Ask and you shall receive. Maylee Todd, Canadian singer has just dropped her second solo LP Escapology on Do Right Music. With the release of the “Hieroglyphics” single February 2012 led to remixes by Tall Black Guy and Kong & the Gang. Last December, Maylee dropped “Baby’s Got It” catching the attention of MeLo-X, Green Linez, and Martino for remixes, which will release next week. On Escapology, there is a sense of experience, experimentation, ambition, and relaxation. The two standout songs on the LP are, “I Can’t Stand It” with its beautiful strings and the echoing guitar on “I Tried.” Maylee and a cast of over 15 musicians rock with a unique vocal phrasing and a solid groove that gives each tune a flow that is uncommon in most love songs today. One of my favorite things about the record as a whole is its diversity in the mood, color, and tone of the songs chords. There are a lot of ideas thrown in there sonically from sweet harps, to lasers, trumpets, and a bluesy trombone. The only thing we can do now after supporting this latest effort is to see her live. Escapology is available for purchase on Maylee’s website. But before you head over there, check out “I Can’t Stand It” and “I Tried” below. Enjoy!

It’s a Tyler, the Creator week!  Wolf is definitely a journey into the life of a brat, someone who really does not give a f***! Can we call Tyler a shock jock or a rap force to be reckoned with? Wolf, his third solo release brings the return his usual cast of characters — his inner therapist Dr. T. C. (Tyler’s Conscience) and his partner Sam, and the alter ego Wolf Haley. While still touching on themes of adolescence and a disdain for the world about him, Wolf shows Tyler tackling subjects that we can identify with, especially on track “Answer,” where he speaks of a relationship with an absentee father, an estranged relationship with a grandmother and speaks with such realism, you actually emphase with him. Laced with provocative language, a production that takes us back to classic underground hip hop, and interesting, yet well matched collaborators (Stereolab singer Lætitia Sadier, Coco of Quadron, Erykah Badu, Pharrell Williams, and his Odd Future fam). Wolf is a fun and cohesive listen, even when you get beyond the unnecessary and excessive use of homophobic language, it’s just packaged as Tyler. Check out to trippy video for “IFHY” featuring Pharrell Williams.

Wolf is available iTunes | Amazon

JJ Doom is the latest collaborative effort from the enigmatic rapper and producer DOOM. This time he teams up with producer, emcee, multi-instrumentalist, Jneiro Jarel.

No stranger to the game, Jarel has a pretty impressive resume. From joint work with Khujo Goodie of Goodie Mob and TV on the Radio‘s David Sitek, to projects under his Dr. Who Dat moniker such as Beyond 2morrow, Jneiro Jarel has had is hands in some really good, envelope pushing work. DOOM‘s past projects like Madvillainy and MM..Food are considered classics by many and speak for themselves.

On a quick initial listen, I honestly felt a pang of disappointment with the project. By the time I got to my second listen, what sounded confusing and a bit scattered, began feeling more and more cohesive. Jarel‘s off the wall sample based loose electronic beats fit well with DOOM‘s unpredictable, well thought out, “did he just make _____ rhyme with _____?” style. This is an album that grows on you. It can take a few listens for some to grasp the subtle intricacies in the beatmaking and rhymes and skits. Others will love it immediately.

Highlights on the album include “Guv’Nor,” “Winter Blues,” and “GMO” featuring Portishead‘s Beth Gibbons. Digital album is available on iTunes and the CD and double vinyl will be available September 18th on Lex Records. Check out a few cuts below.

“GMO” featuring Beth Gibbons

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“Winter Blues”

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Muphoric Sounds has been super excited about this project by Neneh Cherry and The Thing, sharing the first track “Dream Baby, Dream” back in April and “Accordion” last month. The Cherry Thing is a fusion of Neneh Cherry‘s influences where the selections are juxtaposed bringing to the forefront that contemporary music (jazz, hip hop, and punk) are musical forms that defy conventions. The way in which The Thing (Mats Gustafsson on saxophones, Ingebrigt Haker Flaten on double bass and electric bass, Paal Nilssen-Love on drums) reinterpret each song in these covers, create something that is arresting – like a collage that touches upon the genres and moods of this music to show how vividly they are interconnected.

