Common's new album " Black America Again " RAP ROYALTY

I've been a huge fan of Lonnie Rashid Lynn,JNR aka Common ever since I heard his debut album " Can I Borrow A Dollar " in 1992.....24 years ago brothers and sisters !
My personal favourite is 2005's " Be " featuring " The Corner " with seminal " Last Poets ".....rap GENIUS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mnKNr2Tiq8

and " They say " featuring Kanye West and John Legend

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_OmxdXkdNM

I followed his career ,including the brilliant Oscar-winning " Glory " from the movie Selma

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUZOKvYcx_o

 but wasn't sure if he would make another great album......little did I know, as his new album  " Black America Today " may just be his very best ....from the opening " Joy And Peace " featuring the MIGHTY Bilal this album is utterly brilliant .
Classic Conscious lyrics featuring some of SOUL's very best including Stevie Wonder and more Bilal....brilliant production....pure HIP-HOP
" Home " featuring Bilal once again represents all I LOVE about SOUL music and RAP...it's glorious...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-TQc9-3U_Y

Listen to Black America Today NOW.......
The Soul Guru loves YOU
xx

The Fedz...The most significant British Black Music Collective since Soul II Soul

 I write this blog because I LOVE music ...especially all types of  British Black Music,Electronic ,Drum & Bass and Hip-Hop ( aka Rap/Grime ;-) )  ( I loathe EDM and all that crap ) .

 In my long and illustrious career I was fortunate enough to sign Loose Ends,Soul II Soul,Maxi Priest,Leftfield,Grooverider and more unique innovative acts who shared a simple common denominator...they made great original music that changed the perception of British music all over the world .

I signed Soul II Soul 28 years ago ....it seems like yesterday....and in the intervening years I haven't heard another artist/band or collective who come close to having the same impact musically and culturally ....until 6 weeks ago when my great friend  Garfield Hackett sent me a video by The Fedz to their debut track " What's My Name "....I was blown away 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-e9O4ti0Swsh Black Music

Since then I've heard 6 more tracks and been to the studio to meet the man behind the project  the LEGENDARY Dennis Bovell ,and one of his co-collaborators ,the mysteriously named Q .

For those of you youngsters unfamiliar with Dennis's  history he was bass player in iconic British reggae band Matumbi and was a long-time collaborator with the great Linton Kwesi Johnson...my personal favourite album of his is his incredible collaboration with Steve Mason " Ghosts Outside "

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9j7cUnkka8

The Fedz are simply brilliant...a true collaboration,a collective meeting of incredibly talented musicians dedicated to creating outstanding music.....I'm lucky as I've heard the music...suffice to say that it's the best British Black Music I've heard since Soul II Soul....and I've never said that before 

The collective have an amazing vocalist..Karmie ( forgive me if I got the spelling wrong Karmie ) whose voice is unbelievable...effortlessly soaring with clear and precise diction .

The songs are brilliant ...real songs with real melodies ,great lyrics and choruses.....wait til you hear " Imagine " 

Mista Jam and Clara Ampho are on the new track " Best I Ever Had " and it was featured on Steve Lamacq's " Round Table " show on 6 music yesterday

The Fedz gonna be HUGE.....get onboard now !

New music from Frank Ocean,Mac Miller and Danny Brown

Apologies  to all you believers,non-believers and don't knows....The Soul Guru has been listening to a lot of new music but  I haven't felt inspired to write about a lot of it as the majority of what I heard was just mediocre rubbish .
 However there exceptions...but not always for the right reasons.....
Once I heard Frank Ocean's brilliant first releases in 2011 ,Novocane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMfPJT4XjAI

and Swim Good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmN9rZW0HGo

then his phenomenal debut album " Channel Orange ", in 2012 I believed he could be a worthy contemporary successor to Marvin Gaye due to his intensely honest and personal lyrics .
In August this year Frank Ocean released his second studio album " Blonde " . I was so excited....bought it the day it came out and settled down to listen to more great music .
To begin with I was confused by the album but thought if I stuck with it more would be revealed ....after a month of listening I came to the conclusion that far from being a work of genius it was pretentious self-important rubbish.....just like Terence Tent D'Arby's dreadful second album " Neither Fish Nor Fowl " .
He obviously didn't have a label or A&R guy strong enough to tell him the truth about the album .
Blonde is a MAJOR disappointment

I love it when folk introduce me to new music ...especially when either of my sons - Jamie and Callum- play me something I really like .
I was staying with Jamie a couple of weeks ago and he said " Dad have you heard Mac Miller's new album " The Divine Feminine " ? I'd heard tracks from his 2015 album " GO:OD AM " ...100 Grandkids being especially memorable

