Sway Clarke II – I Don’t Need Much (GXNXVS Remix)’
’The Weeknd – Drunk In Love (aywy. & TVNE remix)’
’Blue Sky Black Death – Pyramids (Frank Ocean Bootleg)’
’Duncan Gerow – Ciara + 40 = Sorry’
’ΔGØLDWYN – Enough Said’
’Neenah – Special Kinda Love (Croup Remix)’
’NΞHZVIL – OVERDOSE  (Ciara ReFIX)’
’Patchley – Your Moves’
’Kyla La Grange – Cut Your Teeth (Hippie Sabotage Remix)’
’Cassie – Me & U (Dr. Fresch’s Let’s Go Home Remix)’
’Tom Richman – Dro Montana (Sweater Beats Remix)’
’Matt Miller – No Love’
’THE GTW – CALLING CARDS’
’Atlantic Connection – Memories (You & Me)’
’Lapalux – Without You (Imagined Herbal Flows Remix)’
’Wet – Don’t Wanna Be Your Girl (Branchez Remix)’
’YOUNG & SICK – GLASS’
’SevnthWonder – All U Need’
’✿ Harrison ✿ – Private Party Feat. Maddee’
’Jeremih – Birthday Sex (Hasta Remix)’
’Chris Brown – Fine China (Royal Refix)’
’Denitia & Sene – Go Too Far (ATR777 remix)’
Related items:

Sunday Night Soul [Vol. 10]

Well, the NFL  Conference Championship games are over, and the Super Bowl teams have been decided (congratulations to Denver and Seattle). Win or lose, we’ve got the perfect dose of soul here to help keep the celebrations going, or lift your spirits and heal your wounds (sorry New England and San Francisco). If you scroll down, you’ll see that we have a packed house once again, and the output doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. Tonight’s entertainment includes such esteemed names as Raleigh Ritchie, Stwo, Tinashe, Willow SmithBlackbear and Freeze-Tag. We also have a few newer acts throwing their hats into the ring, including Rubee RaynePrelow, Jon E.K., Jeftuz, abstract youth and Kayla Steen. That’s just a fraction of what you can expect from this week’s Sunday Night Soul, which might actually last you the full week. Enjoy!

’RACHEL FOXX – (INTRO)’
’Ari Lennox & DJ Grumble – Cold Outside’
’Cookiee Kawaii – M U S I C & Poetry Prod. JTBS’
’Willow Smith – 5 (Feat. Jaden Smith)’
’abstract youth – Naked.’
’Janita – Thats How Life Goes (NeguimBeats Remix)’
’Rubee Rayne – Breathe (Prod. El Train)’
’Mariami – Gates (Georgia On My Mind)’
’Bianca Raquel – Dear Summer (Original)’
’Pettros – Jiggy (prod. by @iamblackbear)’
’Jordan Grizzle – Better Words (Prod. by Lamb & Bigg D)’
’August Alsina feat. Jeezy – Make It Home’
’Brenmar – Medusa Feat. Rush Davis’
’Jon E.K. – Crumble’
’Raleigh Ritchie – Stronger Than Ever’
’Algebra Blessett – Right Next To You’
’Max Marshall – Your Love Is Like’
’Kenneth Whalum – Away (featuring Big K.R.I.T.)’
’Echo • – Escape’
’Raury – Bloom’
’Prelow – For The Team’
’YOUNG & SICK – Magnolia’
’MS MR – Think Of You (Wildcat! Wildcat! Remix)’
’Freeze Tag – You Do’
’Mary J Blige – Be Without You /// T.Hemingway Remix feat. Maximus MMC’
’Next – Wifey ・ NΞHZVIL Remix’
’SevnthWonder – Exotic Lover’
’AVNGRS – ąŁǿɲƹ ƮǿǥƹƮɦƹř’
’Sango ft. SPZRKT – Middle Of Things, Beautiful Wife (Stwo Remix)’
’AALIYAH – TRY AGAIN (SHASH’U REMIX ’14)’
’Justin Timberlake x Sango x Dpat – Wake Up, TKO’
’Duncan Gerow – Usher & Young Jeezy + Esta  = Love In This Club’
’Maejor Ali ft. Juicy J & Justin Bieber – Lolly (Jeftuz remix)’
’ΔGØLDWYN – Girl you know I
I
’Tinashe – 2 On feat. ScHoolBoy Q’
’Wet – No Lie (Noah Breakfast Remix Ft. Spank Rock)’
’Supreme Cuts – Down (ft. The GTW, Khallee, and David Ashley)’
’DAVE LUXE – If You (Out Now On Play It Louder Volume 1)’
’BMB. – FUNK’TWERK   (From BeatTape)’
’TGT – OMG (Noïthingness remix)’
’Jeftuz – My Love (Forthcoming on The Dutch, January 17th)’
’Blaque – Bring It All (James Tambiance Remix)’
’Blood Orange – Chamakay (Cousin Cole Edit)’
’Tomi Jones – Tell Everyone’
’Kayla Steen – Seashells’
Related items: