One of the strongest songs on the Airtight’s Revenge album, “Little One“, which afforded Bilal his first Grammy nomination for the said song, which is a tribute to his son, who is diagnosed with Autism – a developmental disorder that affects the brain and can make communicating and interacting with other people difficult. When one sings from the heart, the rewards can be nothing but great. A beautiful song that is rooted in pure love. Check it out below.

“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!

Airtight’s Revenge is the album that keeps on giving. “Levels” is the third video from its release and Bilal goes further with another other worldly concept video by having the quintessential experimental producer Flying Lotus (a.k.a Steve Ellison) make his directorial debut for the song. Clearly, Flying Lotus was inspired by the world created in his own video for “Mmmhmm” which was directed Special Problems, (check it out HERE), where he continues with concepts of mythical gods and goddesses, in the form of cameo appearances from Erykah Badu and Shafiq Husayn (producer of the track) that leave viewers subjugated. Very cool video to watch.

The tune “Levels” was created by Bilal, Shafiq and KenBts, where they collectively call it the “Levels Experience.” Now available as an EP on iTunes containing interpretations from Flying Lotus and  Sonnyman plus the album version and instrumental version. The free download, in courtesy of Plug Research is KenBts remix of the tune, where he calls it an “an ambitious exploration of sound, space, and emotion; an aviary craft bursting into the embers of a maiden flight.” You can hear it below, and purchase the EP on iTunes.

I absolutely love it when love hits my in-box! This love is in the form of Label Love Vol. 2, a project spawn from One-Handed Music, where they join forces with other independent labels to put tunes together that are either community staples, or previously unreleased. This eclectic collection of tunes feature some of our favored independent labels – Melting Pot, Ninja Tune, One-Handed, Plug Research, Tru Thoughts, and Ubiquity. What’s apparent in this compilation is the distinct identity each label has in sound. Very nice treats from Ahu, Maddslinky, Bilal, Paul White, Full Crate, and many others! Did I mention that this is a free download in courtesy of One-Handed Music! Check out my favs below and head over to the Bandcamp page for the free download!

Wow! The imagery in this video is outstanding and perfectly suited for Bilal‘s second video from his recently released 3rd album, Airtight’s Revenge. Directed and animated by acclaimed French director, Mikael Colombu, “Robots” is visually compelling, provocative in pushing you to reflect on political and social inferences; our society is in ruin. The Information Age comes with many great advantages; but it also has sever repercussions. As America gets ready to cast their ballots, “Robots” ends with the words in a digital ticker tape form, “Don’t believe everything you hear and see.” Great video. Check it out below.

“Restart,” the first official video off Bilal‘s new Airtight’s Revenge album, touches, abstractly, on the concept of losing your partner and an apparent wave of madness taking over. Resistance and resignation are the two themes present in the “Restart” video and both compliment the harrowing sounds in Bilal‘s delivery of the song and in the way the song progresses, with the plodding chords, and wailing guitar riffs. Directed by the incredibly talented Michael Sterling Eaton (director, photographer, musician, music producer, and clothing designer), who captures visuals that are sure to get into your psyche.

Airtight’s Revenge can be purchased here!

SingersRoom.com‘s will be hosting an event with the incredible soul singer, Bilal for their Acoustic Conversation series, on Friday, September 10th Thursday, September 9th at 7pm to 11pm!

We have a pair of tickets for one lucky winner! You’ll get to hear him perform just days before his new album, Airtight’s Revenge is released on September 14. The Acoustic Conversation series is about opening the lines of communication between artists and their fans through an open Q&A, followed by an acoustic and intimate set. This is going to be an extraordinary event, held at a secret location in Brooklyn!

So people, you have to act quickly AND spread the word about this giveaway.

We have got two tickets for giveaway! To enter, it’s simple:  Send an email to contests@muphoricsounds.com including your full name (as it appears on your official ID) by Tuesday, September 7th, 2010 at 5:00pm for a random drawing. The winner will be notified the same day, Tuesday, September 7th, and their name, plus one will be added to the guest list. They will receive location information in confirmation email. (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.

The build up to the release of Bilal‘s official third album, Airtight’s Revenge has been non-stop for the artist. Currently on a hectic schedule, doing a slew of lives shows both in the States and Europe, with press interviews, Muphoric Sounds was able to get some face time with Bilal. Meeting at L.A. Burdick in the Flatiron District of Manhattan, in a cool environment furnished with delicious chocolate coffee, we spoke at great length about his career, overcoming misfortunes, his clear passion in music, and his forth-coming release, Airtight’s Revenge. His integrity as an artist is unmistakeable and so refreshing. Check out the interview below. [Note: this was supposed to be a video interview, but due to technical difficulties, we had to run it as a Q&A. Big thanks to CochraneImage, for taking such great shots!]

Also, after reading the Q&A below, there’s a lovely download from Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Ensemble, where they do a rendition of Donny Hathaway‘s “Someday We’ll All Be Free” featuring Bilal on vocals.

Airtight’s Revenge hits stores September 14th and can be pre-ordered here. Get one for yourself and a friend!

*****

Muphoric Sounds: Who is Bilal?
Bilal: I’m a musician. I make music from the day that I experience and see and use my music as a platform.

