With their new deal with big dog Warner Bros. Records, Jack Davey and Brook D’Leau of J*Davey are no longer indie babies. Still the mavericks are steady breathing new life into their former underground scene with this Veronica Hinds’ directed video for “Get It Together.” One of the marquee cuts from one of the three free forthcoming J*Davey’s mixtape EPs, the “Boudoir Syndrome: The Great Mistapes,” “Get It Together” is the kind of unpredictable musical potpourri J*Davey is known for. Between the videos and all the free EPs, I’m sure Davey feigns will be satiated until they can cop J*Davey’s official sophomore project New Designer Drug later this year. Ready to get high?

They say opposites attract and with Warner Bros. Records’ dynamic duo Nikki & Rich it couldn’t be truer. Californian, Nikki Leonti, got her chops singing in her father’s church while NY native, Rich Velonskis aka Rich Skillz, made his name as a  producer making music for Eve, Robin Thicke, and Ludacris. But what first appears an obstacle is exactly what makes them special.

Their introduction  in 2007 didn’t pan out as planned, but in December 2008  the unlikely duo joined forces again and they’ve made beautiful music since. Nikki’s full, vibrant voice reminiscent of ‘60s girl groups and dynamic songwriting coupled with the energy of Rich’s tracks merge to create an ebullient modern take on the classic sound. Even the most melancholy lyrics are made light and effervescent in their hands.

Nikki & Rich’s debut album, set to be released this year, is led with the single Cat & Mouse.

Cliche or Brilliant?

Since first dominating worldwide charts with his multi-platinum debut a decade ago, Craig “Fill Me In” David has steadily improved his musicianship, reaching a new artistic peak with 2008’s Trust Me. Problem was that far fewer were listening just as the 28-year old, 13 million-seller had fully matured in his craft. Despite having a truly delicious album on their hands, WEA rushed out a “Greatest Hits” package, focusing promotion on that surer thing instead. Despite a new label (Universal) another safe bet is forthcoming, with David releasing a ’60s covers project “Signed, Sealed, Delivered“  on March 23rd. Safe, doesn’t mean boring as David’s first single “One More Lie (Standing In The Shadow)” demonstrated with its propulsive house beat nearly besting the Four Tops classic. Expect more riveting twists on familiar jams like “Stop Look and Listen” and rarities like Stevie Wonder’s “I Wonder Why,” just enough to fill us in until his sixth album of new Craig David originals…almost.

Soul & Politics: What's Going On...Now?

Remember when artists were politically aware, socially conscious, and didn’t have to put on a bloodied Vivienne Westwood basque with kooky glasses and a poker face to be considered “deep?” Well, apparently so does soul singer Raheem DeVaughn. Named one of our best of 2010 so far, DeVaughn’s The Love & War Masterpeace may indeed be this generation’s “What’s Going On,” “Young Gifted & Black,” or at least The O’Jays’ “Message In The Music.” With so few artists preferring fantasy lives (I Invented…never mind) and date rape masquerading as lyrics (Blame It On…what?), instead of addressing the trials of the times, it’s honorable to hear from one who is. Listen to Raheem’s one-on-one with DJ Dave Brown from Sky Network and SolarRadio.com’s The Dave Brown Radio Show. Soul Sessions is represented on Dave’s show every Monday (10am EST/7am PST). In the meantime, enjoy Raheem speaks!

A New Idea: The Indonesian Soul Singer

Soul enamors people of every continent and country. Everyday one hears about another gut-bucket troubadour or sultry chanteuse emerging from obscure foreign lands where one never considers the possibility of hearing R&B, much less cultivating its freshest talent. Indonesian jazzy soul vocalist Dira, 30, certainly fits that bill. A jazz festival circuit fave, Dira has shared stages with such renown artists as Incognito and the YellowJackets was born in Bandung, Indonesia, far away from the hardened streets of Detroit, Philly, or Harlem, where soul roses seem to bloom from every concrete crevice. The alto’s new album, Something About The Girl, produced by Bluey (Incognito) presents a casual oasis of percussive rhythms and acid jazz grooves befitting yesterday’s Angela Bofill. Esteemed artists like Omar, Matt Cooper, and Ski Oakenful nicely round out the soul massage you’ve been waiting for.

The second season of Uptown Nights at Harlem Stage kicked off last weekend with an evening of truly electrifying music. Uptown Nights is a series of seasonal events that provide cultural entertainment which builds upon the Harlem community’s rich legacy through a variety of artistic features.  When the doors of the venue opened on this particular Sunday evening, the standing room only crowd quickly scrambled for the best spot to see the evening’s performers.  On the bill were vocalists TreZure the Empress and Van Hunt, whose live performances are highly sought after rarities.

DJ Cosi rocked the crowd before the performances began by spinning house blends, a little hip hop and a mixture of soul classics that kept heads nodding.  The show opened with New York’s TreZure the Empress, a vocal powerhouse taking the stage and charging the atmosphere.  Singing from the pit of her soul, she commanded the crowd’s immediate attention before she finished her first song.  With a style filled with sass and vigor, TreZure took the audience on a journey that spanned from flavorful salsa to that of soulful jazzy blues.

