Electrolightz isn’t the kind of group I ordinarily listen to, but I surprisingly liked some of what I heard! Good music is simply good music. Hailing from LA, singer Rami Dearest, rapper Namebrand, drummer Barry Romance, and producer erOc are an electro-dance-hip hop group who formed overnight during a studio session. Their music is true LA dance, the kind of music you’d rock out to in your car, while you exercise, or if dance music is your thing, in a club. Each member brings something unique to Electrolightz — Rami Dearest (the son of renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman), fronted the band Something for Rockets, and whose second album was produced by Mark Hoppus (lead member of Blink 182); Namebrand was Rass Kass’ protégé and traveled the world along with him sharing the stage with Rakim; and erOc, with his production team, Da Riff, have produced video game scores for EA Sports as well as for rappers such as Young Buck, Chamillionaire, and Method Man. Most recently, Electrolightz remixed a few of Lady Gaga’s tunes and have been getting a lot of attention on the West Coast. They will be taking their energy to SXSW and WMC this month, where they’ll be panelists for The Electro Wars documentary about electro dance music. They are featured artists in the movie alongside Spankrock, LMFAO, A-Trak, DJ Premier, Steve Aoki, and many more.

The Mixtape is a party, taking you through a carefree kind of nightlife of lost love and the complexities of relationships. Sponsored by Power 106 duo The LA Leakers, it includes Interscope endorsed remixes of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” “Telephone,” and La Roux’s “Bulletproof.” So get your Electrolightz on with this free download.

“Promises”

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We cannot deny the genius of the Gorillaz—the virtual animated band that can only exist on screen, has now become somewhat of a cult musical favourite. We have to give props where it’s due – Damon Albarn and visual artist Jamie Hewlett definitely struck gold with the Gorillaz concept.

Plastic Beach, Gorillaz’s third release, continues with their genre-bending sounds, and enlisting a large host of talent from legendary soul singer Bobby Womack, Little Dragon, Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, Mos Def, Gruff Rhys (of Super Furry Animals), The Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental Arabic Music, to De La Soul to name a few.

Plastic Beach skillfully caters to everyone in some way or another, masterfully blending different cultures and genres together, but also giving the Gorillaz a level of maturity within all the gimmickry. The ultimate highs on Plastic Beach are “Empire Ants” featuring Little Dragon, which starts off with metaphorical, breezy lyrics, then launches into a bass-driven Euro-pop dance track where Yukimi’s vocal lullaby floats beautifully over the song. “Sweepstakes” comes with three musical changes, starting with futuristic repetitive chimes that build into a full clash of percussions, drums, bass, horns, and keys, then add Mos Def’s matter-of-fact repeat of “You’re a winner,” is quite clever, because the tune is a winner. Putting The Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental Arabic Music together with UK rappers Kano and Bushy on “White Flag” is an instantaneous head nod.

Overall, Plastic Beach is a happy listen, although Danger Mouse is missing on the production (Danger Mouse has been busy with his new band, Broken Bells, whose self-titled debut album comes out today as well), but to Albarn’s defense, he still managed to push the envelope in sounds and bought in a great mix of artists to assist in unfolding the story of our beloved 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel. Now, can we get Gorillaz: The Movie, please?

Check out the Little Dragon and Mos Def tunes below, then get yourself a copy; it’s available everywhere!

“Empire Ants” feat. Little Dragon

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“Sweepstakes” feat. Mos Def and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

In December, J*Davey released their Boudoir Synema: The Great Mistapes on their Bandcamp page for free download, and one of the songs which stuck out was “Get Together.” Glad to see a the video for it, directed by Dr. V-Chip. Always an interesting duo to watch.

Can I say, New York?! I need to see these guys live…

Alternative R&B artist Peter Hadar has been making serious waves over the past few years. Releasing his debut album Memories of the Heart in 2006, and two EP’s Well Dressed Art Show in 2008 and She’s Four Months in 2009, while being ever so stylish with it. Hadar is about to release his new EP Full Time Loverwith Damon Dash’s Creative Control, with a kick off show at Joe’s Pub in New York, on Thursday March 12 with Dynasty Electric (for full details on this event click HERE.

