Artist: Georgia Anne Muldrow Title: Akosua Hood: Los Angeles, CA Label: Mellow Music Group Genre(s): Soul, Hip-Hop, R&B Released: February 19, 2013
Mellow Music Group continues to roll on. The label that brought us super tight rapper Oddisee now introduces soul singer Georgia Anne Muldrow. While Muldrow has been on the scene for a while, this new project will put her in great company. This new hip hop infused groove, Akosua, is a great introduction to her and Mellow if you aren’t hip yet. Enjoy. Read more of this post
Thanks to our friends over at GiantStep.net for hipping us to this live recording from one of our favorite new bands with an amazing new sound from down under. We recently brought you some music from Hiatus Kaiyote and now we are happy to listen into to this recording. Enjoy and look out for these guys. Read more of this post
Artist: Lili K & Peter Cottontale Title: Metal Petals Hood: Chicago, Illinois USA Released: November 2012 Genres: Electronica, Progressive Soul, R&B You Will Like This If You Like:Erykah Badu, Teresa Jenee, Terry Dexter
Thanks a ton for our new friend to the site, Philip Clark, who included one of our recent downloads by Erykah Badu on his site. While checking out his periodic list of top new music, we came across this really great EP, Metal Petals, by Chicago duo, Lili K & Peter Cottontale, among others.
Artist: Toussaint Morrison Title: Toussaint Morrison is Not My Boyfriend Released: August 21, 2012 Produced, Recorded, and Mastered by: Dr. Wylie (Jake Wylie)
Who can resist Windy City soul? We know we can’t. From one of our all time favorites, Curtis Mayfield to the soul stirring sounds of countless doo wop era groups, this city not only has some of the best people and pizza anywhere, but also some of the most soulful tunes anywhere on the planet. This incredible 5 part documentary, which was originally broadcast on February 20th, 1997 on PBS during it’s African American Heritage Month series. It was narrated by the late Etta James. This should be perfect for a nice weekend viewing. Enjoy!
Pt. 1
This particular video features the early beginnings of both Chess Records and Vee Jay Records.
Record Row was where the Chicago music industry developed into a world class institutions of great impact and influenced the careers of the the Rolling Stones, The Who, The Beatles and Eric Clapton.
Pt.2This video tells the story of how the Chicago music industry addressed racial segregation in America and finally achieved to bring about unity across racial lines through the love of music which has no colour.
Pt. 3
The story about Chicago Soul music industry which Features some of the key creative power brokers in Chicago responsible for the success of Soul music in general across America and the world.
For example Billy Davis, the A&R director at Chess during the 1960s and record producer for such Soul classic as “Rescue Me” and “We’re Gonna Make It” released Chess Records.
Also featured in this documentary is the late Curtis Mayfield, the prolific song writer, composer and producer for Jerry Butler and the impressions their early hit on Vee Jay Records; “For Your Precious Love”.
The “Duke of Earl” classic performed by Gene Chandler and produced by Carl Davis.The record was released by Vee Jay Records. This hit record became the company’s first million selling record and Billboard Pop number one single in 1961.
Pt. 4
The dynamic development of Soul music according to Chess Records featuring Fontella Bass, The Dells and the sound of Chess Records’ studio band.
Just listen to Chicago Soul classic gold records such as “Rescue Me”, “Oh What A Night” and “Sitting In The Park.”
Witness other developments in the Chicago entertainment industry with the Chess brothers buying radio station called WVON. The station became the voice of black community address social issues of the day.
Don Cornelius former DJ employee of WVON and founder of Soul Train television programme talking about the impact of Chicago Soul music across America. Also Curtis Mayfeild and Eddie Thomas launching Curtom Records in 1968 and The Impressions performing songs with social messages and empowerment.
Pt. 5
The finally documentary tells the sad story of the decline of “Record Row” the heart of Chicago music industry.
We have to say we were completely floored to see Prince revisit his high school era look by sporting a short Afro today on ABC’s The View. As you will see below, Prince makes the transition look easy. We are really happy to see him ditch the process in favor of the more natural look.
