LunchBox Theory, are a group of people who host a slew of events in the DC area. Their signature Afro-Beat For Ya Soul! party is scheduled for Thursday, April 29th at Bossa Lounge, featuring DJ Underdog and Slimkat78 with a live performance provided by The Cornel West Theory performing Fela covers. As a warm-up to the party, DJ Underdog has put together fab mix called Africa Africa Africa, a selection of afro-beat tunes which include remixes of various artists such as Madlib, Fela, Karizma, and many more. This mix is FREE, so visit LunchBox Theory‘s Bandcamp page and get your download! For those of you in the DC-area, this is a party not to be missed. Go to LunchBox Theory for full event details.

It’s not everyday you run in to an album and it becomes the perfect soundtrack to whatever it is that you’re doing. That is the brilliance behind The Opus and their latest EP, Praying Mantis. Their production can be described as instrumental downtempo, experimental, hip-hop, with the dark cynicism of trip-hop. The Opus consists of Mr. Echoes and The Isle of Weight, who both hail from Chicago. Having worked with many artists who embrace their dark sound, such as Earatik Statik, Pigeon John, I Self Devine (From the Micronots), Aesop Rock, Murs, Slug (from the group Atmosphere), conformists, they are not (check out the cover art for the EP – which was designed by Albane Simon). Their main collaboration has been with the group Rubberoom, where they toured with an explosive stage performance matched with solid beats. Combining their eerie and hypnotic sound, which is reminiscent of Massive Attack, but with a hip hop flare, it is definitely refreshing to hear a group like The Opus.

Listen to a couple of tunes below and let us know your thoughts on this group. Their music is like a journey; you have to stay the course. You can download the EP from their bandcamp page, here.

“Serpent’s Fruit”

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“Divorced”

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So if you’re able to make this show, we suggest that you go and see Res! Get a bus ticket, rent a car, bum a ride, whatever you can; Res gives a great performance. She’s performing in her home town, Philly, so it’s sure to contain her usual intimacy, if not more. Tickets can be purchased from Johnny Brenda’s here!

A little late in posting this one but as always, Janelle Monae gives a stunning performance in the video for “Tightrope.” The album, The ArchAndroid hits stores May 18th, but can be pre-ordered from here – you’ll get immediate downloads of the singles “Coldwar” and “Tightrope,” plus artwork.

We seem to be clamoring at Jay Electronica‘s every word. Anything that hits, starts a media frenzy. It’s unfathomable why he does not have an album to his name yet! The following track is the theme music to the new Direct-to-DVD documentary, entitled A Million in the Morning, a documentary which follows Gavin McInnes as he stays awake for 5 days to compete for a Guinness Book of World Record for the person to watch the most consecutive movies without sleeping. What you get is an unraveling of a guy as he begins to loose his chops. The track is dark and has that harrowing feel, which is probably perfect for the movie’s subject. Check out the trailer below to hear the tune and let me know what you think!

Thanks to our friends over at Nah Right for providing links to download the tune – UserShare and MediaFire. The DVD can also be purchased through Amazon.

It’s finally here!!! The full album by UK rapper Ty! This is definitely one of the most anticipated albums for the year to come out of the UK. Ty has taken a more personal approach to Special Kind of Fool than his previous works, from the people he got to collaborate, to the actual lyrical content of each song. He truly has grown into being an artist whose authenticity shines through.

Muphoric Sounds was able to take a sneak peak at Special Kind of Fool before its release where Ty‘s precursor was, “There’s no Dilla samples or me trying to sound like Sa-Ra; it’s just me.” He in no way is minimizing these artists, he is simply claiming his stake in originality and individuality.

With each listen of Special Kind of Fool, you get a sense of Ty‘s alignment to the world about him. Rather than rapping about what’s hot, and what’s not, he chose to talk about the ever present issues of mankind, from love, vulunerability, to happiness and pain. Never being overtly political, just highlighting reality, Special Kind of Fool takes the course of being redemptive. With lines like, “Despite what the majors say/you can dumb down the music and make everybody dance/but you can’t take the pain away,” is coming from someone who knows that he has the power to affect lives through his work in music and art. Special Kind of Fool is testament to one who lives by what he speaks.

Containing a lovely mix of artist appearances by Erik Rico, lovers rock singer, Carroll Thompson, Shaun Escoffery, Terri Walker, and Anthony Mills, Special Kind of Fool is solid, the kind of music for all occasions and ages. Makes me proud to be a fellow South Londoner (that’s how we do!).

Check out some of my favourites below and head over to iTunes, or his label BBE to purchase your copy. Let’s create traction by supporting independent artists and getting this hugely talented fellow on some national charts!

“Me” feat. Erik Rico

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“Wait” feat. Leo Ihenacho & Soweto Kinch

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Daru Jones, Brooklyn-based drummer and producer, has started a new monthly project, entitled RUSIC. His mission for the project is, “to challenge myself by releasing one RUSIC project per month, to showcase indie artists in coordination with the RUSIC sound. Each project has a different theme in order to showcase my diversity, and convey a message, regardless of the form or genre.”

Starting with one of my favourite Swedish alternative soul singers Kissey Asplund, is no surprise. When producers hear Kissey on record, they seek her out and put her on a track or two, or as in this case, six. She has this sweet tonality, an inventive delivery, which gives her diversity and sets her apart from others. Daru being a killer on the drums, provides his signature hard slaps, coupled with Kissey applying additional sugar to the beat; this is such a great collaboration. Can’t wait for the next RUSIC!

