ArtHaus Music Report

Club treasure is Pure Gold

2011-10-08T11:29:00.000-04:00

ArtHaus snapshot review. JD73 Pure Gold is not your average club music album. Invoking the musical creativity of genre-bending 80’s JD73 aka Dan Goldman along with guests have created a soulful club music album rich in beats and melodies. Pure Gold lives up to its name with guest to include Nate James, Ella May, Fuzzy James and John McCallum. Pure gold is just that musical pure musical genius.

Reel People feat. Darien - Sure (Album Mix)

2011-01-22T00:43:00.000-05:00

More good music from Reel People

The American Music (what is there to) Award.

2010-11-22T00:45:00.003-05:00

I opted out of watching the American Music Awards to night. It seems that with so little original music out these days I am wondering what is being awarded. Creativity is now the responsibility of producer and not the artists. Creativity the art of song should be the creation of the artist and the producer should fine tune said vision. I am tired of how each song(I am speaking of today's R&B and so called soul music)sounds like the previous radio rotated hit. Why are so many "popular" R&B artists so not willing to think outside the box and give the people something new? Those who take the time to listen to the radio cannot deny that so much of what is played sounds the same, with that being said I ask "Where is the creativity?!?!". Award shows are too much like radio, year after year the same artists perform only to sing the same thing year after year. I opted out I would rather watch a football game at least I can stay captivated by not knowing whats gonna happen next. Which is more than I can say about these award shows that all award the same people for the same song.

Jamiroquai - White Knuckle Ride "Full Vsn" HD 2010

2010-09-11T00:45:00.000-04:00

amp fiddler - Heaven (Feat. Stephanie McKay - Afro Strut (US

2010-09-02T16:37:00.000-04:00

Beautiful song

The Crusaders - Sweet 'n Sour

2010-08-13T21:45:00.000-04:00

Mamas Gun - You Are The Music OFFICIAL VIDEO

2010-08-13T21:03:00.000-04:00

SLEEP WALKER/沖野修也 / THANK YOU feat.Navasha Daya(Fertile Ground)

2010-08-06T01:20:00.000-04:00

Reel People - So Amazing (Video by Hi-Grade Cinematics)

2010-08-06T01:14:00.000-04:00

brainstorm "lovin is really my game" 1977 disco pop

2010-08-06T01:13:00.000-04:00

ROTARY CONNECTION-"I AM THE BLACK GOLD OF THE SUN" (1971)

2010-08-06T01:11:00.000-04:00

DJ Cam / Bounce

2010-08-06T01:09:00.000-04:00

Marcina Arnold - forefathers

2010-08-06T01:07:00.000-04:00

Gerardo Frisina - Will You Walk A Little Faster - feat. Norma Winstone.wmv

2010-08-06T01:06:00.000-04:00

Naturally 7 Wall of Sound

2010-07-31T23:26:00.002-04:00

Check out these brothers. Naturally Seven are: true vocal talent + creativity = some really good ish.

Zo! - "This Could Be The Night" Official Music Video

2010-07-26T18:45:00.000-04:00

Damn this is good. Please support Zo!

Seu Jorge and Almaz - Everybody Loves the Sunshine (2010) + MP3

2010-07-26T18:31:00.001-04:00

I have enjoyed so many covers of this Roy Ayers Classic. This one by Brazilian singer/actor (City Of God) Seu Jorge & Alma. Is so cool and laid back.

Incognito - Gotta (Featuring Ursula Rucker)

2010-07-26T18:22:00.001-04:00

Awsome Track featuring Ursula Rucker. This Incognito album will be released tonight ar Midnight!!!

Sade - Make Some Room / Room 55 (2 B-Sides)

2010-07-25T19:30:00.001-04:00

I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Kiss of Life B-side Room 55. Just fast-forward to 4:52 and walk into room 55, you never know what awaits.

Incognito is back with Transatlantic RPM

2010-07-08T18:59:00.004-04:00

Incognito is back with Transatlantic RPM, their 13th studio album in 30 years. Led by musician/producer Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick. For Transatlantic RPM, Incognito will be include guests Chaka Khan, Leon Ware, and Christian Ulrich of Tortured Soul and Cooly’s Hot Box. Incognito regulars Maysa, Joy Rose, Tony Momrelle, and Vanessa Haines will be on this album which due out as an import on July 26th

Incognito + Smooth Jazz awards??