“Cashback” an original written by Cherry is a great start to the album, where Cherry sings about realising her self-worth in a relationship, knowing that the merry-go-round of uncertain love is nothing more than a feeling of cashback,  saying, “I’m think I’m built to last.” On the Suicide‘s “Dream Baby Dream,” you feel completely hypnotized by the heavy sax and the pulsating drums as Cherry‘s delivery is that of a soothing lullaby. With Martina Topley-Bird‘s (most notable work with Tricky) “Too Tough To Die,” is changed into something moodier, a collaboration between jazz and trip hop as the elements are inverted. “Sudden Moment” an original composition by Mats Gustafsson, is pure contemporary jazz in that it is completely free from structure, with Cherry‘s vocals bringing a simplicity to its arrangement. “Accordion,” the MF Doom cover is an cinematic subversion of what was already a great track. Cherry‘s incredible delivery of turning the rap lyrics into song yet still maintaining a hard edge is one of the highlights of the album. “Golden Heart” a interpretation of Cherry‘s step-father, jazz musician Don Cherry’, where The Thing keep it simple with an middle eastern vibe and Cherry‘s golden heart is an echo in the distance. The Thing‘s interpretation of legendary punk band, The Stooges song “Dirt,” is a killer – containing more aggression, turning the saxophone into a conquering sound as Cherry sexy delivery adds more dirt to the track.

The Cherry Thing from start to finish shows us that Neneh Cherry is a force to be reckoned with. This collaboration with The Thing shows us just how bad-ass this sister is! Looking forward seeing them kill this live!

Check out a couple of tracks below and do yourself a favour and buy The Cherry Thing, available on iTunes.

Cashback (Neneh Cherry)

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Too Tough to Die (Martina Topley-Bird Cover)

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Amp Fiddler is back and STRONG! I instantly got excited when our friends over at Put Me On It shared the video for “Stylin’ Free“—produced by Ben Dubuisson, under moniker of Hundred Strong, which featured Amp Fiddler on vocals.

The title and opening track of the album, “Stylin’ Free” has this hypnotic groove,  with a reggae vibe while Amp Fiddler‘s raspy vocals tell the tale of wisdom and nonchalance as his woman insults him about being crazy; his response is simply, “I’m stylin’ free.”

Ben Dubuisson, a UK-based producer from Bristol, hit the scene back in the mid-90s and produced work with different labels under the moniker of Purple Penguin. He’s also the head behind the buzzing Bristol club, Native, which sees many of the worlds hottest DJ’s on the 1′s and 2′s.

Stylin’ Free, is Dubuisson‘s third album which features a great mix of artists—the aforementioned Detroit singer Amp Fiddler, London-based rapper Serocee, Holly Backler, J Todd, Joseph Malik, Pete Simpson. What’s refreshing about this album, is how it returns to a sound which distinguished UK soul from the US, with its timeless productions reminiscent of groups such as Brand New Heavies and Young Disciples. Amp Fiddler is featured on three tunes (“Stylin’ Free“, “Time“, and “Mood Swing“) and skillfully taps into three levels of relationships – commitment, energy, and freedom; Holly Backler‘s unusual vocal style on “One Thing” causes you to hone in on her bravado as her stories unfold; Serocee‘s direct London rapping style grabs you in; J Todd has a rock/funk vocal style and the two songs he’s featured on are two completely different in make up—”How Good Is It” which has a vintage funk feel and “Find A Way” more contemporary R&B; Joseph Malik‘s haunting and off-kiltered ”Gravestone” (it is about loss); and the most soulful tune on the album provided by Pete Simpson on “You Make Me Feel“.  Stylin’ Free is a very solid album which shows Dubisson‘s evolving creativity — definitely a career to watch.

