MPHO!
20 Jul 2009, written by gsm staff
The retro 80’s music video production value watch continues. This time, one of our favorites, Mpho.
Her sound, and in many ways, her style, is right on time. Her name means “gift”. Mpho is a 21st century pop star in that way that we’d always hoped pop stars in the future would be. Fearless. Talented. Confident.
Mpho’s family moved from South Africa to London when she was a toddler to escape apartheid laws that made the very fact of her existence evidence of a crime. Music was a constant presence, with both her biological father and her stepdad being professional musicians. After starring in secondary school plays and concerts – and having classmates asking for her autograph after particularly fiery performances – Mpho found herself a smaller fish in a bigger pond at the Brits School in Croydon.
The road to ‘Pop Art’ hasn’t been smooth. Along the way Mpho took a few wrong turns of her own, making music that didn’t feel sufficiently all-encompassing until that moment when Switch and Martha and the Muffins pointed her in the right direction. From there, the ideas began to flow.
Mpho’s writing has a resonance and depth that sets her apart from many of her pop peers. She’s grown up with hip hop, and it’s the rapper’s delight in wordplay that gives her lyrics their incisive bite. ‘All Change’ uses a metaphor based around train travel to talk, first, about taking charge of a relationship, then, on a deeper level, about seizing control of your destiny.
At other times, she’ll tackle subjects which, though staples of the confessional writing prized in rock or soul circles, are rare coming from artists with serious ambitions toward pop stardom. ‘S.P.A.C.E. Man’, was written after a relationship disintegrated due to her then boyfriend’s descent into drug abuse.
So here are two videos that showcase what kind of artist Mpho is. First, the cover of “Running Up That Hill” that’s been making its rounds. We came across it on Kiss My Black Ads, another of our favorite blogs. You’re reading him, right?
Okay? Taking on a Kate Bush tune is serious. Many have tried. Most fail. Even Maxwell had to do a full-on reproduction, almost note-for-note.
Now check her PV for Box N’ Locks, from the new album:
NOISEttes!
02 Jul 2009, written by gsm staff
There’s been so much great music this year that we almost forgot to mention a band we’ve kept our eye on since we first heard them in 2007. Folks, we love this band. We know that their song is in a car commercial, but even still, they have a great sound
The Noisettes are a London-based three piece band. They have been together for over 3 years with Dan Smith on Lead Guiter/Vocals, Shingai Shoniwa on Vocals/Bass, and Jamie Morrison on Drums.
But ya wouldn’t know they were a 3 piece band to listen to ‘em. For the past week in between the Jackson tunes, we’ve been playing tunes from their upcoming Wild Young Hearts album.
This album is set up to be a must-have record. Their songs are great, Shingai is an absolute star (or is it that we’re suckers for bass playing female vocalists?) and the time is right.
Their retro style is flawless. They have pulled off 60s, 70s, and 80s without fail so far. Check out the 60’s styling on this video for “Never Forget You”.
Mobile Soul 144: Mobile Soul Origins
16 Jun 2009, written by gsm staff 0 Comments
One of the reasons people subscribe to and follow Mobile Soul is the eclectic nature of the music we play. The reason for this eclecticity is that the show is basically a chance for us to play what we want. We certainly hope that you enjoy it, but we refuse to get into playing “the hits”. If we keep playing what you’re currently being sold…ya won’t learn nothin’. Last week we got some email that we really enjoyed. Check out some of the better parts:
I never know what’s going to happen when I press play on Mobile Soul, but I know I’m going to love it.
When you guys didn’t update the show earlier this year I was sad,
I have been using Pandora to tide me over between Mobile Soul shows
I discovered the show as a freshman and now I am set to graduate. Mobile Soul has seen me through many final exams. Thank you!
Thank you, one and all, for listening all these years. This week we go back to an international jazz and soul style that turns any room, office, or store into the best bar and lounge in the city. We take it back to the boutique days with this set. Enjoy!
Shuya Okino and Carleen Anderson remixed by Sleepwalker – Beautiful Sadness Gil Scott Heron – Vildgolia (Deaf Dumb and Blind) George Soule – Get Involved Grady Tate – Be Black Big Horns B – Mission: Impossible DJ Mitsu The Beats – Night In Vienna Jill Decoy Association – no name collection (DJ Mitsu The Beats remix) Ballistic Brothers – Blacker Michelle Amador – Higher Bembe Segue – Amazing Kaidi Tatham – He Laughs, She Cries The New Mastersounds – Land of Nod (lack of afro remix) Black Experience Band – The Road Abraham & the Metronomes – Party Gil Scott Heron – Racetrack In France Tony Williams – There Comes A Time Janelle Monae – Letting Go
22 Feb 2010
VIDEO: Thelma Aoyama – Kaeru Basho
Universal Music Japan continues their aggressive setup of Thelma's latest project with this video for her single due next month. This song, Kaeru Basho (A Place To Return To), is arguably one of the best releases Thelma's had yet, a solid song that really shows off her voice. This song is to appear on the soundtrack of "Doraemon: Nobita no Ningyo Daikaisen", the 30th film in the Doraemon film franchise.
Continue reading21 Feb 2010
Mobile Soul 156
An exclusive new short mix session with some new music we've been listening to.
Continue reading21 Feb 2010
WATCH + LISTEN: Sufjan Stevens – The BQE
The BQE is a cinematic suite inspired by the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and the Hula-Hoop. Commissioned by Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), The BQE was originally performed in the Howard Gilman Opera House in celebration of the 25th anniversary Next Wave Festival in October of 2007.
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