I’m diggin’ this cat Timothy Bloom at the moment, in particular the track “Wonderful” which is starting to garner some buzz with some radio play and such. “Once More Again” is another highlight from his Myspace page. An album, Life Without Music is in the works although I don’t believe there is a street date yet.  The boy’s got chops - he’s worked with the likes of Smokey Robinson, Usher’s group One Chance and more. Not only that but he has the claim to fame of being the 3rd person to play on Nat King Cole’s grand piano besides Stevie Wonder. Check out the Timothy Bloom Vs. Grand Piano video on his page, to see what he’s capable of.

He’s got a nice alternative-soul type vibe - a little bit of a Van Hunt thang goin on, but much catchier, with a voice that’s a little reminiscent of Robin Thicke (that’s a good thing…). The more I listen to this guy, the more I hope he blows up - mainstream music could definitely  use his kind of earthy & authentic, but accessible and chart-friendly soul - move over Usher (you dumbed it down way too much with “Love In This Club”), Ne-Yo (”Closer” is SO the dance/pop of Europe about 10 years ago) and Chris Brown? Shouldn’t you be in school or something?

Go check out Timothy’s MySpace and see what the hell I’m talking about….

Listen to “Wonderful”:

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So it’s not unusual that I get emails from artists wanting some shine on the blog. It is considerably more unusual that they turn out to be really, really good! But this is the case with one Zach Lipkins who hit me up recently. He describes his music as Electroacoustic / Trip Hop which does sum it up quite nicely. Based on what I’ve heard on his myspace, there’s elements of the glitchiness of a Dabrye, the folksy acoustic-ness of Savath+Savalas, and some traces of Telefon Tel Aviv. But somehow he’s meshed all these influences together into his own syle that maintains his own, um, Zach-ness, without sounding derivative or unoriginal. In fact his tracks stand up very well to repeated listening and become more unique each time. His captivating soundscapes blend the electronic and acoustic elements into a natural, effortless harmony - melodic acoustic guitars outline bleepy breaks on “The Descent” while his prominent percussion lends an exotic air to the powerful “Fine Tea.” It’s times like this, when fine new artists are exposed that you remember to give thanks for the wonders of MySpace and the rare, but rewarding gems it sometimes reveals.

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Yes it’s true, I’ve been a little uninspired by hip-hop as of late - nothing was really hitting the spot for me. But I’m back on the wagon thanks to Buff1. I recently downloaded his new album There’s Only 1 on Emusic and am loving it pretty much from start to finish. Lyrically Buff1 has something interesting to say on nearly every track - he’s intelligent, witty and spiritual without succumbing to the epidemic of impotent and uninspired boasts that seems to be plaguing many MCs lately. Buff1 simply brings it on every track with a tangible passion, and is backed by some truly dope production from The Lab Techs and Black Milk. So definitely pick up this album and renew your faith in hip-hop.

Thank you Buff1.
Download There’s Only 1 at

Go visit Buff1 on Myspace

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So unless you’ve been under a rock as of late, you’re probably hip to the fact that the much-lauded pairing of Dutch beatmaker Nicolay + Little Brother’s Phonte AKA The Foreign Exchange are about to drop another album. Leave It All Behind will be dropping digitally on October 7th with a double CD release to follow on October 14th including a full instrumental disc. So if you’re not already salivating just at the thought of this impending goodness, take a listen to the first single “Daykeeper” featuring Muhsinah, and also the album sampler. After wrapping your ears around this, you’ll be drooling for sure. Less hip-hop, and more soul/downtempo/jazz, Leave It All Behind seems like it’s going to be sonically beautiful and a must-have. “Daykeeper” is a fresh track with a smooth, soulful beat that feels like sunrise. Go grab it here:http://www.theforeignexchangemusic.com/daykeeper.php

The album sampler can be found here:
http://www.theforeignexchangemusic.com/LIAB_sampler.zip

Foreign Exchange Leave It All Behind Sampler
a. Take Off The Blues
b. All or Nothing
c. Something To Behold
d. If This Is Love
e. If She Breaks Your Heart

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Imeem has exclusive coverage of the Manifest Hope show currently taking place at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, CO. Artists like Shepard Fairey, Ron English, Sam Flores and more are showing work inspired by the current political climate.Check the profile for tons of pics, video and more:

http://imeem.com/manifesthope

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Gold Dust Label Sampler Mixtape
Mixed by Large Pro
(Gold Dust, 2008)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/17793268de9c1227/

