mixtape maestro (2.0)

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John West featuring Big Sean “Already There” Posted: 15 Nov 2011 10:37 PM PST “I feel like John Legend/ Mixed with a little Kan’,” rhymes R&B newcomer John West on the opening rap (!!) verse to his new single “Already There”, a line that does a pretty good job describing the feel of the track which, with its heavy drums and warm piano tone, sounds like something Legend and Kanye could have cooked up in a studio together. It’s the follow-up to his striking debut, the summery sublime Pusha T-assisted “Lovely”, and a tune that keeps him firmly planted in the “pleasant on the ears” lane, the sunny production and his honey-toned high tenor providing some nice support for an inspirational lyric sheet that should have no problem earning “anthem” status in this time of financial woes (“I ain’t got a dollar but I’m feeling like a millionaire…”) and 99%/ Occupy headlines (“This is our generation, this is our time/ We revolutionaries standing on the front line”). Even with the decision to take on a little hashtag rapping (“We taking giant steps, John Coltrane”) though, we doubt “Already” will help in getting West away from all those Robin Thicke comparisons. Already There feat. Big Sean by John West

Nite Jewel “She’s Always Watching You” Posted: 15 Nov 2011 03:19 PM PST Following the crisp clarity Nite Jewel (aka L.A.-based DIY pop-funk chanteuse Ramona Gonzalez) somewhat shockingly brought forth on the highlight title track of the act’s 2010 Am I Real? EP, new single “She’s Always Watching You” finds the entity settling even more comfortably in woozy-free/ “lyrics you can actually understand” territory. Miles away from the murky, four-track-based experimental feel that typified NJ’s earliest material, “Watching” takes all the sweet R&B, funk and freestyle-pop references that teasingly simmered beneath their initial lo-fi production aesthetic and pitches them in vivid HD, Gonzalez’ vocal planted front and center in a dazzling soundscape of funky deep bass burblings, ringing electric guitar licks and dancing synth-strings that make the record sound like some long-lost Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam delight. Pick it up December 13th either digitally or on 7″ (a format that will also include a hand-written letter from Ramona) via yours truly‘s Love Letter Ink label. Nite Jewel’s sophomore effort is expected in early 2012. She’s Always Watching You by Nite Jewel

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