Four Track Friday
Episode 30

Hi Everyone!

No intro! Straight to some music! This week is heavy on hip-hop and soul and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Jazz-hop - Better Recognize by Apollo Bebop

Two years ago, several of us (you know who you are ;) went to a Sofar Show in Green Lake with all of the ingredients for margaritas in a paper bag. After enjoying EllaHarp and an indie duo, Apollo Bebop took the stage. The living room of the quaint home quickly became filled with nodding heads.

This Santa Ana-based quintet plays a potent combination of hip-hop and jazz, which shines on this release from October of last year. Citing influences like Chance the Rapper and Miles Davis, these five bring clever lyrics, driving bass, sexy saxophone, keys or guitar, and intricate drums to every track.

They've experimented with everything from angsty with their Sushi No Rubber to smooooooooth with their 2018 Cruz'n.

This one is somewhere in the middle and, if you like it, you'll be happy to know there's plenty more where this came from.

Pop R&B - 2 Real by Parisalexa

I am absolutely in love with this track and very happy to have discovered Parisalexa. The ease with which she delivers such confident, clever lines is such a joy.

Before spending most of high school skipping class to write songs, Paris Alexa Williams can first remember singing in public at the age of three. It's actually song-writing on which she first focused. However, when she completed writing her Post-Malone-intended single, Ballin her producer recommended that she perform it herself. Needless to say, it was a hit and her 2018 EP, Flexa, was quick to follow. It wasn't long before she was playing small shows and festivals, including the Capitol Hill Block Party in her hometown, Seattle.

These days she's working on a new album, releasing her most recent single just four days ago. At the moment she's also touring with Xavier Omär, playing at the Showbox in downtown Seattle TOMORROW, before working her way down the rest of the west coast over the next several weeks. Hit me up if you want a buddy for the Seattle show!

Hip-hop - Jump! (Live) by Quincy Morales

You may notice this track's focus on staying strong mentally and pushing through to make those who believe in you proud and that's because Quincy Morales wrote this song at the lowest time in his life, according to this 2019 interview.

When combined with his ability to rhythmically dominate with his voice and perform well with a big, live band, this creates the energetic frenzy of Jump!, which released last year. Hopefully he puts out some more music soon.

Soul-hop - Brown Girl Chronicles. by Rebecca Hatch

Rebecca Hatch is quickly establishing herself as one of Australia's most soulful voices. After winning Triple J's Unearthed High Indigenous Initiative in 2017, the Australian-Samoan from Western Sydney has uploaded three tracks. Her first two are lofty and smooth R&B tracks, while this one leans into a bit of hip-hop. Listening to the interview linked above, it's obvious that Hatch brings a lot of of authenticity, playfulness, and passion to her music and I think we all have a lot to look forward to.

As always, this week’s tracks are added to the collectors for all weeks' tracks on Spotify and Apple Music.

Of course, don’t forget to reply with what you liked, didn’t like, and what you’ve been listening to.

Cheers,
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