Freddie Joachim "Quick"

Nice weekend & holiday gift in the for of a free download from Mellow Orange & producer Freddie Joachim. Boom bap at it's finest.

Carlitta Durand "Nostalgic Nights"

It was this time last year that NC singer Carlitta Durand blessed us with the amazing Doug & Patty EP. Now she's in the giving spirit again with this INCREDIBLE project "Nostalgic Nights". This EP is a perfect blend of jazzy pop & hiphop electric soul with the perfect pitch of Carlitta's voice handling every arrangement effortlessly. It's hard to believe that an EP this great is available as a free download. Santa really got his list & checked it twice. 

DOWNLOAD
http://www.mediafire.com/?9qiud29o0pv2z94 

Kenneth Whalum III "To Those Who Believe"

Memphis born, NY based saxophonist Kenneth Whalum III  has been making quite a name for himself since graduating from The New School of Jazz & Contemporary Music. He has played the national anthem at the open of a Lakers game at The Staple Center. He has recorded, written for & toured with some of the biggest names in the industry including AL Green, Diddy, Mary J Blige, Jay-Z and most notably on the Black Summers Night tours with Maxwell. Now he is stepping into the forefront as a bandleader with this debut "To Those Who Believe". Already the number 1 jazz album on iTunes, the title is "a statement embracing his diverse musical experiences in the world of jazz, soul and r&b to create a highly authentic & personal account of a rich acoustic sound". No cliches here, no standards just pure jazz with guest appearances from Common & his father Dr. Kenneth Whalum Jr. This is the beginning of an even greater career for Kenneth. 

Reggie B "Every Pharoah Needz A Queen"

Man, Kansas City based Reggie B & the INnatesounds crew just won't stop & I'm glad about it. After recently releasing his latest album "The Traveler", Reggie is now releasing yet another new tune produced by crew member Lenny D & as usual it's the HOTNESS! 

Herma Puma "Jollys (Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra Remix)"

A great twist on this instrumental tune from UK & Chicago based producer duo Herma Puma done by their label mates UK based afrobeat & cosmic jazz band Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra.  This is taken from their label  First Word Records release "Two Syllables Volume Five" & will also be on an upcoming project of Herma Puma's "Synchromystic" remixed. Check out the original version of the tune here & download the remix below.

Illa J "Affair"

After a breakout year with his debut album Yancey Boys with his older brother, the late J Dilla, Detroit mc Illa J is continuing the Yancey legacy with his upcoming project "4 Past Midnite" releasing early 2011. The 1st single "Affair" is a smokin' tune with a smoothed out pulsating beat produced by Young RJ with Illa flowing about the ills of being in the mood in the midst of a long distance relationship.

Sam Champ Remixes

My good homies at BamaLoveSoul presents this NECK BREAKING remix project from NY DJ, producer Sam Champ offering fresh takes on tunes by some of music's most established artist including Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Amerie,  Usher, Electric Wire Hustle & Flying Lotus. A few tracks from this project have already been downloaded over 5,000 times without any official promotion & has made the playlist of some of music's leading tastemakers. Get the free download below & again NECK BRACE REQUIRED!

B. Lewis, Thriftworks, Insightful & Ril "8.1"

A couple of months ago I posted a compilation from California beatmakers Thriftworks, Insightful, Ril & B. Lewis. Now the crew is back with the latest installment. 8 tracks, 2 between each producer, of gritty & experimental hiphop & electrosoul.

Olivier Daysoul "Finer Things" (Produced by Eric Lau)

Talk about a Christmas gift. Two of my favorite up & coming artist who both gave me KILLER projects individually teaming up? I must have been good this year lol.

Still riding high from the buzz of his latest project, Mr Saint Louis EP, singer Olivier Daysoul is at it again this time teaming up with UK producer Eric Lau who also is still riding high from his 2 projects, Makin' Sound & Kilawatt Vol. 2. Together it's a no brainer, a killer 2 step groove with Olivier's smooth vocals flowing effortlessly over it. Yeah it is truly one of the "Finer Things". I am really hoping there's more to come from the couple.

The Boogie

The good people at Tokyo Dawn Records have done it again with this killer compilation. 18 bangin' modern tracks that draw heavily from 80's & 90's r & b, Minneapolis funk & early electro. The grooves take me back to days of my boombox on the porch listening to Jam On It or grooving to some SOS Band, doing the whop, then pop-locking & the the running man. FUNKY FUNKY FUNKY with new tunes & remixes from some of electrosoul & g-funk's finest producers & artist including King Britt, Atjazz, Aybee, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Opolopo & more. "The Boogie" is scheduled for worldwide release Jan 21st but you can purchase the digital pre-release HERE!

