The Mary J track that dropped a couple days ago featuring Nicki Minaj was apparently unofficial, that is according to Mary’s camp. Which I think is a damn shame, that tune is massive.

Blige has now offered up an official song called ‘Hero’ for everyone to hear. But unfortunately, while ‘Feeling Inside’ got me ‘feeling’ really excited about My Life II: The Journey Continues, this hasn’t. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a beautiful ballad, with a beautiful message – it very much follows in the ‘No More Drama’ / ‘Be Without You’ vain which isn’t a bad thing – but I thought we were being promised a My Life throwback? I am not expecting a carbon copy of her ’94 classic, but I am expecting a certain gully, a certain rawness, a more Mary-in-the-hood sound. This isn’t that unfortunately.

… Giveth and taketh away.

Shouts to MI

I adore Nikko Gray, she brings a unique sound to the table. The blend of her Soulful voice and forward thinking beat selection works wonders on my ears. I’ve enjoyed and rinsed near enough every song / project she’s put out (grab this, this & this asap). I’ll be doing the same with this, I know.

Here is a live set Gray performed and recorded at the Breath in Los Angeles. I’ve never seen this lady live and so hearing her like this is a real treat – the texture of her vocals really to come to life here, I love the stripped back, rawness of this. Falling deeper in love.

Stream and download the 30 minute set below…

Download: Nikko Gray, Live at the Breath

Shouts to GS

Bey’s album leaked two weeks ago, I’m not entirely sure who hasn’t yet heard it (I know some of the loyal stans have resisted) but for those few who haven’t – here’s a legitimate stream for you to enjoy ahead of it’s full release on June 27th/28th.

I’m going to hold off expressing my opinion on 4 because I’m thinking of writing a review in the next few days because I have a lot to say on it. This album, more so than any of her previous, has really split opinions and in many ways I can see both sides of the argument. It’s bold, it’s brave, it’s less… Mechanical than her other works – whether for you that’s a good or bad thing remains to be seen. I know how I feel about it – soon, you will too. Listen below…

Click cover to download

In for some Hip Hop?

Personally speaking, for me Jean Grae is (one of) the strongest female emcee out there and has been for a very long time. If we’re talking lyricism, flow and integrity – she has no competition. I guess it is ultimately that integrity and her unwillingness to compromise or change that has in many ways ‘held her back’ from really setting fire to her career. And while many may feel that’s a fools errand, I personally couldn’t respect her higher.

Hip Hop has been lacking a female presence for such a long time now but Jean Grae has always been on her quiet and (somewhat) consistent hustle. Yes, we have Nicki Minaj – but lets be real – she’s making Pop music. I hear very little ‘Hip Hop’ in what she does – she ‘sings’ on most of her music. And that’s cool – she’s crazy successful and it’s working – but in terms of Rap music, the numbers are depressingly low. Thank God for Jean Grae and the far and few between (I know they’re out there before you start listing them off).

I digress – as promised Grae just dropped off her new mixtape Cookies or Comas, we dropped the first single last week, so get suck in and listen to what she has to say. This tape precedes Jean’s forthcoming new album Cake or Death out later this year.

Yesterday evening, whilst some of the team went down to ol’ PinBoard favourites, Eletric Wire Hustle on one side of town, I headed down to East London’s coolest venue of the day, XOYO to witness how How To Dress Well would portray his unique ethereal pop/R&B live.

I was somewhat apprehensive since in the last few weeks that I have found out about HTDW, I have been intrigued by his sound, even those times when it was an awkward listen. But as I walked into the venue, I still  knew very little about the man. To ease me into the unknown, I was happy to see Holy Other was the opening act. I posted up his EP at the backend of last month, which after a few solitaire listens, I started to enjoy the emo’ness that was taking over my body courtesy of his intense mystique.

When the cloaked unknown producer came on, although I liked the tracks I was aware of and some of the fresher ones too, the new experience made up of a large group of people, all caught up in one hypnotic sway was definitely erring on the best side of depressing. Nonetheless a perfectly awkward opening act, for a even more curious headliner. Tom Krell, better known as HTDW came on stage initially thanking all in the packed room. Told us how he just got from Barcelona and he felt sick. Gotta love the honesty.

