Val Watson

This multi-faceted artist is no newcomer to the game. Val's spicy vocal licks were first heard when she served as the female vocalist for Club Nouveau with producer Jay King, singer Samuelle, and writer/producers Denzil Foster & Thomas McElroy (who later produced En Vogue)--all when she was still attending prestigious Stanford University. After writing for and recording three albums with that West Coast neofunk outfit, the group was dropped and Val moved from the Bay Area to Los Angeles, where she continued to create new music, sing backup, and look for new opportunities. By chance she met visionary music producer Gerald McCauley, who has worked with the likes of George Benson, Chante Moore, Bobby Lyle and many others. McCauley hired Val for various projects doing session work and recording demos. After noting her professionalism, versatility and lyrical prowess, he immediately committed to crafting her solo project with her.
AND YES THIS WAS A 2004 RELEASE

2007 RELEASE


CHECK HER OUT AT
ValWatson.COM
Val Watson ON MYSPACE
HERE ARE TWO TRACKS THAT I LIKE ENJOY
http://www.zshare.net/audio/12332001f2754256/
http://www.zshare.net/audio/123321680e550ed0/

J RAWLS & MIDDLE

So i just got the new album in the mail.After listening to it im still at the point where i dont know how i feel about it.There is one track that does stand out to me at this moment it's called(dont lock my drummer up) nice.After being a big fan for years now J is defiantly one of the most slept on producers in the game.When he flipped that j dilla track "players" i could not stop running it.So people go cop it it when it comes out and tell me what you think......


Five Deez, and Hi-Tek. With Five Deez member Fat Jon, J Rawls is one half of the group 3582. Through MOOD, J Rawls was introduced to Talib Kweli, and as all true heads have the Black Star album in their collection, you know J Rawls was the mastermind to the beat behind "Brown Skin Lady". Some of the artists J Rawls has worked with include Masta Ace, The Beastie Boys, Wordsworth, Jonell, us3, and Venus Malone. This is just a beginning to the vast amounts of albums, singles, collabos, and guest appearances that J Rawls is to be credited with. When his biography comes out in novel form, they will all be listed!
ALBUM OUT JUNE 10TH



CHECK HIM OUT AT
J-RAWLS.COM
www.myspace.com/jrawls

KIDZ IN THE HALL NEW ALBUM

Naledge and Double-0 met in 2000 during a talent show at the University of Pennsylvania. [1]. They began recording songs, making demos, and performing at local shows. That eventually led to Double-0 and Naledge forming a partnership that spawned Kidz In The Hall. Double-0 eventually made a solid connection with industry heavyweight Just Blaze. He quickly aligned himself with the project and committed to overseeing "School Was My Hustle", as well as executive producing Naledge's solo project. “Kidz In The Hall are a breath of fresh air in this tired rap world we're living in right now.” After business meetings and continued musical growth, Naledge and Double-0, signed a group deal with Rawkus Records, and released their debut album School Was My Hustle in 2006. Kidz In The Hall are looking to become one of hip-hop's most admired acts, destined to leave a legacy of artistic brilliance. Double-0 the DJ and Naledge the MC are reviving a format established as the set standard in early-'90s hip-hop, and with their debut release, "School Was My Hustle". In November of 2007, Kidz in the Hall were officially signed to Duck Down Records, an independent label started by founding members of the Boot Camp Clik. Double-O added, "I think that this deal is an excellent opportunity to spread our wings. Duck Down Records has proven that they can successfully promote independent acts on a major scale and their enthusiasm in our music let's us know that they are 100% behind making the Kidz In The Hall movement successful." The duo's most recent album, "The In Crowd," released in May 2008, features the lead single titled "Drivin' Down the Block," which samples Masta Ace's song "Born to Roll" for the hook and contains an interpolation of Outkast's "Elevators (Me & You)" on the bridge.Loving this album didn't think i would but was impressed.......go cop the album....peace im out lee

www.myspace.com/kidzinthehall

DWELE NEW ALBUM OUT SOON

"Sketches Of A Man" is ultimately what I am and where I am in 2008," Dwele explains. "It is inspired by life and love, and it is about finding out how I fit into these different musical genres, or how I would fit into these new cultures. Like, if I spoke French, how would it sound? . . I think that's what inspiration is."