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDCoM1x7U38

The Divine Feminine is a great listen,a collection of excellent  contemporary songs featuring Anderson.Paak on the brilliant " Dang " ! A classic dancefloor filler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR3GQfryp9M

and " We " featuring Cee-Lo-Green

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XL--KSNxfy8

The Divine Feminine is HIGHLY recommended

Last but certainly by no means least is Danny Brown whose terrific new album Atrocity Exhibition is truly outstanding
His last 2 albums , XXX from 2011 and Old from 2013 earned Danny a lot of critical acclaim but in my opinion Atrocity Exhibition has put him the Premier League of MCs...tracks like " Really Doe " featuring the ubiquitous Kendrick Lamar , Ab-Soul and Earl Sweatshirt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spfsdpuvUyQ

and Pneumonia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs-Dc3_eiV8

demonstrate an artist who has developed over time and is now at the peak of his powers....once again HIGHLY recommended

The Soul Guru loves YOU
xx

New music from Massive Attack & George The Poet.....Oh Joy Oh Bliss !

Good morning friends,fiends,believers,non-believers and don't knows......I am an extremely happy Soul Guru as there is some truly outstanding new music for me to share with you and enjoy...
Initially from a collective whose music has been a constant in my life since 1991's seminal " Blue Lines " album...the MIGHTY Massive Attack and secondly from a young artist who I've written about before...a unique talent....George The Poet

Massive Attack...the name says it all....3D,Daddy G,Mushroom and a galaxy of supreme guest vocalists...Horace Andy, Shara Nelson,Tracey Thorn and Elizabeth Fraser from The Cocteau Twins ,Mos Def to name a few..have been making great music for 25 years and show no sign of stopping thankfully .
This year's " Ritual Spirit " EP featuring Tricky,Young Fathers and Roots Manuva  was their first new music for ages ( released initially via the Fantom app ) and showed that Massive Attack remain a force to be reckoned with ....
Last Friday I awoke to 2 new Massive Attack tracks...." The Spoils " featuring Mazzy Star vocalist Hope Sendoval  and " Come Near Me " featuring one of my favourite British artists...Ghostpoet
The video,Directed by Ed Morris, is superb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY0TZQTwwbk

Massive Attack are true greats of British music, I still listen to all their albums and they sound as fresh as ever and continue to make challenging intelligent music for us,we're privileged to have them improve our lives .....they are brilliant live too !

From true LEGENDS of British music to a new star....George The Poet
I've been writing about George since his debut release " The Chicken And The Egg " EP in 2014 which  tells the story of premature parenthood and insecurity and remains on my stereogram
In the intervening 2 years a lot has happened for George The Poet....

True story...2 weeks ago I drove my son Callum to Newcastle and he was DJing...he played George The Poet and it sounded SO good......" I wonder when we will hear new music from him " I said as it had been over a year since " Search Party "

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akq2dJ9N5Do

Well now we know....last monthe George posted this brilliant explanation of why he chose to leave his label Island Records " No Man Is An Island " ...eloquent,articulate,intelligently expressed it's everything I admire about George The Poet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3wCL91n9bE

Then 3 weeks ago Chase & Status released " Spoken Word " featuring George The Poet.. it's SO brilliant and pointed the way forward

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3wCL91n9bE

Last week George The Poet's " What Do You Reckon " was made available on Spotify on his own George Mpanga label...it's everything I LOVE about his music....intelligent,articulate, humorous but now with a wicked two-step beat.....listen now !

This has been a great week for new music
The Soul Guru loves YOU x

Blood Orange " Freetown Sound " .......today's featured album

From now on I am going to try to blog about new music I'm really impressed by as often as possible....I'd like more to people to read my posts so I'm going to have a go at promoting The Soul Guru on social media .

Blood Orange's new album " Freetown Sound " is another excellent album that I'm enjoying a lot .
Blood Orange is Dev Hynes latest project following his recordings as Lightspeed Champion and Freetown Sound   is Blood Orange's 3rd album....and unquestionably their best so far following " Coastal Grooves " in 2011 and " Cupid Deluxe " in 2013
Dev was named the " 49th Coolest Person In Rock " by the NME in 2007

" Best Of You " featuring Empress of Lyrics was the first track to be made available on Spotify etc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1giWnKWIDo

