Saturday, March 31, 2012

Diggs Duke "Patiently, We Bloom"

Singer, musician, producer Diggs Dukes just keeps coming with the heaters. Check out his new tune about the turn of spring & the blossoming of life. Nice, soulful & jazzy! Get the download at a name your price option. (Don't be cheap lol).






Jai Paul "Jasmine" (demo)

At last, after the buzz in 2010 for his acclaimed electro-synth "BTSTU", we are finally hearing more from elusive UK producer Jai Paul. Still no info on when we can expect an official release so for now we can make do with this newness. "Jasmine" is simply gritty & groovin'! Check it out!






Nina Rae "Spirit In Transit (Change)"

Nina Rae of Innosphere released the second song in her "Renditions"series. This take her sultry tones take on the glorious & beauty of 4Hero's "Spirit In Transit". Check it out!



Joy Denalane "Should Have Never" (Jake One remix) f/ Bilal & "Maureen"

It's been QUITE sometime since we heard from German singer Joy Denalane. The singer been hard at work putting the finishing touches on her upcoming album "Maureen" releasing this week on iTunes. Recently she released a video of the first single from the album entitled "No More".She also released a killer Jake One remixed 60's meets blues meet hiphop single "Should Have Never" featuring soul prince Bilal as a free download via Okayplayer. Get the download & watch the video as well as the album trailer below.








Hawthorne Headhunters "Teleport"

St. Louis dynamic duo Black Spade & Coultrain is gearing up for the release of their first full length album as Hawthorne Headhunters on April 10th via Plug Research. This week they released the video for the first single "Teleport" produced by Devonwho. Shot in Joshua Tree National Park, the video follow the two as they soak up nature & dream of teleporting into the cosmos. Check it out & pre-order "Myriad Of Now" here.

PJ Morton "Following My First Mind" EP

After three incredible albums, one live album as an indie artist, countless amount of awards as a songwriter & becoming keyboardist & member of Maroon 5, PJ Morton is soaring to new heights with his recent signing to Young Money Records. In preparation, the singer, musician is offering his new EP as a free download in exchange for a facebook post or a tweet on your twitter page. The "Following My First Mind" EP is definitely a sum up of PJ's colorful music career with blends of soul, funk, rock with his signature Stevie-esque touches. It features guest Adam Levine of Maroon 5, Jazzmine Sullivan, Chantae Cann & Lil Wayne. Check out the lyric video for the funky tune "Heavy" below & go here for the download.



Saturday, March 24, 2012

Funkommunity - Dandilion

Funkommunity is producer, musician Isaac Aesili & singer Rachel Fraser. Both staples on the New Zealand scene, the two joined forces after touring in the Recloose Live Band. They released a single via bandcamp back in December & are now gearing up for the release of their debut project "Chequered Thoughts" scheduled for May. Check out the new video from another tune from the project "Dandelion". Gritty electrosoul at it's finest.

THEESatisfaction "awE naturalE"

After two killer mixtapes, appearances at events including SXSW & features on Shabazz Palaces, the Seattle duo THEESatisfaction is about to make a bigger mark on the world with the release of their debut album "awE naturalE" releasing on Tuesday on the SubPop label. The duo, Stas & Cat, produce, write & perform their blend of hiphop, poetry, soulful hi-fi & electro jazz bliss with ease. Check out their tune "Enchantruss" featuring Ishmael of Shabazz Palaces below & purchase the album here.
  THEESatisfaction - Enchantruss by subpop

Lianne La Havas "Lost & Found" (Video)

UK sensation Lianne La Havas is gearing up for the re-release of her awesome EP "Lost & Found" on April 30th that will include two bonus tracks & remixes. Check out the black & white video to the title track about losing & finding yourself. Pre-order the EP here.




The Cannabinoids "The Beat Tape VOL. 1"

Check out this jam session from the Dallas beat collective, The Cannabinoids (Erykah Badu, Symbolic One, Jah Born, Picnic, RC Williams, DJ Big Texas, Rob Free & A1) released via Red Bull Music Academy. 8 laptops, 3 turntables, 6 keyboards, 4 drum machines, a Theremin, live onstage production. Get the download here.