2010-06-16T19:44:00.010-04:00

Don't get me wrong I enjoy smooth jazz from time to time but I am at a lost at how Incognito is nominated for the first annual Smooth Jazz Awards. I being a loyal fan of Incognito for many many years is at a lost at how its such a challenge to find an American radio station that actually plays incognito. But back to my point how and when did incognito become smooth jazz? Due to their fusing of so many music styles and the soulful tone to most if not all their music I think there are r&b and soul.

Since when did it become so that if you have lead vocalists who can actually sing, live instrumentation it is labeled Adult Contemporary or Smooth Jazz?!?! Its no wonder the hip-hop infused, sample heavy so-called songs thats now the norm is being missed labeled as R&B and Soul. Having one female who can play keys should not be the exception in the "MUSIC INDUSTRY" musicians should be the norm.

AyeJay Da Muzik Hunta

The talent of Deborah Jordan

2010-05-22T19:23:00.006-04:00

For those of you who may not know, Deborah Jordan is a vocally versatile talent out of the UK known for her work with 4Hero, Bugz in the Attic, Soundspecies, and more, and the voice behind Silhouette Brown. Deborah is on the scene once again with two projects, one being her solo debut and another being a brilliant collaboration, both that solidifies her place in modern soul. Although Deborah is featured on both albums each album is of its own sound and vision which is just another testament to the vocal talent of Deborah Jordan.

Deborah Jordan

The Light

The Light is Deborah’s solo debut and is full of all the musical nuances we loved about Deborah from previous projects but is still new and refreshing. On “The Light” Deborah gets help from Atjazz, Don Ray, Jneiro Jarel, and Simbad, Supurb on production. Deborah's vocals glide over snapping beats, spacey keys and electronic embellishments. Deborah penned the entire album with the exception of the track Home. Not only is Deborah aa vocal talent, but she is a brilliant lyricist. The message in the music is compelling mediations of love and life. All thought this album has so many producers which is the kiss of death for so many other artists on the scene, Deborah’s true vocal talent does what so many fall short in doing which is create a really unified feel to the album. The Light is masterful mix of broken beat, jazz and soul. The Light truly shines and captures the listener. No summer soul mix tape should be without a cut from this album.

SunCircle

Reborn

Sun Circle is the harmonious duo of producer/DJ/ Simon S of Break Reform and lovely and soulful Deborah Jordan. Together these talented ones created the genre busting album Reborn. Reborn is smooth and funky blend of jazzy beat craftsmanship. Deborah and Simon together raised the bar on the future of broken beat and Jazzy future soul with airy, swing songs anchored by hard heating street beats. Simon created a soundscape of beats and melodies like nothing you have ever heard and Deborah vocally and lyrically take charge on each track. There are a few tracks that step out of the realm of the consistent broken beat to give the album a wider spectrum but it all blends well and the result is just good music. This album is a must have, Trust me.

Reviewed for ArtHaus Music Report by

AyeJay Da Muzik Hunta

Not of This Earth: ArchAndroid album review

2010-05-18T19:13:00.005-04:00

Janelle Monáe
ArchAndroid
Bad Boy Records

What is creativity? By definition it is the mental process of involving the discovery of new ideas and concepts. For those who follow the music scene know that creativity tends to be very intermittent, every once in awhile an artist will do something new or with a new spin and then everyone else in the game will ride that gimmick until is so common when forget the first artist to do such a thing. But there is an artist who is blurring the line of music genres and has come forth with both a persona and musical style that is both unique and quite a pleasure to listen too. Janelle Monáe and her genre busting album is title ArchAndroid, is an album that is a strong contender for album of the year.

I know music bloggers tend to abuse the words genius, originality, and talented but all these words are a perfect fit for Monáe. Her futuristic genre-less sound is a perfect backdrop for her strong subjects and vocal delivery. Monáe has apparently ignored the basic album format and swings and sways so much thru genres that ArchAndroid is not an album you can pigeonholed with a blanket genre type. ArchAndroid is a superior musical journey starring Janelle Monáe and a star-studded featured cast which includes the legendary Big Boi of OutKast, renowned poet Saul Williams, psychedelic dance-punk troupe Of Montreal, punk prophets Deep Cotton, and the Wondaland Arch Orchestra.

