Sy Smith and Mark deClive-Lowe (MdCL) recently recorded a re-imagined version of  the late R&B legend Teena Marie’s 1984 hit ’Lovergirl”. Check out the download.  Also, stay tuned for Sy Smith’s new full length album produced by Mark deClive-Lowe and their upcoming tour dates below:

Jan 20 – Seattle @ Nectar Lounge

Jan 22-Oakland @ New Parrish

Jan 26-Los Angeles @ Zanzibar

For More Info:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook| Youtube

Philadelphia DJ and Production team, Illvibe Collective , release the first single “Authentic Raw” from their forthcoming album “All Together Now” on Soulspazm Records (dropping early next year). The Illvibe Collective—Mr. Sonny James aka DJ Statik, lil’ dave, DJ Skipmode, Panek, and DJ Phillee Blunt—are promising a mix of hip hop, soul and electronic. To achieve this, they called upon a little musical help from Bahamadia, Invincible, Conya Doss, Aaron Livingston, Master of the Mix contestant Rich Medina, and their Soulspazm label mate Hezekiah—all of whom are featured on the project.

Illvibe Collective- “Authentic Raw” (CLEAN)

Download: Authentic Raw

For More Info: Website | Blog | Twitter

Sometimes great music is hard to find—luckily you decided to log-on to subCENTRIC. Photographer/DJ and renaissance man Ant Demby (Dembycratic, HumbleRIOT) in conjunction with TEDxBROOKLYN drops One Moves Many Mix featuring Quadron, Janelle Monae, Aloe Blacc and a host of others.  The mix is a collection of songs reflective of the state of the world and inspired by the world this collective wishes to create.

ONE MOVES MANY mixed by ANT DEMBY | Powered by HumbleRIOT

Delaware’s Hezekiah, best known for his lyrical prowess, reminds us that he is also a skilled producer—a fact that is often overlooked. Fresh off the heels of his latest release, Conscious Porn, peep his beat making:

http://www.vimeo.com/15995111

For More Info: Tumblr | Twitter | itunes

Parisian Hip-Hop producer Onra weaves infectious beats over funky bass lines and 80’s R&B boogie, then add a dash of electronic soul; you’ll get an interfusion of an exquisitely dope album.  Onra’s latest full-length, Long Distance; released on Irish label, All City Records enlists the assistance of Slum Village’s T3, and various French artists such as Reggie B, Walter Mecca and Oliver Day Soul.  The groove that Long Distance manifests will make you reminisce back to a time when discothèques and shell toes merged and all that mattered was the groove and pulse of the music. Rating: 4/5.0

http://www.vimeo.com/12682532

Highly Favored Tracks: Long Distance, My Mind Is Gone, The One

For More Info:

http://www.myspace.com/onra

http://twitter.com/onrabeats

Fans of Bilal Oliver have waited patiently for a follow up to 2006’s — internet leaked album—Love 4 Sale. The wait will be over come September 14th, when “Airtight’s Revenge” is released via indie label Plug Research. From what we hear its well worth the wait.  Plug Research recently caught up with Q-tip and Phonte (Little Brother/Foreign Exchange) at the recent UCLA Jazz Reggae Festival in Los Angeles.  Both artists discuss their history and respect for Bilal’s music.

Q-tip on Bilal

http://www.vimeo.com/13135537

Phonte on Bilal

http://www.vimeo.com/13134389

Read the rest of this entry »

By now I’m sure that you have heard of J. Dilla (AKA Jay Dee; AKA Dilla Dawg) or simply James Yancey.  A celebrated music creator, Yancey was more than your average producer. One of the original members of hip-hop group Slum Village, he left the group and embarked on a solo career. He put out an album on the BBE label and worked with everyone from The Roots to Janet Jackson as well as lesser known acts like Frank N Dank.  Dilla passed away from complications caused by a lengthy battle with lupus in February 2006.

This event is to celebrate Dilla’s legacy and to raise awareness for Lupus in the African – American community.

For more information:

Purchase Tickets | J.Dilla Foundation | J.Dilla Official Website

Zo! of Foreign Exchange dropped “This Could be the Night”,  the first single from his forthcoming SunStorm LP.  The single features Darien Brockington and fellow Grammy-nominee Eric Roberson going back and forth over a bouncy, two-step inciting groove; thats topped off with a cameo from Rapper Big Pooh. The video for the single was shot in Philly last week by Matt Koza and should be released in the upcoming weeks.  For now, download the single and get your dance on.

