Just a few weeks ago we introduced the single The Lift by a fresh new hip hop collective, the Alexis Davis Project, comprised of DJ/Producers Mecca:83, Simon S, Spinnerty, and MC Replife. This weekend Alexis Davis Project released their much anticipated EP entitled 3.
Two countries. Two time zones. Three DJ/producers. One MC. The group Alexis Davis is not all about simple mathematics. It is a collaboration of four fans of one another’s music that decided to come together at a time when coming together is of the essence.
But the group is about more than it’s members. Musically, Alexis Davis is about break beats, scratches, cuts, and samples; and all of these elements are served with a fresh jazz sensibility and an aperitif of what has been labeled future music.
The 6 track EP is available digitally and as a limited edition CD. Alexis Davis Project is history in the making and this is only the beginning....Purchase your preferred format using the bandcamp link below.
From humble origins in Detroit, raised on a healthy diet of Motown, Jazz, and Early Hip-Hop – Terrel Wallace (aka Tall Black Guy) has been steadily building a massive online following through a steady stream of productions filled with incredibly clever sample flips and deft production chops - being championed by the likes of Gilles Peterson (who included him on the latest Brownswood Bubblers album), Lefto, Anthony Valadez, and countless others - as well as recently being named the winner of the Robert Glasper Remix competition.
After making a connection and releasing a series of sold-out Tall Black Guy 7-inches through their BSTRD Boots sublabel, Brooklyn’s Bastard Jazz Recordings set their sights on a proper full-length release with Tall Black Guy. It became evident that Terrel was not only an incredible producer and collector of sounds past – but was also a connoisseur of a whole new generation of beatmakers. This group of international producers remain mostly unknown to a larger audience, and continue to bubble and simmer just under the surface. With a gentle nod towards the groundbreaking Headz compilations on Mo’ Wax that inspired the label’s beginnings 10 years ago, Bastard Jazz founder DJ DRM asked TBG to compile an album with 11 of his favorite joints from this tidepool of contemporaries. Countless nights of rapid ear movements later, and with an added touch from the tall one himself, the set is primed for release as: Tempo Dreams Vol. 1.
Things kick off appropriately enough with French producer Teru’s “Time to Reinvent” – a summer-y joint filled with lazy keys, stuttering drums and delayed effects. Chicago duo and recent Plug Research signing Tensei make an appearance with the tropical cosmic vibes of “Space Colony”, while Australia’s Jeriko Jackson delivers the incredibly smooth “Only Just” with its ghostly vocals and flowing keys. Things move a little towards the uptempo side as Brussels based beatmakers Monkeyrobot deliver “Basement Infusion”, a deep slithering piece of bass-quaking of future-House, while Pittsburgh’s Buscrates adds a shimmering edge with “Horizons”. Ta-Ku (Project Mooncircle, Brownswood) comes with the nostalgic vibe-out styling of “Smile”, while Tall Black Guy himself gives us the drum-centric journey that is “Sparkling Adventure”. Atlanta-based producer Applejac makes an appearance under his Shecky’s Jazzy Tofu pseudonym covering Roy Ayer’s “Butterfly” in a beautiful New School meets the Old kind of way, perfectly rounding off the album. Other artists included on the album include Switzerland’s Chief, Hong Kong’s FloydCheung, Detroit’s Doc Illingsworth, and Evil Needle from France – a collection of the finest beatmakers you’ve never heard!
Preview the album on this exclusive Youtube trailer below and purchase your CD, Vinyl or Digi version HERE
FunkJazz Kafé: Diary Of A Decade - (The Story Of A Movement) is a crucial documentary that chronicles the evolution of Atlanta's FunkJazz Kafé Arts & Music Festival, a music and artistic renaissance movement born out of Atlanta’s diverse musical and cultural arts heritage. FunkJazz Kafé was officially established in 1994 and ran until 2004 with a special JFK finale in 2007. The documentary celebrates a 10 year legacy of Atlanta's premier multimedia music and arts festival. The film covers the decade when Atlanta’s underground music scene became established on the world stage and a new generation of soul singers and musicians emerged.
Jason Orr, the creator and founder of FunkJazz Kafé and the producer and director of the documentary has been screening the film across the country since it's screening debut at the Atlanta National Black Arts Festival in 2011. Upcoming 2012 screenings include Detroit July 28 and Philly August 4.
