Here’s a soulful sampler courtesy of souldiscoveries.wordpress.com. With a healthy mix of familiar and up and coming names, you might unearth some soulful gems.
Grab the download

01.  Jeff Bradshaw – Guess You’ll Never Know
02.  Lizz Fields – Say The Word
03.  Monique De Bose – Captivity
04.  Myron – I Can’t Deny
05.  Abenaa – Rain
06.  Eric Roberson – What I Gotta
07.  Yolanda Johnson – Individual
08.  Angie Stone – Take Everything In
09.  Yewande – Satisfied
10.  Raheem DeVaughn – Mo Betta
11.  Frank McComb – Shine
12.  Anthony Hamilton – Charlene Live in ATL
13.  Jazzyfatnastees – Tumbling
14.  Common Folk – Lifetime (Remix)
15.  Emerald Jade – You Bring Joy To My Life
16.  Fertile Ground – Ghetto Butterfly
17.  Kem – Brotha Man
18.  Conya Doss – Nevamind
19.  Kevin Chandler Band – Everybody Knows
20.  N’Dambi – Bitter Bitter Blue
21.  Res – Sittin’ Back
22.  Yahzarah – Same Page
23.  Russell Taylor – How Deep
24.  Peven Everett – Everyday Girl
25.  L’Renee – Lets Do Whatever
26.  Geno Young – A Man With Nothing To Lose
27.  Fried – Back From War
28.  Antoinique – Krazy
29.  Erykah Badu – Soldier
30.  Lina – Stranger On Earth
31.  Nick Rolfe – Gold Digga
32.  Soulive – Morning Light
33.  Teau – You Got Me
34.  Eugene IV – One Too
35.  Mint Condition – Look Whatchu Doing To Me
36.  Alison Crockett – So Sweet
37.  Lalah Hathaway – What Goes Around
38.  Randevyn – Graveyard Treasures

These guys are doing an amazing thing….check the video, ’nuff said.

peaceacademyinc.com

J Davey just posted this open letter to the music industry on their blog. I was directed to it by the always informed Ant Valadez. Makes for some interesting reading from one of the most hyped acts to still not have released their major label debut…..
——————

“lights out !” : an open letter to the record industry & the idiots who work for the fascist regime .
read this out loud !

this is intended for all of you lowly puppets who sit in your big offices in big buildings that will soon be out of business & thus, forced to hold vacant memories of an industry that once was . this is for all of the big wigs in suits & ties who sit at the head of the conference room table with creative opinions as empty as the “music” they force down the throats of the now bored & uninspired creative consumers . this is for all the idle assistants who only work hard enough to get their names on the grammy party lists, or whose only existence remains obsolete if he/she can’t get into the hot new band’s hollywood show debut . this is for the borderline retarded a&r guy who should in fact abandon his dreams of changing the failing record industry to become a highly paid talent scout at a modeling agency . this is definitely for all the marketing low lives who fail to avidly push great talent because the world’s fave reality slut randomly decided one day while botoxing her armpits that she wants to be a rockstar .

yes .
this open letter is for all of you .
come feast your eyes upon the truth behind your insolence for 5 minutes , if you even have your job for that much longer.

your blatant lack of respect & worship for the oldest & dearest artform has brought a once thriving & artistic industry to a grinding halt . your willingness to believe that the world wide web has killed the consumers’ thirst for new & exciting talent is wildly ignorant & safe . you would like to feed into this stupidity because you are too lazy to stand behind substance ; you’d rather take the low & easy road than take the time to nurture true talent . you’d rather tirelessly feed us the same carbon copied , lip synching , sex dripping , faux punk “i got my entire outfit from hot topic” rocker , buffoonishly ghetto “are they even speaking english?” hip hop , “same old same” sound from song to song type image & force us to believe that this is all the world’s artists have to offer . you’d rather watch your company stocks & yearly record sales severely plummet than take strong initiative to fix the current problem . you’d rather see hundreds of employees laid off & out of work during the holidays because you’re too afraid to stand up for something new & different . you’re content with creating a 1-hit wonder society , where any idiot with anything shockingly catchy can enjoy a sorry 15 minutes of fame & a future segment on vh1′s “biggest 1-hit wonders of 08″ extravaganza .

