Mariah Carey review

I reviewed Mariah Carey's album for Prefixmag.com

Read the review

Kissey Asplund Interview

Taking her cues from artists like Erykah Badu and Vikter Duplaix, Kissey melds genres with an understated yet quirky jazz delivery over butter smooth lounge beats and broken beat electronica. Her debut album Plethora has been creating a stir around the globe, heralding the emergence of a new star in the world of electronic soul.

Read the interview

Kissey Asplund to perform at Strictly Social April 30

This just in! SWEDISH SOUL SENSATION WILL BE PERFORMING AT NU-SOUL'S STRICTLY SOCIAL EVENT ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 30!

Keep an eye out for Kissey Asplund, she’s one to watch for the future! Kissey Asplund Swedish soul sensation, will be making a very special performance in Los Angeles for her very own Listening Party -on April 30th for Strictly Social. Kissey will be showcasing her debut album, Plethora entirely produced by Paris based hip-hop collective Papa Jazz Crew, a unique combination of future electronic soul beats and sweet jazz vocals.

The resulting album is a genre defying journey through jazz, hip-hop, electronic soul, all with a fresh future twist. Kissey takes us through a range of day to day stories of love lost and found, friendships betrayed, relationships on the rocks and even astral traveling.

Her debut single “With You” has received much hype by DJs Gilles Peterson (Radio 1), Osunlade (Yoruba Soul Radio), Marc Mac (4Hero) and Karizma.

Read the Nu-Soul interview with Kissey



RSVP to events@nu-soulmag.com for free entry before 10pm! $5 after! Try to find a better deal in LA!

Sy Smith & Eric Lau reviews for Nu-Soul

Check out these reviews of what are sure to be remembered as two of the best independent soul releases of 2008. You must hear this music!


Artist: Sy Smith
Title: Conflict
Genre: Soul/Hip-Hop/Electronica
Read the review


Artist: Eric Lau
Title: New Territories
Genre: Soul/Hip-Hop/Nu-Jazz
Read the review

War Stories DVD mix

During the Winter Music Conference a mixtape or mix CD is as commonplace as $10 beers, which is why the team at Urban Breakbeat decided to take things to the next level with this special video mixtape. With sounds provided by the incomparable War Stories and visuals by Urban Breakbeat's own VJ Omni, this upfront DVD recalls the grass roots spirit of dance music's early days while utilizing the technology of today.

Jungle Sky's War Stories deliver a rough and tumble drum & bass mix aimed at the dancefloor with ample doses of reggae and hip-hop. The vibe is definitely old school as DJs Frydae and Type-R rediscover the excitement and limitless possibilities of the genre, packing a full night's intensity into a 30-minute mix. VJ Omni leaves his distinct imprint on the visuals, mixing in everything from dancing girls and break dancing robots, to tripped out kaleidoscopes and urban landscapes. The unique visuals can be used to create the perfect vibe for your own house party while the audio mix is sure to satisfy your DnB craving.

Watch the entire 30 minute AV mix by clicking the video window below...

Janet Jackson "Discipline" review

I reviewed Janet's new CD for Prefixmag.com. Check it out. This is a fair and honest review for you Janet lovers don't hate on me.

Read the review

Come celebrate my 30th Birthday!

Nu-Soul Magazine and Soul Union Present another evening of Eclectic Soul Fusion!

Strictly Social
Wednesday April 30
The Last Wednesday Of Every Month

This month we present The Moodstar Recordings Special Edition
Hosted by Lina
myspace.com/linamusic

With performances from

D'Cheri
myspace.com/dcherimusic

Ki Johnson
myspace.com/kijohnson

The Berriz
myspace.com/theberriz

Resident DJs
Destroyer
Milky Wayne
& Myxzlplix

Vintage Artwork & Fashion from VIP Upscale Urban Apparell
myspace.com/vipstyle101

Come early for an exclusive listen to Swedish sensation Kissey Asplund's Plethora
myspace.com/kisseyasplund

Also come celebrate Nu-Soul founder Norman's 30th birthday!

Free with RSVP b4 10pm, $5 after
RSVP to events@nu-soulmag.com
Shows begins at 10:30pm

Strictly Social
Wednesday April 30
Skinny's Lounge
4923 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601
818-763-6581
9pm-2am
21+
myspace.com/lastrictlysocial
www.moodstarrecordings.com

WMC Photos part 2

As promised here are some more photos from this year's Winter Music Conference in Miami! They get crazier by the minute. Still lots more on the way but enjoy these in the meantime!

Lina Interview

Lina is the rare artist that channels the spirit and vibe of a bygone era. Effortlessly merging the vocal style of jazz standards and 1920s swing with a modern production style, Lina has a sound that is all her own. Lina’s third album, the positive and effervescent Morning Star, is equals parts vintage and modern, giving fans more of her timeless and unique sound.

Read the interview

WMC 2008 photos

So I just got back from Miami and the Winter Music Conference a few days ago. I have a mountain of work but the trip was a success! I connected with a lot of old friends, business associates, and partied my ass off!!! Here are just a few of the hundreds of photos my friends and I took. More to come over the next few days and weeks will my brain restarts.

