September 16, 2012 | 6:00 PM | By

The Week’s Best MP3 Downloads, incl. Heyward Howkins, Ali Wadsworth, Benjamin Francis Leftwich

FILED UNDER: Artists, Downloads, Recordings, Ali Wadsworth, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Heyward Howkins, Lotus

Lotus

Photo by Ann Teliczan | MichiganSweetSpot.com

To get you psyched for their headlining gig at FDR Park last night, local electronic jam band Lotus released a live cuts sampler featuring tracks from their Spring 2012 tour.  As you can tell from this sampler, the funky fusion outfit put on an electrifying live show.

UK singer/songwriter Benjamin Francis Leftwich took M83’s “Midnight City” and Frightened Rabbit’s “Swim Until You Can’t See Land” out for a spin earlier this week, and returned with two free downloads on his Soundcloud. Check out “Midnight City” below, download both here.

Monday’s My Morning Download featured emerging rock band California Wives (from Chicago).  The Midwest quartet recently released their debut album Art History for free, and you can download the incredibly catchy ”Marianne” below.

New Jersey songwriter Heyward Howkins recorded a Key Studio Session with us a few months back, and his live take on “Sugar Sand Stitched Lip” was featured as a My Morning Download on Thursday.  He’ll be playing alongside local pals Arc in Round and Turning Violet Violet on September 28th at Johnny Brenda’s to celebrate Bands in the Backyard‘s 1st anniversary.

Ali Wadsworth will be playing a free show at City Hall on September 19th inside Mayer Nutter’s reception room.The Philly singer is working on a new album, but you can grab a free download of her take on the jazz classic “Someone to Watch Over Me” recorded at Folk You Philly’s Franks and Deans Radio Show below.