   

Buddy Sativa "Deus Ex Machina"

You probably heard the name Buddy Sativa from either his collaboration with Onra or his killer version of Roy Ayer's "Mystic Voyage" that ended up on the playlist of many DJ's, podcasters & tastemakers alike. Now the French musician, producer has released his debut full length & it is an excellent piece of work. Piano driven cosmic jazz drawing heavily from fusion, modal & African styles. 

Cody ChesnuTT "Black Skin No Value"

It's been a while since we heard from singer, musician & renaissance man Cody ChesnuTT.  Now he is back with a new EP "Black Skin No Value". The flavor of course is that pop, funk & acoustic soul that he is the master of, while the lyrical content is very thought provoking & socially conscious as the title suggest. "This EP is social commentary rooted in spiritual & soul traditions". This serves as a glimpse into what we can expect from his full length album "Landing On A Hundred" slated for 2011. Check out the 1st single (which was released months ago) below & purchase the EP on Amazon or iTunes.

  

Georgia Anne Muldrow "VWETO"

Electrofunk goddess Georgia Anne Muldrow released a new instrumental project today exclusively on iTunes. "VWETO"(meaning gravity in Swahili) takes us on that interstellar journey only she can conjure. All instrumental musical exploration that draws from funk, rock, hiphop & space jazzy piano. Check out the 1st single "FonkRocker" below. The album releases worldwide digitally & physically Jan. 25th.

 

Glenn Lewis "Good One"

It's been over 8 years since the release of Glenn Lewis' debut album & over 6 years since he earned a Grammy nod for his collaboration with Stanley Clarke. Now the Canadian Prince of Soul is BACK!!!! with a beautiful new single produced by Dre & Vidal of Touch Of Jazz fame & it's available as a free download. Check it out below & be prepared for more goodness from him in 2011.

Innosphere "Gotta Be Me Remix ft. Thaione Davis"

Chicago's dynamic soul duo returns with a FUNKY 90's hiphop soul style remix of their 1st single "Gotta Be Me" done by another one of Chicago's best kept secrets mc, engineer, producer Thaione Davis. Instead of taking the existing vocals from the album version, Davis got vocalist Nina Rae back into the studio to create new magic with the tune making it a bit gritty & fun. Get the free download below & keep your ears to ground & eyes to the blog for more hotness from Innosphere in 2011.

Doug & Patty : Season Two (In Sheckyvision)

Christmas time last year Carlitta Durand released a killer EP produced by DC producer Vaughn Garcia paying a soulful homage to the classic cartoon Doug & Patty. Now that EP has gotten the remix treatment from producer DJ Apple Jac aka Uncle Shecky taking the groove into a more cosmic territory. Heavier beats at times, a bossa nova moment & quite a few headnods all the while keeping the integrity of the original in tact. He's excellent in that regard. Check it out & get the free download below.

Eric Roberson ft. Choklate "Again"

Grammy nominee & the king of the indie soul industry Eric Roberson is at again with a brand new single from an upcoming album slated for 2011. This go 'round he teams up with Seattle soul siren & Lebron James' new favorite singer Choklate & together they conjure up a serious groove. The kind you wish you could've had in the summer for the ride. Flowin'!!!!! Check it out & download it below.

Shade Cobain "Roy Porter's Sound System : Beat Review EP"

New head bangin' HOTNESS from Pittsburgh beatmaker Shade Cobain paying tribute to one of his favorite drummers, jazz pioneer Roy Porter & his album "Roy Porter's Sound Machine : Inner Feelings" (which you really need to CHECK OUT!) These beats are BLAZE! NECK BRACE REQUIRED!

 

Julie Dexter "Interim"

With a slight delay in the release of her album & the holidays approaching, UK born ATL based soulful jazz diva Julie Dexter decided to offer her fans this EP. "Interim" is a gift of a different twist, a peak into her new album but remixed. It features remixes by some of Chicago's most up & coming producers & musicians she met & gigged with while recording her album. It also has a smooth remix of her underground hit "Choices" done by ATL musician, producer Darryl Reeves. 6 tracks total that can be purchased on iTunes here!

Raashan Ahmad "Beautiful Ugly" Official Video

Official video from Bay Area mc Raashan Ahmad (of Crown City Rockers). Soulful & jazzy joint from his latest album "For What You've Lost" produced by Headnodic & features Adam Theis on trombone. The video was shot entirely in Paris.

"This song: is about how beautiful everything is (sky, mountains, nature, innocence, children) and at the exact same time how ugly the world can be (genocide, junkies, sex slaves, prison industrial complex...)

Jesse Boykins III "B4 The Night Is Thru"

Newness from singer Jesse Boykins III & the 1st single from his upcoming album "Love Apparatus" which is soon to come. Nice midtempo electric groove about choosing a partner to move in the rhythm of life as you would choose a dance partner.