Stylin’ Free hits stores February 14th (I think the Amp Fiddler songs determined its release date), and a remix of “Time” by Andreas Saag is set to release later in the month.

Check out the medley below of “Stylin’ Free” feat. Amp Fiddler, “Make You See the Light” feat. Holly Backler,  and “Time” feat. Amp Fiddler and let me know what you think!

Hundred Strong

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The voice singing “Tis your kind of music” is the blast off point for me on “Graham Central Station,” from the interplanetary LP Release Yourself. Graham Central Station was founded by bass guitarist and funk legend Larry Graham. Widely known for his contributions to the Bay Area Funk band Sly and the Family Stone, Graham connected with several bay area musicians (Willie Sparks, Patrice Banks, David Vega, Robert Sam, and Hershell Kennedy) after he left Sly’s group during the early 70′s. Graham would play in several funk and rock bands, went on to release many solo LPs. The album Release Yourself was released in 1974 on Warner Brothers music label and was the second LP from the group, which consisted of band members from Sly and The Family Stone, Hot Chocolate, Azteca, Hot Tuna, and Santana. It would also feature the horn section from the Bay Area group Tower of Power. The group would record from 1973 up until 1998, with seven studio albums, a live LP, and one record Larry Graham recorded with Prince.

“Graham Central Station starts off with a grimy synthesizer that digs deep into my skin. All the songs on the LP are funky. They coat morning pancakes with a buttery mix of soul, rock, gospel, and psychedelic jazz that are bound to get a head nod from any of today’s contemporary hip hop producers. Like an intergalactic church, the synthesizer welcomes like an organ introducing you to vocals, drum patterns, and bass that could be godly or sinful. I love the sound of these musicians together. The vocals of Larry Graham and Patrice “Chocolate” Banks are both sensual and dream inducing. Turn the light off and pick a good position.

“Graham Central Station”

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As we enter the ‘blanket’ season, what better way to keep warm than with The Foreign Exchange! I don’t know exactly what it is about Nicolay‘s production coupled with Phonte‘s vocals that taps into my senses, but I can play these guy’s music for hours and not feel like a rotating fool! It truly was a blessing when these guys found each other on the Okayplayer message boards (Nicholay residing in Holland and Phonte in North Carolina) and started to share music amongst themselves back in 2002. Fast forward 6 years later, they are now a Grammy winning nominated group! Do not underestimate the power of the internet!

Authenticity is aptly titled, as they have stayed true to themselves in their musical journey, pushing their conventions a little further, but not displacing their audience during their growth. Authenticity is the LOVE album, getting to a place of calm, of being unafraid to show weakness or vulnerability.

Always enlisting great talent for their projects, Authenticity features longstanding musical friends YahZarah, Darien Brockington, Zo! and Median, and also relative newcomers Chantae Cann and Jesse Boykins III. Check out “Maybe She’ll Dream of Me” (which is also available for free download in courtesy of Foreign Exchange Music) and “Don’t Wait.” With Nicolay’s sprinklings of Prince influence on various songs, Authenticity gets my stamp of approval.

“Maybe She’ll Dream of Me” (Download)

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“Don’t Wait”

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Authenticity is available for purchase on Foreign Exchange Music website.

When I heard Lætitia Sadier was breaking from her band Stereolab to do a solo project, I automatically thought, “This can’t be good,” remembering Thom Yorke‘s solo project from his band, Radiohead. However, from the opening track “One Million Year Trip,” Lætitia‘s staple vocal style soon shook the doubt away.

Known primarily for being a band member of Stereolab, but also a member of the dream-pop group Monade, The Trip, in a way, could be a seen as Lætitia Sadier‘s self-fulfilling prophesy. Teaming with Emmanuel Mario, who produced the Monade album, and Richard Swift, who both keep Lætitia close to the sound she is most comfortable in.

What is clear, Lætitia has a deep imprint on the Stereolab sound, and in some places, The Trip sounds like a Stereolab production. The music acts as a direct contrast to the lyrics, oftentimes at opposites. What I would have loved on the album, is Lætitia going beyond her comfort-zone as she did with Common on his Electric Circus.

