Jesse Boykins III & Melo X "Black Orpheus"

In the world of future soul & hiphop, you can not pick more progressive artists than singer Jesse Boykins III & producer / emcee Melo X. So the news that the two have joined forces is serious. Their collaboration project, Zulu Guru, is scheduled to release October 15th on the mighty Ninja Tune label. Inspired by the "spirited tribal warrior", Zulu Guru hopes to push the boundaries of electronic soul music further by infusing elements of afro, tribal & world rhythms. The first single "Black Orpheus" sets the pace. Check it out below & get the free download here.

Sy Smith "Let's Get Lost" (Produced by Ray Angry)

Sy Smith. the indie soul queen, invites us on a cosmic ride through space with this killer tune "Let's Get Lost". Teaming up with The Roots & D'angelo keyboardist Ray Angry, the two craft a beautiful track with just keys, drums that play like the ticking of a clock & Sy's melodic soprano tones floating making the complete creation seem like a dream. Not sure who's album this will appear on. Just enjoy the ride for now.

Meshell NdegeOcello "Be My Husband"

On October 9th, musician, singer Meshell NdegeOcello will release her 10th album titled  “Pour Une âme Souveraine” (“For a sovereign soul”). The album is the musician long awaited tribute to Nina Simone. She recently debuted her rendition of Simone's classic "Be My Husband". Keeping the negro spiritual-esque aspect of the original, Meshell recruited Memphis blues & roots singer, guitarist Valerie June to add a homegrown touch with added drums & electric guitar that create a Nina meets Prince vibe. Check it out!

Full Crate "Dancing In The Douche"

Producer Full Crate get in the groove with this new track mixed with a little bounce, headnod & shoulder lean. "Dancing In The Douche" appears on "22 Beats", a compilation series presented by 22tracks.com featuring 22 dope producers on the Dutch scene that were featured on their playlist in the past. Check out Full Crate's track below & for more info on the compilation, visit http://22tracks.com/#ams/22beats.

 

Analogue Monsta "BOOM"

The dynamic pairing of Suzi Analogue & TOKiMONSTA is pure wizardry. The two bring their unique styles drenched in hiphop, electropop & psych rock,  mash it, tweak it, stir it & created a sonic "BOOM"! Check it out & get the free download here.

In Remembrance Of Amy: Shuko ft. Ty, Akua Naru, Fresh Daily & Rufus Dipper

In tribute to UK gone too soon soul siren Amy Winehouse, Platinum selling producer Shuko put together this kickass ep. Taking elements of Amy's originals & flipping them into serious headbangers. Two of the tracks, he recruited emcees Ty & Fresh Daily, poetess Akua Naru & German pianist, producer Rufus Dipper to complete the madness. By far, one of the best tributes I've heard for Amy to date. Get the free download.

Def Sound "Anything: Thee.Idea.Machine"

LA based artist & Illav8r member Def Sound release his highly anticipated album this week. Said to be inspired by Outkast's The Love Below, Kanye West's Late Registration, Blu's No York,  N.E.R.D's Seeing Sounds and James Blake, "Anything: Thee.Idea.Machine" is a creative effort of love that works within, what Def refers to as his, "musical pyramid" and include guest appearances from RC, Nikko Gray, J*DaVeY, Alex Isley & Zack Sekoff. In addition to the album, he released a video for the subliminal track "Dance In Our Mind". The video is kinda surreal & kind of play like scenes from the movie "The Cell". Check it out & order the full album here.

BusCrates 16 Bit Ensemble ft. Kiara Ravae "Shine On"

Beat conductor BusCrates unleashes more heat. This time featuring his Pittsburgh homegirl Kiara Ravae creating a solid shoulder moving, finger snapping banger. Check it out!

 

Atjazz ft. Amalia "One" (Video)

UK craftsman Atjazz & Swedish funkstress Amalia reboot their 2007 collaboration with new remixes releasing July 27th. Originally released on Atjazz' album "Full Circle", "One" is a mellow & jazzy yet edgy electrosoul masterpeace. Check out the visually stunning new video shot in black & white and pre-order the rebooted single with Boddhi Satva remixes here.

Adi Dick "Spacedust"

Man, it's too much heat coming from the Kiwi scene. Check out this wicked eight track ep from Auckland based producer Adi Dick. "Spacedust" is a aurally exciting,  electronic beat journey that dips thru soul & dub before taking off into the stratosphere.