"This song is merely reminiscent of those times when you could dance with someone that you didn't know all night with no pressure, no expectations..........just the rhythm & movement"

Check it out below & get the download here. It is also available on 7" Vinyl with the tune "Amorous" on the flip. Purchase that here.

 

PJ Morton "Independently Major"

With Grammy, Stellar & Dove Awards, works with artist including India Arie, Erykah Badu, Monica & Jermaine Dupri, touring in the band with Maroon 5, 5 albums of his own & even a book published, singer/ musician/ songwriter PJ Morton is truly "Independently Major". This is the name of his latest offering which come in the form of a free downloadable mixtape. It consist of old songs, songs that he wrote for other people, songs that didn't make it to his albums etc etc. Fun songs about love, life & the understanding of both.

Jose James "BlackMagic Live @KCRW"

Jose James is arguably the best song stylist this generation has ever seen or heard. Since his debut in late "07, he has been taking the globe by storm. With his rich & soulful tones, his amazingly "wise beyond his years" understanding of phrasing, cool & classy persona with a bit of a hiphop swagger, he has bridged the generation gaps drawing fans in every age bracket in every part of the world. Drawing influence from a diverse list of artist including legends like Coltrane, Horace Silver, Betty Carter & Marvin to modern artist like D'Angelo, the late Dilla & even artist like Flying Lotus & Mount Kimbie. If you ever get to see him perform live, it is a WORTHY investment. Check out this intimate live recording of him & his dynamic band performing live at KCRW studio in LA while they were there for his BLACKMAGIC Tour. 

   José James BLACKMAGIC live @ KCRW, LA. 2010. by josejamesworldwide

Dela "Summer Madness"

A great flip of the Kool & The Gang classic done by one of the dopest beatmakers on the scene. Montreal based producer Dela has been making quite a name for himself after the release of his debut album "Changes Of Atmosphere" & the Robert Glasper Beattape both of which you can get on his bandcamp page. I'm hoping this is a peak into some newness for 2011. Until then, check out & get the free download below.

Richard Spaven's 5ive

The awesome people at Jazz Re:Freshed introduces a new series called 5ive. It will be limited edition 5 track mini albums of quality music from artist that have performed or played at Jazz Re:Freshed events or artist that their staff believe in. To head up the series is drummer Richard Spaven. Spaven has become the go to drummer gigging with a diverse list of artist including Cinematic Orchestra, 4hero, Jose James (who appears on the album), the late GURU & recently Flying Lotus. With that diversity in mind, every element is incorporated into this glorious EP. Cosmic music at its finest that seamlessly flow thru jazz & fusion, soul, hiphop & even dubstep with Spaven in total control. This is what 21st Century jazz should sound like! You HAVE TO BUY THIS NOW!!!!!!!!!

Deborah Jordan "I Know You"

After being the lead vocalist for Silhouette Brown, recording & performing with Robert Mitchell's Panacea, a critically acclaimed debut album "The Light" & collaborations with Simon S (SunCircle) & Marc Rapson (MaSiRah), singer Deborah Jordan gears up for the release of her 2nd album. To start, she has just released a new song that didn't make it to the album as a free download. "I Know You" is a beautiful mellow tune produced by Yam Who & longtime colleagues Rapson & Simon S. It contains a sample one of my favorite songs by Patrice Rushen as the base for the whole tune. Get the download below & listen to samples of the entire new album here.

Electric Wire Hustle "Experience EP"

Newness from New Zealand's Electric Wire Hustle, one of the baddest electro/funk/soul units of this generation. This EP contains the previous available "Longtime" which is their collaboration with Steve Spacek, a remix of their tune "Again" done by Scratch 22 & 2 new tunes,the gritty electrofunk title track "Experience" & the psychedelic rock influenced "Flashlight" which you can here below. This EP is only available here!

Grooveman Spot "Runnin' Pizza" EP

Gearing up for his 3rd album, to be released in 2011 on the Jazzy Sport label, Japanese producer Grooveman Spot is releasing this 5 track EP. The songs on this EP sees him making a slight departure from the hiphop soul beats that he has become known for adding more boogie & electrofunk elements to the mix. One tune even has a mid 80's Chicago house feel to it. The EP will be available on two 12" soon & on iTunes. Dec. 8th. Listen to the snippets below.
   grooveman Spot runnin' Pizza snippet by jazzysport

REISSUE OF THE MONTH! Cory Daye "Cory & Me"

The solo debut album from Cory Daye has FINALLY been reissued. You should know the her as the lead singer of Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band.  Her solo album saw her adding a bit of disco to the already classic signature 20's inspired Creole music of her former band thanks to the production of Sandy Linzer who was also producing the distinctive sound of the group Odyssey. I've been waiting for this to be reissued & am happy to now have it & share it with the world. Get your copy TODAY!

