Jhene Aiko - "Mirrors"

Jhene Aiko continues to amaze with her unique sound and delivery. Fans of the soul singer have been anxious for a full project since 'Sailing Souls' but Jhene is taking all the time she needs. 

We're lucky to get this new song and video for "Mirrors" in the interim though. It's no surprise that the beat bangs heavy and Jhene pours the honey on it as we've come to expect. Her signature is lovely and the Topshelf Junior shot video adds a complimentary eerie and dark visual. 

This is one to repeat, folks! Press play...

Public Radio - "T.R.A.N.S."

Public Radio is Paulie Rhyme and producer Deedot. I'm apparently 5 years late to the pairing but the duo has been working the indie and college radio scene with international acclaim and even charting on CMJ. It's pretty much written in stone to go with what works, so Public Radio is back with the first single, titled "T.R.A.N.S." from a not yet named upcoming EP.

They put together a straight Hip-Hop "backpacker" delight with a super dope crunched out Fender Rhodes driven track that's a little bit spacey and a little bit alternative. I'm definitely intrigued by their sound and looking forward to hearing more from them.

Check out the free stream and download. All positive energy, sharp lyricism and quality sound.

Villa - "Stackin Mansions"

Villa's brand strength steadily increases. I always know what to expect from him and producer Brandon Rossi but I never know how it will play out exactly and that's a great thing! The sound is stamped. The flow is perfected. The delivery is strong. That's all around win.

With his new single "Stackin Mansions" Villa continues on his retelling of his rise from obscurity to popularity and all of the pitfalls that come along with the new status. He has a slick way of talkin' that ish and then flipping it around to show that the "extra" is a byproduct of the work and not a goal.

Free stream and download below. Get some.

Rashid Hadee - "Out the Vault"

'Out the Vault' is Rashid Hadee's collection of scrapped material from various projects spanning 4 years of work. I can assure you that there is nothing that says throwaway about this project though. The "all-in-one" record machine has a great collection of previously unheard work that plays from start to finish with ease.

After reading the press release, I expected to hear a bunch of dated material that wouldn't really strike any particular cord for anyone that isn't a die-hard Rashid Hadee fan. To the contrary, it's a timeless group of fantastic lyricism and soulful sample based production that carries the listener away on a cloud of emotion.

Rashid does a great job of doing the Windy City tradition proud and 'Out the Vault' stands up well, even as a "fan project." Definitely check out the 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....