Alternative
Little Dragon – ‘Ritual Union’ (Tensnake Remix)
July 8, 2011
When I heard this joint from Little Dragon’s latest Ritual Union EP I literally played this joint several times over. The band dropped this EP as an appetizer before the release of their full length album of the same title, Ritual Union, drops on July 26th. German producer, DJ Tensnake, flipped this remix & I’m honestly feeling this remix better than the original joint. This track will be on constant repeat with me until the album drops on the 26th.
LITTLE DRAGON – RITUAL UNION (TENSNAKE REMIX)
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Posted in Alternative, Music, Videos | 
Tags: Downtempo, Little Dragon, NU JAZZ, RITUAL UNION, TENSNAKE REMIX | 
1 Comment »
Freddie Joachim – ‘Waves’
July 8, 2011
Now this is just what I needed right now. Some dope jazzy soulful instrumental vibes with no emcee talking all over the track. This is just some great new cool out music right here from the Cali based DJ & producer Freddie Joachim (pronounced JO-AH-KIM). These tracks makes me feel like taking a flight to back to Brazil or something. Makes me want fly out to Costa Rica, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, or Puerto Rico & hit the ‘Waves’. I’m gonna need to go back & load Freddie’s entire instrumental catalog into my itunes. For now we’re just gonna have this baby on repeat. But don’t thank me….Thank Freddie on twitter.
Posted in Alternative, Music, Producers | Tags: Freak Love, Freddie Joachim, Freddie Joachim Remix, Instrumental, Jazz, Soul, Toro Y Moi, Waves | No Comments »
N.E.R.D. Rocks The House Of Blues In New Orleans During The Essence Music Festival (Video)
July 3, 2011
N.E.R.D. always puts on a great show with non-stop energy….Not surprised to see them do their thing down in New Orleans during the Essence Music Festival. It feels like damn near every black person from all over the country invaded New Orleans this weekend.
Cocaine 80s – The Pursuit EP
July 3, 2011
This is a pretty ‘dope’ project that sort just dropped out of nowhere under the supervision of producer NO I.D. The collective known as Cocaine 80s consists of an assortment of musicians, singers, producers, & songwriters such as NO I.D., Common, Steve Wyreman, Rob Kinelski, Kevin Randolph, James Fauntleroy, Makeba, & several other players that have yet to be fully confirmed as this time. We posted the only rap oriented track featuring Common called ‘Summer Madness’ on the site previously, but there are many other quality joints on this 7 song EP that stand out like two of my favorites ‘To Tell You The Truth’ & ‘Anywhere But Here’.  Dope project that it’s obvious that the creators are allowing the product to speak for itself & you’ll keep coming back like a good customer. It’s dope……but for the ears.
DOWNLOAD: COCAINE 80S – THE PURSUIT EP
Tracklisting
Nameless
Summer Madness
To Tell You The Truth
Get You Some
Not No More
Nothing
Anywhere But Here
Posted in Alternative, Hip-Hop, Music | Tags: Cocaine 80s, common, EP, NO I.D., The Pursuit | 2 Comments »
Coldplay – ‘Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall’ (Video)
June 30, 2011
I can recall a conversation I had with someone about a week ago who said they were a “big Coldplay fan”, but when I mentioned Cemeteries Of London was my favorite song from their last album Viva La Vida the person I was speaking with drew a blank stare. Fake. They’d probably confuse Chris Martin with Dj Premier. I’m a Coldplay fan unlike many of these people who say they like Coldplay only because Jay-Z name dropped & eventually worked with them.  It’s almost the same how Jay-Z became a fan after Kanye initially mentioned that he wanted to work with them. Doesn’t seem like those type of people are truly fans more so than they are fans of the power of a particular band’s popularity. Or, at least to them, its the “popular” thing to say. What initially drew me into Coldplay’s music was not only the great music itself, but they’ve always had creatively interesting videos that leave an impression with you hours, days, & months after you viewed them for the first time. Hard to believe that Coldplay have been carefully crafting good music for over a decade now. Today they dropped a brand new video from what will be their fifth album dropping this fall. From the looks of this video they didn’t change up their formula.
The Weeknd – ‘Trust Issues’ Remix
June 27, 2011
Drake dropped his version of this song on the web which I thought was just….aight. So much so I didn’t think it was worth taking the time out to post it.  On this site I told the team here that the policy is to post what we like first & foremost. Every other consideration is just secondary. Now when Drake’s fellow Canadian ‘The Weeknd’ dropped this remix on the web a few days ago & it really sounded much much better.  Look for The Weeknd’s upcoming mixtape called ‘Thursday’ dropping soon.
