D.C.'s Avenue to is one of the most simply refreshing groups I've heard in a long while. Oddisee, Unknown and Kolai have created a seriously too perfect blend of hip hop, jazz, and soul with a not too heavy presence of electronics, but just enough. They've got all the vocalists and talents of a jazz band, the producing and sampling skills of any big hip hop DJ (better if you ask me), and a passion for gettin' the globe to groove to their sound.

Their debut album, Three Way Intersection, drops in mid July via Asahra Music! It's going to be nothing short of amazing. We got a single for you and also check the video below of Sand to the Beach, you'll get a real overwhelming sense that they truly love music.

Bahia

Labels: hiphop, jazz, soul

I'm just going to go ahead and say it, this duo is better than Winehouse and Lily Allen combined! WHAT! BBQ How can you say that?!?!? You're Stupid! Okay okay I know y'all are going to hate on me but the Celtics did win didn't they? haha. When I first rocked this on the laptop, I thought it had lots of Estelle, Gnarls and as mentioned before, comparable-to-beyond Lily Allen and Winehouse. Yea those guys have a lot of great tracks but I'm tellin' ya The Stoop, Little Jackie's new album, is plain dope, and lotsa fun. It's something you'd throw in for your weekend party and be worry free of dull tracks.

Imani Coppola, who landed a deal with Columbia back in 97 when she was just 19, has come to succeed her previous shortlived fame. Now 29, the Brooklyn singer songwriter is fully equipped with programmer Adam Pallin (Boston grown produca!!), and together they have come on up with some ultra soulful catchy pop tunes. Their rappin' and Singin' with funky sampling and hip hop beats all over will be taking people's ears when The Stoop drops in July via S-curve. Check out these two tracks and get ready to anticipate a super dope album!

Crying For The Queen
The Stoop

Can't wait for a tour...

Labels: hiphop, Pop, soul

Shawn Lee is one busy d00d rollin' out all these dope beats and doing projects left and right. The latest installment of Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra, Miles of Styles, is the 7th album on US label Ubiquity Records! This album is a reflection of his multicutural hometown London, the underground styles of Tokyo, the mega metro of NYC and elsewhere. Multi-instrumentalist Shawn Lee has, has yet again crafted a masterpiece of sound dedicated to the world. Definitely something to chill to and appreciate. Get Miles of Styles via iTunes or Amazon now!

Miles of Style
Tokyo Dancer
Lagos Calling

Strings & Things (2006)
Ballade De Mela

Labels: beats, Funk, soul

In Continuation and oberservance of the 50th year of Bossa Nova, I had to bring up the 8th chapter of the Break N' Bossa VA compilation/mixes. If you're into the beautiful acoustic sounds of old 60-70s Bossa but also love grooves & beats, Break N' Bossa is too perfect. It's got that lounge, Jazz, and touch of chill on it. Schema, the Milan, Italy label outfits have done it again with this amazing progression since the 1st chapter. I realize also the sound has gotten much more popular throughout the years as people hop scotch from main stream and delve out. The maturing sounds of the different artists involved also add sophisticated layers onto these tracks....yes it's one of those dope albums. I'll write no more. Just check it out already!

Alessandro Olivero - Walk On That Thing
Luis Ferri - Jurubeba

Tracklist:
CD1
01. Mario Biondi - "no Mercy for Me" (reworked by Alessandro Magnanini) (3:37)
02. Dalindeo - "Non Stop Flight" (3:48)
03. Toco - "Guarapiranga" (5:10)
04. The Invisible Session - "I'll be your Wings" (The m d mix by Mitchell and Dewbury) (6:50)
05. Nick Bernard - Aromi (5:32)
06. Jujuorchestra - "Kind of Latin Rhythm" (7:20)
07. Alessandro Olivero - "Walk on that Thing" (5:11)
08. Gerardo Frisina - "Carolina Carol Bela" (feat Anna Clementi) (5:31)
09. The Dining Rooms - "Ocean" (Diggin in the Latin Mix) (6:50)
10. Beat Out Shrine - "Pinkie" (08 version) (4:59)
11. Luis Ferri - "Jurubeba" (5:28)
12. Stockolm Cyclo - "Vsop" (Beatfanatic edit) (4:40)
13. Fragmentorchestra - "Carioca" (Nicola Conte remix) (5:08)

