Elegant Symphony Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication...

Today's featured artist (details on the seires) is Mark Ronson, hailing from London. He's not really a new artists to me, as I have known about him for a few years, but I figured I would include him anyway for the simple fact that the music he delivers is absolutely incredible. He is more so a musician and producer than a singer, as both of his previous albums have been largely instrumental and features other artists for vocals. However, he is rumored to be singing on his new album in the works, which is projected for release later this year.

Mark Ronson has produced albums for artists such as Amy Winehouse (Back to Black) and Daniel Merriweather (Love & War). I am majorly a fan of his use of horns and big band in general, as I play the saxophone. His style is like a cross breed of Jazz and Hip Hop. I recommend checking out his second studio album entitled Version.

Relaxing on a friday night, reading Sherlock Holmes while a James Bond soundtrack plays softly in the background. I put down my book for a moment and think, "what if the average person's everyday life had a 007 soundtrack?". How much more intense and action pact would life seemingly be? If after waking up late for your 6am shift, your mad dash to work, weaving in and out of trafic, was accompanied by a classic Bond chase theme? Granted, you're not driving an Aston Martin V12 Vanquish, but that would be pretty intense!

Now imagine you're at your local super center. You're ready to check out, you've got your products in hand like a finely crafted Bond gadget, when you see a cart quickly approaching with a mountain full of God only knows what. You're Bond, the cart bearer is the beefy opponent with cat like agility and instincts. As both of you jockey for position at the checkout line, a Bond fight scene theme ensues.

After you've defeated your worthy opponent and completed your transaction, the classic Bond theme comes on as you tell the clerk your name (Bond... James Bond). Then you exit the store feeling accomplished and labeled the baddest shopper 'round town.

Today's new artist (new to me anyway: details) is a very talented guy named Daniel Merriweather, hailing from Melbourne, Australia. What more is there to say other than the guy can blow. His genre is R&B, Soul, and a touch of Funk. The production of his debut album entitled Love & War is superb.

Daniel Merriweather's musical accompaniment is phenomenal. He brings that old school feel, reminiscent of when artists made music for the love of music rather than to simply collect a paycheck. The songs on the album range from easy listening and chill to making you want to jump out of your seat and dance. Each of his songs tells a story which is also refreshing, as many artists today make music thats more or less a repetitive jingle rather than actual deeply thought out lyrics. If this is a resurgence of that classic soul sound, I'm all for it!

Here are a few tracks from Daniel Merriweather's album Love & War:

This is an original poem that i wrote. It is currently untitled. Enjoy.

Lately, I have grown increasingly tired of egotism and narcissism in American music. Granted, I like to get hype like everyone else, but listening to it 24/7? Come on. It's so bad that even underground artists are stooping to said level in order to get recognition. So, instead of keeping the classics we have all grown to love over the years in continuous rotation, I have decided to branch out of my musical comfort zone and go international in hopes of finding a breath of fresh air.

Today's featured artist is Paloma Faith, hailing from London. Her music is actually rather soothing and good for chilling out in general. I personally enjoy the use of live instrumentation in music. In my opinion, live bands accompanying a singer are far more enjoyable than the computerized slop perpetuated by many artists these days. Paloma Faith and her band fit the bill. Paloma Faith's graceful vocals over the rhythmic melodies of the band are quite delightful.

I also enjoy her 1940/50s style. It is truly an elegance lacking in society anymore. Overall, Paloma Faith is not that far of a stretch from the music I am accustomed to listening to (at least her musical accompaniment anyway). I recommend Checking out her debut album entitled Do You Want the Truth of Something Beautiful?