"In the Air" - L.A.B.

It seems fitting that my latest musical addiction was introduced to me by a cute boy with excellent taste in music.

“In the Air” is a funky love song by New Zealand reggae band, L.A.B. With a seductive bass line and sultry vocals, it’s the perfect song to kick off a blissful night in the bedroom. The added bonus of the call and repeat of the male and female voices make it extra fun to sing along. Luckily I found a fella who knows how to respond when I call out “you can take me home tonight.” 

Go ahead and add it to your sexy playlist or go ahead and check it out on mine here.  

Listen to In the Air on Spotify. L.A.B. · Song · 2019.

"Maggot Brain (Maribou State Edit)" - Funkadelic

This quarantine has given me a good opportunity to organize my music and dive back into some old favorites and I thought I’d finally get around to sharing this gem.

I was hesitant to choose the Maribou State edit, as the original song is an absolute work of genius on its own. That said, I find the Maribou State interpretation to be more accessible.

The original Funkadelic song, released in 1971, is an epic 10 minute album opener with an oozy and mind-bending guitar solo that speaks to the soul. Legend has it that during the recording session George Clinton, while on LSD, told Eddie Hazel to imagine that he had been told his mother had died but then discovered it wasn’t true. The result was this emotional guitar solo. The song was originally planned to have other musicians supporting it but Clinton, recognized the power in that solo and wisely faded them out to focus on the guitar solo.

I like to think about the emotions that Maribou State created on the dance floor by adding some drums to this classic. Beyond speeding up the original and laying a steady drum beat, they pay a nice homage to the original creator by adding in vocals from a George Clinton interview describing the creation of P-Funk. This is a song made to get an audience to think about something more powerful. I can’t help but feel a little envious of everyone who heard it on the dance floor after a night of giving it your all.

As we're getting closer to finishing our 2nd album, we thought we would feed out the edits that have fuelled our DJ sets over the past couple of years. We've made quite a few and there's been requests for us to put them up online - so here's one of the most recent ones... More to follow! MS x

"Don't Call My Name" - Skinshape

While I would never wish heartbreak upon anybody, I am grateful for the creativity it often inspires. I’m not sure why but I’ve always been drawn to breakup songs. One of my all-time favorite songs is the “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, which I only realized was a breakup song a few years ago.

Lately the universe has been acknowledging my single status by sending epic breakup songs my way. This psychedelic song by Skinshape, a.k.a William Dorey, is a slow and oozy tune that gave me goosebumps the first time I heard it. The steady drum line, simple guitar licks, and trippy guitar pedal create an intentionally somber song.

I can feel the heartbreak through the guitar alone but it’s made even more apparent with the lyrics:

Don’t call my name
Don’t pray for me
I’m sad to go
But space I need
Don’t wait for time
We can step to the side
Just be true to yourself
You’ve got nothing to hide

Dorey claims his sound to be heavily influenced by a variety of genres including 1960s-70s funk, soul, reggae, psychedelic rock, and afrobeat music. His last album, Life & Love, is a great representation of this variety of influences. I’m a big fan of the album in its entirety but would highlight these: “Take My Time” and “Inside” featuring Aaron Taylor.

Don't Call My Name, a song by Skinshape on Spotify

Aunque nunca desearía para el desamor de alguien, estoy agradecida para la creatividad que inspira. No tengo ningún idea de la razón, pero siempre he gustado las canciones de las rupturas de relaciones. Una de mis canciones favoritas es “Dreams” de Fleetwood Mac, y solo me di cuenta de que era una canción de las rupturas hace poco.

Últimamente, el universo ha reconocido que estoy soltera y me ha enviado un mogollón de canciones sobre las rupturas. Esta canción psicodélica de Skinshape (William Dorey) es una canción lenta y limosa que me dio la piel de la gallina la primera vez que la escuché. El uso estable de la batería con la pedal de la guitarra crea una canción intencionalmente sombría.

Puedo sentir la angustia de la guitarra pero es aún más obvio con la letra:

No me llames
No ores por mi
Estoy triste por ir
Pero necesito el espacio
No esperes para el tiempo
Podemos dar un paso hacia el lado
Solo sé fiel a ti mismo
No tengas nada que ocultar

Dorey dice que su sonido tiene una influencia de muchos géneros incluyendo el funk de los años ‘60s y ‘70s, soul, reggae, psychedelic rock, y afrobeat. Su último álbum, Life & Love, muestra esta variedad de influencias. Me encanta el álbum en su totalidad pero quiero destacar estas dos: “Take My Time” y “Inside” con Aaron Taylor.

"Foolish Love" - Monophonics

Simply put, the neighborhood of Malasaña in Madrid is an absolutely magical place full of life, grit, charm, character, and soul. I never wanted to live in Malasaña but the universe worked its magic to put me in the right place. One of my favorite haunts in the neighborhood is a creperie/bar/café/community right off Plaza San Ildefonso called L’Orangerie. The vibe in this place is strong. The food is fresh and delicious, the people are undeniably friendly, and the music is ALWAYS on point. The other day I heard this gem while walking out the door of L’O and immediately turned back inside to get the name.

“Foolish Love” is a soulful psychedelic jam by the Monophics that sounds like it’s straight out of the 1970s. A contemporary band from the Bay Area, the Monophonics has the perfect blend of psychedelic soul and funk that makes it hard to believe their music is from this time period.

This song does a great job musically capturing the confusing array of emotions after a breakup. The steady piano riff paired with the wailing guitar and horns at the beginning make you feel the frustration but the lyrics bring it home.

I feel your touch, but you've been gone some time
I see your face, but that's only in my mind
So I do what I can, just to get you back
Cause I just can't shake you loose or get my life on track

Oh my my, I miss you so much
and the way you held me tight
Oh why why, is it so tough?
Cause I can't seem to break away from your foolish love

Foolish Love, a song by Monophonics on Spotify

Malasaña es un barrio en Madrid totalmente lleno de vida, encanto, carácter, y alma. No quería vivir aquí pero el universo sabía lo que yo necesitaba. Uno de mis locales favoritos en el barrio es un bar/cafetería/creperie/comunidad cerca de la Plaza San Ildefonso, L’Orangerie. Este sitio tiene muy buen rollo donde la comida siempre está fresca y sabrosa; la gente es súper amable, y siempre tienen la mejor música. El otro día, justo cuando estaba saliendo, escuché esta canción e inmediatamente volví para buscarla.

“Foolish Love” es un temazo de alma del Monophics como si fuera de los años ‘70. Ellos son una banda contemporánea de California con una mezcla de soul y funk que les da un sonido no de esta época. El riff del piano con la guitarra y las trompetas al principio crean el sentimiento de frustración después del fin de una relación y sus emociones confusas.