I love music. And I love great ideas around how to package and share music. The evolution of technology has both totally disrupted industries as well as provided the tools to be able to share great music. In creating Digital Crates on this site, I have tried to share what I come across while traversing the world of the interwebs, albeit inconsistently. The non-profit NPR hosts Tiny Desk Concerts, which is a simple yet powerful concept – bring in artists to perform in a corner of their offices and film them. The intimacy of the performances place the spotlight firmly on the music itself, drawing you in completely.
There are so many artists to choose from and, whenever I visit the site, I end up going down the proverbial music rabbit hole, jumping from one video to the next. Thought I would share a couple of my favourite from artists that I can’t get enough of. NPR Music is also a platform that explores the world of music in a way that resonates with me, away from the ‘gossip-driven’ tendencies of many sites that profess to be about music.
Tiny Desk: Gregory Porter
A couple of years ago, I was invited by Power FM, to come onto Azania Mosaka’s then show, to chat about an artist I liked. I chose Gregory Porter. This was a couple of weeks before he released the album Liquid Spirit. I can honestly say that, not a week has gone by, since 2013, that I do not listen to Gregory Porter.
Anderson .Paak
I hadn’t heard of Breezy Lovejoy and only connected with him – under his new moniker Anderson .Paak – on Dr. Dre’s Compton album/soundtrack. His album Malibu is one of my favourite albums of 2016.
Benjamin Clementine
UK artist, poet and composer Clementine’s music is raw, at times uncomfortable but always beautiful and moving. The Tiny Desk was the perfect setting for him.
Other performances I enjoyed are The Internet, Christian Scott Atunde Adjuah, Anthony Hamilton, Lianne La Havas and Leon Bridges.