Digital Under:Ground :: ELECTRIC CONVERSATION - "FLY AWAY"

It may be 5 years since the Parisian quartet's debut album Communication was released to great critical acclaim from the likes of Gilles Peterson, Jay Scarlett, Geology, but the collective members of Electric Conversation have been far from quiet in the intervening years.

From La Note's vocals gracing much hyped releases by the likes of Blue Daisy and Jazz Liberatorz to As Valet's solo album Primitive on the Japanese Moamoo/ArtUnion label and notable gigs for the group alongside the likes of Taylor McFerrin and 4Hero, Electric Conversation have continued to tread their own path blending a kaleidoscope of influences into their own unique brand of Future Soul.

Futuristica Music are now proud to present the group's new single Fly Away. Aesthecially picking up where Communication left off, Fly Away blends melodic songwriting with elements of broken beat, electronica and beat scene influences into an auditory trip that only Electric Conversation are capable of. This is future music of the highest calibre.

Fly Away is available June 29 exclusively via the Futuristica Music Bandcamp (iTunes to follow in July). Consider this release the warning shot prior to the new Electric Conversation full length later in 2012.

01. Fly Away

02. Fly Away - Simon S Extended Edit

03. Au Fil Du Rthyme

Jarrard Anthony - "Ready To Live" - Out Now!

Every once in a while an indie soul album will come along that totally blows me away! Honestly, I didn't know what to expect from Ready To Live. All I knew was that I wanted to press play, sit back and listen to a full album without having to skip songs. Didn't want to have to 'cherry pick' songs from the project and make my own EP. Too many potentially good albums are, in my opinion, ruined when there is no fluidity to the album. I consider myself a professional listener (everybody can't be an artist) so I know 'filler' songs when I hear it.

Well, this is not the case with Ready To Live, the new album by singer/songwriter/musician and Richmond, Virginia native Jarrard Anthony. I knew from the first song, Lucky Day, that it was indeed my 'lucky day' to have been blessed with this amazing new album. I could feel that I was in store for a smooth, soulful excursion with a nice pinch of jazz sprinkled in. Jarrard Anthony has been working the scene for several years but this may very well be his break out release. Ready To Live is contemporary soul at its finest and Jarrard Anthony's voice is warm and enticing with just enough soulful depth on every song to make this album an instant classic. None of the songs on the album feel forced or out of place making Ready To Live a genuine, must have album and a totally satisfying listening experience.

Ready To Live also boasts some very talented artists and legendary musicians that step in to round out the album. Lucky Day features New York-based pianist, composer, and bandleader Onaje Allan Gumbs (Norman Connors, Roy Ayers, Phyllis Hyman) and I Love You features Richmond, Virginia native and legendary jazz keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith. I Love You is a cover and tribute to the late, great jazz-funk pianist/composer/playwright and Hampton, Virginian Weldon Irvine and also features native Virginian singer Patrice Covington and New York-based flutist Monet. Other wonderful talents that grace Ready To Live are Amer Amen, Amma Whatt, Darien, Eric Roberson, Jon Bibbs and Wildman.

Going forward I consider this album a blueprint for indie contemporary soul albums. Listen and you'll understand.

Download a nicely priced MP3 version of Ready To Live from the On The Verge Music Store powered by Amazon

Purchase a nicely priced physical CD of Ready To Live from Dusty Groove

Jarrard Anthony Official Website

Jarrard Anthony on Twitter

Visioneers - "Hipology" produced by Marc Mac

HIP.OL.OGY

A COLLAGE OR MONTAGE OF ELEMENTS, EVENTS, MUSIC AND FASHION THAT MAKE UP AN INDIVIDUALS PERSONAL INTERPRETATION OF HIP HOP CULTURE.

