The Bilal - Moovmnt Interview (Video)

I had the pleasure back in late 01' to have seen the man known as Bilal in concert at a venue in ATL. Dude had the crowd going when he sang "Sometimes," and I knew outside of his incredible debut, First Born Second being the smash that it was and still is, dude was about to set a blaze in the music industry. Since that time, Bilal has gone through a serious phase in his life and he discusses it with the crew over at Moovmnt. The interview is a little over 18 mins, but it's very compelling and moving, and you get a personal feeling about this zany yet intriguing character an artist. His new album, Airtight's Revenge is due out next month on the 14, and is available now for pre-order via Amazon. Respect and all the best to Bilal. 

SLE Soundscape Radio! Episode 7

Make You Move

Blessing Tampa, Fl and the rest of the world with the sounds of wonderful music.

Byron & Onra - The Return
Jaspects - Play On
David Banner ft Big Remo - Strange
The Clonious - Oily Glue
14KT ft. AB - Less Than Enough
Stacy Epps - Addicted
Zo! ft. Carlitta Durand - Nights Over Egypt
Steve Spacek Presents Black Pocket - Field
Alison Carney - Free
DJ Day & Miles Bonny - Learnin’ To Fly
grooveman Spot - Ponsonby Beat Down
Brand New Heavies ft Phonte - Sex God (DJ Spinna rmx)
Roddy Rodd ft. Phonte & Carlitta Durand - This Time Around
Bruno Mars - Our First Time
Brian Temba ft Sharlene Hector - Where This is Going
Daru Jones & Kissey Asplund - Sweetest Day
Commentary backed by/The Aqua League - The Setup
Andreya Triana - Lost Where I Belong (Flying Lotus rmx)
Mark Ronson ft Ghostface - Lose it

Click here to download.

Darien Brockington - Rain (Video Shoot)

Here's a sneak peak using photo stills of the upcoming video for Darien Brockington's newest single "Rain." Courtesy of Jas of JAS Photo. Looks like DBrock and the cast had a good time. No date on the video's release date, but rest assured, I'll post it when it premiers. Support the song, support The Cold Case Files. Support good music!

www.dbrockmusic.com

Darien Brockington - Rain

Timeless Music: Marcelle & The Truth

I was chatting to upcoming R&B/Soul singer, Aniesia Williams via Facebook today. She told me about her forthcoming album, due out early 2011 and her working with Marcell & The Truth on the project. During our conversation, I didn't know who M&TT was, but after visiting his site and coming upon this interview, I soon remembered that I'd heard of M&TT and sure enough he is the TRUTH!

My introduction to M&TT came via my dude Soundnexx. It was his Ebony Souluette Mixx where I'd first heard Marcell and mistaken him for another soul singer, Lathum who'd been off the seen since 02'.

Marcell's soothing baritone is sure to win any soul music lover over. He's the voice of the grown man amongst a sea of youthful entertainers. A modern day Bill Withers, Freddie Jackson and Luther Vandross - touching on the thoughts of what's  meaningful and relative in order to add a sense of realness to everyday lives. I have yet to purchase both his debut, Hopes Too High and sophomore effort, Symbols (which received 5/5 stars courtesy Creative Loafing of ATL), but if the featured track below moves you as it does me, then spend your ten bones on this talented brother and spread the word amongst music lovers like yourself.

www.marcellandthetruth.com

Marcell & The Truth - You Saved Me

Ski Beatz feat. Curren$y & Smoke DZA – Nothin’ But Us (Video)

New Orleans native, Curren$y hooked up with Ski Beatz and dropped the get high album of 2010, Pilot Talk. Unfrotunately, this joint didn't make the cut, but you won't have to wait much longer to get it. Ski confirmed it to be on is highly anticipated 24 Hour Karate School, dropping September 7th. The verse from Smoke DZA is bugged. "Higher than giraffe p@#*y." LOL!

Zo! - Sunstorm (Review)

Now a full week since the release of Michigan native, Lorenzo Zo! Ferguson's Sunstorm, I've finally decided to drop my two cents amongst the others on the net. For me, the album starts off where Little Brother's - Getback ends. "Greater Than The Sun" ft. Phonte, the opening track on Sunstorm kinda has that feel of "When Everything" also produced by Zo! minus a few bpms. With it's infectious groove and a crooning Phonte on the vocals it's just a real feel good track that sets the mood for the journey into the rest of the album.

Laced with a heavy assortment of elegant keys, synthesizers, guitar riffs, rhythmic drums and a jazzy soundscape, Zo! fills his music with great lyrics, soul & harmony via artists from the Foreign Exchange Camp (Yahzarah, Darien Brockington, Carlita Durand...) along with a few worthy and known outsiders from the indie scene (Lady Alma, Sy Smith, JBIII...).

On "Greatest Weapon of All Time" ft Sy Smith, Zo! brings out the latin flavor near the tail end which subtly changes the uplifting vibe, but makes you want to break out into the samba. Good move.

From the onset of the track "Be Your Man" ft Darien Brockington will instantly take you back to Mtume's - Juicy, but Zo! brings in the keys so quick to flip the funk and create a slow smash for D-Brock's passionate vocals. The electric guitar at the end just elevates the track to another level. Classic!

The title track, "Sunstorm" ft Yahzarah, delivers another heater that's sure to have the ladies hype and the fellas heads nodding up in the club. Yahzarah's honey like refrain cruises perfectly over the ill synths and melodic bass line Zo! composes.

Changing the pace and sound is the lounge type vibe of "If I Could Tell You No" ft Jesse Boykins III. Zo! proves his keys game to be well rounded delivering an easy flowing jazz composition - something I'd expect to hear from the likes of jazz pianist and vocalist, Jose James.

"All is Well With Love" ft Chantae Cann of Jaspects fame is a winner all around. Figuratively speaking, the track seems to illuminate. There's a magical feeling that surrounds the energy on this track. I believe it to be the wind chimes  that weave in and out in addition to the entrancing sounds of Chantae Cann floating throughout like a butterfly.

The magic doesn't end there, but this review does. I love the album overall. However, I would've like at least 2 more songs, 1 with vocals and the other a rousing instrumental with 3 shifts displaying Zo!'s versatility & musicianship. Also, the sequencing of the tracks could've played better had it been structured like a cassette with the uptempo tracks on side A and the mellow to slow on side B, and the Lady Alma track, "Free Your Mind" as a bonus. Still, Sunstorm is a must have for lovers of great music.

My respect goes out to Zo! for accomplishing this project in the manner he did. According to the interview w/Fave of the FFC, the bulk of this project was done via file sharing. How difficult a task that is, I don't know, but he makes it sounds seamless as if the artists where right there in the studio with him. Success & Respect Zo!


UPDATE! Zo! and RCRD LBL has teamed up to give away another banger off the Sunstorm album. "Greater Than The Sun" ft Phonte. Click here for your free dl, and if that doesn't encourage you to purchase the album, then you just FAIL!


www.musicalarchitect.com

Zo! - Be Your Man ft. Darien Brockington

Zo! - All is Well With Love ft Chantae Cann

Dynasty - Epic Dynasty (produced by DJ Premier)

It's been a long time coming for Tampa femcee, Dynasty, but the payoff is coming around nicely. Before hitting up the stage for the Rock Steady For Life concert in Newark N.J, Dynasty stopped by Live from HeadQCourterz to build w/the legendary DJ Premier. For Dy, I'm sure this is the greatest cosign ever. Check out the full show for more joints from Dynasty and other bangers from the real. Peep the smash she laces produced by the man himself. Get 'em Dy!

Dynasty - Epic Dynasty