Byron the Aquarius - The Soul Flower Ep (Sneak Peek)

More from Byron the Aqaurius! I'm sure you don't mind. He's currently in the studio working on The Soul Flower EP which will find him bringing back the soul. Byron sez, "Im gonna do soul musiq. Thats my idea. Forget the mainstream. To be real, soul is me." Nuff said. Check out these two untitled gems below and get your mind right


Byron the Aquarius - Untitled Track A


Byron the Aquarius - Untitled Track B

Daru - Repetitive (over Da Button Pusha beats) feat Byron the Aquarius

Always one to keep his loyal following’s appetites well fed, Daru is back with yet another exclusive promo download. This time its a sampler he’s calling Rusic Leaks - made up of different odds & ends including unreleased remixes, collaborations & demos. Along with his different duo counterparts (Ab, Reggie B and Rena), the collection also features new works with Muhsinah, Joy Jones, Reign Star w/ Tony Ozier, Byron The Aquarius, and more.

Of course Im going to share the track with producer/keyboardist/Alabama resident Byron the Aquarius which is a dope spacy, funky instrumental. Enjoy and pick up the sampler from FRESHselects


Daru - Repetitive (over Da Button Pusha beats) feat Byron the Aquarius

...::Dope Sounds::...

People are always asking me where I get my instrumentals from. Here's a dope album of instrumentals from Trek Life's Price I've Paid project. Pick it up HERE from the good folks over at FWMJ.
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Exclusive: I see the large groups that come here checking for music by Byron (Birmingham, Al) and Onra. Here are a few new bangers from Byron the Aquarius! Check 'em out, leave a comment, and TELL YOUR FRIENDS where you heard 'em!


Byron the Aquarius; OlivierDaySoul - What's Your Fantasy


Porsche Smith - Let It Go
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Here's the latest from Jo Well & Dj DviousMindZ, Love Thang. Preparing you for the full length which drops 1.28.09


Jo Well & Dj DviousMindZ - Love Thang

Jas'mine - Goodbye (prod by Byron the Aquarius)

We've been posting tunes by these two for awhile now. Here's the latest from Jas'mine with Byron on production duties. Whatcha think? Let us know!


Jas'mine - Goodbye (prod by Byron the Aquarius)

Byron the Aquarius - Sunshine

Another jewel from Byron the Aquarius, or as he calls it, "dope soul sh!t." Be on the lookout for his new album, Luxury Life coming soon, which will bring us more "electro Dilla vibing music" and should have some exciting featured artists. Can't wait!


Byron the Aquarius - Sunshine

Byron the Aquarius - Galactic Freak

Here's a new one from Byron the Aquarius. This Luxury Life album he's working on looks like it's shaping up to be LARGE; There hasn't been one track he's sent me that I'm not feeling! Album sampler coming soon and Luxury Life is scheduled for a 2010 release
Leave us a Love Note and let us know what you think


Byron the Aquarius - Galactic Freak

Jas'mine - Heartbreak Melody

Here's another treat I got from Byron. Jas'mine is an artist that he's been working with for awhile now and their sound together is great. Check her out with Byron and then check her out below doing her thing by herself and moving the crowd.


Jas'mine - Heartbreak Melody (produced by Byron the Aquarius)

The Big Payback (Birmingham, Alabama and Paris, France )

Byron and Onra - The Big Payback. Byron, 19 years old, is coming from Alabama, and plays piano since the age of 6. He discovered Onra, 26, French beatmaker from Paris, on Myspace at the end of 2005. They exchanged music files for months and start this prolific collaboration, completing over 30 songs in just 4 months. Onra is taking care of the drums patterns and Byron is handling the melodic part of the project, playing vintage electric keyboard Fender Rhodes and different synthesizers. You can tell there is a perfect alchemy between their two styles, and their first demos instantly grabbed the attention of several influent Internet DJ’s. Half instrumental, The Big Payback invited numerous vocal guests, giving a much more accessible aspect to the music, at the same time for specialists and open to the mainstream crowd. The guests are Isis, an MC/singer from Toronto, whose group Thunderheist will surely blow worldwide real soon, New Yorker Peter Hadar, Detroit Diva Neco Redd, flutist Julien Marc, and the beatmaker/MC Dal-Gren from Paris, the other revelation from this album. The Big Payback has also a track called “Cosmic Travelling” on the "Beat Dimensions" compilation, selected by Spacek’s own DJ Jay Scarlett and Cinnaman, released on Dutch label Rush Hour - Taken from Myspace

The Big Payback featuring Neco Redd - Love

In the studio with Jaafar and Byron the Aquarius!

