Zo! is a multi-instrumentalist / producer from Detroit who is on The Foreign Exchange Music label. His soulful hip-hop sound is a perfect match for that label, born out of the success of Phonte and Nicolay’s original Foreign Exchange collaboration. Just Visiting Three is the latest installment in Zo!’s series of free eps in which he reworks cover songs with the help of a slew of progressive soul vocalists like Eric Roberson, Sy Smith,Nicholas Ryan Gant and more.

Listen:
“Everything She Wants”  feat. Phonte
[See post to listen to audio]

“Let It Go” feat. Nicholas Ryan Gant
[See post to listen to audio]

Download Zo! – Just Visiting Three

Tracklisting:

01. Black Cow feat. Phonte and Sy Smith
02. Let It Go feat. Nicholas Ryan Gant
03. Driving feat. Sy Smith
04. Marzipan feat. Eric Roberson and Phonte
05. Everything She Wants feat. Phonte
06. Same Ole Love feat. Jeanne Jolly
07. Playing Your Game, Baby feat. Anthony David

You may remember Emily King from a few years back, from her song “Walk In My Shoes”. After she caused a stir with that track, she kinda disappeared. I have no idea what she’s been up to since then, but this EP, released independently has just surfaced. It’s less R&B than “Walk In My Shoes”, and has a folksier, but still soulful feel to it. Take a listen below and let me know what you think. It’s fairly low-key and mellow, but really allows her voice to shine. I think it’s a grower.

Tokyo Dawn’s Opolopo just posted this awesome “kick & bass rerub” house remix of jazz/soul singer Gregory Porter‘s “1960 What?”  - a soul music anthem for revolutionary times, past and present. The original 12-minute track is taken from his GRAMMY nominated debut album Water and its most political song. It’s inspired in part by Kamau Kenyatta’s stories of life in Detroit and by the 1963 assassination of Martin Luther King, as well as Porter’s own experiences growing up in Los Angeles. Check out both versions below and let us know what you think.

Opolopo’s Remix:
Gregory Porter – 1960 What? (opolopo kick & bass rerub) by opolopo

The original:

Well dang. Jimi James might just melt your screen with her smoldering, to say the least, performance in this here video. But if you’ve ever seen Jimi James perform live, you know that she always brings bucketloads of style and artistry to go along with the hotness. This video is no different. Whaddya think?

Motema recording artist Gregory Porter is an amazing vocalist whose accomplished, GRAMMY nominated debut album Water will find a place in the hearts of soul and jazz fans alike. He’s currently in the midst of a West Coast tour, so be sure to take this opportunity to witness his talent live. Download a free song “Pretty” below.

02-16-2011 Catalina’s Hollywood, CA
02-18-2011 Music Millennium Portland, Oregon
02-19-2011 Tony Starlight’s Portland, Oregon
02-22-2011 Yoshi’s Oakland Oakland, CA
02-25-2011 Club Heidegger Rotterdam, Netherlands
02-26-2011 MC Theater Amsterdam, Netherlands
02-27-2011 Hnita-Jazz club Heist-op-den-Berg, Belgium
02-28-2011 Masterclass at the Conservatory of Rotterdam Rotterdam, The Nederlands

Lots of Bilal goodness for you today via ArtDontSleep:

Finally, the video everyone has been waiting for…..Bilal’s “Levels,” directed by super producer Flying Lotus a.k.a. Steve Ellison . Lotus is making his directorial debut and this marks as sort of a Plug Research reunion, where his debut 1983 was released. The visually, stunning video was inspired by the Bilal track and also features cameo appearances by Erykah Badu and Shafiq Husayn (who produced the track).

Lotus recently discussed the concept of the video saying, “I originally wanted to keep visual themes with another video from my last LP called ‘mmhmm’ off of my last album. It featured Thundercat as an intergalactic bass player in a super strange world created by ‘Special Problems’. Since Thundercat was part of this song, I thought it could be fun to continue the visual style and feel of this space opera. In the end you have this crazy video made of so much mixed media, geek dreams and lots of love.” This is the third video off of Bilal’s latest album Airtight’s Revenge .

Purchase Levels – EP – Bilal at iTunes

FULL SCREEN
The Sounds of VTech / Bilal Levels

Ben Westbeech is back, and back in style, by the sounds of this new track “Slowly.” He’s currently giving it away in exchange for your email address at his official site, so head over there and grab it while you can. Meanwhile, take a listen below. His new album, There’s More To Life Than This, is slated for an April release via Strictly Rhythm records.

Listen:
[See post to listen to audio]

Here’s what Ben’s saying about his absence and return:

It’s been a mad four years of ups and down’s, peaks and troughs and enlightenment. Lost Projects, unlikely prophets, new prospects. I have been on journey’s far and wide after the first record, and have met and had great/horrible experiences with so many inspiring people. Travelled the world and seen a lot of madness. Experience is the essence of moving on and learning is the provider of wisdom, and so we must move on and learn.

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.

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.

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