The awesome " Augustine " already has over 800,000 Youtube views and is one of my favourite tracks of the year
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXtzcViZPGA

check the album out on Spotify...it's well worth it

The Soul Guru
x

Michael Kiwanuka's " Love & Hate " is a truly GREAT Soul album

Michael Kiwanuka's new album " Love & Hate ",released on Communion Records, is a truly great SOUL album.....in my opinion one of the best British Soul albums ever

Michael was raised in that well-known SOUL hotbed Muswell Hill ;-)  and won the BBC's Sound Of 2012 poll

I was a bit disappointed by his debut album " Home Again " released in early 2012...to me it sounded like he needed more time to work on his songs

" Love & Hate " ,released 2 weeks ago,shows that he's spent the intervening 3 years working on his songs....the album is a fabulous collection of great songs ....the lyrics and production are as good as anything I've heard this year ..." Love & Hate " is definitely my album of the year so far .

He's been compared to Otis Redding,Bill Withers,Terry Callier and more but  he reminds me of my idol Marvin Gaye more than anyone .....that's not something I say lightly .

The title track is beautiful.......an 8 minute SOUL opus ,Michael's voice is fantastic as is the production....I wish I'd signed him !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMZ4QL0orw0

" Black Man In A White World " is so relevant today given the state of things in the USA at present....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TYlcVNI2AM

That's what real SOUL music has always done...from Marvin to Gamble & Huff and Gil Scott Heron ..it addresses real issues ...before hip-hop SOUL was the music of social protest......thank you Michael Kiwanuka for bring it back and making SOUL music important again........

The Soul Guru loves YOU
xx

The GENIUS that is Maxwell

Friends,fiends,believers,non-believers and don't knows this week's blog features one of the greatest contemporary SOUL artists who has just released his first album for SEVEN long years.....Gerald Maxwell Rivera...aka Maxwell

Listening to his new album blackSUMMERS'night ,the follow-up to 2009's BLACKsummersnight , the second album of a trilogy , makes me glad to be a SOUL man as it encapsulates all I've loved about SOUL music since Marvin changed my life with " What's Going On " .

I've been a huge fan since Maxwell's seminal debut album " Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite " released back in 1996 . At the time I was A&R Director of Columbia ( the label not the country ;-) ) in the UK so saw him perform at numerous Sony conferences and  in front of a real audiences too - as opposed to Sony executives who must have been the worst audience for any artist to play too .

I've been fortunate to see most of the great SOUL artists live...Marvin at The Albert Hall 1974...Stevie Wonder at his peak many times...Prince - possibly the greatest live performer ever -James Brown ....Maxwell is right up there as a live performer...I was astonished when I saw him for the first time in New York at a Columbia Records showcase ,he was amazing ....I met him afterwards and he was such a lovely guy ,modest but so confident in his talent ,quite rightly .

I've always been drawn to the more enigmatic artists.....Marvin,Curtis Mayfield,Prince,Erykah Badu,to name but a few,and Maxwell is worthy of their company

blackSUMMERS'night features the first single " Lake By The Ocean "
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsSu0bRZEHM

It's brilliant....and listening to it it's clear who Frank Ocean's inspiration is !

It's a joy that after a 7 year break Maxwell has returned with a great album,he sounds better than ever,the songs and production are outstanding....do yourself and stream or buy blackSUMMERS'night asap...it will make your life better

The Soul Guru loves YOU
xx

This week's blog features new music from DJ Shadow , River Tiber and Fred V & Grafix ....ENJOY !

Bon Jour mes amis ...ca va  ? ca va bien merci.....The Soul Guru is still en vacances in Juan Les Pins as you can tell . Over the past 2 weeks my schoolboy French has improved a great deal..long-forgotten words suddenly spring to mind and I can just about make myself understood when I'm speaking French....unfortunately I don't have a clue what's being said to me !

So this week I was thrilled to hear DJ Shadow's new album  " The Mountain Will Fall " ,his first album of original material since " The Less You Know,The Better " from 2011 .
I've been a huge fan since his seminal debut album " Entroducing " released on James Lavelle's legendary " Mo' Wax " label 20 ( yes TWENTY ) years ago .
" Entroducing " was an album comprised of almost entirely sampled material and is a landmark in instrumental hip-hop....if you don't know it I recommend you listen as  it still sounds great .
" The Mountain Will Fall " was only released yesterday so I'm still getting to know it...it's on my headphones as I write this ...but I already love " Nobody Speak " featuring the magnificent Run The Jewels and " The Sideshow " featuring Ernie Fresh

Here's a link to Shadow and Run The Jewels performing " Nobody Speak " on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon .

As with all Shadow's work the album has a menacing feel to it...lots of slow,dark,HEAVY beats give some of the tracks a post-Apocalyptic vibe which I love .