Since the late 80s Londoner Marc Mac has been converting audiences with his sophisticated take on urban soul. A hybrid concoction of breakbeat, nu-jazz, neo soul, drum and bass, and Hip Hop, its a polished sound plugged directly into the emotional highway of 21st century city living. Working under a variety of guises, his prodigious output includes his work as one half of 4hero, Visioneers, Natures Plan and Nu Era. In the late 90‘s Marc signed to Gilles Peterson’s Talking Loud Records with 4hero. 4hero went on to produce two classic albums with Talkin Loud icluding the award winning Two Pages & Creating Patterns they then set up their own label where the critically acclaimed Play With The Changes was released. Somewhere in this timeline, between producing music for Jill Scott to Roy Ayers, Phonte to Terry Callier, Marc started another project called Visioneers releasing a set of limited 7” singles getting the attention from top eclectic DJ’s including Jazzy Jeff, Kenny Dope, Gilles Peterson & Norman Jay. Visioneers was then picked up by BBE records who released the debut album Dirty Old Hip Hop.

While recording this new Visioneers record, Marc Mac began thinking how hip-hop had been a (sometimes invisible) guiding hand in his life. “The music, the fashion and culture. Although producing all kinds of music from jungle to jazz, hip-hop (or at least what is was) has always been a part of what I do in some strange and sometimes very subtle way.” Documenting this influence on Hipology.org, his very own digital scrapbook (that has also spawned the record of the same title), it’s easy to see the depth of Marc Mac’s appreciation of hip-hop. HIPOLOGY; the album includes hand picked guest John Robinson, Notes To Self, TRAC & Baron alongside some featured musicians Luke Parkhouse, Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra & The Support Horns. The result is a real cool, funky eclectic mix of breaks, beats, soul/jazz and freaky squeaks and not a sampler in sight.

“I can’t paint a picture with one color I need to play with them all. Music is the same for me, how can I produce or DJ one style of music? I got to play with them all.” Marc Mac (4 Hero, Visioneers, BBE).

Visit http://hipology.org for more info on Marc Mac's Hipology project.

101 Apparel Presents Marc Mac "Hipology" - 12 min sampler by 101 Apparel

Digital Under:Ground :: Marc Mac's Disco Crates Mix

Marc Mac presents 60 minutes of funky, jazzy disco grooves exclusively for Laid Back Radio. The mix looks back on the era when Disco & early Hip Hop co-existed; when breakers & fly dancers would hit the dance floor as the DJ spun their favorite breakdowns or a fly Disco groove, while the MC rocked the mic for a short burst to keep the party live and fresh. Get ready to blast off as Marc Mac digs deep into his over-flowing disco crates to drop 60 minutes worth of classic disco gems and rarities!

Marc Mac's output includes his work as one half of 4hero, Visioneers, Natures Plan and Nu Era; plus productions for Jill Scott to Roy Ayers, Phonte to Terry Callier. After Visioneers' debut album “Dirty Old Hip Hop” (2006), BBE records releases Marc Mac's new album under the Visioneers moniker "HIPOLOGY" (2012).

Marc Mac - Dusty Disco Crates by Laid Back on Mixcloud

Mix courtesy of @laidbackradio

Bookwerk :: Official Release Celebration for 'Dramas Of A Bald Head Queen - A Memoir' by Nina Brewton

Hampton, Virginia based Minister, Speaker, Vocalist, Motivator and now proud Author Nina Brewton, is set to release her very much talked about and highly anticipated memoir entitled Dramas Of A Bald Head Queen. After overcoming depression, alcoholism and sexual promiscuity, author Nina Brewton found her spiritual voice and boldly gives her Heavenly Father the praise and glory. As she continues to grow stronger, gain energy, wisdom and insight, Nina shares her life experiences, struggles, triumphs and courage through a deeply personal and purposeful memoir. Through Dramas Of A Bald Head Queen Nina uses her past to soar into the future and allows her journey and passion for God, family and life to be a light to her reader's path. Author Nina Brewton pens a triumphant coming of aging memoir with an entertaining, honest, courageous, straightforwardness.

Dramas Of A Bald Head Queen - A Memoir is book club ready!

