Baiyu - "This Feeling"

New month, new music from Baiyu. The streak continues with "This Feeling" and oh, what a feeling it is! The Chinese-American soul singer absolutely crushes this one with a breathy performance that puts me in the mind of Phil Collins' classic "Take Me Home" with it's rhythmic lead line. The big kick of the bass drum is driven by the sweeping pads and just takes off with the chorus.

"This Feeling" is the much more pleasant upside to the previous release, "Mourning Hangover." After the pain of heartbreak, we get to experience the joy of new love. Another fantastic lyric from Baiyu and soaring production.

Get the stream and download below and mark your calendars for June 1st...

Baiyu - "Cold Hearted"

Success isn't easy. It takes a largely selfish type of commitment that most people can't handle. Just think about the most successful people in any craft. They all were/are deeply committed to their craft. Whether it be art, or sports or fashion, the most successful of the bunch generally sacrifice many other things to give the proper time and energy to honing their skills.

Likely, the most challenging thing to balance with success is love. Relationships are difficult enough on their own but that difficulty is multiplied many times over when coupled with ambition. Love and success often become adversaries in competition for attention.

Baiyu tackles this theme in her new monthly release "Cold Hearted." Easily one of the most personable and genuine people I've ever met, Baiyu quips, "A lot of times people are intrigued by my lightheartedness despite everything I've been tasked and blessed with in life. At the same time, somehow I feel very closed in and hardened when it comes to love." 

Check the stream and free download below. Happy Monday!

Baiyu - 'Hunter'

Primal. That is how I'd sum up this 3rd effort from Chinese born Soul singer Baiyu.

'Hunter' is a large departure from the wildly successful 'Fan Fair.' It's far more ambitious and incredibly bold. On this release, you really experience Baiyu pushing herself and the envelope from the album's open to its almost too brief close. Producer KQuick handles a large chunk of the album's production and he and Baiyu did a phenomenal job of keeping the main theme tied in across the whole project. Listeners truly get the feeling of being barefoot and sexy in the jungle.

'Fan Fair' was Baiyu's "testing the waters" release, 'Hunter' is the "I've arrived" release. The clear concept, stellar production and strong features all contribute to the brilliant flow of the album. I was all in from the opening 8 bars but "Make Believe" featuring American Idol season six contestant Paul Kim was my instant repeat track. While her duet with Boss star Rotimi is doing insane numbers around the web, "Make Believe" is the stronger offering in my book. There's a heft to it and striking melody/harmony component that is unmatched on the project. The rest of the album is a great blend of up and down tempo tracks.

The only gripe I had with the album was with some of the mixes. The sonic balance was off at times. A minor thing on an album good in a major way. Baiyu truly nailed the performances and writing for 'Hunter.' You already know this is Rox Fontaine approved or else you wouldn't be reading this.

Free stream and download link below and a brief recap of her album release party down bottom. Enjoy!

Download Mixtape | Free Mixtapes Powered by DatPiff.com

Baiyu's album release party was held at Custo Barcelona in SOHO. The store was packed from wall to wall with tastemakers from all corners of the entertainment industry and I was fortunate enough to be on the scene taking in the sights and sounds. The event was hosted by Power 105.1 late night hostess Cherry Martinez and DJ Boof of The Wendy Williams Show. Sponsors included Vitamin Water, Ty Ku and Sprayground among a host of others. Check out these select photos from the night....

Baiyu making her entrance.

Par-City and Baiyu

Baiyu blows a kiss to ThisIs50's Jack Thriller.

DJ Boof and Baiyu give a B-Boy stance.

Spag-Lo (c.) and friends.

 Kelly Harper

Cherry Martinez and Baiyu

Glamo

Cocoa Sarai - 'The Black & White'

Cocoa Sarai is a rock star. Bold. Fearless. Not just a recording artist but a true performing artist.

I couldn't quite put my finger on that up until a few weeks ago when Cocoa's manager made that distinction for me. I co-sponsored her album release party with Rocawear and Vibe Vixen and the night was aptly titled "The Cocoa Sarai Experience." You see, to know Cocoa is to experience Cocoa is to fall madly in love with Cocoa.

Her sophomore release 'The Black & White' is her middle finger to naysayers. Now more mature, more experienced and more creative, she has proven with this album that she can do anything she wants to do.

This album is nothing short of incredible! From the in-your-face intro, "The Black & White", to the power ballad "Live" at the album's close, Cocoa Sarai masterfully displays her fantastic songwriting abilities and jaw dropping vocal ability. Her tone and timbre will give you goosebumps.

The first single "Raining in my Room" was only scratching the surface of the depth and bredth of Cocoa's artistry. I won't get into a track by track synopsis of the album but works like"Memories 4 Suckers" and "One Second 2 Love" featuring triple threat Rich Lowe (rapper/singer/producer) will absolutely blow you away. "Live" and "Raining in my Room" tug at your heartstrings. The reworking of SWV's "Anything" featuring Fred the Godson, "Delete You" and "Criminal" cover the radio ready set. I thoroughly expect "Black & Blue" to be the breakout single though.

Cocoa and her production team did a phenomenal job on this project. They really captured the dynamics of Cocoa Sarai's talent and delivered a product that rivals anything in Pop and R&B right now. DEFINITELY spend the money for this album! You won't regret it. I expect this album to clean up at the next Underground Music Awards.

Download "The Black & White"

Malynda Hale - "Borrowed Time"

What a pleasant surprise Malynda Hale is! When I opened the e-mail that contained Malynda's info, I had no idea what a treat I was in for. This So-Cal born singer has a mighty bright future ahead of her. After the first track I heard I thought, "She's dope. Different." After the second song I was talking to her manager. Sooo.... expect to see an interview with Ms. Hale late March.

For instant gratification's sake, check out "Borrowed Time" from her upcoming full-length release 'The Train Ride Home.'  On this mid-tempo Pop tune the singer tells a story of a girl who's feeling like she's only a second best replacement for an ex-girlfriend. It's fantastic songwriting by Lena Leon and Shawn Lopes and a great vocal performance from Malynda.

Check the stream below and definitely keep this artist in your mental Rolodex. We'll get into the detail of who she is in March. Stay tuned....

Correction: "Borrowed Time" is a demo song and will NOT be featured on the album.