--=[ Solo ]=--

Solo - 4 Bruthas & A Bass (1998)

Eunique Mack, Darnell Chavis and Danielle Stokes performed on the streets of New York in the early 1990s. The production team of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis overheard the guys and helped them get established. The bassist Robert Anderson joined the group to make them a quartet and the line-up that would be known as Solo. The group also had a fifth member named James Street but was shot and killed on the streets of New York before the group met Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. The group dedicated a interlude to him on their debut album.













Solo (1995)

The group recorded their self-titled debut album in Minneapolis and released it in 1995. Released on A&M Records, the album featured production by Jam & Lewis. The album scored several minor hits, with its biggest being "Heaven" and "Where Do U Want Me To Put It." The two tracks reached #7 and #8 on the R&B charts respectively. The album moved enough copies that by early 1996, it managed to go gold.

Because the group's solo album did well enough to go gold, the group was able to release a second album, 4 Bruthas and a Bass in 1998. The album had a small hit with "Touch Me" which reached #26 on the R&B charts. After Perspective Records folded shortly after the rest of the group decided to focus on other endevors as lead singers Eunique Mack and Darnell Chavis released solo albums.

After spending several years working on solo material Eunique Mack, Darnell Chavis, Danielle Stokes, and Robert Anderson have reunited and are working on a new Solo project coming in 2009.

Tracklist in comments.

--=[ Levi Little ]=--

Levi Little - Soul Connection (1998)

On BLACKstreet's debut album, Teddy Riley was joined by Chauncey Hannibal, Dave Hollister and Levi Little, who sang lead on the group's hit single "Joy." Hollister and Little both left the group before the group recorded tracks for their subsequent album, "Another Level." Dave Hollister went on to enjoy a very successful career as a R&;amp;B and now a gospel artist. But whatever happened to Levi Little? In 1998, he released his debut album, "Soul Connection."

Apparently, Levi Little can do it all. On his soulful debut, Soul Connection, this
Patterson, New Jersey native performed, arranged, mixed and produced all the
track recordings, and also played most of the instruments. That's some major feat.
Although some of the melodies are similar in sound to his urban music
contemporaries Joe and Brian McKnight, Levi's contribution to the canon of soul
artists is a considerable one. Smooth singing graces enticing songs like "Strong
Love" and "Somebody to Love," creating silky romantic montages. Bruce Hornsby's
expert keyboard work on "The Walls" completes this steady supply of timeless
funk and sensual R&B, making this an overall impressive effort.

Tracklist in comments.

--=[ Shock G ]=--

Shock G - Fear Of A Mixed Planet (2004)

The debut solo album from Digital Underground front man Shock G, Fear Of A Mixed Planet takes you on a conscious journey through the mind of a living Hip Hop legend. Shock G lays down smooth vocals, killer rhymes, and always-witty but thoughtful poetry over melodic, almost futuristic beats. From receiving a Cherry Flava'd Email to riding the Cinnamon Waves, this album is an instant classic. This Bonus Edition comes with two tracks not previously available! What people are saying: "Shock is back with probably his best work yet" and "Those that enjoyed the underground will find the feel is alive and well. The sound has improved (as if that were possible) and the lyrics are even more clever than before." Digital Underground fans will not be disappointed with this album, but note that Shock does depart from his various persona's long enough to give you a glimpse of who he really is. His soul is bared, and the speakers are ready to dish out this HEAT!

Tracklist in comment.

--=[ Calima Shatiday ]=--

Calima Shatiday - Poolside II [2009]

Calima Shatiday creates and produces chill out music.The music from Calima is inspired from every day events that are taken for granted. The music attempts to embody these experiences in a chill manner so that every one can appreciate and enjoy these common events.Calima began playing chill out music in 2001 when he was first exposed to the iTunes station GrooveSalad (SOMA-FM). His immediate love for the music instigated the careful construction of his present Chill Out and Downtempo style.