The album finds Dwele writing, producing, arranging and playing all instruments on nearly all of the tracks on the project. One of the few exceptions is "A Few Reasons," a bouncy groove with a hip hop feel written and performed by Dwele with production from Nottz (Snoop and R. Kelly’s "That’s That"). Dwele shows us his hip hop side on the album with tracks like " Body Rock," and funky ballads like "Open Your Eyes," (a Bobby Caldwell cover), and "Love Ultra," but doesn’t stray too far from the soulful roots that we love on tracks like "Vain." On "Vain" Dwele speaks of how difficult it is to hold on to a relationship. "With my music I try to touch on things that everyone can relate to. Things like, being a musician and trying to find the balance between work and love,"

Album drops June 24
www.myspace.com/dwele
dwele.net

HEW TRACK FOR YOU HERE
IM CHEATIN
http://www.zshare.net/audio/1201731402572feb/

Frosty Freeze R.I.P.

Wayne "Frosty Freeze" Frost, a hip-hop pioneer whose acrobatic performance with the legendary Rock Steady Crew in the 1983 movie "Flashdance" helped set off a worldwide breakdancing (B-BOYING!) craze, has died. He was 44.

Wayne "Frosty Freeze" Frost died Thursday at Mount Sinai Medical Center after a long illness, said Jorge "Fabel" Pabon, a senior vice president of the crew where Frost and other so-called b-boys (for beat or break boys) made their name performing complicated and daring dance routines.

"He was one of most charismatic b-boys that ever lived," said Benson Lee, director of the new documentary film "Planet B-Boy"...

Wayne "Frosty Freeze" Frost was known for his energetic style, intricate choreography and fearless moves including back flips and head spins. One was even dubbed the "Suicide."

Frosty Freeze got his start in 1978 with the Bronx-based Rock City Crew. In 1981, he became part of the legendary (hey you the) Rock Steady Crew, joining such acclaimed breakdancers [B-BOYS!] as Ken Swift and Crazy Legs.

LALAH HATHAWAY

PLEASE GO OUT AND SUPPORT REAL SOUL MUSIC
Lalah Hathaway’s first CD for Stax Records, "Self Portrait," will hit stores June 3!!! The project reunites Hathaway with producer Rex Rideout. He produced the 2004 Grammy-nominated Luther Vandross tribute album, "Forever, For Always, For Luther," on which Hathaway performed "Forever, For Always, For Love" (which reached No. 1 on Adult R&B). In addition to Rideout, Hathaway-the daughter of R&B icon Donny Hathaway-collaborates with singer/songwriters Rahsaan Patterson and Sandra St. Victor, plus producers Kenneth Crouch, Paula Gallitano and Terrace Martin (fresh from work on Snoop Dogg’s latest release, "Ego Trippin’"). Hathaway co-produced mid-tempo lead single "Let Go" with Rideout. Featuring Patterson on background vocals,

"Let Go"
"Breathe"
"On Your Own"
"For Always"
"That Was Then"
"Learning To Swim"
"One Mile"
"Little Girl"
"Naked Truth"
"What Comes Around"
"UDO"
"Tragic Inevitability"

Check her out at
http://lalahhathaway.com
http://myspace.com/lalahspace



Here is a track from her new album out hune 3rd
THAT WAS THEN
http://www.zshare.net/audio/1177940581e6b60e/

KOOLEY HIGH SUMMER SESSIONS

In the early '80s, a group called Funky Four Plus One surfaced as one of the first hip-hop groups to include a female emcee surrounded by a group of guys. Nearly three decades later, the same thing happens at N.C. State: This time, they call themselves Kooley High, a crew with three emcees—Tab-One and Charlie Smarts (both of Inflowential) with Rapsody (the "Plus One")—and two producers—Foolery and The Sinopsis. With this debut, Kooley High sounds less like a hip-hop contrivance with a stately objective and more like a few hip-hop fans who decided to get together one night, goof-off and rap to some beats. Thing is, they can actually make good songs.
Summer Sessions has no real direction, but it's not supposed to. On tracks like "We Be That," "Back Home" and "I Wanna," Kooley High's production team decorates the song with utility snares, stringing together the emcees' sportive anecdotes about life, love and fun, hardly acknowledging that such a thing barely exists in today's pissing-contest hip hop. The meanest moment of the EP lands when 9th Wonder produces "Water" and brings along fellow Justus League member Edgar Allen Floe (pun intended?). Rapsody and Charlie Smarts are at their finest here, capturing the devilish nature of 9th's drums with their words and ultimately matching a behemoth final verse by E.A. Floe.



