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Tokyo Dawn Records drops their latest project, Serendipity: an indie, electronic, disco & pop oriented sounds produced primarily by Ronni Vindahl. Due to numerous postponements, this has been a labor of over four years for Vindahl. Serendipitycombines the bold sounds Vindahl has created with lyrical insights from his work in philosophy and art galleries. I personally didn't feel this release as much as previous works from TDR as well as the work Vindahl has done with Boom Clap Bachelors, butyou may feel different, so peep two of my personal favorites below, then head on over to the site to hear for self.
Ronni Vindahl - Head over Heels ft Coco of Quadron
Your average hip hopper, most times will only expect but so much change from an artist and the sound that he/she has created. Now if the change is too drastic that project could start a number of conversations about how it was "whack" or "it was on some other ish" or "I don't know what the hell he/she was on when he/she made that." I'm guilty of having said this here and there and sometimes very prematurely. But sometimes I just can't get into it. So given what I just prefaced, you may be thinking "he's about to go in on this album." Your thoughts are absolutely wrong.
The title: Saudade - it is of Portuguese origin, and although there is no true english translation it can be defined as a deep emotional state of nostalgic longing for something or someone that one loves and which is apart. It often carries a repressed knowledge that the object of longing might never return.
Now judging from the sound & sentiments throughout Saudade, I'd have to say, Colorado native, Mr.J.Medeiros, the man/artist behind it all is yearning and/or has lost his connection with a number of facets within his life, or the experiences he speaks about have been related to him or witnessed first hand. I'm inclined to say a little of both but less of the latter. Statements like "I lost touch/I cause much and never meant to" from "Fear & Safety"speaks volumes to conditions and what effects our decisions consciously and unconsciously can have.
On tracks like "Nothing Without Providence"Medeiros spits, "Now I have got a voice, and it's a voice you're hearing now/leaving you the only choice to adhere or turn it out/to the message that I'm speaking and the providence I'm after, but I am not a leader, I'm a rapper." Considering the role fans have placed artist in, this is a powerful statement he makes. Despite record execs and higher ups looking at him as just a rapper, Medeiros is clearly a messenger speaking on relevant issues in hopes of leading people to seek God and to stand for self.
Throughout Saudade, Medeiros fits in various styles of production to express the different emotions he conveys. Hip hop is the foundation but there's jazz, a little pop & electronic, ambient and some straight up head banging rock which surprised me on the track "Stand Down." No comment there, but what I will say is Medeiros put a lot of thought into how he wanted this project to come together.
Let it be understood though, this album - regardless of what is heard sonically, listeners will have to sit still and remain quiet to really understand the intricately woven words delivered by the at times quick rap flow of J.Medeiros. I'm a bit perplexed at times. Thank you for the lyrics!
In the end, Saudade is a defining moment in the career of Mr.J.Medeiros. And as his second solo project via his De Medeiros LLC. he moves forward without limitations in creating honest music that needs to at least be heard more than once.
Special thanks to Mr.J.Medeiros who gifted me his project some time ago and also for the lyrics.
Louisville, Kentucky: A new voice in soul music is stirring up. Youthful and rich in tone, JD Green Soul fills your audio space with a sweet classically trained voice that personifies the elements of all things funky, jazzy and soulful. My introduction to JD came via a twitter following sometime last week. I held off for a minute before giving her work a good listen, but today, I am pleased to say my ears have been gently kissed by this graceful singer, poet and musician. Her 16 track debut, Diurnal Movements is a beautiful body of work touching on love, life, fun times and free spiritedness. Peep the gospel infused, soul inspired "Make it New" below. It's just a taste of many great tracks off her album.
I've seen this cover before on bandcamp a few months ago, but just never payed much attention to it. However, over the weekend I got an email from someone in the artist's camp regarding his music. Calvin Gary, Jr. aka Joonieis a singer, songwriter, arranger and musician, specializing in Soul, R&B and Popular Music. He has written for and collaborated with Ruben Studdard, Elliot Yamin, Nappy Roots, Angie Stone and Mos Def (unreleased).
Joonie's debut album, Acoustic Love is out now, and minus a few tracks that's more suited toward today's radio playlist is a solid piece of work. Acoustic Love showcases the full reach of Joonie's musicianship which I truly appreciate in an artist. The gentle keys of "Just The Way You Are" make for pleasant listening and "Delilah" will have you swaying from left to right with its mid tempo groove. Check the cut below to start, then continue on to hear more of the album here.
It's been about 2 years now since my introduction to Washington DC native, Muhsinah. She is what I like to call, the chanting voice of heaven. Daybreak 2.0 (2008) set the tone for me and displayed a far reaching sound in soul music. When my ears first took hold to her via the song "Knetnot," I allowed myself a few minutes to truly fathom her style. Vocally, she's easily compared to Georgia Anne Muldrow, but Muhsinah holds her own over a fusion of electronic, hip-hop and funky soulful beats. The Howard University graduate and Grammy nominated Foreign Exchange affiliate knows she won't win everyone over with her style, but she continues to do her and allows her music to do what it do. Check the two tracks below to begin, then . subscribe to her site, The Golden Girl, and keep up to date with her movement. Support the eclectic sounds of the rising underground.
The pursuit of passion is always running neck and neck with the cares of life. However, if you learn how to master diligence, ultimately you will see your dream come to fruition. "Long Time" is the newest single & video from Steffen Morrison. Beautiful song!
After nearly a decade of being off scene, Philly native, Shareese Ballard, b.k.a. Res returns with her 2nd LP, Black.Girls.Rock. The project consist of past unreleased songs written during her Geffen Records days and newly penned tracks that continue the story from her 2001 debut, How I Do. This woman of substance has a sound exclusively her own which takes soul felt rock tunes and fuses them with hip-hop, folk and reggae-dub. Constantly mixing it up, you can find Res vibing with her group, Idle Warship, introduced last year as a triple hot pairing of Talib Kweliand Graph Noble. Download Black.Girls.Rock. from Res' website and Party Robot from Idle Warship's myspace for free while they last.
Featured below are "Angry" from the current - a jewel of a track discussing the frustrated emotions caused by a mate's inconsiderate ways, and "700 Mile Situation" from her debut - a slow dub track where Res tries to deal with the impulsive travels of a lover who's seemingly afraid to stay close by. Stay tuned for more to come from this spirited talent, and be sure to patronize Res' previous effort.
Always in search of something new, Youtube led me to the Netherlands again. I follow the music scene pretty heavily, and was surprised to learn this video has been out for over a year, yet I hadn't seen nor heard the likes of Steffen Morrison. From the moment Mr. Morrison sets his vocals on high it feels like you've been transported back in time to Otis Redding and Donny Hathaway, while possessing the modern stylings of Seal. What a combination! The polished ease of his baritone seizes your attention as he croons comfortably over the uptempo track. His debut has yet to be given a release date, but judging from the collection of songs on his website, it's not to far off. "Damn These Eyes," "Finally Here," and "Take Care Of You" all lead me to believe a pièce de résistance is on the verge. Check him out. Support the artist.
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