Sonnymoon are a quirky duo – part indie-kid, part electro-hop. They released a free album not so long ago, Golden Age which is a mixed bag (according to me) – it’s definitely interesting and different, I just can’t figure out if I like it or not. But, I will say that their cover of Drake’s Housatlantavegas is pretty darned brilliant. They manage to hit that melancholy mood just right, highlighting the surprisingly touching melody and effectively conveying the message – “We know strippers say they like their job, but we all know it just ain’t right, so stop frontin’ and put your clothes on before I’m forced to give you a dollar because you’re working your ass off after all and I feel bad even though I don’t want to encourage this type of behavior.” Or am I just reading waaay too much into it?! Well, I guess y’all know how I feel about strippers now.
Check it out for yourself, then download.

Listen:

Download Sonnymoon – “Houstatlantavegas” (the track)

Download Sonnymoon – Golden Age (the album)

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Hot damn. This track is like, whoa. Seriously though, 1-O.A.K. did a ridiculous job of turning Little Dragon’s “Blinking Pigs” into a beautiful, hip-hop n’ jazz inflected head-nodder. 1-O.A.K, is Oakland’s Brandon McFarland – a vocalist, musician and producer who is part of the Bay Area Collective the Honor Roll. He entered this remix, titled  the “God Made Me Funky Remix” in the FILTER remix contest  and it’s no surprise that he emerged the winner.

Listen:

Download Little Dragon – Blinking Pigs – 1-O.A.K.’s God Made Me Funky Remix

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

This video provides a fascinating look into the creative process of a Sade – a true musical genius. We learn about what goes into making a Sade album and get some great behind-the-scenes insights into how Soldier of Love came to be.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Jose James’ new album Black Magic is out today, but while I impatiently wait for Emusic to get their ‘ish together and make that available here’s a lil something from Friends We Love. “Code” is produced by Flying Lotus and here we get a lil sneak peek at Mr. James laying down those silky vocals.

José James :: CODE – Music Video from friendswelove.com on Vimeo.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

So this video is hella (in internet time) old, ie. more than a week, I know this, but I’ma post it anyway ‘cos I’m clearly not hung up on being the first on everything. The Root’s next album How I Got Over was supposed to come out late last year but has been pushed back to this year. I’m not sure if there’s a solid date yet. In any case, here’s a little taste of what’s to come and it’s sounding lovely to me.

The Roots “How I Got Over” from Okayplayer on Vimeo.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Here’s the new single from the always-creative cool weirdo Peter Hadar. “Full Time Lover” is taken from a new forthcoming album Take Off Victoria. Peter has steadily been building his profile and following over the past several years so hopefully major successes are on their way to him! This track is super-funky with killer production from Mike Genato.
More info on Peter Hadar

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

The folks over at Dutch soul site Quality Time have put together this free EP tribute to Nicolay, in honor of The Foreign Exchange’s Grammy nomination in the Best Urban/Alternative Performance category for the song “Daykeeper.” We’ve got our fingers crossed that they scoop up the award tonight!

Tracklist:
01. The Foreign Exchange ft. Muhsinah – Daykeeper (*Grammy genomineerd)
02. United Soul ft. Phonte & Yahzarah – Soul Clap remix
03. The Foreign Exchange – Nic’s Groove (Live @ Sirius/XM Radio)
04. Nicolay ft. Carlitta Durand – Lose Your Way
05. The Foreign Exchange/?uestlove – Purple Flip
06. Vikter Duplaix – Electric love (Nicolay Vocal Mix)

Download the EP

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

No tea and biscuits?! Definitely a bummer. But don’t be fooled by the flippant title of this collection. The emotional output of this EP runs far deeper than such superficial disappoints. In fact The Shelltoes might be doing themselves a disservice by saying that their music blends jazz, hip-hop (this part is true) and “that feeling when you open the pantry and there’s no English Breakfast left. Or there is, but there’s no milk. Heartbreaking stuff.” Far from the novelty that verbiage suggests, The Shelltoes – made up of two Aussies, DJ/producer Glen Coates and vocalist Kyla Sexton – are a soulful pair with a distinct sound making this free EP worthy of your hard drive space. My faves are the thick, simmering soul of “Porgy” and the Nightmares on Wax-ish “Requiem.” Listen & download below. Definitely be looking out for more from these guys in the future.

More info: http://www.shelltoesmusic.com/
Download I Was Told There Would Be Refreshments

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Strictly Social resident, and one of LA’s best DJs, DJ Destroyer has kindly put together this exclusive mix for us. Featuring some soulful beats and cerebral soundscapes, Destroyer displays his usual impeccable taste.
http://destroyer.podomatic.com
http://twitter.com/djdestroyer

Download the Beatlife Mix from DJ Destroyer

Tracklist:

1. STAY HERE – MUHSINAH
2. FOR THE HUNGRY CATS – PORTFORMAT
3. PLANETARIUM – IMAN WILLIAMS
4. SON (FEAT. SUZI ANALOGUE) – MINDESIGN
5. LA SAMBA – AFTA-1
6. ELECTRIC LOVE (NICOLAY REMIX) – VIKTER DUPLAIX
7. THE MEANING – 14KT
8. THRONES – GEORGIA ANNE MULDROW
9. CRAZY YOU (FEAT. SY SMITH) – ZO!
10. BEYOND 2012 – DAM FUNK
11. AMERICA (REVISITED) – JIMETTA ROSE

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

In honor of Afta-1 & Nikko Gray’s soul-stirring performance at Strictly Social (the best event in LA to see live progressive soul music) last week, I decided to round-up some choice downloads from them, for you, my lovely readers. Hopefully both these artists will drop full-length projects on us before too long….
More info on Afta-1

Afta-1 remixes Jesse Boykins – “Amorous (AFTA-1 LOVE MIX)” – Sensuous, cosmic soul….
Listen:

Download

Afta-1 remixes Esthero “Superheroes” – a magical combo
Listen:

Download

Afta-1 “Light & Vibration” – feel your soul expand listening to this masterful soundscape
Listen:

Download

Love In The Music prod. by Gustavo Alfonzo.
Listen:

Download

More info on Nikko Gray

Bookmark It

Hide Sites