Terri Walker's 'Matters Of The Heart'

In the past year, UK soul diva Terri Walker stepped out of the confines of her classic r&b/soul stylings and lent her pen & voice to wide range of producers throughout the globe including T Williams, Donaeo, Spectrasoul, The Layabouts, M3nsa, Brackles and Artful. . "Matters Of The Heart" is a collection of some of those collaborations. Great mix of electrosoul, house, dubstep & beyond. Check it out!

Jessie Ware "Sweet Talk"

UK sensation Jessie Ware offered another peak into her highly anticipated debut album "Devotion" releasing August 20th. "Sweet Talk" is a nice & mellow track with a real 80's vibe. Kinda put me in the mind of acts like Tears For Fears with it's light key touches, guitar & synth drums. Check it out!

Miles Bonny "2011 Bootlegs LP"

Kansas City based singer, musician & beat craftsman Miles Bonny unearthed this killer collection of unreleased joints & rarities from his vaults of 2011. 12 tracks total from various sessions & various producers. The LP edition come on a limited rainbow green vinyl! Order it here or get the digital below.

Tall Black Guy "Brazilian Chronicles"

In the past year, it's pretty hard to find a producer getting it in harder than Tall Black Guy. From beat battles, remix competitions, countless appearances on various compilations to curating his own. Now based in the UK, the producer released this fine collections of beats inspired by & containing music & artist of Brazil! Cop it!

Anthony David "Sweet Pain"

Loving the new single from ATL based singer, guitarist Anthony David. "Sweet Pain" will appear on his forthcoming album "Love Out Loud" & has a smooth stepping groove reminiscent of Isley Brothers etc. Check it out!

   

Zara McFarlane "Police & Thieves" (Video)

UK jazz singer Zara McFarlane is in the beginning stages of recording the follow-up to her amazing debut album "Until Tomorrow", that made it to my Best Of 2011 Jazz list. She released the first peak from upcoming about slated for 2013, with the release of her first video. In celebration of 50 years of Jamaican independence, McFarlane put a killer soulful jazz spin on reggae legend Junior Murvin's "Police & Thieves". Check it out!

Jack Davey "Howl At The Moon"

The fiercely innovative female half of J*DaVeY is set to step out on her own with a new self-produced garage rock EP project titled, "L0-F!". The 5 song A & B side effort features Jack Davey in a raw, bluesy light which is evident from the EP's first official offering, "Howl At The Moon". Inspired by Iggy Pop & female sex-Rock goddess Betty Davis, this track is a nice slice of low slung fuzzy funk. Check it out!

Kan Sano "Everybody Loves The Sunshine" (Cover)

Most that know me, know that it will take a special someone or something to get me to check out a cover song. Especially when it's a tune that's been covered repeatedly. I must say that Japanese pianist & producer Kan Sano is definitely one of those special someones. Check out his fresh outlook on the Roy Ayers classic & get the free download here.

Diggs Duke "Mass Exodus"

Multi instrumentalist, singer & SOUNDROTATION fav Diggs Duke never cease to amaze with genre defying & boundary pushing. Now he takes us on a journey or "exodus" into territories of spiritual delight. On "Mass Exodus"  he takes his brand of jazzy soul deeper with sounds that recall the days of spiritual jazz on labels like Strata East & Tribe. Ethnic instruments, all played by Duke, adding a tribal essence to the production all coupled with his classic horn & piano lines. This short but sweet affair proves that Diggs Duke is truly a force to be reckoned with. Check it out below & cop it.

Deborah Bond "Say It" (Nicolay Remix)

It's been a whirlwind year for SOUNDROTATION fav Deborah Bond. After having her long awaited follow-up album "Madam Palindrome" make it to #1 on the UK soul charts, having practically every soul blog list it as one of Best of 2011 & making her UK performance debut at Jazz Cafe. Also in 2011, she served in the supporting cast on spot dates of The Foreign Exchange's Authenticity Tour. Making that connection, she reached out to Nicolay to remix one of the tracks her album & he obliged with this awesome melodically smooth drum & bass remix of her tune "Say It". Check it out & get the free download here.

