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June 13, 2013
Artist: Gwen Bunn
Title: The Verdict
Hood: Decatur, Georgia USA
Genre(s): Soul, Hip Hop, R&B, Electronic, Jazz
Label: Independent
Released: December 25, 2009
Social: Facebook Twitter
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June 1, 2013
AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC APPRECIATION MONTH, 2013
- – - – - – -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Since our Nation’s founding, people from every walk of life have set out to capture the American experience not just in poetry or prose, but also in the timeless quality of song. When the outcome of a revolution hung in the balance, drums and fifes filled brave patriots with the strength to carry on. When slavery kept millions in bondage, spirituals gave voice to a dream of true and lasting freedom. Through every generation, music has reflected and renewed our national conversation, bringing us together and reminding us of the humanity we share. Read more of this post
May 27, 2013
What a great way to celebrate Memorial Day here in America! We are pleased to bring you this rare footage of Prince and the entire original lineup of his band, The Revolution, performing “America” from his album, Around the World in A Day. Enjoy!
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May 18, 2013
Fresh off a couple of hot shows in New York City, LA, and Miami, E.R. (who, with Vagabonds rhyme partner Baysiqly, spoke exclusively with soulhead last month) is back with a new video. Read more of this post
May 13, 2013
Artist: Jaheim
Title: Age Ain’t a Factor
Released: May 9, 2013
Genre(s): R&B, Soul
Hood: New Brunswick, New Jersey USA
Label: Atlantic Records
Social: Twitter
From his forthcoming LP, Appreciation Day, due out in September, R&B crooner Jaheim returns to the scene with an ode to women of all ages, Age Aint A Factor. We heard this solid mid tempo cut this morning on The Steve Harvey Morning Show. During the interview with the crew, Jaheim revealed that he has been absent from music for the last two years due to the loss of his grandmother, which hit him hard, and a police brutality incident. The incident, Jaheim claims he was maced and his vocal chords were impacted. We are happy that he is “finding his way back” to music. If this new track is any indication, we are all in for a treat this fall. For now, enjoy.
Stream Option 1:
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More about Jaheim from AllMusic.com:
A multi-talented artist, Jaheim is most famous for his R&B vocals, although he has also rapped, modeled, and acted, and appeared in Source and other hip-hop publications. Hip-hop balladeer Jaheim Hoagland hails from New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he grew up in the 176 Memorial Parkway Homes public housing project. Misfortune hit early: his father died in 1981, when he was only two years old. Coming from a musical family helped him overcome the tragedy and the many pitfalls of his environment. His grandfather, Victor Hoagland, sang with many top groups, including the Drifters, and their family reunions were big songfests. Singing at family reunions and local talent shows preceded a successful tryout at the Apollo Theater’s notoriously tough talent show. The smooth crooner, who sounded like a hybrid of Teddy Pendergrass and Luther Vandross, won the contest three times when he was 15. FULL BIO
April 24, 2013
Artist: De La Soul
Title: Get Away (feat. the Spirit of the Wu)
Hood: Long Island, New York USA
Genre(s): Golden Era Hip-Hop, Boom Bap
Released: April 17, 2013
Social: Facebook Twitter
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April 23, 2013
A few weeks back, we were privileged to be guests of jazz soul singer Imani Uzuri, who performed a live set of her Gypsy Diaries LP at the legendary Blue Note Jazz club in Greenwich Village In New York City. We were lucky enough to be sitting right at the stage near the percussionist. Enjoy our perspective. Read more of this post
April 17, 2013
Love this rework by Common and our Fort Greene neighbor J. Period of the recent controversial new single by Jay-Z, Open Letter.
More from Davey D’s Hip Hop Corner:
So Jay-Z sparked controversy with his song Open Letter which was a response to the hoopla some in Congress was making about his trip to Cuba.. Well J Period hooked up a remix and added a scorching verse from Common.. I gotta note Common hits hard but may throw folks with his lyric about still riding for Obama..especially since he’s also talking about his support for Assaata Shakur. Read more of this post
April 17, 2013
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.
March 22, 2013
Artist: India.Arie
Title: Cocoa Butter
Hood: Atlanta, GA
Genre(s): Soul, Neo Soul, Jazz
Label: Universal Republic
Released: March 21, 2013
Social: Facebook Twitter
Soul singer, India.Arie is back on the scene with a cool new song. We dig it and hope radio will pick this one up. Enjoy.
More about the song:
India.Arie issues the sensual and feel good ballad “Cocoa Butter,” her new single from her forthcoming fifth studio album. On the track, the lyrical genius floats in the rejuvenation on new love. Arie’s upcoming fifth album, her follow-up to 2009′s Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics, is currently titled “SongVersation” and is expected to be released this summer.
March 22, 2013
This new singer from New Orleans is making waves for her beauty, voice and a pop soul sound that seems tailor made for urban radio. Peep this new single and let us know what you think.
To download, Click here and enter the code: 3y2bSP6C1Qk
March 14, 2013
This morning, during the 9am EST hour of the Today Show, popular (and beautiful) NBC Newswoman Tamron Hall revealed that Prince emailed her and offered up one of his songs, 17, as the new theme for her afternoon news program, News Nation. According to Hall, she will be able to use the song for the next 6 months. She claims Prince is a huge fan of the news and she seemed generally honored to use the song on her show.
