Full Crate & FS Green "Hi-Hat ClubVol. 5: Eggs & Pancakes"

Since getting hip to of Amsterdam's finest producer, Full Crate & FS Green, I've been anxiously awaiting more. The 2 will release their contribution to the Hi Hat Club series on Oct. 22nd. They're giving us a sneak peak with these 2 tracks as FREE DOWNLOADS on their bandcamp page. Get em below & get prepared!!

Jesse Boykins III "Runaway (4rm A G.O.O.D. Man)" ft. Smoke DZA

Jesse Boykins III has been quite busy. Collaborations with some of the scenes hottest, upcoming producers, making videos (one of which premiered on 106 & Park today) & cranking out more & more new tunes like this one. The cry of a brother dealing with the realities of not being able to understand females & the moves they make. Listen to it below & click on to his soundcloud page to read his description.
Jesse Boykins III -Runaway(4rm A G.O.O.D. Man) ft Smoke DZA by JB3MUSIC

JSoul ft. "Tell Me" ft. Carol Riddick

Nice new single from Baltimore soul man JSoul. This is the 1st single from his upcoming project "Black Sinatra" & it's a refreshing sound for him. Beautiful mid tempo track with an electrosoul edge. Warm synths, string textures and the beautiful voice of Philly's soulstress "Carol Riddick" (Jill Scott, Musiq), whom we're glad to see resurface. Listen below & go to his cdbaby page for the download.

Julie Dexter "Broke Up About It"

It's been 5 years since last full length release from UK born Atlanta based soul diva Julie Dexter. Now she's gearing up for her new album "New Again". The entire album is produced by Chicago's Steve Miggedy Maestro. This is the 1st single from the album. "Broke Up About It" is a smooth groover about an affair. Julie says: "I wanted to write a song from the other woman's perspective". Listen below & go to her website to purchase it as well as get info on the release of the album slated for late October.

Nottz "Blast That" ft. Black Milk

Grammy award winning producer Nottz is one of the most successful beatmakers to emerge from the VA hotbed of production talent that exposed the like of Timbaland & The Neptunes. After YEARS of producing some of the best in the business including Busta Rhymes, Biggie, 50 Cent, Little Brother & Bilal, he is now prepped to release his solo debut "You Need This Music". As you would expect, this release with feature some of the hottest in the game. Check out this leak from the project which is a CERTIFIED BANGER featuring Detroit's own Black Milk & get ready. October 12th.

Spec Boogie "Introspective"

After several critically acclaimed mixtapes, collaborations & polishing his live show under the tutelage of the Legendary Roots Crew, performing on several legs of their OkayPlayers tours, Brooklyn born Spec Boogie has finally released his official debut album. "Introspective" is a winner of a soulful hiphop album with features & guest production from Tanya Morgan, Peter Hadar, Heavy & 4hero. For more info on the album, tour schedule etc, check his website.

Lulu Fall "It's Official"

It's kinda crazy & nice when you get turned on to an artist you should've otherwise been familiar with. This statement is true for me with the discovery of Lulu Fall, being that she's a DC born graduate of the Ellington School of Arts & also a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in Jazz studies. What makes it crazy is that thru both cities, we have a lot of friends & colleagues in common. Nevertheless, I'd like to thank Gerald Kelly of World Vibe Radio for turning me on to her. Lulu's latest project, "It's Official", incorporates an array of styles from soul and hiphop to acoustic folk and world grooves. Available as a limited edition free download or you can purchase a beautiful physical package with graphix from Roddy Rod. 

Eric Lau "Makin' Sound LP"

Earlier this month I posted the 1st leak from UK producer Eric Lau's upcoming instrumental project. "Makin' Sound" is now available digitally & also as a limited edition LP. 20 Bangin' future soulful hiphop tracks in stunning high fidelity!

