Category Archives: Underrated Artist Spotlights

Let The Truth Be Told: Laura Izibor Is A Star On The Rise

19 Thursday Feb 2009

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones, Underrated Artist Spotlights

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

, , ,

lauraiz1

Every once in a while an artist comes who gives you “that” feeling.

I remember having “that” feeling the first time I pressed play on “Who Is Jill Scott?”

Now I’m by no means comparing Jill and Laura Izibor musically. While I do hope that Laura has even half the success that Jill has had and will continue to have, I don’t think Laura is an artist that needs to be compared to anyone.

My introduction to Laura’s music came once again from faithful reader Soul UK (who thankfully has been inspired to start sharing these discoveries on his own blog which will debut soon).  It took longer than it should have to finally give it a listen. I realized that I had heard her voice before on a couple of movies and television shows and was intrigued then. She has been in constant rotation every since and her album, Let The Truth Be Told, in stores on April 28, has earned a place on my list of highly anticipated albums of the year. It needs to be on yours too.

lauraiz2

Laura hails from Dublin and will only be 22 in May. She’s a Taurus like me 🙂 You know we talented and stuff!

(Aside: I can actually carry a tune but no one will EVER hear me sing. I leave that to my fellow Tauruses Laura and Stevie!)

She started digging in the crates around the age of 13, discovering the joys of Stevie, Candi Stanton, Roberta Flack, Otis Redding and Marvin Gaye and it was love at first listen.

She won a singing competition at 15 and started work on what is Let The Truth Be Told at the age of 17. While working on the album in Dublin, Philly, Atlanta, and New York, “The Soul of Ireland” has warmed up the stage for acts such as James Brown, Angie Stone, and The Roots as well as her own sold out shows at home.

Her songs have been the featured on television: Grey’s Anatomy and The Hills and on the the soundtrack to the films The Nanny Diaries, Step Up 2: The Streets, and Why Did I Get Married.

I was fortunate to see Laura perform live the other night here in DC at Bohemian Caverns or “the cave” as she “affectionately” called it.  She performed about ten songs, some which will be on the album. She was backed by a magnificent band that included Chris Rob on keys  and Maurice Brown on trumpet, both amazing artists with their own projects going. You’ll be hearing more about them both here. The way they all vibed on stage, you would think they had been performing together decades.

What attracts me to Laura’s voice is the grit and richness you hear from the artists that came before her. Like Chrisette Michele, I can hear in her voice that she has been studying “Ms. Billy, Ms. Ella, Ms. Sarah Vaughn, and Ms.Natalie Cole.” She also commands the stage with ease and it’s obvious she’s completely comfortable there and with her ability to connect with the audience. Songs that are “for the ladies” don’t feel like another sad love song. Thank God for that.

Check out a couple of her uptempo tracks. When she got up from behind those keys, she had us rocking down in the cave.

This track I may have to put on my 2009 Inspirational songs list, a reminder to be thankful for what you got. This should be a theme songs for the tough times we’re in. Whatever you’re going through, the next woman may be going through something worse. I have already been reminded of that several times this year.

Laura is headed back overseas to open for John Legend ahead of her album release. She wrote every song and co-produced the album as well. It’s all Laura, with no guest artists. She says,

“I didn’t want to be anybody’s protégé.” “It’s very tempting to put in the reinforcements, but for my debut album I wanted it to be 100% from me.”

Just like a true Bull. And let the truth be told, she doesn’t need anybody. She can stand alone. Quite well.

Mark your calendars for April 28th. Complete set is over on the You Tube channel.

lauraiz3

New Van Hunt Tracks: But Will We Get an Album Soon?

13 Friday Feb 2009

Posted by in Music News, Underrated Artist Spotlights

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

, , ,

SECOND POST OF THE DAY

by vivrant thang on new van hunt music

vanhunt

So it’s been a year since the shelving of the Popular album . Well, it was shelved for some. Ya’ll pirates are probably grooving it right now! I was fortunate to experience his live performance of many tracks from the long lost album.  Truly a Bilal-esque Love for Sale experience where you will forever bemoan the fact that the album didn’t see the light of day.

According to his Myspace blog, Van Hunt is currently awaiting word on the fate of his next album, which I’m highly anticipating. I wish the man would truly find a way to go independent and be done with all this label bullshit. Seems like things may be moving that way. He certainly has the fan base, almost a cult-like following. The EVANgelists ride hard. And I mean that in a good way. Make no mistake about it. If there was a Bilal cult, I’d be the HNIC.

