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

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

I’m a sucker for Jose James, I won’t even lie. Here’s the first of 2 new treats from the man. Lyrics and credits below.
Listen:
[See post to listen to audio]

Download Jose James – “Coltrane (Dear Alice)”

José James – vocals
Nori Ochiai – piano
Alexi David – bass
Luke Damrosch – drums + bells

You are the Giver

I hear Your Voice Call

into the silence

of a new Sound

I hear voices calling

Calling me home

they bring me

out of what I know

on + on

to begin

to understand

to find yourself

learning anew

a new Way

to fill your Dreams + Hopes

beyond

what’s already known

+ I go so softly with the Dawn…

::

into

the world we go

traveling on the strength of

all that’s felt

we grow

we grow

into Eternity
hold it very close to you…

DJ Myxzlplix has laced us with the latest Strictly Social DJ mix. Urban Renaissance sports some lovely progressive soul and hip-hop vibes. Tracklist and download link below. DJ Myxzlplix is lovely with the pixels too. He designs all the Strictly Social flyers, as well as those of many other events and is a truly creative dude, whether mixing sounds or visuals.

Download DJ Myxzlplix – Urban Renaissance

1. Sugarhill-JimiJames
2. Be Kind To Your Mind(Red Astaire Rmx)-Kendra Lou
3. Don’t Underestimate My Love-Sister Sadie
4. Stop Talking-Stac & Polarbear
5. Game Changer-DJ Mitsu f. Wildchild & Georgia Anne Mudrow
6. Everytime-Singkid f. Annika Hedlund & Andreas Cavaco
7. Let it Out-Eric Lau
8. Floater-Sugoisounds
9. Money in the Rhymebook-Coates/Twice
10. Dig Deeper (DJ Vadim Rmx)-Beatspoke
11. Colline-Swingkid f. Andreas Cavaco
12. Magnetic-Yoshi f. Darien Brockington & Buff 1
13. Old Moon-iisijii f. Amalia

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:
[See post to listen to audio]

Download Sonnymoon – “Houstatlantavegas” (the track)

Download Sonnymoon – Golden Age (the album)

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

This collabo between Res, Talib Kweli and Graph Nobel honestly left me a little underwhelmed, but I’ll be happy if it brings Res back into the limelight and releasing music again.

Download Idle Warship – Party Robot Mixtape

Jack Splash returns with another free album download. This one is significantly better than the previous freebie, Heir To The Throne,  and demonstrates his production chops. I’m curious as to how his official album will sound. He seems to have ditched the funk-soul persona in favor of a more ‘gully’ (remember that word?!) hip-hop persona. Seems like he’s still trying to find the best identity for his musical style, and while there’s nothing wrong with reinventing yourself and keeping things fresh, it’s hard to get a grasp on what Jack Splash actually stands for. Perhaps the third mixtape and official album will reveal more……Below is the official blurb on this project.
Download King of the Beats – Jack Splash

Today documents the release of Jack Splash’s, King Of The Beats, the second of three mixtapes to be released before the much-anticipated full-length album and film, Technology And Love Might Save Us All… out in May on J-Records.In the past few months, Jack Splash has bombarded the music world with 90′s throwback rap tracks and futuristic synth-pop hooks.  King Of The Beats reminds you that Jack is capable of such songs, but also takes you further down the rabbit hole to reveal instrumental tracks like, “Disko Labyrinth” and “The Funhouse Has Mirrors,” that sound as if they came straight off a Lamont Dozier album.

It’s no question why Jack Splash decided to call the second installment of mixtapes, King Of The Beats.  Not only has Jack Splash compiled an impressive amount of songs to release before an official album, every song is an original composition created by the man himself.   Each track has been carefully crafted and produced by the same hands that created music for such talented artists as Jennifer Hudson, T-Pain, Estelle, Jamie Foxx, Missy Elliott, Jazmine Sullivan, Shakira, Britney Spears and more.  Truly, King of the Beats.

Brand new mix for the New Year from Mr. A/V featuring some of his “favorite record gems that I rarely get to play out but sit in my record bag.” As you’d expect, musical goodness abounds on this mix.

Download Stay Connected Vol 3

Red– I Should Tell Your Mama on You
Isley Brothers – Footsteps in the Dark (King Britt Remix)
Miles Bonny – Lumberjack Soul
King Coya – Villa Donde
Tricky – Over Come
Bonobo feat. Adriana Triana – The Keeper
Dwele – Eve
Electric Wire Hustle – Waters/?Perception
Gretchen Parlato w/ Self Scientific – Love bird
Quadron – Unpatience
Emanative – We Travel The Space Beats
Kan kick – Untitled / Tribe Chant
La Melodia – Keep It On (Instrumental)
Boom Clap Bachelors – Kommer Aldrig
Nite Funk (Dam Funk w/ Nite Jewel – Am I Gonna Make It?
Sebastien Tellier – La Ritournelle
Consequence w/ John Legend + Kanye West – What Ever U Want
Fertile Ground – Light Shed
Black Joy – Golden 1
Mathew Hebert – Gans of Boys
Linkwood – Fudge Brownie
The Emperor Machine – You Clapper
Robert Glasper w/ Bilal – All Matter
Tortured Soul – I Might Do Something Wrong
Al Kent – Come Back Home
Beirut – Nantes
Michael Jackson – Shake Your Body (78 Demo)

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