Venezuelan-born musician and producer DJ Afro and growing New York legend, Manchildblack, largely known for his Libation club night with Ian Friday,  have come together as The Copasetic on a unique collaboration with DiverseCity Music. The timing could not have been any better – summer sun and fun, where people are uninhibited to and embrace love and the joys of life. “Far Away” captures this essence completely, with Manchildblack‘s soulful and cool vocals with a production that will make you move. The second track, “Dance With Me” features a remix by Atlanta-based UK producer Daz-I-Kue, formerly of Bugz in the Attic, which takes you to those 80s boogie soul days.

The single is available on Traxsource! Go and get yourself a copy!

“Far Away”

Firstly, we have to commend the Ty team in having a clear road map for this release. The journey is filled with anticipation and build ups, and everything seems to be going according to plan.

Now we have the actual release of “Emotions,” the single. What is very apparent with the teasers received thus far is, there are no digging in the crates Dilla bites, no far-reaching eclecticism of Sa-Ra track –  it’s simply, Ty! Calling upon some of UK’s renowned producers for these remixes — Daz-I-Kue, Dego and Akwasi, and Waajeed — who all bring something unique to “Emotions.” This year is definitely turning into what I predicted—The Year of the Eargasm. It’s seldom when you buy a single and every mix, including the original, is rock solid. Emotions is that! Check out the Waajeed mix below and head over to iTunes to get yourself a copy. The album, Special Kind of Fool hits in April 19th. Mark your calendars; you won’t want to feel the shame of having a late pass in your hand with this one!

“Emotions” by Ty (Waajeed Remix)

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Editorial Addition: DJ Bounce put together a “Something Big! Mixtape, available for free download and features the broad range of collaborations Ty has recorded with friends all over the world. Download links for “Something Big! Mixtape” are Usershare or MediaFire

Full Tracklist
01    Skit – Intro
02    Break The Lock – TY
03    Dont Watch That – TY
04    Worldwide – Funky DL (ft TY) Hot Mix
05    Down For The Count – Reflection Eternal (ft TY & Blak Twang) UK version
06    Skit (Ghetto Yout)
07    Hey There – 2000 Black aka Dego & Kaidi Tatham (ft TY)
08    Skit (Space Monkey)
09    Phantom Of The Opera – TY (ft Anthony Mills)
10    Me – TY (ft Erik Rico)
11    Pick It Up – Nathan Haines (ft TY) Submariner remix
12    Dont Push Me – Tettory Bad (ft TY)
13    Groovement – TY
14    Emotions – TY (ft Sarina Leah & Shaun Escoffery) Album version
15    Heart Full Of You – Robert Mitchell (ft TY & Deborah Jordan)
16    Keep On – Bone Idols (ft TY & Aphletik)
17    Woman To Man – Tony Allen (ft TY)
18    Can’t Help Myself – The Bamboo’s (ft TY)
19    Legacy – Zion I (ft TY & Jennifer Johns)
20    When Robots Go To War – TY (ft Motet) Daz I Kue remix
21    Wait A Minute – TY (Dwele remix)
22    Emotions – TY (Waajeed remix)
23    Style & Pattern – John Arnold (ft TY)
24    The Way We Like It – Natalie Williams (ft TY & Eska)
25    The Idea – TY (ft De La Soul’s Pos & Dave)
26    Outro

Making the rounds to promote Joy Jones‘s debut album, Godchild with Bugz in the Attic producer Daz-I-Kue, the audience were eating out of their hands. Daz-I-Kue definitely brought a taste of London to New York, with his signature future soul sound. Opening her stage with the first song off her album, “Joyride” which uses the always interesting sample of “Space” by Galt McDermont (Hair composer), Joy Jones took control with her backing vocalists in tow. It’s always refreshing to attend shows where the artist takes the time to talk to their audience, posing questions  to make you think. Joy’s burning question was, “Who’s experienced real love?” Sadly, there wasn’t a wave of cheers, but more an admiration of the love she was declaring for her husband, who was busy videoing the show on his camera. Godchild certainly has stretched Daz-I-Kue as a producer, with his used of smooth soul/jazz sounds fused with African tremors, clearly keep future soul alive.

Joy Jones is no stranger to the genre either. Originally from Los Angeles, and raised by West Indian parents, she attended Duke University where she studied biology and cultural anthropology, then moved to London and attended the University of London to study medical anthropology and found her ground in music with Bugz in the Attic producer Daz-I-Kue. Godchild is a labor of love, where Joy explores her heritage and her personal experiences through her music, coupled with a production that flows seamlessly.

With a tight band and energetic background singers, the crowd swayed and sang along as she gave us a taste of her own personalized joy. I highly recommend you see her when she comes to your town. Check out some of her songs below and make a stop over to iTunes and get yourself a copy of Godchild from Future Soul Records.

“Promise Land”

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“Hollywood”

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You think it’s all about attending seminars and meeting record executives that make the WMC. In fact, it’s quite the opposite and is truly dependent on your musical tastes. The WMA I experienced was more impromptu and respective of my musical preferences, which are more underground. On the cusp of losing your mind with all the dance/trance music that permeates the South Miami Beach airwaves, a la Spring Break/Girls Gone Wild style, when you do find your scene, it’s a breath of fresh air.

This year’s Delano events featured K’naan, whose performance highlight was bringing Matisyahu to the stage for one song. Matisyahu is incredible live. I’m waiting to see what K’naan will grow into. He shows much potential with his message of the struggle, but the media frenzy is causing my side way looks.

The Raw Fusion events at Jazid were my highlights, featuring a large roster of artist such as DJ Spinna, Rich Medina, Daz-I-Kue (Bugz In The Attic), Mad Mats (Raw Fusion), Kissey Asplund, Erik Rico to name a few. From Taylor McFerrin doing his hereditary human beat box to DJ Spinna mixing up broken, Fela, and dub beats, had us all jumpin’ and funkin’. Attitudes were left at the door.

So here’s a shout out to a few of the people I met over the weekend who were happy to talk about their projects, share music, and opinions. Looking forward to gracing Muphoric Sounds with their flavor – Kissey Asplund, Taylor McFerrin, Yellowtail, Mad Mats, Ayro, DJ Chicus, and Bopstar.