Not knowing much about HTDW, other than his distinctive  voice, I enjoyed the set and it seemed the crowd did too, performing new songs and mixing them with previous releases like ‘Sucicide Dreams 2′ and his Transparent release ‘Take It On’ where there were definitely moments of Justin Timberlake’ness sprinkled in for good measure.  As he scattered between high pitched vocal and Mika-like sounds, whilst pulling his jumper with childlike tendencies, there was a freedom in all that HTDW was doing – it was all  imperfect to the mainstream eye, yet for me, it was uncomfortably acceptable. That is what kept me watching. From the folkey acapella which suddenly had a fighting falsetto harmony section, to the three minutes which HTDW intensely stared at a projection playing a haunting (to say the least) montage, then rapidly leaving the stage. All out of the norm yet enjoyable to get drawn into.

He performed new songs, such as  ’How Many’ which had a easy on the ear dancey loop, with soothful harmonies kicking in midway. I also enjoyed what he described as his ‘Eurovision entry – possibly?’ ‘Happy’. The track possessed a massive thumping bass, rave sirens and a complete fall to floor that could only make you dance. All this alongside his nu-R&B flavour is all the more reason why HTDW will be closely watched by us PinBard lot for a while.

From the upcoming mixture entitled Back For More dropping in July comes this fresh cut with some seriously infectious horns and real laid back drums. Perfectly complimented by Ayah’s smooth vocals this is a tres tasty slice of summer pie. Press play and we will keep you posted on the mixture when it drops. Shouts to BLS for this one. Download the track right ‘ere

Prince has spoken exclusively to the Guardian about a range of topics including why he still hates the internet, why he likes being in Islamic countries, his disdain for digital music and the on-going ‘legal’ situation he’s had with Glastonbury.

On Islamic countries:

“It’s fun being in Islamic countries, to know there’s only one religion. There’s order. You wear a burqa. There’s no choice. People are happy with that”. When asked about those who are unhappy with such traditions, he says: “There are people who are unhappy with everything. There’s a dark side to everything.”

On his faith & being a Jehovah’s Witness:

“I was anti-authoritarian but at the same time I was a loving tyrant… You can’t be both. I had to learn what authority was. That’s what the Bible teaches. The Bible is a study guide for social interaction… If I go to a place where I don’t feel stressed and there’s no car alarms and airplanes overhead, then you understand what noise pollution is. Noise is a society that has no God, that has no glue. We can’t do what we want to do all the time. If you don’t have boundaries, what then?”

On the Internet:

“I’m supposed to go to the White House to talk about copyright protection. It’s like the gold rush out there. Or a carjacking. There’s no boundaries”. Prince also claims he has no plans to record a new album due to the problem faced with piracy.

On digital music:

“I personally can’t stand digital music… You’re getting sound in bits. It affects a different place in your brain. When you play it back, you can’t feel anything. We’re analogue people, not digital”

On Glastonbury:

“They use my name to sell the festival… It’s illegal. I’ve never spoken to anyone about doing that concert, ever”

***

… And there you have it. The Purple Yoda has spoken. I find his digital music comments rather interesting, maybe he’s right? I know a lot of vinyl lovers out there would most likely agree. Not sure I do – I actually think I am a part digital.

Not sure about his comments about those who feel constrained by strict religious regulations in Islanmic countries – there’s a lot more to it  than just a few being “unhappy”, especially in today’s climate.

Hearing him say he’s never even spoken to the organisers of Glastonbury is hilarious – year after year his name comes up. I’ve always maintained – I’ll only go to Glasto if Prince is performing (I always get a little scared when his names creeps up, I don’t want to be made to go to that mud fest).

You can read the full interview in this Friday’s Film&Music.

Here is a brand spanking new track from those wonderful people over at First Word Records. Their new signee ‘Ye Mighty’ are Max Wheeler (formerly of Dirty Diggers) and Richard “Dutch” Halligan, the latest product of Brighton. They cite their influences as Galt McDermott, Axelrod, Ethiopiques, Mulatu and Fela Kuti and you can definitely get that vibe listening to a track from their upcoming longplayer on ‘Beyond Cairo’. Press play below and download for the price of an email over at their bandcamp. luvly jubly.

Next week Jill Scott is expected to top the Billboard 200 list. The newly released The Light Of The Sun will likely sell as many as 125,000 copies by this weekend. This chart topping must be especially sweet since not only is this her first #1 album, this is her first album on her own imprint, Blues Babe.

