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Bounce-Worthy: The Revelations feat. Tré Williams

 

If you're anything like us here at SoulBounce and wince each time a so-called soul singer surfaces with all the depth of a paper plate, you'll be happy to know that a new, true soul singer has emerged in the form of the Dirty South's Tré Williams and his band, The Revelations. Indeed, in this age of Auto-Tune and teenage whines, thankfully there's none of that once Tré opens his mouth and struts his stuff. Just a raw passion that will remind you of artists of yesteryear like David Ruffin, except without the reincarnated '60s stylings that have infiltrated soul music lately. With the release next week of their new EP, Deep Soul, The Revelations are out to prove that live instrumentation is, well, alive and kicking, with no need for rap solos or machine-altered vocals. The band, made up of a veritable who's who of musicians, include guitarist Wes Mingus (Bilal, Leela James), drummer Gintas Janusonis (Erykah Badu, Branford Marsalis), bassist Josh Werner (Matisyahu, Sly and Robbie), keyboardist Borahm Lee (Wyclef, Lauryn Hill) and legendary arranger and multi-instrumentalist Patrick Adams (Herbie Mann, Eddie Kendricks, The Main Ingredient, Black Ivory). And as a bonus, the co-lyricist of the crew is none other than former Roc-a-fella Records protegé Rell. (I know you were wondering where he's been. Wonder no more.)

The lead single from Deep Soul is the Southern-fried, slowed down "I Don't Want to Know," which finds Tré letting anyone who will listen know that whatever his girl may be doing on the side, they need not tell him. He's good.  The album drops this coming Tuesday, November 18th on Decision Records / Traffic Entertainment and the band will be appearing the following night, November 19th, at SOB's Sol Village. For now, take a listen to this Bounce-Worthy track, and then, after the bounce, check out the live version. Enjoy.

The Revelations feat. Tré Williams: "I Don't Want to Know"

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Harlem  |  11/14/2008 at 2:00 PM  |  Comments (8)  |  Permalink

Bounce-Worthy: Jessica Tonder

 

There is just something about the weather turning colder than makes me yearn for darker, more introspective melodies, especially when sung by an emotional yet unaffected-sounding chanteuse. For the record, my Bjork phase is about to be in full swing over the next week or so. Here to help me and others like myself make the transition to the cocoon of melancholy is Jessica Tonder. Sounding a bit like a more soulful Beth Gibbons, lead singer of Portishead, Jessica, like many prestigious musicians before her, attended the Berklee School of Music. Her forthcoming album, The Robot & The Little Girl, finds the 22-year-old recent Atlanta transplant combining the sounds of her influences, everything from Chet Baker to Radiohead, into a steady sonic boom filled with grace and just enough edginess to keep you up at night singing the melodies. Telling you Jessica is "one-to-watch" is just too obvious. Telling you to "be prepared" when her album finally drops just might be more accurate. 

ill Mami  |  11/11/2008 at 3:00 PM  |  Comments (6)  |  Permalink

Bounce-Worthy: Jaiden 'The Cure'

 

So there I was last month at S.O.B.s Sol Village, celebrating our boy Eric Roberson's birthday with his wife and the rest of the crowd, enjoying former Zhane member Jean Baylor (who sang at their wedding, by the way) as she laid it down vocally. It was a great night, and after Jean was done, I figured the night was over. That she would be the final act and we could all go home after some birthday cake, right? Right? Well, no, I was told by my boy Kozza. There was another act to follow. Some kid named Jaiden. After a mega side-eye in his direction, I decided to stick around to check him out, the one who secured the headlining pole position for the evening. After seeing his performance, I was convinced. The billing was justified. Bounce-Worthy, even. Let me introduce you to Jaiden, who calls himself "The Cure." Straight out of Long Island, NY, he was born into a musical family, starting off in the church choir before establishing himself as a songwriter for artists such as Carl Thomas, Jeannie Ortega and Case, and working with superproducers Eddie F., Full Force and Rockwilder. He's toured with several bold face names like Diddy, Alicia Keys and John Legend. And now, just like at S.O.B.s, he's ready to move from opening act to headliner. The boy can blow, and the songs posted below are a great introduction to his range, while also living up to his billing. The poignant "Paradise" finds Jaiden searching for a cure from today's social ills, and "Breakfast" has him searching for a cure for his um, hunger. Take a listen, and keep on the lookout for more from the well-rounded artist who, with his songwriting and singing skills, will definitely be around for years to come. 