CD2 (Mixed Live by Luciano Cantone) (58:49)
14. Toco - "Que Nega E' Essa" 06:37
15. S-tone Inc. - "Beira Do Mar" 05:43
16. Mario Biondi - "A Child Runs Free" 04:17
17. Rosalia De Souza - "Que Bandera" (Gerardo Frisina remix) 02:20
18. Gerardo Frisina - "Inviolatin" 04:21
19. S-tone Inc - "Hanging On The Moon" (Gerardo Frisina remix) 04:43
20. Paolo Fedreghini & Marco Bianchi - "Stay (In Mood)" 03:59
21. Rosalia De Souza - "Onde Anda O Meu Amor" (Fedreghini & Bianchi remix) 05:35
22. Gerardo Frisina - "Gosto Do Que E Bom" 03:05
23. The Invisible Session - "Till The End" (Inverse Cinematic remix) 05:04
24. Soulstance - "Special One" 04:20
25. The Dining Rooms - "Phunky" 04:14
26. The Dining Rooms - "Thin Ice" (Fedreghini & Bianchi remix) 06:15
27. Rosalia De Souza - "Rio De Janeiro" (Beatfanatic & Bossatech remix) 04:48

Labels: bossa nova, groove, soul

Sollee is part of the Sparrow Quartet but he's finally rockin' out a solo effort coming at you in June called Learning To Bend! I dig his soulful jazzyvocals over this bluegrassy folk stuff made unique with his cellos all over the tracks. He was one of NPR's Top 10 Greatest Unkown Artists of 2007! You need to get the album and hear what he has to say. He has excellent songwriting skills including topics of politics. He has an attitude to empower people, there's hope in it, and it's got great classical expression. On May 13th he's also got a politically motivated EP style two-song-er called If You’re Gonna Lead My Country and we got one of those tracks for you! Check it out!

A Change Is Gonna Come
Prettiest Tree On The Mountain

He's on tour for like 5 or 6 months!

Labels: Folk, jazz, soul

Benedic Lambdin has seriously done a number, I believe 7 to be exact. His latest effort, One Offs, Remixes, & B-Sides has instantly become one of my favorite albums of '08. The sheer collaborative background of this album, Lambdin's solid production and remixing skill, and the rarities of the Nostalgia 77 Octet all flex the enormous strength of this amazing compilation. I've had this album on some heavy rotation. This double disc is available now via the Etch Shop as well as the vinyl EP. You're gonna get elusive instrumentals, chill beats and remixes from TM Juke, Bonobo, Povo, and vocals from Corinne Bailey Rae, Beth Rowley, Alice Russell and tons more.

Labels: Funk, hiphop, jazz, soul

I like to think of James Pants and his new album as a bit of a Cinderella story. He met Stones Throw head Peanut Butter Wolf at a rave after his high school prom. From there he would become a signed artist on the Stones Throw roster! James Pants makes a dope electro 80s soul, post funk sound. He doesn't just mix,sample, or spin, he's on the mic, on the keys, strummin' guitars, and hittin' the percussion. I also think there's this mix of ambient with hip hop that I totally dig. To hit off your summer, Pants' new album Welcome is droppin' May 27th.

Ka$h
I Choose You

Check this video of Do a Couple of Things
Also check out the dope Rhythm Trax

Labels: Electronic, hiphop, soul

After hearing the entire album twice, I'd have to say the Godfrey's have completely poured out their emotions in their 6th album, revealing some heavy stuff throughout the band's rough recent years. The album willfully exemplifies a combination of a seemingly last leg effort, with nothing held back, and at the same time the usual Morcheeba canvas, which is unusual. With an overly appropriate album title, Dive Deep, achieves the often open collective of expressed varied genres with several guest artists to justify them, perhaps give different meaning. Simply Theraputic, feelin' me?

Dive Deep will be released with exclusive digital content on iTunes on Monday. You can get the album in stores on the 19th. Check their myspace for more music and tour dates to get the live experience, which is definitely someything else. This album is all about traditional, with non-traditional, and soulful electronic folk with some serious blues. Putting in hardwork to express pain sounds so sweet.

Enjoy The Ride
One Love Karma

Also check out this Dive Deep game?

Labels: Electronic, Folk, soul, triphop

This "KCRW Presents" night was another excellent example of the creative efforts of various collaborators involved. We were thoroughly impressed. Parties involved: KCRW, Barker Block Lofts, LearnAboutWine.com, and of course the awesome line-up. As an open house party, The Barker Block Lofts hosted Learn About Wine which well-hashed various a la cartes and an unlimited Beer & Wine tasting with over 40 wines & microbrews. The image gallery does no justice to the lofts inside. They were really neat, especially if you have a handle on getting some really amazing furniture. There was also an after party with a DJ spinning, art show and open bar. Before the music there was already an eventful night. This was an all around great way to promote several things in one well planned outdoor "venue."

