Excitment!
In the run up to Adele’s sophomore album, 21, her camp have released her UK 2011 tour dates. I definitely need to see her and I am eagerly looking forward to the new LP, which is released in the UK on 24th January 2011. Wish it was sooner, but I will patiently wait. Check for your local city after the jump.
The Roots continue to be one the best bands / Hip Hop groups around, check them getting their Christmas on.
Click cover to download
Swedish producer for the likes of Illa J, Hezekiah, Dynamite MC and others, Erik L puts together new and old material, with the help of mixing from Devastate – a Swedish DJ. On Display is filled with B-Boy beats, hip hop style scratching and some future soul claps. With 24 tracks, you will definitely find something to bop your head to. Get those speakers on loud.
Click image to download
Bluey Robinson has been bubbling around for a while since 2009 when he independently released ‘I Know’ and toured around with Tinie Tempah this year. Yet it has not quite happened in the mainstream for him. I don’t think it is due to lack of talent or originality, as I believe he has both and alot more to give, so who knows.
However, now signed to RCA and ready, Bluey recently told me that he is releasing an album in 2011 – which I was glad to hear. In the run up to that day, Bluey dropped his first mixtape/mash up download the other day. He recreates classics like MJ’s ‘Rock with You’ and recent favourite Cee-lo Green’s ‘F*ck You’. There are also features from FS and Ryan Leslie who jump on remixes for the only original track ‘I Know’.
He tweeted: “It’s for any1 who has wanted sum new tunes n knows the album won’t be out 4 a while. My Xmas present to you! Lol Enjoy!”
For me, it’s a bit hit and miss. But it does show off Bluey’s vintage tone and smoothness (eg: ‘Fallin’ In Love’)
Looking forward to seeing the growth.
Earlier in the week, Maxwell got me in the mood for Christmas, now Yasmin brings some more Christmas cheer to the table and she brings gifts in the form of a Free mix. She puts together some of the best R&B classics in a mix to give to all to celebrate her 22nd birthday.
22 tracks (see what she did there) from R&B giants like Mary J Blige, K-CI and JoJo, Sunshine Anderson, Janet Jackson, Mya, Tatyana Ali, SWV… I could go on but I won’t, just listen and enjoy. Peep the tracklist after the jump…
Been waiting for this for a minute now. The PinBoard crew have been supporting Sam Champ’s remixes for a while. We’ve loved everything he’s dropped so far. Now, we gets to listen to the full project in all it’s glory. What I love about this guy is that he’s brave. Taking on the likes of D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Flying Lotus, Usher and Electric Wire Hustle is no easy feat, but this guy does it and does it well. I’m about to press play on it now, so lets get into it.
Shouts to bamalovessoul
Aloe Blacc of Stones Throw Records recently made an appearance at the Berlin-based creative space MADE. Speaking about his musical background, his progression over the last year thanks to his track I Need A Dollar on HBO’s How To Make It In America and his insights into creativity. Dope video. This was another great album of the year!!
My favourite song off Eric Roberson’s most recent album Music Fan First gets the video treatment, I’m happy. This song is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking. Word for word, this is that jam. Out to every dude who knows what it is.
Here goes a brand new EPK from the one we know as Melo-X – in it you see him making his latest project More Merch and also talking about the process behind it, what it all means and much more. The piece also includes interviews with Jesse Boykins III, Steve-O (GFCNewYork) and more.
Grab More Merch for free, right here.
The lovely Amelia (PMOI) just popped this brand new Olivier Daysoul track into my inbox. Produced by our homie Eric Lau ‘Finer Things’ blends classic with contemporary and of course features Daysoul’s unmistakeable vocals. It’s unclear whether or not this will make Olivier’s forthcoming album Mr Saint Louis, but either way – it’s sounding real nice to me.
Download: Olivier Daysoul – ‘Finer Things’ (Prod. Eric Lau)
Chelsea Lately goes in on Diddy for being late for her show. But Diddy handles himself pretty well. A funny interview, I must say.
We continue the new RELOAD series. Inspired by Shan & I dropping way too many songs on Facebook in hopes of bringing light to lost classics, forgotten favourites or just to express the desire and need for those who haven’t to hear a particular song.
Today we roll back to 2003, Beyonce’s debut album Dangerously in Love. A 15 track album filled with R&B bangers (‘Crazy In Love’, ‘Naughty Girl’, ‘Baby Boy’), smooth mid-tempos (‘Me, Myself & I’) and beautiful ballads (‘Yes’, ‘Speechless’, ‘Dangerously In Love’) – her first foray into solo super stardom.
More specifically we focus on the album track ‘Be With U’ – a swagged out mid-tempo packed with an elusively funky baseline, sexy claps and of course Knowles’ trademark powerhouse voice. The thing about this song I love the most – her adlibs. From the very beginning, to the build up – her vocals are seductive and titillating. Not to mention, lyrically she’s not shy – “come in my room and turn off the lights”. Yeah.
Beyonce sounds best when she’s singing R&B. Listen to Destiny’s Child’s The Writing’s on the Wall, listen to songs like ‘Crazy Feelings’ off Missy Elliott’s second album Da Real World – her vocals suit darker tones, sexier melodies. We know she can sing anything, that’s the perk of being one of the best singers in the world and we know she does pop really well – BUT I really miss Bey singing like this. Don’t you?
Her follow up album Bday was a solid album too, underrated. I Am… was painfully lackluster in my opinion. Generic, soulless and generally uninspired. The best songs on that album were the ones that sounded ‘urban’. We know Bey can sing anything, that’s the perk of being one of the best singers in the world. She does Pop well and I understand why she’s doing it – however, it’s not what she does best. So, I post this song in hopes that somehow she will feel my vibes, understand my intention and realise that this is what she should be doing.
Ha. I kid. I just really wanted to bring this song to your attention for a minute. It’s bloody good.
P.s Please note, this isn’t the live video I wanted to use. THIS IS – but it’s not embeddable. #parr.
So we’re getting a ‘Monster’ video and a Hype Willians directed ‘All of the Lights’ video too? #thankyouyeezy!
Peep the twit pic Rihanna just posted up of her, red wig attached, and super producer Hype Williams on the set of Kanye’s new (new) video for ‘All of the Lights’. This one has to be massive.
Nuff said, really.
News that Q-Tip will be producing Esperanza Spalding’s new album sent excitement through Twitter-land last night. No word on when work will start (or if it has already) or when the album will be out but with Tip on board, just know this album will be pure greatness.
The Gorillaz continue to smash through their advent calendar – today offering a live visual from their Plastic Beach 2010 tour for their song with Little Dragon called ‘Empire Ants’. The group are readying the release of their new free album The Fall released on Christmas day.
