ModulatorSoul

Malev Da Shinobi

Posted by modulatorsoul on March 9, 2014

Posted in: HipHop. Tagged: Malev Da Shinobi, Roots Manuva, Utah. Leave a comment

Every once and awhile, you hear an MC and their voice, flow, or lyrics just sticks with you. Well Malev Da Shinobi out of Salt Lake City, Utah has caught my ear; his distinct voice is just hypnotizing. It sounds like this combination of Roots Manuva mixed with a chilled out DMX. The versatility of Malev’s flow is evident by the various producers he uses and the assortment of production styles. I am thoroughly impressed by his Malev‘s choice to release his music for free (just contact him) and the description and background information for each song he gives behind the tracks. It is rare that an MC gives you a glimpse into what was he feeling during the making of the track. I can’t wait for him to release a full length album, keep Malev Da Shinobi on your radar!

Hallelujah

Posted by modulatorsoul on March 9, 2014

Posted in: Soul. Tagged: Ben L'Oncle Soul, French, Grandma's Hands, Gregory Porter, Hallelujah, Monophonics. Leave a comment

French soul heavyweight Ben L’Oncle Soul has been hard working on his sophomore album and he ready to release the album this year. Hallelujah (J’ai tant besoin de toi) is the first single off the album, the whole album is backed by the fantastic Monophonics. In fact, the whole album was recorded and produced with the Monophonics at their studio in Califormia. The new single is a real soul burner. As well, there is a crazy collaboration between L’Oncle Ben and the super talented Gregory Porter doing a rendition of Bill Withers’ Grandma’s hands. Check both videos out!

Need You

Posted by modulatorsoul on March 6, 2014

Posted in: HipHop. Tagged: Blu, L'Orange, Need You. Leave a comment

It has been a long minute since the last post, but the music keeps flowing. The surprising collaboration between the prolific Los Angeles emcee Blu and North Carolina producer L’Orange has created some hype for L’Orange’s upcoming new album The Orchid Days. L’Orange’s expertise and comfort is in flipping 1950s jazz records into these chilled out hip hop beats. While listening to his music, you are immediately transported to this smoky underground jazz club. Blu comes correct on the mic effortlessly rhyming over L’Orange Billie Holiday-esq beat. While I want a full length LP with L’Orange and Blu, this has got me really excited to see what other collaborations are planned on the new album. Cop the album when it drops!

Xiomara

Posted by modulatorsoul on January 9, 2014

Posted in: HipHop, Jazz. Tagged: ATCQ, Outkast, Xiomara. 1 Comment

I am almost speechless while listening to Xiomara, I am blown away by the ease that she flips these classic tracks from Outkast and A Tribe Called Quest . Xiomara’s voice and delivery is unbelievable, it sounds like a mix of a classic RnB songstress mixed with some classic jazz and blues vocals. It is like she is this hybrid of Erykah Badu mixed with some Billie Holiday and some Nina Simone. Cop these tracks, you will not regret it! Hopefully Xiomara will release some music in the near future.

2014 Mellow Orange

Posted by modulatorsoul on January 5, 2014

Posted in: HipHop, Jazz. Tagged: Chloe Martini, Freddie Joachim, Mellow Orange, Question. Leave a comment

2014 here you come, I started a little late but I needed some re-charge time. But getting back to it, I think 2014 maybe a highlight year in music, already there has been some crazy releases and we are only day 4. The Mellow Orange crew released two dope releases in the new year and one super close to Christmas. A super plus is that all these releases don’t hit the bank.

Freddie Joachim comes again with his signature chilled out hiphop beats. The Begonia EP are a little extra beats that he has been holding on to. Freddie Joachim has the Midas touch, I want to hear all the beats in the vault.

Question, drops his Favela EP. It is cold out there, cop this release and warm up with some flipped Bossa Nova and Samba beats. You are transported to a beach while listening to these tracks. Question’s digging and straight up music knowledge is a real treat.

Chloe Martini, a new addition to the Mellow Orange roster, the female beat smith comes correct with her first release Reborn EP . The Poland native layers these chillin drum patterns laced with jazzy samples. She is one producer not sleep on!