SICK ALBUM

1. Too Late (prod. by Sinopsis)
2. Kool with It (prod. by Foolery)
3. There You Go (prod. by 9th Wonder)
4. I Wanna (prod. by Sinopsis)
5. SummerTime Interlude (prod. by Foolery)
6. We Be That ft. Halo (prod. by Sinopsis)
7. Water ft. Edgar Allen Floe and Lazurus (prod. by 9th Wonder)
8. Back Home (prod. by Foolery)
9. Rainy Days (prod. by Foolery)

HERE ARE TWO TRACKS FOR YOU ALL TO VIBE WITH STRAIGHT FIRE
there you go
http://www.zshare.net/audio/117312183ace7c6d/
water
http://www.zshare.net/audio/1173167086141803/prod 9th wonder

BLACK SPADE

I'm always moaning that, as much as I appreciate the promotional music sent through to me by companies, so many of the promos are not my thing that I quickly lose faith in checking it out.

Well, it'll teach me to pay more attention to what I get sent as I've had this Black Spade album sitting in my In Tray (otherwise known as my coffee table) for a few weeks now. After picking it up and flicking through I wasn't quite sure what to make of it and left it for another listen. That could have been the end of it but for an appreciation thread on Soulstrut which made me dig this out again and, what do you know, this is actually a damn fine listen from end to end.

Taking care of production and mic duties, Black Spade's album is very much a one man affair but works hard to avoid repetition in sound or subject matter. Flitting between singing and rapping Spade's production style seems based in underground rap while his mcing maintains a level of bravado more akin to mainstream style. Production wise I'm hearing an undeniable Dilla influence with the heavy muffled drums and off kilter loops but there's no doubting that Spade is bringing his own take on production to the table. You can find more about the man behind the music here

Tale of 32 showcases Spade's more straightforward rap side with a great flowing beat and a bassline that simmers below before occasionally bubbling up over the beats as Spade delivers a smooth undulating rhymeflow on top.

When I saw a song titled Her Perfume She Wore my first thought was of Herbie's I Thought It Was You and I was delighted to find out that this name check was intentional. Black Spade uses the slightest of references with the chorus hook and a couple of chord changes that pay tribute to the funk disco classic. This track falls into the group of songs where Spade showcases his singing talents and is something I heartily support. There's no denying the man can rap but I'm really feeling his singing voice over these type of beats. Hot stuff.
CHECK HIM OUT AT
MYSPACE.COM/BLACKSPADE
donttrusustus.com

GO COP THE ALBUM HERE ARE TWO TRACK FOR YOU ALL TO ENJOY
http://www.zshare.net/delete.html?11725525-e42fd34df002bb91c52208cb6ae40929
http://www.zshare.net/delete.html?11725763-47777d62119299d776471a6d221c35de

PIONEER SVM-1000

Introducing the SVM-1000: an audio and video mixer that finally allows DJs to unlock their true AV potential, and further blur the boundaries between DJs and VJs.

Designed for use with our DVJ-1000 DVD/CD decks, the SVM-1000 gives DJs comprehensive control by synchronising both audio and video elements of their performance.

Even audio-only DJs can easily add visuals synced to the music from the SVM-1000's built-in visualiser capability.

Complete with LCD touch panel, an impressive range of effects and 96 kHz/ 24-bit studio sound quality, the MIDI assignable SVM-1000 functions in a similar fashion to our acclaimed DJM series – which for DJs mean s that the doors to full-on AV freedom are now fully open!

DJs and VJs have worked together to deliver immersive AV experiences for decades, and of course it is natural that the two art forms are so closely interlinked.

Our revolutionary DVJ-X1 brought the two crafts closer than ever before in 2004, as the world’s first DVD decks opened up VJing to DJs.

However, a major stumbling block for many was the lack of a simple and easy-to-use AV mixer; DJs and VJs had to use separate mixers to blend sound and vision.

Now the super-versatile SVM-1000 has the power and technology to change all that.

Developed with input from leading DJ and VJ artists this mighty mixer works perfectly in both audio and AV set-ups.

For many artists this mixer will be the missing link they have been waiting for. DJs and VJs around the world now have the potential to explore new avenues of creativity!

FLUID WATCHES

Flud Watches was established in 2007 by a few good men who loved the streetwear scene and good business. In an effort to bring the watch back to its rightful place as one of the ultimate accessories, the concept for Flud was born. Our goal is to create unique, fresh watches for the casual and streetwear scene without the pretentiousness or price tag. Fresh style, nice price, its a simple formula. We could get more wordy, but that's not what we're about- we're all about the watches.


CHECK THERE SITE OUT COUPLE OF COOL WATCHES
http://www.fludwatches.com
ALSO YOU CAN BUY THEM AT
http://www.karmaloop.com

IM OUT LEEJAMES

PLACES TO VIBE AT

PLACES YOU MIGHT CATCH ME AT