 




Szjerdene "Blue Lullaby"

UK singer Szjerdene (pronounced jhurDEEN) releases her new EP "Patchwork" on Tuesday via Wonderful Ear Records. Recently she released a beautifully video for the dark edged single "Blue Lullaby" produced & arranged by Glen Nicholls. Check it out!


Charles Hammond Jr. "(Re) Introduction"

Nice work from Chicago based singer Charles Hammond Jr. Nice & mellow jazzy soul taken from his upcoming EP, "Hello my name is Charles Hammond Jr." releasing in April.
(Re) Introduction by Charles Hammond Jr.

Everett James "Shot Thru The Heart" (Video)

ATL based musician & singer Everett James makes his directorial debut with his first video for his tune "Shot Thru The Heart" which has been getting mad support from the likes of Gilles Peterson. The video follows James along as he travels thru ATL trying to shake off the blues of lost love. Check it out! Get the track from his album "Metamorphosis" here.

Plug Research "SP-2012"

The ever so consistent Plug Research label has been doing it hard for 15 years & this year will reach their 200th release. As a celebration, they've put together this free compilation of singles out in spring 2012 from their roster of artist including Sonnymoon, Tensei, Anthony Valadez, Hawthorne Headhunters & more. Get the free download here.

Plug Research SP 2012 by Plug Research

Fly Moon Royalty "Lemonade" (Video)

A really hip tune & colorful video from Seattle based duo Fly Moon Royalty. Comprised of producer Action Jackson & singer Adra Boo, their sound is a perfect blend of soul, jazz, hiphop & electro with 60's psychedelic pop. The video is for their single "Lemonade" about making the best out of life & more. Check it out below & get their debut album here.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Avery*Sunshine "Ugly Part of Me" Video

At last, indie soul diva Avery Sunshine has come with a video to her hit song "Ugly Part Of Me". The video is hilarious & good, even down to the MJ Thriller-esque ending. Shot in Chicago, it follows Avery while she's out on the town with her leading man (drummer Lil John Roberts) & "dark side" emerges when it seems her man is acting disrespectful. You'll cameos from Yahzarah, J. Ivy & some of Chi-Town's finest. Check it out!



Mar "Our Attempt"

After a killer ep collab with producer Full Crate & a Variations cover series, Dutch singer Mar is finally coming with his official project "Seeing Her Naked" releasing at the end of the month. Check out the hauntingly good first single "Our Attempt" & get a free download here.

Mar - Our Attempt by MarMusic

Luca Dimoon "Egoholic"

Loving this new single from Italian singer, musician Luca Dimoon. The perfect blend of soul & jazz with cosmic electro flourishes. "Egoholic" is just a taste of what to come on his upcoming second album "Telescope"

Egoholic by LucaDimoon

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Slakah The Beatchild "Wanna Do"

Toronto based producer, singer Slakah The Beatchild, offered his fans a peak into his much anticipated Soul Movements Vol. 2. From the sounds of it, we're in for more soulful, headnodding goodness. Check it out & download here.

Wanna Do (Soul Movement vol 2 leak) by beatchild

Byron the Aquarius Unreleased Vol​.​1

Producer Byron The Aquarius has been steady on the grind, cranking out some really hard hitting soulfulness. Seems as if he has a project every week lol. Recently he put together a collection of unreleased collabs from his vaults, with artist including Olivier Daysoul, trumpeter Farnell Newton, longtime collaborator Jazzmine & more. Now available for a limited download.


TOKiMONSTA ft Rucyl - Fame Boozer

Nice new track from the queen at Brainfeeder, TOKiMONSTA, in her classic experiment dreamscape fashion featuring the beautiful voice of Rucyl from Saturn Never Sleeps. Get a free download here.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Diggs Duke Plays Herbie Hancock

Nice work from producer, singer & multi instrumentalist Diggs Duke, paying homage to one of his heroes, Herbie Hancock. Putting a fresh spin with a modern nujazz groove on some of Herbie's classic. Keep an eye on his bandcamp page as another will be posted soon.


