Rachel Brown’s Love, Life & Relationship

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On this Sunday morning, I want to take some time to reflect on Rachel Brown.  The Soul songstress, who in 2007 released her debut album “Love, Life and Relationships” with Urban Music Group.  With that release she was in the spot light with her version of The Emotions “Don’t Ask My Neighbor”.   This album to me gives a great balance of the R&B productions, and a deep, rich soulfulness. Sometimes we get caught up in the new and freshly packaged music, and question the music and artists that don’t fit that mold.  In those, is where you find the gems and the talent that can last for years.  Rachel Brown is such an artist.

With “Love, Life and Relationships” you get fifteen songs that progress you through her thoughts, and transfer you to the sacred place that she visits every time that she sings.  This is an honor, and a chance that should not be missed.  Of, course the stand out song from the album is “Don’t Ask My Neighbor”, which can be seen below.  My favorites of the album start with “Weekend”, “Do What You Do”, and “Learn To Love Me”.

[audio: /05%20-%20Rachel%20Brown%20-%20Weekend.mp3]

[audio: 09%20-%20Rachel%20Brown%20-%20Do%20What%20You%20Do.mp3]

[audio: 03%20-%20Rachel%20Brown%20-%20Learn%20to%20Love%20Me.mp3]

After you’ve had time to absorb and make this album part of you, you will be pleased to know that later this year, she will begin on her second album.  That news really got my attention.  What I enjoy the most is seeing the transition from the debut to the 2nd album.  You learn a lot about the artist, and what direction they are going with their art. This transition should be quite exceptional.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Joc5BMBO0Tc

Nicolay’s “City Lights Vol. 2: Shibuya” for $5

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You may have heard of the awesomer group Foreign Exchange.  Well….half of the group is Nicolay, who has puts out some quality music.  He released a unreal chill album called “City Lights Vol 2: Shibuya”  It was released last September, right before “Leave It All Behind” was released.  Anyway, it’s now available on Amazon for $5 for the entire month of February.  Now, you can’t beat that with a stick.  If you want to get a sample of his music check out the “Tribute to Nicolay EP” that was released a few weeks ago.

Digging In The Crates: Zo!’s 2006 …Just Visiting EP

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You know I love finding rare EP and mixtapes.  Yes, there are rare ones out there.  Once I paid $75 for a rare copy of Ledisi’s album “Feeling Orange, But Sometimes Blue”.  Anyway, with the recent release of Zo!’s “…Just Visiting Too” EP, it makes one wonder was there a Just Visiting One?  Well… there was a first one.  It’s awesome just like the 2nd one.  It has covers of Anita Baker’s “Caught Up In The Rapture”, Janet Jackson’s “Funny How Time Flies”, and four other songs.  If you put this EP with the new EP, you have thirteen tracks of goodness.  Also, don’t forget that in the next few months, Zo! will be releasing his album “SunStorm” through Foreign Exchange Music.

To download this digital goodness, click the album cover or here.

Res Proves Black.Girls.Rock!

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Res

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Res has made this week very lovely.  First she drops a previously unreleased album “Black.Girls.Rock!” along with a great digital booklet.  The artwork for the album and digital booklet is unsurpassed.  Plus you receive free from the artist a full album, and booklet, which would normally be a special edition. That is a love for the fans. Her last release was “How Do I” from 2001, which was a great album.

Video Bonus: There’s No Way

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v4CC8_5PS0

Idle Wasship

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Now if the free album wasn’t enough, she has a collaboration with Talib Kweli and Graph Noble. The group is called Idle Warship. They have released “Party Robot Mixtape“.  The album was mix by Mick Boogie.  I am just learning about this group myself, so sample it, and tell me what you think.

