I love introducing new artists to BLS family and beyond. I'm an advocate for originality and feel good sounds. That's when I knew I had to post this artist up immediately. Terrard Robinson, a progressive funk/soul singer from Oklahoma (now residing in Portland,OR) is a best kept secret to me. He administers a sound that is reminiscent of P.M. Dawn and 90's soul. He reminds me of what made me fall in love with music and why people should really focus more on gift rather than the papes. When I asked Terrard who or what inspired him, he politely answered "Music itself inspires me. I appreciate music deeply because of what it does to my body and to people in general. Certain styles affect us certain ways. My family and friends inspire as well, but when i think about how music is everywhere and all around, it makes me want to be a part of it in a desperate way."
Spoken like a true artistic individual. Terrard started singing at the age of 11 or 12. Terrardwas no stranger to musicianship considering his mom is a singer and his father is a bassist. According to Terrard, he is always working on a number of things, including his own solo project. He immediately ran down his pick of artists he would eventually like to collaborate with if given the opportunity which were Erykah Badu, Amel Larrieux, Raphael Saadiq, Coldplay, Little Dragon, and of course, Iman Williams and FSS.
Once you get a listen to Terrard Robinson, aspect to hear "Groove and soul. The sound of my ancestors and glimpses of my hopes for society and thangs..."
1. STAY HERE - MUHSINAH
2. FOR THE HUNGRY CATS - PORTFORMAT
3. PLANETARIUM - IMAN WILLIAMS
4. SON (FEAT. SUZI ANALOGUE) - MINDESIGN
5. LA SAMBA - AFTA-1
6. ELECTRIC LOVE (NICOLAY REMIX) - VIKTER DUPLAIX
7. THE MEANING - 14KT
8. THRONES - GEORGIA ANNE MULDROW
9. CRAZY YOU (FEAT. SY SMITH) - ZO!
10. BEYOND 2012 - DAM FUNK
11. AMERICA (REVISITED) - JIMETTA ROSE
NEW MUSIC: ERIK L & ILLINGSWORTH-NORTHERN CONNECTION
This is one the most interesting producer collaborations that I never saw coming. Erik L, a very known producer from Sweden who has worked with the likes of Kissey Asplund and Hezekiah, to name a few; and ILLINGSWORTH, a Detroit based produced who proven himself to be one of the most dopest producers that people need to hear.I have had the pleasure of getting to know both producers and they are definitely next. If you haven't gotten it already, or at least heard it, get NORTHERN CONNECTION now!
I'm so excited about releasing this joint as a single. It's from my new project Stupid Human|Trick which consists of nothing but dope ass production from Pittsburgh,PA producer BusCrates 16-Bit Ensemble. The album will be released early 2010 and will feature some cool artists; so please stay tuned. As an early X-mas gift, I want to share my song "Ordinary Love". Let me know what you think BLS fam. Happy Holidays!
There comes once every blue moon that I will take a listen to a remix of a fallen soldier like Christopher "Biggie" Wallace. Recently, BusCrates 16-Bit Ensemble released two tracks by Notorious B.I.G he remixed. The songs are "Suicidal Thoughts" and "Party and Bulls**t". Check out these dope tracks for FREE! Let me know what you think BLS fam.
I have to write up on this chick everytime she drops something because not only is she family but she is one of the most talented female singers I know. Born and raised in Oakland,CA, Porsche Smith has an undeniable gift. She is a musician/songwriter/ singer who's voice is smooth, raspy, and sultry. She also is apart of a dope all-female band in Dallas, TX by the name of Beauty and the Beatswho you will hear from very soon. In 2007, Porsche released her debut album About Life which is still available on iTunes. About Life told a story of every day life and is a very inspirational album. It was also an album that was full of soul with hints of jazz. Nowadays, Porsche is moving into a new direction. Her latest ep LoveLand is a more Electronic/Pop/R&B project which is totally left field from what she is known for; however, Porsche still remains soulful with her vocal style and range, unlike other artist who change their complete style in order to fit in with today's crowd. LoveLand consists of three tracks and it tells the classic story of Prince Charming and love. Please support indie, and download a copy of Porsche Smith's LoveLand today. Available on iTunes.