I'm looking forward to immersing myself in " The Mountain Will Fall " over the coming weeks as I know more will be revealed ....RECOMMENDED

Next up is Toronto's River Tiber whose excellent new album " Indigo " was also released yesterday . I must confess I don't know a lot about him ,in fact he first came to my attention as a featured artist on Kaytranada's new album .
" Indigo " is his first album as far as I can tell though he has released a couple of EPs previously...his most well-known track is " West " featuring Daniel Caesar ,here's a link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRYl7J31rrg

It's a good example of the mellow electronica that typifies River Tiber's album....I really like it,it's perfect cool laid-back summer music

Finally The Soul Guru has always LOVED a bit of drum & bass and Fred V & Grafix new album " Oxygen " is a great addition to Hospital Records catalogue of uplifting d&b  . Fred V & Grafix come from Devon apparently( ! ) and they released their first album  " Recognise " in 2014 .
Here's a link to " Ultraviolet " from " Oxygen....it already has nearly 250,000 views !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyDa-D19hN0

My favourite track is " Like The Sun " ,link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mg3zTe3M3s

Talking of liking the sun it's time for me to climb aboard my trusty sunbed and listen to music....a bien tots touts les monde

The Soul Guru loves YOU x

New music ... Kaytranada,Fhin and Cassius from my sunbed in France

Good morning disciples,believers,non-believers and don't knows ...or rather Bon Jour as The Soul Guru is currently en vacances in Juan Les Pins on the glorious Cote D'Azur ....

Today's post features some exceptional new music as usual.....

Let's start with one of today's hottest Producers - KAYTRANADA- and his new album 99.9% . Kaytranada is a Haitian-born electronic musician/producer who has been making excellent music since 2010,initially as Kaytradamus, and since 2013 as Kaytranada.....extremely prolific as well as talented 99.9% is his first album as an artist on XL Recordings...the label that can do no wrong at present .
Featuring a who's who of collaborators...Anderson Paak,AlunaGeorge,Craig David ( who is brilliant on " Got It Good " ), and Little Dragon amongst others ...99.9% is a great collection of contemporary electronic music .

Here's a link to " Bus Ride " featuring Karriem Riggins and River Tiber

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AWipr9KHY4

and here's a link to my favourite track " Glowed Up " featuring Anderson Paak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaWesK-nWts&list=RDyaWesK-nWts#t=0

IF THE LINKS DON'T WORK GO TO YOUTUBE AND YOU WILL FIND THE VIDEOS BY SEARCHING KAYTRANADA.....

99.9% is the perfect album for Summer 2016 !

Next up is an artist who I hadn't heard of until last week......Fhin whose EP " A Crack In The Eyes " has just been released . I don't know anything about him...I think he's French...but his modern melodic and minimalist electronic music is beautiful.......here's a link to " Your Heart Sounds Like " from the EP which is a great introduction to his music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbBYE5IgPPE

and my favourite track " But Now A Warm Feel Is Running "

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9y22-aoNCg

Enjoy !

Finally I'm really excited because the Mighty Cassius have a new album " Ibifornia " due in August . Cassius are Phillippe Zdar and Boom Bass ...a French House /Dance /Alternative duo who have been making music The Soul Guru loves since 1999 and just get better and better .
Ibifornia features collaborations with Cat Pwer and Pharrell Williams ,Cat Power and Mike D and Ryan Tedder ......here's a link to " Go Up" featuring Cat Power and Pharrell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEo2AtKl9RI

and here'a " Action " featuring Cat power and Mike D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA0z0b7tNLg

Cassius's " I Love Techno " compilation from 2011 is still frequently on my stereogram as is Skream's remix of " I Love You So " ....here's a link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVgGte6vlic

That's all for now...a bien tot as they say here ....enjoy the music...you can follow me on Twitter @TheSoulGuru...on Instagram The Soul Guru and Facebook......

The Soul Guru Loves YOU and in this troubled world please spread LOVE

x

Robert Glasper/ Miles Davis ..Samm Henshaw,Age of L.U.N.A....The Soul Guru's first Spotify playlist

Good morning disciples ,sceptics,non-believers and " I don't knows "...once again it's been a while since I last posted ....
This blog is called " Music For The Soul " and this week features some outstanding SOUL music along with jazz and rap...

