#doug stuart

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Workin' on it by Brijean, live on KEXP

[dustedmagazine]

Brijean — Feelings (Ghostly International)

Photo by Jack Bool

It is a truth barely acknowledged that a single listener in possession of some taste and seasonal affective disorder must be in want of congas. Though the snow and ice are finally melting and the days begin to brighten and lengthen, many of us aren’t quite ready to trust in obvious bursts of spring optimism. For those who are, Oakland singer percussionist Brijean Murphy and her collaborator Doug Stuart present Feelings, an unabashed throwback to the sounds of 1970s parties fuelled by pina coladas and Bossa Nova and fin de siècle soirees of bespoke daiquiris and crate-dug vinyl exotica. Drop the needle and be transported from gloom into a lovely pastel world of tropicalia rhythms, smooth bass and Murphy’s perfectly pitched vocals, which are as lovely as they are undemanding.

The songs are all atmosphere and tone. Uplifting aphorisms wrapped in gossamer webs of electric pianos, synths and string pads with layers of percussion that reveal their intricacies diffidently from beneath the drum kit and bass which drive the songs. “Softened Thoughts” sounds immediately familiar: shuffling beat, walking bass, congas, descending Fender Rhodes riff, reassuring vocals, sweat-less dancing in polite company yes, but company nonetheless.  “Ocean” is pure Astrud Gilberto, Murphy’s voice so airy it almost floats away before reaching the end of each line, the bass a cushion that just fits right, the percussion stuck on the Casio’s “Latin” button, the keyboards that twinkle like poolside tea candles. If it’s slight, it is also enchantingly unironic and thus completely enjoyable 

Feelings does no damage, it exists to target pleasure centers and does so. The influences are the point and yes there’s the Gilberto voice, the Mendes smoothness, the Getz sophisticate sheen but also a lack of Stereolab’s knottiness and the kind of knowingness and look-at-me cleverness of some of the practitioners and fans of whatever round of lounge revivalism is going on now. There is nothing here to take offence at unless you want to split the hairs between anodyne and placebo. Throw open a window, check the trees for buds and let the pigeons coo along with Brijean. Carefree is a feeling we’ve missed and for 33 minutes it makes a welcome cameo. 

Andrew Forell

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Show and Tell by Brijean from the album Walkie Talkie - Directed by Sarah Strunin

[twtron]

The Promise of My Father...

The Promise of My Father…

“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem[i] until you are endued with power from on high.”-Luke 24:49

Nothing excites me more than when someone brings up the power of the Holy Spirit.

In my life, there has been nothing as real and as powerful as the feeling when one is endued with the power on high. It is understood that for some, this statement is…

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