Hadar grew up around a musical family but resisted, and built a name for himself styling his musician friends for shows and working with some of the industry’s top fashion brands. Studying fashion and later becoming a stylist, dressing many people in the music industry, the art form started to pull him closer and before long, Hadar was sharing the stage with powerhouse performing artists, such Mos Def, Questlove, Q-Tip, Musiq, Raheem DeVaughn, Carl Thomas, Joe, Bilal, and Chrisette Michele, to name a few, and has been revered by the media.

Below is the video for “Full Time Lover,” directed by Coodie & Chike and CreativeControl.tv, a very catchy tune that is reminiscent of those years when music came in three parts – verse, chorus, and the bridge, and dance expressions were fluid and free; “Full Time Love” will have you dancing in no time. Visit his Bandcamp or Myspace pages to hear more music by Peter Hadar.

The name Res has been floating around for the past decade. Having hit us hard with her seminal debut release, How I Do in 2001, we patiently waited for more. Unfortunately, Res fell prey to record industry politics in the frame of a liquidation, which left her on Geffen Record’s shelf. This did not stop the urban chanteuse from getting things done, from her song “To Empower” being featured in movie Akeelah and the Bee, forming a band, and now is all set to release her an official sophomore release EP.

With quite a few tour dates to hit in March, expect to see more of Res in the coming months. Headlining the show at North 4th Bar on March 12th in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, will be a chance for Res’ fans to get reacquainted with her.

We were able to get Res to answer a few questions for you to hear about what she’s been doing over the years. Check out the Q&A below!

Muphoric Sounds: What have you been up to since the release of “How I Do”?
Res: I have written another album called Black Girls Rock!, recorded an acoustic EP called BARE set for a indie release May 1st, toured with Gnarls Barkley singing backup for Cee Lo, traveled a bit, started a new group with Talib Kweli called Idle Warship and just continued living life as I know it!

MS: How did Idle Warship come about?
Res: It was a way for Kweli and I to do music in genres we are not known to do. Just another outlet to create something fresh!

MS: How would you describe your sound now?
Res: Lauryn Hill meets Fleetwood Mac.

MS: You released Black Girls Rock! last year. Is there anything new coming? What can we expect?
Res: I have recently recorded an acoustic EP called BARE. I plan to release it May 1st. And I am working on a new album with the producer of my first album. I am also gearing up to work with Kweli on the Idle Warship album. So far we released [in October 2009] a mixtape for free download called Party Robot.

MS: What do you have in store for your March 12th show in Brooklyn, NY?
Res: This performance is going to be the begining of my acoustic series. Me and one maybe two guitar players. It will be very intimate and raw.

MS: Are there any artist’s you’re listening to at the moment, you’d like our readers to check out?
Res: There is a guy in the UK named Tinashé.

—

Also check The1Res.com for tour dates and if you missed the Mick Boogie Idle Warship Mixtape, Party Robot, it’s available here for download.

I absolutely LOVE this tune. It’s somewhat different coming from Mark Pritchard, who goes by many recording names and monikers, and is primarily known for making the illest dubstep tunes. I’ve joked with friends that his neighbours must hate him as his basslines are killers; they can drive out any unwanted spirit. “Heavy As A Stone” is a 12″ released on Deep Medi Music, with two versions of the track–”Elephant Dub” which features Mark’s usual dark, reverberating basslines with futuristic synths and percussion arrangements that can cause a sound system to retire. On the flip-side is a beautiful yet sleepy vocal, spoken word alternative with kalimba type sounds and rich lyrics such as, “There’s a beautiful song that is heard…It begins with an African word…” The tune is like a revival, embracing yourself and who you are. I’m in love with it!

Check it out below. It’s available for purchase on Sounds of the Universe in 12″ format.

Heavy As A Stone

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Hailing from the Netherlands, Joya Mooi (meaning beautiful), got her start while completing an internship at theatre production company MC, where she caught the attention of Brian Elstak, who asked her to produce the soundtrack to the theatre play BH in the Netherlands. From there, she met with producers SirOj, Presto, Big2, Hayzee, Wan and Full Crate to produce Hard Melk. Covering a wide range of musical flavours, it is one of those unique gems that you’re so happy to tell your friends about as it encompasses so many styles, without the risk of sounding forced or even contrite. Featuring jazzy undertones, dub step, electronica, disco pop, and soul sounds, but if one had to make a categorical decision, it would be safe to classify Joya Mooi within the ranks of Little Dragon. Hard Melk is a tight production; ain’t no half steppin’ with this one!

