Fitz & the Tantrums - Pickin’ Up the Pieces (2010)

This was a surprise I found on sordo. Someone put the link up and tagged it as soul, which isn't the most common thing. Looking into I'll be damned if it isn't a real soul act from Los Angeles. Their biography isn't too hard to find if you're interested in that, but basically they pretty new but seemingly catching on quickly. The bandleader is a former studio engineer who's talents likely contributed to the high quality of the recordings despite them having been conducted in his living room according to the L.A. Times. Although this is certainly most directly influenced by soul, it does sound like the Jackson 5 or other Motown acts because of the excitement exhibited. The best comparison to a contemporaneous musician I could conjure is like a more showy and lively version of Mayer Hawthorne's smooth soul music. They even dress the part, where retro suits and the female vocals in flashy girl pop attire. The best part is how heavy the songs are on the old fashioned organ sound, I can hardly get enough of that.

To be had here:
Fitz & the Tantrums - Pickin’ Up the Pieces [160 kbps]

Mayer Hawthorne - A Strange Arrangement (2009)

This fella started catching a deal of positive press in the Detroit area weeklies a bit back. To give credit to gumption where it is due, I was not the one that decided to download it and give it a spin, but rather my older brother is to thank for this. Mayer Hawthorne not like any of the other album I've posted. Therefore, I haven't much to compare it to in my usual frame of reference. First thing to avoid though is judging the album by Hawthorne's appearance on the album's art. He might look like he's making something stereotypical like sweet sounding indie pop. While the music is sweet, it is certainly not like the usual pop. The best way I can think of to describe it is a modern version of Blue-Eyed Soul of years back. Most certainly R&B, but so incredibly enjoyable I can't hardly believe there isn't a special genre just for A Strange Arrangement. His soul sound shows he was exposed to much of the same Motown soul stars that most Michigan kids grew up with on the radio such as Isaac Hayes, Curtis Mayfield and Smokey Robinson. I am unsure if this guy is getting the same attention elsewhere, it could just be pride of a local boy that garnered him some friendly press, but it wasn't unjustified. After all, Madlib saw fit to place him on his Stones Throw label. I suggest taking a good listen. I apologize for the low bit rate, my brother doesn't understand...

Not to be had here: jig is up, stones throw found out fast about this one