Ghostface Killah – Twelve Reasons to Die Album Review by Jay Fingers

May 7, 2013 by Comments

Ghostface Killah - 12 Reasons to Die

Title: Twelve Reasons to Die
Artist: Ghostface Killah
Label: Soul Temple Records / RED
Genre(s): Hip-Hop
Released: April 16, 2013

A concept album album based on a revenge-themed horror comic book, Twelve Reasons to Die from Ghostface Killah is vintage Wu—inventive rhymes paired with classic production.

The story behind Twelve Reasons is an amalgamation of Italian giallo and blaxploitation: Tony Starks (GFK’s alter ego) is an enforcer for a Mafia crime family. After striking out on his own and falling for his ex-employer’s daughter, Starks is murdered and his remains are melted into vinyl LPs that resurrect his vengeful soul when played. Think J.D.’s Revenge meets The Don is Dead.

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Fantasia- Side Effects of You Album Review by Victoria Shantrell Asbury

May 6, 2013 by Comments

Fantasia Side Effects of You Album Cover

Title: To Dust
Artist: Fantasia
Label: RCA Records
Genre(s): Soul, R&B,
Released: April 19, 2013

Nothing creates good music like drama and heartbreak. Fantasia’s Side Effects of You consists all of thee above. Read more of this post

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Tyler, the Creator – Wolf Album Review by Jay Fingers

May 3, 2013 by Comments

Wolf by Tyler, the Creator

Title: Wolf
Artist: Tyler, the Creator
Label: Odd Future / RED / Sony Music Entertainment
Genre(s): Hip-Hop
Released: April 2, 2013

Tyler, the Creator is immature.

Surely this will not be a revelation to anyone familiar with the music that’s come from the Odd Future frontman the past few years. Yet despite a predilection for juvenile antics and shocking lyrics, Tyler is unquestionably a gifted artist, one who’s continually growing as evidenced on his third studio album, Wolf.

Thematically, Wolf is a bit of a departure from Tyler’s previous efforts Bastard and Goblin. While the album is just as dark (if not darker) than its predecessors, it’s less violent and less reliant on shock value. It’s slightly ironic that Tyler abandoned the “therapy session” framework from his earlier albums as Wolf seems to be his most cathartic work to date. Consider this his My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

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Brian McKnight-More Than Words Album Review by Victoria Shantrell Asbury

May 2, 2013 by Comments

Brian McKnight- More than Words

Artist: Brian McKnight

Title: More Than Words

Genre(s): R&B, Soul

Released: March 19, 2013

Grammy-nominated R&B crooner, Brian McKnight dropped a new studio album last month. Although many might consider McKnight to be among some contemporary R&B legends, More Than Words falls short of being a stellar album. Brian McKnight’s vocals are subpar on More Than Words. McKnight whines throughout the album and his voice lacks power; this makes the album difficult to listen to for prolonged amounts of time.

The production is better quality than the singing on More Than Words. McKnight draws on the sounds of 1980s R&B greats. The influence of The Gap Band and Earth, Wind, Fire are heard on “Don’t Stop,” and “Letsomebodyluvu,” and “Ididntmeantoturnuout,” makes you think of Stevie Wonder. Although many of the songs have sounds reminiscent of yesteryears, lyrics referring to Facebook and Instagram reminds any listener that this album was definitely crafted in 2013.

Perhaps the most tolerable song on More Than Words is the last track “The Front The Back The Side,” featuring Niko McKnight—Brian’s son. “The Front” combined great production with catchy lyrics and smooth sultry vocals. If McKnight would have stuck to the formula used to create the last track throughout the entire album, McKnight might have seen an expanded fan base.

Rating: B-

Tracks We Like: She Doesn’t Know, The Front The Back The Side

Brian McKnight Extras:

Track 3: 4th of July

More Than WordsMore Than WordsFrom There to Here: 1989-2002AnytimeBack At OneLove Songs

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Tyga – Hotel California Album Review by Jay Fingers

May 1, 2013 by Comments

Tyga - Hotel California

Title: Hotel California
Artist: Tyga
Label: Young Money / Cash Money / Republic Records
Genre(s): Hip-Hop
Released: April 9, 2013

Okay, let’s get this out of the way first: it was a huge mistake for Young Money rapper Tyga to name his third album Hotel California. For those old enough to recall the classic Eagles album it references, it positions Tyga’s effort in an unenviable and inevitable position of comparison despite the fact the two LPs are in different musical genres; for those too young to know the Eagles’ album exists, the reference is completely lost.

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Q&A with Singer, Imani Uzuri “Vulnerability is Strength.”