You can hear the entire album on Naldisney.net (can’t seem to find a link for purchase but will update post once it becomes available). Listen to a couple of cuts off the album below and watch the video for “When I Take a Step Back.” And do let me know what you think of this Dutch beauty!

“My Day” feat. Mar

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“Poor Boy”

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If you didn’t catch Suncircle’s debut album, Reborn, which came out last month on the Futuristica Music label and features the wonderful vocals of Deborah Jordan (Silhouette Brown, Masirah, Panacea) and who has appeared on some of future soul’s best works, laid over the the production of DJ Simon S; a really nice union.

I’ve always been a big fan of Deborah Jordan. Can you imagine what it would be like to be a child and have a mum who sings to you like Deborah?! You’d act up to ensure she’d sing to you…regularly! She has such a beautiful and pure sounding voice. Reborn is a chilled collection of tunes with wonderful funk based grooves, with jazz influences. I expect to hear elements of Reborn in films as it truly is mood music with an edge.

Below is the new video for “Stars Fall Down,” co-directed with Suncircle and Think Tank Collective. The setting is perfect, as “Stars Fall Down” has that contemplative feel to it; a video that compliments a song. Enjoy!

Let’s just say, there’s a lot of excitement surrounding the return of Gorillaz and they’ve started off on the good foot. Just hearing that the legendary Bobby Womack would be featured on their debut single, “Stylo,” is testament that Damon Albarn would be pushing Gorillaz further than before.

It’s hard to believe that this somewhat virtual band hit in 2001, bringing all influences into their production, with amazing visuals through video and live performance, and a vast array of musical artists. The next thing Gorillaz should do with the release of the Plastic Beach album, is complete the whole stylo with an animation movie. The band’s story is legend, “world-storming band born out of the sick mind of foul-smelling bass-player and ego-driven mastermind Murdoc Niccals.”

If you didn’t hear the single, check out the two versions below and let me know your thoughts on which one you prefer. The Chiddy Bang remix is available for free download, courtesy of RCRD LBL.

“Stylo” feat. Mos Def & Bobby Womack

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Stylo” feat. Mos Def & Bobby Womack (Chiddy Bang Remix) DOWNLOAD

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The name BUG has been floating around for a while, and I was happy to get this in my in-box this weekend! The 24-year-old Londoner, is a keyboard player, songwriter, and producer whose music is best described as experimental, with elements of hip-hop and neo-soul. “Cosmic Lab” is the first single from the forth-coming album from the new label Jus Like Music Records and is a free download. As his press release says, “Think the smooth richness of the DâM-FunK vibe, the solid construction of a Dilla beat, the electronic wizardry of Flying Lotus and the soulful melodies of Lonnie Liston Smith’s jazz.” His sound is really smooth; I’m digging it. Check it out below and head over to his Bandcamp page to get your FREE download of “Cosmic Lab” and “20 Winks”!

If Jack Kerouac was writing On the Road today, Citizen Cope would be his soundtrack. Cope can be described as an urban folk musician, singer, songwriter of folk, rock n’ roll, soul, funk, and hip hop, without removing the emotive elements of acoustic blues from his sound. His music is like a hot summer’s day, while drinking an ice cool drink and getting to a place of calm.

The Rainwater LP,  his third release, and on his own label, RainWater Recordings stays close to his distinctive style. Following the 10-song format of an LP, that can only hold 45-minutes of music, leaving no room for fillers — just a tightly produced album (and with that vinyl static sound effect throughout too). The Rainwater LP, is a capsule into the stories that have come into or around Cope’s life — personally or simply observed, and creating such vivid scenarios through song and mood. Collaborations are from Preston Crump (OutKast, Organized Noize, Raphael Saadiq), keyboardist James Poyser (D’Angelo, The Roots, Jill Scott, John Legend), percussionist Bashiri Johnson (Whitney Houston, Donald Fagen, Madonna), legendary go-go bassist Michael “Funky Ned” Neal, and DC go-go drummer Paul “Buggy” Edwards. They all bring their unique style creating a full and solid production.