When listening at the various tracks you'll notice a chill out maturity, as some tracks have a heavy jazz or ambient influence while other tracks seem to hit the chill out mark with no external influences.

* Props 2 Taliferro Music *


All track info is in the comment section...

--=[ Equip ]=--

Equip - For Your Love (2007)

We got some more of that HEAT from Japan for yo ass! There isn't very much information on this band aside from the small bit of content on their MySpace page, but the members did a helluva job allowing the music speak for itself. The sound is very nice and groovy and is HEAT from start to finish! Check it out y'all, don't sleep!

* props to colinb *

Tracklist in comments.

--=[ Maiysha ]=--

Maiysha - This Much Is True [2008]

Maiysha belongs in your music collection. Armed with a voltaic vocal presence, this Brooklyn-based artist is the antidote to the melissma-dependent kewpie dolls that currently populate the airwaves. Feisty, flirty, and intensely confident, she embodies soul on her own terms without imitating the hallowed Soul Queens of yesteryear, or going the tired retro-soul route that was already a cliché in 2007. What you hear on This Much Is True, her stellar debut, is profound originality.

Sonically, the album is a veritable playground of different personalities with Maiysha’s voice the common link between them. Producer Scott Jacoby knows exactly what each song demands, whether the hand-clap hook on “Gods”, the burlesque trimmings that cloak “Matter of Pride”, or the funky clavinet that bubbles underneath her simmering duet with Martin Luther, “You Don’t Know”. His august instincts insure the album’s immunity to filler. Save for the bluesy cover of Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” that closes the disc, Maiysha co-writes each of the album’s thirteen tracks. She proves herself an adept lyricist, especially on “U.S.H.”, where she satirizes the fear and hysteria propagated by the U.S. government. Elsewhere, she explores the intense symbiosis of physical attraction and romantic love on “Over My Head” and “Alchemy” to scintillating effect, while serving up a wry take about our culture’s obsession with fame and celebrities on “Celebrity” and “Gods”.

As an album that invites compulsive listening, this much is true about This Much Is True: Maiysha is, unequivocally, among the most vital artists to emerge in 2008.


Maiysha ~ Sledgehammer (Plush Remix)




* Another Great 8th Light Post *

All track info is in the comment section...

--=[ Chris Botti 2 ]=--

Chris Botti In Boston (Live) (2009)

*As Requested*

2009 live release. Chris Botti In Boston finds the chart-topping Jazz trumpeter and special guests performing live at the historic Boston Symphony Hall with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops on September 18 and 19, 2008. Includes guest appearances from Josh Groban, Yo-Yo Ma, John Mayer, Katharine McPhee, Sting, Lucia Micarelli and Steven Tyler.

Track listing is in comments section.

--=[ Coldfeet ]=--

Coldfeet - Ten (2008)

Coldfeet is based in Tokyo, Japan's largest and most intriguing city. A duo, the bandfeatures composer/vocalist LORI, the daughter of an American clinical psychologist father and Japanese harp-playing mother, and WATUSI, a founder of the legendary drum-and-bass outfit Mushroom Head who has produced and played bass on more than 100 CDs. Coldfeet fuses playful eroticism, sensual vocals and captivating melodies with a lush cinematic ambience, positive, provocative lyrics, and an offbeat humor anchored by the dichotomous themes of personal strength and vulnerability. The result is a unique, inventive sound that retains the appeal of pop while embracing the bite of new wave, jazz and rock. LORI and WATUSI have been influenced by an array of artists, from Devo, Massive Attack and Sade to Gershwin and Ella Fitzgerald, as well as the films of David Lynch and Sam Raimi. This diversity of media and genres is fundamental to the Coldfeet sound.