Mark de Clive Lowe "Midnight Snacks vol. 1: Blueberries"

Killer jazzy fender rhodes driven instrumental joint from the wizard Mark de Clive Lowe;

"middle of the night... hungry... head down to the studio.... knock up a lil vibe with no other intention but some nourishment"

Check it out & get the free download.

Black Einstein "Whatever Happened To Major Tom?" EP

Great new soul & hiphop project from UK producer Colin Emmanuel inspired & influenced by the music of David Bowie. Each of the 5 tracks are either a cover or have originals of Bowie sampled in the track & they are glorious. The funky organ groove of "It Ain't Easy", the rhodes lead jazzy rhythm of "Fascination" both of which feature the vocals of Xavier Burnett, the cosmic drum & bass driven "Common Ground featuring singer Miss Baby Sol & 2 electric hiphop tunes featuring mc's Mystro & Maseo Plug 3 of De La Soul. The ep is available at a name your own price option below. Cop it.

Iman Williams "Stupid Human Tricks"

Alas, the long awaited full length from ATL based singer Iman Williams is now available. Iman has been making quite a name for herself on the underground circuit with a couple of EP's, being a contributor to BamaLoveSoul.com and living & performing in between ATL & The Bay Area. This full length is her collaboration with up & coming Pittsburgh based producer BusCrates (whom you also need to check out ). Progressive soul that's sometimes smooth, sometimes edgy & always groovin'.

Mndgsn/Devonwho "Episodes"

Gearing up for their collaboration album slated for 2011, Philly based producer Mndsgn & Portland based producer Devonwho, both of the Klipmode Krew,  has just released this collection of beats that they recorded separately between 2007 to 2010. 29 short cosmic electro hiphop jamz including one produced by them together. Check m out & purchase below.

Jaafar "Superstar" & "No Pressure"

2 brand new singles from Birmingham soul singer Jaafar, whom I've been a big fan of since seeing him open for Bilal at the last show at Sugar Hill in ATL. As with his earlier music, he sings about life & love (or at least the attempt to). "Superstar" is a 2 step groover about getting rejected on a pick up attempt while "No Pressure" has a slower groove about seizing but not rushing the moment. Both songs are taken from his upcoming album "Supernatural Love" which releases Dec. 16th. Check them out below & follow the instructions in the picture to get the free download.

Stalley "Hercules"

Impressive work from Ohio native Stalley & the 1st leak into his new full length "Lincoln Way Nights (Intelligent Trunk Music)". Paying homage to his midwest roots, his lyricism & flow is nice over this funky track produced by Rashad Thomas borrowing the groove from the Aaron Neville's "Hercules" . Get the download below.

Bilal "Think It Over (Exile Remix)"

That lovely bluesy tune "Think It Over"from Bilal's Airtight's Revenge gets a nice remix treatment from labelmate, producer Exile. The original element of the song is in tact but Exile's kick drum & snare adds a nice touch to it making to the song feel more in motion. Check it out & download it.

Proh Mic "Prohmita"

The second full length in Proh Mic's monthly Prohmotional series is now available. This time he takes us on a cosmic journey thru the galaxy with this 15 track instrumental project Prohmita. Check out the headnodder Milky Way below & get the free download.

DOWNLOAD 
HERE!  

Full Crate "The Barb"

Sneak preview of yet more hotness from Dutch producer Full Crate. Uptempo broken beat / boogie loveliness. These 2 tunes are set to release as an 7" on Kilawatt Music.

JD73 "Pure Gold"

Nice nusoul club album from UK musician Dan Goldman aka JD73 on Joey Negro's Ze Records. It encompasses a myriad of influences from soul & disco to boogie & funk with some brass work & great instrumentation comparable to Incognito & Negro's Sunburst Band. If features a host of great guest vocalist including Nate James who's track you can hear below. Get the full download here.

Grillade "Dream Of You (Emotionally Yours)" Debut Video

The debut of a collective that I've had my eye on for some time, largely due to the fact that I liked what I heard from each component as separate artist. Grillade (pronounced "gree-YAHD") is joining of keyboardist, producer Keelay, Bay Area soul funk band The Park & Portland soul singer Ragen Fykes. Borrowing their name from a Creole dish made of meat braised in a rich sauce, their sound too is rich & heavy. It can go from a classic soul groove to classic rock with Ragen's jazzy & sometimes bluesy vocals at the helm. Check out their debut video which features cameos from members of Tanya Morgan. For update about their upcoming shows & music, check out their website.

Jack Freeman "Figure It Out" Official Video

Last month I told you about a phenomenal singer from Houston Jack Freeman & his great debut album "Dark Liquor". Now checkout his new video for the song "Figure It Out" which is one of my favs from the album.

Figure It Out - Jack Freeman from Jack Freeman on Vimeo.



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