Hi, my name is Brittany and I’m a digital hoarder. Music is my weakness. I was diagnosed two years ago when I tried to download my 9507th song and my hard drive finally decided he had enough. He had shown signs that he couldn’t handle my addiction anymore. But I was in denial; I couldn’t lose him. Sometimes, he would take forever to respond to me, and when things got really bad, he’d just shut down out of nowhere. I couldn’t even turn him on like I used to. Someone suggested touching him in places I would have never thought of (Shift+Control+Option+Power), but my efforts were all in vain.
I’ll admit, I went through a phase I’m not so proud of. At one point, I was involved with six thumb drives at once. Anyway, when he finally left me, I was heartbroken. But I’m determined to get the help I need. That’s why I’ve decided to channel my addiction into a healthy outlet: Monthly Monday music mixes. Even better, Edward Hill of the Hypetrak and Hypebeast - featured electronic chill-out music trio, No Suits, has offered to help string my selected songs into one smooth, creamy, delicious set. This Monday features a selection of some of my favorite brass-incorporated tracks.
Tracklist:
- Jarreau Vandal - Nobody Else feat. Brasstracks & Niya Wells
- Louie Lastic - Say Yes
- Masego & Medasin - Girls That Dance
- Scarfɇ - You Never Know ft. Nas & A.Z.
- SPZRKT - Hesitate ft. Masego (prod. by Tyshane)
- Gallant - Weight In Gold (Brasstracks Remix)
- Krs. - Higher ft. Mars Today & Noah
- Lido & Brasstracks - Four Five Seconds
1. Jarreau Vandal - Nobody Else feat. Brasstracks & Niya Wells
Jarreau Vandal, a 23-year-old producer from Amsterdam, describes his sound as “a blend of soul, R&B, hip hop, [and] a bit of pop, [all] with a strong electronic approach”. His song, “Nobody Else”, is just that and much more. “Nobody Else” honestly couldn’t have had better artists contributing to its distinctive and catchy sound. It features the pristine yet decadent vocals of North Carolina-based singer and songwriter Niya Wells, whose sound is reminiscent of the beloved Beyoncé during her early career.
The song is also infused with a healthy dose of brass by Brooklyn-based duo Brasstracks, who have been gaining popularity with their unique trumpet-injected futuresque production, as evidenced by phenomenal originals as well as tasteful remixes of songs like Gallant’s “Weight In Gold” (featured as #6 on this playlist). With Ivan Jackson on trumpet and Conor Rayne on drums, noteworthy is an understatement when it comes to describing their sound.
It’s hard not to think they were all musically meant for each other. Vandal’s synth work immediately demands attention before a soft shower of trumpet trickles in, followed by marching snare rolls. In turn, this initiates Niya’s dreamy vocals, which are layered over an effortlessly simple and energetic groove. Weaving acoustic elements into an electronic production enables electronic artists to achieve a level of vivacity that cannot be attained solely through software. Together, the four create a melodic synthesis of the gifts they have to bring to the table.
2. Louie Lastic - Say Yes
If there’s one word I can think of to describe DMV-based producer Louie Lastic, it would be “underrated”. He’s gained some much deserved awareness after producing beats for the sensational GoldLink back in 2014 (and still continues to do so today). However, more recently he’s been creating tracks like “Say Yes” that really allow his sound, which draws from genres like tribal house and hip-hop, to shine. Sampled from Floetry’s sultry “Say Yes”, Louie Lastic strips the vocals and instead adds a unique flare to the song that never falters from captivating listeners from start to finish. With its unyielding beat under light melodies, the overall feel of Louie Lastic’s rendition of the song is evocative of New Jack Era artists like Janet Jackson and Bobby Brown. While the sax by Masego, another DMV based musician (featured in tracks #3 & #5) is airy and uplifting, the bass line is grounded and funky, seeming to rebound off of the very beats in your own chest.
3. Masego & Medasin - Girls That Dance
Also from the DMV area, Masego seems to have what I will refer to as a “brass thumb”. With his carefree vocals and exquisite saxophone artistry, Masego has the unique ability to instill whatever piece he touches with pure aural bliss. At just 17 years old, Medasin, a gifted Dallas-based producer who has been making music since he was 12, has rightfully managed to accumulate a large following in a short span of time after releasing tracks like “Girls That Dance”. He considers his sound “Trap House Jazz”, as much of what he’s been featuring lately contains elements of heavy hits, a catchy beat and and smooth energy. Amazingly, it all feels extremely organic no matter what.
