There are plenty of beautiful young women in the world of soulful music, but Briana Maddix aka Nai Br.XX caught our eye (and ear).
Growing up with Jamaican roots, she listened to artists like Gregory Isaacs, Sanchez and Beres Hammond and also admired female vocalists such as Tina Turner and Alicia Keys. Nai Br.XX was born in New York and at the age of thirteen she moved to Atlanta, where she met producer Sensei Bueno. He produced her first single “Bed Weather” and went on to produce Nai’s entire debut “Wasted Callaway” EP this Summer.
This ladies’ soulful sound might still be a tad rough around the edges, but that’s the way we like it. Not too smooth, raw and from the heart. Check out the track “Adventure Time” and if you like what you hear, purchase her EP on iTunes.
Over the years the United Kingdom has birthed large amounts of ultra talented artists, especially on the Future Soul and R&B side.
Nao is one of the new soul ladies we have been keeping our ear on. Her previous release, titled “February 15“, was released on Little Tokyo Recordings this Summer just as her debut “So Good” EP that came out last year. The time is right for Nao to put out her debut album and get ready for the 1st single.
Wow this “Bad Blood” track is just perfect and showcases Nao’s phenomenal vocal skills. The production is simple, but tight and it gives room for Nao to shine bright like the rising star she is bound to become. If the rest of the album is as good as this, I might have to get this on vinyl.
Kansas City ballers Leonard Dstroy and Dominique Sanders have released their debut The Xtraordinairs album titled “X-Life” via the mighty Laruche Records.
Two weeks ago we brought you their first single “No Pressure” featuring funk phenomenon Reggie B and it’s about time we did a little follow up. There are quite some soulful cuts on here featuring the likes of Chromadadata, Miles Bonny, Reach and Boombaptist.
One of my favorite tunes to max out to is “Theme to Dream” without a doubt. Thought I’d stream this little slice of heaven for you right before you decide to purchase X-Life on Bandcamp!
MED, Blu and Madlib are long time collaborators, that have teamed up for a new album titled “Bad Neighbor” forthcoming on Bang Ya Head/Rappcats.
All productions on this project (brainchild of MED) are courtesy of Madlib. There’s no doubt ‘it sounds royal if you let Madlib design sound for you’. The album is an exclamation point on the idea that began with The Burgundy EP, expanded to include MF DOOM, Aloe Blacc, Dam Funk, Mayer Hawthorne, Anderson Paak and Hodgy Beats.
Just just might be the most promising Hip-Hop album to come out (on vinyl) this year. Look for this to come out October 30 on CD and December 1 on 2xLP. Pre-order here and enjoy “Finer Things” featuring Phonte & Likewise!
It is said that sometimes the tiniest song can have a big impact. Leoni Leoni‘s “Alone With Everybody” is one of those songs and was uploaded to her Soundcloud page yesterday. I thought it was way too wonderful not to share with you all.
Just a two minute jazzy interlude displaying an incredible amount of skills from this vocalist out of Bern, Switzerland. Not a lot can be found on the worldwide web, but for the record our interest has been sparked! Sonja Ott plays the trumpet while the lyrics are by Charles Bukowsk.
You should check out Leoni Leoni’s Soundcloud page and hear her sing in Swiss as well.
As you might know already, Moglebaum is a band consisting of five musicians out of Germany. It all started with the creative enthusiasm of producer and Jazz pianist Simon Ebener-Holscher, but it was not for long that the remaining four members found their way to the group.
In case you haven’t heard about these guys, take a listen to their “Ozean” EP. This Summer the band performed at the Meadows In The Mountains festival, which took place in the Rhodopes Mountains in Bulgaria. Their latest song “You & Me” (Live In The Shop) is a part of the Gallivant Session. True to it’s name, Moglebaum filmed this new video live in a little village shop in Polkovnik Serafimovo, Bulgaria.
Big up to Cosmonostro for hooking up the premiere for this track. Make sure you peep the video and grab the song while you’re at it.
Penthouse Penthouse first caught our attention with songs such as “Private Jet”. It didn’t take long before we got hooked on Mike Parvizi & Preston James from Los Angeles who also rep TeamSupreme. In case you haven’t listened to their “From the Besides” EP, we suggest you go ahead and do so.
Their soulful vibes are butter funk flavored, yet sound crisp and fresh as ever. On their latest “Grooves Vol. 1” freebie album they get some assistance from JNTHN STEIN and Djemba Djemba. There’s some ballads, love songs, club bangers, edits on here, so something for everybody. This pack of beats is available for free download and released as a token of Penthouse Penthouse’s gratitude.
When we think about Machinedrum, we think about the person responsible for Jesse Boykins III’s ultra soulful yet electronic productions. Though over the past few years his solo project have been a lot more electronic and experimental if you will.
Taking a break from his usual Footwork, he recently produced this amazing new futuristic R&B track for Obenewa titled “Save Me“. The young British vocalist stunned us earlier this year with her breathtaking “He” that came out on Wunderkind. It became clear right away that Obenewa is not only one to watch, but one to listen to. With Machinedrum taking a liking, we are sure more producers like him are soon to follow.
As always South London is making steady ruckus once again. Think Henry Wu, Al Dobson Jr, Tenderlonious and Reginald Omas Mamode IV…or better yet think 22a. More importantly that ruckus comes in the form of soul-drenched exciting music that your body has been craving for.
Next month Reginald Omas Mamode IV returns with his 7-track “We Are The Universe” EP, that’s going to come out November 20th on Five Easy Pieces. The first single of the release is “Can You Dig It” and was premiered via Boiler Room. Reginald Omas Mamode IV’s shit is funky af and thanks to the warm analog sound and use of percussion the rhythm sounds almost hypnotic. ‘Let those drums bang out’ indeed!
What more can a person ask for than a new release from Nick Wisdom? His free downloadable “Remixes, Originals & Rarities” is a great way to start your weekend and get your groove on.
Six bangin’ edits / remixes is just what the doctor ordered and yes ‘Nicky Smalls is the illest’ (producer coming out of Canada). His Potatohead People project with AstroLogical was such a great release back in March. In case you haven’t heard it, go take a listen to their Big Luxury album and while you’re at it snatch a free download of Nick Wisdoms’ Remixes, Originals & Rarities EP.
Happy weekend, enjoy the music and be nice to your ears!
