Friday, February 27, 2009

ERRO, JUST IN TIME FOR SUMMER!
This is my dude right here! I know I type the same thing about a lot of folks, but I really mean it this time dammit! His name is Eric Roberson (as u should already know) and his new album "Music Fan First" will be hitting the streets In June 2009. Being independent does have its advantages, like being able to release new tracks and albums on a regular basis. I wish everybody could do that. What makes Erro stand out from the crowd of soul singers is that he really appreciates his fans. The kat is always giving something back for our support, whether it be some extra tracks during a show, or free admission into his concert. This new album is now exception. Check out the message written below by the man himself on how to get your photo added the album artwork:

HOW YOU CAN BE A PART

...Before I was a singer or an artist, I was a music fan first! Well, if you are like me, I would like for you to be a part of my album artwork. Please take a picture of yourself wearing headphones, rocking a mic or instrument, or simply dancing to your favorite song...

Send your pic to: MUSICFANFIRST@GMAIL.COM and you will be included in the album artwork.

All Photos must be received by Friday, March 20th!

Erro - Music Fan First Freestyle


That is all...

Thursday, February 26, 2009

BE FREE LIKE LISA SHAW!
It has been a long time since music fans have gotten any new sounds from Lisa Shaw. In these shakey times in the music business, you never know if your favorite artists are taking extended breaks between albums, or have put the microphone down for good! Personally, I am glad to see and hear that Lisa is back at it once again. Her new album entitled "Free" will be released on March 10th, and I like what hear so far. She still has that nice balance of house and soul, which works with her vocal style. Her first album "Cherry" caused a decent buzz overall, but it was missed by many. Fortunately, I was one of the ones that bought it. Hopefully, with this second album she will acquire some new fans. Since, she named her new album Free, I thought it would be fitting to let you hear one of her new tracks for free. The track is called "Honey" and it has a nice uptempo vibe to it. Listen to the track, then go to Lisa's myspace page and let her know what you think about it.

Lisa Shaw - Honey

Even though her album is called FREE, that doesn't mean that you don't have to pay for it! Support good music by making a purchase!

www.myspace.com/lisashawmusic

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

THE KRAFT-AT-WORK MIXX!
During a time when most bloggers beg, borrow and steal from each other hoping to be the first to drop an exclusive that actually leaked two weeks earlier, this post is for you. Truly, it’s not always about having the latest and greatest. It’s more than okay to revive some classics from your musical archives to inspire a new generation of listeners. Most forget about what was, trying to find what is, and that’s a shame. For that reason, today I am remembering the Godfathers of electronic music, Kraftwerk! If you are not already familiar with this group from Germany, your ears are in for a treat. These katz have some of the most sampled joints in the game, plus their beats still bang just as much now as they did decades ago. In my early days living in Detroit, we grew up listening to Kraftwerk. Most tracks from their first few albums were definitely 80s type break dance and pop-lock battle worthy, so they were the obvious records of choice for the b-boy types. Kraftwerk’s music is still influencing new generations of musicians after all of these years, which is impressive. Hip-Hop heads should definitely recognize some of these loops borrowed by some of their favorite rap artists.

Okay, I’m done typing. Let’s get into some good music. These are some of my favorite Kraftwerk songs from their extensive catalog, so enjoy! If this is your first listen to Kraftwerk, please leave a comment sharing what you think about their music after playing this mixx. All comments are welcomed.

KRAFT AT WORK TRACK LIST:

01+Technopop
02+Musique Non Stop
03+Home Computer
04+Trans-Europe Express
05+The Telephone Call
06+It’s More Fun To Compute
07+Metal On Metal
08+The Man Machine
09+Computer World Pt. 2
10+Numbers

GET KRAFT-WERK!


Websites:

www.kraftwerk.com

www.myspace.com/kraftwerk


Sunday, February 22, 2009

SV ALBUM PREVIEW WITH T3!


Attention all Slum Village fans! This clip I share with you today is revealing some snippets of Slum Village's upcoming joint. Group member T3 is showcasing the goodies. Just ignore T3's jaw-jacking, and concentrate on the tracks he's playing. Being the type of Slum Vill fan that I am, this type of stuff just gets my blood circulating quickly. Production duties are rumored to be Black Milk, T3, Waajeed and some other new comers. The best news of all is that original group member Baatin is blessing the microphone once again. This just might be the album we've been waiting for! No official release date just yet, but I will definitely keep you posted.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

DIVINE DESIGNZ 2: DA LOCSMIF!
Producers come and producers go, but why this kat is still underrated, I'll never know? Did you peep my e-flow just then? An you just thought your boy Nexx was only masterful with the mixxes. I can drop a nice half-a-bar when I want to as well, so you better ask somebody! On second thought, maybe you shouldn't, because that somebody has probably never heard of me! Anyway, one of my favorite producers (I have many) is Floyd Da Locsmif representing Georgia! I actually got turned on to Floyd by my dude Todd Kelley back in 2006. What sold me was that Outkast remix mixtape project that Locsmif laced back a few years ago. That was a classic joint, and I've been a fan ever since. Floyd dropped his first Divine Designz album under the radar a while back, but Part 2: Soul, etc. is here now. It's basically an instrumental album of showcasing locsmif's beats, but there are a couple vocalistic (I made the word up) moments to endulge in as well.