Danity Kane review

Read the review

Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part One

If you haven't bought your copy yet check out my take on the new Erykah Badu album.



Artist: Erykah Badu
Title: New Amerykah Part One
Genre: Soul/Hip-Hop/Electronica
Read the review

Patrick Fillion presents Zahn

I am a huge fan of the erotic comics of Patrick Fillion. His newest series is calleed Zahn and it looks like a gay Conan or something. Here are some cool illustrations from the first issue.



Patrick Fillion's website

Nu-Soul Presents Fusion: A NextAid Benefit April 12

Nu-Soul Magazine and NextAid are joining forces to bring you FUSION on Saturday April 12 at Skinny's Lounge in North Hollywood. This will be a landmark night of future soul and hip-hop featuring LIVE performances from acclaimed Om Records artists Samantha James & Black Spade. All proceeds will go to NextAid to support their mission in assisting children orphaned by AIDS in Africa!

Performances by Om Records newest stars:

SAMANTHA JAMES LIVE


Songwriter/performer Samantha James has spent the past three years honing her estimable skills as a modern-day singer/songwriter within the dance/electronic/soul genre. Her sultry style, vocal cadences, and international rhythms are largely influenced by such artists as Sade, Basia, Amel Larrieux, Bebel Gilberto and Morcheeba.

On her debut album ‘Rise’ for San Francisco based indie label Om Records, Samantha teamed up with producer and co-writer Sebastian Arocha Morton-AKA ROCAsound (Sting, Vikter Duplaix, Fischerspooner, Fila Brazilia and Rick James for the classic finale’ of the hit film Little Miss Sunshine.)

www.myspace.com/sammyjmusic

Read the Samatha James Interview at Nu-Soul

BLACK SPADE


Black Spade’s music is a melting pot of sounds hailing from St. Louis by way of New York, Detroit, LA, and everywhere that hip-hop has carved a distinctive and influential sound for itself. Writing and producing all his music along with MC’ng, Spade’s one man team approach is full of burbling synths, and off-kilter drums while his voice slides smoothly over choruses coated in multi-tracked vocals and skipping roughshod drums.

Spade’s cadence flutters up and down like Pharoahe Monch, but stays introspective like Common. Before you know it, he’ll switch to singing and suddenly his songs become less like hip hop experimentation and more like fully fleshed sketches. At his core, Black Spade is a producer who makes music because he loves to. His sounds are grounded in the past while still sounding futuristic, and most importantly come from the heart.

www.myspace.com/blackspade

Read the Black Spade Interview at Nu-Soul

DJs for the night:

Glenn Red
www.myspace.com/glenn_red

Jayvon
www.myspace.com/jayvon

Destroyer
www.myspace.com/djdestroyer

About NEXTAID

NextAid is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization committed to developing and implementing innovative sustainable solutions to the challenges facing African children. NextAid's mission is to promote community-driven environmentally, economically and socially empowering responses to the AIDS orphan pandemic. NextAid collaborates with individuals, businesses and nonprofits to produce culturally rich awareness-raising projects and music events involving technology, the arts, public education, and volunteer opportunities. From mega-events like the Miami Music Conference and WIRED Magazine’s “NextFest” in Los Angeles to small club and music-related activities, NextAid channels the positive energy on the dance floor across the globe to Africa, thus providing opportunities for concerned individuals to make a tangible difference in the lives of African children in need.

www.nextaid.org

About Nu-Soul Magazine

Launched in October 2006, Nu-Soul bridges the gap between the world of R&B/soul and the underground vibes of electronica, the common factor being a grounding in funk, soul and urban lifestyle. This is a place where the sounds of neo-soul, drum and bass, deep house and breakbeat are a part of the same family. Through fascinating articles, engaging interviews, and the latest reviews, Nu-Soul hopes to open minds to the incredible array of soul influenced music available today.

www.nu-soulmag.com

FUSION: A NextAid Benefit
Saturday April 12, 2008
@ Skinny's Lounge
4923 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601
9pm-2am
21+
$15 minimum donation
All Proceeds will be donated to NextAid

Nu-Soul presents Strictly Social w/ Mike the Poet & Taniq march 26

Soul Union and Nu-Soul Magazine present another evening of Eclectic Soul Fusion!

STRICTLY SOCIAL
Wednesday March 26, 2008

Featuring performances from

Mike The Poet
www.myspace.com/mikethepoet

Taniq
www.myspace.com/taniq

and Guest DJ Seven57
www.myspace.com/emayday

Show begins at 10:30

Join us for a special pre-show listening session of Lina's new album "Morning Star" available on Moodstar Recordings with plenty of giveaways!
www.myspace.com/linamusic

The night will also feature the fresh artwork of Ritzy Periwinkle!
ritzyperiwinkle.com

FREE with RSVP to info@nu-soulmag.com
$5 without

@ Skinny's
4923 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601
www.skinnyslounge.com
www.myspace.com/lastrictlysocial
www.nu-soulmag.com