First tune for the new show started with this track “Pulling me back” by Chingy featuring Tyresse (Released 2005). This is a really nice track that combines a mighty fine Rapper in the name of Chingy, with a good quality singer in the name of Tyresse. The main strength of the track is the fact that it uses a sample that has become a Bass Guitar standard for young and up and coming Bass Guitarists. The sample that was used was called “Portrait of Tracy” by Jaco Pastorius, from his debut album called Jaco Pastorius (1976). Many Bass Guitarist are not considered Bass artists until they can play this piece of music by Jaco Pastorius. It’s that important. Anyway Chingy has updated this version with an Rn’b feel and vibe and a features a good Rap. Please have a listen to this track by clicking on the link below.
Changed it up a bit with the next track selection. Soulful Hip hop if it can be called that and it is called “That’s what I’m talking about” by Pete Rock and Rell (Released 2008 on the album called “New York Finest”). This is funky, danceable and yet so soulful at the same time. It’s the opening drum pattern and bass line that sets the whole thing up. The First 20 seconds to be precise are so funky. Then comes in Rells soulful voice together with backing singers. Wow.
Then after about 1 minute Pete Rock supplies us with a really good rap. I mean a rap with lyrics that seem to fit the flow of the song and tell a story at the same time. I can tell you that you will be nodding your head to this song. It has the right balance of Funk and Soul that doesn’t fight against each other but compliment each other. Please click on the link below to hear the song.
Staying with the mode of Rn’b music I decided to play this track in which when it was released didn’t reach the heights in the Rn’b charts that it should have done. The track was a combination between P Diddy and Jamie Foxx called “Partners for life”(Released in 2006, Usa). It has such a nice groove to it, that it could be used for rappers of the like of Phonte Coleman (Little Brother fame) to rap over. However, on this occasion P Diddy does all the rapping on this cut whereas the singing is all by Jamie Foxx. Boy I have to say that that this fella can sing.
I will be honest to you I have only just picked this up myself after all those years. And to me this is something. I love the melody of the music on this. Very Soulful, and touches of Funk with the bass line and the drum pattern and yet every so often so very faint and nice Jazz Chords are thrown in. One of those cuts that got away, but it doesn’t mean that can’t listen to it. Please click on the link below to hear it please.
Well I just can’t seem to get of the Rn’b musical roundabout can I? In fact here is another song from Ryan Leslie that fits perfectly well within that musical mode. The track in which I am on about is called “Valentine” by Ryan Leslie (Released 2009, on the album called “Ryan Leslie”, Usa). I have played on a few occasions in the last month. At the moment it is one of my favourite albums to be honest.
Ryan Leslie is himself a fine singer, songwriter and producer on this cut and on the whole album to be precise. As mentioned previously I have played this a few times already on this show, and is now already a firm favourite with the listeners. Probably the nicest tune from his debut album that has been recently released. Nice and soulful I have to say. A track that reminds me of the how artists from the late 1980’s and mid nineties Rn’b artists used to make tracks. It’s a slow to mid tempo tune in which I like and is helped along by the lush sounding strings and the very faint piano like riff in the background. Please have a listen to this tune. You will like it.
Yeap you’ve guessed it. It was time for me to play the Rare Groove selection part 1 of the show. For those of you that listen in each week I need not say anything more. For those of you that are new to this well. Each week I play two sections of the Rare Groove selection. 3 songs in each part. These songs are either bonafide rare grooves, or songs that people have simply forgotten about. (However, if you want to know what was played in this part of the show you will have to listen to the show!)
As the last throes of the last song within the Rare Groove selection was finishing. I had already decided on playing Rn’b music with a healthy twist of rap music going right through it. On this occasion it came form the artist called Marsha Ambrosha featuring Phonte Coleman (from Little Brother and Foreign Exchange fame). The track that I played from them was called “Sunshine” by Marsha Ambrosius and Phonte Coleman (released 2008 on the mixtape called “Yours Truly” USA).
I have recently played this tune only last week on the show. It still makes my head nod every time I listen to it; and yet at the same time makes me sing a couple of verses of the track to boot as well. Marsha Ambrosius is from London, England, and moved over to the Usa about 7 years ago to see if she could make it in the music industry within the Usa via the group that she was in called Floetry. The move worked as it Floetry had underground club success with single and album releases that they bought out over there. However, Marsha Ambrosius has recently bought out a mixtape called “Yours truly” (Released in December, 2008). On this particular mixtape there is a track called “Sunshine” by Marsha Ambrosius feat Phonte Coleman (From Little Brother and Foreign Exchange fame) they have a great track in their hands. It’s so funky, and yet soulful at the time that each particular musical vibe is not contradicting each other vibe on this track. Marsha voice is starting to be loved all over America if you are a straightforward Rn’b fan. Where’s as the rapper called Phonte Coleman on this track of Little Brother and Foreign Exchange fame have already secured a huge Underground following from where they are based (which is North Carolina) to New York and Los Angeles, is superb.