ArchAndroid is an endless flow of cyber hip-hop, psychedelic soul and future jazz. Creativity is the mainstay in this album and is so refreshing in a musical world of mediocre drones. The lyrics touch on love, war, and slavery, while the sounds range from the psychedelic Hendrix-channeling "Mushrooms & roses" with distorted vocodered vocals, Pop; and retro Soul; "Locked inside", the Stevie Wonder-esque "Neon valley street" with a lovely guitar solo, while "Neon gumbo" is the Price-esque groove. All references aside Monáe is an exceptional talent she has an album so grandeur in its musical creativity is comes across like a big theatrical production. I see cannot wait to see where this leads.

Reviewed for ArtHaus Music Report
By AyeJay ‘Da Muzik Hunta’

Yahzarah - Ballad of Purple St James

2010-05-14T23:12:00.005-04:00

Yahzarah

Ballad of Purple St James

At times independent music sounds so good its like your favorite meal when your real hungry, something oh so satisfying. Here is something to quench your indie soul thirst. Yahzarah’s new album Ballad of Purple St. James is a well formed artistic vision complete with live instrumentation, strong vocals and real life stories. Yahzarah has a sound so versatile it fits in every shade of funk, soul and hip hop she presents on this phenomenal album. Yahzarah raises the bar with this album. There is something for everyone and that something is just beautiful. The Ballad of Purple St. James has grooves to both dance and make love to. Yahzarah’s voice serves as a powerful driving force all throughout this album.

The Ballad of Purple St. James is something that has not been heard for some time and Yahzarah is not to be compared to her contemporaries. Yahzarah hits notes with a jazz musician’s accuracy and moves the heart of the listener like a gospel singer all the while delivering with the force of a rock star. With work with Nicolay and Phonte this album has raised the bar of talent and creativity. Yazarah covers new ground and redefines some that is familiar. Ballad of Purple St. James is a kick ass, cosmic, funky, soulful, sassy modern masterpiece.

A Quickie Review by
AyeJay Da' Muzik Hunta

Marcell and The Truth - Symbols (album review)

2010-05-05T18:32:00.002-04:00

Marcell and The Truth

Symbols

There are not many soul/r&b bands around these days. The question becomes why that is so. One can say that hip-hop and its commercial success has killed many aspects of R&B/ Soul music, by putting the weight of creativity in the beat and hook instead of the featured artist. As a former singer I will tell you it takes a real talent and discipline to perform with a live band as oppose to a produced track. With that said it can be safe to say (these days) not many of today's singers may possess such talents and the era of the soul band is dead. I am going to present evidence contrary to that belief. Marcell and The Truth are a collective soul of extraordinary talents. Not since a group named Change that featured a then unknown Luther Vandross has there been a band whose sound is such a wide spectrum of soul with such beautiful instrumental and lyrical content.

Marcell and The Truth return with their sophomore project titled Symbols. The sound on this album shows tremendous growth and incorporates equal parts of gospel, jazz and soul. Marcell’s smoky smooth vocals lead this band of musical geniuses who create and move the mood with the simple nuance of a note. Lyrically Marcell sings of minor moments of love and make them grand and special. There is a story behind every groove and you can’t help but fall in love or contemplate the prospect of falling in love. Marcell sings with so much compassion in the songs “You Saved Me” and “Just to be loved” that a love song becomes spiritual in how he moves the listener with his emotional performance. There are so many standout tracks for so many reasons I cannot list them all in this review. “Symbols” is a musical journey down a path less traveled but yet so familiar. Marcell and The Truth’s album Symbols is an extraordinary example of what a real love and talent for music sounds like.

Reviewed AyeJay 'Da Muzik Hunta'

Walking with the Night with Adrianan Evans (an album review)

2010-04-30T18:12:00.008-04:00

Adriana Evans

Walking with the Night

Expansion Records

Adriana is back with her best to date. Adriana’s latest album titled Walking with the Night is a horn driven journey of some good old soul music. Not since her self-titled debut has Adriana dropped such a cohesive and groovy album. The Horn-rich arrangements are brilliant with their retro-soul sound. The rhythm arrangements are quite modern and along with the 60’s style horn arrangements makes for a sound that is both beautiful and original. The sickest horn arrangements can be heard on the stand out tracks "Waiting" and “Love me on the One”. Adriana delivers vocally in such a matter that even her peers will have to take notice. Adriana vocally glides over complex grooves and make it seem so easy. Adriana takes her rightful place as the first instrument like a real singer should.

