Vanessa Elisha - 'Don't Go' EP

I've been chomping at the bit to hear this EP and it's finally here! Fresh off of Memorial Day weekend, Aussie soul singer Vanessa Elisha delivers her first EP 'Don't Go.' I've been saying I need to put all new music in my car and this EP is just the right push I needed to clear everything out.

Vanessa has already made a significant imprint on the indie R&B/Soul scene with her singles "Home to Me" and "Blur" and now has 3 more goodies to fill out her EP. She has a really great thing going with producer GXNXVS (genius) and 'Don't Go' is an extremely strong debut because of it. I always enjoy the contrast of hard and smooth and they have just that with GXNXVS' 808 laced tracks and Vanessa Elisha's soft and sensual vocals.

I can't wait to hear a proper album from this girl. She put her foot in this joint!

Grab the stream and download below...

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...

Klaviar - "HealingPain" Music Video

In the midst of all of the chaos that has ensued since the bombs exploded at the Boston Marathon, there have been deaths, tears, pain and so many unanswered questions. It is times like these when art and music can sort of make some sense of the madness and help heal some of the pain.

Songwriter and director Klaviar is the first to touch on the subject publicly with this beautiful music video for the aptly titled "HealingPain." Clearly crafted before the Boston tragedy, Klaviar tastefully carries the theme of healing over and leaves a strong visual imprinted on viewers' minds that has you rethink the entire lyric.

Though not entirely new to my radar, I was unaware that Klaviar is a songwriter. He first popped up as director for Madison's "As the World Turns" music video. Now, he's flexing both skills (at the same damn time) and doing so with skill. This is a really strong work on both fronts and I'm really impressed. Fans of The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, etc. will really find something to latch onto.

You already know...


Klaviar - HealingPain (Official Music Video) from King Klaviar on Vimeo.

Fjer - 'A New Start' EP

Meet Danish born singer Fjer. The singer, songwriter and producer recently relocated to New York, signed a deal with new imprint Quintic and released this 6 song EP, 'A New Start.' If you're one of those "this is my year" bots, you're already behind schedule. Fjer is puttin' in WORK.

The soul infused vocals of Fjer over bass heavy electro beats is like Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey. Very easy to digest but the content is no joke. From the opening note of "Long Nights" (my favorite track) she draws you in. She then has her way with your sensibilities and then finally drops you off in deep space on "Against the World." It's really dope music with great range.

The intro has a Bjork like feel and the title track "A New Start" is very Imogen Heap in approach but overall Fjer has solidly established herself as an individual. I'm looking forward to hearing a full on project and hearing how she marries her Danish roots to her new life here in America.

Free stream and name your price download of the EP below...

Bad Rabbits - "Doin' It" Music Video

image via band facebook page

I always hear that the proverbial "they" don't make 'em like this anymore. Well, Bad Rabbits is proof that "they" do.

Taking inspiration from the sights of the 70's and sounds of the 80's the funk/soul/punk/rhythm and blues band Bad Rabbits gives another amazing song and visual called "Doin' It." The track is a grab from their full length album 'American Love' releasing May 14th.

It's an otherworldly mashup of melodies and harmonies that moves straight past your ears and makes a speedy detour down to your ass. These guys are really in their own lane and I LOVE IT! I haven't been this excited about a funk band since Mint Condition. Bad Rabbits are the next big deal.

Check out the video below and dust off your Cabbage Patch dance...

Baiyu - "Surface"

It's crazy how this year is flying by. It's March already! As promised, a new month means new music from Baiyu.

This time we're hit with a rhythm heavy uptempo track called "Surface." A tribal feeling poetic song produced by Polo Crew about finding one's way through trials and tribulations (whatever they may be) to the truth. Navigating the darkness to find glory in the light.

As usual, Baiyu completely aces it and adds another significant ribbon to her already heavily decorated rack. She's lookin' like the Champ out here for 2013!

This is my favorite release so far. I feel like this could have been slotted in her last album 'Hunter' which I do not remove from my car, by the way. I feel like she could have easily switched "Surface" with "Lost in Lisbon." It's a really strong track and while I love pretty much everything that she touches, I'm really motivated by her uptempo work.

Get into the free stream and download below...  

Bad Rabbits - "We Can Roll" Music Video

image via AfroPunk.com

Sweet mother of all things soulful...

This song right here is so not of this time and place. I'm stirred up inside and I just want to jump up and down in front of my desk. I ain't tryin' to get fired though. This blog doesn't pay. I'm toe tappin' with a vengeance though. Belee dat.

Having the opportunity to experience Bad Rabbits music live before hearing them on record amplifies what they do in ways I can't verbalize. I saw them in the dead of summer at AfroPunk Festival in Brooklyn. The weather was perfect, the music was incredible and the energy was beyond inspiring. I remember the band stopping me dead in my tracks when they started their set.