Phonte Coleman performance in fact (The rapping!)is first class. It isn’t rushed, the timing and pace of the rap is spot, and the lyric that he chooses makes you smile when you think of them. He and the group that he is in Little Brother and Foreign Exchange have bought back memories of how RAPPING used to be delivered in the days of the Native Tongues collective (A Tribe called Quest, Da La Soul, Jungle Brothers, Mone Love). Please have a listen to this tune by clicking on the link below.
Moving away totally away from any essence of Rap or Hip Music influence for a moment I decided to play a track from the man of the moment once again. That is of course Ryan Leslie. I decided on playing a second track from his recently released debut album called “Ryan Leslie” as well on the show tonight. The track picked up on this occasion was “I.R.I.N.A” by Ryan Leslie (released 2009 on the album called Ryan Leslie, Usa). This is a nice slow to mid tempo Rn’b cut that will appeal to most peoples. Not harsh, well sung, you can hear the words really clearly and the chorus is easily singable. The bass line is semi funky and the drums are not over powering on this track. The other instruments such as the piano and keyboards seem intent on just sticking to laying down chords. Ryan Leslie voice however fits like a glove on this track that was earlier released in the year of 2008 and was a big underground hit. The man at the moment seems not to be able to do no wrong. Please click on the link below to hear the song in full.
The next track is back to the Soulful side of Rn’b music once again. I played this track last to be honest. But for those that missed last week show here it is again for you to hear again. Novel is a Rapper, Singer, Songwriter and producer all in one we are told. The track in question is called “Makes you happy”(released in 2009 – to be released on the coming album called “Autobiography”). Reminds me slightly of Raheem Devaughn, or something that he would release if it were also to feature a RAP on his release. You know what I mean? A big sounding bass line and Drum pattern on this tune, which is sweetened by good vocals from Novel on this track. Also soulful keyboards give this track a mellow edge as well. Novel is helped on this track by some underrated background vocals as well. As I mentioned before earlier on within this page that the vibe of Soul music either directly or indirectly is really making its mark on release within the Rn’b and Hip Hop music world for 2009. Lets hope it continues. Please have a listen to the tune below by clicking on the link and hearing the tune in full.
Decided on changing the vibe just very slightly and give my radio listening audience a chance to chance their arms on some quality Urban gospel music. Yes gospel music. For far too long the music loving public has turned its noses up on a music that still sees it being a music where everyone taps a tambourine or gets up a claps together in unison when the preacher tells you to do so.
I thought I’d drop a few modern day styled urban gospels tunes to dismiss this fact. First one up was a track called “Sweetest thing by Kierra “Kikki” Shread (Released from the album called “ I owe you” in 2004).
Wow what a wonderful single this is. This song that was released in 2004 sounds better then some of today’s current Rn’b tracks as well as when it was put against the releases of 2004. The singing of Kierra Shread is first class on this. At the time of this release she was only 18 years old, and yet she sounds like a seasoned professional singer. The bass and drumbeats are first class ands make you want to dance if this was dropped at a nightclub or disco. Or just makes your head nod if you are listening to it on your own at home or on a car journey on your own. In other words it damm right funky. The backing vocalists comes in at the right moments for this song and sing their parts perfectly.Thus helping Kierra to concentrate fully on her lead vocal duties. If you want to hear this and any other tracks from Kierra, please go to her myspace website to find out more about her and any news about her pending new album.
Stayed with the urban gospel style of music with another glorious cut from another under rated artist. Her name is Shei Atkins heralding from Houston, Texas; and the track that I was going to play from her was “Call me” (Released from the album called “The lite mae show” in 2005). The start is so simple. It uses an acoustic guitar playing straight jazz like chords put against a Hip Hop styled drum beat in the opening bars of the track. Almost immediately Shei’s voice is added to this funky groove, and makes it even more pleasurable. Then comes the backing vocals which is just as good as Shei’s input here and makes the song sound even sweeter. By the time the song is in full swing a simple keyboard is added to make the song more fuller and seems to be playing that same chords as the acoustic guitar is playing. Wonderful single from Shei Atkins in which I hope that she continues to make music like this. This is a great single. In fact I feel that this the best track so far that Shei has made. It sounds so simple, but it so effective, and it sounds so nice. If you get a chance to hear it, please listen to it track. But for now you can find out more about Shei's from her myspace website.
