Benny Sings

Benny Sings
Photo: last.fm

He is the winner of the Essent Award, he has received airplay on BBC Radio 1 and 2, and his song "Little Donna"  was featured in an episode of the HBO Series "Girl." Dutch pop Artist, Benny Sings has met international success and acclaim. His catchy sound makes you wanna clap your hands and it's quite hard to get his catchy tunes out of your head. Evidence below: 

LINKS:
"Little Donna": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSG1mFLz8ds
"Get There": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rShcvMze_k4&list=PL5Y1-wcOujLo_u7NzxbqVii5scYchhx8e
"Coconut": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m87rWvonmz4&index=5&list=PL5Y1-wcOujLo_u7NzxbqVii5scYchhx8e


REFERENCES:
"Benny Sings-Bio." Retrieved from: http://www.bennysings.com/bio

I'm back!

A Livingroom Hush by Jaga Jazzist Album Cover
Photo: ninjatune.net

Hey, it's Karim Mosna, glad to be back with another Jazz Essentials spotlight! Last week, I had the pleasure of interviewing the award-winning trumpeter Brownman Ali, you can read more here: http://www.ignitenews.ca/a-tribute-miles-davis-would-approve-of/

The band was started by teenaged brothers, Lars and Martin Horntveth in 1994. They are Influenced by everyone from John Coltrane to Talk Talk to Aphex Twin and Stereolab. Today, they're a nine piece band whose sound doesn't seem to know any boundaries.

This week, we're looking at an experimental band from Norway who was recognized by the BBC in 2002 when their album A Livingroom Hush was named the best jazz album of that year. Popular Texas rock band, The Mars Volta consider Jaga Jazzist one of their favourite bands.

LINKS:
From A Livingroom Hush "Animal Chin": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVIFUQV20NM

From A Livingroom Hush "Airborne": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0nHo1IdQ6E

REFERENCES:

"Jaga Jazzist." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2014. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaga_Jazzist

The Dining Rooms

This week the spotlight is on a Milan-based duo called: The Dining Rooms. The duo is made up of Stefano Ghittoni and Cesare Malfatti. Both were originally members of the punk/new wave scene, having played in underground bands. Ghittoni, became the resident DJ at Milan's Maggazzini Generali and would create the original sound that is The Dining Rooms ("The Dining Rooms, n.d.), A sound that contains elements of ambient, electronic and nu jazz ("The Dining Rooms, 2013"). 



LINKS:
"M. Dupont": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLcgB4dHQ2s
"Tunnel" feat. Sean Martin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyaNDq3pqn0
"Dreamy Smiles" feat. Anna Clementi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FrBcwoTPOM
"Thin Ice (Paolo Fedreghini and Marco Bianchi remix): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YciNBk9pMeE

REFERENCES:

"The Dining Rooms." last.fm. Retrieved from: http://www.last.fm/music/The+Dining+Rooms

"The Dining Rooms." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2013. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dining_Rooms

Slow Train Soul

Slow Train Soul
Photo Credit: last.fm

Their music has been featured in the US hit series ‘Six Feet Under’ and HBO’s ‘Entourage’ and have been featured on several Nu Jazz compliations including the Saint Germain Des Pres Cafe CD's. Slow Train Soul is a duo with multi-instrumentalist Morten Varano and vocals from Lady Z ("Slow Train Soul"). 

What do they sound like? These quotes sum it up for you....

“If you like Massive Attack, Meshell Ndegeocello or Shirley Bassey’s work with the Propellerheads, you’ll dig their work.” BETTER PROPAGANDA ("Soul Train Soul", n.d.)


“Imagine Sade fronting Portishead and you’re close to the evocative sound these two create. Its luxurious, beautifullly imagined and stellar debut that shows tremendous potential for Slow Train Soul.” ALLMUSIC GUIDE  ("Soul Train Soul", n.d.)



Now have a listen for yourself:


"Trail of Dawn": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zobBNQgXcAw

"Mississippi Freestylin": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4VUFIfrEUQ

"Golddiggah": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvaA8tS6cPI

"Naturally": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JAW3_L_Irw

"Inna City Woman": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGlNYycxg5I


REFERENCES:
"Slow Train Soul." (n.d.) In Facebook. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/SlowTrainSoul/info


"Slow Train Soul." last.fm. Retrieved from: http://www.last.fm/music/Slow+Train+Soul