Start with Black Thought, toss is a little MC Lyte, add some Alicia Keys for sexy, polish it off with a coat of Jill Scott, and you might be lucky enough to get some Kalae All Day. The Harlem native has been on the hip hop circuit for a couple years now, moving from spoken word to flow at warp speed. Artistically independent to date, and true to self, Kalae takes it all in stride. She doesn’t touch meat, dairy, cigarettes, drugs or alcohol- not even the occasional puff/pass.

Guru said, it’s “mostly the voice,” and Kalae’s is as smooth and as sensual as you can get without trying. Her flow of course is sick. And while her poem protesting the bloody horrors of domestic animal consumption, may not be a steak lover’s favorite, the track about impressionable little girls imitating the TV is real. Kalae has something to say about what goes on in the world besides “ooh look at the shinny stones!” At 21, Kalae exhibits poise and a demeanor well beyond her age. She walks like she knows exactly what she wants to do with her life.

Go to the address below to listen to Kalae’s much anticipated debut album:

“Afromatikneohippierock-soulmuzik,”

http://kalaeallday.bandcamp.com/

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 »

Self-proclaimed, “Cool Wierdo,” Peter Hadar’s vintage style and sexy love-her-down lyrics are back in his newly released single titled, ” Full-Time Lover.” The New Yorker’s smooth, whispery vocals blend perfectly with the sexy, Neptunes-ish, electro-pop-soul beat, produced by longtime producer, Mike Genato. Hadar will introduce his new band, “Long Kiss in Public,” at Joe’s Pub, Thursday,March 11th at 11:30. Tix are $12.

Check the video for “Full-Time Lover” below, and no that’s not Pharell.

http://www.vimeo.com/9862335