Read excerpts of Dramas Of A Bald Head Queen - A Memoir

Please join author Nina Brewton on Saturday June 23, 2012 as she celebrates the release of her very candid labor of love Dramas Of A Bald Head Queen - A Memoir. The official book release is June 26, 2012 and can be pre-ordered at BALDHEADQUEEN.COM. Books WILL BE AVAILABLE at the book release celebration as well.

WHAT: Official Release Celebration for Dramas Of A Bald Head Queen - A Memoir by Nina Brewton

WHEN: Saturday June 23, 2012

WHERE: Five Points Community Farm Market, 2500 Church Street, Norfolk, VA, 23604

TIME: 6:30PM (doors) 7:00PM (event)

ADMISSION: FREE (books available for $15.00)

INFO: Baldheadqueen.com

NETWERK: @BaldHeadQueen #DramasOfABHQ

José James Signs To Blue Note Records and Preps Debut On The Legendary Jazz Label

It's always an exciting time when legendary Blue Note Records pays attention and signs young new talent to the label (Norah Jones, Amos Lee, Robert Glasper, Ambrose Akinmusire, Ravi Coltrane). Most recently Blue Note records signs modern jazz singer José James. Think Jon Lucien, Terry Callier and Kurt Elling but with a warm, hip yet classic, forward thinking edge. James is no stranger to U.S. underground jazz audiences as well as the always vibrant international jazz audiences. His debut album The Dreamer (2008) and sophomore album Black Magic (2010) were both released on UK's Brownswood Recordings label spearheaded by DJ/Tastemaker Gilles Peterson. Three months after the release of Black Magic, James teamed with Belgian pianist Jef Neve to release For All We Know, a collection of jazz standards on the prestigious Verve/Impulse label.

In between recording his own albums and touring worldwide José James collaborated with a wide range of jazz, club, electronica and hip hop artists such as Nicola Conte, Timo Lassy, Jazzanova, Flying Lotus, Eric Reed, OH NO, Christian Mcbride, Taylor McFerrin, DJ Mitsu, Basement Jaxx, Chico Hamilton and Junior Mance.

José James spoke to giantstep.net right before his show at Le Poisson Rouge (NYC) in early May. He talked about his forthcoming debut album on the legendary Blue Note records label entitled No Beginning, No End. James didn't reveal an exact release date but he did reveal the guests on the album and what his fans could expect from the project. It's safe to say No Beginning, No End is a highly anticipated debut on a jazz label that continues to define the future of jazz. Read the giantstep interview here.

THE DREAMER - Brownswood Recordings (2008)

BLACK MAGIC - Brownswood Recordings (2010)

FOR ALL WE KNOW - Verve/Impulse (2010)

First Look: Andre 3000 on set of new Jimi Hendrix movie "All Is By My Side"

Although it may be "unauthorized" at the moment, it appears that the filming of the new Jimi Hendrix biopic All Is By My Side starring Andre 3000, one-half of the Grammy winning hip hop duo OutKast, is underway. It appears that the rapper/actor has already begun filming in Ireland. The feature film is written and directed by John Ridley and will follow Hendrix’s years in England, from 1966 to 1967, when he put together his debut album, Are You Experienced.

A few weeks ago Experience Hendrix, LLC. released a statement to the press stating that the filmmakers did not have official permission to move forward with the film nor did they have the right to use any of the musician's songs.

"Various media outlets have recently published accounts that indicate a feature-length Jimi Hendrix biographical film is nearing production. Experience Hendrix, LLC, the family-owned company entrusted with safeguarding the legacy of Jimi Hendrix and administrator of the Jimi Hendrix music and publishing catalogue, has made it known many times in the past that no such film, were it to include original music or copyrights created by Jimi Hendrix, can be undertaken without its full participation. "Experience Hendrix CEO Janie Hendrix, sister of Jimi Hendrix, and the EH board have not ruled out a 'biopic' in the future though producing partners would, out of necessity, have to involve the company from the inception of any such film project if it is to include original Jimi Hendrix music or compositions."

Let's hope everyone can come to an agreement because this will be an amazing biopic starring someone we have all felt was born for this role.

Images courtesy of GIGWISE