Prince nerds like us will immediately recognize the jazzy number from Prince’s 80′s Madhouse project. Although the group officially released two numbered albums, 8 and 16. “17″ also known as Penetration (hilarious) appeared as the first song on Madhouse‘s unreleased 24 album. Read more of this post
March 12, 2013
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
March 8, 2013
Artist: 3rd Eye Girl
Title: Live Out Loud
Label: NPG Records
Genre: Alt Rock, Pop, Soul
Released: March 7, 2013
Basking in the afterglow of the Carnegie Hall tribute show, we are digging this new song by what we think are Prince proteges, 3rd Eye Girl. Released amazingly enough by a fan, Jester (see interview below), the track is a mid temp0 female vocals driven tune that rocks in a funky minimalist way. With a very positive message which urges everyone to live life to the fullest, we couldn’t help but smile while listening.
Let’s hope these talented ladies will do better than some of Prince‘s discarded acts. For every Sheila E., there are 2 singers who thought they had a shot at greatness (e.g. Martika, Jill Jones). We are encouraged after hearing this new track, which was written by Prince and more than likely includes some background vocals and maybe instrumentation as well. This is very solid and follows up Prince’s recent performance on Jimmy Kimmel of his new rock-tinged track, Screwdriver.
To download, click here and enter this code: LyuQTylR2QQ
REAL PRINCE NERD SECTION:
Discussion with Prince fan of the moment, Dr. Funkenberry about 3rd Eye Girl.
Live Out Loud Interviews:
March 6, 2013
Artist: Vanessa Elisha
Title: Home to Me
Hood: Australia
Genre(s): Pop, R&B, Soul
Released: March 4, 2013
Social: Twitter Soundcloud Tumblr
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February 27, 2013
Artist: Lion Babe
Title: Treat Me Like Fire
Released: January 25, 2013
Hood: New York, NY
Social: Facebook Twitter
Good GOD! This is HOT! This track, which is only a few weeks old, has been in our heads since we first heard it. The lead singer, Jillian Hervey, of the NYC based group, Lion Babe, has a Erykah Badu-esque flow and texture and rips through this track like buzzsaw (in a a good way)! We are now on the look for more from this exciting artist, who needs to be heard in the worst way. Enjoy this FIRE!!!! Read more of this post
February 26, 2013
Artist: Last Night In Paris
Title: Rose EP
Hood: London, UK
Released: February 15, 2013
Genre(s): Hip-Hop, R&B, Electronica, Pop Soul
You Will Like This if You Like: Drake, The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, Rihanna
Social: Facebook Twitter YouTube
Eerily reminiscent of some of the more recent emo Hip Hop coming out of Toronto via Drake and his homey The Weeknd, the UK collective, Last Night in Paris, is continuing the trend with an atmospheric electronic offering. There is a lot to like on this LP, especially the moodiness and raw UK texture that differentiates them from their N. American counterparts. It is clearly an effort to leverage some elements of dance and pop to broaden the groups reach and we like it. The production, while very electronic, is varied enough to keep our attention and the vocal performances are engaging despite sounding rather American at times. We think you will enjoy this one. Read more of this post
February 26, 2013
Artist: Petty
Title: Short But Sweet
Released: February 26, 2013
Hood: Nashville, Tennessee USA
Label: Gummy Soul
You Will Like this If You Like: Outkast, A Tribe Called Quest, Ludacris
Social: Twitter
Last year, we brought you two releases by Amerigo Gazaway, Freak the Funk and Bizarre Quest, A Ride to the Pharcyde, two soulful releases from label Gummy Soul. Since then, these cats have teamed up with rapper Petty and combined his lyrical prowess with Brooklyn, NY’s own Stuyvesants. As you may recall, The Stuyvesants released a few critically acclaimed instrumental hip hop albums infused with rare soul groove samples. We absolutely love their sound and passion for the groove and this collaboration will certainly add to their profile.
Honestly, we really dug this record. It has classic boom bap feel musically and knocks throughout on that front. Vocally, we really like Petty’s flow, lyrics and presence on the tracks. At times, he sounds like Andre’ 3000‘s harder cousin and at other times, he just lounges back in the groove like a Southern Kendrick Lamar or a mellower Meek Mill. Aside from these obvious influences, this record sounds refreshingly positive, lush, soulful and deserves your time for sure. Read more of this post
February 21, 2013
U.S. President Barack Obama will be appearing on 2 African American radio programs tomorrow morning, February 23, 2013. Tune in!
Friday, February 22, 2013
Yolanda Adams, The Yolanda Adams Morning Show
Time: 7:20 am ET
See local listings HERE
Listen live HERE
Joe Madison, The Black Eagle
Time: 8:15 am ET
This show airs on channel 128/The Power on Sirius XM
Listen live on channel 128, The Power on Sirius XM or WOL AM
February 20, 2013
Artist: Nia Andrews
Title: Colours EP
Genre(s): Soul, R&B, Jazz
Released: February 18, 2013
Hood: Los Angeles, CA USA
Social: Twitter Facebook YouTube SoundCloud
Enjoy this new EP by LA based singer/songwriter, Nia Andrews. She possesses a very clear voice with some serious soulful and jazzy undertones. Listen to this on the road on the way to work or while cleaning up on Saturday. This project was very well produced and should spawn at least 1 underground hit. Read more of this post
