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.

Coultrain "Jungle Mumbo Jumbo"

SOUNDROTATION fav Coultrain just dropped his highly anticipated sophomore album on Plug Research and I'm certain it's gonna be in the top 10 on my Best Of 2013 list. "Jungle Mumbo Jumbo" find Seymour Liberty further in his adventure as he continue his search for self discovery, in almost a frantic pace, as if his life depends on it at this point. Like that of a tribal warrior in his quest toward chiefhood, dissecting every action and every emotion. Will he overcome the challenges of the wilderness? Will he master his heart? Will he find that treasure? Will he be King? Check out the stream below and then RUN to your local record store or hurry up to iTunes or Amazon and COP IT!

B.jamelle "Rose Tea" (produced by Diggs Duke)

SOUNDROTATION favs singer B.jamelle and producer, musician Diggs Duke teamed up and created this awesome track centered around the healing attributes of "Rose Tea". The track comes complete with Diggs' eccentric mix of ethnic percussion and jazzy horn lines coupled with B.jamelle's sultry tones and vocal bassline. I hope this is the beginning of more collaborations from them. Check it out and cop it at a name your price option.

Coultrain "Streams & Rivers"

2013 is on fire on the music front and it's only the first quarter. SOUNDROTATION fav Coultrain (Hawthorne Headhunters, PPP) released the lead single to his long awaited official album and follow-up to his debut "The Adventures Of Seymour Liberty". From the start of "Streams & Rivers" you know it's about to be a banger and IT IS. The beat, courtesy of  Jason “The Dirty Lynt” Moore, with additional instrumentation by I, Ced and Erik Rico, will have your head swirling while his smoothly rugged tones take you there with his poetic love storytelling front and center. The single is available on Amazon and iTunes. The album, "JungleMumboJumbo" releases April 23rd on the Plug Research label.

KING "In The Meantime"

After sending the world into a frenzy with their debut "The Story EP"  that found it's way to the top of every reputable blogs Best of 2011 list, the mighty trio KING have FINALLY release new music and boy oh boy was it worth the wait. "In The Meantime" is every bit the kind of melodic beauty you expect from them with the perfect toned harmonies of Anita Bias and Amber Strother floating effortlessly over the pulsating mellow synths of Paris Strother's instrumentation. This no doubt will be the song that will usher in my spring. It is available now on iTunes, Amazon & Spotify. Check it out and cop!