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Zo! blesses fans with ….Just Visiting Three EP

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Ok, I’m grown man doing the happy dance.  Yup, I just admitted that.  Zo! has released …Just Visiting Three upon the world. If you have been follow Soulified, you know that we all are huge fans of Zo.  This release just reinforces that feeling.  Being the third in a series, it just keeps getting better.  It brings some great versions of  Steely Dan’s “Black Cow”, Nina Vidal’s “Driving” sung by Sy Smith, and a a few other gems that will make you want and beg for more. Even more impressive than the songs, are the artists that he works with on this project.  Along with the aforementioned Sy Smith, there is Erro, Phonte, Jeanne Jolly and Nicholas Ryan Gant.  Have I mentioned that this is Free? With so much bad music out there, it refreshing, welcome and great that this quality of an project can be found at any price.

 

…Just Visiting Three [Download not found]

…Just Visiting Two [Download not found]

…Just Visiting One [Download not found]

The Foreign Exchange- Authenticity (album review/listen/video)

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The super duo that make up The Foreign Exchange, Phonte (rapper/singer) and Nicolay (producer) are back 2 years later coming off they’re Grammy nominated sophomre album “Leace All Behind” with they’re 3rd installment “Authenticity.” And this time they have an official 3rd member in the group by the name of ZO! (singer/producer)

I know I’m a little tardy with my review on this album being that it dropped Oct 12th but couldn’t help the lap top issues I had but I’m black in business yall and had plenty of time to listen to this album and when I say I’ve listened to it I’m talking about playing it all day everyday since it came out. It’s that tight yall. As a matter of fact I’m going to go on record and call this one a masterpiece. All 11 tracks are dope. Whether your in love or out of love your going to dig this album and it’s going to get you through what ever mood your going through. It’s always a treat to hear Phonte sing because I’m so use to hearing him spit with his rap crew Little Brother and he truly show’s his vocal versatility on this one hitting high/ low notes and even some falsetto. Aside from the vocals the words behind them have great message, content, and meaning. Put all that together on top of the production from Nicolay with a sprinkle of ZO! and you have the masterpiece that I speak of.

When asked about the albums title Phonte speaks, “I think every band reaches that point when they come into their own and find a sound that is distinctively theirs. The title refers to me and Nic’s journey to find our own unique space within this vast musical landscape. The biggest challenge as a musician is to find that ‘thing’ that makes you who you are. But I think we’re getting there, and we’re finding our way more and more with each record.”

Since I have yet to catch a live performance here in Cali I’ve been on the hunt to find some recent video to get me by till they touch down and they’re all as dope live as they are in the studio. Here’s one of my favorite songs off the album called “Make Me A Fool.”

“Make Me A Fool” live in New York’s at B.B. King’s

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug7U771Ycp0

1. The Last Fall
2. Authenticity
3. Eyes To The Sky
4. All Roads
5. Fight For Love
6. Maybe She’ll Dream Of Me
7. Don’t Wait feat. Darien Brockington
8. Make Me A Fool feat. Jesse Boykins III & Median
9. Everything Must Go
10. Laughing At Your Plans feat. Chantae Cann
11. This City Ain’t The Same Without You feat. YahZarah

For more info and to purchase the album go to The Foreign Exchange’s Official website here.

Listen to the album…

[audio: The Foreign exchange copy.mp3]

5 out of 5 Cartons

-Black Milk

Zo! To Release a Sunstorm Upon Us

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If you are like me, then you know that July is a hot month in the music scene. Coming up on the horizon is a project from a producer who has been putting it down on the soul scene for years. On July 27th the new project from Zo! “Sunstorm” will hit the shelves.

If you are lost to whom Zo! is you must have been hiding under a rock. From Zo! and Tigallo Love the 80’s to the Grammy nominated “Leave it All Behind” from Foreign Exchange. Zo! has been part of some of the best soul music released over the last few years.

“Sunstorm” will feature an amazing line up from Yahzarah, Phonte from Foreign Exchange, Eric Roberson, Jesse Boykins III, and Sy Smith. Sy is featured on the first single “Greatest Weapon of All Time”.  It is a nice laid back up-tempo jam to get the party started.

Just based off of the 2 singles released, “This Could Be the Night” being the other, “Sunstorm” is shaping up to be an instant classic. If you can’t wait for something from Zo!, download two of his FREE projects if you have not already, [Download not found] and [Download not found].

Pre-order the album and look for Zo! and Foreign Exchange to hit a city near you.

Tracklisting below:

1. Greater Than the Sun f. Phonte
2. Greatest Weapon of All Time f. Sy Smith

[audio: Zo!%20-%20Greatest%20Weapon%20Of%20All%20Time%20feat.%20Sy%20Smith.mp3]Download Track [Download not found]
3. Say How You Feel f. Carlitta Durand & Phonte
4. For Leslie
5. Be Your Man f. Darien Brockington
6. Free Your Mind f. Lady Alma
7. SunStorm f. YahZarah
8. If I Could Tell You No f. Jesse Boykins III
9. This Could Be The Night f. Eric Roberson, Darien Brockington & Rapper Big Pooh

[audio: 01%20This%20Could%20Be%20The%20Night%20feat.%20Eric%20Roberson%2C%20Darien%20Brockington%20%26%20Rapper%20Big%20Pooh.mp3]Download Track [Download not found]
10. Flight of The Blackbyrd f. Phonte
11. All Is Well With Love f. Chantae Cann
12. Make Luv 2 Me f. Monica Blaire

Zo! & Sy Smith Create the “Greatest Weapon Of All Time”

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Website/Twitter/MySpace

Zo! has released “Greatest Weapon Of All Time”, featuring Sy Smith.  This song is from his upcoming album “SunStorm”, which is being released by the Uber record company “The Foreign Exchange Music“.  The album is due to hit stores July 27th, and should be blazing, if this first single is any indication.  This song is powerful and upfront.  it’s like both Zo! and Sy Smith have something to prove, and they end up proving it.  You can listen to the song below, and download here or [Download not found]

[audio: Zo!%20-%20Greatest%20Weapon%20Of%20All%20Time%20feat.%20Sy%20Smith.mp3]

You can also check out two wonderful EP’s that he released previously. “[Download not found]” and “[Download not found]“.  Both are great and free downloads.