Do yourself a favor and put ears on this album. One of his major influences if J. Dilla, so he can't be all bad, right! Truthfully typing, Floyd deserves your undivided attention and your financial support.

GET THE NEW ALBUM HERE!

Then stop by one of his spots and say what up to the kid.

www.floydthelocsmif.com

www.myspace.com/locsmif
RELEASE THE TENSION & STAY MELO!
This post is for all of my peoples out in Sweden, especially Stockholm. A lot of Sweds come through here on the regular, and I appreciate it. One of my favorite soul artists from Stockholm is a songwriter, singer and producer that goes by the name Melo. I have been following this dude for a while now. I heard a few nice tracks from this kid a couple of years ago, but I never heard word of when an official album would be released. Well, the wait is finally over. My main man Melo has released his debut album called "Off My Chest," which is full of several mellow tracks full of soul. This guy is nice with his, and you'll probably be just as impressed as I am. Don't think Justin Timberlake when you look at the album cover, because Melo is on the other end of music spectrum IMO. Imagine that Robin Thicke and Jon B some how had a baby that grew up, and that male child got Sade pregnant. Sade's love child would be Melo!

Peep this Melo video for yourself, and hear what you think:

Real Slow (Video)


www.myspace.com/moodymelo

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

SHAME ON YOU TEAIRRA!!


Is this a coincidence or what? Right after po' Rhianna supposedly got a Chris Brown penny loafer across the face, here comes Teairra Marie trying to take her spot. This song, video and her whole steelo has Rhianna written all over it, which is shameful. This is the blatant shenanigans that continues cause mainstream music to suffer from "Ass-cheek-itus" disease year after year. Every time I turn the radio on, it smells like a fresh one has been released in the room. When will this madness stop? I'm quite sure you'll be hearing this unoriginal track on a local radio station near you...
MR. RIGGINS IS IN THE PLACE!
How many of you folks know about my dude Karriem Riggins? If his name doesn't sound familiar, I'm quite sure you are very familiar with his production. If you listen to artists like Erykah Badu, Common, Kanye West, Talib Kweli and Dwele, then meet the man behind some of their hotter beats. I'll leave it up to you to find out which tracks he produced. Yes, Mr. Riggins definitely digs some hip-hop and soul, but his music roots began in jazz. Karriem is a respected jazz drummer, and he's been a member of groups like the Ray Brown Trio and Milgrew Miller Trio. Outside of those kats, Karriem has played and recorded with legends like Donald Byrd, Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove and Bobby Hutcherson. Even though he lives in California these days, his heart still lives in Detroit, where he was born and raised. I thought I'd just throw that little tidbit in there for you...

So, I'm filtering through the tons of unopened email that I have, and I come across a music gem called "Music Kalideoscope" showcasing some of Karriem's tracks on the production tip. It's actually a mix (in one MP3 file). I don't know when this was actually created, the names of the tracks or why it's so dope. I can't even remember who sent it to me, but thanks away.
Now, I can share it with you folks.

After listening to this joint, go and tell Karriem thank you!

www.karriemriggins.com

www.myspace.com/karriemriggins

Thursday, February 12, 2009

CHAPTERS OF A VALENTINE!
Since, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, I thought it was appropriate that I deliver my contribution of love vibes to the masses. The gift of music goes a lot further than a dozen roses ever could. Well, if you’re broke it works wonders. There is nothing like the smile a woman gets when you hand her a CD full of love songs that you dedicated to her. That’s a cheap, but special moment she’ll always remember. It goes over better when you have dinner reservations scheduled as well. If you haven’t reserved yourself a cozy spot somewhere by now, you will probably end up in a fast food restaurant drive thru on Saturday night. I recommend just staying home and cooking a nice dinner for your significant other instead. You know what goes well with a home cooked meal? Some good soul music!

Luckily, I got you covered on the music. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day I am sharing four mixxes full of soulful slow jams. I have broken the music down into different segments I call “Chapters of a Valentine.” There are over 30 songs total, so please enjoy them. I took it back a little with some of these tracks, so if you feel like crying tears of joy while you are listening to them, please feel free. Tell a friend about these mixxes as well and stop being selfish. Have a Happy Valentine's Day!