Labels: Events, Funk, hiphop, jazz, soul

"Got a Thing on My Mind" found it's way on our party playlist last night atleast three times!  We made believers last night that the 60s 70s soul funk sound can still be played today.  Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings make it easy.  You can hear samples of them all over Mark Ronson's "Version" Album as well as Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" UK hit.  The highly anticipated "100 Days, 100 Nights" album is droppin' on October 2nd which is such a long time from now especially if you've heard the album titled single.  If you haven't heard, Jones landed the part of "Lila" in Denzel's directed and starred upcoming film The Great Debaters with Forest Whitaker.  And of course, Jones and the DK will be featured on the soundtrack.  Catch them at the Apollo for their CD release on Oct. 6th as they kick off a tour that even goes to Canadia! 

Labels: Funk, soul

Finally! Razzia Records has released Maia's new full length CD! "Though, I'm just Me" released earlier this month with 11 awesome tracks, some re-mixed from older versions. Maia Hirasawa is Japanese/ Swedish singer/songwriter playing a new solo tour as well as playing shows with Hello Saferide. Swedepop and piano pieced with Maia's vocals and violins! Get here new CD here! And of course two Songs just off the new album just for you!

You and Me and Everyone we Know & Gothenburg

Above: Monday was the Nike+ iPod College Tour at CSUF. Sean B and John came out to help liven up the campus. Okay so this is part 2 of the Soul/funk/hip/jazz mix. Lot's of these are jazz sampled breakbeats but they are fun. Next week I'll be going back to some new indie sounds, possibly. We'll see the feedback we get from today.

Older song, you guys will remember this soo as you here "ooh la la"
Wise guys - Ooh La La

From the 2002 Dead Ringer release. It gets interesting towards the end.
RJD2 - Good Times Roll Pt. 2

From the Unreleased Kamaal The Abstract, with that trumpet sound!
Q Tip - Even if it's So

Awesome ambi-tronic band from Ireland with jazz & experimental layers.
Nouveau Noise - Cinnte

Oldie but hippie, you can agree.
Jamiroquai - Love Foolosophy

You know the music on Ocean's 12 when Brad Pitt sees Catherin ZJones? Think!
Nujabes - Lady Brown ft. Cise Starr

Take you back to the Jackson 5. You love this!
Jackson 5 - It's Great to Be Here

Last but not least, new track off the New "23" album released YESTERDAY!
Blonde Redhead - Dr. Strangeluv

Okay that's it for this week. To check out BBQCHICKENROBOT.com archives, head on over to Elbo.ws, and awesome aggregator. It's horrible, I know, but check out the new Joy of Tech here. Also if you want me to post something, or have suggestions, or some nice things to say, leave me a comment.

Labels: Funk, hiphop, jazz, Maia Hirasawa, soul

Lately I have been listening to a lot of hip hop, soul, remixes, jazz, bossa nova, and funk. I got so much to share so let's start with these songs:
Welsh songwriter Jem has an awesome track mixed by Cut Chemist
Jem - They (Cut Chemist Vocal Mix)

Sean told me about these guys a while back, he was helping them with their shows or something. These LA locals mix this jazzy, swingin, bouncy break piece swell.
Free the Robots - Jazzhole

Remember Bosco Mann? Eastcoasters Sharon Jones and the Dap-kings kickin' a dope soul/funk track from their 02' release.
Sharon Jones & Dap-Kings - Got a thing on my Mind

I think I like this version better than the original (ahhhhh!!!) Stereo MCs remix this Lyrics Born Quannum projects song. I love it! x 10 today.
Lyrics Born - I Changed My Mind (Stereo MCs Rattlesnake Remix)

This dude George is combining all kinds of stuff like electronic, ambient, acid house, trip-hop and you know the rest under all sorts of DJ names. This is a sweet new track off of last month's release, "In a Space Outta Sound"
Nightmares on Wax - The Sweetest

Kibler slaps the funk and jazz together with the scratch. Keep your ears open for that organ electronic sound with the Cuban drum. Cuban? yes!? Collab of 9 guys on this rad track.
DJ Logic - Afro Beat

That should help for a weekend drive. More where that came from in the next couple days, check back!

Our little actress peakin' through our faux fence infront of the faux Rosebush garden. SOme of that Lights, camera, Action! stuff. I can't wait to see the finished result. I love 24p by the way, it looks awesome. It's gonna be on May 13,th at around 4:30pm, free food and free short films! Yesssuh! You can see this film and others at the Talent One Media film fest! Link
That cat above is my old kitty, Pepper...awww. Okay have a great weekend!

Labels: bossa nova, Funk, hiphop, jazz, Music, soul