Urban gospel made the decks for the 3rd time in a row at the moment from me on this show. On this occasion the single is called “Stay saved” by Canton Jones (Released from the album called “Password” in 2006). Yet another quality cut, that features tight like drumbeats and a slow funky bass line that works. On a lot of these urban like gospel tunes the backing vocals are spot on, and can make or break a song. On this song the backing vocals are spot on. His use of visual type of lyrics really makes you think or certain situations or spots that you have found yourself in that if you count to ten sometimes you can take the “Heat” of certain situations. Canton has a great ability in incorporating his great singing ability with his ability to rap as well. To be honest I loved everything about this track. If you want to hear why then please click on the link below to hear the track for yourself below.
I decided on moving away from the music format of urban gospel music for now, and decided to give up and coming talent a chance to sun in regards to their material being heard over the airwaves. I played this last week as it happens and the artist being was called Kastaway, Chicago, Usa. I found this artist over the Internet whilst looking and researching for new talent within the Hip hop world. The track that I wanted to play from them was called “My life” by Kastaway (released 2008 on the mixtape called “1934” Chicago, USA).
Very soulful sounding and I have to say that sounds like they have taken a sample from one of those 1970’s soul groups and then beefed it up a bit. Love the atmospheric feel that this track has on it, and also liked the drum pattern and bass line on this. I also love the distant sounding Horns on this well. Then half way through the track a trombone like horn riff can heard more strongly throughout. I love this effect. This makes me nod my head, which is always a good sign.
I like the rapper (Kastaway) on this as well. He delivers a poetry styled like rap on this tune. He gives us an insight about his life so far. It’s one of those tracks that you have to listen to a few times and then you will fall in love in a big way. It will hit you over the head in which you will not fully recover from in fact. Give it a listen you will eventually love this track. Please click on the track link below to hear it.
Staying with Underground Hiphop or rap music sees me move to London, England for my next track. This is also another up and coming artist wanting to gain exposure over the airwaves. His name is Joker Starr featuring Micall Parknsun and the track is called “Stay on the move” (Released in February 2009). Has that feel in which Common, Little Brother, and Slum Village would use; or should I say have used. Soulful Hiphop that works my friends. I would love to know what sample they used to make up this classy cut with. It’s sound so jazzy and yet very soulful at the time. The drums keeps the vibe all funky, and the vocals when occasional sung are very street like in there delivery. The rapping uses London dialect and phrasing within the tune, which is always a good way to go. I like the uses of two different rappers on this track. It does break up the track somewhat as well. Please have a listen to this track. I think that it will surprise a lot of people on how good it is. You might have to listen to it a few time to get it, but after that 3rd play you will love it. Please click on the track below to hear for yourself.
Played this track last week, and I was so impressed with it that I decided to drop the tune again this week. Slakah the Beatchild featuring Drake – “Bad meaning good” (released in 2008 on the album called “Soul Movement). Wow I missed this one. In fact I’ve only just picked this up. Shame on you Dj Mistri, call yourself a Dj? All I have to say about this track is that it is lovely. A real nice track, which I enjoyed playing from start to finish. First of all it sounds so much like a summer track. I love the simple acoustic guitar chord strums employed by the Slakah the Beatchild. What they say about giving less to appear that you are giving more is true. I love the bass line on and the drum pattern that just touches on giving you a Hip-hop feel, but it is heavily influenced by funk. The whole vibe on the song though is heavily influenced by Soul Music. I love Slakah voice (It reminds me slightly of Dwele!) However it’s prefect on this tune, as is the rap provided by Drake. Drake’s rap doesn’t over power the tune; it allows the tune to breath and have another musical option. I’m going to check out the album if this is anything to go buy in regards to hearing this tune. Wow this is good. Please have a listen to the track yourself by clicking on the track yourself below.
The next track that I selected stayed on a funky and yet soulful tip. The track in question was called “Reach out for my Soul” by Sy Smith featuring Wes Felton (Released 2008 on the album called Conflicts). This tune that had the funky vibe all the way through it, but featured a definite soulful edge to it at the same time. That side (Soul) was provided by Sy Smith wonderful vocals, however the drum pattern and the bassline just wanted to make you groove. Yes it was so damm funky. There is a credible rap provided by Wes Felton half the way through this track that breaks up the tune just right.
A wonderful single that could be easily re-released again and it would top many Rn’b music charts around the world. Even normal national charts as well. Have a listen to the track in question by clicking on the link below.
Looking up on the studio clock I didn’t realise that there was around 13 minutes left on the show to go. Wow was I having fun or what? I ended up playing on the show with the playing the second of part of the Rare Groove selection part 2. No I'm not going to tell you what I played. Listen in whenever I play live, and you will find out.
I hope that you leave any comments about the various songs that you either heard through reading this Blog page or via listening to the show when it was played live on Wednesday's. Please leave any comments here and have you say.
If you are an up and coming artist/s and you would like exposure for your music. Please leave your comments here as well so that I can get back to you. Please do not be shy. Thanks.
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