I just left the studio with producer, Byron the Aquarius and soul crooner Jaafar. Needless, to say these brothers are cooking up some HEAT. I left emptyhanded...well sorta, but keep your ears peeled for what went down in the studio with these brothers and the So For Real Productions crew!

Byron the Aquarus - Falacio Syndrome

Jazzy goodness from "The High End Theory EP" which is Coming Soon! Want more? Check out Freaky Fantasys HERE


Byron the Aquarus - Falacio Syndrome

...::Dope Sounds::...

Daru is a drummer for Slum Village, Black Milk, and Kweli’s Idle Warship, as well as a producer. He has remixed acts like Kissey Asplund, Tableek of Maspyke, Reggie B & others. He dropped several free beats/mixed cds last year, you can cop them HERE. Fresh Selects has free downloads of three tracks including the joint with Ab & Black Milk thats really causing a buzz right now. Get his project with his sister by clicking the mixed cd cover.

MORE: Daru has also cut an instrumental groover with Birmingham, Alabama's own Byron the Aquarius.

Daru meets Byron the Aquarius
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Anthony David has returned with a new song from an upcoming CD (maybe). Let us know your thoughts on this one...


Anthony David - Girlfriend
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3 Words:The MIGHTY Mos! This is Dope. If you're one of the people who didnt dig the last two Mos projects you may not dig this, but Im LOVING it and cant wait to hear the album version on The Ecstatic coming soon.
This is Mos rocking live from Highline Ballroom 1-9-2009. Don't Stop!

Mos Def - Casa Forte (Live)

MORE: The thing I enjoyed the most, that grabbed me first was the beat. Check the original of the same name.

Banda Black Rio - Casa Forte

PHEAR - Why

Byron the Aquarius has been tellin' me that he's in the D makin' noise with Denaun Porter of D12 fame. He dropped off this track by Denaun's group PHEAR that he's assisted with. PHEAR consists of Phenom and Tense and stands for Pure Hip-Hop Escaping All Reality.
"They are a hip hop duo that represents with a refreshingly different and unique sound that shouts with creativity and innovation. With a combination of raw lyrics, exciting cutting edge production and a highly energized stage performance, they produce a soulful sound that embodies the true essence of Hip-Hop!"

Byron is working with more upcoming cats from the D that I won't name just yet, but if I get a LOVE NOTE (good/bad/indifferent) on this post I'll put up a track he sent me with Olivier DaySoul thats SICK!

PHEAR - Why

Olivier DaySoul - Simple Love (produced by Byron the Aquarius)

This is sheer heat, but what else can you expect from the artists involved? Olivier gets it in over a beat that as stripped down and simple as the love he sings about. Don't know where this track will end up but let us know your thoughts on it


Olivier DaySoul - Simple Love (produced by Byron the Aquarius)

BamaLoveSoul Minimix by DJ Rahdu

1. Vicki Anderson; Bobby Byrd - You're welcome, Stop On By - Mother Popcorn - Vivid Sound
2. 9th Wonder instrumetal - CD-R
3. DJ Babu - Dee On - Beat Tape, Vol. 1 - Nature Sounds
4. Erykah Badu - The Healer - Nu Amerykah - Universal/Motown
5. Pete Rock; Leela James - No Tears - Soul Survivor 2 - Rapster
6. G&D - Time - Message Uni versa - Look
7. Coultrain - Lilac Tree - The Adventures of Seymour Liberty - Ju Ju Dust
8. Byron the Aquarius - Turn Back Time - CD-R
9. Sa-Ra; Rozzi Daime - So Special - The Hollywood Recordings - Babygrande
10 DJ Spinna - Starz - Compositions - Female Fun
11. Busta Rhymes - Woo-Hah! Got you All In Check! - the Coming - Elektra/WEA
12. Quantic Soul Orchestra - Raw Ingredients - Stampede - Tru Thoughts
13. The Bamboos; Tyra Hammond - Head In the Clouds - Rawville - Tru Thoughts
14. El Michels Affair - Detroit Think Twice - Sounding Out The City - PID
15. Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - How Long Do I Have to Wait For You (Ticklah Remix) - Daptone Records Remixed - Daptone Records


This mix began as a blend of instrumentals. After I'd selected the 9th Wonder instrumental reworking of Vicki Anderson's Stop on By and Babu's refixing of Dionne Warwick's You're Gonna Need Me, I decided to go another route. Both of the originals have powerful female vocals which immediately put me in the mind of Northen Soul. Leela James and Georgia Anne Muldrow (1/2 of G&D) are current artists that I could easily see handling the reigns after Sharon Jones releases them. Strong drums, pianos and horns throughout and spacy at times, this mix is a 30 minute treat for the discerning listener. Enjoy!

