Music maestro, Mark Ronson will be releasing his third studio album Record Collection, in September—another 2010 album of anticipation. The prolific producer has a slew of people cued up for this album, including Santigold, Rose Eleanor Dougall, Spank Rock, Miike Snow, Boy George, Jonathan Pearce (The Drums), Nick Hodgson (Kaiser Chiefs), and Dave McCabe (The Zutons).

“Bang Bang Bang” is such a fun tune featuring Amanda Warner aka MNDR and hip hop icon Q-Tip. Like 80s synthesized new wave, MNDR wailing vocals, will have you thinking Santigold, tinged with some Björk. Her vocals start off with a lazy tonality (and not in a bad sense) and then grows into something truly melodic and beautiful.

Below is the video for the “Circuit Breaker” which will also be on the album. “Bang Bang Bang“ is the first single from Record Collection, and received its debut play on Zane Lowe’s Radio 1 show on Tuesday. (Thanks to The Fader for finding the  download link!) The video for “Bang Bang Bang” is soon to come as it was recently recorded in LA. Looking forward to that! Enjoy the tunes below.

“Bang Bang Bang” feat. MNDR and Q-Tip (Download)

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Last month, we shared this wonderful group The Opus from Chicago, where their EP Praying Mantis was available for free download (read piece here). The album has now been released and includes a five additional tunes that weren’t available on the EP. Muphoric Sounds were able to get their hands on limited edition copies of the CD, where the album cover delves further with their praying mantis, a world that has become desolate and overcome by the attack of grasshoppers. The artwork is by Albane. Visit their site to view more of their work www.albane.ultra-book.com.

The Opus has given us and additional copy of the Plus Edition for giveaway! To win a copy, send an email to contests at muphoricsounds dot com, by June 8, 2010 for a random drawing. You will be notified via email, if you are the winner! (We dislike spam as much as you do; your contact information will never be sold or rented, in compliance with US Spam Laws.) So get yourself in it, to win it, and share the word with your friends.

Check out “Constellation Nine” below and then enter to win at contests at muphoricsounds dot com!

“Constellation Nine”

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Tracey Thorn’s following stretches back to her days as the lead singer of English duo Everything But the Girl and with her work with Massive Attack. Everything But the Girl’s biggest hit was in 1995 with DJ Todd Terry’s remix of “Missing” from “Amplified Heart.” She opted out of the spotlight after her major success to start a family, and returned in 2007 with her solo CD Out of the Woods.

Her sabbatical is now over and Tracey has given us a new cd titled Love and Its Opposite and it is her most adult CD to date. Love and Its Opposite looks at relationships and the thorny underbelly of being with a long term partner. Opening with “Oh, the Divorces,” Tracey takes us inside a relationship coming undone with lines like “he was a charmer/I wish him bad karma.” She lets us see how both parties cheating lead to divorce using texts and other modern day devices. The very beautiful “Late in the Afternoon” is a lover lamenting the loss of romance because of knowing each others warts and all. Although “Why Does the Wind” is the most uptempo track on the entire CD, it is still about the loss of love. Yes, this is not a record you want to play for your honey unless you are at the end of your rope. There are two covers on the CD “Come on Home to Me” by Lee Hazlewood and “You are a Lover” by The Unbending Trees.

Here are “Why Does the Wind” and “Oh, the Divorces” for your listening pleasure. Love and Its Opposites can be purchased on iTunes. Be sure to check out Tracey’s website at www.traceythorn.com and follow her on Twitter. Ciao.

“Why Does the Wind”

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“Oh! the Divorces”

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Also check out the video of Tracey Thorn on Later with Jools Holland.

I first became a fan of Jamie Lidell when I saw him perform on Live with Jools Holland and then I was hooked. Clearly, here was a young Englishman living in Berlin but with an appreciation for American soul music. Jamie Lidell’s voice is tinged with old school Motown which was beautifully showcased on his previous cds JIM (2008) and Multiply (2005). JIM went on to win the Best Pop/Rock Album at the 8th Annual Independent Music Awards in 2009 and his song “Multiply” was featured on an episode of Grey’s Anatomy. He has also collaborated with Feist, Gonzales, Mocky, and with British electronic duo Simian Mobile Disco on their song “Off the Map.”

