When I hear music like this, I’m compelled to think that something is in the water the Europeans are drinking; this is some innovative stuff! Here is Jazzo & Melodiesinfonie, a production duo hailing from Zurich, Switzerland, who haven’t been sparing together in beats for long, only since last year. Influenced by the school of Flying Lotus, Samiyam, Dibiase, and Devonwho and then catching the ear of other Swiss producer/beatmaker Chief, who snatched them up for a release on his Feelin’ Music label.

Treeology Ep is 10 nature-based tracks, that will leave you green with envy, using themes from the earth and trees. Their sound toys with classic hip hop fused with electronica, building into sonic hypnotic beats, that sound far beyond their years. Check out “Tree Times” below and head over to the Feelin’ Music Bandcamp page to purchase your copy of this creative EP.

Shade Cobain is what I call a deep crate digger, where his selections are like going to school for a diploma on rare grooves! With Cobainish Theory, the 3rd installment to the Theory series, we are taken deeper into the musical mind of Shade Cobain. The head nod drum tracks will take you to a place in your solitary mind, with beats that recline you into grooves that  are relaxing and sensorial. You truly get a sense of who and what Shade Cobain is from these instrumentals, and he comes from the school of Jay Dilla and DJ Premiere.

If this is your first time hearing music by the Pittsburgh native, you can check out previous posts on his Theory Series (Cassette Theory – The Beat EP and The Anti-Love Theory) and bookmark his Bandcamp page - www.shadecobain.bandcamp.com.

And now we have it, here’s the video for Don-e‘s “Find You,” using the universally appealing R&B mix, which was actually the first version of the song I heard back in October. Looking forward to hearing the EP when it comes out later in year!

If you haven’t purchased your copy of “Find You“—which comes with 7 great versions of the track—it’s available on Soulm8.com and UK iTunes. Get it!

Let’s just call today, Little Dragon day! I wasn’t able to post this video earlier due to technical limitations but could not let this go unmentioned, especially being a mother myself of a pre-teen child. As mentioned earlier today, Little Dragon are hot on the promotion trail – touring Europe and the US, just finished shows at SXSW, and found time to take a trip to Staten Island’s Public School 22 (P.S. 22). These children are phenomenal! It’s initiatives like these that further illustrate the importance of music in schools. Children need to be rounded in academics, arts, and sports. Kudos to the music teacher for introducing independent music like Little Dragon to a younger generation, who ordinarily wouldn’t be exposed such music. Check out P.S. 22 perform “Twice” with Little Dragon. You might tear up watching this!

Oh how I love thee! Sweden’s Little Dragon have been incessantly touring Europe and the US and just finished live shows at SXSW to rave reviews, with their third album release at the helm. Making their debut US television performance on the Jimmy Kimmel Live show this week, they unveiled the title track from their new album, “Ritual Union“. Sounds like they’re staying close to the Machine Dreams formula, with the electro experimental pop sounds and Yukimi Nagano‘s effortless vocals weaving in and out. I don’t know about you, but I am totally in love with her voice; she can sing over anything and make it sound awesome. Below is a second track that was unleashed on the internets —  “Stå Upp”, which will also be on the album and is scheduled to release within the next month or so. I can’t wait! Enjoy!

“Stå Upp” (via East of LA) – Sorry track removed; was a leak and was unmastered.

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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One of the things about blogging that I like, is that you don’t have to adher to church and state rules. Off the bat, I’ve known Don-e over 20 years and he never ceases to amaze me! During our college years, we called him Little Stevie due to his insurmountable talent as a multi-instrumentalist and singer. I often bunked class just to sit and listen while the guys jammed and had fun. Being one of UK’s finest R&B artists to emerge in the early 90s, Don-e showed nothing but integrity and excellence in all that he has done. He’s been off the radar since his last release in 2008, but has been very active musically, working with many artists and touring the world with the legendary artist and style maven, Grace Jones.

