Brandon
Incognito – Deep Waters
I first heard this record from my friend Carlos Sanchez, he played it in a downtempo mix. Everything about this song does it for me, the chords, Maysa’s vocals, the drums.
Bobby Mcferrin – Invocation
Everyone knows Bobby Mcferrin as the “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” guy, but the “Beyond Words” album is one of my favorites. Released on the Blue Not label, it sits somewhere between contemporary jazz and post-bop. The record “Invocation” is so colorful, with a great progression.
Jay-Z – Coming Of Age
If you grew up in NYC, particularly Brooklyn, than you were most likely a Jay-Z fan. I remember my father purchasing “The Black Album”, and just listening to it on repeat while I was in the 5th grade. I revisited reasonable doubt in middle school, and was immediately drawn to “Coming Of Age”. The flow of the record, along with the Eddie Henderson sample is perfect.
Alex Lattimore – Lullabye
Discovered this one randomly on Spotify, the best way to describe this is…pretty. The dance between the bass and piano, and Alex’s soothing vocals coming at the one minute mark. Alex has also done vocal work on a few house records that I love.
Lalah Hathaway – Forever, For Always, For Love
This record makes me melt every time I hear it. Lalah Hathaway (Donny Hathaway’s daughter) is up there as my favourite female vocalist (along with Rachelle Ferrell).
Craig
Maryanne Ito – Serendipitous (Live Version)
I discovered Maryanne Ito a few months ago at random, and fully fell in love with her voice. This piece feels so humble and puts me such a good mood.
Duval Timothy – Whale
This one is by UK / Sierra Leone based artist Duval Timothy. I was early drawn to his work from being such a renaissance artist- he paints, composes, designs, while also engaging in photography and sculpture. Such a talent.
Roy Ayers – Poo Poo La La
The ultimate “come back to the crib” record. Also, such a great spoken word track with a really nice groove.
Triathalon – South Side
Very chill tune from one of my favorite bands at the moment. Easily have any of their tracks on when someone comes thru so this one is a no brainer. Patiently waiting for their new album to drop.
The Chocolate Jam Co. – C of Chocolate
Discovered this in a deep youtube hole and it’s been a favorite ever since. I’d be lying if I said I never play this in the club, but this track, along with the album is high up there in my bedroom rotation. Truly a gem from 1979.
Tmusclecars – Don’t Go feat. Brandon Markell Holmes (incl. AmFlow Remix) (toucan sounds)
New York duo musclecars team up with singer/songwriter Brandon Markell Holmes for their debut release on toucan sounds entitled ‘Don’t Go’, featuring an AmFlow remix. Helming their monthly Coloring Lessons events and making regular appearances on The Lot Radio, musclecars are unquestionably two of Brooklyn’s most exciting players championing high-quality house music. The pair now join French Horn Rebellion’s toucan sounds imprint – a sub-label of YouTooCanWoo – joining forces with Grammy-nominated vocalist and multi-media artist Brandon Markell Holmes, who’s released on Afropunk and collaborated with Gorillaz on their 2017 album, ‘H umanz’.
‘Don’t Go’ opens with bubbling percussion and luscious chords accompanied by Brandon’s vocals which sweep through aural space, tinted with a delicate but infectious rhythm that warms the room to perfection and entices a house music bliss upon the senses. After originally uniting through connections at The Shelter, emerging producer Mark Lewis and Adam Rios join forces on the remix as AmFlow. Their edit takes a club-focused avenue by layering in idealistic drums, a bustling bassline pattern alongside superb balancing of Brandon’s exquisite vocal-work.