Mellow Orange is one of the most consistent record labels out there, always dropping quality music. I can’t wait to hear more from them in 2014.

All Aboard

Posted by modulatorsoul on December 21, 2013

Posted in: Reggae. Tagged: All Aboard, The Delegators, UK. 3 Comments

Reggae is a strange genre, the masses have heard its distinct sound through Bob Marley’s music, but ask a person to name another artist and they will tend to struggle. I don’t know why this is, but Reggae music has a deep tradition of both influencing and embracing Rock and Roll and Soul music. The fusion of Soul music and Reggae is one of my favourite sounds. The Delegators out of the UK are bringing back that Reggae Soul. The group combines early Reggae and Ska with that classic Motown Sound. Janet Kumah handles with lead vocals, her powerful soulful voice flows smoothly over the laid back rhythms. The Delegators have just released their first album All Aboard and it is full of heaters, listening to the tracks you just want to get up and dance. The album flows smoothly with this warmth till the end leaving you always hitting repeat.

5 4 3 2 1 Here I Come

Posted by modulatorsoul on December 15, 2013

Posted in: Reggae, Soul. Tagged: Dionne Reid, S.M.I.L.E, UK. 1 Comment

I have been a follower of the super successful and funny British web series Brothers With No Game (check it out here), while the show is highly entertaining, they feature some great music. I discovered Dionne Reid, the UK songstress is one talented singer. She has this magnificent soulful voice which elevates the reggae soul production. Dionne released her EP S.M.I.L.E, while a good chunk of the EP has this more acoustic laid back feel, but don’t think she doesn’t drop a couple of bangers. The track Here I Come just makes you want to dance, her voice is infectious over the bumpin production. I can’t wait to hear to more from her, check the two track below and see her versatility.

Way of Life

Posted by modulatorsoul on December 13, 2013

Posted in: Jazz, Soul. Tagged: Crystal Growth, Joya Mooi. 1 Comment

I admit it, I completely missed Joya Mooi’s newest album Crystal Growth until she recently dropped the second single Way of Life, all I can say is, she kills it. The live instrumentation with the dope horns, and her unbelievably soulful voice just makes the perfect track. Every time I hear the Way of Life, I get this smile on my face especially seeing the video, you can see that Joya Mooi loves performing, it is like she radiates joy when she sings. The album Crystal Growth could be considered more of a jazz album but I would classify it in that Robert Glasper type hybrid of Jazz, Rnb, and Soul. The first single Beyond Of You, has that slow tempo with more stripped down production with Joya Mooi’s voice prominently showcased. All I can say is don’t sleep on this album.

Spare Overtime Re-Inspired

Posted by modulatorsoul on December 11, 2013

Posted in: HipHop. Tagged: Damu The Fudgemunk, Spare Overtime Re-Inspired. Leave a comment

Damu the Fudgemunk is probably one of the most underrated producer in hiphop, but I think he is probably one of the most consistent beatmaker in the game. While he doesn’t have the glitz and glam of the some of these bigger named producers, he makes up for it in his precision and quality in his sound. While each beat is meticulously layered with a mix of different samples, Damu is careful not overload the sound. You can see the similarities between the Japanese Zen approach to simplicity and Damu’s music. Damu the Fudgemunk has been making music over 5 years and while his sound has changed, he wanted to release an album that tells the fans that he didn’t abandon his original style. Spare Overtime Re-Inspired rerecords and re-sequences tracks from his first two releases. All I can say, Damu kills it! You are left wanting more. Just go download the album!

If You Knew Her

Posted by modulatorsoul on December 8, 2013

Posted in: Jazz. Tagged: If You Knew Her, UK, Zara Mcfarlane. Leave a comment

Zara Mcfarlane is releasing her second full length album If You Knew her on January 20th 2014. The ultra talented UK jazz singer came on the scene with her debut album Until Tomorrow, it was well received that she received an MOBO award nomination. Zara Macfarlane has this unique voice that is a mix of an traditional jazz singer with some soulful undertones. The new album will be released on Brownswood Recordings, they have released 3 singles, one of my favourites is the cover of Police and Thieves by Junior Murvin, you see Zara Mcfarlane transform that song to her very own. Check the singles below and cop the album in the new year.