Dome Records is On Their Soul Music Grind

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dome

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Once in a while you have a record company that is really putting out some great music, and you have to stop and take notice.  I was on my normal gather of news to post, and a few posts had the same theme.  They were all from Dome Records.  Now, I don’t have a preference for any record company, and I’m definitely not getting any money from them for this free press. Anyway, here are some updates of their artists.

soulorganic

Hil St Soul is re-releasing their debut 2002 album Soul Organic.  They are adding six remixes of some of the fifteen original album’s songs.  The album is currently out and for sale for $9.99.  If you’re not a fan or haven’t heard of them, this is a great album to start with.  Here is a sample of their music.  This is “Goodbye” from their third album Soulidified.  If you noticed that, that name gave me inspiration for this sites name.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I98EPAHnH4I

ericroberson

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Next on the Dome Records roster with an update is Eric Roberson.  With his recent release “Music Fan First” he has been on a roll.  he has released a Mixtape, many YouTube updates and now Choice FM London Acoustic EP.  It was recorded when he was on Choice FM in London, promoting the new album.  Also guitarist Curt Chambers, helped make each song extra special.  Pretty nice stuff.  Plus it’s only $2.07.  Really?!?!? How can you pass that up?

angela johnson

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Angela Johnson is up next with a single release of “Better” from her upcoming (January) album “It’s Personal”.  This song is hot, and should be listened to often.  So, hot that it’s already had the remix treatment done.  Here is the original version via the YouTube video she created.  Enjoy.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbL8oGubvTs

Angie Stone’s The Art Of Love & War for $1.99

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Angie Stone - The Art of Love & War - 2007

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Just got word that Angie Stone’s 2007 album “The Art Of Love & War“, is available at Amazon for $1.99.  That’s a great album if your a Angie Stone fan or not.  If you don’t already have it in your collection, this is the perfect time to pick it up.  Also be on the look out for Angie’s new album “Unexpected” due out next month.  Thanks Heather.

Soul Artist Spotlight: L’Renee

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L'Renee

Good morning people.  In my efforts to add some new features to the site, I’ve come up with “Soul Artist Spotlights”.  It’s where I spotlight six female artists, that are new to ME.  Some of the artists may new on the scene or serious veterans. There is so much music out there, I know, no one person is getting exposed to all of it all the time.  Also, I’ve added the feature of embedding mp3’s in a nice way.  Yeah, I know big deal.  Anyway, on to the music.

L'Renee

L’Renee

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Our first spotlight is L’Renee.  Coming from the Detroit, MI area, she has fought against many doubters. Starting in 2006, by creating her own music label.  From there she moved forward at a great pace to release “Special Song” LP that same year. The following year, she released “2nd Chances”.  L’Renee also released “Merry Christmas EP” in 2008.  She is very ambitious with her 2009 release schedule.  She has three LP’s slated for this year.  They consist of “L’Renee’s House”, “Europe”,  and “Jazz” which is a live LP.  She will not be a one hit wonder, or a flash in the pan.  She has set her sights, and is planning on giving her fans the music they deserve.

All I Need Is Time


httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igNGj51rRrU httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqPILq9H7rk

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Natalie Gardiner, the Fix you didn’t know you needed

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Natalie Gardiner

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You know how you try some new food dish, and wonder how you have lived without it?  That is Natalie Gardiner.  Before last month, I had never heard of her or her two albums.  Sad, I know.  Well… now that I know about her, everything is right in the world.  Normally when I find a new (to me) artist, I liten to the most recent album, and work backwards.  That’s one of the benefits of finding unknown artists. Natalie’s most recent album is California, which has a Sade-esque feel to it, but a little more subdued vibe to it.  It flows along, with not a single bump, and it’s a wonderful ride.  her debut self titled album, Natalie Gardiner has more diversity in the styles displayed on the album.  It still has a subdued tone to it.  My favorite song on California, is “Slowly Softly”, which the video is below.  On her debut album Natalie Gardiner, it’s “Now I got Worry”.

Media: Video of “Slowly Softly”, Video of Live Stockholm performance, Preview of songs from both albums Continue reading “Natalie Gardiner, the Fix you didn’t know you needed” »

Soul Unsigned Collection

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Soul Unsigned

Spent some time up late surfing, and came across this great collection of music at Soul Unsigned.  It’s a website that has Soul artists that have not signed with any record labels, yet.  Based on their talent and the Soul Unsigned Vol. 1, Soul Unsigned EP 001, and Soul Unsigned EP 002 they won’t be unsigned for long.  I was really surprised by the over all cohesiveness of the this collection of music.  They first released EP 001, then EP 002, and most recently Soul Unsigned Vol. 1. In late April they will be releasing Soul Unsigned Vol. 2.
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