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Stuff I’ve Been Listening To 24 – Synths

Loose Ends (UK) – Hanging on a string 1984
Always loved Loose Ends and this classic track from them.

Welcome welcome. Here is a new post with some of my favorite synths, mostly across soul, jazz, funk, hip hop, and rock. I didn’t always know that I loved synths, I just like good music. But after hearing some chatter about synths in general and some of the machines created to make the sounds, I thought I’d share some of my favorites, not the best synths ever. This is totally subjective. Enjoy.
Little Dragon (Sweden) - A Place to belong (2007)
This is the first Little Dragon song I heard from my boy Miguel. Fonky.
We Are King (Minneapolis/LA) – The Greatest (2015)
Agggh, one of the illest soul groups of recent to write and produce w/ synths!!
Squarepusher (UK) – Plaistow Flex Out (2001)
Was turned on to Squarepusher by my homie and drummer Valentino 
Pink Floyd (UK) – On the Run (1973)
Always loved this Pink Floyd album! 
Kool & The Gang (Jersey City) – Summer Madness (1974)
Classic joint from a classic jazz, rock, soul band.

What is this? 

This series is called “Stuff I’ve been listening to” and this is my place to share music that I listen to while I work, process, decompress, and live life. Some of it is new, some old. But I’m always listening. I share in the hopes that you will find something that inspires you. Please share with a fellow music lover.

Satoshi & Makoto (Japan) – Crepuscule Leger (2017)
New! Don’t know much about these cats, but I dig it.
Jneiro Jarel (Philadelphia) – Soul Starr (2005)
Discovered Jeniro aka Dr Who Dat? at the record store and became an instant fan. 
Björk (Iceland) – Hyperballad (1995)
Heard Bjork through one of my best friends in the 90s and was blown away
Zion I w/ Mikos da Gawd (Oakland) – Saving Souls (2016)
RIP Zumbi, this is one of countless synth flavored Zion I songs


Did you miss the last installment of this series? 

Stuff I’ve been listening to 23: More Jazz
Stuff I’ve been listening to 22: Instrumentals
Stuff I’ve been listening to 21: Raps
Stuff I’ve been listening to 17: Soul
Stuff I’ve been listening to 19: UK Artists
Sexual Harassment (Midwest US) – I need a freak (1983)
House party track tried and true. First heard it as a child.
Chaka Khan (Chicago) – What Cha Gonna do for Me? (1981)
Radio classic on kiss fm in the Bay
Marcos Valle (Brazil) – Naō Tem Nada Naō (1973)
Found this cut via Madlib!
Kraftwerk (Germany) – Numbers (1981)
These cats are German, but this is straight up electro classic hip hop material. 

Ok, one last one fam….
Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein (Austin) – Kids (2016)

Discovered the guys through the Stranger Things soundtrack which was both old and new, simple, yet amazing! Reminds me of 80s movies and that was the point! Keep listening to new and old music. There are tons of great artists still coming out with music. If you’re not sure where to look, check out your local DJ, playlists, mixes, and your local independent radio stations……
August 6, 2023
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Stuff I’ve Been Listening to 23 – More Jazz

Nala Sinephro–space 4 (2021)
I’ve made a post about Jazz before but its high time for this new one featuring some musicians new and old. Straight ahead, fusion, funk, experimental, and a few things in between. Like Nala for example. I LOVE this track from her Space 1.8 album. She’s a harp player who gets it. This one features Nubya Garcia!
R+R=Now – Change of Tone (2018)
This is a super group w/ Robert Glasper, Terrace Martin, Christian aTunde Adjuah, Derrick Hodge, Taylor McFerrin, and Justin Tyson
Bobbi Humphrey– Set me at ease (1975)
OG Bobbi Humphrey on the flute and featuring the Mizell’s and Dorothy Ashby
James Mason– Rhythm of life (1977)
Found this joint via Egon and man it grooves!
Esperanza Spalding – Formwela 3 (2021)
Been following since the myspace days and love how she continues to play and grow
Lonnie Liston Smith–Bridge through time (1980)
You know, Lonnie has so many incredible jams. First heard this through The Conscious Daughters
What is this? This series is called “Stuff I’ve been listening to” and this is my place to share music that I listen to while I work, process, decompress, and live life. Some of it is new, some old. But I’m always listening. I share in the hopes that you will find something that inspires you. Please share with a fellow music lover.
Emma Jean Thackray–Rain dance/wisdom (2020)
I love how Emma Jean mixes jazz with electronic, house, funk, and hip hop. Shout out to the UK jazz scene!
Horace Silver–I’ve had a little talk (1972)
Song for my father is one of my all time favorites but when I heard Osunlade play thisssss?!
Destiny Muhammad Trio– Blue in Green (2022)
Destiny is an ILL harpist and vocalist from the Bay Area! Dig how she plays Miles and her own!!
Alfa Mist – Galaxy (2020)
Alfa Mist is an incredible UK producer and piano player, peep this remake of Eddie Henderson’s classic
Madison Mcferrin– No time to lose (2017)
Madison is the next in line after Taylor and Bobby to show and prove. She can compose, produce, and sing!!
Did you miss the last installment of this series? 
 