Without a doubt the album I am most looking forward to is the  Robert Glasper's re-working of  some of the legendary Miles Davis' tracks.....so far the track " Maiysha " featuring Erykah Badu is available to listen to on Spotify...and Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bstfOqQhW48

The album " Everything Is Beautiful " is available tomorrow and features some of Miles' most well-known pieces re-interpreted by Robert Glasper and a host of Soul,Hip-Hop and Jazz greats.....highlights include " Ghetto Walkin' " with Miles ,Robert Glasper and Bilal...it's superb ...." Violtes " featuring Phonte , " They Can't Hold Me Down " featuring Illa J........all available to listen to on Spotify now

If you're not familiar with Robert Glasper's work his " Black radio " album is a CLASSIC


I've a huge fan of samm Henshaw for sometime now....he's a great talent....a British SOUL man of the highest quality.....his latest release " Our Love " is one of my favourite tracks of the year.....a great song, great vocals and an authentic 70's SOUL feel...in fact I'm sure fans of Northern Soul will appreciate the four-on-the-floor beat and exuberance.....HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5-8dffKBoY

Next up is another young UK band who I've written about before....Age Of L.U.N.A....managed by my old friend Kwame Kwaten they are a supremely gifted UK collective whose music combines SOUL and Hip-Hop to great effect...their new single " Sweetness " is available to stream now on Spotify...I love it...it reminds me of The Ohio Players ..

Finally the most important news of the year....The Soul Guru created his first Spotify playlist yesterday.....it's amazing of course....it's available to hear on Spotify at The Soul Guru,on Twitter @TheSoulGuru and on Facebook on my timeline..please follow me on Spotify if you like it....I'm sure you will

The Soul Guru loves YOU

xx

This weeks's new music recommendations....Anderson.Paak,Snakehips and Samm Henshaw

Greetings disciples....The Soul Guru is back in indecent haste with 3 more outstanding new music recommendations....in fact I'm just like a London bus....you don't hear from me for 6 weeks then 2 come along at once....

Even though I'm not as young as I was ( who is ? ) my passion for NEW music still burns as brightly as it did 35 years ago when I joined Virgin Records as the first UK A&R employed specifically to sign British Black Music .
Consequently  listen to new music all the time but also listen when people whose taste I respect recommend I listen to a particular artist ...when 2 people tell me I know it's time .

Julian Palmer  ( Columbia/Sony Senior A&R ) and me have been friends,fellow A&R's and long-suffering fans of " small " football clubs for many years...he's got excellent taste !
Callum Clark has been my son for over 22 years , poor guy :-)
What do they have in common ?
In the past 6 weeks they've both recommended I listen to Anderson.Paak......I'm so glad I took their advice as his album " Malibu " released January this year is ,quite simply,one of the best albums I've heard this year .
Anderson Paak ,aka Breezy Lovejoy , is a 30-year old Californian singer and rapper whose combination of NeoSoul,Hip-Hop and Funk is utterly compelling.....here's a link to " Am I Wrong " featuring ScHoolboy Q from the " Malibu " album ( I hope the link works )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvPeJLcK2Lk

He's signed to Dr Dre's " Aftermath Entertainment "  and performed 6 tracks on Dre's " Compton " album ....and despite being late to the party The Soul Guru is happy to give Anderson.Paak a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Now we come to an outstanding British electro/R&B outfit making great music ( and signed by the aforementioned Julian Palmer to Columbia Records )....Snakehips -  my nickname on the dancefloor 40-odd,in fact very odd,years ago :-)
They first came to attention via remixes for The Weeknd and Banks
e
Their MASSIVE breakthrough came last year with the quintessential 2016  anthem " All My Friends "...a truly great track  ( which has over 20,000,000 youtube views )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3mrYxPLSH4

On April 1st the " Money On Me EP " featuring Anderson.Paak,Malika and Troy Lanez dropped....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS-fXMwMeDo
Again it's great combination of electro/R&B beats and excellent vocals....Callum will be dancing to this all summer I'm sure :-)

Samm Henshaw's first EP " The Sound Experiment " Vol 1 remains one of my favourite debut collection of songs in the last year....released in September last year I wrote about him as a potentially very significant new SOUL artist
" The Sound Experiment " Vol 2 is released next month...I haven't heard it yet but I'll stake my reputation ( not much I admit ) on it being a another great collection of SOUL songs...as soon as I get the EP I will write about it
Samm starts a tour on May 25th in London...The Soul Guru will DEFINITELY be there

That's enough for this week....I hope you enjoy the music
The Soul Guru loves YOU xx

