Alice Russell: Heartbreaker

Sometimes, I tend to think that Alice Russell is over-stuffed with soul the way she delivers her vocals with so much power and depth, that it seems as if it can take some skin off you. As one of the UK's biggest singers in Soul and Blues, she's gearing up for a February 2013 release of her fifth studio album titled To Dust. To lead up to this highly anticipated release, she gives a sneak peek with her first single "Heartbreaker" off the LP that's due out November 19th on Tru Thoughts. In a brief explanation about the single, Alice says; "It is a broken hearted love song about the end of a relationship. It’s about that time when you’re just emotionally exhausted, you know you just have to let it go, you are resigned to it all being over."

The single release features the original version, acoustic version and remixes by New York based producer Falty DL and Parisian house producer Yakine.

Lucy Pearl: Dance Tonight (Soulpersona Remix)

Soulpersona just never lets up, and I don't expect him to. One of his latest handcrafted remixes is of "Dance Tonight" from Lucy Pearl's self-titled debut and only album. All instruments and production was done by Soulpersona. Visit his Soundcloud page for more mind blowing releases and remixes.

Friday Flashback: Nina Simone

With all the talks lately online and some people discussing face to face about the uproar of comments about a possible biopic on Nina Simone, most weren't too pleased with the casting for the leading role. Then, Nina's daughter Simone issued a public statement via the Nina Simone Official Website saying that no filmmakers or producers approached her or the estate about such a movie.

Rewind to two years ago, I put together a compilation of Nina Simone tunes to help tell a story from the "High Priestess of Soul" who was a storyteller herself, and you have what I have titled Nina Unmixed. This will be available for download for a limited time. I have plans to do a follow-up sometime soon. Enjoy!

J’lectroniq: Psychasthenia

As the night starts to fall and the journey continues to find more music, I came across another artist that I wasn't familiar with. J’lectroniq is a Dutch DJ/producer and heads his own label Afrodisiac Recordings in his hometown of Groningen, Netherlands. Psychasthenia is the 2nd album in the 'Tales of a Dreamer' series, an abstract creation of a musical story by way of variations through his own psyche. Hope you enjoy the sounds as much as I am. He's offering this album as a free download, but we all know that artists still need our monetary support to help keep them on track. Visit the site and purchase a few things.

MonkeyRobot: Rose Gris

As the saying goes; "You learn something new everyday." That's the case for me after reading the bio for MonkeyRobot, the Brussels-based duo consisting of Eric P and LuiGi. It turns out that I already have some of their other projects as part of my music collection, where they also go by the names of 74 Miles Away and InfinitSkills. I got the heads up from Bastard Jazz at the end of last month, but I was too busy jamming this from their Soundcloud page and it slipped my mind about posting their self-titled debut then. I may be late on the jump, however, good music always stands the test of time. Go here for options to purchase the digital download or to grab hold of 12 inch copies.

Jo Goldie: Follow Me

Welcome, once again to electric relaxation, through the sounds of Philadelphia based singer/songwriter Jo Goldie on her new track "Follow Me", produced by Pawcut, who's based in Germany. I'm really digging the silky soul vocals graced upon this smooth jazzy track. Hopefully this will be released soon so I can spin this at some of my sets. Check out their pages and show continued support. Enjoy!

KTC: Dancin' N2 The Sun

Not sure as to what happened, but i'm positive that I posted the single "Dancin' N2 The Sun" from my friends and local artists KTC (Kadre, Thibeaux & Cisneros) right after Kadre posted it to his Soundcloud page a year ago. Either way, there's nothing wrong with posting a great tune again, right? This time around, i'm also posting the new tune by multi-instrumentalist Kadrae Armstrong called "Digital Man" that he uploaded a yesterday. Enjoy!


Dancin' N2 the Sun by Kadrae G Armstrong


"DIGITAL MAN" ft LRJ (official master) by Kadrae G Armstrong

Algodón Egipcio: La Espina del Cardenche

"La Espina del Cardenche" is a track by Venezuelan artist Algodón Egipcio that dropped back in April on the Norte Sonoro EP. This is the first series of collaborative efforts by artists from different parts of the globe who have come together to fuse cumbia, norteño and other variants to compose. I'm pretty rusty on my Spanish speaking and translating, other than that, this tune sounds good to my ears. Visit the Bandcamp page for a free download. Enjoy!

