John Morrison’s Philly Top Five: It’s spring again!

In the immortal words of the late, great MC/DJ/Hip-Hop legend, Biz Markie, “it’s spring again!” While the weather hasn’t drastically broken yet, the slight increases in temperature and sunlight have done wonders for my mood and listening practices. In addition to some early morning listening sessions to start the day at home, I’ve been able to make it out to see some dope live music (Kraftwerk at Franklin Music Hall was a highlight). There’s also been a number of dope new releases to dig into and get excited about this month. In honor of March and the new season, here are five Philly-related music things that stood out this month.

Brandee Younger at Solar Myth

Harpist / composer Brandee Younger first landed on my radar in 2020 with the release of Force Majeure, a brilliant live album recorded with bassist Dezron Douglas in their apartment in Harlem during COVID lockdown. While Force Majeure made me a fan, her March 12th set at Solar Myth made me a believer. Accompanied by Rashaan Carter on bass and drummer, Allan Mednard, Younger worked through a gorgeous set of originals and covers like Alice Coltrane’s “Turiya and Ramakrishna” and Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You.” As with every other Solar Myth show I’ve been to, the room was packed and the vibes were high.

Azul Kechi – Celestial Love

Azul Kechi is a South London-born R&B singer with deftly written songs and a lovely, distinct vocal tone. Kechi’s Philly connection comes in the form of her collaborators, local record label and production crew, Eraserhood Sound. The Celestial Love LP is the end result of Kechi and Ersaerhood’s collaboration and the album’s warm and dream-like approach to psychedelic soul is pitch-perfect. Standout cuts like “Fool Me Once”, “Nada Mas Solo” and “Crazy Dreams” are retro-futurist nuggets dipped in delicious helpings of reverb and delay. To get a sense of what the project feels like, imagine Caron Wheeler going back in time to make a record with Joe Meek.

Shauna Moon – “Exhale”

Trenton-born experimental hip-hop artist Shauna Moon has been making waves in both Philly and Jersey’s music sense with her catchy, ear-arresting songs and unique visual aesthetic. “Exhale” is Moon’s latest single where she escorts us through the harrowing depths of anxiety and fear. With sharp bars and a video that pulls influence from a host of throwback B-movies and old-school slasher flicks, “Exhale” is a gem from a gifted MC on the rise.

Ben O’Neill – “Oh, The Hours (RVLVR Remix)”

Having toured and played with contemporary R&B and hip-hop luminaries John Legend, Common, and Jill Scott, Philly guitarist and singer Ben O’Neill is a seasoned music industry vet. In addition to his work as a supporting musicians, O’Neill is a talented solo act in his own right. O’Neill’s heartbreakingly tender ballad “Oh, The Hours” gets a complete facelift via a new remix from Philly producer and educator, RVLVR. O’Neill’s bittersweet vocal remains at the center while RVLVR outfits the song with a lush and enveloping new arrangement.

Lushlife feat. Mankind – “Air Pegasus”

What a pleasant surprise, “Air Pegasus” is the new single from producer/MC-turned-best-selling children’s author, Raj Haldar (aka Lushlife). His first release in four years, “Air Pegasus” leans heavily on Lushlife’s East Coast rap pedigree as he trades bars with NYC rap duo Mankind over an airy, minimal beat produced by Botany. The three display elite chemistry on the mic, twisting, bending, and breaking the boundaries of language with their complex, layered lyrics.