New Track: U R My High – Astro Raw

 ASTRO RAW – aka Lucas Goodman and one half of New York-based duo Lion Babe – has unleashed his mixtape ‘rawmix vol 1’ earlier this month, with the release of ‘U R My High’.

The track is the first to be taken from the 14-track mixtape, which showcases ASTRO RAW’s one of a kind production credentials and his infectious, genre defying sounds which seamlessly mix R&B, hip-hop, soul, funk and dance to sultry effect. Featuring exclusive mixes – including reworked versions of tracks from the likes of Wiz Khalifa, Busta Rhymes and Alicia Keys – and rounded off with brand new remixes of the popular Lion Babe’s tracks ‘Treat Me Like Fire’ and ‘Jungle Lady’.

Performing across the world as a part of Lion Babe, ASTRO RAW has also delivered show-stopping DJ sets at prestigious events such as ELLE Style Awards, Whitney Museum’s Art Party, Bestival’s Party on the Moon and PAPER magazine x Ketel One Vodka, whilst as an in-demand DJ across the New York night scene he regularly performs popular sets at the cool, hot-spot Miss Lily’s.

Earlier this year, Lion Babe released their latest single ‘Rockets’ ft Moe Moks, set to appear on their forthcoming new EP which will be their first commercial release since their critically celebrated debut studio album ‘Begin’. ‘Begin’ was released last year and featured collaborations with the likes of Pharrell Williams and Childish Gambino and career-defining tracks such as ‘Treat Me Like Fire’ and ‘Jump Hi’. Last year they released the electrifying mixtape ‘Sun Joint’ which coincided with their first headline US tour and a string of international festival performances, including Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds.

Album Review: Wond3rland – Dizzy Rambunctious

Unlike his previous project, ‘Arcadia’, which loosely takes inspiration from the theme tunes from classic arcade games, DIZZY RAMBUNCTIOUS switches it up and takes a complete detour with his latest mixtape, ‘Wond3rland’.

This time round, the New Jersey producer has adopted a real sublime soulful/rare groove-ish vibe to his usual trademark – that hip-hop/boom bap woofer of a bassline.

Now if you’re a follower of this guy, then you know he only deals with instrumentals – and you’ll also know he always hits you right between the eyes with a surprise – he recruited a few guest vocalists/spitters for this mammoth collection, which was most welcomed ( just have a listen the 6th track, ‘Zion’ featuring Phi & Shrls.)

I gotta give it to him; DIZZY RAMBUNCTIOUS has really stepped up his game – go and have a trial.

Must Listens: Wond3rland, Cosmic Gramma, Zion, Get on Down.

New Music Video: Love Letter – Half Brother

Murkage Dave and Patrick Scally, otherwise known as HALFBROTHER, have unveiled the dreamy and mesmeric visual for their new track ‘Love Letter’.

Directed by the award-winning designer and art director Kate Moross (Dazed & Confused, Vogue, NYLON) the video was shot in Dungeness, on the English Coast and follows last month’s release of the single. Written and produced by the duo and previously premiered on The Independent with further support from the likes of The Line of Best Fit, Notion and 1Xtra. The track is the follow-up to their debut single ‘Go Tell The Mandem’, which i-D described as ‘quietly profound’ and ‘remarkably lucid’, and its Jeremy Cole and Marco Grey directed visuals and February’s ‘Sweet Talk’.

Earlier this month, the duo brought their first performance as a duo to The Old Blue Last as the main opening act for Star Slinger whilst this year they are set to release their debut album ‘Men Can’t Protect You Anymore’ which will feature their unique take on alternative R&B influenced sounds and exciting collaborations with UK Hip-Hop artist Oscar #worldpeace.

EP Review: Slow Burn – Wolf Kash

It’s pretty hard to conceive that last Christmas, 24-year-old producer Jordan Saward and his 14-year-old brother Harry – otherwise known as WOLF KASH –  came up with compositions that are so complex, forming their debut EP, ‘Slow Burn’, released late last month.

The four-track set is on par with Model’s ’86 EP, ‘When You Realise…’, as it possesses (at times) insanely juxtaposed electronic rhythmic overtones, carried by a mammoth downtempo drive, giving each production that alternative dance/soulful-ish vibe. Quite ingenious really; it’ll be great to see the duo’s next move.

Take a step into the unexpected and sample ‘Slow Burn’ EP.

Must Listens: Slow Burn, Why Bother.

Song of the Day: Tell Me – Greg Banks

Today’s song comes from GREG BANKS’ funked up effort, ‘Tell Me’. The New Orleans native has been described as “The Saint of Soul”, bearing the influences of Prince, Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone.

Growing up the fifth of nine children, being raised by a single mother in some of the worst housing projects in Louisiana, Banks views his childhood as nothing less than a home and environment of love and from the age of five, Greg and his family knew singing had to be in his future. He would make a song up about everything and anything and sing constantly, which annoyed his brothers and sisters.

In 2012, with just two bags and a dream, Banks moved to NYC to continue the pursuit of his passion and was introduced to his manager and this partnership sparked the evolution of turning potential into purpose…and it wasn’t long that he mesmerised the audiences throughout NYC and was chosen by Deli Magazine as NYC’s best emerging artist.

With his previous hit singles ‘Your Love’, ’16’ and ‘Brooklyn Girl’ , this phenomenon, in the shape of ‘Tell Me’, is causing a further buzz across the industry. You must check this one out; sounds like this guy has been possessed by Lenny Kravitz and Prince –  all at once!