First taste from my  George Benson Tribute...out now.
http://aminpayne.bandcamp.com/album/george-benson-tribute

Download

Amin Payne - Remind Our Souls [George Benson Tribute]

Taken from Jason "ClassicBeatz" Minnis' upcoming album "Rumors of Royalty" out on October 28th.

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Written, produced, and arranged by Jason Minnis aka Classicbeatz
Vocals, lyrics - https://soundcloud.com/desta: www.destahaile.com
Flute - Stefan Bracaval: www.stefanbracaval.com
Vibraphone - Tim Collins
Drums - Aaron McLendon
Rhythm Guitar - Seon Gomez 
Bass - Nathan Peck
Drum programming, percussion, fender rhodes - Jason Minnis aka ClassicBeatz
Artwork - Gian Paolo La Barbera: www.barberaestudio.com.br

More about @classicbeatz:
http://classicbeatz.bandcamp.com
www.laid-back.be/blog/?author=141

ClassicBeatz - In The Garden feat. Desta

Lady 1943

Rock Daniel

Buy / Stream it here: https://orcd.co/leftoearlybird

Belgian DJ and tastemaker Lefto announces his latest compilation album, entitled ‘The Beauty is Inside’, on BBE Music.

Eclectic sounds ranging across genres and continents make up the 19 gems contained on ‘The Beauty Is Inside’, all deftly linked together by Lefto’s unrivalled taste and deep musical knowledge.

“You can’t sleep on Lefto! He’s always on it...” - Gilles Peterson

As well as showing respect for some somewhat unsung heroes from the past like Ethiopian singer Alemayehu Eshete, South African singer and actress Patience Africa and Spanish composer Pedro Ruy-Blas of seventies fusion band Dolores, Lefto looks to the future, showcasing young soul and electronic artists, including D.C.’s Dreamcastmoe, Pasadena’s Qur'an Shaheed, Regal86 from Monterrey, Antwerp’s abrahamblue and Elisa Bee from Milan, to name just a few. The album also features an appearance from paladin of the current jazz renaissance Makaya McCraven, and even a track from Lefto himself.

“‘The Beauty is Inside’ is a compilation of original tracks (I personally really like) and tracks from friends who happen to be great artists as well” says Lefto. “They are all pretty much up-and-coming, and deserve more exposure. It has always been my job as a radio man to shine a light on the talented artists who need it the most. We all know how the music industry works, and how hard it is to find your way in that world, so I hope this collection of tracks will give these artists the shine they deserve.”
credits

Iman Houssein - Their Eyes

The Stockholm Jazz Trio playing their own version of the traditional Swedish folk song made famous by Jan Johansson.

Skänklåt Från Floda

Sarah Williams White is the latest signing to South London label First Word Records. Hailing from the ‘Hilly Fields of Lewisham’ Sarah is part of a new wave of artists from her corner of London that includes Mo Kolours, Henry Wu as well as her brother Paul White. 

A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Sarah cites influences including Jamie Lidell, Erykah Badu and PJ Harvey as well as more contemporary acts such as Hiatus Kaiyote and Thundercat. Her sound mixes soulful, intricate vocals with subtle beats and layered harmonies.

This approach is writ large across ‘Hum’, the first single taken from her debut mini-LP ‘Of The New World’ due out later this year. Over a skittering beat Sarah showcases both her deft songwriting and breathtaking vocal abilities. Her deceptively intricate production is pulled together with a catchy hook and backed with layers of handclaps, percussion and vocal melodies.

Also included in the single package are two remixes - first up, Sarah’s brother Paul (Golden Rules / One-Handed Music) creates a shimmering, eerie backdrop for Sarah’s vocals, adding darker textures to stunning effect. It confirms Paul’s status as one of the most interesting musical talents that the UK has produced over the last few years. First Word’s own Quiet Dawn has also contributed a mix, taking the track into a more sensual territory, with live bass and subtle guitar creating a neo-soul vibe reminiscent of Jill Scott.