COAV Playlists:

VALENTINE – THE COURTSHIP CHAPTER

01-Jesse Boykins III – It is
02-Musiq Soulchild – Her
03-Myron – So Damn Much
04-Bell Biv Devoe – I Do Need You
05-Calvin Richardson – When Love Comes
06-Gina Thompson – Into You
07-Rene & Angela – Everything We Do
08-Brian McKnight – More and More
09-Frank McComb – More Than Friends

VALENTINE – THE ROMANCE CHAPTER

01-Mary J. Blige – In the A.M.
02-Donnell Jones – Portrait of a Woman
03-NuFound – I Breathe You
04-Jon B – I Do
05-Loose Ends – You Can’t Stop The Rain
06-Johnny Gill – Lady Dujour
07-Shirley Murdock – Go On Without You

VALENTINE – THE INTIMACY CHAPTER

01-E. Bland – Open ft. Vinnie Cutro
02-Jodeci – Pump It Back
03-Monifah – Peaches & Cream
04-Janet Jackson – Someday Is Tonight
05-Floetry – Imagination
06-R. Kelly – Seems Like You’re Ready
07-Faith Evans – Soon As I Get Home

VALENTINE – THE LOVE CHAPTER

01-Til Bronner – Tub of Love
02-Chante’ Moore – Love’s Taken Over (Quietstorm Mix)
03-Johnny Gill – Giving My All To You
04-Luther Vandross – The Night That I Fell In Love
05-Patti LaBelle – Love, Need and Want You
06-Kenny Lattimore – Undeniably
07-Dwele – Love
08-Anthony Hamilton – The Point of It All
09-Eric Roberson – Head To Toe

GET COURTSHIP HERE

GET ROMANCE HERE

GET INTIMACY HERE

GET LOVE HERE

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Monday, February 09, 2009

SOUL EARSPIONAGE PTS 1 & 2!
So, last night I turned back to the Grammy Awards a.k.a The Yarn Factor after surfing other programs, and I notice something very disturbing on the screen. I hate to be the person to bring this touchie subject up, but it needs to be said dammit! Let it be known that I respect this man/artist to no end and he's a legend in all aspects of the word, but Stevie Wonder's braids have to go! They were cool back in 1985, but now his hairline is behind his ears and it looks pretty bad. I know if Stevie ever got the chance to see how he looks with those braids, he'd be kicking somebody's ass. I'll end that part of the post here, and get into some music.
The young kats in the photo above call themselves 'Tree City' representin' Ann Arbor, Michigan. I heard a few tracks from these dudes a while back, but I lost them in the music shuffle unfortunately. It wasn't until a few weeks ago that I got wind of their latest mixtape "Black Trees" featuring Black Milk on production. Not only is the mixtape pretty hot, but it's free as well. You can't beat that with a rubber hose, so get it HERE!
To add even more flavor to this post, I have decided to share another mixx as well. I call it "Soul Earspionage" and it has been split into two parts.

SOUL PLAYLIST:
Part 1
01-Tree City & Black Milk - Turn It Up
02-Rell ft. Kanye West/Cons - Real Love
03-Blu - NeverBeAnotherMe
04-Focus ft. Royce 5'9/Phonte/Stat Quo
05-Mae Day - Keep Looking
06-Jack Herrera ft. Will.i.am - Jack Shuffle
07-Heavy D & The Boys - Let The People Sing
08-P. ManC - Crush (J Dilla)
09-Dwele - Lady Love
10-Neco Redd - Love
11-Floetry - Mr. Messed Up
12-Panacea - Flashback To Stardom (Spinna Remix)
Part 2
01-Mary J. Blige - Oooh (Topspin Remix)
02-Monica Blaire - Funkin' 4 Jamaica
03-AB - Soul Can You Feel Me Pt. 2
04-Jay Electronica ft. Mr. Porter/Guilty Simpson - Get 'Em
05-Erykah Badu - Bump It
06-Cesar Comanche - Choose
07-Mary J. Blige - I'm Goin Down (Juicey Remix)
08-Oddisee ft. Georgia Muldrow/M.E.D/Big Pooh - Endure 2 Fish
09-Termonalogy - Float

Sunday, February 08, 2009

PACK JAM 4REAL!


For all of new school hip-hop dancers out there, put eyes on this clip. This kat is doing it like it's suppose to be done! His moves combined with this retro track entitled "Pack Jam" is a true classic. It may take a few rewinds to absorb what your eyes are seeing...

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

ON THE LOCAL TIP!

Enjoy some spoken word performed by Detroit's best on February 14, 2009!

Sunday, February 01, 2009

RASCO IS A GLOBAL THREAT!
The Westcoast is back in the house for the 09'! My dude Rasco a.k.a Cali Agent #1 is back at it again with those potent lyrics that make the fake emcees shake in their Timberland boots. Rasco is the kind of rapper that you can depend on to stay in his lane. None of that experimental crap for this lyricist. As I have listened to each of his albums over the years, one thing remains consistant and that is his dislike for corny emcees. You know the emcees that are only in the game to pimp it for a few bucks with no real concern about the actual craft. Rasco has made it his mission to rid the music world of wack rappers, and I applaud him for that. Even though his efforts have probably resulted in less than desirable results, I'm glad to see that he still remains focused.

His upcoming release is titled "Global Threat" and it's business as usual. If you dig Rasco's style, then you'll dig this album as well. It's dropping sometime in the first quarter, so keep your ears open.

Listen to this track: LET IT BE KNOWN

www.myspace.com/therealrasco