If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Ali Zare If you were of a certain age, there was nothing cooler than the sounds of trip hop and 1960's bossa nova in the mid to late 90's. Trip hop pioneer Eric Hilton (Thievery Corporation) is combining those sounds in his latest album, and the latest single is sonic perfection. "Alma Boa" features vocals from Natalia Clavier, and it has all of the chill vibes of trip hop with the groove of bossa nova. It somehow sounds like it could have been released in either the 60's or 90's, depending on which genre grabs you the most. (Plus, that 90's groovy/bossa nova resurgence will always remind me of my college radio days.) "Alma Boa" is an effortlessly cool track, and we can't wait to hear more from Hilton. Eric Hilton says of his latest single: “‘Alma Boa’ grew out of my love for Brazilian music and bossa nova, particularly the recordings from the 1960s that have influenced me for years.  I wanted to capture some of that warmth and sophi...

Photo by Puma Ptah If you were a hipster in the mid to late 90's, you're going to love the latest from Eric Hilton. The trip hop pioneer and Thievery Corporation member's latest single, "Promise Me," features vocals from Argentinian singer Natalia Clavier and takes the ultra-chill vibe of trip hop and mixes it with the retro cool sounds of the 60's. Trip hop and was cresting thirty years ago, and we were awash with a 60's and 70's revival, and I remember my college radio station getting a ton of CDs of reissues of lost groovy classics. Hilton combines those two musical styles on "Promise Me," and the results are even cooler than you're imagining. For those of us needing some retro cool in our lives, this one is a revelation.  Eric Hilton says of his latest single: "I'm intrigued by music that can exist both in the foreground and the background, you just put it on and let it vibe and seep in, in its own way,” Hilton says. “But if ...

Photo courtesy of Montserrat House Music Trip hop pioneer Eric Hilton has a new single out from his upcoming "elegantly erotic" album. "Lalitā " features Natalia Clavier on vocals, and if you went through an electronic music phase in the 90's, you're going to love this track. This song sounds so much like a certain period in my college years, when The Chemical Brothers and the Trainspotting  soundtrack dominated my listening. It's ultra chilled out, and lands somewhere between trip hop and more club based electronic music. It's a little too energetic for the chill room, but not energetic enough for the main dance room. It's an incredibly engaging track that will have you locked in almost instantly. Eric Hilton says of his latest single: “'Lalitā' features my talented friend and fellow collaborator Natalia Clavier singing in Hindi. Natalia is so special — she understands what I’m trying to do, understands my influences and can translate th...

Photo courtesy of Montserrat House Music Last year we rediscovered trip hop pioneer Eric Hilton with his excellent album Midnight Ragas. Now the Thievery Corporation member is back with a new single off his album due in February. If you're of a certain age, then you know that trip hop was quite often considered sexy time music, even if the lyrics didn't always agree. Hilton's upcoming album is being described as "elegantly erotic," which makes sense once you hear "The Dharma Lovers." It takes the 60's ultracool and groovy sound that made a comeback in the 90's with classic trip hop vibes. The song is instantly cool, and perfect to chill or Netflix and chill. (Do the kids still say Netflix and chill?)  Eric Hilton says of his upcoming album: "This record is an atmosphere, a state of mind. I indulge myself by making music that I want to listen to.  It’s a more solitary record than some of my other work, there is not a big list of guest perform...

Photo by Puma Ptah For his latest single, the godfather of downtempo, Eric Hilton, has enlisted Argentine singer Natalia Clavier for a song that expands the typical sound of trip hop. "L'Ocean" is an ultra chill and laid back song with all of the groove of trip hop, but Hilton has added in a groovy 60's vibe into the song that adds an entirely new element. Trip hop and 60's throwbacks might very well have been the coolest sounds around in the late 90's, and somehow it took thirty years for someone to combine them into a song. "L'Ocean" combines very familiar elements into something familiar yet completely fresh. This one is a great way to start your morning. Eric Hilton says of his upcoming album: "I loved compilations back in the day. You bought them to get turned on to new sounds, or you liked the artist compiling it. ‘Midnight Ragas’ was not conceptualized as a compilation; the album is a moment of eclecticism." You can watch the vid...

Photo by Puma Ptah Trip-hop legend Eric Hilton (Thievery Corporation) is known as the "godfather of downtempo," and his latest single shows why. "Beautiful Moment" is everything I loved about the trip-hop of the 90's. It's ultra-chill while still inspiring movement from a listener. It's virtually impossible for a song this calm to groove this heavy, but that's what we loved about it. "Beautiful Moment" is going to hold right up with all of your favorites from twenty-five to thirty years ago, and will end up being a brand new favorite. As much of a throwback as this song could be, Hilton somehow keeps the song sounding modern with roots in the 90's. This one is something special. Of course, the vocals provide by Kristina Westernik-Dandridge of The Infinite Daisy Chains certainly don't hurt. You can watch the video for "Beautiful Moment" below. Midnight Ragas is due out June 20 on Montserrat House Music, and is available for...

Artist : Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, and Chris Thile Album : Not Our First Goat Rodeo Quick Description : A wonderful follow up to The Goat Rodeo Sessions . Why You Should Listen : This mix of styles worked well last time, and works well this time. Overall Thoughts : I played a lot of The Goat Rodeo Sessions back when that came out, and then I kind of forgot about it over time. When this randomly popped up in my Spotify list this week, it was such a great and pleasant surprise. The musicianship here is predictably top-notch, and the songs just feel right for a hot summer month where we're all supposed to be trapped at home. Just a lovely little package, and easily my favorite of the week. Recommendation : A must-listen. Artist : Braids Album : Shadow Offering Quick Description : Latest from the artsy indie group. Why You Should Listen : Braids continually does interesting and essential music. Overall Thoughts : I feel like I've been waiting for this o...