All Blog Posts Tagged 'Stream' (109)

Yesterday, May 19th was Malcolm X's birthday. Had he not been gunned down at age 39, Malcolm would have been 88 this weekend. Despite being often mentioned in the same breath as Dr. King, it doesn't seem likely we'll see a nationally recognized Malcolm X Day in the US any time soon. The firebrand Civil Rights leader's legacy is still being dissected even among his admirers, and probably will be for a long time. So in honor of his immeasurable impact on Civil Rights, Black…

It's maybe weird to call yourself a fan of a band after only hearing one track, but that's how it went with American Fangs. The first time I heard “Le Kick” on the Afropunk Vol 2 comp I was hooked. I hunted for their album. But no luck. Since 2009 they've released a few singles and an EP and a WWE theme song because why the hell not?…

Are you in the mood for some "homopop, queercore, punk, non-college rock, bullshit"? Brooklyn-based band Aye Nako got just what you need with their new track 'For The Inverted'. Debut album 'Unleash Yourself' to be released on May 31.…

There are some collaborations that seem like they'd make perfect sense on paper, and yet somehow fail to work. (I remember being so excited when I first heard that one of the 90's greatest singers - Chris Cornell - would be teaming up with the 90's greatest rhythm section - Rage Against the Machine - for what turned out to be the 2000's most meh band. No matter how good they may taste separately, nobody wants a peanut butter and goat cheese sandwich.) Then there are other…

The eclectic, eccentric, and prolific Labtekwon has just released 2 new tracks from his upcoming record Evolutionary: The Omar Akbar Album – State of the Art and you definitely owe it to yourself to check it out. Like his previous jams the vocals are less rhymes or lyrics and more stream of conscious beat poetry. There are no hooks. The lyrics only occasionally rhyme or fit any consistent rhythm. And that's sort of why it's glorious.



The first track…

Bam! Pump up the volume and check out hip-hop artist/Def Poetry Jam alum Narubi Selah's new album 'Architect: Sacred Geometry'. The girl goes IN, speaking her mind about social issues, art and more in an explosive brand of slam.

Check out two hard-hitting cuts from the album below and click HERE to download it and listen to…

Toronto-based singer Melanie Durrant serves big voice and musical drama with her latest single 'Gone'. She basically tells it like it is to the "other woman": "he only wants you when I'm gone". Stream it below and let us know what you think. - L.…

Amongst a frenzy of court appearances, media headlines and blog posts, Lauryn Hill released new music this past Friday. On her Tumblr, she addressed her disliking for having to rush the release of new material, necessary in order to meet a legal…

Metal has always had a fixation on the mystical and magical. From the occult and demonic fixation of doom metal to the D&D Monster Manual of power metal. The fierce low guitar, thundering drums, and classical technicality convey something larger than life, something more epic than ordinary reality. So it makes perfect sense that UK based Vodun would base their music around West African Vodun rituals and Loa (Haitian elemental spirits).…

It's hard not to love pop music that you can get lost in. Far too often the artists get as far as a killer hook and declare “good enough.” More and more pop music just kind of coasts without bothering to flesh songs out with arrangements worthy of their hooks. So you have to respect a band like Meridian who pack their tracks with layers upon layers of texture and detail.…

Malian musician Bassekou Kouayte comes from a rich musical and storytelling history. He was born to a musician father Mustapha and mother Yagare Damba a praise singer, so it makes sense that he carries the unquestionable pedigree of African blues. He further explores the cultural shift and broadens its music as Kouyate rises among the Mali musicians alongside greats Ali Farka Toure, Salif Keita, Oumou Sangare and Toumani Diabate.



Review by Jon Jon…

Kelis' track 'Jerk Ribs' that we told you about last week is now available as a free download. It was produced by Dave Sitek of TV on the Radio. Grab it, you know you want it! + her new album is coming out in September on Sitek's label Federal Prism.

Happy May Day! It's class warfare week at SoundCheck apparently (ok fine, it's always class warfare week). The appropriately named Rhetoric out of Springfield, MA are an explosion of political metalcore. Their songs are almost more anti-capitalist polemics than songs. (Polemic would also be a pretty rad band name. Just saying.) Brutal bursts of guitar and drums thunder and rattle beneath AP member …

What happens when Erykah Badu, her cousin Jah Born, DJ Big Texas, RC Williams, Symbolyc One, Rob Free, PicnicTyme, A1 + HeadCrack (on voice box) produce beats during a live jam session in Dallas, Texas? The Cannabinoids, 'The Beat Tape VOL.2'! 21 minutes of badass beats with additional production & arrangements by Mike Chav. Pump up the volume and check the mix below already! It's a free download. - Lou C-D…

Botswana-based death/metal band Wrust released their new song 'Spiral of Torture'. You may remember their video we featured years ago and now they're back with a new album. Rock on! - L.

If you're a fan of retro soul and Motown sounds, Latasha Lee and her band The BlackTies got just what you need. A big admirer of Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, Lee offers melodies, style and visuals celebrating the greats. Check out some of her videos below and let us know what you think. Latasha Lee & The Blackties' self-titled album is out now on …

Now that the full track has been revealed by Mark Ronson on East Village Radio (stream below), what's your verdict on Andre 3000 & Beyonce's Cover Of Amy Winhouse's 'Back To Black'? Did they murder the song in a good way or a bad way? The track is from The Great Gatsby soundtrack.…

For much of the world May Day is celebrated as an international worker's holiday. In America May 1st is Loyalty Day. No. Seriously. While most countries are celebrating worker's rights and international solidarity, in the Land of the Free® we celebrate obedience to the state. But cities across the country are holding their own May Day celebrations. In New York a coalition of Immigrant Rights groups, Unions, and Occupy are organizing a day of action and a march to promote…

There's something about a song that captures the feel of a house party. Many many have tried, but it's a tough balance. Too live and it feels amateurish. Too polished and it feels phony. But Young Fathers hit the right mix with their single “Deadline.” It's built around the most minimal of pieces, a distorted kick drum, a 4 note buzz-saw bassline, and an almost chanted melody. It's got the hand-made raw chaos of a Death Grips production, but with a kind of hypnotic vocal…

This is gonna be hot! UK funkateer-in-chief Omar Lye-Fook's new album is coming soon (June 2013? - there's an album release party in London on June 28). The tracklist and first single have surfaced. The record will feature collaborations with Caron Wheeler (Soul II Soul) and Pino Palladino.

You can stream the single 'The Man' below…