His new release Compass, produced with the help of Beck, he is keeping the funk and soul right up front and wrapping it in electronic beats. “I Wanna Be Your Telephone” feels like a song The Time would have sung back in the day, and you can imagine Jamie doing a duet with Morris Day. “She Needs Me” is Jamie’s ode to love and wanting to be in a relationship and “The Ring” is love that got away. All of the songs on Compass are about love in all of its manifestations, and my favorite song on the CD is “Compass” which is heavy on the acoustic guitar and strings. At times I felt that “Compass” was too noisy and would have liked to hear more of Jamie’s gorgeous voice. I do love that he keeps pushing his creativity with each cd never settling for the tried and true, and that is why “Compass” deserves repeated plays. Check out “I Wanna Be Your Telephone” and “She Needs Me” below and visit jamielidell.com to learn more about his amazing artist. Compass is available for purchase on iTunes. Ciao.

“Coma Chameleon”

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“She Needs Me”

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Here’s the first video from the YahZarah‘s new album, The Ballad of Purple Saint James. I love this song, it has a vintage Prince sound, high energy, rocking guitars, coupled with YahZarah‘s vocals; it’s a winner! The video is fun, psychedelic, and features a lot of cameos — from producers Nicholay, Phonte (getting his Soul Glo on!), to fellow singers Raye 6, Jesse Boykins III and more. Check it out and enjoy!

Wow, is all I can say! One thing that is awesome about Peter Hadar is his live performance and the band; they are tight!!! This video gives a glimpse at what Peter Hadar is like live, with a stylish panoramic views of the audience and the band. The video was filmed by Creative Control as part of their partnership with Peter on his upcoming album Take Off Victoria. Peter will be at Ella’s again tonight with Nikki Ntu. Check out the flyer for show details.

Amir ”Oddisee” Mohamed, is a familiar name in rap music, part of the Diamond District trio with yU and X.O., and founder of the label Mello Music Group. Odd is part of a music series which conveys the feeling of each season with each EP aptly titled Odd Summer, Odd Autumn, Odd Winter, and the latest, Odd Spring are a collection of tunes which do exactly that. The samples and influences are clear, with instrumentals that build in a progressive nature, as a metaphor to renewal, the season which spring represents. Check out the tunes below, then head over to Oddisee‘s bandcamp page to download these seasonal gems.

And big thanks to Put Me On It for putting us on this!

The android Cindi Mayweather, the alterego of Janelle Monáe, is here in the funky and eclectic The ArchAndroid Suite II & III, the followup to Monáe‘s debut EP, Metropolis: The Chase Suite, which takes us back (and forward) to a futuristic world like one that was depicted by Fritz Lang in his 20s silent film, Metroplis. If the film was remade today and with sound, The ArchAndroid Suite II & III would be apropos. Covering all types of musical genres, from rock to punk to afrobeat to pop and ambient, her clean vocals and lyrics make you have to listen to it a few times as you enter the world of Cindi Mayweather.

If some of you are missing Björk, with The ArchAndroid Suite II & III, we have gained a new artist who is just as eccentric, yet Monáe still applies her soul and R&B influence, capturing an array of moods as the cinematic story of Cindi Mayweather unfolds. The album highlights are with afropunk headliner, poet, singer, and musician Saul Williams on “Dance or Die,” which is an afrobeat infected tune, where Monáe speaks her lyrics in unison to the beat of the drum. “Mushrooms and Roses” with its ode to Hendrix in sound and “57821” which recreates the flower power era is refreshing as it is relaxing. The debut song off the album, “Tightrope” featuring Big Boi from Outkast, has that funky James Brown type funk where you just want to get up and dance. The robotic arrangement and youth-like vocals for “Wondaland” makes you wonder, “Where is Andre 3000 on this album?!” Monáe‘s sound is Atlanta and more. “Cold War” is one of those tunes that let you know, a star has been born on The ArchAndroid Suite II & III.