where is the new generation of legends ?

beyonce & alicia keys are old shoe ins . r kelly , sure , but his personal dramas easily overshadow his genius . radiohead & outkast comes to mind , & then i draw a big blank .

the latest thrill in music has been an over abundance of great dancers with mediocre voices , albums , singles , concert ticket sales , etc . thank god the internet allows every joe blow in the universe a free forum to overexpose every little thing , especially mediocre celebrities . thank god for online music forums , such as myspace . artists are able to directly connect with the people & expose themselves & their art to everyone everywhere at the click of a button . myspace proves that music can no longer fit into a box . long gone are the days of urban vs pop vs alternative radio . gwen stefani had hit songs for years on the pop & alt charts , but she records a song written by pharrell & she’s instantly on top of the urban charts as well . this new r&b dance pop music crosses over to white kids & that kelly clarkson “since you’ve been gone” song was smeared across the lips of many a young black girl last year . m i a is all over the indie alternative stations , & lets not even get started on gnarls barkeley .

all signs point to the obvious : true music consumers right now are a ) young , & b) smart . young kids are able to point & click their way to every new trend . they arguably have short attention spans & they want to be in on what’s cool & personable to them . when madonna emerged in the ’80s you had tons of girls around the world imitating her every move & style down to the mole . kurt cobain turned grunge commercial when he was exposed to millions of kids who felt like society’s outsiders looking in . hip-hop has been a huge influence on mainstream culture since the early ’80s because of it’s relativity . kids have not changed . young people are not mindless robots who like what you tell them to like with no opinions . the youth are always looking to be enthralled .

they want to be entertained . they want to feel as though they are a part of something that will be written about , studied , & revered 20 years later . they , like all of us old & young alike , want to be inspired . when i was a kid i saw prince prance around on stage & dazzle people with his art & i felt inspired to do the same thing . why are you music industry idiots attempting to tell us that we don’t want to be touched ? why are you trying to rob us of new musical experiences ? will there ever be another motown 25 / michael jackson moonwalk experience ? will we never again hear a single like queen’s “bohemian rhapsody” on the radio because the hook isn’t catchy enough ? will we never see another band like the talking heads & joy division or parliament ? will there never be another artist to rival frank zappa ? will we be forced to hear different versions of the same dumb song on every single radio station every 5 minutes simply because the record label had enough money to pay off the station manager ? are we still supposed to care about mtv when there are hardly any videos in rotation ? do i even need to mention b e t or v h 1 ? are any of the classic record industry outlets working these days ? as of late it seems that artists are independently breaking ground with their own efforts . songs are being licensed for national commercials from artists’ myspace pages & personal websites . ellen degeneres has been known to book musical guests from videos seen on youtube , & as i aforementioned , gnarls barkeley not only created a new genre , but they also won grammy awards for an album that was recorded in home studios & released through an indie label .

why should artists even seek major label deals ? they are completely outdated & obsolete . artists are sold the dream that talent can secure superstardom , but it becomes evident that labels only sign bands nowdays because of the band’s existing fanbase & record sales , or because they dig the artist’s look & want to cash in . they don’t want to develop the art . they don’t want the artist to express his/herself entirely . they just want the artist to comply with what will get the company a big monetary return . they sign you for millions , pimp you for pennies , then drop you a year later when the music they made you record & release is no longer relevant . you’re left on the streets unsigned & irrelevant & ready to infect the world with the music you’ve always wanted to make , but no one will take a chance on you due to your previous material . meanwhile , the label has already put white out over your signature on the slave deal & replaced it with a younger version of you . cold game , ain’t it ?

