Sure, right now it might feel really tempting to trade in that underground backpacker role for the fame and wealth of top 40. But even though it sometimes feels as if more artists than ever succumbed to dancefloor beats and dumbed down lyrics this year (I'm not going to name any names but uh, Common), there have been hopeful spots of light on the dark skies of Quality Music. Some of these lights are pretty new to our ears, but they have proved to bring Quality like real veterans, and so they have all earned a place in our mini series of The Quality That Shaped 2011. Enjoy, and fill those empty playlists.
Gary Clark Jr. - The Bright Lights EP
Sometimes I wonder how a four-track EP can have more substance than most full length albums released the same year. This is definitely the case with Gary's new effort. Only 21 minutes long in full, it's the 21 best minutes you will spend in a while. Gary is Hendrix at his bluesier moments, adding a bitter streak of longing and doubt to some skilled guitarplaying.
The pros of making a short album like this is that there is absolutely no filler tracks, each and every one of the four songs on The Bright Lights EP is worthy it's place. 'You gonna know my name at the end of the night' Gary chants on the rougher Bright Lights, an anthem of rebellion and city life, and he sure is right. But where he truly shines is right in the two thoughtful last tracks. Gary displays a very honest side of soulful blues, and on When My Train Pulls In he is at his height, both when it comes to music and soulsearching.
Notable song:
Gary Clark Jr. - When My Train Pulls In (Live)
Ntjam Rosie - Elle
Now, Rosie has made music before too, but this time she takes her time to show off her vocal talents. The album is comprised of a handful calm and atmospheric songs in English and French. These slower tracks fits Rosie's voice perfectly. She has that kind of voice made to be savoured slowly, preferably in combination with a distinct bassline like on Space of You. Rosie lets her voice twist and turn to the beautifully crafted melodies, often with a touch of classical music meshed with contemporary R&B and jazz. Tracks like In Need are destined to fill relaxing playlists to set the mood during the colder and darker periods of the year.
Notable track:
Ntjam Rosie - Space of You
Michael Kiwanuka - I'm Getting Ready EP
Kiwanuka always sounds as if played on an old, raspy recordplayer, no matter if you're listening on your laptop or your iphone. That kind of voice just can't exist outside of the Motown era of music. Even shorter than the Gary Clark Jr. EP, but Kiwanuka doesn't sound too troubled about that. Over three soulish folk tracks he manages to turn the somewhat melancholic songs into hopeful melodies with his mellow voice. However we get a feeling, especially in the beginning of final track Any Day Will Do Fine, that he might do really good with heavier, more bluestinged surroundings. Seeing this guy evolve musically will be really interesting, but keeping him in his current state doesn't hurt either. With this EP he has been one of the few that truly brought Quality to 2011.