“THIS COULD BE THE NIGHT feat. ERIC ROBERSON, DARIEN BROCKINGTON & RAPPER BIG POOH”  LISTEN | DOWNLOAD

Who says that good music is hard to find? Label Love is an eclectic yet unified bundle of unique sounds, with music by Bastard Jazz, ESL, Fania, Now Again, Plug Research, Tru Thoughts and Ubiquity.  Each label has it’s own signature style giving this collection a diversified and interesting flow of genres.  Label Love consists of nostalgic classics, unreleased gems and other awesome selections that will expand your mind to new styles and musical dimensions.  The Verdict: Add this to your i-pod, share it with your friends, and fam –even your boss might like it.

Download: Label Love

Ayah, (which means “sign” or “miracle” in arabic) is a multi-talented self-taught singer / songwriter / composer who possesses a voice so very enchanting in its purity, Ayah has experienced a fairly nomadic life & found her growing world indelibly touched by a vast array of musical genres, cultures and social climates. These elements would inevitably play an influential role in her writing.

We recently caught up with Ayah to find out more about her upcoming release ‘This Way’ with legendary Producer, DJ Jazzy Jeff.

Victoria Ford:  Introduce yourself, occupation, one word that sums up how you are feeling right now.

Ayah:  My name is Ayah. I am a singer/songwriter/businesswoman. Blessed.

VF:  When you sit down to create music; do you have a particular ritual?

A:  The process always starts with feeling the need to express myself or get something out. From there, the music usually speaks to me.. I usually freestyle melodies first/feeling, and once I catch a vibe that I like, I add words.

VF:  Where do you draw your inspiration?

A:  I draw my inspiration from whatever is happening around me. A story or situation someone may have told me about, or something that may have just happened to me. The mood of the music, the keys, the snare, the kick, may also speak to me.

VF:  Tell us about This Way, the new project, and how it differs from your first release.

A:  My first release I produced in that I chose the production, sequence, vibe, etc. I put it together myself from start to finish on my own. It was my first try at assembling a cohesive, complete timeless album. I think I did a great job. However, this new project with Dj Jazzy Jeff is taking my craft to another level.. In some ways, the process feels the same to me because I write 100% of it, and the chemistry is so natural in the studio. In other ways, it differs because I feel like Jeff’s production allows me to grow further in my songwriting and allows my voice to explore new ways of moving. I feel like I’m evolving…and isn’t that the point? [Smiles]

VF:  How did the collaboration between you and Jazzy Jeff come about?  What other artists/producers are you working with?

A:  I reached out to Jeff through MySpace a couple years ago and just asked him plainly if we could work. He said yes and sent me the music for ‘He Don’t Want It’ in a matter of minutes! From there, we just built, slowly but surely, the rest of the album.  On ‘This Way’, I am honored to say, not only that I got to sit and talk with, but work with the legendary Dj Jazzy Jeff, but that he called in to the studio wonderful musicians like James Poyser (currently of the Roots), Pete Kuzma, Demien DeSandies.

VF: What are your thoughts on being an independent artist vs. being signed to a major?   I feel as an Indie artist you cut out the middle man in the dollars and sense of things and couple that with a great team, you can’t lose.  Do you feel you benefit more from being an independent artist?

A:  I’m happy I’ve taken the path that I have thus far. I believe that the choices I’ve made, though sometimes hard to make, have served me well. Independence means a few things..that you have full control over your own decisions that you have to actually make them, and live with them! It’s a double edge sword in that you may not have the backing or monetary push sometimes needed to make things happen. I definitely benefit from being independent. I got to learn the business early on and I do what I want when I want.  The important thing to figure out is what you want, and who you want to be. Everything else works itself out.

VF:  I’m sure that you have been afforded some wonderful experiences so far, but what has been your most proud moment in your musical career?

A:  Every new experience is my proudest until the next. Whether it was stepping on stage at my first solo concert two years ago that was packed from wall to wall, or finding myself sitting across from Dj Jazzy Jeff in the studio last January, or every new song that I feel proud of myself for creating.

VF:  What are your goals, where do you see yourself in 5 years?

A:  5 years, I hope that I am closer to myself, my family, quite possibly building my own family, touring the world, releasing my 5th album, giving back to the world, and enjoying my life!

Download: Ayah & DJ Jazzy Jeff ‘This Way’ Sampler