the age old model is failing . as an industry based on faithful consumers you have lost your connection with the people who matter most : the PEOPLE . you have yet to show them that you are with the changing times & able to adapt to something new . you are proving that you are too afraid to promote good music . you would rather let the monotonous drone of what is today’s music remain unbalanced by substance . you would rather watch more legendary artists abandon you for direct deals with itunes & touring companies . you would rather allow the internet to defeat what should be your life’s work . maybe you should excuse yourself from the next a&r meeting to go take a look in the bathroom mirror . stand there & ask yourself why you took this job , & when you realize it’s simply because you wanted to be cool & “in the mix” then return to the conference room , take that gun out of your pocket , & shoot yourself in the head in front of your coworkers so that you are made an example of . if you can in fact leave that conference room & look in the bathroom mirror with pride & hunger to break the monotony then head back into that conference room , jump on top of the table & read this manifesto .

this is a challenge .
we’re calling your bluff .
record labels are nothing but banks that give artists hi price loans in exchange for artistic control . put your money where your cocks are . go out on a limb & support real music for a change . find the line where the internet & the real world meet & infect more people with something magical . start building more legends . it’s almost too late . interscope is dead . def jam is next . motown who ? mca what ? warner , you’re not too far behind . the war sirens are ringing & you’re content with playing deaf & dumb .
we’re calling your bluff !
we’re here to reprogram how you & the rest of the world listen to music .
we can do this together , or you can stick to your own devices & peril in the process .
we are the people . we are the future . we are the present .
who are you ?

*******************************************************************

copy this , paste this , & repost it wherever you see fit . email it to those who you believe can benefit from somethin like this . this is from the heart in jerry maguire “who’s comin with me?” fashion . lets open our eyes , our ears , & our hearts . lets stop standin for the bullshit & start demandin these idiots to take charge & make change . substance has the right to be heard . support real shit & start takin it to the streets !

c’mon people .
it’s 2008 . diddy killed music in 94 . it’s time for some better shit .

pass it on . . .

Please check out Art.Beatlife.net
We just started this blog to focus on art-related events and news.
Feel free to drop us a line with submissions.
http://art.beatlife.net

SCION AUDIO/VISUAL RELEASES 12” VINYL FEATURING EL MICHELS AFFAIR AND RAEKWON AND SCION CD SAMPLER V.15 MIXED BY COSMO BAKER AND DJ AYRES

Scion continues to support independent artistic expression through its latest Scion Audio/Visual (SA/V) 12” vinyl release of El Michels Affair and Raekwon and Scion CD Sampler v.15 – Award Tour mixed by Cosmo Baker and DJ Ayres.

“Scion Audio/Visual opens up a path that connects creative artists and avid listeners,” said Jeri Yoshizu, Scion sales promotions manager. “We encourage artistic creativity and the A/V label is one of Scion’s approaches to supporting the music community.”

The latest 12” vinyl installment, available this month, sees Brooklyn’s El Michels Affair paired up with hip-hop legend Raekwon (of Wu-Tang Clan) for a “live remix” of Raekwon’s song with Pete Rock called “The PJs,” as well as an original El Michels song and a couple interlude/bonus beats. Raekwon wrote some new lyrics for “The PJs” track, and El Michels flipped it with their signature vintage soul sound.

SA/V brings you Scion CD Sampler v.15 – Award Tour mixed by Cosmo Baker and DJ Ayres. Along with partner DJ Eleven, they comprise The Rub crew.

The Rub started as a monthly party in the summer of 2002 at Southpaw in Brooklyn, and it quickly grew into “the best party in NYC” (New York Press). Now in its fourth year, The Rub continues to live up to the accolades – packing in a diverse crowd who’ll wild-out to hip-hop, ’80s, disco, rock, funk, house, reggae and everything in between.

The Rub’s Cosmo Baker played a crucial part of Philadelphia nightlife for years – holding down the now-legendary Back to Basics party with King Britt; spinning at house parties back in the day with The Roots; and launching the beloved Remedy monthly alongside Rich Medina. The Rub’s DJ Ayres got his start spinning hip-hop on college radio and at parties, and has released upwards of 50 mixtapes in 10 years, prompting the New York Times to call him “one of New York’s best mixtape DJs.”

Included on Scion CD Sampler v.15 – Award Tour are songs by Ghostface & MF Doom, Memphis Bleek, The Streets, Aloe Blacc, Chromeo, Bloc Party, and UK Mercury Prize nominee Sway, among many others. Scion CD Sampler v.15 will be available at upcoming Scion events across the country.

