Jesse Boykins III has a timeless sound. He shares a point of view that crosses all genres and generations. Every note and each word in all his recorded works to his live performance is skillfully crafted evoking emotions that move the listener to examine and acknowledge those feelings within themselves. This album is sick luv the vibe this is the type of music that's needs to be out there in the real world.Everyone should have this one .... peace
All i can say this shit is crazy cant wait for this to drop. Plus i luv KISSEY ASPLUND.go and cop the single.Also hope this comes on wax this is a club banger......... support
All i can say is this is one of my favorite albums in heavy rotation.She is something special bringing a fresh vibe that keeps you wanting more. Can't wait to see her live hope she makes down to LA.So go to itunes a get this a must have......
Joining the musical lineage of Minnesota expatriates, and representing a new generation in progressive sound, is the infinitely talented Sarah White. Cultivating a base of followers and nurturing her sound from the ground up in her native Minneapolis, Sarah embarks on the next phase of her creativity with her pilgrimage to Brooklyn, NY. The success that has followed her to her new home in New York’s most eclectic borough is a culmination of experience and preparation for a golden opportunity. The path that led to this exodus is the stuff dreams are made of. Sarah White has always been artistically inclined. As a youth she explored the worlds of theater and dance, and would become a student of music, learning to play instruments early on. Sarah’s organic progression toward vocalism would begin in middle school, experimenting with spoken word poetry and rapping by the age of 14. Her collaborative abilities would be put to the test in 2002 when she joined the regional hip-hop outfit, Traditional Methods, as an emcee. Covering political and social topics in the tradition of such groups as the Fugees and Digable Planets, the group had a successful run, until Sarah decided to expand her creativity, starting a new group called Black Blondie in 2005, with fellow vocalist Samarha Linton. Black Blondie would fuse hip-hop, electro-dub, and soul, providing glimpses into Sarah’s current identity. The girl-heavy band would earn strong regional acclaim, as well as a Minnesota Music Award nod. Throughout her group efforts, Sarah drew lofty comparisons to contemporaries and legends such as India Arie, Lauryn Hill, and Sade. While Sarah embraced all of the local acclaim, she sought to further broaden her horizons, and is currently in the early stages of a burgeoning solo career. Sarah White’s voice can be described as hypnotic at times, with breathy, soothing soliloquies, and deep, seductive stanzas. What’s impressive is her ability to effortlessly transform from singer to emcee, as in the introspective song, C Train. In this selection, she combines a spitfire flow, with dancehall style chatting and soulful melody, to create her own unique “scatois”. Each of Sarah’s songs is a perfectly balanced moment, reflecting the full spectrum of her vocal abilities and bringing a positive focus to the issues of growth, fulfillment, and love. Sonically, Sarah’s primary producer DJ Don Cuco has presented a menu of indigenous sounds and synthesized instrumentation that perfectly compliments the versatility of Sarah’s voice. It’s a proven formula for success as Sarah White has opened for artists such as Jill Scott, J*Davey, K-Os, Camp Lo, Amy Winehouse, Fishbone, and The Roots, and performed at such New York staples as Smooch in Fort Greene, Solomon’s Porch in Bed-Stuy, The Delancey in Manhattan, and the Apollo in Harlem. She was also featured in 2007’s Black Lily Festival in Philly, and is poised to become the next post-genre fixture, much like fellow Minnesota export Nikki Jean of Philadelphia’s Nouveau Riche. Sarah White has clearly found her calling, and we should all join in her commute to the top. ********By Devin “PAN” Barrett -- Staff Writer//TRACE Magazine****