Check out “Sweetest Day” below and head over to Daru‘s Bandcamp page for the free download. And remember, don’t be a hoard; share the wealth with your friends!

My fellow bloggers over at Jus Like Music and Apple Juice Break have joined forces to form a record company, Jus Like Music Records. Bloggers spend a lot of time scouting the net to find music to review, making connections with artists and PR companies to promote underground artists. Jus Like Music and Apple Juice Break joining forces is radical as it takes the act of blogging to accelerated heights. The Oscillations compilations are free digital downloads featuring European artists in the dub-step, electronica, hip-hop, neo-soul, broken beat, and experimental communities, giving them light to shine. Most of the artists are unsigned and the music was unreleased until now. Some of the artist include Slugabed, Alex B, Kidkanevil, Suzi Analogue, 00Genesis, Blue Daisy, Mr. Beatnick, Alex B, Oddisee, Greymatter, BUG, and Ghost. Both compilations are available on the Jus Like Music Bandcamp page for free download and each edition are pure gems that can be played for start to finish. Get your vibe going with some Oscillations!

If you know me personally, you would know that I’m referred to by friends as B-Sides and often get cursed out because I’m also a quasi-non-reggae listener. Coming from my pedigree, it’s actually a sacrilegious act. It’s not that I don’t like reggae — I do — I just don’t like listening to “new” reggae. I gravitate more toward the oldies—the 70s and 80s reggae classics. When I heard about Mos Dub, without listening to it, I instantly knew I’d love it. Mos Def has always had a “reggae” way about his flow, which was realised more on his first solo album, Black on Both Sides, on the track “Umi Says.” Mos Dub was put together by Brooklyn-based producer Max Tannone, who uses some of reggae’s ultimate classics, from The Harder They Come soundtrack to Horace Andy.

It’s a pretty dope collection. Check it out and let me know what you think. You can get the free download of Mos Dub from here!

Mos Dub by maxtannone

Ten years ago, Res hit us with her solo debut How I Do—a seminal album, which was far ahead of its time when it was released! The past year and a half, we have seen her in the group Idle Warship with Talib Kweli, and she also released her second album, Black.Girls.Rock. independently. Now on the verge of hitting us with some amazing music this year, Muphoric Sounds was able to catch Res live at Nona Hendryx‘s monthly “Unfiltered Music” series at SOB‘s, March 25, 2010. After seeing her live, we were blown away by how beautiful Res‘s voice is. In a way, the production of her debut album down played her vocal ability. This woman can truly SING! Her rich bravado is reminiscent of the legendary Stevie Nicks, then add a little soul, gives Res a unique and forever fresh vocal style.

Check out the interview below, which documents the event and showcases Res in action; a very cool woman. Hope you enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making it! For Vimeo users, you can view the video here.

It’s hard to call Pittsburgh producer BusCrates, a newcomer because he is so well seasoned in what he does.

Starting his career in music back in 2001, he immersed himself in the production of music, experimenting with sound with various beat makers, learning how to play the piano, and studying the styles of favored producers and DJ’s. BusCrates is what one would describe as a model student, who has now left classroom and is turning the heads of his teachers in proud awe. His beats have the fluidity to transform from hard to soft and between genres seamlessly. He definitely is a producer to keep an ear on.

Last year he released a 4-track instrumental EP on Harmony Society, produced two songs on Velben‘s album Creative Flowz, and produced Iman Williams‘s entire album, Stupid Human Trick album, which is set to release next month. He also has a solo project in production called Alarm Clock. But right now, he is giving away Two—a two-piece pack, containing two tunes “Captain Cool Out” and “Joker.” You’re going to like what you hear below, so here’s the link to get your free download.

Here’s the video for the feel good tune “Emotions” by UK rapper Ty! Capturing the essence of London urban life, with city and residential landscapes, this guy is the epitome of REAL! The video was directed and produced by Odyssey Media Collective and features cameos from Sarina Leah and Motet. The album, Special Kind of Fool hits stores April 19th on BBE records. It’s not long now!

This Alabama babe, Iman Williams, now residing in the Bay Area, has been working on her album for quite sometime and it’s what one would call a labour love. Releasing tasters since last year of various songs and remixes, you get a true sense of what Stupid Human Trick will evoke, and from what is out there, it’s raw emotion. With beautifully layered harmonies to match her smooth vocal style and insulating herself with amazing underground talent (BusCrates, Velben, Porsche Smith), Stupid Human Trick will touch our senses. Having the advantage of living between Alabama, Atlanta, and now Oakland, she has been able to connect with vast amount of producers, casting her net wider due to the accessibility the internet gives.

Being a product of the 80s, Iman‘s influences span through all the greats of that time. In her own words, Iman says, “The energy that I dispense from my music is coming directly from my soul. It’s my lyrics, [the] harmony I put in my music that makes it soul music.”

Check out a couple of featured tunes from Stupid Human Trick below and head over to iTunes to hear The Long Journey Back to Reality Pt. Deux EP, which was released back in January. Stupid Human Trick is scheduled to release next month.

“Ordinary Love”

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“I Confide” feat. Velben

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Keeping the window theme going, here’s the second video from J*DaVey‘s Boudoir Synema: The Great Mistapes EP. “Outta the Window,” is set against a idyllic landscape, where the very attractive duo, Jack Davey and Brook D’Leau, “summon the psychedelic indian on a quest for self-discovery in a desert wasteland.” It’s fresh! If you didn’t get a copy of this free download, it’s not too late! You can get it here.