It felt like an eternity waiting for the sophomore release from Silhouette Brown. And boy, was it worth the wait! Silhouette Brown is the musical masterminds of Kaidi Tatham (Agent K, Bugz In the Attic), Dego (2000 Black/4Hero, DKD), co-writer and producer Bembe Segue, and silky soul Philadelphia-native singer, Lady Alma (known largely for her work on 4Hero’s “Hold it Down”, Soul Dhamma’s “Happy” and Sylk 130’s “When the Funk Hits the Fan,” to name countless club classics she’s sang on over the years).

The album two brings us the first full recording from Lady Alma, displaying her vocal versatility where the warmth of her voice shines through on every note; the production on two seems created just for her. Just beautiful.  two has a more soulful appeal than the debut Silhouette Brown release, however, the arrangements still contain the future soul sounds we expect to hear from Dego and Kaidi, with funk inspired basslines, scatting keyboards, and thumping drums, still ever present. Clever songwriting in care of Lady Alma and Bembe Segue and Dego, and the pleasant surprise of Sadat X appearing on “Get With It,” two is timed perfectly to turn up the heat on your cold nights. Not sure why Deborah Jordan doesn’t appear on the album, but with Lady Alma as the replacement — we’re more than cool de la with the union.

Listen to a couple of songs below and let me know what you think of Silhouette Brown’s return. two can be purchased at 2000 Black’s website. So get it!

“Casualties of Honey”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

“Strawberries in Vinegar”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Let’s face it, the music industry has changed; the consumer no longer waits in anticipation for the full album anymore. So rather than produce an album over a period of time (6-8 months), you can do what Cubic Zirconia does and release each single as a separate event, then enlist amazing and cutting edge producers to remix the tune, put a music video together, and tour each single like an album. People buy music one track at a time now, which makes this strategy work. “Josephine” features remixes by Waajeed, DJ Sega, Egytprixx, and Greenmoney. It’s also the first release on the band’s new label, Don’t Cry Recordings. In the video for “Josephine” you’ll actually like Tiombe’s remix of Josephine Baker’s persona (and she’s got the great legs to match!). So get your copy of the single on iTunes, with all five versions for the steal price of $2.99!

“Josephine” Waajeed Remix

Sawandi is an interesting and unlikely Caribbean find. Born in Kingston, Jamaica and living his formative years in the island of Antigua, his musical journey began by playing the piano. When the 80s hit, he became more engulfed in American music and its production. By his late teens, his family moved back to Kingston where he set his sights on becoming a medical doctor. A year after graduating medical school and listening to The Roots‘ “Things Fall Apart” in 2002, he realized his passion for music and began to invest in building his home studio.

In 2005, he filled out an online application to participate in the Red Bull Music Academy conference, and was invited to attend their Melbourne, Australia activities for two weeks in 2006 — an experience that changed his life, musically. Sawandi’s sound can be described as chilled instrumental grooves, with hard slapping drums with synths reminiscent of J Dilla and largely influenced by hip hop, electronica, classic reggae, and alternative sounds.

Check out “Step it Up,” then click over to Sawandi’s Bandcamp page to hear more of this unique talent from Jamaica.

“Step It Up” from While You Sleep

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

A true innovator in the UK and the world of rap music and hip hop culture, South London native, Ben Chijioke aka Ty has grown into a positive force to be reckoned with. Having released four critically acclaimed albums with Big Dada Records, and now about to release his fifth album Special Kind of Fool with BBE Records, this EPK illustrates the anticipation behind this incredibly talented artist. Ty states that, “this album was about going through a certain amount of emotions and feelings… [to create] a document that is something I can say I’m happy with.” Collaborators include Erik Rico, Janet Kay, Anthony Mills, Terri Walker, and Michelle Escoffery, all selected based on Ty’s mindset of writing songs which have meaning rather than collaborating on an ego. Special Kind of Fool sounds like a labor of love, a journey into being who you truly are as an artist, and a reflection of his surroundings. Check out Ty’s EPK below. The album hits stores Feb 19th. Stay tuned.

