Beatlife » soul http://beatlife.net hand-filtered hip-hop, soul and electronic music Sun, 06 Jun 2010 04:58:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Sade – Soldier of Love – Making of the Album – Video http://beatlife.net/sade-soldier-of-love-making-of-the-album-video/ http://beatlife.net/sade-soldier-of-love-making-of-the-album-video/#comments Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:44:48 +0000 http://beatlife.net/?p=898 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.

]]> http://beatlife.net/sade-soldier-of-love-making-of-the-album-video/feed/ 0 Jose James – Code – Video http://beatlife.net/jose-james-code-video/ http://beatlife.net/jose-james-code-video/#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:45:01 +0000 http://beatlife.net/?p=895 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.

]]> http://beatlife.net/jose-james-code-video/feed/ 0 The NicolayAway EP – Tribute To Nicolay http://beatlife.net/the-nicolayaway-ep-tribute-to-nicolay/ http://beatlife.net/the-nicolayaway-ep-tribute-to-nicolay/#comments Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:05:00 +0000 http://beatlife.net/?p=877 Tribute to Nicolay - free download

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

]]> http://beatlife.net/the-nicolayaway-ep-tribute-to-nicolay/feed/ 1 The Shelltoes – I Was Told There Would Be Refreshments http://beatlife.net/the-shelltoes-i-was-told-there-would-be-refreshments/ http://beatlife.net/the-shelltoes-i-was-told-there-would-be-refreshments/#comments Sun, 31 Jan 2010 03:07:46 +0000 http://beatlife.net/?p=872 The Shelltoes - I Was Told There Would Be Refreshments - Jazz - Hip-Hop

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

]]> http://beatlife.net/the-shelltoes-i-was-told-there-would-be-refreshments/feed/ 0 Russell Taylor – Press Pause – Video http://beatlife.net/russell-taylor-press-pause-video/ http://beatlife.net/russell-taylor-press-pause-video/#comments Mon, 25 Jan 2010 04:21:56 +0000 http://beatlife.net/?p=846 Independent soul artist Russell Taylor, who Soultracks describes as “..among the best kept secrets in contemporary music…” is re-releasing his well-received album Confessional next month.  The single “Press Pause” gives you a taste of what Taylor is all about as he humorously deals with an over-zealous lover.  Keep up with RT at http://www.russelltaylor.net/

]]> http://beatlife.net/russell-taylor-press-pause-video/feed/ 0 Soulbounce Presents: Men Love Mary http://beatlife.net/soulbounce-presents-men-love-mary/ http://beatlife.net/soulbounce-presents-men-love-mary/#comments Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:01:14 +0000 http://beatlife.net/?p=794 men love mary - tribute to my life

The good folks over at Soulbounce present this tribute to Mary J.Blige’s breakthrough album My Life, which was released 15 years ago (damn that makes me feel old!). Men Love Mary: A Tribute to My Life features renditions from indie soul artist extraordinaire Eric Roberson, Bay-area soul funkster Nino Moschella, Brooklyn’s rising star Jesse Boykins III, Chicago’s own D Maurice (currently on tour with Eric Roberson), New Jersey-bred crooner Bradd Marquis, Queens NY vocalist TL Cross, international sensation Darien (featured with Reel People), Toronto-based producer Slakah the Beatchild, podcaster/musician Fave (from the Friday Favecast) and a bonus remix from producer Siik. The EP is hosted by one of Bad Boy’s legendary “Hitmen,” Chucky Thompson, who was a key producer on the My Life album.

Men Love Mary: A Tribute to My Life offers a fresh perspective from a new generation of artists inspired by her sincerity and longevity. Mary J. Blige continues to embody the raw emotions of  love, sorrow, triumph and happiness in her music. Men Love Mary: A Tribute to My Life is an opportunity to celebrate our Queen of Hip Hop Soul and give her flowers while she’s alive. The free download also includes a digital booklet with artist information, production credits and graphics.

Get your copy below. Props to Soulbounce for masterminding this project!

Download Men Love Mary: A Tribute to My Life

men love mary - tribute to my life

]]> http://beatlife.net/soulbounce-presents-men-love-mary/feed/ 0 Anthony Valadez X Beatlife Mix http://beatlife.net/anthony-valadez-x-beatlife-mix/ http://beatlife.net/anthony-valadez-x-beatlife-mix/#comments Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:56:41 +0000 http://beatlife.net/?p=789 Beatlife - Anthony Valadez Mix

The ever-prolific Anthony Valadez has been so kind as to bless this wee blog with a very special mix just for us.  He’s put together a soulful set featuring new and classic sounds side-by-side, including Beatlife faves Quadron, Replife and Comfort Fit. Download the mix below. Many thanks to A/V for showing us love!

