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.