Tanya Auclair is one of those quintessential artists, a non-conformist pushing themselves through boundaries to move out of comfort-zones. With the release of her debut EP last July, Thrum, which brought in sounds of the doowop and electronica with raw drum and guitar melodies, it was no surprise that she ended up collaborating with Tomatom the French aka Yult, with The Animal Inside back in February of this year. Now with the release of her second EP, Origami, where the themes take from the Ancient art form of the triptych, which is three-part panels of pictures or carvings placed together — in the instance of Origami — it is the stories about making (Origami), change, (Sverige) and chance (Fluke), basically describing Tanya‘s musical journey. Her use of the ukulele, a microkorg, bass, the mbira, and her voice, give us these uncanny sounds that are refreshing to hear during these times of over production. Check out “Fluke” short video below, which is directed by Eleni Savvidou, then head over to her Bandcamp page to get a free download. First 1000 downloads are free; so act now!

Tanya Auclair – Origami EP Trailer from Tanya Auclair on Vimeo.

It’s been quite some time since we’ve featured Muhsinah on Muphoric Sounds. We introduced you to her work with Oscillations. Now she’s about to hit us with her next project, entitled Gone and first single, which is a free download is “How Great.” It’s true Muhsinah—layered vocals and harmonies that are airy and free. With “How Great,” she stretches herself beyond the sounds of nu soul or its various iterations, and moves solidly into the alternative. She’s uber talented woman, who started her career by making productions in her bedroom and posting them onto Youtube. “How Great” is a heavy rotation tune, with those melancholy piano chords and a reverberating bass line which gives the tune light punk rock edge. So check it out and add it to your collection by downloading it below.

“How Great” [DOWNLOAD]

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At first, hearing about Elzhi doing a tribute of Nas‘s Illmatic, I was dubious about the project. How can one do a reworking of what was, and still is, a perfect album? Illmatic was released the spring of 1994, when Nas was only twenty years old. 1994 was the year we received Notorious B.I.G.‘s Ready to Die, Gang Starr‘s Hard to Earn, Pete Rock & CL Smooth‘s Main Ingredient, Jeru the Damaja‘s The Sun Rises in the East, Digable Planet‘s Blowout Comb, Keith Murray‘s The Most Beautifullest Thing in the World, Craig Mack‘s Flavor in Ya Ear, Lords of the Underground, Organized Konfusion, to name a few. East Coast rap was alive and thriving. It hadn’t started drinking gin ‘n juice nor partying hard with Puffy and friends, as Jeru the Damaja rapped on “One Day.”

Elzhi has breathed more life into Illmatic with his tribute Elmatic, and in doing so, he has pushed himself lyrically and sonically, translating Nas‘s storytelling into stories of now, confined to Detroit streets and realism. Not taking anything away from the original, but magnifying musical arrangements by bringing live instrumentation. Elmatic is pure labour of love, produced entirely by funk fusion band Will Sessions, who have worked with Black Milk, Mayer Hawthorne, Slum Village, and Guilty Simpson.  The album has appearances by MC Royce da 5’9, Stokely Williams from Mint Condition, and also Pete Rock, who was one of the original producers of Illmatic alongside DJ Premier, Large Professor, Q-Tip, and L.E.S. All I can say, ”It’s Elmatic, shout outs to the homey, nah son, words from the wise one, make both your eyes run.” I often revisit Illmatic, and now I can include Elmatic to extend my Illmatic-isms. Get your Free Download right now! You’ll have it on heavy rotation!

“Genesis”

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“One Love”

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And check out the video for “Half Time.”

Back in March, we put you on to the sounds of Mar and his variations, with “Variations 1 + 2“, which were a combination of smooth new soul fused with jazz, and the grit of dubstep. The third variation is provided by DC producer Oddisee, a track of the same title taken from his West Coast Beat album. Though the music remains in its original form, the addition of Mar‘s vocals turn it into something deliciously sexy, as he dedicates the song to “the hard working girls” out in the world. Check out the equally sexy and suggestive video below and get your free download of the track HERE!

I know, I know, Muphoric Sounds has become a love letter to all things Little Dragon – but how could it not!

The Fader compares this new tune, “Wildfire” from South London tribal mask wearing producer/DJ SBTRKT to what an Aaliyah / Timbaland production would sound like, if she were still with us today. And on third listen, I have to agree — SBTRKT‘s production with Yukimi Nagano‘s unmistakable vocals is pure pleasure. “Wildfire” actually starts off sounding quite circa 1985, during the era when R&B skirted with computerized production, turning into a melodic dub step groove. “Wildfire,” would be that slow jam.

SBTRKT‘s self entitled album is scheduled for June 28th release on the Young Turks label. Be prepared for some real ear poppin’ sounds. A trip to SBTRKT‘s Soundcloud wouldn’t go amiss either – go and get your mind twisted!

