Corinne Bailey Rae stops by the Artist’s Den in NYC and performs a few old cuts (the now classic Put Your Records On) from her previous album, and a few new ones from her latest, The Sea. Her sophomore album has a more mature sound and isn’t as polished as her first album, which is a good thing in our book. Head over to The Couch Sessions to read a spot on review about the album. When your done head to your local store and pick it up!

A favorite around the cafe in the beginning of this early year, Tinashe releases a new track entitled Mayday. Even though we prefer the acoustic version of this song [here], we can’t be mad at Tinashe for spicing up the song a bit. The more fans Tinashe reaches the better. Which version do you guys prefer?

Tinashe’s EP Mayday hits stores this March 1st [UK]

Tinashe – Mayday

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Rox is a singer-songwriter who’s been on our radar over the past few weeks. The half Persian/Jamaican born songstress is definitely one to watch for in the coming year. While there will be quite a few female contenders for 2010’s crown, we’re sure this soulful songbird will be one of the brighter stars. “No Going Back,” her first single will be released on Rough Trade December 7th.

If you live in the UK, then you probably didn’t make it to work today or got caught in traffic, due to the 20+ inches of snow that hit overnight.  This song has nothing to do with traffic or not making it to work.  I just love the group’s name and this song.  Reminds me of something The Get Up Kids would do.  So take a break from  shoveling and making those snow men and check out Two Hour Traffic’s, Stuck For The Summer.

Two Hour Traffic [Official Page] [MySpace]

While sorting through the tons of CD’s we got from last year to make way for this year and I stumbled upon an advance copy of The Rifles, Great Escape.  Don’t know if this CD came in this week or before we went on vacation. But I do know British quartet(consisting of Joel Stoker, Luke Crowther, Robert Pyne and Grant Marsh) has received love from Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller and Mike Skinner.  Big honor for a group that’s be making music for the past four years.  Check out their lead track and video for The Great Escape below.

The Rifles | The Great Escape

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The Rifles [MySpace]
Read the rest of this entry »

We just finished listening to Kanye’s 808s and Heartbreaks, and while many are saying its a cross between Depeche Mode, Thom Yorke and T-Pain, we feel there is a another source for Kanye’s new found inspiration.  Kenna.

After traveling with Kenna on the ‘Glow in The Dark‘ Tour, something rubbed off.  While we don’t write reviews on albums (not yet), West’s, 808s is a decent album. But if you want to discover an artist with a new sound, check out a(nother) bonus track from the UK version of Kenna’s album, ‘Make Sure They See My Face.’

Kenna – Big Lights (Feat Pharrell)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Great News!  Lisa Hannigan, “Sea Saw“, will finally see the light of day in America.  Set to release January 20 on ATO Records, the album is gaining a lot of attention from critics and fans alike.  Hannigan is currently on a 42-date North American tour supporting Jason Mraz.  If you haven’t seen Mr. Mraz or Ms. Hannigan perform, we suggest you get out there and buy your ticket.  Remaining tour dates are below.

Lisa Hannigan Tour Dates

November 19 – Minneapolis, MN – Myth
November 21 – Milwaukee, WI – Eagles Ballroom
November 22 – Chicago, IL – Aragon Ballroom
November 23 – St. Louis, MO – Fabulous Fox Theater
November 25 – Lakewood, OH – Lakewood Auditorium
November 26 – Richmond, VA – The National
November 28 – Richmond, VA – The National
November 29 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle

Another artist has made a track for the Obama Celebration CD.  (Honestly, within the past five months we have heard over 15 tracks dedicated or influence by the President-Elect.)  That artist is, Yoda look-a-like, Thom Yorke.  It’s a new remix of his track, ‘Harrowdown Hill.’  The original track appeared on his 2006 solo album, ‘The Eraser.’

Yorke wrote on his website

in celebration of nov 5th
jonnys burthday
amid bonfire and fireworks in the UK
and the dawn of a new era in politics in the USA
i humbly donate a remix of harrowdown hill that was finished ages ago during the band webcasts,
a small reminder of the dark days of Bush’s….
x

You can stream the song from our site below or download it from Yorke’s site.

Thom Yorke – Harrowdown Hill

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Hands down our favorite summer track to come out in the fall,  Come Over, has finally gotten a video.  This Lil X directed video features UK London-bred songstress, Estelle, with dancehall vet, Sean Paul playing a cat and mouse game with each other.

What happens when you take an underground artist from the UK and one from the US.  No you don’t get Maroon Cafe (What up Hollywood), you get Sincere and Joell Ortiz.  ‘Once Upon a Time‘ is already a massive song in the UK, but Mr. Ortiz has decided to jump on the track and put his spin on it.  Rumor has it there is a video in the works for this track.

*Sidebar* – Is it just us or does Joell Ortiz sound like Grand Puba on this track?

Sincere feat Joell Ortiz – Once Upon a Time (Remix)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Source: DJ Semtex

Check original verision