The Soul Guru recommends Kendrick Lamar,Jessy Lanza and Underworld

Friends,fiends,believers,sceptics and " don't knows "........after spending 3 weeks in a SOUL retreat The Soul Guru is back with new music recommendations to soothe your troubled SOUL....forgive the extended break but The Soul Guru is busy working with his fellow iconoclast Alan McGee on our first artist Willow Robinson signed to our label Clark & McGee Ltd via Warner ADA......please go to his Facebook page and watch his cover of Jimi Hendrix's seminal " Little Wing "............https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysLcaaBYqRM.....please watch and share the FACEBOOK version.....thank you all

This blog is entitled Music For The SOUL...but as regular readers will know it's not a blog devoted entirely to SOUL music it's a blog about music that moves my SOUL.....this week's recommendations are an eclectic mix of rap,electronica and dance music.........so let's go :

First up is the MIGHTY Kendrick Lamar...by a distance the finest lyricist around at present in my opinion ....last year's " to Pimp A Butterfly " was an epic...and achieved huge worldwide recognition....suddenly on March 4th a new album appeared on Spotify ( if you're not on Spotify by now you really should be...I'm listening to The Roots now on Spotify )......untitled unmastered ...essentially it's a collection of unreleased demos from the To Pimp A Butterfly sessions but rather than being a collection of tracks that weren't good enough for the original album this album stands as a great body of work in it's own right......Kendrick's lyrics are of their usual stellar standard and the tracks incorporating SOUL,FUNK and AVANT GARDE JAZZ are sublime...it's a great album that is rarely off my stereogram

Second up is Jessy Lanza who's 2013 album " Pull My Hair Back " on my favourite UK label.....Hyperdub....was one of my albums of that year ( I've got great taste as you know ;-)  )
Her new album " Oh No " is out May 13th this year and being an old-fashioned kinda guy I've pre-ordered on i-tunes so have 2 tracks in advance....." Vv Violence " ....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziMk-chH0R4 and " It Means I Love You " ....I LOVE them,Jessy Lanza is a one-off in today's market full of identikit female artists...I urge you to check her out

Third up....UNDERWORLD...whose new album " Barbara Barbara We Face A Shining Future " is already my favourite album of the year as it is ,quite simply,brilliant from start to finish....." Ova Nova " is the best track I've heard this year by anyone .....Underworld ,like their contemporaries LeftField ,Massive Attack and The Chemical Brothers ,soundtracked a golden era for many of us and the fact that in the last year they have all released exceptional albums proves that when it comes to music AGE AIN'T NUTHIN' BUT A NUMBER......I'm older than all of the guys in these bands by the way :-)

Thank you all for your support...I'll always wear it ;-)
The Soul Guru loves......YOU
xx

The GENIUS that is Moodymann,the SUBLIME Submotion Orchestra ,the BRILLIANT Beady Belle....Scorcese & Jagger's " Vinyl "

Friends, disciples, non-believers and sceptics The Soul Guru is back to enrich your lives by recommending some  truly amazing music but unfortunately at present my links aren't working but please read on if you love music...this is my role...to spread love and open your ears to music you may not be aware  of.......it's good for you to make the effort to check out the music I recommend

I have been in love with the music of Kenny Dixon Jnr aka MOODYMANN ever since I heard his first album " Silentintroduction " in 1997.....from 1998 through 2004 his albums "Mahogany Brown " " Forevernevermore " " Silence In The Secret Garden " ( my personal favourite ) " Black Mahogani " and " Black Mahogani II " were rarely off my stereogram.....these albums are an amazing collection of samples,sounds,beats.....Moodymann didn't just moved the goalposts...he changed the whole game...out of Detroit but not Techno his music continues to entrance and beguile me when ever I listen....I'm listening to " Forevernevermore " as I write this and ,as usual,I find it inspiring,uplifting.....and beautiful .

On February 9th this year Moodymann's DJ Kicks compilation was made available...I had looked forward to it for weeks......suffice to say it's every bit as brilliant as I hoped.....individual tracks from Andres,Beady Belle ( more about her later ) ,Big Muff, Flying Lotus and Jose Gonzalez plus an 80 minute continuous mix which is truly brilliant ......

The DJ Kicks series is,in my opinion,consistently the best DJ compilation series ....the Kruder & Dorfmeister mix is a CLASSIC as is Maya  Jane Coles and Nina Kraviz.....

Moodymann is a  GENIUS...listen up NOW !

The second new album I bought this week....BOUGHT not illegally downloaded...is Submotion Orchestra's  " Colour Theory ".....I've been a big fan since I heard their debut album " Finest Hour " in 2011.....I vaguely seeing them live at The Big Chill but I was dazed and confused at the time so it's a bit sketchy...

