Sandra St. Victor: Spirit Talk (Ty Macklin Alpha Omega Remix)

Enjoying the buzz from her long awaited return with her album "Oya's Daughter" in the fall, Sandra St. Victor is now gearing up to release remixes of song from the album. For the first, she returned to her hometown of  Dallas where her longtime friend and collaborator Ty Macklin put a soulful and jazzy drum n' bass spin on her tune "Spirit Talk".  Check out the snippet and prepare.

Kan Sano: 2.0.1.1 (Preview)

I've had a love affair with the music of Japanese pianist, composer Kan Sano since meeting him some eight or nine years ago on Myspace. I even installed translator just so that I can read his posts online. 2014 is already looking to be a killer year for music and the announcement last week that he's coming with a new album sealed the deal.

From the preview, "2.0.1.1." is already threatening to make it on my Best Of  2014 list and it's only January and the preview is only five minutes. But in that short time span, I was wowed. You hear many elements comparable to his last project Bennetrhodes and so much more. This album make its rounds in jazz, funk, a little pop and a hint of classical influence with guest appearances from Benny Sings and Monday Michiru. If all of this happens in the five minute snippet, I surely can't wait til February 5th to hear it in its entirety. And did I mention that the cover art is ridic? Check it out.

Jazzanova: Now There Is We

The mighty Jazzanova is back with a new single. Keeping the momentum of their recent live recording "Funkhaus Studio Sessions" singer Paul Randolph returns to deliver an uplifting message on the soulful winner "Now There is We". This new single finds the collective dodging pigeonholes with its blend of soulful pop and nu disco utilizing a mix of deep bass lines, instrumentation and live drum programming. Check out the snippet and cop on itunes.

Tay Walker: Karma (Video)

After amazing us with his self titled ep and having his talents displayed on The Internet's blazing album "Feel Good" that landed in the top spot on my Best Soul Album of 2013 list, Tay Walker is back and setting the stage for an amazing 2014 with the announcement of his forthcoming project "25 Hours A Day". The first taste comes in the form of this soulful ballad about the game of love and reaping what you sow. Checkout the black and white video of "Karma" that follows the singer as he sits and reflect on the situation.

Slakah The Beatchild: Something About Her / Byram's Groove (Cut A Rug)

 

It's official, fans of Slakah The Beatchild will have to wait just a little bit longer for the release of his highly anticipated album "Soul Movement Vol. 2" that he first announced a year ago. The release date has been moved from January 28th to sometime in March. To get us ready (as if we weren't already LOL), the Toronto based musician, producer and the BBE label dropped an official two track single. Both "Something About Her" and "Byram's Groove (Cut A Rug)" are midtempo jams with an 80's flare. 808, synths, a little breakbeat and a lot of groove. Check them both out below and purchase them here.

Zara McFarlane: If You Knew Her

 

At last, Brownswood Recordings has released the much anticipated follow up album by UK chanteuse Zara McFarlane and I can assure you that there's no jinx with this sophomore effort. Aptly titled "If You Knew Her", this album shows Zara's tremendous growth as a songwriter and an artist as she go deep into her soul to deliver songs jazz, soul and folk tales of love, temptation, social injustice and self empowerment. Included is her highly sought after cover of Junior Murvin's "Police & Thieves" and the swinging, scatting "Angie La La" that features Leron Thomas on trumpet and guest vocals. Check out the snippets and cop now.

NEW ARTIST ALERT: introducing Bernie Levv

 

Introducing a fresh new face and voice on the scene. 19 year old Bernie Levv is already showing the maturity and versatility of an artist that's been in the game for years. the Chicago based singer has only just two songs on her soundcloud page, both of which serve as tasters for her upcoming project "Signs". Her most recent upload, "Without", finds Bernie lending her edgy and jazzy alto tones to a cosmic slow churning electrosoul beat courtesy of Amsterdam based beat craftsman L. Dinero. While her first release "Time" find the singer upping the ante with an uptempo groove with tribal inflections produced by Chicago based beatmaker WeDrillin. Checkout both below and stay tuned for more.

Rob Milton: Electric Feel

 

Rob Milton never ceases to amaze. The New Jersey based singer is starting his (and our) new year off with a bang with the release of his new album "Electric Feel" and advance warning, a neck brace is required. Hooking up again with producer Roman Norfleet of Black Fantastic fame, the duo craft soul tunes of the most electrifying order. Pulsating, cosmic and funky headnodders that knock hard. Lyrics full of nostalgia, love and hope for the future. Take the journey and cop below.

Bossa Zuzu: Under Leaves Under Sky

A glorious release and long awaited sophomore album from L.A. based band Bossa Zuzu. Led by saxophonist Dan Reckard and guitarist Capital Guitarra, the collective's second album "Under Leaves Under Sky" goes head on with its bossa grooves that recall the greats works of the legendary Brazilian artists including Antonio Carlos Jobim, The Gilberto's and Walter Wanderley. Pure sunshine and beaches.Produced by multiple Grammy winning jazz drummer Peter Erskine, this album is destined to be called a 21st Century bossa classic. Give a listen and purchase below.

Mndsgn: Inedia EP

Our good peeps at Fresh Selects dropped the second release on their newly formed record label yesterday. The "Inedia EP" serves as the companion piece to their first release as it is remixes to beatmaker Mndsgn's "Breatharian" tape. The ep include one new track and remixes from Black Spade, Zeroh, Iman Omari and Sonnymoon who all their bit of cosmicness to an already spacey project. Check it out below and if you haven't already, cop both.