Kendra Morris "Ride the Lightning"

It's getting closer to the August 28th release date of blue eyed soulstress Kendra Morris' debut album "Banshee". To add to the excitement, Morris & Wax Poetic drops a new series releasing newly recorded cover tunes every Tuesday leading up to the release of the album. This week Morris reimagines Metallica's "Ride The Lightning" into a soulfully haunting track that play out like Pulp Fiction meets Portishead. Get the free download.

I,Ced "Forever" ft. Om'Mas Keith (Behind The Scenes)

Singer, musician, producer I,Ced (Hawthorne Headhunters, Shafiq) is hard at work on the follow-up to his breakout debut "All In My Mind" (Record Breakin'). Recently he went into Converse Rubber Tracks studio in L.A. with Om'Mas Keith of Sa-Ra to finish the first teaser "Forever". The track is pure aural excitement with 60's inspired undertones complete with live strings, piano melody reminiscent of Vince Guaraldi rounded with killer bass work from Thundercat.

The track has also been entered into Shiekh Shoes & Converse Rubber Tracks' music competition with the winner having a chance to fly to NYC to record.  You will decide the winner! Check out the behind the scene making of "Forever" with Ced, Om'Mas & Matt (on strings) and to ear the finished version of "Forever" as well as check out the other participants & vote, go to https://www.facebook.com/shiekhshoes/app_396845877029501.

WonderKiss "Don't Break Me Off"

The dynamic duo of female emcee TK Wonder & singer, producer Kissey release their second video for their single "Don't Break Me Off" from their "Heartfukk EP". The video creatively play like a Saturday afternoon cartoon commercial made from nearly 300 illustrations sketched by TK Wonder herself who always serves as editor. Check it out!

Funkineven & Fatima "90's"

Eglo Records label mates, producer Funkineven & singer Fatima, have teamed up again on a 4 track EP "Phone Line". Our good people at Pinboard Blog London got a radio rip of the first tune "90's", a tune that really conjure up the feelings of those laid back but boombastic joints that dominate late night radio in the 90's. So far it seems the release is vinyl only. Check it out & if you're interested, order the vinyl here.

Ntjam Rosie "In Your Hands (Apple Jac's Sound Of Mecca Mix)"

You should be familiar with the name Ntjam Rosie from making it to my Best Of 2011 List for her album 'Elle". Earlier this year, the Holland based singer put out a live concert dvd & cd package that included a few remixes. When ATL based producer, DJ Apple Jac got word that she was looking for remixes,he jump on it. Unfortunately his mix wasn't finished in time to make it to the release, so the two have graciously decided to unleash it as a gift. Check out the banging & soulful afro house spin he added to it.

Latoiya Williams "This Love Is Sweet"

Back in 2002, I was in a barbershop waiting my turn in the chair. The TV was set to BET, which I wasn't a big fan of but hey, what can you do. LOL! All of a sudden this video comes on with this woman who's voice was like a modern Aretha Franklin. I had to find out who she was. As it tuns out, the song was from Snoop's Doggy Allstars compilation & the voice was Latoiya Williams. Since then she had songs appear in several black comedies as well as guest features on songs by Snoop, Jay-Z, Busta, Kweli & many more. But the question was, when was her solo effort coming. Well it took 10 years, but the soulstress FINALLY released her first official single from her upcoming ep "Kup Cakin'". Produced by Nottz, "This Love Is Sweet" is downright funky with an old school Curtis Mayfield, blaxploitation kinda feel with banging ass bass & drums for the body rock. Check it out & get the free download.

Lady Alma "Running For Nothing" (produced by Mark de Clive Lowe)

International diva & Philly's secret weapon Lady Alma & the wizard Mark de Clive Lowe came to collaborate in 2009 when Mark was still living in London. That recording session included this future soul gem. "Running For Nothing" remixes were released that year & you'd often hear Lady Alma perform it in her live show, but until now, the original version has never been released. Check it out below & order it on Juno.

Everett James "Metamorphosis"

After having his single "Shot Through The Heart" (and accompanying video), take the blogosphere & music sites by storm and attracting the attention tastemakers including Gilles Peterson, who featured the track on his latest Brownswood Bubblers compilation, singer/musician/producer Everett James finally releases his full album. "Metamorphosis" is true to its titles as the sounds transform & take shape in various ways & dimensions. Soul based journey that bend, fold & then gel into a complete thought. Get into it!