Posted in Alternative, Music, R&B | Tags: Remix, The Weeknd, THURSDAY, TRUST ISSUES, TRUST ISSUES REMIX | No Comments »
Cee-Lo Performs ‘Bright Lights, Bigger City’ Live On The Voice (Video)
June 24, 2011
I can’t front. I haven’t seen not one episode of this show The Voice in which Cee-Lo is a judge. I don’t really watch television that often anyway unless I just so happen to catch television on the web. Many people were talking about Cee-Lo’s performance on twitter where he stepped out from behind the desk as a judge on the show & gave a tutorial on how true performers entertain. Cee-Lo is rocking the Bishop Eddie Long toupee though…..Pause
Posted in Alternative, R&B, Videos | Tags: Bigger City, Bright Lights, Bright Lights Big City, Cee-Lo Green, Live Performance, The Voice | No Comments »
Cee-Lo Says New ‘Gnarls Barkey’ Project In The Works
June 21, 2011
Cee Lo Told US magazine that there will be a new Gnarls Barkley project coming out. No date had been set for the release yet or title for the project but Cee Lo says about the albums direction:
I would hope it would break more grounds. Knowing the nature of the space that we shared I am pretty sure it will be somewhat similar. After a 3 year break it will be dope to see what they come up with.
Posted in Alternative, Cover Story, News | Tags: Cee Lo, Cee-Lo Green, Danger Mouse, Gnarls Barkley | No Comments »
Frank Ocean Speaks On Sample Clearance Issues With Def Jam Turning His Mixtape Into An Album (Video)
June 20, 2011
When Def Jam decided to turn Frank Ocean’s dope R&B mixtape into an album for sale I was wondering how in the hell they were gonna clear all of those samples. Frank Ocean is a truly talented singer & songwriter whose talent in those areas shined through, but the music itself employs many familiar audio references. In the video above Frank not only talks about the sample clearance dilemma but also about his creative process. Better download the album while you can though….
Posted in Alternative, R&B, Videos | Tags: Frank Ocean, Interview, Sample Clearances | No Comments »
R&B / Soul: Cee-Lo – ‘Bridges’ (prod. by The Neptunes)
June 19, 2011
This joint right here was supposed to be on the Lady Killer album that Cee-Lo dropped, but they decided to put it on his upcoming EP entitled ‘It’s Ok’…….I played this song about 5 times in a row once I heard it but I decided to post it on Father’s Day…Great song! Happy Father’s Day!
Posted in Alternative, Music, R&B | Tags: Bridges, Cee Lo, Cee-Lo Green, Father's Day, It's Ok, The Neptunes | No Comments »
The Weeknd – The Birds Part 1
June 19, 2011
I’ve been checking for this cat from Toronto since he dropped that impressive ‘House Of Balloons’ mixtape. This is one of the first leaks from his upcoming project entitled Thursday. This particular joint doesn’t hit me as much as ‘The Morning’ or the ‘What You Need’ songs, but we’ll see once he drops the whole mixtape. On a side note I’m wondering if we’re beginning to see a new trend with R&B artists using “The” in front of their names like ‘The-Dream’ etc etc…..Most rappers use “Lil’, “Young”, so I hope “The” doesn’t become a trend on the R&B front.
Posted in Alternative, Music, R&B | Tags: THE BIRDS PART 1, THE BIRDS PT 1, The Weeknd, THURSDAY | No Comments »
Frank Ocean – ‘Novacane’ (Video)
June 17, 2011
One of my favorite songs from Frank Ocean’s dope ass ‘Nostalgia, Ultra’ project finally has an official video….Def Jam is gonna re-release the album with a few bonus albums, but if you still late getting on board then you can download the project from our link below….
Posted in Alternative, R&B, Videos | Tags: Frank Ocean, Nostalgia, nostalgia ultra, NOVACANE, Ultra | No Comments »
R&B / Soul: Terri Walker – ‘Terri In Wonderland’ (Mixtape)
June 15, 2011
I can’t front & say that I’ve always been familiar with London born soul singer Terri Walker, but I do recall her working with Mos Def when she had an album released on Def Jam’s former Def Soul imprint. Terri has also worked with ill producer Ski Beatz in the past including putting her touch on his Camp Lo classic ‘Luchini’ production for her song ‘This Is My Time’.  Terri Walker continues to work that Ski Beatz magic by dropping this new mixtape ‘Terri In Wonderland.’ The mixtape doesn’t feature any hip hop artists with the exception of D.C’s. Tabi Bonney, but don’t get it twisted into thinking that this particular project is just another R&B singer wailing over hip hop beats. This ‘Terri In Wonderland’ goes in a variety directions which showcases Terri Walker’s influences in soul & true school hip hop but it also reflects her time growing up in the UK & Germany whose audiences musical palettes tend to span over a myriad of other genres. I can do without some of the unnecessary cursing on a track or two, but there are a few joints on here I liked. I’ve included a few joints for you to listen to below, but you can check out the full artwork, tracklisting, & download link of the entire mixtape after the jump…..
