It’s real difficult to try to hate on the vocals and visuals from this one. Members Only stalwart Thaddeus David is releasing a brand new video for his song “Less is More” this morning and it’s one of the best cuts I’ve heard from him on the solo tip. It’s slowed down and a little jazzy/sensual with lyrics that go hard and that type of mashup, aided by ace visuals from the First Ladies Production crew make this video a Wednesday morning winner. Check it out.

Hawthorne Headhunters – Teleport from gregthedude on Vimeo.

Damn. Makes me want to go hang out in desert, or at least the LA area, something wicked. Hawthorne Headhunters make music for sunglasses and warm breezes. Get here, summer!

Alright Seattle…enough of us giving you good music from good artists internationally that you can’t physically reach out and touch as soon as possible. One of the most forward reaching yet retro-leaning bands around right now are playing El Corazon in Seattle on 3/30 and if hearing rock with a swing is definitively your thing, then this show is not to be missed.

The Chicago-based band known as JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound, marry a style of music that is part Sam and Dave, part Albert King and part whatever else your eardrums tell you it is. They’re on Bloodshot Records which should tell you plenty right there as that label doesn’t sign acts lightly. And they’ve got a new record out called Want More that’s tighter than gnat booty. Take the time to listen to the new single (which kicks ass) and peep this video for evidence of what they will be like this upcoming Friday.

Fantastic. Just fantastic. The third installment in the ongoing Popular Bass series – curated and envisioned by the maestro Emeka, aka the man behind Gold Coast Trading Company – is possibly the strongest yet. Clocking in at a cozy fifteen minutes, Vol.3 features Danish producer CHLLNGR selecting tunes and setting a spare and intent tone.

The Harmattan is a dry and dusty West African trade wind. It blows south from the Sahara into the Gulf of Guinea between the end of November and the middle of March. On its passage over the desert it picks up fine dust particles which color the sky and distort the sun.

Follow CHLLNGR as he narates the journey from dessert to city to sea.

Get it while the getting’s good!

It’s been a joy to watch Seattle’s Fly Moon Royalty blossom into a respected soul duo. They’ve gone from graciously doing in-studios on my meager radio show and gigging around town to playing large music festivals, signing a record deal, getting proper publicity and having their latest video debut on Okayplayer earlier today. Good on both of you Action and Adra. Glad to see you coming up.

This is rad. Two of Seattle’s finest – #based super-producer Keyboard Kid and cumbia king Darwin – recently got off the road from a joint mini-tour. One of their stops was New York’s New Museum – a Bowery landmark and all around amazing space to play a show.

Smart guys that they are, Keyboard Kid and big Darwin recorded their set, and now we have it to enjoy in the confines of our own homes. It’s good selections, good original productions, and good mixing. More than good, actually – it’s a total set, and it makes me very excited at the possibility of future collaborations in the future.

Yee!

DJ Bobcatt x 2 AM Crew x Gainsbourg

Go to NPR and stream the entire album for free while you still can. Then, after you fall in love with it, go and pre order that shit. awE naturalE hits the streets March 27th.

What the hell. This weekend was on some grown business. Maybe it was something cosmic and universe-balancing (what with SXSW going through its final spasms and Thursday’s Soundsystem still ringing in our ears), or maybe it was the fact that our neck of the woods is still dealing with snow (sun and mid-70′s everywhere else, we see you).

Regardless, this weekend was one for appreciating the finer things in life, and in that spirit, here’s some of the sounds that guided me through it, from London’s ARP 101, to Detroit’s Tall Black Guy, to Seattle’s own Keyboard Kid and Kingdom Crumbs.

Had a crazy weekend of bbq, Shiner Bock and long lines? So be it. Let this be your unwinding. Welcome.