To kick off the release of his new single, “Find U” (set to release March 28th on Soulm8), Muphoric Sounds asked Don-e a couple of questions about what he’s been up to. “Find U,” which started out as a soulful house tune, has gone through many incarnations, which further shows Don-e‘s versatility as an artist. Visit www.Soulm8Online.com on March 28th to buy your copy of “Find You“; the EP, which will contain the single is scheduled to release sometime next month. Check out my two favourites below; there will be about five mixes on the single release. Check back for the video which is currently in production!

“Find U” (Kings of Swing Mix)

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“Find U” (Paris Casvette Mix)

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Muphoric Sounds:  What has Don-e been up to since the release of “Natural” in 2008?
Don-E: Sooo much stuff! It’s been nuts! I’ve been gigging at home and abroad—Spain, UK, Barbados, and touring with Grace Jones, doing sessions on various tracks, and songwriting!

MS: What advice would you give an aspiring musician/singer/songwriter trying to get into the business?
Don-E: BE YOURSELF! Too many artists sound the same these days!

MS: I remember when your video “My Gosh” was picked up on BET in ’92; it as a big deal for British Soul. What other big moments have you had during your career?
Don-E: Supporting James Brown at Lee Valley, that was a show, boy!! Meeting Stevie Wonder was a day I’ll never forget! Thanks to Omar! And Top of the Pops was a moment too; always wanted to go on that show!

MS: How would you describe the material you’re working on now?
Don-E: I call it future soul, a combination of the melodies from back in the day but with the sonics of now.

MS: What projects/collaborations do you have down the pike? Who would you like to work with, and why?
Don-E: I’m about to do a track with Kym Mazzelle–should be fun! Also working on my new EP; it will have five new tracks and will be out in April on Soulm8. I’m working on a project called Ladies Night featuring UK female vocalists that need to shine.

MS: Are there any artists you’re listening to at the moment, you’d like our readers to check out?
Don-E: I’m feeling Yaw at the moment! That’s some good vibes right there! I love me some Frank McComb and Lalah Hathaway too! I’m also listening to Leroy Hutson and Leon Ware. Been bumping them on my iPod.

If you’re anything like me, you’re feeling a little slighted by Radiohead‘s latest release The King of Limbs—a brilliant composition it is, but we can’t deny its brevity. We’ve theorized about there being a part two, and came to the realisation that what we received in the form of The King of Limbs, was indeed it. But as we know, Thom Yorke doesn’t stop there. Always venturing into the world of electronica and dubstep, Thom has joined forces with two UK producers Four Tet and dubstep beast Burial on a two-track 12-inch release. Unleashing it first on Four Tet‘s joint radio session with Floating Points on Rinse FM, Tuesday night, March 15, below are the rips from the session. Check them out! Love them both.

“Ego”

“Mirror”

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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“Is This Love” was my least favourite songs from the Kaya album by Bob Marley and the Wailers‘ due to its commercial sound. What Bilal and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson have done, is breathed new life into it, giving it a dimension I am certain Uncle Bob would approve of.

Plug Research approached both Bilal and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson independently about the possibility of collaborating on a project of covers. They both agreed and started working on them last summer. This is the first video of from these sessions, shot by Greg Ponstingl and Denny Kim featuring a cast of talented musicians — Bilal (vocals), Miguel Atwood-Ferguson (musical director, violins), Om’Mas Keith (piano), Dennis Hamm (rhodes), Brendon Coleman (organ), Marcel Camargo (guitar), Gabe Noel (bass), Gene Coye (drums), Allakoi Peete (percussion).  Plug Research will be sharing other renditions over time, so look out for videos of Bilal and crew. “Strangers” by Portishead and “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell are up next!

With his third album just 2 weeks away, acclaimed rapper Pharoahe Monch, hits us with his first visual piece from his forthcoming album W.A.R. (We Are Rengadges) with the single, “Clap”—a powerful video which highlights a police raid gone terribly wrong. Powerfully shot, running ten minutes in length, the imagery, cast of characters, including Pharoahe Monch himself, accentuate his powerful play on words – referencing how police oppression in the community continues to digress; there’s no progress, just more senseless brutality. The irony in the “clap” is so powerful, it chills. An amazing video for an equally powerful track – check it out below and clap to Pharoahe!