Check out a couple of tunes below, then head over to iTunes and get yourself a copy of The ArchAndroid Suite II & III; it will be money well spent!

“Wondaland”

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“Dance or Die” feat. Saul Williams

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This is one of those tracks that caught me right away. The LP, Brazil: Songs of Protest by singer Zelia Barbosa was released sometime in 1968 on Monitor Records. “Funeral Do Lavrador” is a breathtaking and beautiful song about a rough fact of life—work! The song comes from an LP about the poor and working class people of the Sertao or countryside and the Favela, in northeastern Brazil. There is very little information about the song’s vocalist and the musicians involved and most of what has been said is by other music collectors or DJ’s. The album has been archived by The Smithsonian Institute and DJ’s Kon & Amir used “Opinao” from the same album for their tune, “Off Track.”

The things that struck me as unique about this song were its deceiving tempo, the instrumentation, and the incredible vocal phrasing of Zelia. It starts off simple enough with guitar, bass, drums, and what sounds like a cowbell. Es una marcha, a march, a walk, or stroll that immediately grabbed my attention after putting this on my turntable seven years ago. Zelia’s words were code to me, since I do not speak Brazilian Portuguese, but the spirit and mood of the song is un-mistakable. Sombor, proud, tired, yet defiant. Picture Ms Barbosa at a man’s funeral who has literally worked himself to death as she chants phrases about where this man is laid to rest, with the song building until the last word of a eulogy has been spoken. Like this song, the rest of the LP is charged with subjects about workers, the land, and the perspective of every day people against injustice. Thanks to DJ Alma’s Soul Food Blog for the tracks. Listen up!

“Funeral Do Lavrador” taken from the album Brazil: Songs of Protest

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I don’t know about you, but I always dig Mayer Hawthorne’s videos. Dummy perfection; quite sad really, but with what’s out there, haha… I can understand!

The story of ArinMaya is one of strength and unparalleled determination. The girl is bad to the bone. Hailing from Chicago, this Howard University and Standford alumni, now residing in the borough of Brooklyn, is a colourful mixture of styles in art and sound. Her poetry contains a realism that forces you into a “Yes girl, speak to me!” and her delivery comes from the soul.

Her debut EP, The Sound of ArinMaya, is a mellow collection of songs about life, love, self-expression, and being at peace with oneself with textured layered soul vocals, against jazzy afrobeat music, making her delivery nothing short of heartfelt. Check out my favourite below then scoot over to Bandcamp to hear the full EP.

Clearly, politics was what was on Massive Attack‘s mind at the wake of Britain’s conservative party take over. As the group’s co-founder, Robert “3D” Del Naja told the audience, “They say you get what you deserve. Tonight you’ve got us,” a reference to the day’s top news story.

Massive Attack’s last show in New York at the Roseland in 2006, the duo played their chilling sonic sounds with LED lights as the stage’s backdrop, adding a visual aura to their sound. This time around at New York’s Terminal 5 on May 11, 2010, they used the space not only as visual stimulation, but also to broadcast harrowing statistics, revolutionary facts and quotes by like minded thinkers, such as Howard Zinn (who passed away earlier this year) and the late Malcolm X, with the occasional reference to www.peoplespeak.com – a movement inspired by cultural critic and historian, Howard Zinn.

Equip with their prime artists, roots reggae singer Horace Andy, Martina Topley Bird (known largely for her work with Trip Hop pioneer, Tricky), and Deborah Miller, each delivered their tunes with heart, and performing songs mainly from Massive Attack‘s new album Heligoland and their seminal album Mezzanine for a two hour set. Deborah Miller‘s performances of “Safe From Harm” and “Unfinished Sympathy” were truly amazing. Considering Miller wasn’t the vocalist on the original recording of “Unfinished Sympathy,” she has taken it and made it her own. Check out the medley put together from the show. Enjoy!