It’s been a pretty busy season for Brooklyn’s punk rock band Game Rebellion. With the release of their EP Sounds Like A Riot (January 25th), that was celebrated at Santos Party House in NYC to a crowded and fully charged-up audience — the band has been non-stop ever since. I got the chance to speak with Game Rebellion after their show at Le Poisson Rouge last week. If you haven’t seen these guys yet, I cannot stress how awesome their performance is. From the girls loosing control and jumping Netic and Yohimbe on the stage, the audience moshing each other in a chaotic slam dance, to the tight display of musicianship – Game Rebellion truly rock out! Watch the video below where they talk about the meaning of Game Rebellion, artist struggles, how deep the Game rolls and their musical integrity. I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with these guys. One thing that is abundantly clear, the ‘Game is Rebellious’ and they do indeed, ‘play by their own rules‘.

Thanks again to Alaric Campbell for capturing some amazing images, which were taken at their EP release party at Santos Party House. If you’d like to see more Game Rebellion, visit Muphoric Sounds YouTube Channel here.

Hearing this made my night, especially after the disappointing tail-end of Taylor Swift’s snag of the “Album of the Year” Grammy Award. In my 2009 year-end wrap up of music, I listed some of the most anticipated albums to come in 2010, one of which included the comeback of D’Angelo. Below is the un-mastered leak of “1000 Deaths” which is a mass of funk, dirt, and psychedelic awesomeness! Even with the rough vocals, it’s a winner! Collaborators for the album include Prince, ?uestlove, and Raphael Saadiq. No details on the masters behind the production of “1000 Deaths,” but it smells like Prince with the dirty bass and guitar riffs. Check it out below and let me know what you think!

“1000 Deaths” (Download)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

If you know me personally, you’ll know how much I absolutely ADORE this woman’s music. She does NO wrong. She’s what I call “über-talented,” incapable of whack, has this knack for finding amazing talent, working with nothing but best, and still manages to keep a high level of integrity in all she does.

I’ve scheduled my computer appointment for 3:33pm, and will be visiting ErykahBadu.com, where Erykah will be sending out the first song leak from the long-awaited A New Amerykah Pt. 2 Return of the Ankh’ to her fans. I can’t WAIT to get some Baduisms. Watch video below where she discusses the new album, which releases March 30th; one of the ‘eargasm’ highlights for 2010.

Thanks to BamaLoveSoul for the reminder!

Taking a late pass on this band but I’ll assume many of my readers missed this band as well. My main assertion here is that the Swedes are running it musically at the moment. Quadron are Coco and Robin, who were both members of the soul collective Boom Clap Bachelors, and who released an album in 2008 called Kort Før Dine Læber. From being in the group, Robin and Coco began to collaborate and formed Quadron. Lead singer Coco is only 21-years-old and already sounds like a seasoned artist. Her voice is delicately sweet, where she glides through each song like a lullaby. It’s really beautiful. Robin Hannibal is no stranger to music and future sounds, collaborating with Noboby Beats the Beats, Stones Throw artist, Aloe Blacc, O’mas Keith from SA-RA, Wally Badarou (Talking Heads, Grace Jones), Plant Life, Eric Sermon, Pharrell Williams. Their album, which was release last year, will be released in the US in March 2010 but is available on iTunes now. Check out the video for the single “Pressure” below and listen to “Simili,” taken from the album. Pure niceness!

“Simili” from Quadron

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

“Aquarius” is a lullaby known by hip hop heads across the world, with the immediate recognition of A Tribe Called Quest’s use on an interlude for the Hip Hop classic Midnight Marauders LP of 1993. Mr. Callen Tjader was born in St. Louis Missouri, and later lived in San Mateo California. One of the most interesting things about Tjader is the fact that he was not Latin born and did not grow up in The Bronx, Puerto Rico, or Harlem. He studied Latin Jazz, making a powerful contribution to it. Tjader’s main instrument was the Vibraphone. He began playing in a big band in the bay area as a teen and won a contest to play drums for Gene Krupa in the early 1940’s. He played the drums until 1953, then later switching to the vibraphone. He traveled to New York regularly to see artists such as Mongo Santamaria, Machito, and Tito Puente and became influenced by their style. He created his own group called the Mambo Quartet, which recorded on Fantasy Records. During this time he created a heavily mambo influenced sound, which was not a mere copy but rather an artist truly inspired. In his career, he went on to play with the likes of Donald Byrd, Chick Corea, and Willie Bobo. He put out records on Fantasy, Verve, Skye and Concord Records. He started recording in 1951 and continued up until 1982, putting down almost eighty albums!