Download Here

Velben: New Album Preview

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 project Formless, Creative Flowz  shows 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.

Velben via Myspace


Velben via Twitter

Velben- Creative Flowz  Album Preview

An Untouched Force: Porsche Smith

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. Porsche not 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 available on 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.

Porsche Smith via Twitter

Porsche Smith via Myspace

Porsche Smith-"Let it Go"(production by Byron the Aquarius)



Porsche Smith-"Everybody Knows" Remix at John Legend and Indie.Arie concert


Porsche Smith feat. BEAUTY AND THE BEATS

...::Dope Sounds::...

The newest 7-inch release to come from Helsinki's Timmion Records is by Myron & E, a Bay Area-based soul duo who have re-considered what new soul music ought to sound like. Without being over-sung nor over-produced, their sound is loose, cool and something you'll want to hear again and again.
Having already collaborated independently of one another with several hip hop groups like Blackalicious, Myron & E (aka producer E da Boss) have combined forces to create a new soul sound with tight production and honest vocals.
Expertly backed by the go-to group The Soul Investigators and produced by E himself, Myron & E have set themselves up for making their 7-inch an instant collectible.


Myron & E - Cold Game

MORE: Click HERE to hear my favorite of the two tracks I Can't Let You Get Away
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Georgia by way of Detroit vocalist, Velben shot me some joints he wanted to share with the public. Madhouse is produced by Birmingham, Alabama's own Byron the Aquarius and Randomness is crafted by Damien of Helium Music. Get both tracks by selecting Enjoy!


Velben - Randomness
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Red Bull Music Academy's Fireside Chat is basically an intimate conversation between the featured artist, in this case Stacy Epps & Everett James, and the listener where they play some career highlights & also some exclusive selections from their work & their peers and also give some background info on said songs and/or their careers overall. Shouts out to Kenny FRESH.
Listen HERE

B'ham Happenings!

This Friday night, Hot 107.7 presents Raheem Devaughn with his live band, Soul Of The City, and Phil Ade' of 368 Music Group. B'ham producer Supreme has done work with him, so you know he should sound good, right? If you need more convincing, check THIS out.

This show is full of my peoples: Jaafar, Byron the Aquarius, Julie Dexter and Jazmine. I'm really excited about this show, so B'ham, Montgomery, Huntsville and all surrounding areas come out and support the good music. Peep Jazmine doing her thing HERE
BTW, I'm (DJ Rahdu) on turntable duty for both shows!

New DJ Rahdu Mixed CD, Swoon Unitz!!!

PLAYLIST

1. Swoon Unitz Intro

2. Erykah Badu - Me

3. Hil St.Soul - Black Rose

4. Peter Hadar - Laugh Together

5. Raashan Ahmad - Close

6. Jazz Liberatorz - Cool Down

7. Esthero - Superheroes (GAS'D remix)

8. Deborah Jordan; Kamara - Rise

9. Kissey Asplund - You & I

10. Lemongrass - This Way

11. Black Spade - True Friends

12. Coultrain - Lilac Tree

13. Dwele - Free as a Bird

14. Circle Research - I'm Your Density

15. J-88 (Slum Village) - The Look of Love (The Liquid Crystal Project Remix)

16. Byron the Aquarius; Nadine Charles- Make It Right

17. Prefuse 73 - Last Night

18. Sy Smith - Fly Away With Me

19. Attica Blues - Blueprint

20. Velben - Come Around

21. The Rurals - Mother Sun

22. Sene; Kissey Asplund - Demon Love

23. Stacy Epps - Addicted

24. Flying Lotus; Dolly - Roberta Flack

25. Samon Kawamura; Aloe Blacc - Try

26. The One - Drippin'

27. Shingo Suzuki - Eternal Sunshine

Download Here

TomCatBeats - FreshAir Couchtape Vol.2

My man TomCatBeats sent this through as I was getting ready to lounge out for a second. Im happy to say that this was a perfect compliment to chilling. Read what he has to say

"this couch tape was designed to capture the feel and sound of a cassette. some of these tracks are either unmastered, unfinished, unreleased, straight from the tape or just have that raw vibe. so if you like your music watered down with all the character dragged out in a studio then....sorry

including: house shoes-slum village-city slick-hugh whitaker-dam funk-ras g-jay electronica-stoopz n breeze-leaf erikson-remarkable mayor-kankick-tha connection-ahu-sa ra-byron lee-gordan-dak-vincent price-will widdoss-blu-fluent-q tip-the lacks ....

TomCatBeats - FreshAir Couchtape Vol.2