The Most Definitely » The Most Definitely | » Funk

Bring Back My Name Is Earl (St. Clair)

Felipe — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 20:41:43 +0000

When I first saw this dude’s name, I thought he named himself after that amazing Zac Efron movie where he chats and plays baseball in the woods with his dead brother while sailing or whatever, but then, after looking it up, saw that was Charlie St. Cloud, not St. Clair (womp womp). Ends up Earl St. Clair, the Cleveland native, named himself “St. Clair” since his first studio in Cleveland and his second studio, upon movie to California, were both on St. Clair street! What a coinkidink! I mean, he HAD to name himself Earl St. Clair, although Earl St. Cloud woulda be tight too. When Zac couldn’t decide between his real life gf and his ghost-bro?? Heavy stuff; life is for living, amirite..? Growing up with non-ghost people in Alabama had its influences on Mr. Earl, and his fresh New Orleans-feelin, swag-steppin happy jam is great for a day like today. Def Jam describes him as an “earthy, full-bodied shouldering blend of Outkast, James Brown, and Ray Charles” (good company I’d say). His debut album “Songs About a Girl I Used to Know” is coming out shortly, and this tasty lick is right off of it. Another track worth checking is “Man On Fire,” more of a burner, then the happy dance of “Feeling Alive.” Oh ya, he and Lebron share an agent. That’s kinda cool. Cleveland’s second son.

Feli Says Happy Music Musts

New 2017 Fiasco (Lupe)

Felipe — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 20:39:39 +0000

Chicago native, Lupe Fiasco, was born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, and rose to fame in 2006 after his album “Food & Liquor,” which coincidentally were the only two things on my New Year’s Resolution list. Unlike the majority of bands I feature, Fiasco is no fledgling, starving artist. Beyond rapping, he runs a company called Righteous Kung-Fu, that designs fashions, sneakers, toys, comic books, other random stuff, and video games (Lupe loves himself some video games and was a competitive Street Fighter V gamer – he uses Ken – and is competing next week at GENESIS 4, after his challenge to play Super Smash Bros. was accepted by the current champ, Gonzalo “ZeRo” Barrios – he will be using Ryu). Mr. Fiasco has a major footwear deal with Reebok, using other rappers to design and promote gear. The anti-establishment, Grammy winning rapper was removed from stage while performing a 30-minute rendition of a song that contained anti-Obama lyrics, while in DC, performing at Obama’s 2013 inauguration… I wonder if DT asked Mr. Fiasco if he’d perform, or maybe they thought his name was a little too on the nose for tomorrow. This new song came out earlier this year and is the happy fresh jam needed today.

Feli Says Fiasco

Seramic ~ “Waiting”

Gaby — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 21:54:18 +0000

Wait no longer; Hot off the press!

Est. London, UK

How is your 2016 going? I heard today that 20% of the year is over… leaving 80% for [some] sensible decisions about: “health,” work, lo0o0o0ove, politics, and if there’s time, you! Besides successfully cooking unburned chili and finishing 1 book with my students (!! screaming internally !!) … not much for me. Enough about me, let’s talk about you – but first, from the pit of darkness – a slap of soul sparks my sedentary thoughts back to sense; not to mention, fierce undertones of funk free your bones to moo0ve. Finally, shall we?

I’m impressed and excited by Seramic’s sound. They first released “People Say” on New Year’s Day (or Dec. 30th whichever is more badass). More recently, 11 days ago to be precise, they’ve graced our cochlea with a groovier approach; a unique sound in our era of synthemaxiwaawaaaa..what kind of pedals? Which brings me to my focal point: “Waiting.” Listen as you read, this London-based group is both mystical in physicality as they are in talent – show yourself! You can find Seramic at a few upcoming underground/bridge festivals I may or may not have frequented in my London life, but to preserve the sanctity of London’s vibrant speakeasy scene, I’ll stop myself there.

Despite the fact an 1/8th of the year is complete, it still feels like just the beginning, and what a way to kickoff 2016, Seramic. Bon a petit, New York.

Valerie Broussard, [mi] picante diablo, “Wicked”

Gaby — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 19:52:15 +0000

“Won’t you come on over, stop making a fool out of me… Why don’t you come over Valerie.”

Te quiero para siempre, Amy; but oh, look what we have here…

“No one calls you honey when you’re sitting on a throne”… snap, yes!

Valerie; I can’t help the chills for yet another mysteriously delectable Valerie. Winehouse immortalized the mystical Val; yet, Broussard grounds the sound of “Wicked” in, am I hearing this right? Westernized cabaret soul… adorned with a smooooth beat.

Local to New York & Philadelphia [incredibly hot music spots right now] Valerie showcases a range of talents on her Sound Cloud, revealing a diverse & qualified musician. Her deliberate and precise execution of theory is evident in her musical portfolio thus revealing a singer/songwriter dedicated to the rhythm within her. Eloquently written in her biography, Broussard’s “haunting lyrics and sweeping melodies…” attribute to her luxurious mystique. Budding from a frequently featured artist into a confident soloist, Valerie Broussard’s talents display refreshing and powerful purpose.

I think I found my Valerie…

Moon Walkers – Charmé[d] to meet ya.

Gaby — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 01:05:33 +0000

I present to you, Moon Walkers for some 2016 charmé[d] (tenses: ing, s, ed) listening. The name comes from what I can envision would be the perfect (not to everyone) playlist for my first walk on the moon. Don’t make me wait too long, Branson.

2016 just keeps throwing curve balls our way, so why not take ourselves out of the present, and think for a moment. Thank you and R.I.P. Don Addis for our adapted image.