Tara Carosielli: The Opposite Game

I love when I have down time to just surf the net in search of amazing new artist and new music. I stumbled upon the beautiful soprano voice of  Tara Carosielli and I couldn't be happier. As a fresh face on the British scene, Tara has already amazed in just a matter of months with the upload of three songs to her youtube and soundcloud pages. Her latest tune "The Opposite Game" is a killer soulful r&b track with and electropop edge. No word about future projects. For now I'll just savor what she has dropped so far. Check her out.

Dego & Kaidi

 

Dego McFarlane (4hero) and Kaidi Tatham (Agent K) are simply the Gods of UK broken beat and future funk. At this point, they're pretty much carrying the genre on their shoulders. Having recorded together for well over a decade, the duo drops a new project on the burgeoning label Eglo Records. This self titled ep is every bit of the classic jazz fusion, funk and boogie inspired future soul you'd expect from the pioneer with killer keyboard, synth bass and a hint of Jamaican funk. The digital release is January 27th but the twelve inch vinyl can be copped now here. Check out the snippets.

Read full review of Dego & Kaidi - Dego & Kaidi on Boomkat.com ©

Denitia Odigie: Weekend

 

And speaking of  NYC based singer Denitia Odigie, she also dropped a new single this month. "Weekend" is a beautiful jazz meets spacey soul inspired ballad with electric and acoustic guitar lines as its driving force. Denitia's voice and harmonies are pure angelic as she lay out her plans for a magical siesta. Check it out and cop it below.

Sly5thAve: Deme ft. Denitia

Musician, composer Sylvester Uzoma Onyejiaka II aka Sly5thAve has been heavy on my radar since being introduced to him through his collaboration with keyboardist Jesse Fischer just a few months back. His work as The Clubcasa Chamber Orchestra landed on my Best EP's of 2013 list and now he is getting in gear for the February 11th release of his debut album "Akuma". Last week he debuted the second single via Revive Music.

"Deme" is a glowing contemporary jazz fusion track that recall some of the best works on labels like Muse in the 70's. The track makes great use of the full ensemble. Haunting horn lines, stellar shuffling drum and percussion, the pulse of the upright, killer guitar work and sweet vocals harmonies from singer Denitia Odigie (denitia and sene.). Check it out and then head on over to the label's bandcamp page to preorder the album.

Tiombe Lockhart: Can't Get Enough

Singer Tiombe Lockhart (Cubic Zirconia) is back on the scene with a new song and video. Produced by Scottish producer Hudson Mohawke, "Can't Get Enough" will certainly leave you wanting more with its infectious tribal, electropop groove. The accompanying video will entrance you with its imagery and effects. A true afro surreal journey with Tiombe as the cosmic goddess. Check it out below and purchase the single here.

 

Coultrain: WARSOUL: Electro-Acoustic Beat Sessions

Check out this killer footage of St. Louis soul virtuoso Coultrain performing at the WARSOUL: Electro-Acoustic Beat Sessions in Warsaw. His second show while on his European tour supporting his latest album "Jumbo Mumbo Jumbo" which landed on my best of 2013 list. The band include his album's producer Ben Lamar on Korg, flugelhorn and percussion as well as Warsaw's own Night Marks Electric Trio.


He still has shows left on this tour in Switzerland and Belgium. If you're in those regions the 24th and 25th check his schedule here for venue and info.

Various Assets - Not For Sale 2013: RBMA NYC

The Red Bull Music Academy is back with the next installment in their "Various Assets - Not for Sale" series. Once again showcasing some of the eclectic music created by various musicians, producers and beatmakers during the academy's season. This time it's the class of NYC 2013 including Stephen "Thundercat" Bruner, Jameszoo, Throwing Snow, Louis Baker, Dam Funk and 52 other participants. 30 tracks total. Check it out and get the free download.

Also, if you're an up and coming musician, producer etc., RBMA is accepting applications for its 2014 workshops that will be held in Tokyo starting Oct. 12 thru Nov. 14th. You have until March 18th to apply here.

J. Mitchell: Rapture

I first fell in love with the voice of J. Mitchell through her track with Ta'Raach & The Lovelution back in 2006. Since then the L.A. based singer has collaboration with some that regions finest including Exile, Fashawn. Recently she had a few appearances on Coultrain's latest album "Jungle Mumbo Jumbo" and has also been an active member in Shafiq Husayn's band Dove Society. Summer 2014, Ms. Mitchell is promising to release her highly anticipated debut album titled "The Pharaoh's Parade".

To get the ball rolling, she dropped to the first taste on her bandcamp page. She describes "Rapture" as "a funky cosmic lullaby" as she sing her tale of infinite impossibilities over Shafiq's classic production. Check it out, get the free download and prepare.

Amp Fiddler: Basementality 2

It's been eight years since Amp Fiddler's last album (six since his collaboration album with Sly & Robbie) feeding his fans with every now and then guest appearances on projects including Trus'me and Hundred Strong. Last night Detroit's soul funk God set the music underground on fire with the announcement of a new project that dropped today.

If you recall, his first project in the new millennium that reintroduced the world to the one time Parliament / Funkadelic member, was the "Basementality EP". So breaking his silence with the release of "Basementality 2" just may be a sign of another rebirth and that we probably can expect more visibility from him in the near future.

Always keeping it soulful and funky, on part two, Mr. Fiddler steps slightly away from the "dancier" soul style he's been associated with in recent years giving a fresher and raw sound complete with heavy live instrumentation that incorporate elements of 60's soul, 70's funk and a little psychedelica. Even has a contribution from Raphael Saadiq on the track "Take It". Also include funk dance remix from L.A. based producer, musician Daniel Crawford. Long story short, the man is back and back with a vengeance. Take a listen and cop below.