Friday Flashback: Freeez: Southern Freeez

It's Friday, the night of the week where many plan to go out to dance. Here's "Southern Freeez", the feel good title track from their album of the same name released in 1980 by UK jazz-funk group FREEEZ, that charted in the UK Top 10 Singles. The song was written by members Peter Maas (bass guitar), Andy Stennet (keyboards), and John Rocca (percussion), with the latter producing the song. Singer Ingrid Mansfield Allman provided vocals on the record. Just last year, Gilles Peterson's Sonzeira project covered the tune, as well as soul singer Beverly Knight in 2011.

The Rebirth: Being Thru The Eyes of A Child

I heard through the music grapevine that an album by The Rebirth was in the works and got really excited by the news. As of yesterday, the Los Angeles band released their second studio album in almost thirteen years. You can preview the album here, but I would suggest just getting it based on their track record and integrity. Being Thru The Eye of A Child is available now through online retailers like iTunes, CD Baby, and other music stores.

Turntable Tuesdays: DJ Kool Emdee: Sound Killah II

Here's a ragga Drum n' Bass mix I cooked up a few days ago. Get ready to get rowdy!

Turntable Tuesdays: Mr. Bogey

I recently joined the Hear This website that's similar to Soundcloud and came across this excellent mix of House tunes by Mr. Bogey, who hails from The Netherlands. Show some love and give this brother a follow. He does great work.

The Suffers: Make Some Room (Official Video)

Kam Franklin has the pipes to blow the roof off any venue she performs in. I'm not talking an instrument, per se, i'm speaking of the vocal swagger reminiscent of Chaka Khan, Bettye Lavette, and other greats before her. Fronting Houston's own funk band The Suffers, they are moving up in the ranks of people to look out for in 2015. Two nights ago, they did a very impressive set and tore it up in front of a jam packed house at Houston's legendary concert venue, Fitzgerald's.

The Suffers have recently released their highly anticipated Make Some Room EP, along with their first official video of the title track. You can purchase in physical form or simply as a digital download. Every physical copy comes with codes to access the digital format. Don't forget to pick up merchandise while you're shopping. Keep up to date with their upcoming tour by logging on to their website.

SiR: The Bullet and The Gun (HMLT Edit)

There are some grooves that are simply undeniable. HMLT has proven so with his uptempo edit, flipping the original of "The Bullet and The Gun" by SiR, taken from his Seven Sundays EP that dropped on New Year's Day. Take my word, the whole project is a banger, so it's highly suggested to get on this. And there needs to be an extended version of this edit in the works. So I hope some type of deal is made to make that happen. Press play and dance!

Beldina: Ocean (B. Bravo Remix)

For this Monday night late night chill, you have to take your hats off and pay respect to B. Bravo for his remix of Belinda's "Ocean" track, where he combines the sounds of old school R&B and current musical styling. The smooth vocals coming from Belinda gliding over the track reminds me of a sunny spring day. Her sense of style and appearance are eye catching. And by the homage she pays to the vocal greats, she's next in line among the ranks of Grace Jones, Eartha Kitt, and Diana Ross.

Be sure to purchase her Intermission EP OUT NOW on iTunes, and have this remix on the house. Enjoy!

Yellowtail ft. Sara White: Dark Soul (NeoTokyo Soul Edit)

I just received a heads up via Facebook from singer Sara White about the new single "Dark Soul" that features her smooth vocals, track produced by Yellowtail, which drops on next Monday, Jan. 26th. This is a compelling ballad that encourages her lover to let go of the darkness within his soul to lover her and embrace the light she carries inside her. The production is euphoric and compliments both the vocals and content of the lyrics. You can pre-order this 4 track EP via iTunes.

Turntable Tuesdays: DJ Wonji

For my deep and soulful House heads, here's a new mix by one of our favorite DJ/producers, Wonji. Press play and enjoy!

WONJI In The Mix by Wonji on Mixcloud

Turntable Tuesdays: DJ Mizeyesis

For this go-round we are featuring the sounds of Mizeyesis and her live broadcast appearance from last month on DNB Girls Radio on uStream. She brought the funk by spinning the classics, as well as introducing new tunes. Give her a follow to keep updated on upcoming events, podcasts, and broadcast times.



Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

Jneiro Jarel: Camouflaged Thieves

A major salute to my homie Jneiro Jarel as he kicks off 2015 with a single that's as aggressive as the soldiers and police officers in this military state these governments are trying to force us into. "Camouflaged Thieves" is a fusion of tribal drumming, a funky bassline, and the rhythmic styling of garage music. This is the first single taken from his upcoming Indio EP that will be dropping soon. Get the vocal and instrumental by way of Bandcamp.

Friday Flashback: Roy Ayers: Holiday (DJ Spinna Remix)

Today's Friday Flashback is honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy. With Stevie Wonder being one of the forerunners to advocate this day set aside as a national holiday in King's honor, as well as composing a song to help aid in this day being recognized, Roy Ayers paid homage to both King and Wonder by composing his own tune titled "Holiday". DJ Spinna added a super nice touch by remixing the tune, keeping the integrity of the music as he's known to do.

