Five Songs You Should Listen to Right Now: Kelela, Until The Ribbon Breaks, Lorde + M.I.A., Tony Joe White

Kelela – “Bank Head”

This summer, DJ Travis Holcombe put together a mixtape of some of his favorite songs, including this track from Kelela (with producer Kingdom), which is now getting a ton of buzz after her performance at NYC’s CMJ Music Conference.

Kelela was raised on the East Coast, born to parents who moved to the US from Ethiopia in the 1970’s, and is now based in LA. Her version of R&B is futuristic, progressive and utterly stunning, especially this track.

Download her “Cut 4 Me” mixtape here.

Until The Ribbon Breaks – “Back to the Stars”

DJ Liza Richardson gave this track a spin when she filled in for Jason Bentley as the host of MBE and it completely caught my ear. Until the Ribbon Breaks is actually a solo project from Cardiff’s Pete Lawrie Winfield. It has the drama and intensity of an artist like James Blake but with a more layered approach, weaving together different sounds and samples underneath intricate harmonies. He’s working on his full length debut and has an EP called “A Taste of Silver” out now.

The track is available as a download here.

M.I.A. vs Lorde – “Royal Planes(DJ Mike Biggz Mash Up)”

A very smart DJ mashed up M.I.A. and Lorde and it works SO well. Not much more needs to be said about this, just enjoy!

Tony Joe White – “What Does It Take” + “Who You Gonna Hoodoo Now?”

Tony Joe White – known affectionately as the “swamp fox” — has been making music for more than 50 years, including collaborations with some of the most revered musicians of the century. The Louisiana-born artist specializes in gritty blues. Here’s an old favorite followed by a track from his brand new album called “Hoodoo” out now on Yep-Roc. He plays The Mint THIS Saturday, October 26.

RR