If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Linear Labs The second single from Brazilian singer/actress Samantha Schmü tz and American producer Adrian Younge is retro in the best possible way. "Samba Can çã o" was recorded in Younge's all analog studio in Los Angeles, which helps give it a sound that could be from decades ago. This is a tribute to Brazilian samba from the 60's and the culture of vinyl records, and even if you don't know what that sounds like, the love for this sound is embedded deep within your soul. "Samba Can çã o" just sounds vitally cool, and will create an instant connection with you. Unless you're hung up on only listening to a single genre of music (and if you are, you probably don't read this blog), you're going to love the collaboration between Samantha Schm ü tz and Adrian Younge. Adrian Younge says of the latest single: “Samba Canção' is a simple song with intricate orchestration created to highlight the beauty of Brasil in the way music did bef...

Photo by Linear Labs At the risk of this becoming an Adrian Younge fanpage, his latest collaboration with Jazz is Dead co-founder Ali Shaheed Muhammad sees the pair working with Brazilian samba-funk legend Dom Salvador. "Nã o Podermos O Amar Parar" is an ultra-chill track that bridges "... Black Brazilian music with the global rhythms of jazz, funk, and soul." It's the type of song you can simply put on in the background and listen while you do chores and go about your day, but you'll get true enjoyment from "N ã o Podermos O Amar Parar" the more you pay attention to it. As relaxed as the song is, there is a lot going on to reward your focus. The trio of Salvador, Younge, and Muhammad have outdone themselves on this one. Adrian Younge says of the new single: “ Não Podemos o Amor Parar  represents how the power of music can be used as a universal language, to spread love around the world." You can listen to "N ã o Podermos O Amar Parar...

Photo by Linear Labs We'll pay attention to anything producer/arranger Adrian Younge puts out. The highly prolific artist's latest collaboration is with Brazilian singer/actress Samantha Schmü tz. The first single from their upcoming album is "Depois do Amor." It has such a retro 60's cool to it, and certainly doesn't sound like anything made this century, possibly because it was recorded in Younge's all analog studio. It's reminding me of this period in the late 90's when my college radio station was getting a ton of these lost soundtracks from the 60's being reissued. "Depois do Amor" is such a cinematic song that it's almost hard to believe it's not actually from a forgotten sixty year old film. If you have a nostalgia for soulful 60's film scores, or at the least a nostalgia for 90's nostalgia for 60's film scores, "Depois do Amor" is perfect for you. Samantha Schm ü tz says of the new single: “Someti...

Photo courtesy Linear Labs Next month will see the release of Something About April III , Adrian Younge's final installment of his "psychedelic soul trilogy with a Brazilian twist." Right now we can check out a new single from the album: "Nó s Somos As Estrelas." The new single is a vocal harmony focused track that might perfectly encapsulate what psychedelic soul is. It's impossibly smooth with just the hint of 1960's groove. It truly sounds like a lost film score from sixty years ago in the best possible way. Back in the late 90's my college radio station started getting lost and rediscovered albums from the 60's in as rereleases, and that's what "N ó s Somos As Estrelas" reminds me of. Adrian Younge has done an immaculate job of recreating that sound. You can listen to "N ó s Somos As Estrelas" below. Something About April III is due out April 18 on Linear Labs. For more on Adrian Younge, check out the artist on Instagr...

Photo courtesy Linear Labs Producer Adrian Younge has announced the third part of his psychedelic soul trilogy Something About April III (looks like we have some homework for parts I and II...) and released a single from the album. "A Mú sica Na Minha Fantasia" is almost impossibly cool sounding. The entire song sounds like a combination of a Wu-Tang Clan sample and a lost gem included in a Quentin Tarantino soundtrack. It's a laid back song that grooves incredibly hard. Adrian Younge has crafted a song that epitomizes that 70's retro cool that we had in the 90's while updating it for this century. I can guarantee that as soon as you're done listening to "A M ú sica Na Minha Fantasia" obsessively, you're going to dive right into the first two parts of the trilogy. Adrian Younge says of his latest single: “A Música Na Minha Fantasia' is one of the first songs I created for SAA III because I needed to start the album with vigor and purpose. It’...

Afrobeat pioneer Ebo Taylor has a new single out from his collaboration with Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad. "Feeling" the psychedelic Afrobeat and West African funk and mixes it with the style of jazz we've come to associate with the Jazz is Dead label. It's instantly addictive, and will instantly draw in any true music fan. It's that chilled out style of jazz that demands the audience move, and if you can sit still during "Feeling," you might want to check to see if you have a soul. Taylor turns ninety years old in January, and the fact that he is still making music this vital and engaging at this point in his career and life is something that needs to be celebrated. "Feeling" is truly a special single. Adrian Younge says of working with Ebo Taylor: “Collaborating with Ebo Taylor is definitely a bucket-list accomplishment. For me, it is the equivalent of working with musical genius Fela Kuti, because of how much I have studied both of...

Photo by Linear Labs Jazz is Dead 021 is a compilation due out that features Jazz is Dead founders Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad collaborating with legendary artists. The latest single is "Amor Enfeitiç ado" which features Younge teaming with Brazil's Prince of Soul Carlos Daf é . The song is this amazing mix of jazz and soul. It's truly timeless, with a sound that is both vintage and modern, and sounds both classic and fresh. If you're a fan of either soul or jazz (or both), you're going to be into this one. Even if those aren't typically your preferred style of music, you owe it to yourself to give this a listen. It's just the type of gateway song that could open music fans up to an entire new genre of music. You can listen to "Amor Enfeiti ç ado" below. Jazz is Dead 021 is due out October 4 on Jazz is Dead, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Carlos Daf é, check out the artist on Instagram .

Photo by The Artform Studio Back in 2023, Ghanian highlife and Afrobeat pioneer Ebo Taylor travelled to and performed in the US for the first time at the age of eighty-eight. While visiting the States, he worked with Jazz Is Dead producers Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (of A Tribe Called Quest) on a new album. The first single off that album can be listened to, and it is quite simply fantastic. "Obra Akyedzi (Gift of Life)" goes far past the all encompassing "world music" label. It combines elements of Afrobeat with jazz and funk for a sound that is going to resonate with anyone who has a soul. The most astounding this is that Ebo Taylor was eighty-eight when he recorded it, and it sounds like a lost album from the 70's. Open your mind and check out the brilliance of "Obra Akyedzi (Gift of Life)." Adrian Younge says of working with Ebo Taylor: “Collaborating with Ebo Taylor is definitely a bucket-list accomplishment. For me, it is the equivale...

The Friday New Release Era has begun! Album of the Week Artist : Adrian Younge and Ghostface Killah Album : Twelve Reasons to Die II Quick Description : A continuation of a thematic project between the Wu-Tang member and a soul musician. Why You Should Listen : You like good rap music from established stars, you are into acts that take thematic chances, you still believe that the Wu Tang Clan ain't nothin' to... well, you know. Overall Thoughts : In the last year, we've seen a lot of solo work from Wu Tang members, and this one is just as good as any of them. I keep waiting for them to stumble out of the gate, but, 20 years later, they still have it. Recommendation : As the album of the week, it's a must-listen. As a 2015 rap album, it's a must listen. As an interesting release it's a must listen. Artist : EZTV Album : Calling Out Quick Description : More throwback power pop in a debut album. Why You Should Listen : You love throwback acts, you...