REISSUE OF THE MONTH! Roger Glenn "Reachin"

FINALLY!!!! The most under mentioned & underrated album of The Mizell Brothers chapter has been reissued. Roger Glenn "Reachin" is every bit as funky & groovin' as the other Mizell produced albums of the time. Mellow at times, latin tinged & FUNKY!!! Roger was one bad ass flute player with a killer rhythm section that includes Bill Summers & Paul Jackson of the Headhunters. Check out one of my favorite tunes below. God bless Ace Records for their Beat Goes Public reissue label. For a full list of the catalog including the fantastic album from  Pleasure "Joyous", check out the website http://www.acerecords.co.uk/content.php?page_id=61&label=167.

VINYL ALERT!!!!! Marc Rapson "Dark vs. Light EP"

After countless production, collabs, & remixes for the likes of  Atjazz, Ben Westbeech,  Replife, Deborah Jordan & Simon S, and after highly sought after white label edits of Marvin Gaye & Sarah Vaughan, Marc Rapson has FINALLY release a project of his own & it is a WINNER!!! "Dark vs Light"  is a 7 track EP of beautiful atmospheric hiphop / soul-jazz grooves combined with lush keys and sublime basslines. A few of the tunes have a head-nod feel while others can have more future soul-esque feel similar to a Dam Funk, Funkineven or Sa-Ra. There's also one vocal tune featuring singer Liz Elensky (Emanative). This release is VINYL ONLY!!!! Rumor has it the full length will be available digitally next year. I'm glad I still purchase vinyl.This is the title track.

                    

       

Nadine Charles- You Are The One (Official Music Video)

Since 1st hearing the voice of Nadine Charles on the tune "Simple Sacrifice"  from Dego & Kaidi's 2000 Black project & meeting the beautiful UK singer, model at The International Soul Summit in 09, I've been hanging on to her every word (or I should say every songlol). Now she's gearing up to finally release her full project "Introducing Nadine Charles". This is the official 1st single & video from that project. "You Are The One" is an on the floor NuSoul groover about feelings of infatuation. The single will be available in worldwide digital stores Oct. 4th, but you can get it & other gems on her bandcamp page

                   

Galaxy Group "Ease Back"

Been grooving to & anxiously awaiting more from Galaxy Group ever since they released their 1st single early last year with my friend Lady Alma & their second with my Chi-Town diva Carla Prather. Galaxy Group is the musical union of highly sought after house producer Charles Spencer & Capital A who's production & MCing has contributed to some of the biggest & best broken beat, hiphop & future soul tracks around. This latest single, Ease Back, is my favorite to date from the duo. It's a Brazilian inspired, broken beat groover with excellent synth & keyboard work adding soundscapes that make the track soar. Give it a listen below & purchase it, as well as their other singles with remixes by the likes of Brazilian Soul Crew, DJ Spinna & Domu at http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=search&ss=galaxy+group&sc=artists&cf=all&gf=0
GALAXY GROUP -  EASE BACK ( ORIG.) by CapitolA 

Josh Milan presents Chinah Blac "Till You Go Home"

New label launch from super dance producer, singer Josh Milan from Blaze. The 1st release from this label, Honeycomb Music, is this uptempo groover with NY / NJ soul siren Chinah Blac. The intro of the song instantly remind me of I'm Every Woman carrying into a soulful uplifting groove that Josh is known for with Chinah channeling her inner Chaka in her phrasing & soaring notes that take the tune out. Check it out & purchase it below. For all other info, check the label website http://honeycombmusic.blogspot.com/
Josh Milan featuring Chinahblac - Till You Go Home (Radio Edit) by mixtapesessions

Roddy Rod "Oakwood Grain" Re-Release

The KILLER instrumental project from producer, mc, DJ Roddy Rod of Maspyke & Low Budget Crew.  Once only available in Japan on the Jazzy Sport label, now re-issued after 4 years & it's still a CERTIFIED BANGER!!!!! with 4 bonus tracks added. Cop it below but get your neck brace 1st. SERIOUS headnodding will occur!
                