The crowd went wild when the headliner for the night, Van Hunt jumped onstage rocking a semi-mohawk styled haircut with the letter ‘M’ on right side of his head, the letter ‘J’ on the left and a very large ‘V’ at the nape of his neck.  No explanation necessary.  Backed by the funkiest four-piece band consisting of Douglas Showalter (guitar), Maya Kronfeld (keys), Thomas Drayton (bass) and Ruth Price (drums), Hunt performed songs from his self-titled debut, Van Hunt, On The Jungle Floor, Use In Case of Emergency and his forthcoming release, Popular.  Van Hunt’s music spills outside of one particular genre in that it is infused with soul, pop and punk rock and always funky.  Songs like ‘Sexy (I’m Not Known For Dancin’), ‘Man of The Year’ and ‘Her Smile’ appear on his album, Use In Case of Emergency which is available on his website.  The floor seemed to vibrate throughout the night but when the crowd grooved along with Hunt on his hits, Dust, Seconds of Pleasure and Down Here In Hell there was no denying the pulsating vibes passing from person to person.

Joya Bravo is the multi-talented, 23 year-old, New York native with a slew of endorsements and a McDonald’s commercial under her belt-  but she wants you to know that she didn’t write those lyrics.

The singer/songwriter/violinist/rapper/actor performed several original songs and several pop covers at Joe’s Pub this weekend.  Seating was abundant in the small venue and the crowd was warm and supportive.

Styled in a sequined, gold bra, a wide belt, sequined leggings, six-inch stilettos, door-knocker earrings and sporting a shaved, two-tone mohawk, Bravo belted out three Michael Jackson covers on her electric violin. There were times when the MJ violin covers were pleasant, such as the long Tremolos, but overall the violin sets didn’t add anything to MJ. At times, it sounded so out of pitch that my ears felt they were bleeding. “That was the first time I played a show with electric violin,” Bravo said.

Afterward, her band joined her onstage for several good, original, pop tunes. Bravo writes lots of love ballads and “Empire State of Mind” type tunes about dreams, success and world domination. Bravo is a good songwriter. Her tunes are easy to sing along with and incorporate a multitude of musical styles such as Ska, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Do-Whop, and Beach. Watching Bravo on stage at Joe’s Pub Thursday, it was easy to imagine big stars like Alicia Keys, Nelly Furtado or Fergie singing her songs.

“I’ve been dancing since I was 3, playing violin since 9, singing since 14, and doing theater since high school,” she slaps her thigh vigorously with each new declaration.

Bravo.

You know the world just got a little bit smaller when five fresh-faced, White kids from Delaware import their own brand of Afro-Cuban, barefoot, Brazilian Bossa Nova, Tropicale back home and take it to the American road. But that’s not enough. “We want to bring our form of music to the mainstream,” says percussionist, Tyler Holloway.

Diego Paulo was born two years ago while Zack Homenik, a confident 24-year old with a thin, blonde, moustache, was studying abroad in Brazil. While exploring the continent, inspired by the sounds and flavors of South America, Zack adopted the alter ego, Diego Paulo, a fearless, romantic wanderer, speaking to the world though music. Read the rest of this entry »

Tanya Morgan at SOB's, NYC -- Photo Credit: Elizabeth M. Allen

Thanks to the advent and growing popularity of the Internet over the past decade, the internationally known indie Hip Hop group, Tanya Morgan was formed. Often mistaken as a female soul singer, the group actually consists of three male members: Donwill (Emcee), Von Pea (Emcee and Producer), and Ilyas Nashid (Emcee) – They insist that the ambiguity of the name Tanya Morgan adds to their mystique. Deeply connected to their roots in Brooklyn New York, and Cincinnati Ohio, Tanya Morgan’s aptly titled album, Brooklynati exhibits the mystique of which they speak, with an array of musical influences that most listeners would not expect to find together in a single, well-produced Hip Hop album.

With two full-length albums under their belt, a loyal and fan base, and endorsements from industry influencers such as Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson, Tanya Morgan continues to gain notoriety from the independent music community as well as the mainstream, partly due to their ingenuity and perseverance. I had the pleasure of meeting with Donwill and Von Pea at the start of their High Fidelity Tour with Kooley High, to promote Donwill’s upcoming solo album, Don Cusack in High Fidelity. Read the rest of this entry »

Hip Hop collective LiveSoul has been taking over the west coast one mixtape at a time. The trio, currently based in Las Vegas, is combined of two emcees from southern California and a lyricist slash deejay straight from Detroit. As a group, Akili, Tariq Star, and Khaaliq Asil, also known as DJ Slimm, have opened up for artists like Little Brother and Lupe Fiasco, and performed alongside musicians such as Goapele and Dead Prez. If you don’t know by now, you betta’ ask somebody! I had a chance to catch up with the guys and get down to the nitty gritty. Check it out!

KRYSTEN HUGHES: What new projects are you working on?

TARIQ STAR: We are currently working on a new album which features production from myself, Akili, our newest member Khaaliq Asil, and N.R.

KHAALIQ ASIL: I have a solo album coming in the spring with a mixtape out now [click here]. I also have a new project called Runaway Slaves coming soon.

Read the rest of this entry »