April 24, 2013 by Comments

Imani Uzuri Live at the Blue Note on April 1, 2013
Earlier this month, we were pleased to witness a very soulful performance by internationally known singer Imani Uzuri at The Blue Note in Greenwich Village in New York City on April 1, 2013. Her spellbinding performance (which we captured in pictures), showcased her remarkable vocal abilities and re-introduced her critically acclaimed Gypsy Diaries project to those in attendance. We have been friends and fans of Imani’s since the before the turn of this century and look forward to many more years of wonderful sounds from this powerful sister.

Check out our Q&A with Imani: Read more of this post

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Cody Brandell – Retrospect:The Beginning EP REVIEW + FULL STREAM

April 24, 2013 by Comments

Artist: Cody Brandell
Title: Retrospect:The Beginning EP
Released: April 21, 2013
Hood: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Genre: R&B, Soul, Electronic, Abstract
You Will Like This If You Like: Drake, Marcus Canty, Chris Brown, Weeknd
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Up in Smoke: Record Rereleases in the Virtual Era by Ben Greenman [New Yorker]

April 17, 2013 by Comments

Great read from the New Yorker.

What does it mean to rerelease a record? On the face of it, this is a simple question with a simple answer: you take music that has already existed as a commercial product and reintroduce it into the market. But secondary questions crop up immediately. Does a record have to be out of print to be rereleased? If not, what makes the new version significant? Do you need cutting-edge remastering? Bonus tracks? A new essay by a brand-name critic? A limited-edition colored-vinyl pressing housed in a wooden box and accompanied by a poster of the original album art? The record industry has always grappled with this issue—profiting off of music people have already heard has always been as central to its plan as profiting off of new music. And Record Store Day, which will be celebrated this Saturday, April 20th, offers one set of answers, via high-end collectibles designed to draw customers back to brick-and-mortar establishments.

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Q&A with Jasmine Sanders, Co-Host of The Skip Murphy Show in the Afternoon

April 8, 2013 by Comments

We were very happy for our colleague and friend, Jasmine Sanders, who recently began as the co-host on the nationally syndicated “The Skip Murphy Show in the Afternoon” radio program.   The show, which replaced the long running Michael Baisden show in the evening drive segment, promises to entertain and inform listeners across 50 markets and will feature “celebrity guests and will play Urban and R&B hits from 80s, 90s and today.”  Skip Murphy is a radio vet who has been heard across the country for more than 30 years.  He will be joined by the multifaceted Jasmine Sanders, who has made quite a name for herself both behind the mic and in front of the camera. Read more of this post

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Hiatus Kaiyote at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City on March 22, 2013 [EVENT RECAP]

April 4, 2013 by Comments

On Friday, March 22, 2013, Australian band Hiatus Kaiyote made their NYC debut at West Village venue Le Poisson Rouge. The band has generated a great deal of buzz and amassed a substantial fan base thanks to efforts like their debut EP Tawk Tomahawk.

Hiatus Kaiyote categorizes their music as “future soul,” which is appropriate given its neo-soul, jazz, hip-hop, and electronic influences. The band itself certainly has an eclectic look, with lead singer/songwriter Nai Palm appearing as if she stepped right out of the pages of a Japanese manga. The other band members – keyboardist Simon Mavin, drummer Perrin Moss and bassist Paul Bender – are a bit more conservative in their personal stylishness. Read more of this post

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Alice Russell- To Dust Album Review by Victoria Shantrell Asbury

April 2, 2013 by Comments

Alice Russell- To Dust

 

Title: To Dust
Artist: Alice Russell
Label: Differ-ant. & Tru Thoughts
Genre(s): Soul, R&B, Dance
Released: February 25, 2013

When you think of British soul singers, Amy Winehouse or Adele may be a couple of the first names that come to mind. However, heavy hitter Alice Russell is definitely showing that she is equally talented in her latest album, To Dust. Read more of this post

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Imani Uzuri- The Gypsy Diaries Album Review by Victoria Shantrell Asbury

April 1, 2013 by Comments

Imani Uzuri Gypsy Diaries

 

Title: Gypsy Diaries
Artist: Imani Uzuri
Label: Her Holy Water Music
Genre(s): Soul, R&B, World, Blues
Released: June 5, 2012

Powerful. Voice. World. Woman. Those are the words that come to mind as one listens to Imani Uzuri’s latest masterpiece, The Gypsy Diaries. The Gypsy Diaries is a beautifully composed album that takes you through Persian sands, the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean, and the fields of Mississippi. One would be hard pressed to find any obvious flaws in Uzuri’s work. Read more of this post

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Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience Album Review by Jay Fingers

March 28, 2013 by Comments

Title: The 20/20 Experience
Artist: Justin Timberlake
Label: WEG / RCA
Genre(s): Soul, Pop, R&B
Released: March 15, 2013

Justin Timberlake has done the seeming impossible.