Substituting a traditional dark sub-base for a playful live bassline and incorporating heavy trap beats and sophisticated sax, Masego and Medasin succeed in making “Girls That Dance” a track that is both as groovy as it is banging. The song, adorned with plenty of chirp-like bytes and warped electronic bits are fused in such a way that I feel as though the only accurate way to describe the sensation of listening to it is to compare it to visiting Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory for your ears -- a vibrant experience.
4. Scarfɇ - You Never Know ft. Nas & A.Z.
Scarfɇ, a 20-year-old producer from Dunedin, New Zealand with a knack for producing quality tracks, “[takes] most of [his] influence from the likes of Flume, The Chainsmokers, and Whereisalex”. Much of his work features an irresistibly clean, urban, and future-leaning production that never tires no matter how long you listen. However, I don’t believe there is a single word that can effectively define Scarfɇ’s sound, as he is so wonderfully cultivated as an artist.
His satin-smooth rendition of Nas and A.Z.'s iconic "Life's A Bitch" still keeps the overall feeling of existentialist despair intact, yet puts a refreshing and slightly more uplifting spin on the song. The brass definitely contributes to that, as it was a brilliant choice on his part. I’m ruthless when it comes to judging music as “good” or “bad” and can usually decipher whether I like a song or not within the first two to three seconds - let’s just say I’ve reached the verdict that this song is exceptional within a fraction of a second.
5. SPZRKT - Hesitate ft. Masego (prod. by Tyshane)
There are very few vocalists that have the capability to completely seduce ears with the skill of a siren. Long story short, I’m entirely willing to deem Sango-discovered and Chicago-based singer SPZRKT a male siren. He sure knows how to use his vocal chords like one, garnering success with tracks like “Blind Man” produced with the talented J-Louis. SPZRKT’s voice is saturated with raw soul and oftentimes sensuality.
"Hesitate", sampled from Sampha's "Hesitate Oath", captures this exactly. The track exudes elegance with impressive saxophone work from Masego over crisp urbane hip-hop production from Tyshane and Alias. It’s hard to not be whisked away by what all of these amazing sound-architects have contributed.
6. Gallant - Weight In Gold (Brasstracks Remix)
There’s always that one song that everyone remixes until it’s so unbearable you can’t even listen to the original anymore. Unfortunately, Gallant’s “Weight in Gold" was just about to become one of those songs. You just want to scream at everyone to keep their filthy hands off of such a sacred thing. However, just as I was about to do so (not really), Brooklyn-based Brasstracks, quite possibly one of the modern era’s most talented trumpet/drum duos, came to the rescue and made me recant all of those bitter sentiments.
I’m absolutely confident in saying that not only does their interpretation compete with the original, it completely shatters most other remixes out there. With their horn-enriched remix of the popular song, you'll find this one perfectly melts with Gallant’s buttery vocals. As he breathily pleads in the song, Gallant’s creamy falsetto is nothing short of euphoric. Layered over a soulful live bassline and added piano, the new version is penetrating with a new kind of vigor.
7. Krs. - Higher ft. Mars Today & Noah
Higher is produced by Toronto-based Krs. and San Fransisco/Los Angeles-based Mars Today. The song is sung by Mars Today and LA-based Noah. The sax is by Tony Peebles, trumpet by Rafa Postel, and French horn by Nate Mercereau. Collectively, the group taps into a musical euphony usually untouched by most others. This neo soul track may just be my favorite of the entire mix. Mars Today and Noah’s luscious vocals cascade over the arrangement, while the reverberating and emotional electric guitar almost seem to whimper.
The deep soulful live bassline is the glue that holds everything together. Experiencing this musical perfection is comparable to being warmed by a fire, the chords being the fire and the ardent vocals the embers. The brass is immaculately utilized to create a melodic heaven that penetrates the soul.
8. Lido & Basstracks - Four Five Seconds
As much as I love Rihanna’s entire essence and appreciate what she has to offer vocally, sadly I wasn’t as crazy as I thought I would be over Kanye and Paul’s contributions to “Four Five Seconds”. Luckily, Norway-based Lido and Brasstracks came to the rescue. I personally prefer their version to the original.
The three traded in Rihanna’s vocals for the trumpet and it’s magnificent. Now, the song has more of a gospelesque feel that features vivacious brass work, compelling chord progression, and fervent organ riffs. It’s artists like these people that make me wish I was musically inclined. Congratulations to Lido and Brasstracks for crafting another masterpiece that blows me away - as always!