Teresa Jenee "Electric Yellow"

St. Louis based singer Teresa Jenee return with the highly anticipated follow up to her 2009 stunning debut album "The Ecklectic". Continuing in her stride, "Electric Yellow" boast a soulful side of electropop that's even edgier than her debut finding the singer, producer stepping daringly into realms that at times border on club trap music lol. No kidding. Of course, no Teresa Jenee release is complete without a few piano driven beautiful ballads where her voice & lyricism take center stage. Abnormal, Black Spade, Blake Symphony & Aaron Hardin appear as producers on a few tunes. Even better, this album is available as a free download. Grab it now!

Martin Luther "Love Is The Hero"

Bay Area soul funk veteran Martin Luther offered up another collection of songs from previously unreleased vaults this week. This collection really feel like an album complete in thought with his signature guitar driven rock & funk influenced soulfulness  Check out his killer cover of the Hall & Oates classic "Sara Smile" included in the collection. Cop it below, fall in love & prepare for part 2 that's coming soon.

Manuals "Mid One"

Chicago based Gabriel "Manuals" Wallace, drummer for The Gorillaz, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble & De La Soul, released his debut album this week. Mostly recorded in NY with members of Soul Cycle, "Mid One" take the listener on a drummer's journey with its blend of hip hop, funk, pop, afrobeat & jazz fusion. Looking for the perfect, you've found it! Cop it below

Krystale & Kaytradamus "The Good Fight"

Montreal based singer Krystale & producer Kaytradamus team to create this deliciousness. "The Good Fight" ep is not your typical beatmaker, singer union. The two got together one every aspects & arrangements on the ep making it a much more musical affair with Kaytradamus' varied production style & her raspy voice that move between jazz and r&b.

Zaki Ibrahim "Every Opposite"

After 2 stunning ep's & superb collaborations with the likes of King Britt, DVA & Boddhi Satva,  South African singer Zaki Ibrahim releases her debut full length. Recorded in seven different cities between South Africa, Canada,  London & the US, "Every Opposite" cohesively draw from many genres & influences, from rhythms of her homeland to dubstep, bringing a well rounded flavor of soulful electronic music or vice versa with her heartfelt messages of freedom ringing loud & clear.

Funkommunity "Chequered Thoughts"

At last, New Zealand based duo Funkommunity come with their anticipated debut album "Chequered Thoughts". Comprised of producer, musician Isaac Aesili and singer Rachel Fraser, the duo craft an album that's sure to be on my Best of 2012 list, with it's perfect blend of analog & digital influenced soul. They released the 80's boogie tinged single "The Light" as a free download. Get it below & get the full album here.

 

Carlitta Durand "100 Nudges Of Love"

NC based singer Carlitta Durand released the 2nd single from her album "I'll Be Gorgeous When I Die" coming out next month. "100 Nudges Of Love" is produced by Abjo, It's a beautiful drum & bass meets electropop tune with an atmospheric melody that allow Carli's pure tones to float effortlessly about. Check out it out & get the free download here.

Luca Dimoon "Lady Utopia"

Italian singer Luca Dimoon is back with another cosmic & jazzy taste of soul from his upcoming album "Telescope". The self produced "Lady Utopia" gets funky with swirling synths & headbanging drums with horn stab driving it along. Based on this & the last two leaks, I'M READY FOR THE ALBUM! Coming soon is still the promise lol.

JazzMine "Love Bullet"

I've been anxiously awaiting to hear more from JazzMine since I heard her on "Prepared", a collab she did with Byron The Aquarius in 2010. Now the Birmingham based singer, musician steps forward with her debut ep "Love Bullet". Teaming up with Byron again, JazzMine's ep offer up an even mix of acoustic & hiphop influenced soul underneath her poetic phrasing & sultry voice that sometime sound like a cross between India Arie & Jack Davey. The acoustic songs really showcase her fine guitar playing as well. Check it out & purchase it at a "name your price option". DON'T BE CHEAP!

Columbia Nights "Make Some Room"

After their highly acclaimed debut ep, Columbia Nights is back with another slice of heaven in their cover series. This time the duo take on Sade's "Make Some Room". The original was the b side to the hit single "Nothing Can Come Between Us". Mostly instrumental like the original, the duo added a touch more ambience to make it even dreamier than the original with a little light vocals stabs of Vaughan Octavia ended it. Very true to the original & definitely worth the download.

JSoul "Beautiful Nights"

Bmore based singer, producer JSouL is putting the finishing touches on his upcoming fourth album "Blue Midnight" slated for fall 2012. This week he released the first single "Beautiful Nights", a smooth finger snapping 2-stepper perfect for nighttime groovin'.