For those who have other Adriana albums there are a couple tracks that may sound familiar such as midnight and El sol but these are just jazzy re-workings that are just great, if not better than the originals. Adriana’s Walk with the Night is a collection of Jazzy, Soulful jams that is good from first track to the last and the perfect mood setter for a gathering of friends and drinks. Walk with the night is a must have for all Adriana Evans fans and those who want to hear what musical originality and integrity is all about.

Reviewed by AyeJay ‘Da Muzik Hunta’

New Amerykah Part Two (Return Of The Ankh)

2010-03-30T02:40:00.004-04:00

ERYKAH BADU
NEW AMERYKAH PART TWO: RETURN OF THE ANKH

UNIVERSAL MOTOWN

All too often a new artist drops a groundbreaking debut to only fall stale every album later. Erykah is not that artist. Once again Erykah Badu has brought her usual originality and intellect to the game with her latest release New Amerykah Pt. 2: Return of the Ankh. Since her critically acclaimed debut Baduizm, Erykah has been able to sustain and surpass the so-called neo-soul movement that had a 3 year life span starting with the release and subsequent success of D’Angelo’s 1995 Debut Brown Sugar. Now 15 years later Erykah's latest release Amerykah’s Promise Pt. 2 : Return of the Ankh is a testament to artistic evolution and integrity. This time around the sound is funkier than ever and invokes deep thought as Erykah ciphers over funky grooves laced with clever samples.

The sound this time around are more sublime than the black-power-fist pumping mix of New Amerykah Pt. 1: Forth World War, still there is a great set of experimental righteousness that is present. All throughout this new release Erykah channels the vibe of the psychedelic jazz funk of such artists like Roy Ayers and Lonnie Liston Smith. For the keen listener a lesson is taught that so many of today’s MC’s can learn from that as a cipher the strength of the song should not lie in the beat (producers talent) but in the talent and delivery of the lyricist.

Erykah delivers a lyrical swagger that can shut down many a MC in a freestyle battle. The innovation can also be heard in how samples are used. Roy Ayers’s Cant Turn Me Away, Paul McCartney’s Arrow Through Me and Intimate Friends performed by Eddie Kendrick’s are all sampled on this album. But unlike sampling on so many albums these days Erykah use the mode of these samples to create a song that is but fresh and new, yet a little familiar. New Amerykah Part two Return of The Ankh is a great collection of psychedelic-funk-soul-jazz sure to keep Erykah in the game, please current fans and sure to make new ones. New Amerykah Pt. 2: Return of the Ankh is a work of art as music was intended to be.

AyeJay ‘Da Muzik Hunta

“Why Dontcha Call Me No More?”

2010-03-18T22:03:00.012-04:00

A Quickie review:
Yahzarah
“Why Dontcha Call Me No More?” from the upcoming LP, The Ballad of Purple St. James.
Those who know me know I don’t write as much as my buddies in the soul scene but I need inspiration and I am a passionate writer so everything called soul or what my favorite DJ boost don’t move me. I am that dude who thinks that likes something out of the box. I have grown tired of all these soul artists rehashing the same ish album after album. Not since Dionne Farris, Res, Kina and Kelis have I heard a sista belt out a rocked out jam that caught my ear.

Yahzarah had dropped a sweet little gem of a aural pleaser in the middle of the night a few nights ago. THIS IS WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT, This tight track is titled “Why Dontcha Call Me No More?” – For her upcoming LP, The Ballad of Purple St. James. This track is that kick ass ex track with no weepy laments instead it kicks ass like how a spurred lover should. If this is any indicator of what to expect from this highly slept on sista in the soul game then let’s look forward to her upcoming release.

AyeJay da muzik hunta'

Vocally Yours ~ Maysa & Sade album Reviews

2010-02-04T15:22:00.005-05:00

Being a child of the 80’s there was a time when I could turn on the radio and there would be countless female vocalists who had substance and could move one with their voice. These voices were recognizable in their unique phrasing of a single note. Those days are long gone and today’s top female so-called vocalist has created a “fierce “theatrical stage and video persona to make up for her lack of actual vocal capablity. Showing us just how much music has pseudo-progressed since the birth of video and hip-hop. Although they may not get much airplay there are those who can stay fully clothed and deliver an amazing vocal performance. There are two singers whom I discovered in the mid-80’s who still to this day who can sing a song and move an audience like no other and have clearly inspired much of today’s rising vocal talents such as Navasha Daya, Ledisi, Chrisette Michelle and Jennifer Hudson to name a few. These voices of greats are Sade and Maysa.

