In light of a bunch of recent and upcoming releases from various artists on the Stones Throw record label(www.stonesthrow.com), I decided that we should explore the variety and talent of some of the artists on the label.

First up is James Pants. His stuff is kind of off the wall, but still very enjoyable. He can play funk on one track and then doo wop on the next. His self titled LP just came out and he has released three free singles in order to promote it. Darlin’ sounds a bit like something you’d hear in the early 60s or late 50 but with way more distortion and reverb. Alone is more driving and takes on a darker tone. Lastly, he just released Clouds Over the Pacific , which sounds more chilled out and maybe a little video gamey. Yeah, that’s not a real adjective but it’s hard to describe James Pants, he’s got a very unique sound.

Pants’ labelmate Madvillain is hard to describe, too. He’s a rapper, but he’s got a unique flow and his tracks aren’t the norm for mainstream hip hop. That’s probably why he’s on a smaller label. I prefer it this way. Check out his song Papermill . The track sounds like it was sampled from a funk/rock song from the 70s and his delivery is sometimes off beat and choppy as though this is a freestyle(it might be, I didn’t do research), but it works.

On to someone who has a sound that is easier to describe. Aloe Blacc is straight soul. He sounds like he came straight from Motown in the 1960s. His songs use all the right timbres to evoke that feeling you get from listening to old 45s of the Temptations, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, and Sam Cook. Check out I Need A Dollar , Aloe sings the blues and asks for a dollar in return. He captures the feeling of despair and brings some reality to music.

The Motown sound doesn’t stop there. I was turned on to Stones Throw when I was lucky enough to discover Detroit’s own Mayer Hawthorne. When I first heard his music I thought he had sampled old songs and rearranged them. That wasn’t the case, Mr. Hawthorne is a musician in the truest sense of the word. If you haven’t gotten his debut LP Strange Arrangement you need to do so ASAP. Mayer has a covers album coming out this week, stay tuned to his Twitter feed to find out exactly when it happens as no date was given. Mr. Blue Sky , his cover of the Electric Light Orchestra hit, was given away for free earlier today in order to create some buzz for the eventual release of the entire album later this week. If it comes out on vinyl it will promptly be added to my collection.

BONUS

Mayer Hawthorne released No Strings for free around October. Sounds old school, but not Motown. Best way to describe it is “80s Soul“. Just download it and listen, you’ll like it.

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