Armand Van Helden & Common and The Jungle Book
Today I have some music for you by the artist known as Armand Van Helden. Now this is a guy who has been around in the music industry for a very long time. His name isn't one that is easily recognizable or recognized at all for that matter. But he is one of the biggest influences in the New York electronic music scene. He works with all kinds of genres, from funk to R&B to hardcore EDM. What I find really cool about Armand Van Helden is that despite the fact that he has been such an influential presence in the music scene of the Northeast, his music still sounds underground. He hasn't lost any sense of what his soundscape is supposed to sound like, and is very comfortable with creating sounds which eventually become the popular norm.
There are still so many elements of his music that sound really nice and underground, very unique and quirky. Armand Van Helden tends to sample older songs, generally from the 80s or 90s. And he does so because of how rooted in funk and groove his music is. For example, this song's main melody is more of a funk line played out on synthesizers. And while we do have a popular trend of blending hip-hop and jazz beats in order to get something a bit groovier, there is a unique element which Armand Van Helden brings to the table which makes him one of the suavest in the real of underground artists.
This song is tastefully produced, keeping the beats at a good energy level and not bass boosting the song. There is, of course, a little bit of a repetitive nature to the instrumentation of the song during the verses, but that doesn't matter because you get so into the rhythm and flow of the song. This is a track that gets you bopping and jamming out, waiting and listening for when something like a saxophone flair kicks in. A good comparison may lie with the popular producer, Mark Ronson. Both artists find themselves building upon the roots of funk music in order to create a sound which is timeless and modern at the same time.
Now this song features the rap verses of the rapper Common. And though he may not be in the rap spotlight the way he used to, there is so much he does behind the scenes. Common radiates a courage and strength which translates into his music. He is also is an extremely tasteful rapper. The verses aren't blatantly disgusting nor do they celebrate the fast life of fame and fortune. But he is still able to get us hyped! Common's voice is really smooth and controlled which adds more flavor and richness to the song. He doesn't try and overshadow the music, and the music track doesn't try and take over his rapped verses. There is a really great sense of balance here and that balance is what makes this song work. It isn't easy to combine rap with funk with jazz and to do so using synthesizers and drum pads. But Armand Van Helden does an awesome job of finding just enough of each thing to make this song complete.
Today's instrumental song is from the movie The Jungle Book. I understand this is an absolute classic film, and I also know that the live action version of the film has been met with mixed reviews. However, I cannot deny the brilliance and beauty and absolute ecstasy which comes with listening to this score. We get the jazzy influence of the original track, and we get the epic and inspiring melodies of a massive orchestra. This score is incredibly well done, and the music was accurate to the style of the film. All of the songs were energetic and compelling, and this track especially captures the highest of highs from the film. I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!
There are still so many elements of his music that sound really nice and underground, very unique and quirky. Armand Van Helden tends to sample older songs, generally from the 80s or 90s. And he does so because of how rooted in funk and groove his music is. For example, this song's main melody is more of a funk line played out on synthesizers. And while we do have a popular trend of blending hip-hop and jazz beats in order to get something a bit groovier, there is a unique element which Armand Van Helden brings to the table which makes him one of the suavest in the real of underground artists.
This song is tastefully produced, keeping the beats at a good energy level and not bass boosting the song. There is, of course, a little bit of a repetitive nature to the instrumentation of the song during the verses, but that doesn't matter because you get so into the rhythm and flow of the song. This is a track that gets you bopping and jamming out, waiting and listening for when something like a saxophone flair kicks in. A good comparison may lie with the popular producer, Mark Ronson. Both artists find themselves building upon the roots of funk music in order to create a sound which is timeless and modern at the same time.
Now this song features the rap verses of the rapper Common. And though he may not be in the rap spotlight the way he used to, there is so much he does behind the scenes. Common radiates a courage and strength which translates into his music. He is also is an extremely tasteful rapper. The verses aren't blatantly disgusting nor do they celebrate the fast life of fame and fortune. But he is still able to get us hyped! Common's voice is really smooth and controlled which adds more flavor and richness to the song. He doesn't try and overshadow the music, and the music track doesn't try and take over his rapped verses. There is a really great sense of balance here and that balance is what makes this song work. It isn't easy to combine rap with funk with jazz and to do so using synthesizers and drum pads. But Armand Van Helden does an awesome job of finding just enough of each thing to make this song complete.
Today's instrumental song is from the movie The Jungle Book. I understand this is an absolute classic film, and I also know that the live action version of the film has been met with mixed reviews. However, I cannot deny the brilliance and beauty and absolute ecstasy which comes with listening to this score. We get the jazzy influence of the original track, and we get the epic and inspiring melodies of a massive orchestra. This score is incredibly well done, and the music was accurate to the style of the film. All of the songs were energetic and compelling, and this track especially captures the highest of highs from the film. I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!
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