SA/V continues to bring listeners, those with and without the skills to cut it up on the turntable, the heart and soul of music through its vinyl and CD releases. Look out for future installments of the mix CDs and 12″ vinyl from Scion DJ Contest winner DJ Cutler and from Connie Price & The Keystones w/ Big Daddy Kane, respectively.

About Scion Audio/Visual
Scion Audio/Visual (SA/V) was founded to give true artists a voice in a noisy world. Scion has consistently championed independent thinking and alternative culture. With its Audio/Visual in-house record label, Scion continues to promote that culture with a series of CD mixtapes and 12” vinyl releases, both given out for free, which focus on getting exposure for these talented musicians and DJs. With global vision and diversity through expression, SA/V champions individuality with no genre boundaries.

Each 12” release features an up-and-coming live band with a special guest vocalist (an established MC or singer) doing a “cover” or “live version” of that vocalist’s song. Past collaborations have included the daKAH Hip Hop Orchestra featuring Guru of Gangstarr; The Fyre Dept. with GZA; and Rhythm Roots Allstars featuring Raheem Devaughn, Aloe Blacc and Afrodisiac Sound System.

On the other side of the SA/V concept, the mix CDs span the gamut of hip-hop, funk, soul, reggae, world, and electronic music. Previous installments have featured mixes from Wax Poetics’ DJ Monk One, Mr. Scruff & Nicolay, The Oakland Faders, Peanut Butter Wolf & Jazzy Jeff, and others.

For more information about Scion A/V visit:
www.scion.com/culture/music or www.scion.com/SAV

Tracklisting for CD Sampler v.15
01: Grandmaster Caz “Speaks” / Sessomatto “Sesso Matto”
02: Stimulus “The Rub Freestyle”
03: Ghostface & MF Doom “Angels”
04: A-Trak ft. Little Brother “Step Off”
05: Sway Dasafo “Products Die and Lean”
06: Fannypack ft. Mr. Vegas “Fire Fire”
07: Coldcut ft Spankrock & Roots Manuva “True Skool” (Armani XXXchange Remix)
08: Memphis Bleek ft. Jay-Z “Yes”
09: The Streets “The Art of Hotel Expressionism”
10: Exile ft. Blame “Blamexile”
11: Loose Joints “Is It All over My Face (Male version)”
12: Loose Joints “Is It All over My Face (Female version)”
13: Aloe Blacc “Are You Ready”
14: Banda Uniao Black “Africa Hot Band”
15: Shirley Lites “Heat You Up Melt You Down”
16: Qualo “Chocolate Tie (Coco Remix)”
17: Chromeo “Needy Girl”
18: Nick Chacona “A Cambria Heights Affair 2″
19: Pase Rock “Bang”
20: Kudu “Let’s Finish”
21: Trackademicks ft L-Deez “BayCatsDoDat (Hyphy)/ Egg Foo Young “Frost” (Ayres & Cosmo Blend)
22: Tittsworth ft Stimulus “911″
23: Spankrock “Chilly Will”
24: Ghislain Poirier “Pampa Pimp”
25: Kano & Low Deep feat Ghetto, Bic Seac, Demon & Doctor “Get Set”
26: Radioclit featuring TTC, Ears, Skepta, Tinchy, Strider “Mature Macho Machine”
27: Pase Rock “Freestyle”
28: Bloc Party “She’s Hearing Voices”

Natalie Walker’s “Quicksand (Thievery Corporation Remix)” has been tapped for use in the latest trailer for Sofia Coppola’s forthcoming movie Marie Antoinette. Click below to check it out.

