The LAST Free Soul Music Saturday, AKA What You Missed In December

You read it right. This will be my last Free Soul Music Saturday post for the foreseeable future. I’ve thought long and hard about this over the past few months, and I believe it’s time to pass the torch of blogging the best free Soul Music on the net to someone else.

The entire idea of Free Soul Music Saturday originally arose from the desire to carry on what HoneySoul was doing years previous. I loved her Free Music Friday blog; and when she decided to hang it up, I felt it was a necessary thing to carry it on in her stead. Hopefully someone will read this and take the initiative to do the same after I’m done.

The reason it’s time for me to stop is threefold. First of all, keeping track of the multitude of new music that hits the web is beginning to become a daunting task. Due to oversaturation, I had to stop including Podcasts a couple years ago and now it’s looking like I’ll have to stop including Beat Tapes. There is simply a ridiculous amount of material that’s being released that several other sources are already covering better than I am. So, for new R&B and Soul Music, I whole heartedly recommend you fix your RSS feeds to BamaLoveSoul, SoulBounce, ThisIsRnB.com and ThisIsRealMusic.com. There are a handful of additional sources that you can probably find with some creative Googling or by utilizing the means I use to find new music as I’ve covered on my YouTube channel. For Beat Tapes, there’s nothing I’m finding that Strictly Beats, VelvetBeat, Beat Tape Co-op and 92BPM aren’t finding first. Those are my main sources, not including discoveries I simply find by artists I follow on SoundCloud. 

Secondly, one of the main reasons I decided to do a Free Soul Music blog in the first place was to generate more traffic and/or money to my own website. To be honest, after a number of years, the blog hasn’t grown; neither have my website analytics or fanbase. In fact, I doubt there are many people even really paying attention to what I’m doing with it. And it’s certainly not generating any kind of money. I was ok volunteering my time for a couple years in the effort to build it, but at this point for the amount of time and effort I spend on this blog, it’s just not paying off. Which brings me to point #C…

Probably the best way for me to get new people visiting my personal website and blog on a regular basis is to actually start CREATING NEW ORIGINAL CONTENT. I’ve been stagnant as a songwriter and producer for the past year, mainly due to personal issues and my newfound family. But it’s time to get back to making music for myself. It’s time for me to commit to my own art once again. I’ll continue to enjoy all the wonderful music from other artists that’s hitting. But it’s past time for me to dive back into that ocean of creativity and start swimming for myself.

I’ve been proud to discover and feature the artists and friends that I have on this blog. And just because I’m not posting here doesn’t mean I won’t be putting up the occastional shout-out on my Facebook Page or Twitter feed. Please, by all means, follow me there if you have enjoyed me being your tastemaker for the past few years. And, please, also stay tuned to this space. I’ll be charting more of my progress as an original artist and posting new and exciting material. So I hope you’ll join me for that ride.

Anyway, that’s the long and short of why this is the last Free Soul Music Saturday. I hope you found something here at some point that gave you some pleasure. Now, onto the final list. As you know. I spent all of December posting the Best Of 2012. Well, music still came out last month, so here’s what you may have missed while I was recapping what happened all last year.

Here is my complete listening list for the December, and here is the Spotify playlist for December (good for one month).

Thanks, for the last time, to all the artists, producers, DJs, podcasters and music bloggers that bring this music to light!

 

THE BEST LP/EPs OF DECEMBER

Adjoci – QUASAR

Elijah Blake – Bijoux 22 (EP)

Taps – Almost Home – TheNext2Shine.com

 

THE BEST SINGLES OF DECEMBER

Tracy Cruz – Angels

Cocaine 80s – Lucid

Ab – Forecast

 

EPs, LPs and MIXTAPES 

ADH – Vibe

The Analyst – NonStopFunctional

Austin Brown – Highway 85 (The Mixtape – Vol.1)

CharlieRED – Religion – TheNext2Shine.com

Chris Turner – LOVElife Is A Challenge +CERTIFIED HOT+

Chrisette Michele – Audrey Hepburn: An Audiovisual Presentation

Donnie – Live at the O.A.S.I.S. MJQ Concourse ATL

Ginette Claudette – Everything’s Comin Up

Kevin Cossom – Hook Vs. Bridge 2

Luke James – Whispers In The Dark +CERTIFIED HOT+

Marsha Ambrosius – Hors D’Oeuvres

MYK & Shirosky – Adaptation

Osmojam – 80 +CERTIFIED HOT+

Piff Gang – GreenHouse

Rickstar – Eclectic State Of Mind

 