The video is directed by Terrance Nance, starring Gbenga Akinnagbe (The Wire), Kim Howard, Josiah Small.  The new album W.A.R. (We Are Rengades) hits stores March 22^nd, and iTunes customers will receive the short film of “Clap” with their purchase.

ESG is one of the things I most love about NYC; people breaking rules and playing, or dancing however they want to. “Emerald, Sapphire, and Gold” is Renee (vocals), Valerie (drums), and Marie Scroggins (congas and vocals), David Miles (guitar), and Leroy Glover (bass). The group was formed by three sisters from the Bronx in the late 70’s. Fusing sounds from Disco, No Wave, and Punk together, the group created something magical. The song “UFO” was released on their first self-entitled EP on 99 Records in Manhattan. The group recorded three EP’s, four LP’s, and one live album. The group has disbanded now, but randomly perform in New York City together. Until recently, I wasn’t aware of the profound blends of No wave, Punk, and Disco of the early 80’s like these in NYC. But every time this record comes on, I hear my childhood.

I didn’t know who performed this song until my boy Miguel played it on a long ride a few years ago. If I had to list all of the people in hip hop who have sampled ESG, I would need a lot of sample credit room. But some of my favorites who rhymed over ESG’s sound are Public Enemy, Gangstarr, 3rd Bass, Das EFX, 2Pac, and Big Daddy Kane.

“UFO” starts off crazy. You hear these sound effects that are foreign, yet right at home on planet X. I’m honestly not sure what they used to create them, synthesizers maybe. Who knows? All I know is, when the drums come in, they hit hard and you just nod your head, tap your feet, or dance. The girls sing on other songs like “Erase you” and “Dance” but this is an instrumental spaceship ride through time and space on the 6 train. Maybe it describes the South Bronx at a peculiar time, but it’s raw and unapologetic. It’s a stripped down bomb ticking with drums, bass guitar, and synthesizer effects crashing in and escaping randomly throughout the track. Turn it up and listen for yourself.

“UFO” by ESG

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What is a Mar “variation”? It’s selecting an original instrumental, reinterpreting it to create another dimension—that then becomes an audible treat, a second time. Mar‘s vocals are warm, smooth, and chilled where these variations allow him to stretch as a vocal artist. He’s been on the scene for quite some time, lending his voice to a few Full Crate productions, including Conversations with Her (Melting Pot Music) and The Barb (Kilawatt).

“1st Session,” which is produced by Louis Bordeaux and was released in 2007 on the now defunct label Appletree, was fantastic in its first incantation, then adding Mar‘s sexy vocals transformed the track to create the perfect Mar variant. “Biopolar Friendship,” produced by Sir OJ, under his dubstep moniker, Orange Breakdown, takes us in a completely different direction, with its heavy bass lines and slapping drums, and Mar‘s monolithic intonations, working to further interpret the song. To maintain a bipolar friendship, has to be exhausting! Love the interpretations.

Check out the songs below and let me know what you think. Then head over to Melting Pot Music to pre-order (the tunes will be available from March 25). The cool video below describes the “Mar’s Variations” project in greater detail – it’s not only about the music, but the entire package. Check it out!

“1st Session” (Produced by Louis Bordeaux)

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“Bipolar Friendship” (Produced by Orange Breakdown a.k.a. Sir OJ)

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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.

Here’s the new video for “Twenty-Eleven” — the first single from the forthcoming album Heaven’s Computer by 7even:Thirty. The track has a BIG sound to it, with its rock undertones, and 7even:Thirty kicking his strong lyricism in combative mode. The video matches the song’s premise with grit, as a suited 7even:Thirty alter ego with an animated personality hypes the video up. 2011 is starting off to be a big year for 7even:Thirty, and from this tune “Twenty Eleven,” it won’t be a joking matter either!

The tune was produced by 5-D and the video was filmed by Tahiti and edited by Tahiti and 7even:Thirty. Check it out below.