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Benjamin Kassel
Mar 23, 20223 min read
"Evil Ways": the birth of Latin cool
Okay, how has it taken me this long to talk about Santana on here? That's borderline criminal — and I'm remedying that ASAP.
Benjamin Kassel
Mar 4, 20223 min read
"Paradigm" is my kind of deep house
CamelPhat are leaders of the style now, and I saw it coming with this 2015 production.
Benjamin Kassel
Feb 14, 20223 min read
"Strawberry Letter 23" fits today's date
Is it cool? (Is it cool?) I don't know, but it's February 14, and it feels right.
Benjamin Kassel
Feb 7, 20224 min read
Dissecting why I love "King Kunta"
Kendrick Lamar's funky 2015 single remains a personal favorite for a slew of reasons, many of which come back to what I like in older music.
Benjamin Kassel
Dec 6, 20213 min read
"Waterfalls" combines contemporary theming with morality
TLC, fully immersed in the social world of the mid-90s, remind listeners they can find a way out of the darkness by being their own light.
Benjamin Kassel
Dec 1, 20213 min read
"Dreams" demonstrates the power of recurrence
Gorgon City utilize mediated repetition — particularly of a single element — to create and reinforce their track's titular aura.
Benjamin Kassel
Nov 4, 20214 min read
"Come and Get Your Love," a premier Native American success story in the music world
Redbone's indigenous background is also reflected through their simple, but profound lyrical message.
Benjamin Kassel
Oct 10, 20214 min read
Is it house? Is it electronica? Is it pop? All I know is that it's "Magnets," and it's awesome.
Disclosure's masterpiece with Lorde has a downright outrageous beat and great lyric / instrumental coordination to drive home its narrative.
Benjamin Kassel
Oct 6, 20214 min read
I needed "O-o-h Child" and its unabashed optimism today
The simplest tracks sometimes hit you the hardest.
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