iVideo... Cynikal - Exhibit A (Transformations)

Emerging London-based emcee Cynikal recently took to the streets of Oxford Circus, London during the March 26 protest (against UK budget & jobs cuts) to film a video for his refix/cover of Jay Electronica's 'Exhibit A'. You can also download the track below...

Download: Cynikal - Exhibit A (Transformations)

#NowIamHotterThanACurryButIAmOnlyOnSimmer

#Peace.Love.ExhibitA

iVideo... Kenna + Shimmy Hoffa - Chains (Free Download)

Eithopian-born American singer, songwriter and producer Kenna's brand new video for the song titled 'Chains' which features Chad Hugo from the Neptunes (also known as Shimmy Hoffa) debuted on MTV the other day. Check it out up top and let me know what you think... 'Chains' is the lead single off of Kenna's latest 3-track EP titled Land 2 Air Chronicles 1: Chaos & The Darkness - the first in a 3-part EP series from the Grammy Award-nominated artist and producer which will be preceding his third studio album titled Songs For Flight

Download: Kenna + Shimmy Hoffa - Chains

Keep Tabs on Kenna: Facebook // Twitter // Website

#Peace.Love.Chains

iCover... Wretch 32 - Someone Like You (Adele Cover)

#LatePass! As covered by North London emcee Wretch 32 for BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge a few days or a week ago or something! iLike it and I know some of you may not have heard it yet so BOOM! Absolutely well done!

Aww YEAH!

#Peace.Love.SomeoneLikeYou

iMusic... I and I - Should Have Been A Beekeeper

OK so I've got a short window of internet browsing availability (#dontjudgeme) so I thought I'd share some new music with you! First UP is an artist by the name of experimental multi-instrumentalist I and I (Adam Sarmiento) and this song is titled 'Should Have Been A Beekeeper' off of his forthcoming 10-track album Alpha Future out on May 31 via Alchemist Records. Listen and ENJOY!

#Peace.Love.AlphaFuture

iRadio... Soulfood Sounds w/ Reya El-Salahi x BBC Radio Nottingham (February 2011 - Yuna + Salakida + Zemmy)

#LATEPASS but in case you missed it, check out the latest Soulful Sounds monthly segment on the very amazing Reya El-Salahi's (pictured above) radio show on BBC Radio Nottingham with yours truly and Reya of course! On this episode of Soulful Sounds, we featured music from Yuna (Decorate), Salakida (In Bloom) and  Zemmy (Superman)... LISTEN below!

As you may or may NOT know, on the last Sunday of every month since December last year, I have had the privilege of joining Radio/TV presenter, producer, writer and occasional actress Reya El-Salahi on her radio show on BBC Radio Nottingham to share some new and GOOD music with her listeners and it's been an absolute pleasure to do so!!!

We weren't on air last month because of the Cricket World Cup but you can catch the Soulful Sounds this Sunday (April 24) and every last Sunday of the month + you can and should listen to Reya every Sunday evening from 4pm - 7pm right on BBC Radio Nottingham

Keep Tabs on Reya El-Salahi: Facebook // Twitter // BBC Radio // Blog

#Peace.Love.SoulfulSounds

iVideo... YJ - Speaking Out Loud

Emerging London-based Hip-Hop artist YJ comes with the official visuals for one of my favorite songs I've heard from the emcee

Keep Tabs on YJ: Facebook // Twitter // Youtube

#Peace.Love.GOODHipHop

iVideo... Devlin - Our Father

One of the more impressive cuts from the best mainstream UK Hip-Hop/Urban album - Devlin's 'Bud, Sweat & Beers' - get it's visual treatment right in time and perfectly fitting for the Easter holidays. Listen, watch and reflect!

#IfIWasGodIWouldBeCrossThatMySonHadToDieOnTheCross

iLive... Maverick Sabre - I Used To Have It All (Live on Jools Holland)

This is absolutely divine from the London. "I Used To Have It All" is off of his self-titled debut album which is due out in the fall. You can and should pre-order it from HMV HERE!

