EventsBlu and J*Davey
iLL-Literacy: This is a new track by Blu and California artist J*Davey. Very laid back beat and some smooth lyrics. Got some Soul!
DJ mOma: Satisfy My Soul Volume 3
Analog Giant: I love soul music. I went and still go by the DJ name, Dj MoSoul. I wish that when I was spinning I had the chops and skills DJ mOma has on the turns. He does an amazing job on his new mix entitled Satisfy My Soul Vol 3.
Vudoo Soul
An interview with R&B and soul singer Vudoo Soul about how he got started in singing while attending MIT, his experiences with American Idol, the challenges of pursuing an art as an Asian American, and the way he was able to get himself noticed within the vast music industry. Plus, we have two exclusive songs done a capella style!
Top 10 Albums of 2008
New Year’s is quickly approaching and it’s about that time to pick our Top 10 albums of 2008. That’s right, we managed to agree on the same 10 albums without firing someone… out of canon… into the Sun.
Evolver | John Legend
Legend is not the typical R&B / soul artist. His lyrical content is much heavier, his voice is a little deeper, and he looks extremely comfortable behind the keys rather than dancing on stage. His latest album Evolver (2008) hit the market a few weeks before the presidential election, and he was still able to have large success. I attribute it to John Legend’s ability to stay unique while maintaining who he is through his lyrics and vocal strength.
The Way I See It | Raphael Saadiq
Raphael Saadiq gets absolutely creative on his latest album. Though his previous albums have been soulful and a great listening pleasure, none of them have made me feel like I literally jumped eras in history.
Year Of The Gentlemen | Ne-Yo
To me, Ne-Yo fits into the bill of very talented R&B artists who still maintain to keep it conscious and smart when it comes to producing their music and lyrics. He reminds me of where R&B first started, the good ol’ simple days of the genre. Year of the Gentlemen (2008) follows along the path of Ne-Yo’s first album but with more simplicity, smarter lyrics, and definitely a growth his vocal range.
Boney James
If his music played in elevators, I might actually go out and get myself a job. Boney James has made jazz and the saxophone totally cool again. It’s soothing, its hip, and I’m sure it can help get the girls!
1st Born Second | Bilal
Though he’s been on countless artists’ albums, Bilal only has one album to call his own. 1st Born Second (2001) is a good mix of Bilal’s collaboration skills as well as his solo abilities. He can hit some high notes that I thought were impossible to reach by the male species.
Subject | Dwele
If you’ve heard of Dwele, its most probably in reference to when he sang the hooks for Kanye West’s song Flashing Lights on Graduation (2007). That was Dwele’s official break, though he had a few singles that made it into the radio waves and DJ booths far before. My introduction to this obnoxious soul artist was in 2003 when I was in college and heard Find A Way playing at a D.C. lounge. That introduced me to a neosoul, laid back, and conscious artist who produced a solid soul album entitled Subject (2003).
