First Ironman, now José James: K-Swiss

First, K-Swiss partners with IM, then with kspace.tv and now with the man.

I can’t wait for José’s sophomore effort, Blackmagic, to drop. I know what I’m buying my family and friends for their 2010 birthdays/anniversaries/newborns/sex changes.

Quietly taking over the world: LeFto

His taste in music is cut from the same eclectic cloth as Gilles Peterson, he’s a Nike sneakerhead, a resident DJ at  GP’s Worldwide festivals and a Brownswood regular, a radio show host at StuBru and quietly making a name for himself internationally: LeFto.

You’re who you think you are

A whopping 11 minutes of symphonic soul jazz. This song put honey-voiced Randy Crawford on the map and makes me dance. No matter what.

Picture courtesy of Steve Greenwood (drop.io wizard)

The Crusaders (feat. Randy Crawford) – Street life (MCA, 1979)

I can see myself go passing by

Here you go. A wholesome blend of soul, hip hop, jazz and funk. You’re welcome.

The Rebirth – This Journey In (vocal) (Kajmere Records, 2002)

Lyrics. Purchase. MySpace. Unwind.

José James’ blend of black magic

“My goal is to combine all the music I love: jazz, soul, hip hop, blues, funk into one thing. And everyday I’m getting closer to that sound and goal.”

– José James

Video courtesy of friendswelove.com [via LeFtOoO @ Brownswood]

All school flavor on your iPhone

The iPhone version of the LDBK player is now available in Apple’s application store. This is definitely the way forward for the radio concept that’s slowly but surely taking over the world of online radio. The LDBK player is nothing short of a grassroots media revolution. I’m supporting this any way I can.

Nicolay’s Nautilus tribute to Bob James

One of the most sampled songs in hip hop history, Bob James’ Nautilus, as interpreted by The Foreign Exchange’s Nicolay. Strictly niceness, yes sir.

Nicolay – Nautilus (Nicolaymusic.com, 2006)

Beautiful Music Volume One – DJ Bopstar

A beginner’s guide to jazz. That’s what DJ Bopstar offers in his Beautiful Music Volume One podcast. Jazz is like wine. If you can look past the ‘highbrowness’ of jazz (and wine) a whole universe of flavors, aromas and meaning opens up. Listen, download, unwind. Cheers.

Tracklist:

Gary Bartz ‘I’ve Known Rivers’
Ahmad Jamal ‘Stolen Moments’
Flora Purim ‘Black Narcissus’
Joe Henderson ‘Black Narcissus’
Moe Koffman ‘Days Gone By (Egyptology)’
Robert Glasper ‘I Remember’
J-Life ‘In A Dextrous Tone’
Carleen Anderson ‘Mama Said’ (Straight ahead mix)
Dee Dee Bridgwater ‘Little B’s Poem’
Doug & Jean Carn ‘Naima’
Tarika Blue ‘Dreamflower’
Louis Armstrong, Leon Thomas, Pharaoh Sanders ‘The Creator Has A Masterplan’
Billy Harper ‘Cry Of Hunger’ (excerpt)
Charlie Mingus ‘Theme For Lester Young (aka Goodbye Porkpie Hat)’
Quite Sane ‘Short Stories’
Nathan Haines ‘Wonderful Thing’
Alice Coltrane ‘Turiya And Ramakrishna’
Cassandra Wilson ‘A Little Warm Death’
Jon Lucien ‘Luella’
Leroy Hutson ‘Cool Out’
Minnie Ripperton ‘Can You Feel What Im Saying’

Back for more: The Louie Gee Ensemble

Mature, soulful, wholehearted. All that and then some in The Louie Gee Ensemble’s sophomore effort, You belong to me. Monique Harcum’s vocals and the Ensemble’s musical pedigree lend this track a ‘worldwide’ feel. Homegrown, quality entertainment. I bow humbly.

The Louie Gee Ensemble – You belong with me ft. Monique Harcum (LDBK, 2009)
Big up to Julius for keeping me in the know. Much appreciated.
For more quality music by The Louie Gee Ensemble, play some Scrabble.

Blu is the color of my true love’s hair

It’s ironic that the best hip hop songs – a genre known for misogyny, heterosexual normativity, violence glorification and hollow consumerism – are about love. Here to demonstrate that irony once again is Blu. His latest mixtape is certified dope. Love, love the Billie Holiday sample in “Amnesia”. Tracklist and download after the jump.

[Via Souled On]