#IUsedToHaveItAll

iMusic... Michael Kiwanuka - Tell Me A Tale

Another gem of a track that I picked up from Ollie Russian's blog! Absolute peach of a Soul/Jazz record from emerging London-based Soul man Michael Kiwanuka with those Afrobeat-infused horns gelling perfectly with lush drum patterns, seriously glorious bass guitar riffs and violin arrangements and oh not forgetting the magical flutes you hear all over this record! Just listen and be captivated!!!

Kiwanuka's debut EP of the same name (as this song) will be released on June 16 via Communion Records so make sure you look out for it and  if this title track is anything to go by then you will be hearing more from Michael Kiwanuka on our blogs!

Spotted at MBBTYB

#Peace.Love.GOODMUSIC

iMusic... Our Feathered Embers - The Runner

Our Feathered Embers basically just reached out to me on Twitter with a Soundcloud link to this song titled "The Runner" with the phrase "here's some good music for you to plug" and you don't wanna know how many times I've read or heard that phrase before plus twitter links are so not me right now but anyway suffice to say that I clicked on this link for some reason and can I just say that "The Runner" from emerging London-based folk duo Our Feathered Embers (who I still know nothing about) is Absolutely Beautiful! Just listen below....

This will do perfectly for those cold and grey Autumn/Winter nights but also it does exceptionally well for right now so definitely pick it up for FREE underneath!

Download: Our Feathered Embers - The Runner

#Peace.Love.OurFeatheredEmbers

iShowcase... 19TH APRIL 2011 = UNCUT @ CARGO w/ Courtney Buchanan + Shakka + Nadine Charles

"The Music is Remedy team alongside Sabre Music are launching a new monthly night at Cargo called UNCUT. Held every third Thursday of the month the night will feature some of London's finest up and coming artists performing live sets with some of the finest musicians in town. After the live showcase there will be an Open mic and jam session allowing artists and musicians in the crowd the opportunity to get up on the stage and join in on the fun." - Music is Remedy

A brand new live music showcase evening brought to you by the good folks at Music is Remedy in conjunction with Sabre Music will be launching this Thursday (April 19th) at the well-renowned Cargo venue in the heart of Shoreditch... & for their launch night, have they not gone and got the one they call Shakka (aka Shakka Crown) to bless the "Uncut" stage? Alongside the Notting Hill bred singer/songwriter who will be playing with one of the best bands in London The Remedies, Uncut will also feature performances from veteran UK R&B/Soul producer COURTNEY BUCHANAN - very well know for such 90's classics as "Life With You" and "Heaven" + fast-riisng singer/songwriter Nadine Charles + Soul & Jazz singer Allise hailing from North West London backed by a full 6-piece band + emerging Electronica artist,vocalist and producer Outlier + Nazarene and her full band - The iLive Collective + Sabre...

Hit the jump to check out some of these artists in action and to find out all the details of the Uncut showcase happening this Thursday!

iMusic... Dirty Gold - California Sunrise

Forget everything you've heard so far in 2011 - OK maybe not everything (Dirty Gold has got me gassed) but quite a lot of things - because this right here is what the SUMMER should sound like! Check it out below from San Diego-based trio Dirty Gold off of their debut EP titled ROAR which you can pick up from HERE

Purchase: Dirty Gold - California Sunrise (iTunes)

Download: Dirty Gold - California Sunrise (Right Click + Save As)

#Peace.Love.SummerSun

iRemix... Lykke Li - Sadness Is A Blessing (Gold Panda Remix)

London producer Gold Panda takes this Lykke Li record off of her recent album Wounded Rhymes into a much happier place the way only Gold Panda can... Bass-heavy and laced with lush synths and drum kicks but still very much chilled-out! DJs add this one to your playlist for the weekend!

Download: Lykke Li - Sadness Is A Blessing (Gold Panda Remix)

#Shouts to PMA

#SadnessIsABlessing

iVideo... MURS - Varsity Blues (produced by Aesop Rock)

#LATEPASS on this one but right after concluding his annual Paid Dues festival, veteran LA-based underground emcee Murs recently dropped the follow-up EP to his 2002 Varsity Blues record, this one "aptly" titled Varsity Blues 2 which features production from Aesop Rock, Terrace Martin, Issue, Foudnation, Karl Berringer and Droop-E but more importantly, above is the EP's lead single - the Aesop Rock-produced "Varsity Blues" and the Darryl Richardson-directed visuals to go with it.