In the past Jill Scott has only reached as high as #3 on the charts in 2004 with Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2. It’s so hard to move units these days so it’s nice to see Jill Scott become one of the artists that’s able to do it.

The Hawthorne Headhunters is a project made up of the individuals Stoney Rock (aka Black Spade), Ced No and Proh Mic and was conceived in 2007 at Ced’s recording studio in that special place between Long Beach and Los Angeles – Hawthorne, California.

Black Spade’s music is a melting pot of sounds hailing from St. Louis by way of New York, Detroit, L.A., and everywhere that Hip Hop has carved a distinctive and influential sound for itself. The trio locked it down under the shine of Hollywood Park and created songs in the great traditions of musical heavyweight projects such as Funkadelic, Soulquarians, Native Tongues Posse and Bloomfield, Kooper, and Stills’ Super Session.

The Hawthorne Headhunters are at the crossroads of Funk, Soul, Jazz and Hip Hop from players already years deep in the game. The music spans these genres seamlessly blurring the lines between the Southern-influenced tastes of singer/rapper/producer Black Spade and keyboard and studio controller Ced No with the next level northern bounce of rapper/producer Proh Mic. If you are unfamiliar with the trio make sure you up their self titled mixtape over here.

Have a listen to their latest single below. Serious groove. Get some funk inside you.

Yesterday I posted a track produced by No. I.D. which featured Common – I mentioned that the track was off a mysterious EP entitled The Pursuit by a new super group called Cocaine 80s… Well, here it is.

Spearheaded and produced entirely by No I.D. (“the chemist”) The Pursuit EP features Steve Wyreman (“axe, free bass, keys of coke”), Rob ‘The Mixer’ Kinelski (“engineer & sonic manipulator”), Kevin Randolph (“kilos”), James Fauntleroy (“sings the blues”) Makeba (“the Godmother”), of course Lonnie (“dope raps”) among others. This seemingly out of the blue project is something I’m very happy exists – it’s rather good.

And because we love you so, we’ve taken the liberty of uploading the tracks to Soundcloud to stream – listen and then download (for free) below.

Download: Cocaine 80s – “The Pursuit EP”

It’s been four years since Washington DC native Alison Carney released anything new, today marks the release of her new mixtape (or free LP – she doesn’t mind what you call it) alisonWonderland.

Featuring “borrowed” productions from Diplo, J.Dilla, Benzi and Flying Lotus (to name a few) as well as some original compositions the 12 tracks within are all embedded with Alison’s very clear, very clean, very cool vocals. I really enjoy her free-spirit inflections, in some ways she reminds me a little of Terri Walker and in others of Muhsinah (I hate making comparisons, but it’s true) but she remains very much her own character throughout. Listen download via the bandcamp player below…

This guy definitely puts in the work. Yet another visual cut taken from the FreEP More Merch. Collaborating with good friend Dr Woo, they turn this Quadron sampled track on it’s head. Going against the grain by filming three ladies in a dance studio doing their thang. It’s not what I expected. No. It’s not that kind of video – Watch.

Been wondering what the holdup was with new music from Santigold? Well, it’s the typical “issues with my label” drama, but for Santigold that’s an issue she didn’t have to deal with on her 2008 debut. This time around she also had to deal with getting her moo back. With her self-doubt in check she talking about a new album.

The new album will feature collabos with Major Lazer producer Switch, Dave Sitek from TV on the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist Nick Zinner, John Hill, Greg Kurstin and Ricky Blaze, among others. Santigold promises some very electronic, clubby tracks along with some ballads – with a Santigold spin of course. She also confirms there will be a new single out before the end of the summer.

As if that weren’t enough she’s signed to Roc Nation Management and is also working on a movie with Community star and hot rapper Donald Glover (aka, Childish Gambino).

‘Schoolin’ Life’ is a bonus track taken off Bey’s deluxe edition of her new album 4. The Dream produced track, similar to ’1+1′ (also written by The Dream) defintiely channels a bit of Purple. Mrs Knowles sounds fantastic on this, I love how she’s singing on this new record – vocally she sounds like she does live – that raspy’ness. Did I say how much I loved this? Yeah.