MS: When your career started it was rumored that Erykah Badu was responsible for discovering you. Who were the people that helped start of your career?
Bilal: I kind of met Amir [Questlove] first. But I was also supposed to do a tune with Q-Tip. I met everyone around the same time when I moved here [New York] from Philadelphia. And I also started to work with one of the Mtume brothers, James Mtume.

MS: If you were to look back at your career as a musician, what are the most significant lessons learned?
Bilal: I’ve learned a lot of things. The main lesson, I would say, is being true to myself to making music from an honest place.

MS: The Soul Aquarium Movement. What happened to them?
Bilal: Oh, big question man! Initially, it started off as photo that took showed musicians that always worked together and it appeared in Vibe Magazine. Somebody told me that we were supposed to do an album together but it never happened. We’re all still in contact today. I did a show with Erykah the other day. I talk to Amir all the time. We just did a show at Highline Ballroom recently. Q-Tip, I just did a show with him two days ago. Common, we talk all the time.

MS: You’ve collaborated with a lot of great artists in the past – both mainstream and independent. Who would you like to work with next, who you haven’t worked with before?
Bilal: There’s a lot of cats I want to work with. I would love to do something with Thom York.

(more…)

One of the things I love about living in Brooklyn and it being the summer, are the live shows. What was special about this particular show, is it took place at lunchtime, downtown Brooklyn, and featured one of my favourite singers, Bilal Oliver! And boy was it a show! Singing a mixture of songs from his debut album 1st Born Second, the unreleased album Love For Sale, and two songs from his forthcoming official second album, Airtight’s Revenge; the show was a gift. There’s no need for a long preamble; the video below illustrates what you missed if you weren’t there, and if you were there, the video will bring it all back. An amazing talent, with an outstanding vocal range; a voice that is truly an instrument. Bilal has paid his dues ten times over; it is now his time! Airtight’s Revenge releases September 14, 2010. Make sure you support this artist!

Enjoy the video and photos below!

At the beginning of the year, Muphoric Sounds shared with you a video of Bilal and Hezekiah in the studio making finishing touches to Bilal‘s third studio album, to be released on Plug Research Music — home to Om’Mas, Shafiq Husayn, Flying Lotus, Quadron, and Exile. It was announced a few days ago that Airtight’s Revenge now has a set release date — September 14th!

Airtight’s Revenge is co-produced by Steve McKie (Jill Scott, Estelle, Kindred, Vivian Green) with Bilal, and also features production by Nottz (Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Drake), 88 Keys (Mos Def, Macy Gray, Musiq Soulchild), Shafiq Husayn, and Tone Whitefield.

To get us excited and in the mood for the smooth sounds of Bilal, his label has made available for free download a track called “Free,” which is a cover of The Supreme‘s “Automatically Sunshine,” where Bilal brings his vocal prowess to the Motown classic, giving the musical arrangement a grittiness the originally did not possess. This song will not be on Airtight’s Revenge; so it’s suggested you get this download! Check it out below and ENJOY!

“Free” by Bilal (Download provided by InnaTV.com)

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Here’s a taste of one of the things that excites me for 2010 – Bilal Oliver! In this video Bilal and rapper Hezekiah work and talk about the meaning of the song “Think It Over.” The song is produced by 88-Keys, and the album will be released on the Plug Research record label (his label mates include Om’Mas, Shafiq Husayn, Flying Lotus, and Exile). He definitely is around friends and family for this release. Based on this teaser, all Bilal elements will be present — stellar vocals, beautiful but yet real lyrical content against some hard hitting Dilla-esque beats, mixed in with some jazz and my kind of R&B. I can’t wait! Enjoy the video below.

Thanks to Put Me On It for bringing this video to our attention.

Bilal Oliver, to me, is indisputably one of the greatest singers to hit the scene in recent years. And it hasn’t been an easy road for him either. Hitting us with his debut album, 1st Born Second in 2001, with the gems like “Sometimes” and the critically acclaimed songs “Soul Sista” and “Fast Lane,” we eagerly awaited for the sophomore project Love for Sale, which unfortunately leaked and got shelved by Interscope. But this did not stop Bilal. Touring the world and steadily working with some of the best producers and artists in the business (Eryka Badu, J Dilla, Common, Pharrell Williams, Mos Def, 9th Wonder, Musiq, Tiombe Lockhart, Hezekiah, Jay-Z, and even Beyoncé, yo!), to create some of the best timeless songs you’d ever hear. Last year, he and friends Tweet, Dwele, and Joy Denalane, performed at the The Dresden Soul Symphony in Germany, reinterpreting soul hits to a classical orchestra. Right now, the compilation The Return Of Mr. Wonderful (a pseudonym of his) is circulating and is a collection of all of these collaborations and live recordings. It’s a solid mix. The new album, Air Tight’s Revenge is set to release later this year on Bilal’s independent label, Jazzman Music. Check out Hezekiah’s “Lookin’ Up” featuring Bilal below. I had a hard time choosing which song to feature here; but settled on this maybe because it contains subtle elements of Marvin Gaye’s “Time to Get It Together” from the Here, My Dear album.

“Lookin’ Up” by Hezekiah feat. Bilal

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