Coldfeet - Feeling Good (2007)


On July 11th, 2007, Coldfeet released their 5th album, "Feeling Good" (Grand Gallery) for the first time in one and a half years. The single EP "I Don’t Like Dancing", which includes a Daishi Dance remix, was a smash hit. The single sold out immediately and became a "must play" song at clubs. After changing their record label to Columbia Music Entertainment in 2008, Coldfeet released a compilation album "Footworks feat. Lori Fine"; all tracks featured by Lori Fine and compiled by Watusi. The song, "One / DJ Kawasaki feat. Lori Fine" was used as the theme song for the MOET & CHANDON NECTAR IMPERIAL campaign. On Dec. 10th of the same year, commemorating the 10th anniversary of their debut, Coldfeet released their 6th album "TEN", which hit #1 on the iTunes Dance Album Chart and went on to spend several weeks there.













Coldfeet - Jazzfeet (2003)

* thanks to colinb for Jazzfeet and Feeling Good *

Tracklist in comments.

--=[ Mop Mop ]=--

Mop Mop - The 11th Pill (2006)

Mop Mop is the brainchild of Andrea Benini, musician, producer and DJ who has been active for more than ten years exploring a large variety of musical genres, from club to jazz music. From this definition, the emerging Mop Mop find inspiration for their debut album, merging their characteristic sound; vibes and piano, rhythm and exotic percussion, improvised jazz, italian melodies and hint of electro-vintage.

"The 11th Pill" is above all a mix of latin-jazz, frenetic swing and ballads, respectful to its historical roots from which it is inspired (there are numerous citations), but in a way also "dancefloor-oriented" succeeding perfectly to combine mediterranean melodies and afro-american beats in a unique modern jazz interpretation.

Mop Mop is a new set from the Italian scene but an album that crackles with the sound of that country's best jazz from the 60s and 70s!

* props to colinb *

Tracklist in comments.

--=[ Idea6 2 ]=--

Idea6 - Steppin' Out (2007)

This is the second album on Dejavu from the jazz sextet Idea 6, made up of some of the biggest names on the Italian jazz scene including Gianni Basso, Guido Pistocchi and Dino Piana supported by a rhythm section that is second to none on the Italian panorama; Stefano Bagnoli, Andrea Pozza and Riccardo Fioravanti.

The new album features the vocals of Francesca Sortino (ex voice of Gabin) on the Miles Davis classic Tune Up', the new 'Bell's' and the Gershwin classic 'Ain't Necessarily So'. The release is backed up by videos of three of the albums tracks along with an interview by the Italian journalist Franco Fayenz with Gianni Basso, Dino Piana and Guido Pistocchi.

* thanks colinb *

Tracklist in comments

--=[ DJ I.N.C 2 ]=--

DJ I.N.C & The Soul People - Tha Afterset Sessions, Vol. 2 (2009)

Jazzy, melodic, instrumental Hip Hop style beats with live musicianship for your listening enjoyment.

Wicked work from the Chicago scene -- a batch of amazingly soulful grooves from DJ Inc & The Soul People! He's grown from a simple beatmaker into a guy with a great ear for a slinky, smooth-stepping soul tune -- and this time around, he's really hit his peak -- working with even more live instrumentation than before, which brings up a jazzy undercurrent that sends the whole album home wonderfully! There's loads of sweet keyboard lines on most tracks, and some occasional sax and trumpet solos that round things out nicely -- and although one track features some rhymes over the top, most of the record's instrumental.

* Compliments of The Shadowman *

Track listing is in comments section.

--=[ DJ I.N.C ]=--

DJ I.N.C - Tha Afterset (2006)

This CD has an Acidjazz/Neo Soul Vibe to it...Hip Hop production along with Jazz Musicianship. A great listen.