For more on Natalie Walker:
www.natalie-walker.com
www.myspace.com/nataliewalkermusic

DJ Junior of RecordBreakin.com has a mix cd out entitled “Lend Me Your Ear” featuring lots of quality tracks:

Tracklisting:
1. Summer Children – Free (ft. Heidi Levo)
2. Antibalas – K-Leg
3. The 3 Foot People – Clappers Power
4. Lil’ Dave – Van Glorious
5. Vikter Duplaix – I See the Sun (ft. Tye Tribbett & GA)
6. Wale Oyejide – Cooba [Daz-I-Kue Edit]
7. Roddy Rod – Cuba Revolt
8. Rich Medina – Too Much (ft. Martin Luther) [Afrostreet Remix]
9. Taylor McFerrin – Warrior Dub
10. The Rebirth – Walk Talkin’ Mizell (Until We Meet Again)
11. Ty – Hustle (ft. Rich Medina)
12. Frezna – Yo Yo Affair
13. Freddie Cruger – Pretty Little Thing (ft. Linn)
14. A Race of Angels – We
15. Eric Roberson – Find The Way
16. Vice Lounge – Don’t Worry

check the new vid from Wade Waters “Right Back”

WE SAY:
Glitchy, synthy and melodic breaks n’ beats from Tacoma, WA’s Lipp. Displaying influences ranging from funk and disco to electro and downtempo, Tacoma Mockingbird also has a strong hip-hop sensibility.

THEY SAY:
“Lipp weaves some fine textures…the kid’s scrap-savvy instrumental hip-hop is just what you’d expect: loose, breathable funk fabric.”-XLR8R

“…The subtleties here make all the difference. It’s electro and dubby at one instant, propulsive and banging instrumental hip-hop at the next. Cinematic is an understatement. Think bigger beat junkies; this shit is built for the IMAX.”-SCISSORKICK.COM

LEARN:
It rains for about half the year in Eliot’s hometown, Tacoma, Washington. Los Angeles is lucky if it gets a tenth of that. With friends and family on his mind, Eliot recorded during the blazing Los Angeles summer. Laying down a bedrock of notorious breakbeats under his signature Sequential Circuits and Korg MS-20 leads, Eliot has created an impeccable beat record that also serves as an autobiographical chronicle of love, longing and a soulful testament to the love for his hometown. Eliot’s instrumentals pour forth more emotion than most modern-day crooners, and his beats are on par with today’s best producers. Listening to his record automatically transports you to a crowded California freeway, with the wheels pointed north. It begins with dry desert leanings, and before long the rain starts to drip on the windshield, giving way to a full on finger-snapping downpour.
READ FULL BIO

LISTEN:
01. Glasspipe
02. Tic Tac
03. Rap Tight
04. Brand New
05. Times Four
06. Last Night
07. Check Weight
08. Rhyme War
09. The People
10. Sex Tape
11. Mashin’ On ‘Em
12. Spit Rap
13. Vallejo

EXPLORE:
www.eliotlipp.net
www.heftyrecords.com
www.myspace.com/eliotlipp

straight from the guys themselves – download their album “bare food” for free!:

The blurred lines of hip hop have been crossed and a new sound emerges as Mr.Len and Kimani Rogers serve up their second offering as Roosevelt Franklin. “bare food” is a genre crossing, comedic, emotional, mind altering experience that will make you want to erase other albums from your ipod. This is not one of those sit back and enjoy records..no my friend, this is jump up and slap the ass of a girl or guy around you music and laugh about it as you attempt to sing along.
After locking themselves in a Transylvanian cave for 3 months, surviving on only ramen noodles and old reruns of the Munsters they emerged ready to take the world by storm. Then Kimani was diagnosed with a rare form of alien bird flu and was forced to live in a bubble. Len was also called into service by the recently reformed Alliance Of The Orange and spent days on secret missions in the midwest. Obviously filthy rich off of the multi-maple success of there first record, they decided to “charge it to the game” as the young people like to say nowadays on american idol. This is what it sounds like when thugs cry.

There is no watermarking here. No hidden animal noises. Share it with everyone. That’s what publicity is about. June 2006.

http://rapidshare.de/files/15493431/Bare_Food.zip.html
with love
Mr Len and Kimani Rogers
roosefrank@gmail.com– roosevelt franklin”fresher than your momma”

http://www.myspace.com/rooseveltfranklin
http://rooseveltfranklin.blogspot.com