December is always a slow month when it comes to music, but it’s the perfect time to bring together our favorite findings of 2014 and share them with the world.
Last year we skipped the Moovmnt Staff Pick, but I couldn’t leave you all empty handed this year. We’ve made a lot of new friends, discovered a lot of wonderful music and enjoyed so much incredible music.
It was hard to pick, but here is our ‘best of 2014’ list aka staff pick. We wish you all an amazing 2015 and keep an ear out for all the project we will be unleashing on you!
Best Album 2014
1. Taylor McFerrin – Early Riser
2. Moonchild – Please Rewind
3. Fatima – Yellow Memories
4. Swarvy – Scotch
5. Slakah the Beatchild – Soul Movement Vol. 2
Best EP 2014
1. Hiatus Kaiyote – By Fire
2. Jordan Rakei – Groove Curse
3. Abhi//Dijon EP
4. Trian Kayhatu – Suture
5. Evil Needle & Sivey – Constructive Interference
Best Song 2014
1. Nick Price – Naked Souls
2. Galimatias & Joppe – One Step Back Ft. GoldLink
3. Mr. Carmack – Something About You Baby Ft. B. Bravo & Parvizi
4. MisterMack – Let You Be
5. Avay – Fall Ft. The Hotel
Best Compilation 2014
1. Conglomerates
2. Stussy X Soulection
3. Heartbreaks & Promises Vol. 2
4. My Love Is Underground
5. Darker Than Wax 10K
Best Remix 2014
1. James Vincent McMorrow – Glacier (Atu Remix)
2. Mr Scruff – We Are Coming (Max Graef Remix)
3. May – Soul (FloFilz Remix)
4. Wayne Snow – Red Runner (Glenn Astro & IMYRMIND Remix)
5. Panes – Stills (Sivey Remix)
Best Newcomer 2014
1. Billie Black
2. Nick Price
3. Maïa
4. Kerem Akdag
5. Miki Rose
Best Collaboration 2014
1. Joanna Borromeo x Häzel – Sun Come In
2. starRo x Mr. Carmack x Teeko x Mikos Da Gawd – Catch Me Ft. JusMoni
3. Esta X Mike Gao – Katsu Curry
4. Evil Needle & Sivey – Constructive Interference
5. Maxwell – Ascension (Aywy. & Sh?m Edit)
Best Record Label 2014
1. Ninja Tune
2. Soulection
3. Darker Than Wax
4. Cosmonostro
5. Box Aus Holz
It’s been way too long since we have heard anything from the ultra talented Soul singer Nick Price.
We caught up with him and right before the holidays he thought he’d get back in the studio with the fellas from Moonchild. The outcome is “The Christmas Song” (Chestnuts Roasting). Now if this doesn’t get you in the holiday spirit, I don’t know what will. Of course Christmas is about giving, so enjoy this free download!
Nick’s debut song “Naked Souls” has been getting love from so many people from around the world and we truly hope Nick will take it next level next year. We wish him and one and all a delightful Christmas with loads of beautiful music and good times. Merry Christmas!
Wonderful Noise is without a doubt one of our favorite Japanese record labels. They have introduced us to artists such as Electric Wire Hustle, Julien Dyne and Lord Echo.
In 2014 they continue to surprise us with their “Conglomerates” compilation album. Again there’s an obvious link to New Zealand since it was compiled with the help of Julien Dyne. You can enjoy some brand new music from Christoph El’ Truento, Lord Echo, Mara TK, Isaac aesili, Ladi6, Pacific Heights and more. There are also 3 limited edition vinyl records, but I believe these are hard to come by.
If you’re looking for an original Christmas present, we suggest you pick up Conglomerates at your local records shop or order it online at HHV. As far as we know this will not be released digitally, but a CD release should be out soon.
My man Marcel, who is the driving force behind INFINIT, is a super cool fella from Dusseldorf who visits Amsterdam from time to time. We kicked it a couple of times, had some great coffee and talked a lot of music.
For his new “WAVES” compilation, he has collected tracks from 17 different producers including IAMNOBODI, Haan808, Nehzuil, AbJo and SevnthWonder. Besides these quite known producers, there is also plenty of room for up-and-coming cats such as DTWEEZER, Tibe and Boulevard 95. Make sure you discover each and every one.