So while we wait, he decided to share some tracks for our listening pleasure. They won’t appear on said album though. So consider them bonus tracks.

He says,

While i await the fate of my new record, i decided to let ya’ll hear some things that will not appear on the new record. i like the ideas presented here, but, they will probably not see the light of day for a long time; and i wanted to share them with somebody. it is likely that only musicians will like the sounds. maybe not. either way, they will not be up for long. so, pirates, on your mark, get set, download!

He didn’t have to tell me twice! As long as I got his permission and all.

There are a few beautiful instrumental tracks, my favorite being “I Only Want To Conquer You.”  Did I mention that Van comes up with the best song titles? It’s got a funky, seventies soul feel to it. I can dig it.

I simply love the tone and purity of Van’s voice. He’s one of the artists I think could pull off an entirely acoustic album.

Listen to I Love You, Madly.

Two other standout tracks which stay true to his style, yet still feel fresh and experimental are

Unaffected

The Look of Sincere Pleasure

I don’t know about you all but these tracks have definitely heightened my excitement about the album. If this meets the same fate as Popular, I’m joining the EVANgelists and calling for an independent revolution!

Let me know what you think of these tracks in the comments.

Underrated Male Soul Singer Spotlight: Leon King

11 Wednesday Feb 2009

Posted by in Underrated Artist Spotlights

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

, ,

by vivrant thang

leonking1

It’s been all about the females. Time to give the men some love! Here’s an advance of this week’s Urban Thought Collective column.

————————————————————————

One of the great things about being a music blogger – or even a blogger in general –   is that it brings all kinds of people into your circle. One of my favorite readers is from the UK and we have became fast friends and music-swapping buddies almost from the moment he first commented. I’ve discovered that some of the best music comes from overseas and he has truly put me on to some gems.

Recently, he put together his first mixtape and sent it my way. As I was grooving to his eclectic mix of soul, funk, electronica, house, and downtempo, there was one song I kept coming back to from an artist I hadn’t heard before. That automatically activated my detective skills and I set about finding out all I could about UK-based Leon King.

Before I even get to the music, I must mention how when I added Leon as a friend on Myspace, he responded back with a private note thanking me for the add and for appreciating his music. I love it when an artist is still hungry. That response, coupled with my instant affinity for his sound, got him moved to the top of my list of artists to spotlight.

Music is in Leon’s blood. His father is a musician with crates just ripe for digging. From an early age, he was exposed to artists like the incomparable Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Prince, and D’Angelo. At the tender age of 3, he was already aware of music’s effect on the soul and learned to play nursery rhymes on the piano. By the age of 5, he was playing the guitar and started professionally sitting in with other artists at 15.

Today, artists like like Bilal, Eric Roberson, Vikter Duplaix, and J*Davey are in heavy rotation on his playlists. If this is the flavor in his ear, it’s not a surprise that I was digging his style from first listen.

Listen to Digital Church

Listen to Knowingness

Although he is currently unsigned, he is grinding away on the independent scene. He told Straight No Chaser, “If you’ve done a real piece of work that stays true to you as an artist, and your deservedly happy then a major label steps in and signs you then great, you can get that large awareness and exposure, but how often does that happen? The opportunity is there to be heard but you really do have to be pro-active and make that happen, put yourself about!”

His EP will be available this year and he has already started work on two other EPs. Visit his Myspace page to hear more of his music and keep up with news about future releases. Leon King is definitely one to watch.

As always, share your thoughts about his music in the comments.

Gearing Up for the Grammys: The DC Edition

05 Thursday Feb 2009

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones, Underrated Artist Spotlights

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

by virvrant thang on dc grammy noms

wayna

This is cross-posted over on my Urban Thought Collective column. Thought I would share it here too, particularly for links to the podcasts at the bottom.

——————————————

Are you ready for the Grammy Awards this coming Sunday? Are some of your favorite artists and songs nominated?

We are particularly excited here in DC as there are a couple of underrated local artists among the nominees and I’m shining the spotlight on them this week.

Wayna is an Ethiopian-born singer/songwriter artist who released her first album, Moments of Clarity, in 2004. She has opened for artists like Common, Fantasia, Amerie, Bobby Valentino, Jaguar Wright, Kindred, and Chuck Brown. Wayna honed her sweet soulful sound by studying the music of the greats like Billie Holiday, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway and Minnie Riperton. It was a cover of Riperton’s “Lovin You” on her sophomore release, Higher Ground, which has garnered a Grammy Nomination for Best Alternative/Urban Performance.