Maysa is that vocal talent that comes around once in a lifetime. Maysa is a singer who once was once a part of Stevie Wonder’s group Wonderlove to go on to become the best vocalist ever featured in the Acid Jazz musical collective known as Incognito. Maysa’s vocals paired with Incognito’s founder Bluey Munick’s musical genius is the reason why Incognito is one of the few bands to surpass the acid jazz genre and become a band with numerous hits and a longevity usually found in rock and roll bands. After several solo albums, Incognito albums and side projects, Maysa is back with a new solo album titled “A woman in Love” which is so far her best.

This album is a superb collection of handpicked jazz standards and original songs that make for a seamless groove of aural pleasure. Maysa’s dynamic vocals shapes and molds Jazz standards with interpretations in which she makes each her own and delivers with mesmerizing results. Maysa has an uncanny knack of picking just the right songs to cover for her voice, like Barbra Streisand’s “What are you doing for the rest of your life” Maysa will send chills down your spine as she sings this as if it was written just for her. Other standards include Nat King Cole’s “When I fall in Love”,“I put a Spell on you”, “Round Midnight and Willow Weep for me. There are also some great original tunes like the upbeat duet with Will Downing titled “Love Theory” and funky tracks like “Spend Some Time” and “Honey Bee”. The title track “A Woman in Love” is spoken word over a funky groove sure to please die hard Maysa fans and make fans out of first timers. The song “I Am Wrong for Loving You” has the signature scatting that all Maysa fans have heard and love. If ever you’re looking for a real vocal talent and don’t want to listen to stuff from the 80’s well GRAB THIS ALBUM! This is what good music is all about. Maysa is a talent that should be regarded as a national treasure. (Yeah she is really that good!)

Sade ~ Soldier of love

Sade has become an Iconic musical figure with her smoky vocals and music that fused R&B, soul, jazz and soft rock to create a sound that transcended musical genres. From her Grammy winning debut to my all time favorite album Love Deluxe, Sade created hit after hit. Sade’s Lovers rock had elements of her former sound and introduced a folk side of the Sade. Ten years would pass before Sade fans would hear new material.

The much anticipated Soldier of Love is something completely different. The signature Sade song structure is the same but musical production takes a drastic turn. Gone are the rock infused soul grooves and a dry folk sound takes center stage. Compared to her previous work this is a drier meditation of sound that can sound foreign and disjointed at times. The voice is still smoky and the delivery is what you would expect from someone who has been able to maintain such staying power, but this Soldier of love my not win the war for some.
Ayejay ~ Da Muzik Hunta

AyeJay Da Muzik Hunta'

Blaxploitation the sound

2010-01-07T22:04:00.004-05:00

Blaxploitation the sound
Brotherman / Black Dynamite soundtrack review

In the 70’s on the heels of a largely successful independent film Sweetback’s Bad Ass Song and commercial success of Shaft a new genre of film was born. Blaxploitation a term coined by the NAACP & CORE started in 1969 and was destroyed by 1975 by Organizations such as NAACP, Southern Christian leadership Conference and The Urban league which formed the Coalition against Blaxploitation. Within this period of time over 200 films were released and musical masterpieces which are still revered today were created. These soundtracks provided funk and soul jazz songs unlike any that were already in heavy rotation on the radio at that time. Cutis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Isaac Hayes, Quincy Jones, and Willie Hutch to name a few created some of the most iconic of the soundtracks. There are two soundtracks you may or may not have heard that deserve to be acknowledged on this subject.