This action-packed compilation is entirely free, so get your download on and show some INFINIT love.
With Usher’s 8701 as a reference, Juan Cristobal started creating his 90’s/00’s R&B-inspired craft that he blends with future sounds in this present day of age.
His two year in-the-making ‘Precious’ album celebrates the musical journey that he started ten years ago. Long before being known as Juan Cristobal. Today, he decides to put music aside to fulfill other life projects he now has. Precious is his debut and at the same time last album that he will release on Christmas as the very first and last gift to his fans thanking them for their enduring support.
We are happy to exclusively premiere “So Beautiful” featuring Andre DePriest. So enjoy and ho ho ho head on over the Cosmonostro Bandcamp page for some presents in the form of a pre-order. Oh before I forget the good people from Cosmonostro are giving away this free wall paper to keep the holiday spirit alive.
On the weekend I was having fun selling some records at a records in Amsterdam, when I ran into Seravince who told me that D’Angelo‘s new album was finally dropping in cooperation with The Vanguard.
I didn’t really think much of it, but decided to check it out anyway and here’s what I think of the “Black Messiah” album. First of all when you keep your fans waiting for such a long time it’s almost impossible to live up to all those expectations. Rest assure this album is not mind-blowing. Sure it features Q-Tip, ?uestlove, Pino Palladino and James Gadson, but in all honesty it has a couple of great songs on it I can really relate to. If this was any other artist I would probably be a little bit more excited, but in this case I can only say this is something worth listening to.
True die-hard fans, who have been yearning for a decade and a half, might be overjoyed and will love it either way. I can dig that Black Messiah is not about one man, but about a feeling that collectivly we can all be charismatic leaders. I hope a lot of people buy this record, but in the time D’Angelo was absent he has gained a lot of worthy competition.
For me two songs stood out and deserve some attention. First of all please give “Really Love” a good listen. It brings joy to my ears as does the closing track “Another Life”. Make sure you visit iTunes and give Black Messiah a chance.
Miss Billie Black has been tenderly teasing my ear drums for quite a while now. And with her newly released song “Soothe Me” she amazes us once more.
The nineteen-year-old stunning looking young lady from London is so young, yet so incredibly talented. She recently released her debut “000100” EP and decided to treat us all to something brand new today. Must be a bad case of insomnia, but we welcome these late night creations with open arms.
We love Billie Black, we can’t imagine you won’t. In case you are not a fan yet. Check out her music on Soundcloud.
One of my (and Lefto’s) favorite Dutch producers at this point of time is Trian Kayhatu. The Jakarta-born producer is on some next level sh*t and represents the city of Rotterdam. It is with pleasure that we inform you his brand new collaboration, entitled “2 5 6 1“, featuring Chloe Martini on vocals who is practically his sister (direct quote). While getting the hang of Ableton, Trian Kayhatu decided to share his creation and to make it available for free download on his Facebook fan page only. Get ready for lots more Funk music from Trian and his Butufunk band in 2015.
Samuel T. Shepherd who is most commonly known as Floating Points, has returned once more.
This December double sider EP contains two top notch tracks. The a-side, “Nuits Sonores“, has been played by the creme of the crop DJ’s from over the world. Changes are you might have already bounced to this at a festival. The flip side entitled, “Nectarines“, features the enchanting vocals of miss Rahel and is my definite favorite! It sounds like a slice of heaven.
For those with a fat wallet, ya’ll might want to own this Floating Points Isonoe mixer. Crafted in collaboration with FP himself.
Now homeslice Mike Gao (aka Charles McForeskin) has been tearing shit up in the studio with Esta and this right here is the result of their labour of love.
Most likely scenario is that the two were having some “Katsu Curry” and were working on a beat together while messin’ around with the polyplayground. Honestly I thought this was gonna be some weird ass track, but sh*t was I wrong. Full on Funk for that ass and what a wonderful transition from slow and sexy into downright nasty booty teasing House rhythms. This had me wiggling in my seat the full thirty seconds! Thank you Mike Gao..