From the release of his debut album Citizen Cope in 2002 and The Clarence Greenwood Recordings in 2006, his music has been featured in countless movies, television shows, and advertisements, most notably “Let The Drummer Kick” and “Bullet and a Target.” He also recorded a version of the Tom Waits gospel song, “Way Down In the Hole,” for HBO’s critically acclaimed series, The Wire; they ended up not using it – have no idea why, because it would have fit the show perfectly. Click on the link below to download it for free (courtesy of CitizenCope.com).

He is currently on his US tour to promote The Rainwater LP; visit CitizenCope.com to see where you can catch him live and also buy a digital copy of The Rainwater LP from the site. The album will be available everywhere March 16th.

Listen to a couple of cuts from the album below.

“Jericho”

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“I Couldn’t Explain Why”

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So here we have it! The first single, “Emotions,” which will be released March 16 and is taken from Ty’s forthcoming album, Special Kind of Fool album, scheduled to release April 19. The single will include remixes by Daz-I-Kue, Waajeed, Dego, and Akwasi. This is really an exciting project for Ty, as he’s taken a more person approach to its creation. “Emotions” sets the tone for the entire album, which is a reflection into who Ty is, his pleasures, struggles, and pain. Click below to hear “Emotions” and enjoy!

Firstly, if you’re a visitor of Muphoric Sounds, you’d know notable artists are selected based on what they are bringing differently to the stage. Baltimore native, CJ, who appeared on Raphael Saadiq’s last album The Way I See It on the song “Never Give You Up” (with Stevie Wonder) is just a young lad of 21-years-old, and is destined for a strong musical career. Watch the video below, where CJ is interviewed by DJ Driis (aka Idris Elba aka Stringer Bell aka Hot Man!). The Package Mixtape produced by Salaam Remi and DJ Driis, is a preview of what’s to come from CJ on J Records this summer. The album is produced by Bangladesh and written by CJ and will feature collaborations with Raphael Saadiq, Rico Love, Dre and Vidal, KP and Malay (Ghet-O-Vision) and Marsha Ambrosius. It highlights the extent of his range – he has an amazing voice (remnants of Marvin Gaye are present in his delivery and harmonies) and he also plays piano. While The Package Mixtape is very commercial, I thoroughly enjoyed how he has sprinkled in the classics (i.e. Don Blackman’s “Heart’s Desire”), all the while keeping it commercial enough for teens and older people to enjoy equally.

Check out my favs below and tell me what you think of this new artist. The Package Mixtape is available for free download here.

“She’s a Problem”

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“We Can Get It In”

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I apologise profusely for not showing any love to Andreya Triana, who has been working tirelessly creating some amazing music! If you’re unfamiliar or didn’t make the connection, Andreya Triana is the owner of the dreamy female vocals on Flying Lotus’s “Tea Leaf Dancers.” Her solo album is scheduled to release spring of this year (more eargasms!), and will be produced by musical partner Bonobo, the UK DJ/producer primarily known for his downtempo electronic sounds. Bonobo’s new album, Black Sands is scheduled to release March 29th and features Andreya on a track called “Eyesdown” (check out the sample below). We’re going to hear a lot from this UK native this year. Click through to Andreya’s Myspace page for tour dates; the tour is pretty extensive. I’m pleased to see she’ll be doing two April dates in my city.

“Eyesdown” feat. Andreya Triana from Black Sands by Bonobo

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Video for “Lost Where I Belong”

The “Year of the Eargasm” is in full swing. New music from Janelle Monáe!! “Tightrope” features Big Boi (Outkast) and is the first taste from her forthcoming album The Arch Android, to be released on her own independent label, Wondaland Arts Society, a subsidiary of Bad Boy/Atlantic, May 18. Not sure if with this release will be the start of the original plan — which is to serialize releases due to the changed face of how people buy music now; we would gladly welcome receiving music from Ms. Monáe quarterly and hope that plan still stands.

“Tightrope” is typical high energy Monáe, with that funky James Brown-esque flavour. I can see her performing this already and I can’t wait! You’ll be able to purchase the single from Jonelle Monáe’s website as of tomorrow. But in the meantime, check it out below and let me know if you’re excited! I know I am!

“Tightrope” feat. Big Boi

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