The new album is a fabulous body of work as opposed to just a collection of songs...there's a big difference between the two 

I wish I new more about the new album  ...it features some guest vocalists...Billy Boothroyd, Andrew Ashong,Ed Thomas.....that combine to make something really wonderful....they are touring from next week...playing Brighton Concorde 2 on Saturday March 12th....I wouldn't miss it for the world.....please take time to listen as it will make your life better

Last but DEFINITELY by no means least I come to tell you about a band  I'd never heard of until I heard their fabulous track " When My Anger Starts To Cry " track on Moodymann's DJ Kicks album....Norway's Beady Belle

One of the greatest joys I have in my life is when I discover, or someone introduces me,to new music that immediately enriches my life.....so thank you Moodymann for doing just that .

I've had to do some serious research here ......Beady Belle were formed in Oslo in 199 by Beate S. Lech  and Marius Reksjo....they have released 7 albums including last year's  " Songs From A Decade - The Best Of Beady Belle " which I am listening to and loving a lot .

I think Jazz/Electronica is the best way of describing their sound....Beate has a brilliant voice...the songs are excellent..the production is TIGHT.... HIGHLY recommended

Scorcese and Jagger's " Vinyl " is brilliant...the new Spinal Tap....Monday 9pm Sky Atlantic...you CANNOT miss this Rock& Roll EPIC

The Soul Guru will return with his links working very soon...meanwhile....The Soul Guru loves YOU xx

Outstanding new music from ,Lineage,Raleigh Ritchie and Willow Robinson

Good morning,afternoon or evening friends,disciples,cynics and non-believers.....The Soul Guru does not judge...he loves all of you

One of the great things about being The Soul Guru is that friends trust me with their new music so I get to listen and enjoy much earlier than most folk.....the thrill of getting a new album or track has never diminished and never will........as The O'Jays sang so gloriously.......I LOVE MUSIC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_1s2UFc_z8

I will begin with the brilliant Lineage whose album I truly love.......multicultural hip-hop with it's roots in Ireland...here is what Alex O'Brien ( founder and key member ) told me :
Lineage is a multicultural hip-hop group made of 3 MC's and 1 DJ :
Alex O'Brien ( Irish )
Miquel Ahumada ( Spain )
Cain ( France )
DJ jus Me ( USA )

Been together 6 years playing and working with a variety of artist including Maverick Sabre....an artist I really like a lot incidentally
Their debut album " From Here And There " is a an amazing body of work...with a traditional Irish feel plus with superb Urban beats
Lineage write produce and mix all their own material in their own studio....I LOVE this album and with Alex's blessing you can hear it here ...

https://soundcloud.com/lineageofficialband/sets

Next up is Bristolian Jacob Anderson aka Raleigh Ritchie but probably most well known as Grey Worm from Game Of Thrones...a character I think is brilliant :-)
Signed to Columbia Records and A&R'd by a friend whose skills I greatly admire and a devoted Hull City fan....Julian Palmer
The first time I heard Jacob was on Typesun's brilliant " The PL " released in December 2013 ..one of the GREAT records, played by Gillies Peterson many times....he called it one of the tracks of the year...quite rightly
Jacob is now known as Raleigh Ritchie for his musical career and his debut album is out later this month I think....I've been listening to it non-stop since I got it and it is a great album....RR is a superb vocalist, his lyrics are SO good " Stronger Than Ever " is my personal favourite but there so many great tracks
Here's the video to " Stronger Than Ever "
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoyMvE5g7f8

This is a fantastic album......HIGHLY recommended to all of you

Last but DEFINITELY not least is a young man called Willow Robinson.....I have to say I have a vested interest as he is the first signing to me and my partner Alan McGee's " Clark & McGee Ltd " label.....Alan discovered him living next door to him ...true
His first single " Stones " is now finished,mixed and mastered...the video will be finished next week and we hope for a release in early May....I can't share it at present but trust me....it's " fucking brilliant " as my son Callum said

That's it for this week...The Soul Guru knows and loves music.....and he loves you too
Spread Love x

New music from Lafawndah,Wiz Khalifa and the genius of Octave One

Friends, Romans and countrymen....I come here celebrate great new music and to praise it.....music is ART..it's IMPORTANT.....it's NOT product to be taken for granted...to be acquired and enjoyed  for free and it's NOT disposable...

After last week's post about the mighty Massive Attack,Underworld and Leftfield the focus is on a 3 artists....the amazing Lafawndah...the great Wiz Khalifa .....and the INCREDIBLE,GLORIOUS Octave One who have taken Techno to a different planet......

Disciples,followers,non-believers and cynics ( you're the worst ) I'm talking NEW music....