SINGLES

Ciara – Got Me Good [BGP RMX]

Consequence – When I Woke Up (co-starring Estelle)

Craig David – Fill Me In (Ryan Hemsworth Bootleg)

Dessy Di Lauro – Jump N Jivin

the ISH Productions – So Good

Jesse Fischer – Let It Snow +CERTIFIED HOT+

Midnight Runners – High City Express

Miguel – On These Wings +CERTIFIED HOT+

Miles Bonny – as you sleep on my lap [beat by Ta-Ku]

Morris Alan – The Spirit Of Christmas

Mr. J. Medeiros – Two Light Beams

Mylah – Honesty +CERTIFIED HOT+

Robert Glasper Exp (feat King) – Move Love (SaysWho? Remix)

Tortured Soul – Dirty (Original) – FREE DOWNLOAD +CERTIFIED HOT+

Cocaine 80s – Higher Self

 

Free Soul Music Saturday is brought to you by http://philipclark.com, where you can get 3 FREE ORIGINAL SONGS just by signing up for the mailing list.

That’s the news, and I’m OUTTA HERE!!

BEST OF 2012 – The Top 20 Soul Music Releases That Weren’t Free

Welcome to my annual breakdown of the best in Soul Music for 2012. Man, this year did not disappoint. After tireless listening on just about every thing that hit this year (I’ll admit, I didn’t get to hear everything), these are the albums and artists that demanded multiple listenings and brought something new to the field.

I really, really tried to rank these releases. But although there was a clear winner, the rest of my list will be posted in a very loose order of preference. Hopefully this list will give you not only something to new to listen to, but also some last-minute gift giving ideas for the holiday. Please support all of these amazing artists. I truly believe there is a new renaissance in Soul and Jazz, and these folks are on the cutting edge of it. Feel free to check out my Spotify playlist of everything I considered the cream of the crop of 2012. Now, here’s the Top Twenty!

RECORD OF THE YEAR

Robert Glasper – Black Radio

Purchase on iTunes
@robertglasper on Twitter

The clear winner this year. And when I say “groundbreaking,” I truly mean it with this release. It’s a memorable, solid fusion of Jazz, Soul and R&B. With a guest list of R&B’s elite, “Black Radio” is an album that will thrill you and demand hitting the repeat button continuously. Also check out the subsequent Remix EP that also hit this year for even more groovin’ goodness.

 

THE REST OF YOUR TOP TWENTY

Moonchild – Be Free

Purchase on Bandcamp (FREE for a limited time until Christmas)
@thisismoonchild on Twitter

This record was the only thing that could have come close to inching out the Glasper record. These kids (kids, I say!) came out with an impressive debut. Impressive enough to gain the attention of one Mr. Stevie Wonder, who featured the band recently in his annual “House Of Toys” concert. “Be Free” is a beautiful slice of Neo-Soul with outstanding vocals and tight, immaculate instrumental performances. It’s a must-own in my book. Doubly so, as the band is offering it as a FREE download until Christmas. This band will be one to watch in the coming years. Mark my words.

 

DivaGeek – He Said, She Said

Purchase on Bandcamp
@DivaGeekMusic on Twitter

Probably one of the most fun records of the year and winner of my award for “Retro Funky Goodness.” If you’re not in the mood to party before you listen to it, “He Said, She Said” will get you there. With heaters like “Mr. Happy” and “Money,” this british duo brings some serious electronic funk to the table and just doesn’t quit.

 

Sy Smith – Fast and Curious

Purchase on Bandcamp
@Syberspace on Twitter

Easily one of the best female voices in Soul Music today. “Fast and Curious” was also produced by session whiz Mark de Clive-Lowe. This record has the perfect balance of electronic dance-ability and sexy ballad goodness.

 

Ernesto – Suffice Suffice

Purchase on iTunes
@jonatanbackelie on Twitter

Ernesto is a masterful songwriter and vocalist. His songs are honest and soulful. This entire record is a fantastic journey of Electronic Soul.

 

Allen Stone – Allen Stone

Purchase on iTunes
@allen_stone on Twitter

Who would have thought that a geeky hippy dude from Washington could churn out the best commercial Soul release of the year. But Allen Stone has definitely done it with his eponymous debut.

 

Anthony Valadez – Just Visiting

Purchase on iTunes
@anthonyvaladez on Twitter

KCRW DJ is not simply content spinning other people’s music. With “Just Visiting,” Valadez teams up with some of the best new names in independent Soul Music. The result is a masterful Tour de Force.

