Music of the Month: January 2020

We’re constantly on the lookout for amazing music new and old, and each month we share our favourite discoveries with our readers.

The motto: “Broaden some horizons”.

3 songs of varying genres.

1 cover song that we love for some reason or another.

1 essential album to hear before you die.

Song #1 – ‘Water No Get Enemy’ (Fela Kuti)

Fela Kuti was a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, human rights activist, and political activist. Before his death in 1997, Kuti contributed for several decades to the pioneering of afrobeat, largely characterised by west African musical styles with influences from American jazz. Born into the British Empire, he found a voice through music, and later identified with The United States’ Black Power movement. He advocated for pan-Africanism, and spoke out against corruption where he saw it. Kuti was a very interesting figure in the 20th century and his music spoke volumes (whilst sounding great). If you’ve never heard of Fela Kuti, ‘Water No Get Enemy’ is a great place to start:

'Water No Get Enemy' - Fela Kuti

Song #2 – ‘Belle Bouteille’ (LAUSSE THE CAT)

LAUSSE THE CAT is a budding artist, who has seems to have spent some time in Leeds and is starting to rack up those numbers on both Spotify and YouTube. This tune is a fun (and partially French) alternative hip-hop track set to a warm piano and a catchy beat. It’s actually pretty hard to find out much about LAUSSEE on the surface, but according to his Spotify, he’s the “Prince of Cats”. Go support him, he’s one to watch.

'Belle Bouteille' - LAUSSE THE CAT

Song #3 – ‘Rescue Me (Bini & Martini '999' Funk Mix)’ (Sunkids Feat. Chance)

‘Rescue Me’ basically defines disco-house. A little known banger from the depths on of the 1990s mercifully preserved forever on YouTube, this one is pure house party material.

'Rescue Me (Bini & Martini '999' Funk Mix)' - Sunkids ft. Chance

Cover of the Month – ‘Praise You’ (The Belligerents)

Aussie band The Belligerents have put a slightly brighter twist on this classic dance tune from Fatboy Slim. It’s interesting to see such a free-flowing band cover an electronically produced song. Despite this difference, this performance is very tight but also layered with improvisation and a human touch that could never be captured in the original.

'Praise You' - The Belligerents

Essential Album of the Month – Telefone (Noname)

Technically a mixtape, Noname’s Telefone was her 2016 debut release. Telefone is a classy combination of jazz, soul, and hip-hop which received widespread praise. Named after the awkwardness and unique experience of being on the phone to someone for the first time, this album was a standout release for female rap. Noname’s voice is recognisable and the instrumentals always hold up. Great for a Sunday morning:

'Diddy Bop' - Noname

Check out December’s music of the month HERE.