Free Download – “Wildfire”

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This is an aspect of being an indi artists that’s organic and democratic. In May 2009, Bay Area producer, Trackademics did a new wave, computerized-like remix of Little Dragon‘s “After the Rain” (to hear Trackademics‘ and Floating Points versions, click here). The band must have liked it so much, they commissioned Trackademics to remix “Looking Glass,” which is taken from their latest album, Machine Dreams. I love when a producer reinterprets a song, giving it an entirely new face. This is dope — check it out below.

Little Dragon – “Looking Glass” (Trackademick’s Gazer Remix)

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Shout out to Moovmnt.com for DOWNLOAD link!

Every time LunchBox Theory sends out their email blast to promote their monthly AfroBeat For Ya Soul night, I get excited as the announcement comes with audible treats from their resident DJ, DJ Underdog. The latest mix, Africa UnDONE, is somewhat special—it marks LunchBox Theory‘s 2nd year anniversary and a redesign of their site. So it’s a full-on celebration of much success, taking place, tomorrow night, Thursday, March 31!

DJ Underdog is so skillful in how he finds the perfect song and puts his own spin on it, to a perfect theme. Africa UnDONE brings in themes of industrialization with African roots at the forefront. It’s a great mix of afro-beats, funk, and soulful house fusions. You’ll want to play this at home, in your car, with your friends.

I definitely plan on visiting the DMV area this summer to specifically attend LunchBox Theory’s “AfroBeat For Ya Soul” party! With DJ Underdog throwing down tunes like what he’s demonstrated over the past two years—the parties must be musical heaven. If you’re in the DMV area, you can get event details for AfroBeat for Ya Soul here. And if you’re like me–a little (or greatly) geographically challenged, then Africa UnDONE will appease you in the meantime. Enjoy this FREE DOWNLOAD, in courtesy of LunchBox Theory and Underdog The DJ!

Yes, this project sounds nothing short of FRESH! Philadelphia native, HEZEKiAH (emcee, producer, and songwriter) who has worked with a slew of Illadephia artists, has teamed up with San Diego native singer/songwriter, iSHE for what was initially supposed to be an EP, but once they started working together, they decided to do a full album. Scheduled to hit June 1st, and every two weeks starting today, they will post a taster for us to chew on. “Stand Guard” is the first appetizer, with iSHE‘s no nonsense delivery — you better back off because her man “ain’t no captain save a hoe,” she’s standing guard; he’s worth it! Check it out below. Looking forward to hearing the finished project.

STAND GUARD by iSHE’

I came across Nakia Henry during the Myspace heydays — before Muphoric Sounds was even thought of — and remembered her name based on her risqué style, where she turns voyeurism on its head with stunning photography that one has to stop and take note. Her most recent release, Love Letter EP, is a lush track that has all the elements of a 70s groove, reminiscent of William DeVaughn’s “Be Thankful for What You Got” or a Jill Scott track from her first album, where Nakia speaks a perfect love, with someone who’s understanding, supportive, someone who allows her to be free. In part two of “Love Letter,” Nakia stretches the song further vocally and lyrically, where a heavy bass groove, in care of producer, Kenneth Bentley arrests the tune as Farrah Burns and Saddi Khali provide equally compelling lyrics in rhyme over the track. I don’t know how I missed “Love Letter”! Check it out below, if you haven’t heard it yet!

Check out the video below, so you can see this Detroit native her in action.

I stumbled across this rare gem in a walk through musical cyberspace. A shining stone that is the collaboration between producer Mario Sweet and vocalist Crystal “Malice” Sweet. These two have made some music that is not only strong and relevant without really proclaiming it. Their sound is clean, melodic, professional, and dare I say it, right on time. I was just lamenting in a post about the lack of beautiful duets like Donny and Roberta, and here come these two. A married couple from Seattle who made their first single, “Speed of Light,” produced by Tall Black Guy, one of my favorite songs of the year already.

All the way from Seattle, Washington, Mario & Malice are both known for their work with the group The Physics. Their EP starts with one of the illest beats I’ve heard in any music genre in years with a syncopation and delay of voice that would make Jay Dee proud. On their solo vocal tracks, I am both impressed and pleased by the truthful and effortless soul I hear. The EP features Blue Scholars MC Geo and vocalist Choklate, while ranging in production from folks such as Roy Ayers, Justo, Kuddie Fresh, 10.4 Rog, and Vitamin D. With past legends like Sir Mix A Lot and hard workers such as Jake One and Vitamin D, stay tuned for more from Seattle y’all. You can get  a free download of this from their website MarioSweet.com.

