The Week Ahead: Today’s Top Tune 7/23 – 7/27/18

We travel around the world this week to bring you music from Aki Kumar, who blends Chicago blues with Bollywood Pop. We’ll also share the final work from Icelandic composer

Jóhann Jóhannsson. Seattle based Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter release their first new music in years. UK’s Maribou State team up with Khruangbin, and we top it off with a musical souvenir from our recent visit with Jordan Rakei.

Monday, July 23 Aki Kumar “Dum Maaro Dum”

The “Only Bombay Blues Man,” Aki Kumar, left Mumbai intending to work as an engineer in Silicon Valley; instead, he discovered the blues. Blending Chicago-style blues with Bollywood Pop Aki Kumar recreates “Dum Maaro Dum,” a song made popular by Asha Bhosle in 1971.

Tuesday, July 24Jóhann Jóhannsson “Children of the New Dawn”​ ​

Icelandic composerJóhann Jóhannsson passed away earlier this year, and the last music he created before his untimely death is the score to the upcoming horror film, Mandy​. Director Panos Cosmatos says: “Jóhann went above and beyond, and I suspect to the limits of his sanity, to make the music for this movie. His words and his actions made him more than a great collaborator, they made him like a brother to me. I’m sad our time together was so brief but I’m very proud of what he accomplished on Mandy and I believe he was too.” We are proud to share “Children of the New Dawn.”

Wednesday, July 25 Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter “Dewayne”

It’s been a while since we heard from Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter. But have no fear: a new album is on its way for release in 2019! Their first new music in seven years comes in the form of a haunting love song to the streets of 1990’s Seattle, as told by a young man who’d seen it all, “Dewayne.”

Thursday, July 26 Maribou State “Feel Good” featuring Khruangbin

After touring their 2015 breakthrough debut album Portraits, Maribou State returned to their studios in London to work on new material, but didn’t find the spark they needed. Instead of looking inward, they did the opposite and started taking trips to feed their creativity and piece together a sonic collage that would transport the listener to another country or place entirely in their mind. Houston trio Khruangbin are featured guests on “Feel Good.”

Friday, July 27 Jordan Rakei Live on MBE “Eye To Eye”

A rare talent emerging from London’s current nexus of jazz, hip-hop, and electronic music, Jordan Rakei recently paid a visit to MBE where he recorded an exclusive version of a song we love, “Eye To Eye.”