The Funcooker

ARTIST CORNER: MR. HUDSON

Who is Mr. Hudson?
Lead guitarist and vocalist for London-based band, Mr. Hudson & The Library, most recently signed to G.O.O.D. Music.

Sounds like:
Hate it or love it: one part Coldplay, one part Kanye West.

Why you should listen to him:
Mr. Hudson & The Libary’s debut album on Mercury Records, A Tale of Two Cities, is a hodge podge of musical genres and instrumentation—he has a steel-pan player who does the harmonies! Now signed to G.O.O.D. Music, Mr. Hudson has dropped the “& The Library” label (although, they remain his backing band) and added a hint of Kanye’s style.

The lead single “Supernova” off his (solo) debut album, Straight, No Chaser, is generating worldwide buzz. And whether or not you hate auto-tuned ‘Ye, there’s no denying that the track has a sold-out, standing room only, stadium appeal. As for the rest of the album: it sounds exactly like 808s & Heartbreaks, but with a tolerable singer. Hence, my biggest wish is that Mr. Hudson uses this platform to generate buzz and then return to the brilliance of his original band!

Need further proof?
Minus the shaky, opening vocals this is an excellent indicator of what’s to come:

Also, check out the Straight No Chaser sampler mix (download .mp3 via MediaFire)

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Featured Track: “Supernova”

Mr. Hudson on G.O.O.D. Music | MySpace Music

ARTIST CORNER: DÂM-FUNK

Who is DâM-FunK?
Resident DJ for Funkmosphere at Carbon Lounge, Culver City, CA. Also known as Los Angeles’ “Ambassador of Boogie Funk”: the selector and producer paving way for new West Coast funk.

Sounds like:
A collabo DJ set by Zapp & Roger and Prince (circa ‘81)—complete with blouse.

Why you should catch a set:
I had the chance to catch DâM (pronounced ‘Dame’ as in Damon) spin at the Stussy x Stones Throw Tour in LA and the funk was unbelievable. He was dropping obscure 45’s and freely sharing track info with the crowd—blasphemy to the current culture of club DJ’s. Truly, a fresh turn away from the pretentious, Hollywood scene: low maintenance good times with good music!

Need further proof?
Stussy x Stones Throw presents DâM-FunK: “Beautiful Music 4 Beautiful People” Mix (Download .mp3 via zShare)

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Featured track: “Galactic Fun”

DâM-FunK on Stones Throw Records | MySpace Music

ARTIST CORNER: MAYER HAWTHORNE

Who is Mayer Hawthorne?
29-year-old blue-eyed soul crooner, producer, and multi-instrumentalist from Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Sounds like:
Holland-Dozier-Holland Motown sound + Philadelphia soul à la Delfonics.

Why you should listen to him:

“I think Mayer is the only artist in the history of [Stones Throw Records] that I’ve signed after hearing only two songs,” says Peanut Butter Wolf. “Sometimes, you just know it’s the right thing to do.”

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Featured track: “I Wish That It Would Rain”

Mayer Hawthorne on Stones Throw Records | MySpace Music