SOMETHING OLD: 'My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)' - En Vogue

The plural vocal powerhouses, shall we call powercity, that is En Vogue. Full to the brim with attitude, sass and the kind of American slick which many since have attempted but never fully achieved. 

'My Lovin' makes you want to strut, makes you want to pout and makes you want to possess a wind machine just to fully encapsulate the oozing appeal of En Vogue's style.

The killer comes during the breakdown. Like the most incredible and credible barbershop harmony you've ever heard, if you don't get it, you're never gonna get it.

LISTEN/LOOK: http://youtu.be/Xpugp6DIb3I

CHECK OUT: http://www.facebook.com/envogue / @EnVogue

SOMETHING NEW: 'Leaving You' - Wolf Alice

Laid back, slack and breathy vocals start this track leading you somewhat mistakenly down the route of a country ballad which travels to this London group with its roots stuck hard in the deep south of America. But once the drums and slide guitar kick in, although still strong to those more country roots, it provides a fresh sound in the confidence defiance of leaving.
Not your average sad, blues, 'I'm a-leavin' the maaaayn' (my best raw accent there) but an anthem in strength 'I'm leaving you, it's been a long time coming'.

Three guys and a girl make up Wolf Alice and far from being country charlatans from the Big Smoke, it's worth checking out new single 'Fluffy', released next month. More rocky and almost reminiscent of those great bands of the 90s, proving girl-fronted guitar bands still rock.

LISTEN/LOOK: http://youtu.be/g_ZWEesFmOA
CHECK OUT: http://www.youtube.com/user/wolfalicevideos / http://www.facebook.com/wolfalicemusic / @wolfalicemusic

SOMETHING OLD: ‘Fire’ – Lethal Bizzle

Featuring a sample of ‘It’s A Shame’ with a little addition of extra drums and thicker bassline makes this track instantly one for summer driving.
Known as being a reliable addition to any live festival, I caught him for the first time at last year’s Boardmasters in Newquay and was blown away by his enthusiasm and getting the crowd in the palm of his hand from the first beat.

Many of his songs have a serious message but with lighter tones, sometimes actually humorous lyrics makes Lethal a refreshing change to many other artists within this British genre. ‘Fire’ follows a similar vein with the addition of a chorus everyone knows and can sing along to.

The best part of any rapper’s game is how easy they make their rhymes, and you can’t argue with Lethal’s loyal fanbase.

From the album ‘Against All Oddz‘ (2005) / @LethalBizzle

SOMETHING NEW: ‘Mama I’m Gonna Sing’ – EJ

There aren’t many songs that simply kick ass with just a vocal and drum. In fact, I can’t think of any in particular right now – except this downright incredible 1 minute 57 second track by EJ.

A husky voice dripping with soul with shades of Tracy Chapman perhaps, it breaks my heart along with my ears feeling cheated that this isn’t longer. It teases you to the point where you feel obliged to put the track on repeat at least 4 times to make it sound like the entirety of a song.

The drum beat is cheerleader-esque, much like the rousing and driving hypnotism of Beyonce’s ‘Run The World (Girls)’, whirling and tapping with hand claps and finger clicks – just try to resist shaking something along.

The relentless march beat stomps along with the lyrics, almost a protest song, telling her reluctant mother that she wants to sing when asked what she wants to be.  Even with this mere appetiser of EJ’s sound, Mama should be as excited as the rest of us to hear what else EJ has in store.

Single released 11^th March / @EJDATSINGS @ejupdates

SOMETHING OLD: ‘Can’t Keep Living This Way’ – Rootjoose

Rootjoose were a Cornish band who achieved local success after winning a Battle of the Bands contest with Capital FM. Releasing their music through their own funded record label was always going to be difficult, however the album ‘Rhubarb’ obtained a cult status as an uplifting, soulful collection of songs which captured the sunshine and high energy associated with the band – especially when playing live.
I first came to know of Rootjoose when we discovered their recording studio was on our holiday campsite. Random but true, an old airfield produced some great tracks – which unfortunately couldn’t compete with the leading heavier, more angry Britpop sound of the mid to late 90s.

A fantastic riff and Harry’s almost Jeff Beck voice tells us of a mundane life he wants to escape from – something as a teenager when this was released, me and alot of  my friends could identify with. Harmonies, sing-along chorus’, they were almost an older version of McFly before they were even out of school themselves.

The band split after being unable to get a record contract after their own went bankrupt. ‘Rhubarb’ however remains one of the albums I most fondly remember from growing up, I can’t help thinking with more money and more marketing Rootjoose could have been something really big.

From the album ‘Rhubarb’ (1998)

SOMETHING NEW: ‘Mexico’ – The Staves

Is honey-soaked harmonies a too sweet description? You know what, I don’t care, because that is what you get from this absolutely beautiful track from three piece folk band The Staves.

Very Joni Mitchell, very Laura Marling, whoever else you want to compare them to, they do essentially bring their own sound to the forefront and you will lose yourself in those harmonies. Easy listening, but not in the sometimes demeaning sense of that genre, you can so easily close your eyes in be immersed in where the song takes you with its simplicity and haunting vibrations.

Currently providing support for The Civil Wars on their American tour; I sincerely hope to see them live back in Blighty at some point this year – preferably somewhere like the Eden Sessions, where their sound could in anyway be equalled, complimenting the setting of a summer’s gig or festival. That, is where this sound needs to be heard!

From the EP ‘Mexico’ (2011) / @thestaves

SOMETHING OLD: ‘Trashed ’ – Skin

Today’s choice was nearly from Skin’s band Skunk Anansie, but I’ll save that treasure for another week and whet your appetite for her utterly beautiful and sometimes venomous vocal with this solo track.

For me, one of the very few artists who could have such a soulful yet raspy rock voice and yet the sincerity of hurt and anger – all in even just this song! The underlying vocals on the bridge and last chorus particularly haunting and poignant in such a sad track.
The production is in a similar vein to the work of her band: those heavy, dirty drum beats and evocative, subtle guitar melodies.  Co-writing all her songs, you can’t help but think she has been through a situation which led to the inspiration of each one – ‘Trashed’ itself signals the end of a relationship, the bitterness, pain and reluctance to attempt to carry on felt in every note.

One of the defining female voices in what was the fundamentally male-dominated Britpop movement, Skin’s vocals both as part of a band and as a solo artist showcase not only the most raw emotions but also a raw talent – something unfortunately you don’t get to see so often anymore.

From the album ‘Fleshwounds’ (2003) / @skinskinny