Since hooking up in 2001, The Tones, who consist of rapper/singer Suhn and rapper/producer Retro, have finally released a full-length project on Plug Label. Prescribed for fans of Soul Village, Kanye, and Little Brother, the album is laced with soulful tracks and positive yet versatile flow, as they seek to take audiences on a journey through what they refer to as “DreamTalk”. Although there are a few hooks on the album that sound like repetitive refrains that could contain more thought, there does exist a good selection of sample influenced and catchy choruses. Not to mention that The Tones’ flow is versatile no matter the subject, along with Retro’s quality production which can be described as Primo/Dilla influenced without sounding too “copycatish.” After getting this album i was not sold on it at first until i played it a couple of times and then it came to me that this is a well done album.So i suggest you listen to the tracks first before you buy. peace
E Reece & Core Elements, based in Los Angeles, CA, USA bring you “L.I.S.n 2 This Live.In.Studio.” an organic hip hop LP for the masses. The album is a perfect blend of soul, jazz, funk and boom bap hip hop tracks reminiscent of the genres golden era. Lead by MC E Reece, Core Elements includes keyboardist Ron Avant, guitarist Joel Van Dijk, bassist Brian Boland, drummer Bennie Rodgers (Mariah Cary), saxophonist Jamon Laws (son of saxophone great Ronnie Laws), DJ Soups and resident hype/funny man Dro. This LP is the group’s interpretation of tracks already laid down by E Reece with previous producers, take by the group and given new life. Additional production by Brian Boland, The Beat Ventriloquists, and Genre Jazz Productions. “L.I.S.n 2 This Live.In.Studio.” appeals to all ages and will please music lovers worldwide. It’s an instant classic! So check out this multi-talented brother and his live band "Core Elements" (Joel Van Dijk on guitar, Ron Avant on keys, Bennie Rodgers on drums, Brian Boland on bass, Jamon Laws on tenor saxophone and DJ Inka One), who mix new school hip hop, east coast wisdom, and west coast love of life. His music transcends all cultures, and with a love for rhyming that’s deeply rooted in the essence of the genre, it’s going to be hard to stop his star from rising. “ Once they’ve heard my music or seen my live show, I want people to believe in the power of positive music and to know that real hip hop isn’t dead.” Look for E Reece & Core Elements’ highly anticipated full-length LP entitled “L.I.S.n 2 This Live.In.Studio.” (Elevated Mental Recordings/Foundation Media), out January 27, 2009. He’s E Reece and he’s not for the fake. All sucka MC’s beware!
Wow had a chance to talk with Zaki at a show in Chinatown Los Angeles (SOULSESSION).She was such a treat i don't think the people there where ready for such an amazing show.I dont even think it was the second song and i had to cop this album.I HAVE PUT SOME OF HER SONGS ON MY PODCAST and have had a crazy response . If you hear she is in your town dont sleep go out and see her.
Zaki Ibrahim’s music is captivating and vibrant. It’s thick with poetics and steeped in a delicious mixture of earnest emotion and social commentary. Zaki’s path continues to progress, layering new experiences on top of each other that uniquely influence her musical ventures, culminating in her most recent project, Eclectica (Episodes in Purple). Zaki’s road has been paved with creative encounters that have propelled her forward – from a childhood steeped in musical influences, to performing at Capetown’s historic Armchair Theatre, then touring Canada with South Africa’s Tumi and the Volume, The Roots, Bedouin Soundclash, and Erykah Badu to collaborating with famed DJs King Britt and Ron Trent.
Welcome to the world of Afta-1, as soon as you press play on his AftaThoughts Volume 1 project, you'll enter a cosmic hip-hop soul album like you've never heard before. Take MeShell NDegeocello's Comfort Woman, with a pinch of Little Brothers The Listening and Erykah Badu's Mama's Gun and you have Afta-1. A deep, and endlessly fresh sound, Afta-1 is the latest legend of our producer era. This studio animal will make some neck hairs stand straight or chill spins, as his music feeds your soul and becomes the new soundtrack to your life. THIS IS A MUST HAVE....IF YOU NEED SOME FRESH AIR IN THE WORLD HE GIVES IT TO YOU. GO COP THIS AND ALL THE NEW STUFF HE IS ABOUT TO RELEASE......IM OUT PEACE
