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Album Preview, Couch Sessions Appoved Artist

Spotlight: Miles Bonny

Us East Coast people may joke about the so-called “flyover states,” but the nation’s heartland has went ahead and produced a unique scene all its own. And if everybody that comes from the Show Me State sounds like Miles Bonny, then we better take notice.

The first time I heard about Bonny was when he was with Sounds Good, his collaboration he put out with MC Joe Good, which we played on the Podcast back in the day. Bonny provided the beats to the album Biscuits & Gravy which is one of the more underrated hip-hop releases of 2005, and offered a glimpse of the Lawrence, KS hip-hop scene which birthed the equally underrated Deep Thinkers. I lost track of Bonny until a week ago, when I heard some of his new tracks that put him in front of the mic. Bonny, was known more for his production skills, dropping almost 15 albums on his own Innatesounds label, but he left the vocals to other artists.

Bonny has put his vocals at the forefront, and the dude’s sound is incredible. Bonnny’s smoky voice sets this dude apart from a lot of R&B singers out today. Personally, this might actually hold me over until D’Angelo decides to put out another album. Bonny is also as jazz trumpeter, and his work blends hip-hop, jazz, and soul.

I can’t nail down a particular album to check because there are so many but his Closer Love EP is a good start (iTunes), Check his MySpace and Innate Sounds homepage and see for yourself.

myspace.com/milesbonny

Miles Bonny “Yes i Do”

Tags: Inate Sounds, Miles Bonny, Sounds Good

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Album Preview, Hip-Hop

New Music: Blu and Exile

MySpace: myspace.com/bluroc

Blu and Exile - Dancing In The Rain

With all the music that is floating around today, its almost sad that some things slip through the cracks. Take for instance, LA hip-hopper Blu and his producer in crime Exile, and their amazing debut album Below the Heavens. The album itself was released in mid summer, and unfortunately most of us were caught up in the whole Kanye/50 Cent to notice.

However, Below the Heavens is slowly getting recognition, especially here on the East Coast, and for good reason. The beats on this album are insane. Exile’s beats sound more like a 9th Wonder in his prime–someone who shows a true artistry for crafting beats. But as we know from Common’s Finding Forever, and Kanye’s Graduation, an album cannot survive by beats alone. And on this album, the lyrics are on point: Blu’s flow, cadence, and lyrics are downright mature and poingient, proving that lyricism is alive and well in hip-hop.

Below the Heavens is available now.

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Album Preview, Hip-Hop, Negroclash!, Rock/Alternative

Video: Kenna - Say Goodbye to Love

It’s almost fitting that the week that Kenna’s new album comes out is the week that I get to chapter five in Malcolm Gladwell’s book, Blink, which is appropriately titled “Kenna’s Dilemma.” It seems during the release of Kenna’s first album, New Sacred Cow, the dude was selling out shows in spots like LA’s Roxy, but was getting shunned by the general public, which was reflected in market research, which gave his first album low scores. The result: no radio airplay and no promotion money, making Kenna a blip on the radar for most music people.

Of course, this is sad as hell. Considering the dude’s connections–the Neptunes, Fred Durst, U2’s manager, etc–Kenna’s name should be on the lips of every person who considers themselves a music fan. But of course, that’s not the case. Kenna has an album coming out tomorrow, entitled Make Sure They See My Face, and most likely, you haven’t heard about it. Fortunately, for him, he’s been touring constantly (opening up for Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado) as well as being featured in a commercial for Sony’s PSP and the iTunes track of the week.

Check out this new video for his second single, “Say Goodbye to Love” and let me know what you think? Is this something y’all can get down with? Also, I gotta say I went to school with Kenna’s sister back in the day so I might be a little biased.

(tip: Ian; also check out Lady Glock’s Kenna interview)

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Album Preview, Hip-Hop, New Music, UK Sounds

Copped: Well Deep: 10 Years Of Big Dada Recordings

myspace.com/bigdadarecords

Ty feat. Roots Manuva - Do You Want More (refix)

It’s hard to believe that Big Dada is only 10 years old.

Out of all the record labels that come and go in this world, I think that Big Dada is one of the few that resonate the most with me. When I was living in London, someone slipped me a copy of Manuva’s Brand New Second Hand and I was hooked ever since. Then came Ty, Wiley, TTC, and later the US fire of Diplo, who got his first major break from the London-based label, and Spank Rock, who released my number two favorite album of 2006.

After 10 years, a retrospective was not only necessary, but almost required. Big Dada’s impact on the underground music scene is so potent that in addition to the 33 tracks on 2 CD’s there is a DVD filled with a documentary filled with interviews of every Big Dada artist as well as appearances from such names as Saul Williams and Boards of Canada. In addition there will be a full megamix of every Big Dada video and promo ever made.