Sarah Williams White - Hum (Single Version)

Black Dignity

Have It All

An unexpected slice of funk from Liz Damon’s Orient Express, a successful pop music troupe from 1970s Hawaii.

https://alohagotsoul.com
https://lizdamonsorientexpress.bandcamp.com

Culled from an obscure corner of the band’s catalog of classy cover songs, “Woota (Feelin Good)” is a welcome departure into original funk-and-groove territory, penned by bassist Dennis Osurman and drummer Randy Isaki.

Liz Damon's Orient Express - Woota (Feelin Good)

And Yet It's All Love

Westside

Ikebe Shakedown, the self-titled album from the Brooklyn-based band, plays with elements of cinematic soul, Afro-funk, deep disco, and boogaloo in all the right ways.  After spending a few years together the group, named after a favorite Nigerian boogie record (and pronounced “ee-KAY-bay”), delivers a driving set of tunes featuring a mighty horn section anchored by tight, deep-pocketed grooves.

“Right now in cities across the globe, there are plenty of great Afrobeat revivalist bands aping the sound and groove of Fela Kuti’s legendary sound.  Yet, surprisingly few of the new groups have strayed from an orthodox interpretation of the genre or done much real innovation…Ikebe Shakedown is here to change that.  The band takes signature Afrobeat elements—big unison horns, slinky bass lines, tight little guitar licks—and blends them with tasty grooves culled from ’70s-style horn-driven funk”. – Marlon Bishop, WNYC

The Ikebe debut for Ubiquity Records sees the band push their globally-informed sound and eclectic approach to tune-writing into new territory. “Self-titling the album is a way to introduce the audience to the many facets of the band — to provide a more complete understanding of what we do,” bassist Vince Chiarito says.  “Our sound has grown to incorporate our influences without overtly representing any one in particular.  It just sounds like us,” he adds.

Most of the rhythm section met at Bard College, and the band rounded-out and officially formed when everyone settled in Brooklyn in 2008.  From there, Ikebe has emerged as a compelling voice on the progressive local scene.  After a run of dates around NYC, the band recorded their debut 7” single and the EP, Hard Steppin’, which was released on Colemine Records in 2009,receiving high praise from critics and fans alike.  The group was invited to record at Dunham Studios with producer Tom Brenneck and at Killion Sound in Los Angeles, home of engineer Sergio Rios of fellow Ubiquity act, Orgone.  “The studios share a lot of similarities — the tracks were all cut live to tape with minimal use of headphones and overdubs.  This basic approach allowed us to dig in and really focus on getting dynamic performances,” Chiarito explains.

The old school mentality to recording spills over in lush, laid-back, and soulful funk joints like “Kumasi Walk” and “No Name Bar,” where the multi-layered horn section plays off a cavernous backing track of slick drumming, spacey Hammond organ, and nimble guitar riffing.  The cinematic soul sound is warm and deep, with the 7-piece band sounding more like a larger ensemble as increasing layers leap from the tape.  At the other end of the BPM counter, on “Tunjunga,” the band build a gritty African disco jam boasting a floor-filling percussion section, adding seductive guitar licks and an irresistible bass-line to set the horns ablaze. “Tame The Beats” is pure fire — bold melodies and heavy rhythms propel the song, with Meters-esque breakdowns providing only brief respite from the action.

Pepper

Butterscotch, the vocal percussionist virtuosa, uses her powerful voice to defy gender and music social constructs. She began her career in the underground male-dominated beatbox battle scene, where she was crowned the world's first female beatbox champion. Butterscotch blends Hip-Hop, Jazz, Soul and Reggae and her shows are emotionally and physically invigorating with her trifecta fusion of singing, beatboxing, and playing either piano or guitar simultaneously, or creating endless layers on her loop station. With a voice reminiscent of Billie Holiday and rap verses comparable to Lauryn Hill, Butterscotch courageously sings about her love life, depression, and daily struggles of being a biracial queer woman of color. Her philanthropic mission is to empower and elevate people through music and compassion.   

Butterscotch has opened up for Erykah Badu, Earth, Wind & Fire, Thievery Corporation, Sergio Mendes, Wyclef Jean and other musical legends.

Have It All

Butterscotch

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