I am truly excited that I received the album preview from Velben today. For those who are not up on him, Velben is an artist hailing from Detroit, Michigan. He has worked with some artists/producers such as Jneiro Jarel, Baatin (R.I.P), Dragon Fli Empire, and Precise Hero. In 2006, Velben released his critically acclaimed Formless EP independently and in 2008 it was re-released on vinyl with Traveller Records. Formless received praise from producers Rich Medina and Jneiro Jarel dubbing it a must have EP for your collection. This year Velben has his debut album Creative Flowz to share with the world which will be release on his own label Formless Vibez Muzik. With production from J Palm, Bus Crates, and Byron the Aquarius, it's evident that Creative Flowz will be a dope must have for 2009. Not far behind in sound with previous projectFormless, Creative Flowzshows hints of progressiveness and Velben 's ability to travel far off into another dimension as possible without losing himself or his audience. If my word isn't enough to prepare you for the amount of intergalactic inspired hip-hop/soul dispersing from Creative Flowz, just take a listen to the preview for yourself and post your thought here.
Again, I can't express how much this Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania producer has me excited about my own new project. Right now, Bus Crates 16 Bit Ensemble is one of the only producers I'm working with and embodies so much soul and raw hip-hop. Influences starting at Q-tip (ATCQ) and ending at Chick Corea should let you know that he isn't a newbie when it comes to production. Check out these remixes of J-Live "Listening", De La Soul "The Bizness", and Tom's Diner and let me know what you feel about them. I always like turning on a new producer that's under the radar to my BLS family.
After a lot of hard work and perseverance, the Chameleon EP is now available. The German born, American raised R&B/Broken Beat singer has been eager to share this 5 song EP with you. Please support indie music and go download the Dezaray DawnChameleon EP today!
P.S.
If you are here in ATL for the International Soul Summit and want to see Dezaray Dawnperform, there will be a double release party with BUGZ IN THE ATTIC held at Moods Music in Little Five Points on Sunday, September 27, 2009.
Long name huh? LOL However, you will be surprise to know that he is one of the many producers still alive who actually play an instrument. Bus Crates 16-Bit Ensemble is hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is definitely in need of more ears. Bus Crates started out djing and producing some years ago. He is constantly working on music and elevating his sound. Even though he doesn't claim to be a pianist, much of his music heavily consist of Moog Little Phatty and Wurlitzer 200a electric piano. He also uses Ableton Live 7 LE, percussion instruments, MPC 2000XL and vinyl which certifies him a gear junkie, in my opinion. Bus Crates is heavily influenced by Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Les McCann. Crates also draws inspiration from artist such as J Dilla (R.I.P) and DJ Spinna. In a world field with wanna be producers who get shine, Bus Crates seems to keep his head above water. So far, Bus Crates is staying on the grind and is not collaborating with a gang of people (YET) so he is definitely a producer that artists should want to work with soon.
What can I say...this girl has such a wonderful gift. She has the gift of gab and the gift of heart. Porsche Smith, a 26 year old soul singer from Oakland,CA now residing in Dallas,TX, knows the art of performing and constructing an album. However,despite all of her energy and determination, it seems her music has not reach a wider audience yet. Porsche is not only a skillfull singer, but plays guitar and keys as well. I met Porsche Smith back in 2006 while living in West Oakland,CA. I wondered WHY was she trying to sing back up for me when she had so much going for her. It just made me realize how wonderful she was inside and out as well as a dope musician/vocalist. All didn't end there for her though. She just recently won the John Legend Remix Contest sponsored by Ourstage and was lucky to play her version of John Legend's "Everybody Knows" at Hard Rock Cafe in Hollywood,Florida. Porschenot only resung John Legends song, but she produced it as well, playing only acoustic guitar. Porsche has also opened up for Geno Young and PJ Morton, to name a few. She released her debut album About Life in 2007 which was very much Porsche and depicted some experiences in LIFE that some of us can say we have come across. About Life receive great reviews. As time progressed, so did Porsche's music. She released a three song EP entitled Loveland which is the polar opposite from About Life and is a burst of Pop and Electro. This EP was released earlier this year and shows Porsche's growth as an artist and her ability to step out of the box people like to put soulful artists in these days . Loveland is availableon iTunes and is still available as is About Life. Currently, Porsche is working on a new project and doing shows with her all-female (yes! all female) band Beauty and The Beats who is awesome by the way. If you are not up on Porsche Smith, this is a very good time to do so. She is the epitome of soul sista #1.