Although Stereolab announced going on an indefinite hiatus over a year ago, they plan to release a new album called Not Music in November, featuring songs they recorded during the same time as their last album Chemical Cords in 2008. Not so new; but new to us.

Listen to a couple of tunes from The Trip and scoot over to iTunes to buy a copy.

“One Million Year Trip”

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“Another Monster”

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Cool and bazaar album covers tend to pique ones interest about an unknown band. And if you’re already a fan, then it simply strengthens the allegiance. For me, it sealed the deal. A spaceship cat—that’s a pretty dope concept!

I got to see Klaxons back in 2007, and by accident at a Bjork show at Madison Square Garden. We were busy drinking at the bar and almost missed their opening performance. I remember settling down in my seat, listening with farrowed brows, and then turning to my friend saying, “We should’ve got our drinks to go; these guys are great!” At the time, they had just released their debut album Myths of the Near Future, which featured their award-winning single “Golden Skans.”

Now with their second album, Surfing the Void, they stay close to their psychedelic, progressive, pop, rock roots. Currently based in London, the band managed to get LA producer, Ross Robinson (who has produced Sepultura, Slipknot, At the Drive In, The Cure) to produce Surfing the Void. The album is dark, with sinister elements interchanging between the great musical arrangements and melodies that match perfectly. You could say the pop element of what they do is in the melody — you’ll be singing along with them in no time! Check out a couple of tunes below, then head over to iTunes to get yourself a copy of Klaxons.

Valley of Calm Trees

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Cypherspeed

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I came across The Believer magazine during my online travels and was stunned to learn that it has been around since 2003! Each year they have a music issue, bringing in a music connoisseur to add something fresh to the issue. This year it’s Chuck Lightening (Creative Director of Wondaland Society, co-producer/co-writer on Janelle Monáe‘s new album, and band leader of Deep Cotton). He says that the music issue and the accompanying mix CD, entitled We Bumped Our Head Against A Cloud, defines a moment in time where, “For black artists, our new president has meant the start of a different age. This music [the CD] aims to capture it.” I take Lightening’s preamble to mean we are in times of unconstrained creativity—musicians should not feel limited or inhibited in their art. The artists selected to contribute on the mix CD illustrate that. Each bring a uniqueness to the project. A few of the artists featured are: Saul Williams, Of Montreal, Cody Chestnutt, M.I.A., and of course Janelle Monáe.

Check out a couple tunes from We Bumped Our Head Against A Cloud below. The CD is only available with purchase of the print July/August magazine; get it before it leaves newsstands and bookstores. Ordinarily, The Believer is a literary magazine, providing in-depth reviews on new and old titles.

“Cold War” (Wondamix) by Janelle Monáe

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“B.S. In a Tampon” by Saul Williams

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I was cruising through iTunes one day looking for new music when I stumbled across The Guggenheim Grotto. What pulled me in immediately was a beautiful voice that reminded me of Tim Finn from Crowded House, and the search began to learn more about this duo from Dublin, Ireland.  The band’s debut CD, Waltzing Alone, was self-released to immediate critical acclaim in 2005, and they followed that up with Happy the Man in 2008 which only had a small release in the U.S. and Ireland in 2008 before being released to stores in 2009.

The Universe is Laughing is a gorgeous collection of songs that  explore the themes of mankind’s infinite search for love, understanding, wanting and fulfillment. Each song feels like a moment in time where you are getting a glimpse into someone’s soul.  My favorite song is “Ruby Heart” which is just a gorgeous song about being patient while waiting for love: “I’ve been here before/waiting with my arms wide open/like a maestro waiting for his show to start.”  The Guggenheim Grotto also reminds me a bit of my other favorite Irish band from the 1980’s, Prefab Sprout, who also crafted beautiful lyrical songs. Do yourself a favor and download The Universe is Laughing from iTunes you won’t be disappointed.

“Ruby Heart”

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