TERRI WALKER – FREE (BELLE-VUE)
DOWNLOAD: TERRI WALKER – TERRI IN WONDERLAND (MIXTAPE)
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Alternative, Mixtapes, Music, R&B | Tags: Ski Beatz, Soul, TERRI IN WONDERLAND, TERRI WALKER | No Comments »
Foreign Exchange – ‘All The Kisses’ feat. Paris & Amber of KING
June 14, 2011
June 28th will be the date that Phonte & Nicolay along with the rest of the Foreign Exchange crew drop their upcoming project Dear Friends: An Evening With The Foreign Exchange. This is one of the highlight tracks from the video & audio project featuring the rising talents of the ladies of KING. The three woman soul group has been riding high with many accolades this year & even opened up for Prince at one of his final shows in Los Angeles.
FOREIGN EXHANGEÂ -Â ALL THE KISSES FEAT. PARIS & AMBER STROTHER OF KING
Posted in Alternative, Music, R&B | Tags: ALL THE KISSES, AMBER STROTHER, Dear Friends: An Evening With Foreign Exchange, KING, Nicolay, PARIS STROTHER, Phonte, Phontigallo, Soul, The Foreign Exchange | No Comments »
R&B / Soul: Jamiroquai – ‘Smile’
June 13, 2011
This is just what I needed today….for real for real…..Jamiroquai let loose this soulful joint that’s as beautiful as a summer day. To name it ‘Smile’ is all the more appropriate because I literally let out a slight smile when listening to this gem right here. This is a new free joint that Jay Kay & the band let loose following their Rock Dust Light Star album that dropped last year….
Purity Ring – ‘Lofticries’
June 7, 2011
When I first heard this song I knew I had to research & track down this joint. Initially I thought Purity Ring was a band, but it’s really a female artist who’s government name is Megan James. Megan is a part of a band called Gobble Gobble but this is a solo effort of hers & this track ‘Lofticries’ that caught my ear is a B-side to the primary single called ‘Ungirthed’ released back in April.
Benny Tones – ‘Odyssey’ feat. LP (Kamandi Headspin Remix)
June 7, 2011
The picture has nothing to do with the song (the real artwork is under the hood if you want to see it) but this joint right here is some pretty dope future progressive soul…..Some good ambient vibe out type music….It was released as a free download but Benny Tones’s new album Chrysalis is available now on BBE where you can purchase it.
Posted in Alternative, Music | Tags: Benny Tones, Kamandi Headspin Remix, LP, Odyssey, Soul | No Comments »
New Music: Lenny Kravitz – ‘Stand, You’re Gonna Run Again’
June 7, 2011
This past Sunday I was cruising through Atlanta listening to Lenny Kravitz’ 5 album which still gets alot of play from me on a personal level. Especially my favorite track ‘Little Girl’s Eyes’ dedicated to his daughter Zoe Kravitz who coincidentally has all grown up into a beautiful woman & did a fairly good job in the new X-Men: First Class movie. God must work in mysterious ways last Sunday because Lenny Kravitz’s camp dropped this new single ‘Stand’ the following Monday from his upcoming project Black And White America due on August 22nd.
Posted in Alternative, Music | Tags: BLACK AND WHITE AMERICA, Funk, Lenny Kravitz, Rock, Soul, STAND (YOU'RE GONNA RUN AGAIN) | No Comments »
Rochelle Jordan – ‘Take Time’ (prod by Klash)
June 5, 2011
This is the second banger that I’m feeling from this Toronto vocalist….She’s been on my radar & if she keeps hitting the people with quality joints like these more people will be checking for her in no time. She’s another one of these relatively new faces in R&B who’s sound bends a little more alternative than what’s constantly on the radio all day everyday. Apparently she’s set to drop her third EP in July called ‘In Search Of….Radio’ inspired by N.E.R.D. & Radiohead. Back in May she dropped the first leak to that project with a song called ‘How To Feel’ that I thought sounded pretty good too. I don’t think we got around to posting it at the time so we included it in this post too….
Posted in Alternative, Music, R&B | Tags: How To Feel, In Search Of...Radio, Klash, Rochelle Jordan, Soul, Take Time | No Comments »
Mansions On The Moon – ‘Take A Look’ (Video)
June 3, 2011
Mansions On The Moon hit the web with another in-studio type video from their ‘Paradise Falls’ project. This go around it’s for the track ‘Take A Look’. In case you’re running late you can download it at the link below…
Posted in Alternative, Music, Videos | Tags: Mansions On The Moon, PARADISE FALLS, TAKE A LOOK | No Comments »