 

BamaLoveSoul presents On Deck

Purchase on iTunes
@BamaLoveSoul on Twitter

Another great compilation this year was BamaLoveSoul’s “On Deck.” You want to get a great sense of where Indie Soul is heading? Spin this one and get acquainted with the future.

 

Funkommunity – Chequered Thoughts

Purchase on iTunes
Funkommunity on Facebook

There is something definitely in the water in Australia and New Zealand. Funkommunity is just one act to hail from that locale. “Chequered Thoughts” is a fresh take of Soul Music from another hemisphere.

 

Darryl Reeves – Mercury

Purchase on iTunes
@darrylreeves on Twitter

There’s a great new crop of musicians that are fusing Soul and Jazz together. Darryl Reeves is one such musician. A fantastic sax player, Reeves also puts together something groovy and futuristic in his release “Mercury.”

 

Jesse Fischer & Soul Cycle – Retro Future

Purchase on iTunes
@JesseFischer on Twitter

Another great Soul/Jazz fusion, Jesse Fischer’s “Retro Future” is just that. The perfect homage of retro synth goodness combined with down home grooving funk. This album also features probably some of the best sax playing I’ve heard all year.

 

Miguel – Kaleidoscope Dream

Purchase on iTunes
miguelmusic on Facebook

What good would this list be if I didn’t include some of the more mainstream releases. Well, this was certainly a great year for Miguel. Following the releases of his “Art Dealer Chic” series of mixtapes, he came out of the gate swinging with “Kaleidoscope Dream.” This is a really solid showing of contemporary R&B.

 

Frank Ocean – Channel Orange

Purchase on iTunes
Frank Ocean on Soundcloud

Well, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve certainly heard about Ocean and Channel Orange. And, while I don’t follow a lot of the mainstream blogs calling this Record of the Year, it is a very consistent and fresh take on what’s happening in R&B today.

 

Mint Condition – Music @ The Speed of Life

Purchase on iTunes
@mcondition on Twitter

It was so great to see veterans Mint Condition come back with such a powerful album. These guys have not lost one bit of their chops or musicality. And every song on this record is wonderfully hooky and masterfully executed.

 

Nicholas Ryan Gant – Promises

Purchase on Bandcamp
@Ghetto_Falsetto on Twitter

A new voice for male contemporary R&B and Soul, Nicholas Ryan Gant hits with this impressive release. Gant has a fantastic voice and a fresh point of view.

 

Hiatus Kayote – Tawk Tomohawk

Purchase on Bandcamp
@HiatusKaiyote on Twitter

That’s right, another selection from Down Under. Whatever is happening in the land of Oz, I sure hope they keep it coming. Because with groups like Hiatus Kaiyote, the future of Soul Musc is in good hands.

 

Dwele – Greater Than One

Purchase on iTunes
@THEREALDWELE on Twitter

Dwele still remains one of my top three contemporary Soul male vocalists. And there’s just something about a Dwele record that ensures you get a consistent and soulful experience every time. This record is no exception.

 

S3 – Supa Soul Sh*t

Purchase on Bandcamp
@MilesBonny on Twitter

Just when you thought Miles Bonny might slow down following last year’s “Lumberjack Soul,” he cranks out even more soulful goodness. This team-up with Brenk Sinatra is a grooving and mellow hip-hop/soul trip.

 

Oaklyn – Chasing the Sun

Purchase on Bandcamp
OaklynSounds on Facebook

Always a pleasant surprise when an artist I’ve never heard of puts out a release that really impresses. Oaklyn’s “Chasing the Sun” has it all; delicate female vocals, great hip hop beats, and fundamental bass that’ll warm your heart and rattle your subwoofer.

 

Uness & Crime In the City™ – Groove Jones

Purchase on Bandcamp
@IamUness on Twitter

Uness continues to be one of the unsung heroes of independent Soul. Groove Jones will have you tapping your toes from beginning to end.

 

HONORABLE MENTIONS (stuff I just couldn’t not mention and you should defninitely check out)

Gregory Porter – Be Good
Alabama Shakes – Boy & Girls
Sidewalk Chalk – Corner Store
Pete Belasco – Lights On
The Endangered – The Endangered EP
DJ Kemit – Everlasting
Greg Banks – Greg Banks
K-Def – Easy Way Out EP
Elliot Yamin – Let’s Get To What’s Real
Cody Chenutt – Landing on a Hundred
Ms. Sounday – My Little Joys
Daley – Alone Together EP
Eric Benet – The One 

Free Soul Music Saturday for May 5, 2012

Welcome to Free Soul Music Saturday. We pick through the greatest weekly free Soul Music releases so you don’t have to.