Whosane ft. Goapele "Come To Me"

You may recognize the name Whosane from the Ski Beats & Mos Def joint "Taxi". Now the South African born Brooklyn based mc of the group Pangaea is gearing up for his debut solo project "Black Diamond" which is slated to release the first quarter of 2011. The album will have a stellar roster of guest features including Mos, Bilal, Raphael Saadiq & Zaki Ibrahim. This is the 1st leak from the project. A collab with South African / Bay Area soul sensation Goapele. Take a listen.
COME TO ME by whosane718

Quadron "Baby Be Mine"

It's been a good year for Danish Duo Quadron. Ever since their debut self titled album released in the states on the Plug Research label, they've busier than ever with collaborations, remixes, videos, mentions on every reputable music blog & a KILLER US tour (which sadly skipped over Chicago). Now this lovely cover of the Michael Jackson song "Baby Be Mine" from his best selling Thriller album has surfaced. I know it's hard for most to hear covers of a classic, but the Quadron treatment of this tune is nice & breezy. Check it out! Also, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGZHaLc0AtM to see the video.
                        

As a bonus for fans, especially for those of us that miss their tour, get a free download of their performance at Southpaw in Brooklyn. http://www.mediafire.com/?c822iz57cl13ez3

Nodzilla "Black Dude"

BANGIN instrumental album from ST. Louis producer, DJ Needles aka Nodzilla. following up from his stellar Baadasssss EP. True school in design, Boom Bap in essence, all soul in the tradition of Pete Rock's Petestrumentals, Dilla's Donuts & Madlib's Beat Konducta. This collection of soulful, funky tracks come with the sole purpose of MAKING YOUR HEAD NOD!!! Listen to one of the tunes below, get the head nodding & go to purchase the full length project at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/nodzilla. 
                            

Himal ft. Cage Lu "Broke"

Nice smooth jazzy soul tune from West London singer Himal featuring a verse from UK mc Cage of the 9Dots crew. This song is dedicated to all people struggling financially in the bad world economy. It's produced by West London artist Zansika whom I love a singer thru her work with Phil Asher & Restless Soul. Check it out!
                         

1-O.A.K. "Me & You"

KILLER debut from the freshman of the Bay Area crew Honor Roll. Producer, vocalist, musician 1-O.A.K. (which stands for One Of A Kind). 1-O.A.K. has worked with & remixed for the likes of Josie Stingray, Jack Davey, UK producer Hint & Little Dragon. Now he's finally come with this tune co-written by fellow Honor Roll crew member Trackademics. The song's percussive backbone provide the groove combining smooth synths over stutter step breakbeats giving it that edgy but soulful soundscape that's fresh. I will be adding this tune to playlist for sure. 
                
 

Saunders Sermons ft. Yahzarah "You Got A Hold On Me"

 

KILLER new single from singer, trombonist Saunders Sermons which is a duet with the soul SIREN Yahzarah. This is the 1st single for his upcoming project "Just What She Needs", which is just what I needed. "You Got A Hold On Me" is a slight departure from the mellow jazzy sound of his 1st release & it's Ay OK. It's more of a snare driven 2 stepper that grooves with his smooth voice & Yahzarah letting her inner Minnie Riperton shine. These 2 need to collab more often (hint hint). I can't WAIT to hear the rest of the project. But for now, I'm gonna enjoy this & YOU SHOULD TO!!
                         

Innosphere "Run To The Sun" extended

Chicago soul duo Innosphere set the world on fire with their debut EP late last year. It has since been licensed in Japan with bonus tracks. The most popular song from their live shows is this tune "Run To The Sun". The only complaint from fans was that this song grooves so hard & the recorded version was too short. Hearing the cry of their fans, they've now released an extended version as a FREE DOWNLOAD!  Get it below & if you've never gotten the ep, cop it at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/innosphere
                 

Proh Mic "Material Girl"

It's about to be NON-STOP for producer / musician / mc / singer, former Hawthorne Headhunters member Proh Mic . The is the 1st leak / teaser from an upcoming free release which will be the 1st of 2 before gearing up for his full length album "Rhythm For Days" which is coming Feb. 22nd on the All Natural Inc label. This tune, "Material Girl", is an old school Jam & Lewis mode with Proh on the hook & mc'ing with an almost late 80's early 90's cadence. Can't wait to get more & more from him. Check it out!!!!
                          