1. Zion I- Rush
2. People Under The Stairs- Step Bacc
3. DJ Muggs & Planet Asia- 9mm (feat. B-Real)
4. Large Pro- Hardcore Hip-Hop
5. Brooklyn Academy- What’s The Buzz
6. DJ Muggs & Planet Asia- Drama
7. Zion I- Juicy Juice
8. 40 Cal- On My Shit (feat. Sudaboss)
9. People Under The Stairs- The Wiz
10. Brooklyn Academy- Raise Ya Hands (feat. Jean Grae)
11. 40 Cal- Shooters On Deck
12. Outlawz- What About Us
13. Large Pro- The Hardest (feat. Styles P & AZ)

To celebrate the first set of releases on Gold Dust, we’re presenting the Gold Dust sampler, mixed by the legendary Large Pro.  The mix features brand new music from current and upcoming releases on the label, flipped, doubled, and cut by Extra P himself.  Just a taste of what’s new and what’s next from the folks at Gold Dust.

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Lots goin’ on in LA on Aug 16th. Frolab is presenting a release party for Stacy Epps’ new album The Awakening including a performance by Epps.

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VTECH PRESENTS: A CELEBRATION OF JACKSON CONTI
Performances by Azymuth, The Beat Konducta, Carlinhos De Pandiero DJ Sets by J. ROCC, B+, Coleman and a special dance performance by Samba Angeles and Special Caiperinha Bar fueled SAGATIBA.

Saturday August 16th 2008

The sounds of Brazil are hot and vibrating in LA! VTECH, along with KCRW, The LA Weekly, The Echoplex, Mochilla and ArtDontSleep have crafted a bounding rhythmic night! For more information, visit www.myspace.com/artdontsleep.

Taking place at The Echoplex, located on 1154 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026. Ticket prices are General Admission: $15 presale through Ticket Web and $20 at the door. Admittance is 21 and wiser.

Azymuth (www.myspace.com/azymuth)

Celebrated as one of the worlds most electrifying and influential bands, Azymuth is known for their trademark sound, ‘Samba Doido,’ meaning Crazy Samba. Hailing from Rio de Janeiro’s vibrant studio scene, in the late sixties, keyboardist and songwriter Jose Roberto Bertrami and legendary drummer Ivan ‘Mamao’ Conti met bassist Alex Malheiros in 1972. Their first session together was on the “Mustang Cor de Sangue” album with Marcos Valle, in 1973. Bertrami’s wild impassioned keyboards combined with Mamao and Malheiros’ risky rhythms quickly attracted attention. It was only a matter of time before their brand of new Brasilian music would find its own audience. Their first self-titled album was recorded, in 1975, was an instant classic and re-released, in 2007, by Far Out Recordings in the UK. Following an astounding live performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival, in 1977, they inked an international deal with Milestone Records, bringing Azymuth a larger worldwide audience. Their first Milestone’s outing Light As A Feather spawned the single “Jazz Carnival,” which sold over 500,000 copies and held the UK top 20 spot for eight weeks. It’s a dance floor and proto-house classic still getting spins. Samba Doido is their swing! The world finally understands what crazy samba means in their feet and hearts. In the ensuing years, there have been many albums, solo, covers and collaborations, including a recent album with Madlib and Mamao titled Sujinho. In 2008, Azymuth are still as poignant as ever! With twenty albums under their belts and a few more grey hairs, the energy still hasn’t stopped and the trio is a force to be reckoned with!

Beat Konducta (www.stonesthrow.com)

One of Hip Hop’s most musically unfurling producers, the Beat Konducta is known for his numerous musical personalities and intrinsic sounds. Relentlessly thriving in his own gifted realm, Beat Konducta incessantly presents music anew. His has numerous releases under many monikers, for Stones Throw Records. I am sure you know who we are talking about.

Carlinhos De Pandiero (www.carlinhospandeirodeouro.com)

Carlinhos got his first break playing with Marcel Camus in ” Zeca in Orfeu Negro.” Carlinhos is memorable in the film for his energetic dancing and pandeiro playing. Taking the pandeiro performance aspect to another level, he developed many of the pandeiro juggling maneuvers called malabarismo. Establishing himself, he appeared on many TV shows, including Globo TV and Radio Naçional. In 1978 he contributed several songs to the movie “Samba da Criação do Mundo.” He has also played with numerous legendary Brazilian musicians, like Beth Carvalho, Sergio Mendes and many North American artists. As of late, he is immersed within Los Angeles’ Brazilian music scene and is constantly demanded as a percussionist and pandiero teacher.