This was a pretty huge week for Free Soul Music. Many, many excellent singles. So make sure you check them out. Miguel completed his Art Dealer Chic trilogy in fine fashion. There are a lot of “Must Downloads” this week, so definitely take advantage of them as well.

Here is my complete listening list for the week, and here is the Spotify playlist for the week (good for one month).

Thanks to all the artists, producers, DJs, podcasters and music bloggers that bring this music to light!

 

LP/EP OF THE WEEK

Miguel - ART DEALER CHIC Vol. 3

 

SINGLE OF THE WEEK

Emily King - Ordinary Heart

 

BEAT TAPE OF THE WEEK

Hexsagon - Beat Flip Tuesdays Volume 5

 

HONORABLE MENTION

Claude Deuce feat. Danielle - ”Analog”

 

EPs & LPs 

Lucille Ghatti - Amori Infiniti +HOT+

 

Bama Love Soul – Loose Joints #13

 

Josh Xantus - Everybody Hates Josh X +HOT+

 

BEAT TAPES

Depakote - I Live to Die and I Die to Live +HOT+

 

JAW GEMS - TAKE A SIP OF MY WISH +HOT+

 

Cookie Monster - Cookie Monster Galaxy +HOT+

 

Sinitus Tempo - First Time EP

 

BoomBaptist - The Lost Files Vol. 2 (2005-2006) +HOT+

 

POETREE (www.poetreemusic.com) - Inner Orchestra +HOT+

 

Nes - 2011 +HOT+

 

SINGLES

Philip Clark – Cigarettes +HOT+

 

Athalia - Black Rainbows 

 

The Endangered - Calling On You +MUST DOWNLOAD+

 

Idiomatic - Day Afternoon & Night

 

Lianne La Havas - Lost and Found (Maya Jane Coles Remix)

 

Mushroom Lounge - Last Days

 

phedeee - evrythng&

 

Afrolicious: Revolution

 

Stik Figa - Medicine

 

Elliott Yamin – Ill Be That Bridge +MUST DOWNLOAD+

 

Melodiesinfonie – catch you

 

Satta – Trouble (Renegades Of Jazz Remix) +HOT+

 

Free Soul Music Saturday for March 31, 2012

Ok, this week was more like it.

A very plentiful and well-rounded week in free Soul Music. We got a magnificent new EP from PJ Morton which is an absolute must-download. Also check out the great beat tapes this week and the free offering from Tony Lucca, who’s currently competing on NBC’s The Voice. I know it’s probably more in the genre of singer/songwriter, but it has some very good songrwiting and performances on it, and I highly recommend it.

Here is my complete listening list for the week, and here is the Spotify playlist for the week (good for one month).

Thanks to all the artists, producers, DJs, podcasters and music bloggers that bring this music to light!

 

LP/EP OF THE WEEK

PJ Morton - Following My First Mind

 

SINGLE OF THE WEEK

Ruth Koleva - 4 Letter Word

 

BEAT TAPE OF THE WEEK

Sinitus Tempo - Journey

 

HONORABLE MENTION

Tony Lucca - Rendezvous With The Angels (Noisetrade Exclusive)

 

EPs & LPs 

@BrooksOfMHS - Addicted to the Stage 2012

 

Dom O Briggs - Always Inspire(d)

 

Four demos by Cherokee

 

Kirby Lauryen - The Introduction

 

Miguel - ART DEALER CHIC Vol. 2 *HOT*

 

John Frost - Love, Life, Trials & Tribulations *HOT*

 

BEAT TAPES 

Necedah  - Aquatic Pulsations

 

Figub Brazlevič – Oldschool Future *HOT*

 

Midnight Smack - Midnight Demo

 

SINGLES

Diggs Duke - Patiently, We Bloom (Master) *HOT*

 

Esprit De Corps - Is It Too Late

 

induce - Hot As Love

 

Lili K. Ft. The GTW - My Name Is (Remix by Peter CottonTale) *HOT*

 

Theophilus London feat Blood Orange - Take it off (Dim The Lights)

 

Urban Thermo Dynamics –  My Kung-Fu

 

J4j – RLP™

 

Joe-G – L’écriture (Face B)

 

jupiter tuning center – turbine gumbo