This grammy nominated singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, shows us that she cannot be boxed into a category. With every release we are exposed to a different side of Muhsinah. With Gone, it is vulnerability and weakness in the face of love, which comes across as begin her darkest composition to date. The opening track, “One” has a dramatic feel, as she enjoys the man in her life, while the synths create a sense of confusion. “Stop & Go” have these shattering drums as Muhsinah‘s emotive delivery of wanting the courage to leave a situation, yet stands in a fearful of love, which carries a level of confusion. The more rock infused songs are reminiscent of Res, with melodies that are sweet yet hard in the same breadth. This is a great treat; so get your free download from Muhsinah‘s SpinShop website at www.muhsinah.spinshop.com. All materials are written, composed, arranged, produced, performed, recorded, and mixed by Muhsinah, except tracks 4 and 5, where guitars are performed by Daniel Montagu Smith.

“Stop & Go”

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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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Internationally celebrated Record Store Day, the third Saturday in April, is a day where stores across the globe give special offers, hold events, and some record companies unearth oldies, goodies, and use the day as an opportunity to release previously unreleased music. Kilawatt Music has done so with the release of this 7″ with two widely unheard tracks from DC songstress Muhsinah and London producer Ben Jones, originally on the now defunct label Arale.tv. The songs are two strikingly contrasting musical styles—Ben Jones‘s “Stereosine” is raw funk instrumental that gentle plays with experimental sounds with a dubstep flare; Muhsinah‘s “Are In Be” never fails in providing interesting vocals – her harmonies are always beautiful. The 7″ is available from Kilawatt’s Online Store and exclusively from hhv.de from today, April 16th. Check the tracks out below and purchase some music today!

“Stereosine” by Ben Jones

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“Are In Be” by Muhsinah

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I’m always on the watch for hot rap beats accompanied by rappers with a sick flow, but in recent years have shied away from rap due to its current mundane and manufactured formula not worthy of my attention. However, in the past two years, I’ve seen a resurgence of artists who are changing the face of rap and bringing me back to love again. Diamond District are making my love grow a bit stronger.

Oddisee, the founder of Diamond District is no stranger to the game, having worked with Talib Kweli, Muhsinah, Jazzy Jeff, Buckshot, Saigon, to name a few; his production skills are serious. Group members, who are also solo artists, include X.O. and yU and together they create that lost rap sound we crave. And they do it effortlessly in In The Ruff and the latest solo release by yU with Before Taxes. All three members are from DC, the murder capitol of America yet home of America’s most powerful and wealthiest. This reality is the source of their material where they portray their life experiences, struggles and observations, while offering solace for people in America. Diamond District has brought back the dirty east coast grime our fathers in rap would be proud of.

For an exclusive download of Before Taxes, go to Fresh Selects.

“I Mean Business” from In The Ruff

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“Break Down” feat. Bilal Salaam from Before Taxes

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Maybe it’s her layered style of singing or what appears to be her inherent fascination with the complexities of the mathematics she applies to her voice, why you are drawn to Muhsinah with a gravitational force. She defies neo-soul to what is now aptly classified as “progressive future soul.” With a bunch of EP’s released over the past five years and having completed a 25-city tour with Common last year, this singer and producer is a force to be reckoned with. She’s about to rise from under the radar and shine brightly. If you haven’t listened to Muhsinah, you need to wrap your ears around her! Her new album The Oscillations: Triangle is due to release early next month. So pique your ears below or check out the downloads she has available on her website.

If you’re in the New York area, she will be performing at Raw Fusion’s party at APT on Tuesday, April 28th.

“From Here” from the forthcoming album The Oscillations: Triangle

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“Discovery” from Day.Break 2.0

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