We'd guess that Sean Riquelme earned his Blues Puppy title for the fact that he first started playing guitar at age 6 - as soon as his hands could reach the frets - and was performing for crowds at age 11. A young pup indeed, and now only at 15 years old he's ready to take the music world by storm with his first EP Licked. The title track is this week's #RPMdownload.
Guitar phenom Sean "Blues Puppy" Riquelme (Cree/Quichaua) is at the start of his career. His show “Tribute to Guitar Legends” runs at local venues, festivals, fundraisers and coffee shops with his band in British Columbia and it's no surprise his influences include such legends as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Buddy Guy, BB King and Eric Clapton.
Riquelme is on the path to greatness himself with his clear dedication to his craft.
The new EP Licked is Riquleme's first foray into original material and includes tracks written by Riquelme and co-written with producer Michael Burley. We've got the exclusive download of the title track for you this week - get it now and say you knew him when.
April blossomed with a bouquet of releases in the world of Indigenous music - here are eight to check out.
ForeverC-Weed Band
The legendary C-Weed Band released their 17th album this month and the lead single, Can This be Love, is already climbing the charts on the National Aboriginal Music Countdown. Get it on iTunes.
The Philosophers Stoned MixtapeIll CitizensWinnipeg's Ill Citizens have released their third mixtape - the first of two they'll put out this year - which features all original material with beats produced by Walter "DJ Wawa" Lounsbury and Sebastation Gaskin. Download it from hotnewhiphop.com.
I am Woman. Kwe
Lena RecolletAnishnaabe poet, actress, vocalist and visual artist Lena Recollet has released her first full-length album featuring her mix of spoken word, soul-jazz, traditional native music and folk. Get it on iTunes.
Garfield Street (The Mixtape: Vol. 2)
Young JibweThe ever prolific producer, rapper and activist Young Jibwe of Dog Creek First Nation keeps it coming with his latest release. Get the free download here.
Beauty and Hard TimesMama DWith a sound that draws from blues, folk, rock, gospel, country, Eastern European, and classical styles Mama D delves into hard times lyrically, but delivers it all in musical beauty.Get it on iTunes.
Red Makaveli
Joey StyelzThe first full-length rap/hip-hop release from Joey Stylez of Moosomin First Nation can be yours for free! Download it from datpiff.com.
YK the MayorYoung Kidd
Winnipeg-based emcee Young Kidd actually released this mixtape at the end of March, but we didn't get a chance to tell you about it then! The album includes 16 tracks with guest appearances from Keisha Booker, Shai, Quick Cash, Lotto, Terell Safadi, Fresh IE, and Critical. Download it from datpiff.com.
Upright & Locked Position
Don RossThe 14th solo recording from finger-style guitar heavyweight Don Ross is a melodic collection of new original songa and new recordings of some of his early compositions. He's an incredible player, be sure to take the time to listen and get the album from candyrat.com.
Watch the title track from Don Ross, The Upright & Locked Positon:
Original Xit, also known as The OX Boyz, consists of A.Michael Martinez, Mac Suazo, Lee Herrera, R.C. Garriss and Tom Bee. Recipients of a Lifetime Achievement award from the Native American Music Awards (NAMMYS), these guys have been making and playing music across Turtle Island for years.
They've shared the stage with such heavy hitters as The Beach Boys, ZZ Top, Three Dog Night, Floyd Crow Westerman and Joe Cocker to name a few and are currently based in New Mexico. Needless to say, we were pretty excited that the Boyz sent us this track to share with you! Enjoy.
Revolutions Per Minute is a global new music platform, record label, and boutique agency for Indigenous music culture. RPM’s mission is to build a visionary community of Indigenous artists and to introduce Indigenous music to new audiences across Turtle Island and around the world. Our main site, RPM.fm, has featured the work of more than 500 Indigenous artists and shared their music across our social networks of more than 275,000 followers.
RPM Records is the first of its kind: a label for contemporary, cross-genre Indigenous music, run by Indigenous people. Selected by The FADER as one of “5 New Canadian Record Labels The Entire World Should Know”, RPM Records artists include Ziibiwan, Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Exquisite Ghost, and Mob Bounce.