“Aquarius” is endearing, sincere, and down right infectious. The arrangement includes vibes, which were recorded in 1969, ten years before I was born. The track is like a night stroll full of romance, wonder, and reflection. It is worthy of loud play in the morning or softness at night. Although Tjader has many tunes that would burn a hole in your shoes, this LP The Prophet is much more about simply chilling out. His work has been sampled by A Tribe Called Quest, Gangstarr, Large Professor, Q-Tip, and Camp Lo, to name a few. Take a listen to “Aquarius.” Cal’s music can be purchased on Cal Tjader.com.

“Aquarius” from The Prophet

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

I’m a huge supporter of these guys hailing from Cleveland and this particular mixtape made me laugh out loud as Twizz from KEYEL cunningly had me leave a voicemail message of inquiry to find out when this new mix would drop. They incorporated my rambling message about 8 minutes into the mix!

As always, they give us some of that 90s classic hip hop flavour filled with crate-digging samples and alternative sounds. The mix is all KEYEL music from 2006 to present. Check out the snippet below and download your free copy here!

Snippet from KEYEL Mixtape 2010

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Muphoric Sounds first mentioned DJ Kiva last summer with his Degrees of Freedom, which was a mixture of broken beats, smooth soul and hip hop (read article here). Now comes his latest experiment, BTR8ION, the world’s first ever written and produced album entirely on a Sony Playstation Beaterator! And I’ve got to tell you this, it’s very impressive. Kiva put BTR8ION together while on the streets, on a plane, in the car, basically, in transit. Packed with experimental sounds, in broken, dubstep, hip hop with dirty basslines and gritty synthesizers, I’m still amazed that it was all made on a little handheld.

In addition to being a musician (guitarist and keyboardist), Kiva teaches Electronic Music Production at Manhattan’s DJ and Music Production school — the Dubspot. A few months ago, Kiva was featured on NY1 discussing the PSP Beaterator and how his school adopted the console into their curriculum and after-school programs. It would be a sound decision for Sony to recruit Kiva in the production of their 2nd generation device; clearly, he’s an expert!

I think this is pretty awesome and I would love to know your thoughts on BTR8ION. What’s better -  making beats or playing games? Why not both?

Check out BTR8ION below – it’s also available for free download at Soundcloud.

BTR8ION by DJ Kiva

Tracklisting:
01. Hollywood Starz
02. Situation feat. Channel Earth
03. Keep the Fire Burning
04. C’mon Y’all
05. Satta Massagana*
06. Bring Da Beat Back
07. Center of the Universe
08. Another Kind of Language
09. Mysyde
10. Era Unknown
11. Altitude
12. Back to My Galaxy

* Satta Massagana written & originally recorded by the Abyssinians

I can’t tell you enough about Game Rebellion! They are Brooklyn’s very own rock, punk, hip hop band who effortlessly deliver in a way that will knock you between the eyes with a WTF! Forming as a group back in 2006 and becoming one of Afro Punk’s favourite summer acts, Yohimb, Netic, Emi, Ahmed, and Aaron can be classified as the new Public Ememy. If you haven’t seen these guys live, you need to. Lead vocalist Netic, with the ripped body, and the busting rhymes, will have you peeing in your pants. Not only is their music head banging, their lyrical content is social commentary, unafraid to challenge our so called authority; these guys are far from a game. Their Searching for Rick Rubin mixtape which was released at the end of 2008, they teamed with J.Period to pay homage to the legendary producer, and featured rhymes like, “The only terrorist I see are the police/They’re the only ones who have got the folks scared/I don’t see no planes flying over Marcy Projects…” They are far from afraid to kick conscious lyrics of truth.

I’m completely excited about the release of the new EP Sounds Like a Riot, as the journey will be one of skillful rhymes against some hard hitting rhythms. Check out the video for the debut single off the EP “Blind” below, which was filmed at Little Field NYC in Brooklyn. If you’re in the New York area, the release party for Sounds Like a Riot will be held at Santos Party House on Monday, January 18th. Click here for more details.

Visit Game Rebellion’s Bandcamp site and listen to their music. They are NOT a game. Check back for more info on the release of Sounds Like a Riot.