Footmerc ft. Woolrich: I Get Hype

Since it's still morning time, here's a tasty jam to go with your breakfast toast. This is a brand new collaborative Footwork track that was "Merc'ed" Texas style by the one and only Footmerc, and partner in crime Woolrich. Hats off to this guy and the way he does his tunes. It's as if he closely studied the pioneers, such as DJ Rashad, DJ Earl, Traxxman, and the other Footwork greats. Not much info has been given on a release date. Hopefully there will be more news soon. Enjoy!

Moses Sumney: Mid-City Island

I may have to build a web or something to keep up with a lot of music that's being released. Last spring, Los Angeles based singer-songwriter and guitarist, Moses Sumney released his incredible work of art titled Mid-City Island EP, which he did the "throwback" thing and recorded it on a 4-track recorder. Rather than get into how great the EP sounds, i'll let you hear it for yourselves. Grab the whole EP for free from his Soundcloud page. Drop him a line to say thanks while you're there.

Ali Shaheed Muhammad: CPR (feat. JaPoet, David Luke, Merna)

For quite some time, I have been waiting on an uptempo Hip-Hop track similar to how it was done in days past. Thanks to Ali Shaheed Muhammad, formerly of A Tribe Called Quest, a new single was released last month covering police brutality in the wake of the death of Eric Garner. On hand to help deliver the message is JaPoet, a visual artist and rapper from Tennessee, David Luke, a rapper from Georgia who co-produced this track with Muhammad, and Palestinian singer Merna, formerly known as Ayah.

You can get this track as a free download via the Ali Shaheed Muhammad website. The official music video below is a good pictorial narrative of recent events and protests around the country.

Friday Flashback: Amiri Baraka: Why Is We Americans

This is an edited version of Amiri Baraka's appearance on the Def Poetry Jam from Season 1, Episode 4, in 2002. One year ago, Amiri made his transition to the ancestral realm and we are continuing to honor his legacy. The music playing throughout the video is Pharaoh Sanders' "Equinox", which Baraka is scatting during his poem. Baraka was a huge fan of Jazz and Blues, and wrote several books on the subjects.

As Poet Laureate of New Jersey (2002–03), involved controversy over a public reading of his poem "Somebody Blew Up America?" and accusations of anti-semitism, and some negative attention from critics, and politicians. After the reading of that poem, then governor tried to remove Baraka from the position, which he couldn't do legally. Not long after, the state passed legislation to abolish the position altogether following the controversy.

Celsius Degree Ent.: Top Selections of 2014 Mix by DJ Kool Emdee

Recently I connected with Celsius Degree Entertainment based in Nairobi, Kenya. I am honored to get the thumbs up from the CEO, Saint Evo 'The Myth', who also is a DJ/producer, to present this mix of their Top Selections of 2014. It's available as a stream and free download. As a bonus, the label is offering all the original tracks in their entirety from this mix as free downloads. Enjoy!

Turntable Tuesdays: Bro. Jibril: J.Salaam Heavyweight

For this edition of Turntable Tuesdays we are featuring the sounds of one bad motor scooter on the wheels, Bro. Jibril. In my eyes, he's one of those among the ranks of "A DJ's DJ" and is a great supporter of other DJs and artists. Here's his mixshow set from this past Saturday on the Soular Grooves radio show on KPFT 90.1 FM-Houston. Enjoy!

DJ Premier: D&D Studios Closing

While everyone celebrated the new year coming and adjusting to positive changes for themselves, there are also those who aren't celebrating and are closing the book on some long chapters. DJ Premier, the legendary Hip-Hop producer, who originally hails from the Houston area, but relocated to set up shop at the legendary D&D Studios [later named HeadQCourterz] in New York City's "Hell's Kitchen" in the early 1990's, announced that the doors of the location will be closing.

I got the news via the New York Observer website. Read more...

Friday Flashback: Dennis Brown: Rainbow Country

For our first Friday Flashback of 2015, we go back to the sounds of Dennis Brown, the "Crown Prince of Reggae", and his rendition of Bob Marley's classic tune, "Rainbow Country" which he covered in 1995, and was released on the Saxon Records imprint located in the UK, with in house production by Musclehead. This version was a big hit from my days of spinning at Houston's own Club Karabana. Personally, I live this cover better than the original. It most definitely got the royal treatment.

Afrolicious: Rise Up

With the event that happened on yesterday in St. Louis, I thought it to be perfect timing to post the new tune by Afrolicious called "Rise Up". I meant to blog about this tune weeks ago, but it slipped my mind. This may have been the reason why. If you're not familiar with Afrolicious, they are an amazing multi-genre band based in San Francisco, founded by brothers Joe "Pleasuremaker" McGuire and Oz "Señor Oz" McGuire, who also double up as a DJ/Production duo known as the Afrolicious Soundsystem.

If you're in the San Francisco area, check out their weekly residency at the Elbo Room, located in the city's Mission District. When going to show your support, just remember this mantra...."It's a party, not a show!"

Happy New Year! 2015 Is Here!

From The Record Realm family, we are wishing you, your family, and friends a prosperous new year. May the quest for peace be granted to us all!

Introducing the new logo for The Record Realm to kick off 2015!