Soothe the Soul with Ikebe Shakedown

Just showing some love . . .

Because it's official, my good friends in Ikebe Shakedown just got signed to Ubiquity, and will be joining the likes of Orgone in brining the heat. "The Prisoner" is the B-side of Ikebe Shakedown's first single, and is one of my personal favorites. My friend wrote this song when he was obsessively watching the classic television show of the same name, which was gifted to him by his mom for christmas. True story.

Watch out for Ikebe Shakedown. Big love and congratulations, gentlemen.

The Heavy- How You Like Me Now?

Obviously this is right up my alley. Garage-punk-soul. How detroit. Based in Bath, England, The Heavy released The House that Dirt Built in 2009 on Counter Records. This song has apparently been featured in the opening montage of the The Fighter, so these guys are getting some well deserved attention. The Heavy is classified as "neo-soul" by the folks at allmusic.com. I don't know about you, but that is a label that makes me sit up and take notice. Check it out!

The Dap-Kings- Nervous Like Me

This is an instrumental by The Dap-Kings, sans Sharon. Apparently this is a relatively obscure single, because it was somewhat difficult for me to track down. For anyone who's interested, it was a 7" release on Kay Dee from 2004. Anyway, this is the shit. Enjoy!

El Michels Affair- C.R.E.A.M.

Holy shit, this is actually the coolest thing since sliced bread. This track just blew my mind right into the stratosphere. El Michels Affair got together and covered a bunch of Wu-Tang Clan classics and somehow I didn't know until recently. This is their take on the juicy classic C.R.E.A.M, but I assure you, the whole album is pure GOLD. I could literally listen to this song on repeat for a year. That's 365 solid ya'll. More evidence of the artistic power of Hip Hop. I wish J Dilla were around to listen to this.

Hand cuffed in back of a bus, forty of us, life as a shorty shouldn't be so rough. . .

And by the way, if you want to buy this awesomeness on VINYL(!) go to truth and soul. 

Mark Ronson - Oh My God (ft. Lilly Allen)

I would not consider myself a Lilly Allen fan, but I'm definitely a Mark Ronson and Dap Horns fan. This is a great song, so enjoy!

Speaking of Mark Ronson, I was at the knitting factory a while back when he was DJing between sets, and I have a message for him: turn that shit DOWN.

Budos Band- Monkey See Monkey Do

A classic from The Budos Band I. This is my favorite tune off the album, and probably the most complex. Let me tell you, these dudes were high off of some Mulatu Astatke when they cut this track. I wish they would do more songs like this. Why is it that, nine times out of ten, the first album a group puts out is by far the best?

Double Feature: Black on White Affair and Annakonda!

It's a double feature, with Black on White Affair's, "Bold Soul Sister, Bold Soul Bother," and Annakonda's "Wheedle's Groove." Both are groups from the little praised Seattle Funk scene of the 70s. I was introduced to both of these songs by the funk compilation, Wheedle's Groove: Seattle's Finest in Funk. I love a good compilation tape.

Janelle Monáe- Tightrope

When Tightrope came onto the radio, I sat up and took notice. With a quickness. The official verdict: Archandroid = best album since Thriller. I think I might agree.

El Michels Affair- Hung Up On My Baby

This is from an album called Sounding Out the City. What city? New York City. When I first struck out on my own, and got my very own place in the greatest metropolis of the world, I listened to this album. To me, these are the melodies of Alphabet City, my old and beloved neighborhood.

This song was originally written by Isaac Hayes, and this is El Michels Affair reinventing it. The effect is really profound.

Stevie Wonder- Signed Sealed Delivered

wasn't he the cutest???

I don't know if I can handle the FUNK!

I'll never forget watching "Standing in the Shadows of Motown," and all those (under-appreciated) musicians telling amusing and good natured stories about Stevie. "Never could get rid of that Stevie Wonder."

Watch out! It's Funk Revival with Sharon Jones!

For reasons unknown, "Cut That Line" by Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings is NOT on youtube. What is the world coming to. It's obviously the best track ever laid at the house of soul. But whatever, there's no accounting for taste, and I might add they've never even played it live when I've been in attendance. Anyway, failing cut that line, I bring you "Ain't it Hard" off of the same album. Please, for the love of god, if you have any love or respect for soul music, check out "Dap Dippin' With..." their first and best album.