Chris Turner "Monk Tape"

SOUNDROTATION fav Chris Turner is always great at paying homage to the music of the past that influenced his musical present. This time he, along with members of Erimaj, put their great spin of a few jazz classics:

"I've always admired the greats like Nat King Cole, Miles Davis and Sammy Davis Jr... something about their artistry, their ability to bridge the gap.. Jazz and Pop culture (their peers). One day I'll record a full length album of standards, but in the meantime..listen to this tape. I guess its my introduction. The proceeds from this project will go towards the mixing and mastering of my album LOVEchild."








Friday, March 9, 2012

Liquid Crystal Project "Ghetto"

Man, 2012's music roster is shaping up nicely. On April 10th, J. Rawls & his jazz hop collective Liquid Crystal Project, will release their third offering of soulful goodness blurring the lines between jazz & hiphop. Get a free download of the tune "Ghetto" below.


Shafiq Husayn "The Loop" Demos

Producer Shafiq Husayn recently released to video glimpses into his upcoming new album "The Loop" via Dove Society. The 1st shows him in the studio crafting some gloriousness with Miguel Atwood Ferguson & his Sa-Ra partner OmMas Keith. The 2nd, you get to hear a funky & quirky tune "Lights & Crystals" with singer J. Mitchell who's featured in the video. No official date on the project, but sounding good so far. Check em out.




DVA: I Know Feat Natalie Maddix

Nice soulful electro madness from UK electronic producer Scratcha DVA featuring singer Natalie Maddix. The two shot this video during a power outage in London. This song is from his upcoming album "Pretty Ugly" releasing in April. The album will include guest appearances from Muhsinah, Zaki Ibrahim, Cornelia & more.


DVA: I Know Feat Natalie Maddix from Hyperdub on Vimeo.

Saux "Rear Window" EP

Really great four tracker from Dutch producer Saux. This is the producer's second EP & it's a lovely slice of keyboard driven soulfulness with an even mix of electronic & organic. Singer Joya Mooi appears on the two of the tracks & the best part, IT'S FREE!!!




Sy Smith "Fast And Curious"

The hardest working girl in the indie soul game is back with her amazing fourth album. The one thing that I love, as a Sy Smith fan, is that she's a serious songwriter & artist that never forget to have fun. "Fast & Curious" sees the diva stretching out into a more cosmic groove thanks to the production of Mark de Clive Lowe. Starting with the 80's tinged title track, this album moves along effortlessly with the boogie in mind. From the futuristic acid jazz groove of tunes like "Personal Paradise" & "Find My Way", the future soul of "Ooh To My Aah" & Teena (her tribute to Lady T) to the boogie-rific covers of the Rah Band's "Messages From The Stars" & Billy Oceans "Nights (Feel Like Gettin' Down), in which is a duet with Rahsaan Patterson, this album is a true winner. Purchase the download below or order the cd here.










Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Emanative "Spacebeats Supreme"

Nice spacey yet jazzy smooth (not smooth jazz) joint from UK collective Emanative. A complete piece with flutes, heavy bass, strings & keys with cosmicly lush soundscapes flourishing over an almost boombaptastic beat.

Dirg Gerner "Preface EP"

Nice project UK producer Dirg Werner aka fLako. A nice blend of soul, jazzy latin & hiphop with cosmic echoes, soundscapes & electro madness. The EP features guest vocal from UK elite Fatima, Rahel & Olmino. The vinyl version comes with a killer uptempo mix! Click here for purchase options.

Dirg Gerner - Preface EP by Dirg Gerner

Monday, March 5, 2012

Nina Rae "Spot Check"

Chicago based singer Nina Rae of Innosphere freaked some amazing lyrics she wrote over the J Dilla produced instrumental, “Over the Breaks.” “Spot Check” is the first song in her Renditions… series, which is a collection of tribute songs written and sung over instrumentals composed by some of Nina Rae’s favorite music producers. Check it out.