Her Imaginings "I'm Scared"

Her Imaginings is the new collaborative project from LA based producer Theimagination (of T.IM.E) and Chicago born, NYC based singer Arin Maya. Together the duo crafted this cosmic slice of aural bliss. "I'm Scared" is a pulsating & minimal track with simple keys, soundscapes & Arin's poetic lyric questioning our fears. Check it out.

Cleveland P. Jones "Live In My Heart

After taking the global underground by storm with his collabs with Ahmed Sirour. singer Cleveland P. Jones is finally back on the scene with new music. Check out the energetic track 'Live In My Heart", an interesting piano driven gospel meets electropop groove.

Some Other Time: The Jazz Jousters Digs Bill Evans

Gotta thank my dude DJ Rahdu for turning me on this excellent "Digs" series from UK based label Millennium Jazz. In this series, some of the finest up & coming producers and musicians from the label pay tribute to some of jazz music biggest legends by putting a refreshing & unique 21st Century spin on their classics. Often soulfully hip hop inspired, This time the legend chosen is pianist Bill Evans. All I can say is HEAT! Get the free download & check out the previous collections in the series on their bandcamp page.

Alex Isley "LoveArtMemoirs" EP

Alex Isley, daughter of Ernie from the legendary Isley Brothers, is on the scene carving her own lane into the music world with the beautiful "Love/Art Memoirs" EP. This self written, produced & performed showcases her ability to craft her own brand of r&b; eclectic yet simple, smooth but textured, sparse but lush cosmicly coupled with her lightly poetic phrasing & soulful lyrics. The Isley legacy lives on. Get the free download here.

Alexis Davis "3"

DJ/Producers Mecca: 83, Spinnerty, Simon S & emcee Replife release the ep for their Alexis Davis project. Drawing on their own unique inspirations from the hip hop & musical diaspora including "hey day" boombap & the jazz fusion soaked, the quartet come for your head with this six track banger. Neck braced required!

Cody ChestnuTT "That's Still Mama"

Renaissance man Cody ChestnuTT is working hard on his next album " Landing On A Hundred" scheduled to release in October. The musician launched a campaign recently via kickstarter to help get this project out independently. In addition, he leaked one of the tunes from the album. "That's Still Mama" sounds every bit like it was plucked from a 70s blaxploitation flick with his funky horns, orchestration & heartfelt message of unwavering support from the one true woman in our lives. Check it out below & for more info or to support the campaign, visit http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/codychesnutt/cody-chesnutt-landing-on-a-hundred.

Phony PPL "Told You So"

Nice work from this nine man collective of rappers, musicians, singers, producers and DJs. Phony PPL hail from the BK, the crew has been quietly making a name for themselves with their blend of hiphop, jazz & 70s inspired funky soul. The crew released the first single from their upcoming ep "Nothing Special" as a free download via Okayplayer. Get it below & for their previous releases, check out their website.

Brownswood Bubblers Eight

Tastemaker number one, Gilles Peterson is back with the eighth installment of his "Bubblers" series on his label Brownswood Recordings. As with the previous seven, Peterson compile 13 tracks of eclectic soulful rhythms from exciting up & coming artist on the global underground scene. Volume eight includes music from Four Tet, Everett James, Def Sound, Leron Thomas, One Liitle Plane, OmMas Keith & many more. Check the preview below & order it here.

Ab "Prologue Vol. 1"

Singer, musician Ab, most known for his work with Black Milk & Nat Turner and Slum Village, come correct with the first volume in his "Prologue" series. On the first, he take the classics of Total, Shuggie Otis, Lauryn Hill, Rufus & Chaka and inject them with his unique blend of 21st century funk, jazz, doo-wop, hiphop & grit. Black Milk is on mixing & engineering duties as well as drums. HEATER! Get the free download.

Breezy LoveJoy "O.B.E. Vol. 1"

Killer EP from LA based drummer, emcee, singer Breezy LoveJoy. Funky, soulful, edgy, electro-madness & FREE! Nuff said.

Orfeo "Quiet Nights" (Produced by Robin Hannibal)

Really digging this smooth track from LA based classically trained opera singer Orfeo. His name was chosen as a tribute to the Baroque opera titled L’Orfeo, whose theme is the Greek legend Orpheus’ ability to seduce with his music and sound. Sounding more like a 70's crooner, "Quiet Nights" is truly sweet seduction thanks to the production of Robin Hannibal of Quadron. The tune will be released digitally on July 20th along with the uptempo synth driven "No Substitution" also produced by Hannibal, on the Quieres Chicle label.