SomeOthaShip Connect "In God's Hands" ft. Rickie Byars Beckwith

Newness from the Georgia Anne Muldrow & Dudley Perkins label SomeOthaShip Connect courtesy of the good people at VTech. This is the second in the series of free downloads from what will be a new compilation from the label mostly produced by Georgia. This time sees her production taking a different turn with this moving inspirational tune sung by her mother, Rickie Byars Beckwith, who is one of the most revered singer songwriters of the 21st Century. She's the head of the Agape Choir in Los Angeles. Check it out & keep in touch with the next downloads in the series at http://music.vtechphones.com/tag/someothaship-connect/. 
                         

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Ensemble ft. Aloe Blacc "Deliver The World"

Yet more from that wonderful California Plaza concert in July. This time singer / mc Aloe Blacc is on deck paying homage to the gone too soon hiphop legend Guru. You can get the mp3 download at http://miguelatwood-ferguson.bandcamp.com/album/miguel-atwood-ferguson-ensemble-live-in-los-angeles-july-23rd. 
                

Avery Sunshine " All In My Head" Official Video

YAY!!! ATL soul siren Avery Sunshine has been non stop since releasing her debut self titled album in the summer. Now at last she's debuted the 1st video which is for the smooth stepping tune "All In My Head". The video has cameos from another ATL soul star, Anthony David, who plays her suspected of cheating lover. Check it out. Also, go to the icons on the right & click onto her album cover to purchase it.

                             

Introducing Melanie Charles & The Journey

I was introduced to the voice of Melanie Charles  by singer Jose James. She's a classically trained student of jazz who've studied & performed with some of the greats including Clark Terry & Wynton Marsalis. Now Ms. Charles is debuting her solo project with her band The Journey. A very jazzy soulful affair that's also a bit funky. Support the good music by purchasing below. Also, if you ever hear that Melanie Charles & The Journey are playing near you, you will want to go experience it. KILLER live show. 
                

J. Ivy "Here I Am"

At last, a new project from Chicago's own & Hiphop favorite poet J. Ivy. This project see J at his finest as he effortlessly bridge the tiny gap between poetry & hiphop. Of course as a poet, he's tackling the issues of everyday life; love, war & spirituality. The album has features & production from Supreme, Dre King, stellar poet Jessica Care Moore, the legendary Last Poets, NuSoul prince Jesse Boykins III & some of Chicago's finest including Twone Gabz, Mikkey Halsted, Yaw, Khari Lemuel, & Chris Rob. Purchase it NOW!!!!!
                 

Davis Jackson "Disappear"

Davis Jackson is the collaboration of 2 of Chicago's FINEST MC's, Thaione Davis & Dee Jackson of the 80's Babies.  Together they are working on a project with which will feature production from the Chicago underground ELITE including Tall Black Guy, Rashid Hadee, 5ifth Element, Kenny Keys, Kenautis Smith etc. This is the 1st leak / teaser produced by Thaione himself. Chicago Hiphop is on the rise!!!! ENJOY.
                        

Bilal "Is This Love"

Christmas has come early for Bilal fans. Not only did he FINALLY release his 1st studio since 2004,which is one of the BEST ALBUMS OF THE YEAR! Now this video (courtesy of V-Tech) & FREE DOWNLOAD BONUS! This is an amazing rendition of the Bob Marley classic "Is This Love"as only he could do it. Check it out. Also, watch out for his tour starting in October.
                
      

The Sounds of VTech / bilal_isthislove_web

The Floacist "Forever" ft. Musiq Soulchild

As the creative mastermind behind the NuSoul duo Floetry, Natalie Stewart aka The Floacist is stepping out solo with a project The Floacist present Floetic Soul, which is releasing in November on the indie powerhouse label Shanachie. This is the 1st single from the project. "Forever" is a good slow love groover that is the sound that Floetry was no for (think Say Yes) & features NuSoul prince Musiq Soulchild. Check it out the video below.