Lafawndah's new EP " Tan ".....I LOVE it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TicX8IcImtE

Lafawndah....raised in Paris,grew up in Tehran and Iran and now lives in New York....a very eclectic life that is beautifully expressed on the 4 track EP " Tan "
In collaboration with L-Vis 1990,Tamer Fahri and Nick Weiss of Teengirl Fantasy Lafawndah has created something exciting,unique...impossible to categorise so don't bother trying...just enjoy !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC6JQlIhQsA

Next up is Wiz Khalifa whose new album " Khalifa " dropped this week......like Kendrick , Wiz is a lyrical king with a great easy flow that I like a lot...here's the first track BTS.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU7N6SloCXE

Cameron Jibril Thomaz ( aka Wiz Khalifa ) is a consumate rapper.....intelligent,thoughtful,insightful...
I'm a 60 year-old white guy so I wouldn't presume to be " street " or have any shared experiences with the youth of today....but I recognise  outstanding Soul,Electronic,Drum & Bass and HIP-HOP ( as we used to call it ;-) ).....Khalifa is a really good body of work that sits together perfectly as an album...and I LIKE that ......featuring a group  of collaborators including Rico Love,Courtney Noelle , Ty Dolla Sign amongst others this is rap for the new generation....HIGHLY recommended

So finally we come to the GENIUS that is Octave One.....the greatest techno artists EVER I think....Atlanta-based brothers Lenny and Lawrence Burden have made some of the greatest records ever....Blackwater featuring Ann Saunderson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmg_DtZ0Scw

and current club SMASH " Jazzo " ( Paul Woolford rework )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmg_DtZ0Scw

They recently played live with members of the Tonhalle Philharmonic of Zurich....you MUST watch this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlxL1rdNqFM

It's amazing,incredible,unbelievable....one of the greatest things you will EVER see

My great friend Neil Rushton introduced me to Octave One ....Neil took me to Detroit in the early 1980's to meet 3 young guys making this new music called " Techno "....Kevin Saunderson,Juan Atkins and Derrick May ....the rest is true music HISTORY as I released a double album called " Techno -The New Dance Sound Of Detroit " featuring amongst others Inner City

Now thanks to Neil I am working with Octave One and I am so happy,so grateful....and so honoured....there will be AMAZING new Octave One projects soon....I'm lucky coz I've heard one of them...that's why I'm The Soul Guru

The Soul Guru LOVES you

Age ain't nuthin but a number ...Massive Attack and Underworld better than ever

 Good Morning disciples,followers and non-believers...you are all welcome here in the church of the poisoned mind .

On January 11th this year I celebrated 2 very special occasions :
January 11th 1956...The Soul Guru enters the world
January 11th 1981...The Soul Guru joins Virgin Records as first UK A&R employed specifically to sign British Black Music

If you're no good a maths that means The Soul Guru was 60 and has been A&R-ing for 35 years...not bad for a shy boy from Gloucestershire who fell in love with SOUL music aged 10......so I'm 50 years a SOUL boy too...and immensely proud of it

The reason I say this is because age is the subject of today's sermon....or rather the meaningless of age ......because
AGE AIN'T NUTHIN BUT A NUMBER WHEN IT COMES TO GREAT MUSIC

Last week I bought new music from Massive Attack and Underworld....2 of the seminal bands from the 80's and 90's...and both sound every bit as relevant today as they did then

Massive Attack's " Ritual Spirit " EP is their first new music for 5 years and it is,quite simply,astonishingly BRILLIANT
Featuring collaborations with Azekel,Roots Manuva,Young Fathers and Tricky with 3D ...video to " Take It There " featuring Tricky and 3D is amazing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWSt_q7M3zI

Massive Attack have been a constant in my life for 30 years and it's a joy to hear them making great music still.......

Underworld have also been a constant in my life for 30 years.....EVERYONE knows their classic " Born Slippy " from 1996
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw1J2XGh86Y

Their new album " Barbara Barbara We Face A Shining Future "...surely album title of the year...is due in March but the first track " I Exhale " is just great...CLASSIC Underworld
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvU8wuXQgE8

Along with Leftfield's triumphant return after 16 years away with the excellent " Alternative Light Source " album
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4kwatovztI

Massive Attack and Underworld have been creating brilliant,unique,challenging music for 30 years....how many of today's new " artists " will be doing that in 30 years ? ? ?

The mainstream music business is ageist...I know from personal experience I was written off 10 years ago as a has-been .....well guess what ? I'm back at 60 and about to show everyone just how great I am...I KNOW what A&R is and I've still got great ears...that will NEVER change

The Soul Guru loves YOU
x