Teddy Pendergrass marked an era of true seduction in R&B, died in hospital on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 after battling with colon cancer.

Starting his career as a drummer for The Cadillacs, who later merged with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Teddy became their lead singer, almost by accident. His years with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes were the group’s most successful and fruitful, with hits such as “I Miss You,” “Wake Up Everybody,” “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” and “Bad Luck,” where Teddy sang lead. His departure from the group was prompted by unsuccessfully lobbying to have the band change its name to “Teddy Pendergrass and the Blue Notes.”

His solo career was absolutely phenomenal. Joining the Philadelphia R&B movement, which included Billy Paul, The O’Jays, Stephanie Mills, Phyllis Hyman, to name a few. He sang some of R&B’s sexiest songs with his silky yet husky and commanding baritone, sending his female audience to euphoria. His ballads with Stephanie Mills (“Two Hearts” and “Feel The Fire”) and Whitney Houston (“Hold Me” and “Take Me In Your Arms”) were some of the most endearing love songs of that period. His career came to a halt after a tragic car accident which left him paralyzed from the waist down. After recovery and therapy, he returned to singing lightly, but it wasn’t until his fantastic comeback song, “Joy” that people felt he was truly back.

My choice of audio below is taken from my favourite release from Teddy Pendergrass — Live! Coast to Coast, which featured live recordings from various shows across the United States. I loved this album as a child and would stare at the album cover (featured above) while listening to his eminent and powerful voice and the women in the audience present to his sexy, manly prowess, singing and screaming at his every call. An amazing album which captured his brilliance.

If you don’t own any Teddy Pendergrass, the Amazon widget below will help you to get started. His music will forever live on through us. Let’s hope Teddy’s legacy is embraced and continued through R&B artist Jaheim.

“Close The Door” from Live! Coast to Coast

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Über-talented UK producer, Eric Lau put together a mix for Andrew Menza’s BTS Radio show. What sets Eric apart from the rest is his ability to manipulate sound. Heavily influenced by some of hip hop’s most innovative producers — Pete Rock, Jay Dilla, ?uestlove, and taking from the smooth vibes provided by outstanding musicians in jazz and soul, Warm It Up is a mixture of tunes to warm and soothe you during these winter months when the weather is unkind. This is a melodically sexy compilation including the tunes of rappers, singers, and instrumentals from Robert Glasper, legendary Herbie Hancock, and the late great Curtis Mayfield. All of this, free, for your listening pleasure. Eric is currently working on his second full-length album,  and by the selections made for Warm It Up, it will be far cry from the run of the mill type productions that currently permeates our airwaves.

Download your copy HERE!

TRACK LIST:
Bill Evans – Solar
J Dilla – Untitled
Eric Lau – Bendy
Georgia Anne Muldrow – E.S.P. (Instrumental)
Karriem Riggins – Soul on Top
Madlib – Untitled
Jay Electronica – My World (Nas Salute)
Baatin – Girl
Slum Village – World Full of Sadness
Madlib – Untitled
D.Rose – Track #003 (Produced by Chris ‘Daddy’ Dave)
D’Angelo – Jonez In My Bones (Rehearsal)
The Roots – The Suits
The Robert Glasper Experiment – For You
Georgia Anne Muldrow – Child of The Sun
Herbie Hancock – Butterfly (Live)
Tarika Blue – Truth is The Key
Curtis Mayfield – We’ve Only Just Begun (Live)
Sapo – Nina
Ju-Par Universal Orchestra – Is Anyone Listening?
The Kinks – End of a Season

AppleJac is what we call a crate digger. Hailing from Decatur, Georgia, and has been djing since a child of 10 years old, with Music Is My Main Squeeze AppleJac takes us on a musical journey of greats pulling from some of our legendary fathers of soul music, then laying them against beautiful beats a la Pete Rock, Dilla, Spinna, and the like. What’s so great about this album, which was never released, is that it was produced back in 2003, and it still holds strong today. It’s smooth as ever.

AppleJac is the radio host of the show “Jack of All Trades” on HandzOnRadio.fm and Mecca Radio, where he plays soulful house and disco classics. We’re going to hear a lot from AppleJac this year. So stay tuned. But in the meantime, listen to some tunes below and download Music Is My Main Squeeze for your listening pleasure.

“What I Wantcha’ll To do”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

“Parental Guidance”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.