The Plug'n Play: March (‘20)
March 31, 2020
You can listen to the full playlist on Apple Music, Spotify, or Tidal
March - the month that felt like it would never end - is finally coming to a close. The month, overwhelmingly dominated by the rapid spread of COVID-19, staying at home, and social distancing, also provided some great musical moments. The month has been highlighted by album releases from Childish Gambino, Jay Electronica, Little Dragon, Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Knxwledge; new singles from Nick Hakim, Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes, and Butcher Brown. In addition to the new music, there were also some exciting/strange/cool/”whoa, what just happened” musical moments in March too. DJ D-Nice’s Club Quarantine gave a moment of reprieve and feeling of togetherness, songwriters battled via Instagram Live while Twitterers scored the match, some suggested that Kanye should go up against Quincy Jones (the gall and ignorance…), and Questlove’s probably still DJ’ing right now. It’s been a month to say the least, but music heals and can be a space of refuge, so I’m grateful for that.
Below are some of our favorite songs from the month. Songs 1-12, were selected by Kevin, songs 12-25 were selected by me, Stanley, and song 26, Nick Hakim’s QADIR, was a last minute collective decision, must-add. As always, we hope you find a song you like and check out the entire album! Below are some of our favorite songs from the month and a little about why we love them.
Stanley: Dornik — Do You Wanna (Featuring Gavin Turek)
One day Dornik’s here, the next, he’s gone. Since releasing his self-titled, debut album in 2015, he’s released a string of singles and a few features, but every time you hear him, he reminds you that he’s one of the brightest voices in music. His new single, Do You Wanna, is reminiscent of the Minneapolis sound made popular by Prince, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Morris Day: slapped bass lines, sparse rhythm guitar lines, and a drum beat locked on the 2 and 4. The song also features singer-songwriter Gavin Turek, in a funky and perfectly matched, call-and-response duet.
Stanley: Butcher Brown — Tidal Wave
Richmond, Virginia-based quintet Butcher Brown are steeped in the tradition of Black American music, and follow in a long history of great musicians from Virginia. Contrary to its title, their new song, Tidal Wave is a calming tune, made in homage to the golden age of jazz/funk tunes. Its lead line, played on tenor saxophone, recalls the likes of Herbie Hancocks’s Headhunters, while the warm Rhodes Piano and clean guitar parts recall Roy Ayers, Grover Washington Jr. and others.
Little Dragon — Where You Belong
Without a doubt, Little Dragon’s New Me, Same Us is my favorite project from March. Filled with lush synthesizers, rhythmic and harmonic exploration, and honest storytelling, New Me, Same Us sees the Sweedish quartet at their best. Little Dragon’s new album is an absolute joy to listen to from top to bottom.
