Soul
Prince – “Why The Butterflies”
September 18, 2018
Wowww, this is like being in the room when Prince (RIP) laid this down. Sometimes you don’t need a “finished” track to appreciate the genius of an artist like The Purple Rocker. Previously unreleased; held by Prince’s estate until now.
NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series Presents: Erykah Badu (Video)
August 17, 2018
Robert Glasper did mention Erykah Badu in that last scorcher interview he did. Fellow Texan. And she is well beyond worthy on ‘honorable mention.’ See her Tiny Desk Concert performance for a reminder if you need one; or even if you don’t!
Erykah Badu is an artist for the ages. To old-school jazz fans like myself, names like Nina Simone, Betty Carter and Shirley Horn come to mind as much as Billie Holiday because of Badu’s singular approach to a lyric. They all cut their own creative path and left behind a legacy that you can identify with just one note. Erykah Badu is on that same path, and one day her name will be mentioned along with the other Elders who share her spirit of musical adventure.
– Felix Contreras, NPR
H.E.R. – “I Used to Know Her: The Prelude” (EP)
August 8, 2018
It’s funny how H.E.R. put out an EP after H.E.R. LP situation… Well, not ‘funny’ so much… just heard the first track of this set following in the footprints of “Lost Ones” by Lauryn Hill (even calling it “Lost Souls”) and felt the line flip was appropriate. Maybe? Maybe not? Ha!
Either way, don’t stop at that song. Stream all of “I Used to Know Her: The Prelude” for the FREE.99!
Posted in Alternative, EP, Music, R&B, Soul | 
Tags: H.E.R., Her, I Used to Know Her, I Used to Know Her: The Prelude, The Prelude | 
No Comments »
Mereba – “Black Truck” (Prod. By 9th Wonder) [Video]
July 30, 2018
That beautiful pain that Mereba was pushing (like an all “Black Truck”) over that dope 9th Wonder beat… yeah there is a cold visual. Appropriately dope, too!
Posted in Music, R&B, Soul, Videos | Tags: 9th Wonder, Black Truck, Iconoclast, Mereba | No Comments »
The Internet – “La Di Da” (Prod. By Jeff Kopchia) [Video]
July 25, 2018
Besides making great music, The Internet can be counted on for turning out a great music video… like this one set for a carefree summer off their “Hive Mind” album.
Posted in Album, Alternative, Soul, Videos | Tags: Hive Mind, Jeff Kopchia, La Di Da, The Internet | No Comments »
DJ Yogi – “Insomniac Show #47” (Mixtape)
July 20, 2018
DJ Yogi’s inability to catch a solid eight hours sleep overnight drives him to create stuff that just might be the blessing that gets you through that rough day. Vibe out to the sounds of his latest “Insomniac” mix!
The Fugees, Amerie, Donell Jones, Miguel, Sola Rosa and more.
– DJ Yogi
DJ YOGI – INSOMNIAC SHOW #47 (MIXTAPE)
– @ojones1
Posted in Hip-Hop, Mixtapes, Music, R&B, Soul | Tags: DJ Yogi, Insomniac Show, Insomniac Show #47 | No Comments »
Maxwell – “The Glass House” (We Never Saw It Coming) [Video]
June 26, 2018
Maxwell stands at the foundation of the whole neo-soul movement. Remember that when you ask yourself, “How could this brother bring such spirit into my space and reach so far into the soul of man with a song?”
And the visualization here is delivered with dark suspense. Even in a “The Glass House” so brightly lit, “We Never Saw It Coming.” Just watch to the end.
“Love each other or perish.”
– W. H. Auden
Posted in Music, Soul, Videos | Tags: HOD DAVID, Maxwell, The Glass House, We Never Saw It Coming | No Comments »
NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series Presents: Khalid (Video)
June 22, 2018
Can’t help but love the music. Can’t help but root for the singer. Well, here he is with an NPR Tiny Desk Concert. Khalid is here (above), so wait no longer… click that play button and reward your soul with music from a young spirit.
Khalid’s music narrates life’s awkwardly necessary moments: the butterflies of young love, the angst of craving freedom, the apprehension of teetering on that next step in life. He creates honest, comforting pop for teens and young adults that speaks to the kid in all of us. Accompanied only by acoustic guitarist Jef Villaluna, the 20-year-old sensation captured this fleeting fearlessness of youth and brought it to the Tiny Desk for a heartfelt serenade session. The way his voice glided calmly over the guitar notes, switching between baritone and tenor, was fitting given that he sings about teenage peaks and pitfalls. Khalid’s sense of wide-eyed yet humble wonder permeates through the entire set.
– NPR Music
Posted in Performance, Radio, Series, Soul, Videos | Tags: Jef Villaluna, Khalid, National Public Radio, NPR, NPR Music, NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert, Tiny Desk Concert, Tiny Desk Concert Series, Tiny Desk Concerts | No Comments »
NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series Presents: Jorja Smith (Video)
June 15, 2018
Jorja Smith brought her groovy voice and those ‘soothy’ eyes to the set. To an intimate set, for an NPR Tiny Desk Concert, just for you (you and you). Lucky you… thanks to us… you’re welcome!