Reggae Roast: David Rodigan DJ Set

This past Saturday at Plan B in South London, UK, the legendary Reggae and Dancehall selektah David "RAM JAM" Rodigan blessed the microphone and the turntables for the Reggae Roast crew through an extended invitation. As Rodi is great with his speeches to inform crowds of the history and importance of Reggae. In this case, like many other sets he spins, he can get the crowd in a frenzy before he plays his first tune. Big respect to the massive and crew representing Reggae Roast.

Rainer Trueby: Welcome To Our World Remixes

It's a cloudy and cool afternoon at the moment here in Houston, but my day just got a bit brighter after listening to the preview of Rainer Trueby's (sometimes spelled Trüby) Welcome To Our World remix 12 inch. Rainer is in no way a stranger to my DJ sets, as his jazzy grooves gets heads moving and fills dancefloors. He's also very familiar with the DJ booth himself, as he trots around the world rocking thousands of party-goers. I'm waiting patiently to get my copy of this so I can spin the "Session Victim Remix", the one that really got my body moving. Mark the date, November 23rd, to get this goodie on Compost.

Beres Hammond: One Love, One Life

On yesterday, Jamaica's king of lover's rock, Beres Hammond released his 19th studio album titled One Love, One Life on VP Records. For fans of Reggae music, you know Mr. Hammond is not one who will disappoint. Having produced 19 of the 20 tunes, the majority of them are classic Beres fashion, ones to get close to with that special someone. However, he picks up the pace for you to cut a rug on the dancefloor with "Can't Waste No Time" and "Don't You Feel Like Dancing". The storyteller in him appears on "My Life", while a plea for families to "stand strong like a mountain" on the soul stirring "Family" tune, as well as him continuing to bring about social consciousness on "You Stand Alone", "Truth Will Live On", and "Prime Time". Beres closes the double disc set with "I Humble Myself", featuring guest vocals from Samantha Strachan, as they both call out to the Father in praises.

Make sure you visit the official VP Records website to order your copy of One Love, One Life today!

Evil Needle: Falling Leaves

Fresh is the word, once again for Evil Needle, a producer who crept into my list of favorites. His latest downtempo scorcher "Falling Leaves" appears on the Robot Soup Compilation presented to you all as a free download, courtesy of Potholes Music. Listening to this one makes me wish I was out on the countryside of Vermont or Connecticut to see all the bright colors of fall. While you're getting this, make a contribution to charity by purchasing a limited edition poster, where all the proceeds go to music education.

Morgan Heritage: The Return

Obviously, i'm pretty late with coming across the new single, "The Return" by Morgan Heritage. The other thing is, I had no idea that they disbanded as a group. Either way, it doesn't matter as they come back somethin' fierce with this new big tune. Enjoy!

Positive Flow: Flow Lines

What a way to come back after a break with the sounds of UK based multi-instrumentalist Positive Flow. Expect greatness from start to finish when Flow Lines drops digitally on November 19th. He kicks it off with the Minnie Riperton influenced "Children of the Sun" that features excellent vocal execution from Heidi Vogel. Other all-stars on vocals are Omar, Stacy Epps, Colonel Red, Vanessa Freeman, Sharlene Hector, Tesia Rolle and Andre Espeut. CD copies of the album will be released on December 3rd. Much respect to Tokyo Dawn for another classic.

Menagerie: Leroy & The Lion ft. Roy Ayers

Now it's time to hit you all with a nice Jazz groove from the good people over at Tru Thoughts Recordings who are getting ready to share with the world the latest project from Australian producer/songwriter Lance Ferguson spearheading this spiritual Jazz project under the byname of Menagerie. They Shall Inherit is set to make noise December 10th/11th via CD, digital and vinyl, featuring a guest appearance from the legendary Roy Ayers on "Leroy & The Lion".