I love listening to James Brown! It’s classic soul that’s timeless, not dated. He’s not an overplayed, tired voice of the past. The Godfather of Soul works well in music-for-business because he sounds vibrant and energentic and puts people in a good mood. Listeners start moving, maybe unconsciously, when “I Feel Got/I Got You”, “Cold Sweat”, “Get On The Good Foot” or “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag” comes on the sound system. James Brown died on Christmas day 5 years ago but Soul Brother Number One lives on.

by John, Custom Channels CMO Chief Music Officer

The song “Many Shades of Black” was originally recorded by Jack White’s band the Raconteurs and appeared on their 2008 album Consolers of the Lonely.  When they released it as a single, there was an alternate version of the song sung by then newcomer – British soul singer, Adele.  The Adele version was always the one that stuck with me.  It’s a familiar voice with a rock ‘n roll backing band.

By Jason, Custom Channels Music Director

Into The Murky Water is the second full length studio album from U.K. band The Leisure Society. I especially like their pop-folk sound on the bouncy song “You Could Keep Me Talking”. This group, with a rockin’ violin, would fit well into the American Northwest indie scene with the Shins, Decemberists, Blizten Trapper, or Pink Martini.

by John, Custom Channels co-founder

In 2010 The Rolling Stones reissued Exile On Main Street and it was a critical and commercial success story. The next in line for expanded reworking is the 1978 classic, Some Girls.  Some Girls was a groundbreaking album which introduced the music of the Rolling Stones to a new generation. “Miss You” and “Shattered” are two of my favorite Stones songs. I’m looking forward to digging through the 12 previously unreleased tracks on this deluxe version.

By Jason, Custom Channels Music Director

The Talking Heads fit so nicely on so many of our music-for-business channels.  TH songs often sound like recent releases in their style and feel rather than music from 30 years ago. Timeless. Maybe many current artists are incorporating TH vibe into today’s music. It’s hard to name a channel where Talking Heads wouldn’t fit.  OK, country and classical.  We love hearing TH here at Custom Channels!

by John, Custom Channels co-founder

In December, Island Records will release Lioness: Hidden Treasures, the third album from Amy Winehouse.  Following her passing in July, her producers spent time compiling her unreleased recordings and alternate versions of her songs.  The outcome is a 12 track collection featuring many remakes and a few new tracks.  Her reggae remake of the old R&B song “Our Day Will Come” is a reminder of how talented she was.

by Jason, Custom Channels Music Director

There are three rock+blues+soul albums that are sounding good in a music-for-business setting.  The first two have female singers with the guys playing firey guitar.  Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa combine for Don’t Explain.  Husand/wife Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks record together on the album Revelator. Then there’s Warren Haynes, both the singer and guitarist, with Man In Motion.  Haynes has over two dozen albums betwen his solo work, his band Gov’t Mule, and as guitarist with the Allman Brothers Band.

by John, Custom Channels co-founder

“Video Games” by New York singer-songwriter Lana Del Ray has quickly become a viral internet video and song after being named Best New Track by music blog Pitchfork in August.  The video has over 5 million YouTube views.  She recently signed to Interscope Records and will have a full album out in January 2012.

by Jason, Custom Channels Music Director

Coldplay’s newest album Mylo Xyloto is a number one seller in its first week on the Billboard chart.  It’s Coldplay’s 3rd number one album (out of 5 studio albums!).  Since SoundScan began tracking sales in 1991, only five rock bands have had three albums that debuted at number one with at least 400,000 sold: Coldplay, U2, The Beatles (3 times each), Dave Matthews Band (5 times) and Metallica (6 times).

by John, Custom Channels co-founder

In 2005, indie rockers Beck, Feist, Jenny Lewis, members of Arcade Fire, Sonic Youth, Wolf Parade and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, comedian David Cross many more recorded a charity Halloween song inspired by “Do They Know It’s Christmas.”  Credited as North American Hallowe’en Prevention Initiative, the mostly obscure song was released as a single on Vice Records with proceeds going to UNICEF.  “Do They Know It’s Hallowe’en” has become a Halloween favorite, edging out “The Monster Mash.”

by Jason, Custom Channels Music Director

Modern indie soul singer Mayer Hawthorne has an album full of songs that combine the right amount of classic Motown soul with contemporary style and production.  He grew up in the Detroit area, and sounds like he’d be right at home in the 1968 Motown music scene.  One song, “A Long Time”, from the album How Do You Do has Hawthorne singing about Barry and Henry (Gordy and Ford) and Detroit’s future return to former glory.

by John, Custom Channels co-founder

Death Cab For Cutie are releasing a remix EP of songs from their latest LP Keys and Codes.  The EP features songs remixed and produced by electro artists like Cut Copy and RAC.  The remixes are reminiscent of front man Ben Gibbard’s 2003 electronic side project The Postal Service.  They’re previewing tracks at keysandcodes.deathcabforcutie.com.  Remixes and alternate versions of songs are ideal for restaurants and retailers who prefer an offbeat sound.

by Jason, Custom Channels Music Director

One of my favorite albums of the year, behind Adele and Foster The People, is Mission Bell by Amos Lee.  By “favorite album” I mean it’s not just a good song or two – nearly all of the songs are really good when it comes to music-for-business or at-home listening.  From the upbeat “Windows Are Rolled Down” to the slower but emotional track “El Camino”, we’ve found Amos Lee’s music mixes well with a lot of styles on a lot of our music channels.  I also went back to listen to, and appreciate again, his previous three albums.

by John, Custom Channels co-founder

Brooklyn band, The Drums return with their sophomore album Portamento.  Released just 14 months after their self titled debut, Portamento revisits the band’s signature surf rock meets 80s new wave sound.  “Money” is a jumpy love song for today’s times with the chorus, “I want to buy you something, but I don’t have any Money.”  Very catchy.

by Jason, Custom Channels Music Director

She’s a combination of a sweet voice (like Colbie Caillat), a cool laidback tempo (like label mate Jack Johnson), and a hip style (like Feist). Zee Avi’s new album, her second, is Ghostbird. It’s got an eclectic, coffee shop sound that works well at Custom Channels. Anybody know the band Hem and lead singer Sally Ellyson? Zee Avi and Hem are similar.

by John, Custom Channels Co-Founder

Daptone Records is home to bands like Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Budos Band, El Michels Affair and Menahan Street Band.  The sound is classic soul influenced, instrumentals, Afro soul, funk, and jazz.  You may be familiar with The Dap Kings as the backing band for Sharon Jones, or the band that backed Amy Winehouse on her Grammy award winning Back To Black album.  Daptone Records has a goldmine of feel good instrumentals that are well suited for restaurant or in-store customers to groove to.

by Jason, Custom Channels Music Director

I miss The Wallflowers. Their music, in their day, fit perfectly. But Jakob Dylan’s releases became really mellow, folky, soft and sparse. Not great stuff for an in-store environment.

The reason I bring up The Wallflowers is that several people have told me that “Brand New Day” by Trevor Hall sounds like The Wallflowers. A raspy voice doing a rockin’ song that sounds fresh yet is linked to past styles. I welcome the comparison.

by John, Custom Channels Co-Founder

Some of my favorite music sounds simple, but will reveal elaborate layers the more I listen.  Leslie Feist’s latest and most organic sounding album, Metals, falls into that category.  Her music is perfect for businesses looking for a laid back, yet unique and captivating sound.  Many Custom Channels clients have requested Feist songs (old and new) for their in-store music channels.

by Jason, Custom Channels Music Director