Founding member of the legendary Roots crew, Questlove, discusses and co-signs the Red Bull Music Academy.

… Not sure you can get much higher praise.

In the midst of our electronic influenced age, it is a pleasure to hear some vintage soul in the air, especially when it is coming straight out of the UK.

I’ve been anticipating Michael Kiwanuka’s first release for a while. To be more exact, ever since I found out the young 23 year old was opening for Adele throughout her European dates.

Tell Me A Tale is his first release via Communion Records and is most definitely (and openly) guided by many a 60/70′s soul legend. Manipulating a classic era, Michael Kiwanuka succeeds in sounding fresh and authentically current. Hints of yesteryear activist style drums is, admittedly, nothing new. Although, once complimented (well) with a beautiful brass presence, a rich melodious saxophone finish and a dulcet tone that seems to go well beyond the years he has walked this earth, Kiwanuka gives something alot more dynamic than the norm.

If you dig the Raphael Saadiq or Aloe Blacc vibe, I would suggest learning this guy’s name too.

Tell Me A Tale is from the forthcoming EP 13th June

In just 17 seconds Beyonce reminds the world why she stays on top. Everyone else, fall back.

…Even if her first single is pretty rubbish isn’t what we expected. ‘Run the World’ (Girls)’ is officially released Thursday 21st via iTunes.

If you’re not familiar with Falty DL, homeboy’s a New Yorker that ardently dabbles in UK underground influenced numbers. His sophmore LP You Stand Uncertain was subjected to many a reload last year due to it’s sweet traces of 2Step/Garage/Dubstep, etc.

In moseys Australian producer Cairo – info is scarce – but if this blissful remix of half-time 140bpm swag and James Blake’ish Korg synths is anything to go by, then these bleedin’ foreigners most certainly have me aroused.

Think it’s wonderful how far and wide over years the heartbeat of our London dancefloors has spread across the waters.

Cheers to Hypetrak.

Click cover to download

If marijuana had a flow, it would probably sound like the lackadaisical, hypnotic tones of Curren$y – one of my favourite emcees in recent times. Both Pilot Talk servings managed to hover near the crest of best Rap long players for 2010 and even when dealing with ‘the commercial conundrum’, each release has vehemently stayed true to what makes the chap our spheres call Spitta stylisitically compelling amongst new breeds (cough, side-eye to co-hort Khalifa and the not so pleasingly executed major label debut, cough).

Now, pair him up with arguably one of the greatest East Coast beatsmiths of the Noughties, and you’re fuck*ng minted.

‘What Can U Tell Me’ comes off Madlib‘s Medicine Show #9: Channel 85 Presents Nittyville – a full length Hip Hop album featuring Frank Nitt. This track would sound good whatever the weather, but on this beautiful heat-soaked April evening, it sounds particularly special.

You can grab the full project, which stands at 14 tracks long, including 10 rap tracks and 4 interludes on May 17th via Stones Throw. For now though, enjoy this…

According to reports, Adele’s record breaking new album 21 is set to return to the top of the uk album charts this week. The singers sophomore album, which spent 11 consecutive weeks at number one, is currently outselling the Foo Fighter’s Wasting Light – which originally knocked her off the top spot last week.

Incredible. Lets see how this plays out.

Jill Scott has just revealed the artwork for her much antipated new album The Light of the Sun. The album will feature the singlest ‘Shame’ (feat. Eve) and ‘So In Love’ (feat. Anthony Hamilton) and is due out on June 27th

Jilly looks incredible. Damn.

Shouts to Libby

New video from Weezy F, featuring Rick Ross – this comes off Wayne’s upcoming Tha Carter IV LP.

Lil’ Wayne released the artwork for said album yesterday, it’s a litle freaky – peep it after the jump…

Read more…

Mayer Hawthorne filmed this on his iPhone when he and J. Rocc were in Japan, he edited it on his laptop on the flight back home. ‘Stay Fresh’ comes off J. Rocc’s new album Some Cold Rock Stuf – out now via Stones Throw.

I remember hearing the original version of this track on Giles Peterson’s show late last year, I liked it. I’m enjoying this remix a lot more though. With additional vocals from Bilal, ‘Night or Day’ is as energetic as it is hazed, blending the nocturnal and the diurnal perfectly.

New track from Free the Robots & Exile, called ‘With the Drum’ – which is part of the All City Records 10″ x 10 L.A Series (currently on it’s 10th & final edition).

You’ll need bigger speakers for this one. Turn it up fam, turn it up!

Download: Free the Robots & Exile – ‘With the Drum’

Yet another beautiful performance from Bilal, this time while in Rotterdam. Filmed by the homie Mikael Columbu.

Off their most recent Evill Christian Cop: The Great Mistapes EP.

Declaime aka Dudley P comes correct with a new joint from his forthcoming album ‘Self Study’. This produced by the lovely Georgia Anne Muldrow. What a force this pair are!

Download: Declaime – ‘Quartz’