They've done it again with this new video for "We Can Roll." (Shout out to Dirty Souf Yankee for posting it.) I wanted to hoot and holler as soon as the vocal drops! If we had "jook joints" in 2012, Bad Rabbits would be the house band for the night and I would certainly be cuttin' a damn fool on the dance floor. Lawd haf marcy this track is BONKERS!

Brace yourself....

Chrisette Michele - "Charades" Music Video

Since her debut, I've been waiting for Chrisette Michele to hit that Urban/Soul pocket. Through 3 albums, she hadn't quite settled into a comfortable commercial space that matches her talent. Now, I admit that I didn't listen to the 3rd album but that sort of reiterates my point. She is incredibly gifted but was marketed to the wrong demographic.

Chrisette Michele is arguably the most capable vocalist working today. You wouldn't really know that though unless you are a big time R&B fan and keep your ear to the street in that specific world. Though she's received tons of accolades, including a 2009 Grammy, it hasn't translated into a major breakout.

"Charades" is the first single, released exclusively over at StuffFlyPeopleLike, from her upcoming mixtape titled 'Audio Visual Presentation: Audrey Hepburn.'

THIS IS IT!

This is the urban radio hit she's needed. "Charades" is so smooth and sexy. Chrisette looks and sounds great, as usual, but it's all wrapped in a 808 laced syncopated dreamscape perfect for today's "Boss Chick." If this is the way the new project is going, I'm expecting her to really expand her brand this go 'round.

Enough of my yapping though. Get into the video below and look out for an in-depth interview from SFPL in the very near future.

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!

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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

Lianne La Havas - "Lost & Found" Music Video

I ... LOVE ... this woman's work! The weather is far less than ideal today; it's cold and rainy. However, Lianne La Havas' stunning beauty and talent have completely warmed me up. I've watched this video 6 times in a row.

The UK singer/songwriter has been making waves in the US and continuing the trend of UK based soul singers who are keeping "Old Soul" alive while our home grown "R&B" artists venture out into Pop and Dance music. Lianne's 'Lost & Found' EP will release on April 30th but is available for pre-order now. 'Lost & Found' is a re-release of the UK only 4 track EP from October of last year. Adding 2 new tracks and remixes, she plans to continue her push into worldwide prominence.

Get into this beautiful song and video and let me know what you think in the comments.

Baiyu - "Take a Number" Music Video

image via www.baiyuonline.com

It's been a minute since we last got a visual from Baiyu. We've seen that she's deliberate and calculated in her career moves and it has definitely paid off for her. Her FreEP "Fan Fair" was downloaded a phenomenal 200k+ times! That just goes to show you that working a project for it's full lifespan makes all the difference in the world.

"Take a Number" is Baiyu's club anthem for all the girls with scores of lame suitors. The video does not feature Fred the Godson, who's featured on the album version. Either way, Baiyu is a super dope vocalist that stands on her own and I definitely see a breakout on the horizon. If you haven't downloaded "Fan Fair" already, hit the stream/download link below to get yourself up to speed. Enjoy....

Lira is Coming To America

"She's your queeeeeeen toooohooooo beeeeeee...."

South African superstar Lira has hooked up with OkayPlayer and is bringing her soulful sound to the United States. She'll be on a brief tour this month from the 24th - 29th. To mark the occasion, OkayPlayer released this live recording of "Rise Again" for free download. The singer will be releasing a self-titled EP on the 26th, which is also the same day that she will be performing at S.O.B.'s in New York. I will definitely be in the building for this show as this woman's music is awesome. Click the link above to download and enjoy!

Pardon My Fresh presents "The Day After"

 

Click Here to Download

This EP release from Pardon My Fresh Music Group is a post Valentine's day ode to jilted lovers everywhere. With titles like "Stupid Cupid" and "Cupid Must Die", you'd think this is a soundtrack to the Haters' Ball. It's not that at all though. 'The Day After' is a collection of stories about love in all of it's raw and unpleasant moments as well as the flighty and fanciful ones. 

The bulk of the production is handled by in-house producer and Beyond This Point band member Mylon. The disc really showcases how capable a musician he is. Standout tracks for me are "Untitled", "Ex's and Oh's" and "8-Bit Luv". AO gives some great production as well on the 2 tracks he delivers. The two offer up a cohesive funk/soul/alternative gumbo that is a ton of fun to listen to.

If you've ever dealt with the side effects of true love, you'll greatly enjoy the stories and music contained in this project. German DJ Flula Borg handles interlude duty and trust me, they are hilarious. Only Flula could/would threaten to put grape jelly in Cupid's pants or shove one of Cupid's own arrows up his own ass.

Plug into PMF and Beyond This Point at: www.PMFMusic.com