“I find to be necessity controlling positive destiny…” so goes the rhythmic intro to THE AFTERSET: SELECT MUSIC PROGRAMMING. DJ I.N.C. delivers up music for the people concentrating on the feel and vibe not just the genre. This recording is cool and sexy first, followed by jazzy and soulful with elements of Hip Hop, funk and chill. This very satisfying album is graced by some of the finest musicians in the world including bassist/songwriter Marzuq Asanti, saxophonist/singer Marqueal Jordan, trumpeter Kafele, guitarist Phil Seed and percussionist Joe Rendon. The concept DJ I.N.C. puts into play on this project is the premise that like jazz and soul, Hip Hop is timeless, and the evolution of the sound is what is commonly referred to as Acid Jazz… a rich tapestry of musical styles. There’s no doubt that music fans will whole-heartedly embrace this deep and artful offering of sexy and smooth Nu Jazz from one of the most progressive and trend-setting musical talents to come along!

Track listing is in comments section.

--=[ Donald Patterson ]=--

Donald Patterson - Family (2009)

Bassist Donald Patterson's debut contemporary smooth jazz CD with a touch of R&B featuring top recording artists Peter White, Kirk Whalum, Doc Powell and others.

Donald Patterson was born in Dallas, Texas. Donald is a professional bassist who is skilled in the electric bass and has performed extensively throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan. Patterson has performed in concert with a host of artists including Phillip Bailey, Kirk Whalum, Howard Hewett, Brian Mcknight and a host of others. He has also toured throughout the U.S. with Peter White, Marc Antoine, Rick Braun and Kirk Whalum in Guitars, and Saxes. Donald has recorded with such notable artists as Ray Charles, and Kirk Whalum and can be heard on the Grammy nominated CD Motown Comes Home.

Track listing is in comments section.

--=[ Peaches & Herb ]=--

Peaches & Herb - Colors Of Love (2009)

After 20+ years, Peaches and Herb are back on the Imagen Records label with a brand new CD entitled "Colors of Love." This CD is a collection of 11 songs containing the best of today’s contemporary music, while continuing to stay true to their old-school roots. Making up the female half of this powerful new duo, Herb Fame enlisted the talents of an incredibly fine ass gifted vocalist to take on the reigns of 'Peaches' - Meritxell (pronounced 'mary-chell') Negre-Williams. Her voice brings a fresh quality to the duo that most certainly represents Peaches and Herb at the best that they've ever been.

And the chemistry between these two is amazing, as heard on the songs Spend the Night, Dance Floor and Higher. Many artists and groups seem to lose touch with their roots by trying to accommodate a more modern sound to appeal to a wider audience, but this album shows that Peaches & Herb was able to keep their sound fresh and exciting without compromise.

Tracklist in comments.

--=[ Manami Morita ]=--

Manami Morita - Colors (2009)

Manami Morita is a pianist from Japan. This is her first album by her own production. It features Zak Croxall on bass, Bob Edinger and Thomas Hartman on drum.

Manami Morita was born in Saitama, Japan in 1984. She started off with learning classical piano at the age of 4. Unfortunately, she hated piano lessons because she couldn't stand so much rules in classical piano. On the other hand, she loved playing just as she wanted and felt, which she was able to do in jazz.

As soon as she got to Berklee in Boston, her significant musical skills was recognized by school. In 2007, she was awarded Mary Jane Earnhart Endowed Scholarship. Also, in 2008, she was honorably selected as a representative of Jazz Composition Department at Berklee and awarded Herb Pomeroy Award. In 2009, she joined International Kodolanyi Jazz Competition in Hungary with Tenor Saxphone player Mitsuru Hirayama and won 3rd prize. Also, she was awarded Outstanding Performer Award at the same competition.

Manami has performed with internationally acclaimed musicians such as Esperanza Spalding, Greg Hopkins, Mark Walker, Rosa Pasos, Oscar Stagnaro and more. Also, she appeared at Martha's Vineyard Music Festival in 2008 with other groups such as Boston Pops, Gladys Knight, Kate Taylor. She has played at famous jazz clubs in Boston such as Sculler's Jazz Club, Ryle's Jazz Club, the Beehive and more and more.

We always show love for not only those independent artists who not only play well, and Manami Morita is no exception. Folks, she's one to keep an eye on in the future!

Tracklist in comments.