Month: June 2021

LaLaLow – Sensory Deprivation

     New to Vodka, LaLaLow is an electro-pop duo from Finland that began life in 2018. The duo’s compositions tend toward the mildly psychedelic and ethereal. Sensory Deprivation (seen/heard here) is more on the latter end of the spectrum. This melody-driven piece features the divine voice of Nina Jackson (vocals, keyboards) that will hypnotize you into a feeling of simple peace. The other half of the duo, Tommi Laivamaa (guitar, bass), offers textural balance to this beautiful song. There’s not a wealth of information out there for the duo. No website, no…

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Zaki Ibrahim – Cut Loose

     Steeped in multi-genre influences, Zaki Ibrahim is a force of musical nature that refuses to be denied. As comfortable on the dance floor as in the living room, and as important as it is entertaining, the music that Zaki Ibrahim creates is moving on all levels.  Enter Cut Loose, from Ibrahim’s latest (March 2021) LP, The Secret Life Of Plants. Elements of 70′s styled R&B and pop are everywhere, and yet this is a modern offering, not a retro affair. What those influences contribute, so, too, do modern dance…

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Aibai – Glow

     Aibai is a producer, based in Minneapolis, that stitches together music from her experience with electronica, and blends these influences with modern alternative, ambient, and rhythm and blues, or what Aibai refers to as, “indietronica.” Here on Glow, one of several singles from a new self-titled EP (March 2021), Aibai fronts this easy on the ears music with vocals from Des, better known as Swims. This is a beautiful track on many levels. Aibai certainly shows that her producer chops are well-honed. Also on the EP, More Than Friends, with Colby Hansen…

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The Laszlo Project – Kyoto Rain

     If you are unfamiliar with The Laszlo Project but know about the sound that  Lydian Collective makes, then there will be an immediate connection to this music. The reason is that The Laszlo Project is the side project of Lydian Collective founder, Aaron Wheeler. He is joined here by Lydian Collective drummer, Sophie Alloway, Simon Joyner on trumpet, Michael Underwood on saxophone, and Phoebe Wright-Spinks, vocals. Phoebe uses her vocals as an instrument here and you will swear this is a 100% instrumental track! Like Lydian Collective’s music, The Laszlo…

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Jimkata – Roots Down

     You’ve got to love this band! Jimkata,  is a three-piece synth-based pop band, that transcends that label, mixing in echoes of Motown, modern rock and funk, within that framework. It’s a formula that definitely works, as demonstrated by Roots Down (seen/heard here), a single that was released back in March. This track is full of dance-beat goodness, but not the thump-thump of the modern DJ-driven spinners, replacing that instead with a genuine beat that compliments the music perfectly. The band’s vocals are very pleasing.  If you are looking for information…

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