It’s been way too long since we’ve updated this joint. Good lord. Maybe we can get our act together for the New Year. In advance of that possibility, I would like to share the two hottest slow jams of the winter to melt this frigid white Christmas. The first is initially novelty–a cover of The Dirty Projectors’ “The Stillness Is The Move” by Solange…you know, Beyonce’s sister who takes B and Jay to Grizzly Bear shows and such? Anyway, once you’re past the whole wuh? factor, it’s really hot. Also, I must confess that the original just doesn’t resonate with me; this captures the whole sentiment of the song in a way I can connect with. The gravitas is more moving. And for a guitar sample that is so classic, it’s put to very classy use. It’s smooth, funky, and downright splendid. Dig that.

Solange – Stillness Is The Move

The second is “Slow Dance” by Keri Hilson. I don’t know much about her but it appears she’s a songwriter/hit-maker who’s making her foray into solo work. I’ve sampled some other tracks that just don’t cut it. But this one gets me in a major way. It’s got as ill a groove as you can get in this type of ballad. And that alternating vocal and synth play in the chorus is so delicious. The amorphousness of it as a whole is really enchanting. Listen in headphones and the disorienting synth and rewind pan are the details that throw the whole floaty element over the top. Grin-ding!

Keri Hilson – Slow Dance

And just in case that’s too much sexiness for you, I’m throwing in a video that is not a slow jam at all. It’s the video for Shakira’s “She Wolf”. It’s actually a pretty enjoyable funk-jam. But it’s probably the most awkward video I’ve seen in a long time. I feel uncomfortable watching it.

Well. Merry Christmas!