Playlist Skim:

– Highlighted artist: Raleigh Ritchie a.k.a. hip, hip, hurrah – Jacob Anderson! I am thoroughly enjoying the hype of his sound.

– Watching Miike Snow’s come back has been lush! He’s on tour currently, ahem.

– Throwing it back to Beautiful Girls has sparked my fantasy of quitting my job, moving to Australia, and becoming a surf instructor. 2016 goals? Anyone with me?

– You like eclectic, eh? You’ll like this; listen and think.

Nicky Romero gets help from the past to get FutureFunky

Felipe — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 16:30:56 +0000

After getting unduly rejected from the cast of True Blood (and Vampire Diaries, but to be clear, beating Ian Somerhalder for the role of Damon Salvatore was never realistic :-/), the Dutchman Nick Rotteveel transformed his hopes and dreams of being a TV vampire and became Nicky Romero, DJ/Producer/Hit Maker, and most importantly, was featured on the killer site FeliSaysListen back in 2014 (#shamelessplug). He in turn is also the founder and owner of Protocol Recordings, featuring EDM artists and helping DJs release tracks under Romero’s tutelage – he’s even got Taylor Swift’s newest plaything, Calvin Harris, on his label. Nicky also made his film debut in Zac Efron’s amazingly accurate portrayal of DJ life in LA, We Are Your Friends… For his newest single, here, Nicky Romero teamed up with 63 year-old Nile Rodgers, one of the leaders of the disco era, and made this sweet video.

“If someone shamelessly promotes themselves but there’s no one listening, is he still a douche?” – Copernicus

Gabriela’s 2015 Funkouement

Gaby — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 21:23:07 +0000

I remember the precise moment I sold my soul to the music devil; South by Southwest, ATX. The very own Most Definitely’s Stoli infused afternoon at The Yard. Before that my unexposed dreams twinkled in classical piano, A Capella’d harmonies, and celestial music festivals. Needless to say, this year had me hooked. My fellow writers and cousins have inspired my search for musical talent. Oh, and I finally got that electric guitar, oww. I bid you adieu Beelzebub’s year. A brief confessional precedes my list; in the words of our most mystical Calypso, “My intentions are honest ones, and my heart is not made of iron…”

Maybe I should blame my fiery zodiac, or just admit… Sharing this list exposes the soundtrack of my year thus far, a personal and utterly biased list. I can’t speak for you, but, if you take a gander you might just find yourself learning moves you’d never dreamed feasible (or flexible enough for). Two quick confessions and then we’ll commence musically, I promise. As a small town high school English teacher, the music industry is comparable to Dante’s second ring of hell, a daunting fiery pit of passion, authenticity, and soul; a niche I am gingerly stepping into through wonderful role models and musical talents. Finally, my draw to the music is through my synesthesthetic (new word?) viewpoint. I see the notes morph through spools of color across my lids, they roll, bubble, pour, through my veins. It’s a direct reaction to the art and dedication of the artists. Alas, enjoy. Make space to dance, lay, and free your body from our daily mundanities.

Here’s a Soundcloud version of the playlist, with a few added bonuses not found on Spotify:

Cheers, 2015.

Nimino – Milo Evans

Gaby — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 21:15:52 +0000

Milo Evans [pseudonym] nimino

Nimino is on the brink of a tumultuous adventure of sleepless nights and symbiotic artistry survival. Nimino transitions the crux of a night into dreamlike dawn with his smooth decrescendos and soulful influences. An emerging artist from Brighton, UK, Milo Evans transfixes crowds with his fluctuating rhythm ensuring a fluid denouement of the night’s antics. Milo’s youth is riddled with the heavy influence of the dubstep scene in Brighton; a mecca where dubstep fans could transcend the barriers of life through a jolt of music and a slap of salt air. He takes a softer approach to the electronic hub that had emerged, creating soft ambient tunes to sooth the soul’s transition before emerging into the salty sunshine.

I am always struck by an artist with a calling. Passion is a devil that strikes inopportunely, yet a calling shines through the face of aversion, failure, and perseverance. Milo has graced the stage since 14, his artistry will remember his innovation in the face of a jarred musical scene, introducing soothing ambients to a future of listeners.

Sources:

Wed Ogden of ThatDrop.com

http://bit.ly/1jXAPfK

Huffington Post: Artist of the week

Gramatik – Faraway feat. Orlando Napier

Gaby — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 18:05:40 +0000

This is my long overdue homage to Gramatik in honor of his imminent tour. Let the funky times continue with this talented musician. Thank you, Gramatik for the rhythm that seeps into my pulse letting each and every spectator a part of this electronic funk experience. The dancer within awakes in your presence, the most gangly bones find fluidity and pulse to get down. I look forward to seeing you again, check out his East Coast tour locations. A funky twist with a fresh omniscient pulse, Gramatik is one of those DJs that has taken his childhood favorites to another stratosphere.

Enjoy this groove.

The Shadowboxers – Ride Home

Felipe — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 19:39:28 +0000

Not a new band or anything, but these ATLiens (although they have since moved to Nashville) – The Shadowboxers – provide light, dancy, fun, and bouncy soul-funk tunes for your summer playlists. So there’s a win I just tossed ya right out the bat. These boys went to Emory, the school only people from Emory like to call the Harvard of the South… and have been blending their love for D’Angelo ever since. Regardless, these Allen Stone wannabes (which is high praise btw) are mixin’ soul, pop, indie rock, and some R&B tossed in for good measure and it’s quite nice if I must say so myself (which I am, bc I’m literally typing it right now).

Even though we had a haitus, we’re still wondering what Feli would Say #wwfs