Iman Williams is about to drop another project called The Planetarium EP along with working on her first album entitled Stupid Human Tricks,which you should hear very,very, soon. In the mean time, check out this joint Not 4 U from The Long Journey Back to Reality Pt. Deux remixed by Applejac.
GET EXCITED//Muhsinah Oscillations:Square available tonight at 12am
This girl is the epitome of new millennium soul singer. She has been putting in much work, so much for others like Common, Foreign Exchange,etc. that she put her on album Oscillations:Triangle on hold. Well, Muhsinah just recently brought to my attention that tomorrow is her birthday, and instead of giving her a gift, she is giving her fans a gift. She is releasing Oscillations:Square tonight at 12am which includes a lot of "gems" that may only be available through digital so get it while it's hot! And if you don't believe me, get it from the horses mouth ;-)
Hey guys! For those anticipating Havana's sophomore album, Entervention, please check out this free sample of goodies just for you. It's just a little something to let you know what's in store from the R&B/Soul songstress herself and the Skoolcraft Music Family.
There are not many independent artists at this moment that can say they sold 18,000 copies of their first release, digital and physical. When speaking of an artist like this, who comes to mind is R&B/Soul singer Havana. Havana has definitely blossomed in many ways. She has reached a new height in her music in such areas as verbally,mentally, and musically. I had the pleasure of speaking with the southern California bred songstress and I must say, she was as bubbly and humble as I expected. Havana discusses her feelings of the mainstream record industry, family, music, life goals, and reality. Per Havana, all of her music talks of the struggles she faced when dealing with her parents who are both trying to recover from drug addiction. While most people would still be in a state of coping and trying to find themselves during such a devastating time with a family member, Havana seemed to be fine and non-affected by the situation. I commended her for that. It was living with her grandmother and keeping a positive mind frame which allowed her to fight against a future of turmoil and anguish. While speaking with Havana, we talked about the success of her 2005 debut release L.I.F.E. I wanted to know if there was a strategy to what she presented to the world that got the attention of so many people. According to her, there was no strategy. There were times when she did not know if she would even pursue her career in music because she was dedicated to family. Family meaning, her devoted husband and career partner Khadji and their three adorable children. However, Havana managed to find the strength and balance to complete her project. The L.I.F.E (Living In Fearless Emotion) album consisted of production by Detroit producer Waajeed (Slum Village, PPP, Tiombe Lockhart) and Nicolay (Foreign Exchange). The critically acclaimed L.I.F.E received good vibrations from many bloggers,music critics,etc. L.I.F.E also caught the attention of companies such as MTV, NBC, Scion, and Adidas which resulted in her receiving licensing deals. I wanted to know more about Havana and who inspired her to be on the musical journey she is on today. Havana mentioned names such as Mary J. Blige who you can definitely gather from her storytelling of hardships. When asked about a producer she would really like to work with, Havana's answer was Raphael Saadiq. She mentioned that opening up for Raphael Saadiq sparked her interest and she would love to be able to sit in the studio with him. Among other performers, Havana has opened for Dwele, Slum Village, Adriana Evans, Rebirth, and S1 from Strange Fruit Project. Now that she has spread a taste of her musical craft, Havana is about to release her sophomore album, Entervention. Entervention will be an album that is somewhat in a different light from Havana's debut album. This album has a new production sound that is more 80's electronic and R&B feel with more lyrics that are very direct and to the point. Entervention features production from Brooke D'Leau (J*Davey), GB (Sound in Color), and The Honor Roll (Trackademicks/1O.A.K). I expressed my excitement for her new release and wanted to know her long time goals...this is what she had to say: " I will be in this industry [music] for a long time". Well, with the way things are going, there's nothing holding her back.