Thank goodness he's done with that Melrose bullshit! Can I get an AMEN?

Purchase: Murs 3:16 Presents Varsity Blues 2 (iTunes)

#Peace.Love.VarsityBlues

iVideo... Mystro - Takin' It To The Bank (Redkite Learning Charity Campaign)

Veteran UK Hip-Hop emcee Mystro teams up with UK charity Redkite Learning on this charity campaign record "Takin' It To The Bank" produced by Show N Prove which aims to raise a greater awareness of the charity's efforts of trying to get people back into employment in the London area and improving the lives of disadvantaged Londoners.

You can take it to the bank (and find out more) HERE

#Peace.Love.SocialResponsibility

iNaija... Show Dem Camp + Lucci - What You Waiting For (Free Download)

Nigerian Hip-Hop duo, Show Dem Camp drop the fourth and final single titled "What You Waiting For" off of their debut album Dreamer which is due out in May, 2011. This follow-up to the ridiculously dope "Alpha Kenny Body" features Lucci in smooth form on vocal duties and is just in time for your weekend! Listen & Download below...

Download: Show Dem Camp + Lucci - What You Waiting For

#WhatYouWaitingFor

#PS: So here's the thing! The content on this here blog has been sporadic of late and here's the reason why... I don't have internet at the crib at the moment and on one hand, i should sort it out and get it installed but where's the money plus on the other hand, I've got exams on June 4 so the lack of internet is helping me focus or should help me focus... Anyway bear with me while I try to figure this out but any chance I get, you know I'll always share some goodness like this with you!!!

iMusic... Charlotte Eriksson - Stuck In My Mind

Emerging Swedish London-based alternative Pop singer/songwriter Charlotte Eriksson also known as the GlassChild sent me an advanced copy of her 5-track debut EP 'The Glass Child' which is to be released on April 25 and while we will be getting into it properly in the next week, I just wanted to leave with you guys one record from the 20-year old that I am absolutely feeling right now. It's called "Stuck In My Mind", check it out below

"My lyrics might be too honest, edgy and make people uncomfortable, but if that’s what it takes to reach them, I’ll do it. I want to shock people. Shake up the world. Make them think thoughts and feel things they never felt before. Leave a scar. I want to go above and beyond what’s expected of me. I want to do this so well that they can’t take their eyes off me. I want to be breathtaking." - Charlotte Eriksson

Keep Tabs on Charlotte Eriksson: Website // Myspace // Youtube // Twitter

#Peace.Love.theGlassChild

iVideo ... Raphael Saadiq - Good Man (Acoustic)

The good folks over at Pinboard Blog recently had the privilege of featuring R&B/Soul legend Raphael Saadiq on the latest edition of their awesomely dope Rehearsal Rooms series and well what can I say? Mr. Saadiq absolutely killed it with this acoustic rendition of his latest single "Good Man" which he performed at the Redbull Studios in London exclusively for Pinboard Blog.

Mr. Saadiq's Stone Rollin' album is out now in the UK and on May 10 in the US. You know what to do!

#MadRespect to Pinboard Blog

#Peace.Love.GoodMan

iMusic... The Glass Canoe - First Ideas (Free Download)

Call it Psychedelic Pop but I call it bloody AWESOME music. The Glass Canoe from San Diego recently released their debut album titled Chimera and while I am yet to peruse the record in full, I am in absolutely awe of and will be stuck (for days) on the band's first single titled "First Ideas" which you can listen to below... I absolutely love this tune!

Download: The Glass Canoe - First Ideas

Keep Tabs on The Glass Canoe: Bandcamp // Website

#Peace.Love.FirstIdeas

iMusic... Baiyu - Together

I'm loving this brand new single from former host of MTVu's The Freshmen - NY-based R&B/Soul singer Baiyu titled "Together" off of her forthcoming sophomore EP Fan Fair which is scheduled for release on April 15. The single which you can check out below has been made available on Bandcamp on a "name your price" basis with proceeds from the sale of the single going towards the Japanese Consulate to aid the earthquake/tsunami relief efforts taking place in the region.