Brotherman
By Final Solution
The Numero Group 2008

Brotherman was a film that was never created but a soundtrack was produced and released. The group called Final Solution was a little known group, unrecorded group out of Chicago. The sound track has a groove that any blaxploitation fan would be familiar with, but Final Solution had funky sound that was all their own. Lyrically each song tells the story of the would-be scene so well written you can sit back close your eyes and see the movie for yourself in your mind. Final Solution took a truly righteous approach with the heavy rhythms on the bottom and funky bass intermixed with soulful harmonies. The front man whose falsetto brings to mind Philip Bailey (of Earth, Wind & Fire) is the perfect driving force for the soulful swing of funk of the Brotherman soundtrack. Whether you’re a fan of the genre, or just music this is a rare soul gem worth giving a listen.

Black Dynamite
By Adrian Younge
Wax Poetic Records 2009
Black Dynamite is a recent release that pokes fun and pays homage to the bygone film genre. Like such films this movie comes with a sound track that is brilliant in its humor and original soul. Adrian Younge created a masterpiece of soul. What are so important about the soundtracks of the blaxploitation era were the lyrics which gave the groove a story. Lyrics in those songs gave background and told a part of the movie that may not or not be seen on the screen. Younge does this and more with some of the grooviest jams since Donny Hathaway’s Little Ghetto boy.
Black Dynamite soundtrack takes a tongue-n-cheek approach to the homage it pays to the musical era of the time. Adrian called upon the grooves of Gene Page, Curtis, and Marvin for his original songs you would swear was recorded in the 70’s. Adrian recorded with vintage instruments and studio techniques for authenticity and in turn created a masterpiece. You are guaranteed to jam and long for the days when one musical artist did a whole soundtrack. Although this is classic in sound it is modern soul with elements that have long since gone with the genre called Blaxploitation.

Reviewed by AyeJay ‘da Muzik Hunta’

The Contemporary Soul songbook vol. 1

2009-11-02T11:35:00.004-05:00

The Contemporary Soul songbook vol. 1

The Contemporary Soul Songbook is like a treasure chest of undiscovered soul gems. The artists featured on this compilation are extremely talented unsigned or unheard of soul singers. Among the unknown greatness are a couple of indie soul talents who are making a name for themselves such as LeNora Jaye, Antoinette and Tammie Harris. In this compilation there is some straight soul, some jazzy-soul and soul-funk songs make for this complete and varied compilation that never falls flat.

Great and original instrumentation with sultry soul vocals make it no need to skip any tracks on this one. All the tracks are great and groovy but a few standout tracks are Lisa Zure’s “Tongue Tide”, Eddie Sea feat Aaron Sledge’s “India” & Sophia Nelson’s “Over”. With a formula like this and a music industry where true talent is never signed or developed this unsigned soul series is something that will be needed to satisfy our real soul cravings. The Contemporary Soul Songbook vol.1 is ArtHaus approved.

AyeJay Da’ Muzik Hunta

Astral 22 Presents Imperial

2009-10-28T11:53:00.002-04:00

Astral 22 Presents Imperial is a musical triumph, and beacon of light in a sometimes gimmicky and monotonous world of today’s soul music.

There are many soul compilations to chose from what usually makes a compilation worth a listen is not the featured artists, but actually it’s the producer. The flaw in so many soul compilations is that they tend to lack cohesion. Mis-matched grooves collide and tend to miss the mark in the goal of soul music which is to create a soul stirring grooves. Astral 22 Presents Imperial is a crowning achievement from start to finish.

Los Angeles based writer/producer Astral 22 brings some of the best of the soul scene in a showcase of collaborations & re-works. With a strong focus on the music, lyrical content in the signature of of Astral 22's stylistic blend of Classic/Nu Soul, Jazz, Blues and Funk; Imperial is collection of soulful jams that takes the listener to a time where grooves were not looped a featured artists that can actually sing. Imperial opens with a throwback/ cookout jam Fair Play featuring Mz Pat. LeNora Jaye posed the question 'Do you wanna' in a laid back jazzy jam. Rogiers Delivers a soul stirring jam titled 'The Reason'. Stephanie Renee delivered a poets lounge track to close out he tightly knit collection of progressive soul greatness. Perhaps the biggest triumph of all here is the consistency throughout; every artist attached brings their A-game but what else would you expect from this hand picked talents by tremendously talented Astral 22.

The music in this project is the dawning of the Independent label Trans Phatt Records who strives to showcase quality soul music worldwide. “Nu groove with classic Muse" is the mission statement with Trans Phatt Records and is true to form with this compilation. This progressive soul masterpiece is a must have.