Aside from that, he has teamed up with Author Van Jones and actress Rosario Dawson to support the efforts of the Rebuilding the Dream campaign, which was created to ensure economic justice for all. For more information, click here. If you are in Chicago for Prince’s 3 day Welcome to Chicago shows in support of this effort, please try to attend.
13. That Thing in Your Chest Doesn’t Beat. It Counts Down
14. Get Yours While You Can
15. A Part of Me
16. Clear
17. Bonus I’d Rather Make Mistakes Than Do Nothing At All
Review:
Gerald Walker decided to switch the formula up with his latest project “Believers Never Die.” Instead of being extremely introspective and pouring out the details of his journey of self-discovery, success, and spirituality, Mr. Walker decided to have a dialogue with his fans with “Believers Never Die.” Personally, I love the introspectiveness and hunger that I witnessed when I first heard “I Remember When this all Meant Something” mixtape (you should definitely go and check that and his whole catalog out!). Nonetheless, Mr. Walker artfully appeals to “a generation that seems to know it all” with this project. The potential, ambition, and purpose makes this an album definitely worth a listening to.
As a bonus for the soulhead community, Gerald Walker and I engaged in a dialogue about “Believers Never Die,” spirituality, success, and the madness taking place in Chicago this summer. Check out Part 1 of that conversation below!
Artist: M-Trey Title: 3AM Release Date: August 02, 2011 Executive Produced By: M-Trey, CJ The Genesis, and Jan Galvez From: Chicago, IL Read more of this post
Pump Up the Volume tells the story of the social and cultural explosion that was House. From its roots in Chicago, where it rose from the ashes of Disco, House music became the soundtrack to every fashion show, after–show party, premiere, and club opening around the world. Today, House is used by leading mainstream music stars, from Madonna to U2, to break into new markets and to update their sound. In fact, House has influenced more artists than any style since rock ‘n’ roll. Pump Up the Volume follows the story from Chicago and New York to Britain, interviewing key players on both sides of the Atlantic. It also considers the social impact of House—a sound that has transcended class, race, and cultural boundaries to become the soundtrack of modern popular culture.
Pump up the Volume charts the history of House music from its humbles beginnings to worldwide exposure. All the people and characters that made this thing happen are featured in this 3 Part Series…Part 2 Features Wayne Anthony amongst others…
VH1 is taking a look back at the life and legacy of Aaliyah on tonight’s “Behind The Music.”
It’s long overdue, but the VH1 retrospective series will remember the rise and sudden death of the Princess of R&B.
The show will take you inside her funeral, where fans flooded the streets to pay their last respects, but that’s only a small part of the broadcast. There will also be a peek at her first movie role in the urban martial arts flick Romeo Must Die. And viewers will get to hear from her last love, Damon Dash, about their relationship and how they met Read more of this post
We have been grooving to this great collection of classic soul from one of the Black music Meccas, Chicago. DJ Cosm Roks assembles this timely collection for those who forget their roots. Chi-town stand up!
Gregory Porter, whose 2010 Motema Music debut, Water, was nominated in the 2011 53rd Annual Grammy Awards as Best Jazz Vocal Album, drops a powerful cinematic treatment of one of the CD‘s most popular tracks, “1960 What?.” This digital DJ promo features an international array of producers who have contributed to three remixes of the song. Swedish production wizard Opolopo‘s soulful House remix, a “kick and bass rerub,” is already burning up dance floors from Chicago to the UK, where it’s currently getting airplay on Jazz FM. Peter McEvilley, the LA-based producer and electronic music artist who works asPeas, has contributed a House mix, and the founder of Amsterdam‘s Wicked Jazz Sounds music collective, Phil Horneman, has contributed a Wicked Jazz Sounds radio edit, which clocks in at about half as long as the anthemic twelve-and-a-half minute long original version. The official videos for “Illusion” and “1960 What?” have a combined total of 40,000 YouTube views and will be aired on VH1.
Thanks to our friends over at GiantStep.net for hipping us to this live recording from one of our favorite new bands with an amazing new sound from down under. We 