Check out Wayna’s performance of “Lovin You” at a show here in DC last year.

Another of my favorite songs from Higher Ground is “Close 2 U” Check out the performance at the same show.

kokayi

On the album version of “Lovin You,” Wayna is joined by fellow DC hip hop artist, Kokayi who also produced the track. Kokayi has been grinding in the business professionally since 1994 and has performed with and produced for numerous artists. He has also toured extensively around the globe, as far away as the Middle East. He is truly a multi-talented emcee who plays piano and drums, freestyles, sings, writes poetry, and creates visual art.

Although I have lived in the DC area for eleven years, I only had the opportunity to see him perform live for the first time last year when he opened for KRS-One. Koyaki is one of the true emcees that make me remember the days I used to love h.e.r.

Check out Kokayi performing a couple of tracks from his lastest album, Mass Instructions.

The Lick

DCB (DC Baby)

I’m sure most of you are familiar with the third artist from DC who is nominated in the Best R&B Song category for “Customer” off of his sophomore album, Love Behind the Melody. Raheem Devaughn has some stiff competition from artists like Jazmine Sullivan, Neyo, Keyshia Cole, and Jennifer Hudson. We’re pulling hard for our native son.

This doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of the talent we are fortunate to have right here in DC. I’ll be spotlighting more of these artists here in future columns. Meantime, please support current and future projects by Wayna, Kokayi and Raheem Devaughn. If they should come to your area, be sure to see them live.

I also have to mention that there are many other underrated male and female artists nominated in various categories. I have been checking hard for Janelle Monae, Maiysha, Anthony David, and Sam Sparro and I’m glad to see they got some recognition. View the complete list of nominations here and watch for those categories on Sunday. Whether they win or not, you will certainly be hearing more about them here.

I appreciate the support you’ve shown the music thus far so I wanted to share a treat. Some of my favorite podcasters were asked to put together mixes featuring Grammy nominated artists in various genres. Visit each of their sites and download the free mixes. While you’re there, check out some of their previous mixes which you can also download for free. It’s one of the primary ways I discover new artists.

Friday Favecast: Soul Grammy Podcast

Macedonia’s Radio BSOTS: Grammys on Shuffle (electronic world mixes)

Flowink: Hip Hop Grammy Podcast

Fresh’s Sunday Soundtrack: Jazz Grammy Nominees

Be sure to tune into the Grammys Sunday at 8pm EST/PST on CBS.

photo credits: diana stephen

I Heart The Word ‘Epiphany’ – Perfect Name for New Chrisette Michele Single

30 Friday Jan 2009

Posted by in Let's Rock: Concert Reviews, Underrated Artist Spotlights

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , , ,

chrisettemichele

More good news on the highly anticipated album front.

Every since I saw Chrisette Michele perform in DC last Fall where she hit us with new music, I have been anxiously awaiting news of her forthcoming album. According to her Myspace blog, it appears to be complete!

I’m so so so excited to share with you some new music! this new album took NO TIME to record. it seems like every word that i sang was already on the tip of my tounge before i even got to the studio. one song i dreamt, came to the studio the producer had music that already went with it and then my new friend, writer filled in the blanks like only he and i can! it was just so fateful.

The new music she refers to is a single called ‘Epiphany’  the negro-you-done-messed-up-for-the-last-time- and- I’m-leaving song that she does so well without sounding trite. She wrote almost all of the songs on I Am but turned that task over to Neyo on this track. I am not big of a fan of the music that comes out of that boy’s mouth. However, he is a home run hitter with that pen and a pad. And he has scored again with this one.

I stan for Chrissy (and I’m not alone – her You Tube videos on my channel are among the most viewed) and if this is any indication of what’s to come, there will be no sophomore slump here!

Let me know what you think in the comments.

Epiphany

v

Also have to mention and underrated male soul singer that has a date for his next release. You’ll remember V has been back on my radar since I saw him on tour with Jill twice last year.

Need a reminder?

That Jersey boy can sang! You know how we do!

It’s been three years since his debut album, The Revelation Is Now Televised. The release date for his sophomore effort, The Paradox, is March 17th. You can preview and download two singles “Gone Away” and “This Moment” over on his Myspace page.

And the vigil continues.