Reviewed by
AyeJay Da’ Muzik Hunta’

Nhojj ~ Soul Comfort

2009-10-28T11:46:00.002-04:00

Nhojj ~ Soul Comfort

By definition a tapestry is a heavy cloth woven with rich, often varicolored designs or scenes. Nhojj’s Soul Comfort is a heavy interwoven blend of Soul, Jazz and funk on which Nhojj’s voice floats and swims within creating a soul tapestry like one you have never heard. Nhojj’s sound breathes new life into a bygone soul sound of the Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, and Marvin Gaye era of soul music. Soul Comfort has many elements that come together to create something unique, beautiful and soulful.
Soul Comfort is the work of lyrical and instrumental genius making Nhojj peers with indie soul greats such as Rahsaan Patterson, Marlon Saunders and Steve Wallace. The musical arrangements are mind blowing in their complex simplicity, layers of rhythm and melodies come together like you have never heard. Nhojj’s voice is a soothing aural kiss that will rock and sooth you from the first to last track.
Soul Comfort has many moods; celebration can be found in tracks like Music and Doing m’ Thing. Soulful mediations are the core of grooves Dream and James Donovan. Dance floor / BBQ grooves are bouncy tracks The Light and Peace & Blessings. Grown and sexy passion can be found on tracks Love, Please Comeback and I Like That. The title track is self explanatory and delivers on its promise. Nhojj’s Soul Comfort has grooves for every kind of soul music lover. Soul Comfort comes highly recommended.

by AyeJay Da’ Muzik Hunta

N'Dambi ~ Pink Elephant

2009-10-27T10:40:00.002-04:00

ArtHaus Review: N’Dambi Pink Elephant

Just like an actual pink elephant N’dambi’s new release will not be ignored. N’Dambi makes a triumphant return on her new album; there is an apparent evolution to her sound yet she still hold firm to her funky soul roots. N’Dambi sashays from different shades of funk and soul with a Diva’s swagger and a soulful determination. The grooves here are complex in their simplicity. This album produced my Leon Sylvers is a studio album with all the organic feel of a live set. Pink Elephant is a new sound that will bring back old fans and sure to make new ones. As to be expected the vocals are awesome that flow above serious instrumentation. Pink Elephant is right at home on the Legendary Stax label and N’Dambi fits right in as leader into the new era of funky soul. This album comes highly recommended.

by Ayejay Da’ Muzik Hunta

Steve Wallace ~ Urban Soul-The Album and The Movie

2009-10-26T16:42:00.001-04:00

ArtHaus Review:
Steve Wallace ~ Urban Soul-The Album and The Movie

True artists always have a way of setting themselves apart from their peers; Steve Wallace has done just that with his soon to be released Urban Soul CD/DVD. Once again Steve Wallace has created an amazing piece of work while keeping true to the basics of soul music, Urban Soul is a collection of message songs that addresses the spectrum of urban dilemma from male vulnerability to gentrification. Urban Soul is like a heartfelt letter to the hood addressing concerns and providing hope. Steve has a sound that is a hip-hop flow over a soulful groove rich in soul tradition yet fresh and original.

Steve takes his project one step further by creating a movie that provides a stunning visual as a companion to this modern soul classic. All of the songs on Urban Soul were written, produced and arranged by Steve Wallace. There is a lot of apparent growth in his sound, from heartfelt to hard-biting lyrics; Steve gets his point across while keeping the listener in tune to the groove. Freestyle hip-hop and samples are accents to the modern soul sound that is Steve Wallace. Every song is a treat but one of the standout tracks is when Maya Azucena duets with Steve on the track titled Hip-Hop a soulful homage to the urban born art form. Urban Soul is a journey thru urban life by way of hip-hop funk and soul. ArtHaus highly recommends this album.

By AyeJay Da’ Muzik Hunta’

www.stevewallacemusic.com

www.myspace.com/stevewallacemusic

WELCOME BACK TO THE ARTHAUS

2009-07-05T12:23:00.000-04:00

Welcome Back to the ArtHaus. I want to first thank my followers of Arthaus NYC website in the past and staying tuned in via myspace. ArtHaus is back and ready to be a voice for the indie-scene. ArtHaus is a labor of love for me sharing good music and good times. Be sure to stay tuned for music reviews, interviews and and more.

Soul Grateful

AyeJay Da' Muzik Hunta'

ArtHaus on Myspace