A few years ago, Arnaud “Onra” Bernard traveled to his father’s birthplace, Vietnam, and after spending some time at a Vietnamese orphanage, he was inspired to create music with a difference. The Parisian producer incorporated Chinese symphonies and J Dilla infused beats where the end result was Chinoiseries, a perfect blend of Asian and contemporary sounds. He is now known for traveling the world researching native sounds to create something new or simply revisiting its beauty.

Now tapping into the soul grooves of the 80s, his latest EP Long Distance is somewhat of a revival. While the sound is one we’ve heard before, it’s wonderful to listen to an era whose formation is somewhat lost. Enlisting the talent of Oliver DaySoul for the title tune “Long Distance,” will make you want to dig into your own collection for some Curtis Hairston, Light of the World, Steve Arrington (who has new music coming soon with DâM-FunK!), and the like. Long Distance includes a cover of SOS Band‘s “High Hopes,” where Onra keeps the song close to its original form using the Missouri native singer, Reggie B.

Long Distance is an appreciation of an era that was filled with party anthems that included heavy laid funk grooves, synths, and soulful vocals, with musical changes capable of changing your dance moves. Being that we all know “High Hopes,” check out “Long Distance” and let me know what you think.

Long Distance feat. Oliver DaySoul

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Long Distance is available on iTunes; get yourself a copy!

What’s so great about Flying Lotus, is that he constantly looks for new ways of expression through sound. C O S M O G R A M M A is FlyLo (Steven Ellison) pushing himself to new heights, showing the slew of like-minded producers, that his style is unparalleled.

C O S M O G R A M M A, his second album on Warp Records, the perfect home for this experimental producer who hails from California. With collaborations from former Suicidal Tendencies bassist Stephen “Thundercat” Bruno, Rebekah Raff, Dorian Concept, Ravi Coltrane, Laura Darlington, and Radiohead‘s Thom Yorke, the experience is not only of sound, but also an arresting of your senses.

Listen to a couple of cuts off the album below. “Dance of the Pseudo Nymph” is a radical spin on David Sancious‘ “Just As I Thought,” which was recently revamped by Bembe Segue for her “Sense of Humor” and Erykah Badu‘s “Agitation.” It’s refreshing to hear the tune interpreted FlyLo style.

Warp has an exclusive free download of three tunes that do not appear on C O S M O G R A M M A – “Ancestors,” “Quakes,” and “Photo Shoot (Gucci Mane Remix).” You can get your download from the following link!

“Dance of the Pseudo Nymph”

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“Computer Face/Pure Being”

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Check out Clash‘s interview with FlyLo. C O S M O G R A M M A hit stores today and can be purchased on iTunes and Amazon.

The cover art for this EP piqued my curiosity, but due to the schedule being insanely busy, I didn’t get a chance to “click & listen.” Then miraculously, I received a nudge via email from Bobby Blunt, telling me to check it out. From the start, the vibe, the lyrical flow, and the content, had me instantaneous nodding my head.

Petey’s Soapbox is inspired by the life of shock jock Petey Greene, whose radio show was the launch pad for Howard Stern‘s radio career. His prolific life was chronicled in the film Talk to Me, starring Don Cheadle. Petey’s Soapbox is the spirit of Greene, which is a fearless one. As Bobby Blunt says, “Petey’s Soapbox is dedicated and created in the spirit of the unpopular truth.”

From the opening, MC Bobby Blunt (from Virginia) and producer, Grand Ear (from Pittsburgh) capture his essence against vintage style beats that perfectly match the tone of the EP, which is fast, rabid, in your face, and better yet, in your ear! What better way to pay homage to a distinctive person? Check out “Uptown” below and then click over to Bobby Blunt’s Bandcamp to hear the full EP. *Remember, support independent artists who provide muphoric pleasure.

Download of “Uptown”

Download of “Watermelon”