Another Austin act. Is there anybody in that town who isn't making music? J. Greene & The Steady are new to the scene, having joined forces earlier this year. Though the core sound is Soul/R&B, the members of the group have experience in a vast array of musical styles, and they do season the broth. Judging by "Shakedown" on their Facebook band page, they definitely can get gritty and rock that soul. The Christmas set is less rock and more modern Soul. "Winter Sessions" is a 3-song EP and the songs in question are all classics. I'm not sold on the beat underlying "The Christmas Song", but their takes on "Christmas Time Is Here" and "This Christmas" are stellar. If you like what you hear, get "Winter Sessions" as an absolutely free instant download via Bandcamp.
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Syminn (as in Simon, I presume) brings us the gift of R&B from Northern Ireland. He's currently working on an EP and he's cleaning house of some demos and songs he wrote that weren't previously recorded. "Will You Still Be Here (Next Christmas)" was written in 2012. Its got an infectious hand-clapping beat and some pretty soulful crooning. Sort of Motown on synth (or Motown-esque). Get it on Bandcamp. Roots rocker JD McPherson has a new album coming in 2015, "Let The Good Times Roll". In advance of that release (and because its the holiday season), he's released a free 4 track sampler through Noisetrade. Of interest to us, here, of course, is the Christmas single, "Twinkle (Little Christmas Lights)". "Twinkle (Little Christmas Lights)" was pretty much the new Christmas song of the year back in 2012. It's a rock 'em, sock 'em holiday treat that sounds like the Christmas music made when rock 'n' roll was young. If you haven't already gotten the song--and I don't know how that's possible--now is your chance to get it free (for a limited time only). Even if you have already gotten JD McPherson's Christmas track, there's still likely something on "The Rounder Records Collection" for you. My personal fave, here, is JD's cover of Billy Boy Arnold's "I Wish You Would" (from "The Warm Covers" EP and also released on 7" vinyl earlier this year). There's the popular favorite "North Side Gal" from JD's "Signs & Signifiers". And a track from the coming album, "Bossy". Get 'em while the gettin's good. Free at Noisetrade.
I know our good friends at Christmas Underground covered this 2013 release thoroughly back in September, but I just stumbled across the Roxy Roca video and the news that they'll be releasing a 7" of "It Ain't Christmas Without You" backed with an all-new recording of "Back Door Santa" later this year.
"Noise To The World" was put out by the Converse people last year. It contains 7 tracks from 7 bands--from Funk to Punk--and it's all good. You can still download the set free via Soundcloud or direct from Converse. I'm particularly in love with Roxy Roca, right now. Yes, I feel the need to Funk it all up. Roxy Roca is an Austin based band and they make a righteous noise. Visit the band at their web home or on Facebook.
I'm as guilty as anybody else, in my own way. I try to convey to you what the music sounds like to hopefully trigger an interest. So I'll say "this artist reminds me of that artist" to, hopefully, get you to say, "Oh. I like that artist. I'll try it, then." I get it. But, as an industry, that wouldn't be what I'm looking for. I wouldn't be looking for "the next" whatever; I'd be looking for the first whatever. I'd be listening for something "special". A voice, a sound, a quality--whatever it is. And I know "special" when I hear it. I like to think I do, anyway. "Special" haunts you in a way few other things do. You go back to "special". You can't help but go back to "special". "Special" sticks with you. All an annoyingly long and indecipherable explanation of why I'm drawing your attention to this cover of "Away In A Manger" from Armand & Imani Hutton. Imani Hutton has something special. I'm not even sure what it is, but I feel it. If I had a label, I'd sign her up in a heartbeat. Maybe it's the whole package. She writes, she sings, she produces. She's got a message. She's got a vision for the music (or whatever the audio version of a vision is) and she frequently and unselfishly shares or cedes the spotlight to others if its better for the music (or maybe she's doing it for the people, rather than the music, which would be even more spectacular). She has a quiet confidence that you can feel. Her voice is not what you'd expect. Forgive me for doing what I just criticized, but I'm going to go with Sade meets Tracy Chapman on the voice. Her music is flowingly free, original and organic. She's not artificially restrained by a view that says music has to be neatly labeled and categorized. She paints outside the lines and does so beautifully. You could call her music R&B or Jazz or Gospel or Pop or Electro-Pop--its all those and more--but I think I'm just going to call it Imani music. I don't remember how I came across "Away In A Manger" by Armand & Imani in the first place. And I was busy with other things at the time. But I do remember thinking, "Ooh, I really like that. I'm going to have to get back to that and put it on the Free page." Unfortunately, the way I work, there are so many "bookmarks" on this computer that that's a sure way to bury something and never see it again. About a week went by. And, every day, the desire to "get back to that" grew stronger until it became, "I need to get back to that." And, after searching a bit, and finding it again, I then needed to hear more. Special will do that to you. So, yes, please check out and download "Away In A Manger". It's on both Noisetrade and Bandcamp. But, man, you really need to hear "Go The Right Way", Imani's most recent album. Here's a review of the album that I pretty much agree with. I'd just add that one of my favorites was "Circuit Dialog/Dance With You". But go find your own favorite. It's an amazing album. Its a masterpiece of aural bliss. And the artist who painted that masterpiece is Imani Hutton. I'd tell you to remember that name but I have a feeling you will. That kind of special is unforgettable. Listening to "One Gift", the title track of Noel Gourdin's free Christmas Mixtape from last December, makes me feel regret I wasn't around much last year. 'Cuz I'd have sent your ass straight over to grab it. Noel Gourdin is a Soul singer from Boston who rose to attention with "The River", a big charting R&B track, in 2008. Noel strives to make music that's "Timeless, Real and Soulful" and, from the little I've heard since stumbling on "One Gift" the other day, he's succeeding mightily. Noel's sound, to me, is old school; while he doesn't ignore the modern day hip-hop sensibilities, he never forgets the soul in Soul music. Not to say something some might think bordering on blasphemy, Noel inspired the same warmth in me as a young Marvin Gaye did, once upon a time. Noel's current album--only his third national release--is "City Heart Southern Soul", released in February. And I'm sure the best is still to come. But "One Gift" isn't a bad place to start. And it's free. Of the 5 tracks on "One Gift", only the title song is overtly a Christmas song, but the other tracks are great listening, too. It's as good a place as any to become acquainted with an artist you're going to want to hear more of. Don't forget to pay the man a visit at his Internet home and say "Hi", sometime. |
The FREE ListHere we hope to direct you to some of the Christmas music on the web that can be yours absolutely free. We will not direct you to mp3 or sharity sites, here, but only to artist sites, label sites, and other authorized and unquestionably legal locations. Archives2010 FREE List Categories
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