After taking a Sade-like hiatus from music—to focus on side projects including movies, MySpace, and SNL viral videos—the former N’Sync frontman emerged earlier this year with “Suit & Tie,” a lush, masterful, Jay-Z-assisted jam that allowed Justin to reintroduce himself to a notoriously fickle pop audience. Little did we know what else was in store. Read more of this post

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Rap Lyrics as Street Art in NYC: Artist Jay Shells Drops “Bombs” in the Hood with “Rap Quotes”

March 26, 2013 by Comments


We are in love with this new street art project that has descended upon the Big Apple. Street artist, Jay Shells, has created a series of street signs which include rap lyrics. If that wasn’t enough, he has gone around the City and affixed these signs in the areas mentioned in the lyric. Read more of this post

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David Bowie – The Next Day Album Review by Jay Fingers

March 21, 2013 by Comments

Title: The Next Day
Artist: David Bowie
Label: ISO Records / Columbia Records
Genre(s): Rock
Released: March 12, 2013

It was just a little over two years ago when David Bowie first reached out to his longtime collaborator Tom Visconti to help shape the songs that would eventually end up on his newly released album The Next Day. Read more of this post

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The Relatives- The Electric Word Album Review by Victoria Asbury

March 12, 2013 by Comments

The Relatives- The Electric Word

Title:  The Electric Word
Artist: The Relatives
Label: Yep Roc Records
Genre(s): R&B, Soul, Funk, Classic Soul, Gospel
Released: February 19, 2013

The Relatives gave the world another sanctified and funky album called “The Electric Word” back in February. This 10-track album is unapologetically anachronistic, boasting an authentic 70s sound with no hints of the 21st century. Staying true to their roots was a great decision for The Relatives; The Electric Word is definitely a good album. Read more of this post

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Jamie Lidell – Jamie Lidell Album Review by Victoria Asbury

March 12, 2013 by Comments

Jamie Lidell by Jamie Lidell

Title:  Jamie Lidell
Artist: Jamie Lidell
Label: Warp Records
Genre(s): R&B, Soul, Pop, Electronic
Released: February 19, 2013

Last month, Jamie Lidell released a self-titled album that seemed to be an ode to the 80s. Lighthearted, electro-funk best describes the sound of this album.
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Introducing Yellokake: Q&A with Michigan’s Rising Soul Singer

March 8, 2013 by Comments

Yellokake

We recently brought you a great EP, The Batter, by a Michigan-based singer, Yellokake.  We really enjoyed her voice and sense of experimentation.  After reaching out, we were able to get some answers to the questions we had.  From her responses, it seems this artist, who will be performing at SXSW this year, is set to make some major waves.  Keep your ears open and enjoy. Read more of this post

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Listen to Marcus Canty, This… Is Marcus Canty FULL ALBUM STREAM + REVIEW

March 5, 2013 by Comments


Artist: Marcus Canty
Title: This… Is Marcus Canty
Released: March 5, 2013
Label: Epic
Genre: R&B, Soul
You Will Like This If You Like: Joe, Keith Sweat, Trey Songz
Social: Facebook Twitter

Like most, we are very skeptical about reality talent shows and the actual “talent” they produce.   Sure, the first few seasons of American Idol produced several hits and artists who have the potential to be around for quite a while.  However, since then, there have been a slew of copy cat shows and other music reality formats introduced.    One show, the X factor, seemed to be an exact copy of AI, but with less vocal talent. That is, until now. Read more of this post

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Introducing Maseratay: Q&A with Belgium’s Rising Funk Duo

March 4, 2013 by Comments

Maseratay

A little while ago, we brought you an amazingly funky EP, Never Let You Go, by a Belgian group, Maseratay.  Upon first listen, we were blown away not only by the name of the group, which sounds like the 80s Minneapolis and Prince influenced group, Mazerati, but also by the wicked synth grooves and vocals.  As such, we had to learn more.  After reaching out to the group, we were able to get some answers to the questions we had.  Thanks a lot to Alex Deforce, owner of On-point.be, Maseratay’s record label, for his assistance.  Enjoy. Read more of this post

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The Boy With the Thorn in His Side by The Smiths, from #SoundHound http://t.co/g98EXeZvte