Well Deep: 10 Years Of Big Dada Recordings drops in the UK on October. Of course, there is no US release date set, so look for it on import or on Ebay soon. Tracklisting after the jump. And please check out the MP3 of Ty and Roots Manuva’s “Do You Want More” refix. That beat is classic!

Read the rest of this entry »

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Album Preview, New Music, R&B

New Music: Mary J. Blige - Let It Go

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Mary J. Blige - Let It Go

I usually don’t post snippets on here, but since this one happens to be from the Queen of R&B and Soul, I have to digress.

“Let It Go” is the first track from Mary J’s upcoming album Growing Pains which drops on November 20th. I’m liking this track. It’s “radio friendly” without going overly Rhiannaish and the whole vibe of the song reminds me of Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall. Look out for more from MJB in the coming months.

And as the track will remind you, this is a Talk of the Town exclusive.

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Album Preview, Jazz/Blues/Gospel, New Music

Miles Davis, Nas & Olu Dara

Mp3: Miles Davis, Nas & Olu Dara - Freedom Jazz Dance

I’ve been listening to a lot of jazz lately (more on that soon) and no one epitomizes jazz like Miles Davis. In tribute to Mile’s and his impact on jazz, a new CD entitled Evolution of the Groove is being released next week. The CD is a remix and rework of Miles Davis tracks based on previously unreleased material. The CD includes Carlos Santana, as well as Nas and his daddy Olu Dara, who got together for a remix of “Freedom Jazz Dance.”

The track itself is so-so at best, and Nas’ one verse in the middle seems to be inserted at the last minute (it wasn’t). I’m not really a fan of these jazz remix projects, so I’m a bit skeptical about the release at the whole. However, I’m not gonna pass judgement until I get my hands on the full album. (hat tip: Spine Mag)

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Album Preview, Hip-Hop, New Music

Public Enemy - Harder Than You Think

MP3 Download: Public Enemy - Harder Than You Think

I’ve been out of the loop for a while, but damn, this link landed in my inbox today out of left field. Yes people, Public Enemy has a new album coming out soon, and the first track Harder Than You Think is fire, complete with the low budget YouTube video. The new album is entitled How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul, a title I find quite interesting in light of Flavor Flav’s cooning on VH1, but I digress. Most current rap writers may think that PE is past their prime, but if this album brings the same pounce as this single then the world better wake up.

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Album Preview, Hip-Hop

Video: Hezekiah ft. Bilal - Looking Up

My homie Theo produced this video for the “Looking Up,” the first single from Hezekiah’s new album I Predict A Riot. Check it out, and as always, leave feedback.

Related: Album Preview: Hezekiah - I Predict a Riot

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Album Preview, Hip-Hop

Coming Soon: 9th Wonder - Dream Merchant 2

MySpace: myspace.com/9thwondermusic

I don’t have much information on this one yet, but I did get a quick email regarding 9th Wonder’s solo project, Dream Merchant 2. (Ian asks…was there a Dream Merchant 1??). Anyway, no audio as of yet, but the album itself drops on October 9th featuring collabos from Mos Def, Camp Lo, Little Brother (?) and others.

Tracklisting:

1 Mr. Dream Merchant Intro
2 Shots f/Big Dho & Sean Price
3 Merchant Of Dreams f/The EMBASSY, Skyzoo & Torae
4 Brooklyn In My Mind f/ Mos Def, Jean Grae & Memphis Bleek
5 Sunday f/Keisha Shontelle & Chaundon
6 Baking Soda f/Big Treal
7 Reminisce (Take Time) f/Big Remo & The Great Novej of the A.L.L.I.E.S.
8 No Time To Chill f/Little Brother
9 It Aint Over ft. Jozee Mo & Tyler Woods
10 The Last Time f/ Royce the 5′9, Naledge & Vandalyzm of the MIDWEST WRECKIN’ CREW- The D, The Chi & The Lou
11 Saved f/Saigon & Joe Scudda
12 Milky Lowa ft. Camp Lo
13 Backlash f/Sean Boog & Buckshot
14 Thank You f/ D.O.X & O-Dash
15 Let It Bang f/Ness & Skyzoo
16 What Makes A Man f/Rapper Big Pooh & Buddy Klein

Tags: 9th Wonder

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Album Preview, World Music

Madlib Beat Konducta In India Video

Stone’s Throw just sent me the link for this promo video for Madlib’s Beat Konducta In India “Soundtrack” which releases on August 28th. I ususally don’t post promo videos, but whoever did this video gets mad props from me because they chopped up my favorite Bollywood Kollywood movies, Adhisaya Piravi. Most of y’all know the movie from the dancing midget clip on YouTube, but I’ve seen the whole thing and its damn near a comedic masterpiece.

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