A really good song for a good cause, it doesn't really get better than that I reckon.

Download: Baiyu - Together

#Peace.Love.Baiyu

iMixtape... Notoriety - Part Deux (Hosted by Statik Selektah)

#LATEPASS on this one right here ladies and gentlemen. 3-man Hip-Hop group collectively known as Notoriety from Boston dropped this here 13-track mixtape hosted by Statik Selektah back in February and it's a low down dirty shame that we're only just bringing it to you... Well better late than never as they say! Listen below and of course get your free download on!

Download: Notoriety - Part Deux (Hosted By Statik Selektah)

Keep Tabs on Notoriety: Facebook // Twitter // Youtube

#Peace.Love.Gainers

iMusic... Daughter - His Young Heart (EP)

The very amazing Elena Tonra also known as Daughter who we recently featured on WPGM has just released her official début EP titled 'His Young Heart' and by all accounts from listening to this 4-track opus, Ms. Tonra is picking right up from where she left things on her sublime Demo EP. Her voice is still very much this ethereal and captivating thing of beauty that I fell in love with previously and Elena's songwriting if at all possible might have just gone up a notch and all you need to do is listen to songs like "Landfill" and "Candles" to notice and appreciate on some level, this young woman's ability to articulate the most indescribable feelings into words in ways you didn't think possible.

Listen to Daughter's 'His Young Heart' EP below...

Download: Daughter - Landfill (Free Download)

Purchase: Daughter - His Young Heart (EP)

#PS the EP is 4 tracks and only £3 (less than £1 per track) so I don't see why you shouldn't be buying it anyway but when you consider how much of a beautifully crafted body of work this is, it kinda is a no-brainer!

#Peace.Love.HisYoungHeart

iRemix... Alex Winston - Sister Wife (Star Slinger Remix)

One of my favorite songs of the year gets the Star Slinger treatment laced with lush drum kicks, snares and a head-bopping bassline! This is absolutely amazing, Alex Winston's vocals still shine through beautifully and you still can't beat those lyrics PLUS you already know Star Slinger is a BEAST anyway so this is #winning!

Download: Alex Winston - Sister Wife (Star Slinger Remix)

#Peace.Love.DrumsSnaresAndTing

iMusic... Various Cruelties - She Is The One

I just heard this song over at Ollie Russian's blog... 'She Is The One' is the B-side of London-based "Alt Soul" band Various Cruelties' debut single 'Neon Truth' which is out on May 23 via Almanac Recordings. I know absolutely nothing about this band other than Ollie had them at his first ever band showcase earlier on in the year and that Zane Lowe and Huw Stephens like them too and with tunes like this, I can't see why the hell not! Anyway I will stop harbouring on and let you listen to this absolutely excellent record.

#Shouts to Mr. Russian

Keep Tabs on Various Cruelties: Facebook // Bandcamp

#Peace.Love.HeavenlyGuitarLines

iMusic... Owiny Sigoma Band - Wires

Mix a collective of London-based musicians with a group of Kenyan's musicians and let them jam in the middle of Nairobi and this is what comes out? ABSOLUTELY EPIC MUSIC!

 

The band's self-titled 10-track debut album is due out on April 18 on Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Recordings with the 'Wires' single dropping on April 16. It's obviously ALOT!!!

Keep Tabs on the Owiny Sigoma Band: Facebook

#Peace.Love.GoodMusic

iVideo... Emeli Sande - Maybe (Studio Session)

#dearEmeliSande can we get this album already? Thanks! #PS we love you!

Ms. Sande from Scotland had me paying 100% attention on Wiley's 'Never Be Your Woman' + her SBTV A64 performance was hands down one of the best there was and with this new in-studio performance video, she's raising the bar once more! Vocals are all the way up there, songwriting skills are up there too (possibly higher so)... Like I said up top, can we get this album already?

Keep Tabs on Emeli Sande: Facebook // Twitter // Youtube