Stuff I’ve been listening to 22: Instrumentals

Stuff I’ve been listening to 21: Raps

Stuff I’ve been listening to 17: Soul

Stuff I’ve been listening to 19: UK Artists

Stuff I’ve been listening to 20: Remixes

Keep listening to new and old music. There are tons of great artists still coming out with music. If you’re not sure where to look, check out your local DJ, playlists, mixes, and your local independent radio stations.
Takuya Kuroda– Do they know (2016)
I came across Takuya through vocalist Jose James and always dug this track
Amel Larrieux – Try your wings (2007)
Love Amel since Groove Thory, since Infinite Possibilities, Bravebird, Morning. Peep this remake of the Blossom Dearie song from 1958
Yussef Kamaal- Live at Brownswood studio (2016) Individually these cats are amazing but their joint album “Black focus” is incredible.
Agggh, there’s so many great jazz records. Some you might of slept on or never heard of are artists like Meshell Ndegeocello, Kokoroko, Yazmin Lacey, Melissa Aldama, Grover Washington, or Butcher Brown. I wanna give a special shout out to this legend though.
Roy Hargove – Poetry (2003)
This was the first album that really got me hearing how dope Roy was, then I started to see his name with so many other great artists. Rest In peace brother Roy! Stay tuned for the next “Stuff I’ve been listening to” and drop a comment if there’s someone you recommend!
January 8, 2023
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Stuff I’ve been listening to – 19 (UK artists)

 

Greentea Peng – Dingaling (2021)

It feels like I’ve been listening to a lot of UK(British) artists lately from a few genres but mostly hip hop and soul. Here are a few of those artists. Hearing how they do their own thing and flip soul, hip hop, jazz, or house really trips me out sometimes. One of my biggest wishes is for more US based MCs, vocalists, and producers to collaborate with them. Got some folks I should hear? Leave a comment!

Yusef Dayes & Tom Misch – Storm before the calm (2020)
Cleo Sol – Sweet Blue (2019)
Little Simz-Backseat  (2016)
Eric Lau-Masamba (2017)
Kokoroko- Carry me home (2021)
Nayana IZ – TNT (2020)
Sault – Little boy (2020)
Andrew Ashong – Never dreamed (2013)
I wish I could tell you where everyone is from but I do not always know. And I’m trying to include artists from the past 5-10 years mostly. If we were going back in time I would include artists like Soul 2 Soul, Massive Attack, Radiohead, Loose Ends, or Sade.
Omar – I want it to be (2016)
Zilo – Show me whats mine (2021)
Blue Lab Beats – Memories (2019)
Hawk House – Chill pill (2014)
Hollie Cook – That very night (2011)
Shout out to Osunlade, Gilles Peterson, Vanessa Warren, Thinkbeat Radio, and the Colors YouTube channel for some of the gems!

The previous “Stuff I’ve been listening to” was about HOUSE music

Stuff I’ve been listening to- SOUL music

Stuff I’ve been listening to- JAZZ

November 2, 2021
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Jazz is Dead + Gary Bartz

Love how they’re doing this. And I need to go listen. Jazz is Dead is a collab btwn Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge and various musicians such as Gary Bartz, Doug Carn, Azymuth, Marcos Valle, and Roy Ayers.
Heres a bunch of recent Jazz I’ve been listening to.

 

April 1, 2021
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Mo’ Better Blues (1990) – Movies I Love 2

 

Possibly my favorite Spike Lee film. Or at least in the top 3. This is a love story with a whole lot of good music. Check out this article where the two leading ladies Indigo and Clark talk about the film in retrospect, as this film is 30 years old y’all!
 So much to say about Denzel’s smooth status in this. His confidence and his flaws. There’s a lot in this about Brooklyn of course. And a ton about friendship and ART! I love the little nods to Trane, to the Five percenter’s, to colorism, monogamy, sexism, and the consumption of Black Art. Please watch this if you’re a fan of Spike, Jazz, or Black Artists. 
Watch the trailer, and listen to the soundtrack!!!!! Bradford Marsalis, Bill Lee, they all do their thing on it!

Check out my last fav movie: RAD
What is this? This is a part of my blog where I share my favorites films. I enjoy them for their pacing, action, comedy, drama, lighting, acting, score, so many things. I grew up as a lover of cinema going with my parents, friends, and by myself. I’m no scholar but I bet I could find a movie we both love to talk about. Stay tuned for more…..
November 12, 2020
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Stuff I’ve been listening to 15 – (Jazz)

Mary Lou Williams (Piano) 
Lorez Alexandra (Vocals)
 

India Arie remake of a classic(Guitar/Vocals) 
Milt Jackson (Vibes) – Enchanted Lady 
Dorothy Ashby (Harp/vocals)
 

Keyon Harris(trumpet/vocals) feat Georgia Anne Muldrow
 

Christian Scott! (Trumpet) 
Kev Choice (Piano) -Oakland Baby!!


Terrace Martin (Keys, Vocals)
Moses Boyd (Drums)

This is a very short mix of a bunch of old and younger jazz musicians. Please check out the previous post of music I’ve been listening to HERE

April 24, 2020
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Stuff I’ve been listening to – 12

Wow, I must have listened to this song 20 times playing the bridge over and over. Gabby Wilson aka H.E.R. is an incredible musician and deserves every single praise and or accolade. These are a bunch of songs I’ve had on repeat recently. You can see the last “Stuff I’ve been listening to” HERE

Temani really gives a different style on this one. Unlike any voice i’ve heard recently.

This is an old one, but I’ve been listening to a lot of house lately. Good vibes please! Both Yvette and Spinna did their thing on this! Makes me want to dance every time I hear it.


Destani Wolf’s voice is a thing to behold. I’ve been in the same room as her while she sang and it just lifts you off the ground. Headnodic of Crown City Rockers produced this incredibly vibe filled beat.


This entire EP is fire. Just head nod material from start to finish!

Anthony Valadez, shout out to RecordBreakin!

A group of giants! R+R=Now

Again, found them via RecordBreakin!

Wanna hear more? Here is “stuff I’ve been listening to” 11

March 13, 2019
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