So Much Light – The Barrel Keeps Rolling Forever

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Video game nerds, take heed. Sacramento’s So Much Light (aka Damien Verrett) has reinterpreted an instrumental track from the celebrated game Donkey Kong Country into a “sad boy R&B jam,” and it is a beguiling beaut.

Explaining the inspiration for the revision, Verrett says: “The song is originally called ‘Stickerbrush Symphony‘ by the composer for all of the Donkey Kong Country games David Wise. This song in particular is really popular among people who are into video game music — it’s kind of the magnum opus as far as songs from Donkey Kong Country go. Growing up with video games I was always fascinated with the soundtracks and their ability to transport the player into different environments.”

Verrett’s reimagining, entitled “The Barrel Keeps Rolling Forever” will certainly transfix the listener with its stunningly smooth vocals and R&B intonations. Signed to Anti- Records, the singer released his debut EP Idiot Soul on the label late last year. Anti- Records is killing it right now with their roster, so you know he’s doing something right. Look out for more from this burgeoning artist on the horizon and stream below.

RIRI ROUNDUP: DJDS / R. City / Brayton Bowman

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All hail Queen RiRi. We were big fans of her No. 1 hit “Work” and collab with Drake, so we’ve got a special treat for you today. Although we personally feel the official remixes of the single let us down by not capturing the energy of the original, there’s no denying that the addictive track has spurred a profusion of creativity — so today we’re rounding up the most innovative of the “re-works” in this exclusive edition of Remix RiRi Roundup.

First up is a bootleg by DJDS (formerly known as DJ Dodger Stadium), the LA duo comprised of Jerome LOL and Samo Sound Boy who recently lent their production chops to Kanye‘s The Life of Pablo. The mix flips the original by replacing the dancehall rhythm with aerial piano lines and deep house production. The only thing missing in this rendition is Drizzy, but it’s still an inspired reinterpretation that you can pick up for free on Soundcloud.

Another unauthorized remix comes by way of Rihanna collaborators, R. City or Rock City. The Caribbean-born brothers Theron and Timothy Thomas stay closer to the original on their revision, leaving the island influences intact but adding their own verses to the beginning. We dig the lyrical addition on this cut — which is also available for free download.

Last but not least, future-funk artist Brayton Bowman serves up an immaculate mashup of Rihanna and *NSYNC with “It’s Gonna Be RIH.” I mean, does it get any better? Produced by MNEK, the result is what would happen if NSYNC and Rihanna were to have a love child. Brayton Bowman, you win.

[VIDEO]: Beat Connection – Illusion

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Beat Connection released their long-awaited sophomore album, Product 3 last month on ANTI- Records. Since their formation in 2010, the Seattle-based band has grown from a duo to a quartet and is currently comprised of Reed Juenger, Jarred Katz, Tom Eddy, and Mark Hunter, who are all accomplished instrumentalists. Together they create bright, exuberant beats and rhythms that blend together in seamless and satisfying ways that still manage to surprise.

We featured one of the album tracks “Illusion” back in September, but since then they’ve released a seriously slick video for the effort, featuring the moves of renowned flex dancer Brixx. Watch the video below and pick up the LP Product 3, teeming with more electronic synth jams on iTunes. Beat Connection is currently on tour in support of the album, performing at DC9 this Thursday, November 19 (more tour dates below).

2015 Upcoming Tour Dates:
11/19 – DC9 – Washington, DC
11/20 – Great Scott – Allston, MA
11/21 – Knitting Factory – Brooklyn, NY
11/22 – Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA
11/25 – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY
11/27 – Theatre Fairmount – Montreal, QC
11/28 – The Drake – Toronto, ON
12/02 – The Blind Pig – Ann Arbor, MI
12/03 – Subterranean – Chicago, IL
12/04 – The Frequency – Madison, WI
12/05 – 7th Street Entry – Minneapolis, MN 12/06 – Vega – Lincoln, NE
12/09 – Larimer Lounge – Denver, CO
12/10 – Kilby Court – Salt Lake City, UT
12/11 – Watercolor – Boise, ID
12/12 – The Bartlett – Spokane, WA
12/17 – Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR
12/19 – Fortune – Vancouver, BC

Son Little – Nice Dreams

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Future soul artist Son Little has received a lot of acclaim this past year for his nu-soul-blues-hip-hop sound. The Philadelphia musician and man behind the moniker, Aaron Livingston was formerly known for his collaborations with The Roots and RJD2 — and has now struck out on his own, having released his self-titled debut album on Anti- Records this October.

Son Little will bring his soulful and heartfelt performance to DC9 in support of the album on November 9. Listen to “Nice Dreams” off the LP below.