Tracklisting:

bibo – lovers carvings (leatherette mix)
ramsey lewis – jungle strut
bonobo – the keeper (grasscut remix)
quadron – unpatience
replife – r u ready?
blackalicious – swan lake
comfort fit – exabyte (flako remix)
labi siffre – bless the telephone
michael jackson – she’s out of my life

Download the Anthony Valadez X Beatlife mix

In case you don’t know, you can catch A/V Monday nights on KCRW and at his various club residencies around Los Angeles. Peep his site for all the details.

]]> http://beatlife.net/anthony-valadez-x-beatlife-mix/feed/ 2 Bilal Live At CMJ http://beatlife.net/bilal-live-at-cmj/ http://beatlife.net/bilal-live-at-cmj/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:02:47 +0000 http://beatlife.net/?p=721 Courtesy of ArtDontSleep, check out Bilal’s live performance of “Levels” from CMJ. He recently signed with Plug Research and is schedule to release a full-length album with them next year.

The Sounds of VTech / Bilal: LEVELS

]]> http://beatlife.net/bilal-live-at-cmj/feed/ 0 Afta-1 – Love Is Real Vol 4 http://beatlife.net/afta-1-love-is-real-vol-4/ http://beatlife.net/afta-1-love-is-real-vol-4/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:06:07 +0000 http://beatlife.net/?p=678

Afta-1 - Love Is Real Vol 4 - Vessels Behind A Moment

AFTA-1’s latest mix is simply beautiful. His description below really says it all, suffice to say that this mix is a must-have – beautifully crafted and a real inspiration.

The months following the release of Love is Real Vol. 3 have again affirmed everything that GAS’D, myself and everyone else in the universe living for Love, truly believe in. We are all vessels,  placed on this planet to create.  Blessed with the freedom to choose our medium, true fulfillment lies in carrying out our calling to its fullest extent. Which is ultimately done, one moment at a time. One Now at a time.

We must choose to act in the present without  limiting ourselves by the thought of tomorrow. Give our today our everything. Create at our peak for the only time that matters, NOW. Fulfilling our divine calling while fulfilling our life through love.

This is a collection of moments. Every one of these tracks has been the soundtrack to my life in many key moments throughout my journey. Including very recent ones. As this mix itself was created in a moment. One sleep-free night, three days ago while simultaneously finalizing it’s closing track. “7th Sun,” a rough draft of the most recent work for my upcoming album. So it’s only right that we also drop this mix at a moment’s notice.

Without further a do, Enjoy this collection of  Love sounds old, new, and in-between from some past LIR favorites, some good friends, & hopefully some artists you may not have heard before. And of course,  you know how we set the vibe…Dim the lights, light one up and  float.

Download Love Is Real Vol 4 – Vessels Behind A Moment

Tracklist:

1. Imani Waddy & AFTA-1 – Light & Vibration
2. Robert Glasper ft. Bilal – All Matter
3. Isley Brothers – Footsteps in the Dark (King Britt remix)
4. Boom Clap Bachelors – Combineur
5. Little Dragon – Thunder Love
6. AFTA-1 ft. Nikko Gray – ESP (A Four Page Suite)
7. Herbie Hancock – Butterfly
8. Alpha – Reprise
9. Mos Def – Boogie Man Song
10. AFTA-1 & Cazeaux O.S.L.O. – M.M.J.S. (A Sweaterless Suite)
11. A Race Of Angels – Present Love
12. Cazeaux O.S.L.O – Wortha’s Greens
13. Deadbeat – Port Au Prince
14. Musinah – Lose My Fuse (Prod. By Flying Lotus)
15. Murcof – Mapa
16. Dam Funk – Angel Reflections (excerpt)
17. LAL Forrest – Pale
18. AFTA-1 – Fortune Remix
19. Alice Coltrane – Prema (excerpt)
20. AFTA-1 – 7th Sun

AFTA-1 - We All Are One - Love Is Real

]]> http://beatlife.net/afta-1-love-is-real-vol-4/feed/ 0 New Jams From Jose James http://beatlife.net/new-jams-from-jose-james/ http://beatlife.net/new-jams-from-jose-james/#comments Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:22:14 +0000 http://beatlife.net/?p=593 Jose James

I’ve been having a serious Jose James phase as of late, and it’s a wonderful thing. Here’s two new jams from the man with the butter-voice, that will have you falling in love with him all over again. Props to HoneySoul for turning me on to “Lay You Down”. I believe this one will be on his forthcoming album (due September I think). “Jazzy Joint” is a track featuring Jose James by J.A.M. – the piano trio from Soil & Pimp Sessions.Both tracks provide perfect summer listening.

Jose James – Lay You Down

J.A.M. ft. Jose James – Jazzy Joint

Purchase Jose James’ excellent album The Dreamer Jose James - The Dreamer

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