Spotlight on K’Naan
K’Naan, global hip-hop artist, is set to release his critically acclaimed album, The Dusty Foot Philosopher, for the first time in the U.S. Originally released in Canada, the album received a Juno Award for Best Rap Recording of the Year, Canada’s equivalent to a Grammy, and was the BBC 3 Winner for Best New Artist, World Music.
Using his ability to blend Western and African sounds, K’naan’s album is a fusion of world music and hip-hop that borrows from the protest songs of Bob Marley, the hip-hop lyricism of Mos Def, and the storytelling and tribal rhythms of Somalia. The Deluxe Version of the album features newly mixed and recorded versions of three songs, a bonus track featuring M-1 from dead prez, new artwork, and a bonus DVD.
Check out the video for “Soobax,” his first single.
Remix Magic
Following the success of Truth & Soul’s remix of the Amy Winehouse track “Love Is A Losing Game,” Truth & Soul is at it again, this time remixing “Sweet About Me” a track from Gabriella Cilmi, the Australian singer-songwriter whose debut album Lessons to Be Learned drops on March 31st. The remix takes the straight foward style of the original to new heights by kicking back the tempo, adding a soul groove and incorporating organic instrumental layering that give Gabriella the space to show off her vocal and lyrical prowess.
“She Got It” Blazes
2 Pistol’s new video for “She Got It,” the first single off his forthcoming debut album Death Before Dishonor, features ultra-hot T-Pain and Tay Dizm . The video peeks into the life of a street thug who makes it big. From a police arrest and steamy love affair to record deals and mansions, this video hypnotizes viewers with a Southern hip-hop beat that is both poppy and dirty. Talking like a true player, 2 Pistols raps, “Girl understand we ain’t gotta hold hands / Cause this ain’t love it’s straight lus t /I have you back in the morning before he wakes up.”
New Single From Soul Sensation
Lee Fields and the Expressions are clearly masters of the classic stylistic traits of seventies soul. Bursting in with a nuanced beat, sexy bass grooves and a vocal style notably reminiscent of James Brown, Lee Field’s latest sing
le, “My World” reminds us that great soul music is still being made.
Lee Fields has been singing soul since the late sixties, working with such legends of funk music as Kool and the Gang, Sammy Gordon and the Hip-Huggers, and Little Royal. Currently he resides at Truth & Soul, which has just released the compilation Fallin’ Off the Reel Vol. 2 containing two of Field’s recently recorded tracks.
Set Your TiVo to Mario
Our favorite teenage heartthrob is at again, this time with his dancing shoes. Mario, one of the smoothest balladeers in the current fleet of young male R&B singers, joins this season’s celebrity cast of Dancing with the Stars. The show airs Monday and Tuesday nights on ABC.
In addition to watching his moves on the show, Mario will provide fans with weekly updates on his rehearsals and performances through his mobile community at (818) 836-8041. Also, fans can check out his new album Go which is Top 20 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart and his latest single “Music for Love”.
Truth & Soul Release New Singles Collection
Truth & Soul Records put out a lot of limited edition 45 singles. Those of us not in the vinyl loop or too slow to swoop the items up can now sample their output from the past few years with the release of
Fallin of the Reel, Vol. 2. Fans of smooth soul with funky rhythms and classic, old-school production should check this item out. It hits the stores today.
New Album From Bisc1 Out Today
Bisc 1 drops his first album length release: When Electric Night Falls, an intelligent, up to date response to 80’s electro, though not limited by this reference. Steeped in the aura of 21st century outer-borough New York, the record’s vibrant, slightly-melancholy beats and fluid vocals doubtless catch the ear. Bisc additionally managed the release’s art direction. He is currently on tour (dates below the fold), a highlight of which should be his upcoming appearances at SXSW on the 12th and the 13th of March. That’s tomorrow. Check it out if you’re there.
Read on…