 

Les Nubians "Liberte"

It's been 12 years since the Grammy Nominated Afropean soul sisters Les Nubians took the world by storm & it's been 7 years since their last album. Now the Cameroonian / French sisters are back!! This is the 1st single from their new album, Nu Revolution, releasing in the winter. Until then, you can buy a 6 track ep from their website or at their shows ONLY! Listen to this beautiful tune & go to their website for a free download of it as well as the ep & tour information. http://www.lesnubians.com/

                         

Side note for the Chicagoland area. Click on the 1st icon on the right side of the screen for more info & tickets for the Chicago show Oct. 8th, hosted & DJing by Yours Truly!!

Rashid Hadee "Magnificent" ft. Augustine & The Primeridian

Bangin' new track from one of Chicago's ILLEST, Rashid Hadee featuring more of Chicago's best weapons, Augustine & the oh so dope The Primeridian. This joint is the 1st leak from Rashid's upcoming release Hadiesel: The Fuel Up. Can't wait for that one.  Check it out. Chicago Hiphop Is Back!!!!!!

Phantom Lover "Mauve EP"

Killer future soul from a producer out of the BK, Hadyn aka Phantom Lover. 5 track EP (including intro) featuring guest appearances from 4 of the most relevant artist of the moment, Jesse Boykins III, Nicholas Ryan Gant, Sarah White & UK artist Fatima. Available for the moment as a free download. Get it NOW!!!!!!! 
                

The Abyss

Beautiful & blissful mix posted to the SOUNDROTATION podcast page featuring new music from indie soul heavyweights & future soul rising stars, including some that has been featured on this blog. CHECK IT OUT!!!!!!

                  http://soundrotation.podomatic.com/entry/2010-09-13T22_00_49-07_00

1. In Your Eyes / Teresa Jenee

2. Move On / Bilal

3. Say You'll Go / Janelle Monae

4. Love Will Save The Day / Yahzarah

5. Blue Skies / Julie Dexter

6. The One / Lenny Hamilton Jr

7. Tabloids / Jesse Boykins III

8. Feel / Slow Drag Travellers

9. Monogamy / Noni Limar

10. Just Listen Part 2 / Spinnerty ft. Jacqueline Marie

11. Milky Way / Suzi Analogue

12. Your Summer Song / Exile ft. J Mitchell

13. High Hopes / Onra ft. Reggie B

14. Black / Saturn Never Sleeps

15. Become Still / Afta 1

16. Hold On To Him (for Betty & intro) / Nate Smith

17. On My Way / Benny Tones ft. Mara TK (of Electric Wire Hustle)

18. Feelin' Fly / Suff Daddy ft. Mariama

19. Back With You / Gloria Ry'ann

20. Hard To Get / Akua Allrich

21. Adieux / The Geaux

                    

Rahsaan Patterson "Unreleased"

If you know me, you know how much of a fan I am of Rahsaan Patterson. He is one of the greatest male vocalist my generation has ever heard. Loved by many but, in my humble opinion, is still HIGHLY UNDERRATED!!!! Thankful that the internet & social networking allow us that are fans to keep up with him & through that medium Rahsaan has allowed us to take a peak inside with listens to some unreleased songs from recording sessions of past years. Don't know if some of these songs will ever make it to the mastering floor, but they're nice to hear in this raw form. Thanks Rahsaan!!!!!
  Latest tracks by Ecstasoul Music

Freddie Joachim "Olive Juice (Love Remixes Vol. 1)"

Since releasing his 1st project in 2008, it's been non stop for San Diego producer Freddie Joachim. Check out his latest offering, Olive Juice. The remix project see him adding different dimensions & soundscapes to the songs of Floetry, Clara Hill, Vikter Duplaix, Alicia Keys & Esthero. This Free Download is limited to 500 so get to crackin'.