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So the dope folks over at ArtDontSleep have another killer show coming up for all you LA heads. On August 8th you can catch Platinum Pied Pipers, Muhsinah, and DJ sets from Kutmah and The Gas Lamp Killer. All the official details and such are below. Go have fun kids.

KCRW, ECHOPLEX AND ARTDONTSLEEP PRESENTS
Performances by Platinum Pied Pipers Cast No. 2, Muhsinah, and DJ sets by Kutmah and The Gas Lamp Killer

Friday August 8th 2008

The break is over and KCRW, LA Weekly, The Echoplex, and ArtDontSleep are at it again! In the midst of a Californian summer comes more heat, from Detroit and DC! For more information, visit www.myspace.com/artdontsleep. It will be held at The Echoplex, located on 1154 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026. Ticket prices are General Admission: $15. Admittance is again 21 and wiser. Presale tickets are available at Turntable Lab, located on 424 N Fairfax Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036, online at Ticket Web and through Shoptext by texting “PPP” to telephone number 467467. Guests are subject to availability.

Platinum Pied Pipers Cast No. 2 (www.myspace.com/platinumpiedpipers)
On the coattail of their second Ubiquity Records’ release Abundance, Platinum Pied Pipers’ duo Waajeed and Saadiq return, after three long awaited years, with a new mash up of vintage and modern influences, including pop, house, funk and Detroit techno, and combines them to be everything that is truly PPP’s sound. Their debut Triple P was hailed as the heaviest classic album of 2005 and their truthfully hyped live performances lead to a top three nomination for the Giles Petterson Worldwide Award, for Album of The Year. This time around PPP steps forward with PPP Cast No. 2: the refreshing St Louis crooner and lyricist Coultrain, Texas’ Karma, Jamila Reagen, from NYC, and long time Detroit collaborator Neco Redd. In the words of Waajeed, the inspiration for the new album is to “put some paint where it ain’t.” Fresh as ever, PPP has set the standards again!

Muhsinah (www.myspace.com/muhsinah)
DC producer, engineer and singer Muhsinah is the unexpected future soul! In a matter of seconds, her sound captures an audience wholly! In 2005, she released her self-produced Oscillations EP, but her full length album, day.break 2.0, is what earned her some buzz. BBC’s Radio 1Xtra’s Benji B brought her into the studio for an interview session, she just finished a UK tour and continuously flies forward! As Interdependent Media’s A&R Dominic Del Bene said, “Muhsinah’s music slithers all over your body like warm fuzzy slugs, thousands of them. Its warm and its dark and it effects you. Finally, when those thousands of fuzzy slugs have engulfed you, you feel the whole weight of it all…I’ll agree with it to the ends of the earth.”

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Strictly Social has another dope lineup this month. Rogiers and Jimi James will be bringing the heat to the new location - Little Temple Bar - this Weds. Be sure and RSVP for your $5 entry!

Jimi James
If you missed her in January now is your chance to catch this very buzzed about artist. Sure to grab you attention with her energetic and creative live show, sick flow, and futuristic style, Jimi James is one to watch!
www.myspace.com/rahrahgirl

Rogiers
Performing in support of his debut album Life & Music: All Of It, Rogiers delivers compelling songwriting and pristine vocals over diverse soundscapes ranging from future soul to dance beats.
Read the Nu-Soul Review
www.mobileunderground.com/artist/rogiers

This event will be hosted by Yolanda Johnson
Yolanda will be launching her jewelry line Beyoutiful by Pilar of Kreative Souls
www.myspace.com/yolandajohnson
www.mobileunderground.com/artist/yolanda_johnson

Special Guest DJ Anthony Valadez (Temple Bar/Zanzibar/Little Temple)
www.myspace.com/anthonyvaladez

Resident DJs Destroyer, Milky Wayne, Myxzlplix

Only $5 all night with RSVP to events@nu-soulmag.com
$7 without
Show begins at 10:30pm

9pm - 2am
21+

Strictly Social
Now at Little Temple
4519 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 660-4540
www.littletemple.com
www.myspace.com/lastrictlysocial

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