“Speed of Light”

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“Mario”

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Rudoo is a séance, willing D’Angelo to give the people what they want. And our job is to play it regularly for D’Angelo to feel our collective spiritual energy while we play it, and he walk his arse to the studio! It has been 11 years since the release of his sophomore album, Voodoo, and was a stark contrast in approach to his debut release Brown Sugar. To compare the two albums, Brown Sugar was a composition of great individual songs, while Voodoo was a vibe, a feeling, a way of life that D’Angelo was delivering. I say the same thing about Erykah Badu‘s Mamas Gun — pouring of the soul into a project. How can we not miss D’Angelo?!

Daru Jones, clearly is feeling what we all feel, and has reinterpreted Voodoo, by giving it heavier basslines and percussive beats, making it funkier than ever before. In some places while listening to it, the thought of J Dilla nodding in approval at Rudoo enters my brain. Daru Jones turns something that is a soulful vibe and brushes it with cadences of hip hop. I’m digging this. Check out a couple of tracks below, and as a courtesy from Rusic Records, you can get a free download of Rudoo at this LINK.

Left & Right (Future-Funk ’11)

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One Mo’ Yea Beat

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One aspect of blogging is an inundated email box. There really isn’t enough time in the day to get through all the music one receives. CitySparks tweeted me a link to check out his The Wanderers EP. The timing was perfect; I had a few moments to spare. I was sold from the first track! Listening to The Wanderers I became reflective on how much talent there is out there in the world. At this very moment of my writing this post, someone is composing a hot beat, a fly rhyme, a cool vibe, you name it; it’s a creative circus.

Producer/emcee, CitySparks is a New Orleans native, who’s heavily influenced by Dilla and the Golden Era of hip hop. Due to hip hop’s commercialism, it’s always a joy to hear rap that sounds authentic, with positive and conscious lyrics, without the contrite that permeates the industry. On “Green Light Moves,” CitySparks talks of the superficiality of the industry — “Twitter have a nigga feeling like he’s above par / they can call in gym socks and shove it in any body’s jaw.” Technology has given some people bigger mouths to blow hot air. I’m digging this guys stuff – especially the samples. Check out “Sense” below which features another emcee,  Lyrikill. You can visit CitySparks‘ Blog, where he posts his latest projects and you and also follow him on Twitter at @MileHighLife.

This is was a nice little surprise! Tomorrow’s Not Promised, which features Reggie B on vocals and production and Saadiq, from the renowned and influential group Platinum Pied Pipers, on the production. The Tomorrow’s Not Promised four-song EP, was written during the time in which Saadiq produced Reggie B‘s Go and Get Down With Me album.  These tunes are very sexy, where Reggie B vocals travel in soothing waves. The opening track, “Suga Mama” is true Platinum Pied Pipers production— which is to find the right artists that match their production perfectly. Saadiq is keeping the Platinum Pied Pipers formula alive with Reggie B. The title song, “Tomorrow’s Not Promised” makes me think of a Prince and Michael Jackson mélange – Reggie B singing softly, while the music contains elements of Prince. Check out “Tomorrow’s Not Promised” below and the head over to the Bandcamp page to purchase your download.

J*Davey have been off the radar for a minute. The last release we received from them was the start of their The Great Mixtape series last April, starting with Boudoir Synema.  The Evil Christian Cop — a 5-song EP, that’s available for free download — begins with a soft pop-like down-tempo cover of Nivana‘s infamous “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” which compliments Jack‘s voice; the staid version brings forth how great a song it will always be.

With the release of this mixtape, J*Davey announced their tour, which kicks off in San Francisco through to Austin for the SXSW music conference in March, in April they’ll tour the East, and then in May they’ll tour Europe. Fellow West Coast rapper blu will join them during the tour. (*San Francisco date is March 10th at 330 Ritch and the New York date is April 5th at S.O.B.s.) I’m quite looking forward to this as I’ve never seen them live and heard they give a great show.

Check out the tune and video below of J*Davey talking about their upcoming plans, then head over to Bandcamp to get your digital download.

French producer, Tomatom the French aka Yult, has teamed up with London-based singer-songwriter Tanya Auclair for his new project The Animal Inside EP. Yult is one of those producers who cannot be pigeonholed; his sounds pull from many disciplines, styles and genres, such as jazz, hip hop, afro beats, and dub. The pairing of Yult with Tanya Auclair is perfect match. Tanya’s no stranger to the alternative scene — her debut EP Thrum was released last summer, and was a solid display of her vocal abilities; the sound arrangements were minimal and allowed her to layer her vocals to fill each track. If you didn’t get a chance to hear it, you can check it out here. The opening track, “Inland Empire” is about reclaiming your land, but is actually about taking back your life, being in control and the production flows like a tribal warrior to a beat. If The Animal Inside was to be compared, it has the darkness of Portishead but also the playfulness of Lee Scratch Perry, then add Tanya Auclair‘s vocals and songwriting makes each song complete. The Animal Inside released today, and the first 1000 downloads are free; so you better click here to get it! Check out “Mark Your Way.”