The film is narrated by hip hop icon Chuck D and includes appearances and perspectives from such cultural icons as Cornel West, Dick Gregory, N'Dea Davenport, Kevin Powell, Erykah Badu, Cee Lo Green, Eric Roberson, Sticman of Dead Prez, Larry Mizell, Dallas Austin, Roy Ayers, Talib Kweli and many more.
Visit the FunkJazz Kaféwebsite for screening cities near you.
It's a beautiful thing when you discover an artist via another project that you're checking out. I was checking out the new album by Jarrard Anthony entitled Ready To Live when a new name and a sweet voice jumped out at me. But it wasn't until a week later that I was made aware, by my good friend DJ Conscience, that Amma Whatt had her own material available via her bandcamp page.
Fusing sounds of R&B, hip-hop, acoustic-alternative, and world music, MAYBE is a collection of songs expressing where we often find ourselves in the cycles of love, relationships, and new beginnings. Amma Whatt also takes this opportunity to let you in on her writing process and collaborative sessions.
Guests on this project include Monet, VINX, Akil Dasan, Nicholas Ryan Gant, and Shawn Lucas. MAYBE also includes co-writes by Tubby Love and VINX, production by H2o Productions, and beat-box production by Akil Dasan.
This mainly acoustic EP, is just a preview of what's to come from Amma Whatt. She plans to release her full LP in 2013. For now you can support her efforts by purchasing this amazing EP and letting your music loving friends know about Amma Whatt. CLICK HERE to purchase the 6 song EP MAYBE. We know you'll love it as much as we do so SPREAD THE WORD!
On July 6, 2012 the world will be taking some time to remember the late, great Phyllis Hyman as she would have turned 63 years-old. OTV is proud to share The Inner Soul thoughts of music tastemaker, publicist and 'SoulMusiqLuva' DetrelTrellyHowell as she remembers "The Goddess" in her own deeply personal, heartfelt words. Phyllis Hyman was and still is loved and adored by so many fans worldwide. We appreciate Detrel for sharing her thoughts and feelings about one of our favorite Iconic Soul Ladies.
CLICK HERE to read Never Forgotten: Phyllis Hyman - The Goddess by Detrel Howell for The Inner Soul
This Is It! The 1st Official BamaLoveSoul.com compilation and hopefully the 1st of many, many more. We've heard quite a bit from DJ Rahdu and the BLS Crew over the past few years as they have been "Decreaseing Our HardDrive Space Since 2008" supplying the freshest exclusive music downloads and content for everything from soul to hip hop to jazz and rare grooves. If there is any music or any exclusive that can be got then you can be sure the BLS Crew is pushing it out to their legion of loyal blog followers and music lovers worldwide. Over the years DJ Rahdu has become one of the leading tastemaker/DJs when it comes to soul, hip hop and quality gems. With the release of BamaLoveSoul Presents On Deck the internet has been all a blaze and for good reason. This stellar compilation features vocal and instrumental tracks ranging from jazzy soul to funky broken beat and even spoken word. The artists and musicians selected for the album are from around the globe checking in from Alabama to Austria.
BamaLoveSoul Presents On Deck is a well crafted, nicely packaged compilation featuring new, unreleased music from Ahmed Sirour, Byron The Aquarius, Diggs Duke, Freddie Joachim, Mr. Bird, Nicholas Ryan Gant, Soia, Ta-Ku, Tall Black Guy and Xolisa. What makes this compilation even more special, other than featuring the hottest exclusive music of the summer? BamaLoveSoul.com offers 3 different purchase formats: instant Download, limited edition CD or limited edition Vinyl. So now you have no excuse for not adding BamaLoveSoul Presents On Deck to your collection one way or another. You can order your preferred format RIGHT HERE
Two countries. Two time zones. Three DJ/producers. One MC.
The group Alexis Davis is not all about simple mathematics. It is a collaboration of four fans of one another’s music that decided to come together at a time when coming together is of the essence.
Alexis Davis are: DJ/Producers Mecca:83, Simon S, Spinnerty, and MC Replife.
But the group is about more than it’s members. Musically, Alexis Davis is about break beats, scratches, cuts, and samples; and all of these elements are served with a fresh jazz sensibility and an aperitif of what has been labeled future music.
Alexis Davis are now proud to present their debut single The Lift, taken from their forthcoming Project "3" (set for release 13th July). A hazy blend of beat scene and jazz-hop influences, meshed with Replife's signature narrative style: consider this a taste of what is to come.