Posted in Performance, Radio, Series, Soul, Videos | Tags: Jorja Smith, National Public Radio, NPR, The Soul Rebels, Tiny Desk Concert, Tiny Desk Concert Series, Tiny Desk Concerts | No Comments »
Masego – “Lady Lady” (Prod. By Sounwave)
June 15, 2018
Masego with that jazzy soul you can bop right out to the floor to… to get your one-two step on to. And while you got your two-step going, your partner’s going, have the drinks flowing…
(May this be your Friday night, every night you need it to be. Enjoy, thoroughly!)
NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series Presents: Daniel Caesar (Video)
June 14, 2018
Maaan! Good soulful music and performance to get you going, keep you going, or enjoy the day’s end when you’ve been going all day. Daniel Caesar and the band got you on NPR with the Tiny Desk Concert on this ep.
Daniel Caesar and his band had a clear vision for their Tiny Desk performance. While already confined to a small space, they opted to congregate at the piano, where producer and music director Matthew Burnett sat to create what feels like a fly-on-the-wall moment. We’re presented a purity that’s nearly impossible to capture on an album.
– NPR Music
Posted in Performance, Radio, Series, Soul, Videos | Tags: Bobby Carter, Daniel Caesar, National Public Radio, NPR, The Soul Rebels, Tiny Desk Concert, Tiny Desk Concert Series, Tiny Desk Concerts | No Comments »
Ali Shaheed Muhammad x Adrian Younge – “The Midnight Hour” (Album)
June 13, 2018
Nice merger for music’s sake – Ali Shaheeed Muhammad + Adrian Younge on a project. “The Midnight Hour” could be another great set to grab for your Summer soundtrack.
ALI SHAHEED MUHAMMAD X ADRIAN YOUNGE – THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (ALBUM)
Posted in Album, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Music, R&B, Soul | Tags: Adrian Younge, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, The Midnight Hour | No Comments »
Ne-Yo – “Good Man” (Album)
June 13, 2018
New Ne-Yo. Heard the title track on here back in February, right? Time for the whole plate now. “Good Man”… good album… Check it out and see if you want to add it to your good Summer play bin.
On his seventh studio album, GOOD MAN, Ne-Yo travels the globe for inspiration. He rides Jamaican rhythms with Bebe Rexha and Stefflon Don on “Push Back.” Latin crooner Romeo Santos drops by on the sunny, bilingual ballad “Nights Like These.” As for his R&B bread and butter, “1 More Shot” and “Summertime” juxtapose his usual sophisticated touch with subtle trap influences.
– Apple Music
The Internet – “Come Over” (Video)
June 13, 2018
DOPE! And Syd directed this. Cool. The Internet’s visual for “Come Over” – off the new album “Hive Mind” (due out July 20th).
Posted in Album, Alternative, Funk, R&B, Soul, Videos | Tags: Come Over, Hive Mind, The Internet | 1 Comment »
Sunni Colón – “Summer Blu”
May 31, 2018
Sunni Colón with new music, building to a new full-length release. Listen to “Summer Blu” via the FREE stream below.
DJ Fudge – “Freeplay Friday” (May Edition) [Mixtape]
May 28, 2018
So this runs like a Mother’s Day mix, but it’s a May mix. This extended holiday being the start of the ending for May… we ought to be able to rock out to this. Yeah, shout to DJ Fudge, One Captain Productions, and I Lex Project for this!
Posted in Dance, Funk, Mixtapes, Music, R&B, Rock, Soul | Tags: DJ Fudge, FREEPLAY FRIDAY, I Lex Project, MAY EDITION, One Captain Productions | No Comments »
André 3000 – “Me & My” (To Bury Your Parents)
May 16, 2018
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. André 3000’s beloved mother passed in 2013. He dropped this on Mother’s Day. Get your full issue of tissue, and get ready to get hit in the feels listening to this “Me & My” jawn. If you didn’t call or visit your mom this past Sunday, go do that now (if she is still with us on this plane).
Matter of fact: Just go holler at your parents… now. Go!
Posted in Music, Soul | Tags: Andre 3000, Andre Benjamin, Me & My, Me And My, Me&My, To Bury Your Parents | 1 Comment »
Lenny Kravitz – “It’s Enough” (Video)
May 14, 2018
Wow. A LOT to unpack. Be ready to watch a couple of times to ingest all the themes covered in this visual. The song itself is dope on first listen, but hearing (really hearing) it again would be recommended, too.
Interesting, and expected, that this new Lenny Kravitz joint would garner reaction in general. It’s Kravitz, a true craftsman of music. But even more interesting is the breadth and depth of reactions to the Rolling Stone tweet (seen below) about it. Some like it, others LOVE it; and some of the rest came down with a hard case of HATE… even given the release caption that accompanies the video: “IT’S ENOUGH! Let Love Rule.” Too bad for the haters. This is good work. Compelling and heartfelt!
Watch Lenny Kravitz's sobering new "It's Enough" video https://t.co/G4MJ2fPhI7 pic.twitter.com/suLeNM4p6w
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) May 12, 2018
Sunni Colón – “Yours Truly, 2095”
May 3, 2018
It builds. Nicely, slowly. Throughout the song. Gooood music by Sunni once again dunny. Chilling alone, or with a special someone, you can push play and let this tune fill up the room.
KWAYE – “Lost In My Boots” (Video)
May 2, 2018
Soulful. Kinda funky to boot. The video for this KWAYE jawn “Lost In My Boots” has fire in it like the director knows… that the song is fire! Check it out for self, above and linked below.