01. Greater Than The Sun feat. Phonte
02. Greatest Weapon Of All Time feat. Sy Smith
03. Say How You Feel feat. Carlitta Durand & Phonte
04. For Leslie
05. Be Your Man feat. Darien Brockington
06. Free Your Mind feat. Lady Alma
07. SunStorm feat. YahZarah
08. If I Could Tell You No feat. Jesse Boykins III
09. This Could Be The Night feat. Eric Roberson, Darien Brockington & Rapper Big Pooh
10. Flight Of The Blackbyrd feat. Phonte
11. All Is Well With Love feat. Chantae Cann
12. Make Luv 2 Me feat. Monica Blaire

Upcoming Albums To Watch For

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It’s a new year, and the party is over.  Now it’s time to get back to business.  The past few months have been kind of dry on the retail music front.  It looks like Spring 2010, will change all that.

January Releases

Maysa – Woman In Love (January 25)

Corinne Bailey Rae -The Sea (January 26)

February Releases

Solider Of Love By Sade (Feb. 10)

New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) By Erykah Badu (February 23): Everyone is awaiting this follow up album to New Amerykah Part One.  Here is how Erykah Badu describes the album “I called it ‘Part II: The Return of the Ankh’ because this album is the sister of the left side of my brain — it is the right side,” Badu explained during a listening session this week at New York City’s Chung King Studios. “‘Part I was the left side of my thoughts — it was more socially political and my thought process was more analytical. This time there wasn’t anything to be concerned with — the album is more emotional and flowy and talks about feelings. It reminds of the days of ‘Baduizm’ — this is just about beats and rhymes in a cipher.”

The Love and War Masterpeace by Raheem DeVaugh (February 16)

Kings Ballad by Georgia Anne Muldrow (February 9)

Concrete Jungle by Nneka (February 2)

March Releases

It’s Personal by Angela Johnson (March)

Intermission/The Bitter Suite By Carmen Rodgers (March 30)

April And Beyond

Synthesis By Raul Midon (April 13)

Milk And Honey By Goapele (spring)

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vhmvU3j8h8

Purple Saint James By Yahzarah (spring): With this upcoming album, being her third, I really feel music blossoming.  After listening to her two previous albums, and then to her “The Prelude” EP, it’s a whole new world.  So, personally I can’t wait for the album, so I can really enjoy this musical phoenix.  She has also signed with The Foreign Exchange Music, so you know that all add extra goodness to the production.

SunStorm By Zo! (unknown): After the recent “…Just Visiting Too” EP that was released, more people are coming to appreciate his music and talent.  There is also the “…Just Visiting” EP, which was released in 2006.

James River By D’Angelo (spring/summer): People have been talking about this album for a year or two.  It will be ten years since his last album.  A tour is also rumored this summer.  The whispers have been getting stronger lately, with the news of the artists that he has working on the album.  This is what his manager said of those collaborations,” “James River,” D’Angelo’s first studio effort in nearly 9 years, is also sporting a collaboration with Gnarls Barkley’s Cee-Lo Green. Green joins Raphael Saadiq, Mark Ronson, and Roy Hargrove, who have already contributed to D’Angelo’s forthcoming album.”  It has also been reported that he is teaming up with Prince.

Darien Brockington (unknown): This release would be his second solo album, after “Somebody To Love”. The wait just got a lot harder with his latest EP “Cold Case Files“.

Carlitta Durand (unknown)

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

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Website/Myspace

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.

Soulified’s Favorite Group/Collaboration Of 2009: The Foreign Exchange

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Foreign Exchange

Website/MySpace/FaceBook/YouTube/Twitter

This honor of being Soulified’s Favorite Group/Collaboration of 2009, can only go to The Foreign Exchange.  The Foreign Exchange is made up of singer/songwriter Phonte and producer Nicolay.  The sheer number or artists/groups that they work with, is only surpassed by the quality of their productions.  Even though their second album “Leave It All Behind” (download sampler), was released in October of 2008, it set the tone for them in 2009.  Here are some of the projects that came out this year.

They also are working with Zo! (SunStorm arriving early 2010), Yahzarah (The Ballad of Miss Purple St James arriving spring 2010).

To add to the greatness, they were nominated for “Best Urban/Alternative Performance”, for their song “DayKeeper (featuring Muhsinah)” , from the album “Leave It All behind”.  All this from two artists on two different parts of the world, bringing real meaning to the word collaboration.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAT9ZsbIh30

The Foreign Exchange does EP tribute of Zo!

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Zo! Just Visiting Too

Website/Myspace

This is turning out to be a great day for free music. I should be shot for not having an Artist Spotlight on Foreign Exchange yet. Anyway, this great group has done covers of fellow label mate, Zo! His album “SunStorm” will be released soon. To pay tribute to that, FE has put together and EP with the likes of Yahzarah, Darien Brockington, Phonte and others. This is a free EP which serves double duty. It exposes you to the muisc of Zo! and the style of FE. You can download the album here or Soulified’s backup link. Enjoy.