You might not expect it, but Eau Claire’s music scene has been making pretty progressive turns in recent memory —especially for a ~60k Wisconsin town. Even if you leave aside the bigger name indies (ahem—Bon Iver, S. Carey), there’s been a host of bands and producers devoting themselves to their own sound. Sloslylove’s Tendencies is a great example of this trend —the record flips 80’s funk and soul into a mesh of electonric r&b and hip-hop. Think something along the lines of Dam-Funk or Onra’s Long Distanceexcept with less intense drum clap and a chillwave vibe. Highly recommended.
“Even Though” / Giraffage & XXYYXX Even Though (Internet - 2012)
I missed this when it came out in May for a variety of reasons, but I think it’s really nice. It reminds me of the direction Burial/James Blake have been going, if Burial and James Blake were collectively a dreampop band. Seen scrolling through archives at RMXBB.
Things happen when you leave yr rap blog for a couple months. For example, you miss a dope LV/Okma collabo. If you haven’t heard the rest of their stuff together, do yrself a favor, starting with Sebenza & Boomslang.
“money.” / Blu & Exile give me my flowers while i can still smell them (Dirty Science/Fat Beats - 2011)
This is from a little bit back, but I just rediscovered it on the drive today. It’s a James Brown heavy down low joint. Blu kicks his low key flow with a smoother approach -but Exile’s beat makes the song. It brings to mind D’Angelo’s “Chicken Grease” -funky baselines weaving in and out with the horn section, and when it’s appropriate the guitar knocks around (the namesake) chicken grease.