The Plug’n Play: March (‘21)
March 31, 2020
You can listen to the full playlist on Apple Music, Spotify, or Tidal
Below are some of our favorite songs from the month, and a bit about why we love them. The first 18 songs were selected by me, Stanley, and the last 19 songs were selected by Kevin. We hope you find a song you like, and check out the entire album!
Stanley: Uncle Bubz — Ten Toes Down (Featuring Remey Williams and Lyric Jones)
One of the things I’ve always admired about great producers is their ability to pull on different artists and musicians, from seemingly disparate worlds, to have them come together to create a cohesive body of work. Larry Lambert’s new mixtape — Uncle Bubz Beats, Vol. 2 — is an incredible display of just that: the ability to have the birds eye view all great producers [must] have. Lambert’s new mixtape, recorded almost entirely remotely, pulls on some of musics most acclaimed artists, with each track featuring its own stellar lineup of guests. On Ten Toes Down, Lambert employs vocalist, Remey Williams, and rapper, Lyric Jones, and features Simon Martinez on guitar, Jerome Flood II on drums, and Adam Blackstone on bass.
Stanley: Hiatus Kaiyote — Get Sun (Featuring Arthur Verocai)
Later this year, Hiatus Kaiyote is slated to release their album Mood Valiant, the follow-up to their incredible 2015 album, Choose Your Weapon. In the interim between albums, the band faced their own set of challenges and triumphs, namely lead singer and guitarist, Nai Palm, dealt with a bout of breast cancer. But, thankfully, Nai Palm has been cancer free since 2019!
Their new song, Get Sun, shows the band in their element, melding Black music traditions: Hip-Hop, funk, soul, and jazz. Get Sun also features Brazilian composer, producer, and singer, Arthur Verocai, and the added texture of orchestral accompaniment, creating a beautifully crafted landscape of sound, and a nice juxtaposition between electric and acoustic instruments.
Stanley: Joyce Wrice — Must Be Nice (Featuring Masego)
Early this month, Joyce Wrice, released her debut LP, Overgrown. Wrice’s debut is an incredible album that is both parts coming-of-age and the experiences of 20-something-year-old. Sonically, Wrice pulls on D’Mile, one of the most sought after producers in music today, and one of my personal favorite producers, as well as KAYTRANADA, River Tiber, Devin Morrison, and ESTA — all of whom help accentuate Wrice’s voice.
On Must Be Nice shares a duet with Masego, each building off each other, turning in an incredible performance. Wrice, who cites artists like Mariah Carey, Brandy, Aaliyah, and Mya as influences, stands out in the contemporary R&B landscape, and is a more than welcomed voice.