Jaiden: "Paradise"


Jaiden: "Breakfast"


Jaiden "The Cure" [MySpace]

Harlem  |  10/29/2008 at 5:00 PM  |  Comments (2)  |  Permalink

Bounce-Worthy: Jesse Boykins III

 

Singer. Songwriter. Producer. Clothing designer. You may think that I'm using those words to describe the talents of an existing star on our radar, but instead those words describe Jesse Boykins III, who is a soul star in the making. The Chicago-born, Jamaica and Miami-raised 23-year-old was raised on a steady diet of classic soul, reggae and jazz. He now calls NYC home and all of these sounds--with a little hip hop thrown in the mix--can be heard in his music. He released an EP, Dopamine: My Life On My Back, earlier in the year that was well received by critics and fans alike off the strength of the single "Tabloids." The Beauty Created, his first full-length album, is scheduled to be released on November 11th, and according to Boykins, it's "inspired by Spike Lee joints and summer love." Two of the tracks from The Beauty Created, which is also the name of his band, that caught my attention are posted below for your enjoyment. On "Pantyhose" Jesse turns on the sexy as he sings to his lady after she comes home from a long day at work, and soulful house heads will eat up the DJ MeLo-X remix to "Tabloids." Boykins will be touring extensively in the coming months, and he can be seen on stage during the Rock the Vote show at S.O.B.'s next week. In the event that you missed his video for "Tabloids" when it premiered a few months ago, you can check it out after the bounce in addition to some footage of him live in concert.

Jesse Boykins III: "Pantyhose"


Jesse Boykins III: "Tabloids" (DJ MeLo-X Remix)

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Butta  |  10/24/2008 at 6:00 PM  |  Comments (11)  |  Permalink

Bounce-Worthy: TK Wonder

 

Last but not least in our list of Bounce-Worthy femcees is TK Wonder. According to WaPo, her style rests somewhere between "M.I.A. and Flying Lotus." It's an imaginary pedigree that would get anyone to listen, but it's not that simple. And it's her sheer lack of simplicity that will keep you listening a little longer. TK's catchy chants are at once provocative and runway-ready, due to Taylor McFerrin's frenetic beats. If her lyrics are empowering, that's only because she injects them with a little tough love. Check the cautionary "Celebrity" from McFerrin's Broken Vibes EP and her own "Nightwalker." But listen carefully, because she has a penchant for rapping at lightspeed if the track demands it. She recently performed during the DC's Can A Sista Rock A Mic? festival and by all accounts she owned the evening. Also, Trace profiled her in their recent art Issue. Press play for "Nightwalker" from her Electric Baby
sampler and check out a live performance after the bounce.

TK Wonder: "Nightwalker"

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nOvaMatic  |  10/17/2008 at 6:30 PM  |  Comments (4)  |  Permalink

Bounce-Worthy: emoniFela

 

Today's Bounce-Worthy Femcee could be described as something like a phenomenon in today's Hip Hop game. Hailing from the Washington, DC area, emoniFela is a 17-year-old high school graduate and rapper whose influences run the gamut from Coldplay to Fela Kuti, who she pays homage to in her stage name. If you're hip to the DMV music scene, then she is no stranger to your ears. She is a favorite of local stars/mentors Raheem DeVaughn and Wes Felton who she has opened for on numerous occasions with her hybrid of hip hop, which she calls "Exotic Hip Hop." I've seen emoniFela perform a few times before and this young sista is legit. Not only does she spit like a veteran, but she is an accomplished spoken word artist who'll be seen on the upcoming season of BETJ's Lyric Cafe. Not bad for someone who maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school, huh? Her debut album is still in the works and will be available in January 2009, so unfortunately she doesn't have any music for sale yet, but you can listen to emoniFela's wicked flow on the samples below. Stay tuned for some big things from this young lady. The opening act will become the headliner soon enough.

emoniFela: "All Around the World"


emoniFela: "Black Isis"


emoniFela [MySpace]

Butta  |  10/16/2008 at 6:00 PM  |  Comments (5)  |  Permalink

Bounce-Worthy: Mae Day

 

Here's the thing about today's Bounce-Worthy Femcee Mae Day: she loves her city. Straight repping for Detroit, the twenty-something is on a mission to "bring back the respect for Motown that once existed in the '60s and '70s and show that that type of musical talent is still here, and still strong." Her strategy is to do it with her lyrical flow, and by surrounding herself with producers who put other Detroit MCs on the map. Enter Dewitt Moore, one-half of the multi-platinum production team Sick Notes, who guided Mae through her debut project, the recently released Somethin's Gotta Give, just as he crafted hits for fellow Motowners Eminem, D-12 and Obie Trice. Moore was the catalyst behind Mae's first single, "BABWhy," an ode to relationships gone wrong that combines Mae's slick word play with a touch of the old school. Motown-worthy, indeed. And while she's young in the game, with heavyweights like MC Serch and Monie Love in her camp, Mae's day in the light is sure to be bright. Speaking of which, you know you've arrived when MC Lyte, the hands-down baddest female lyricist who's ever touched a mic, has this to say: "I want to let the world know about Mae Day, she's coming, I'm proud to know it and proud to say it.....Look for her!!!" Well then, you better act like you know and peep her flow. Oh, and check after the bounce for a special treat.

Mae Day: "BABWhy"


Mae Day: "Get Somethin'"


Mae Day [MySpace]

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Harlem  |  10/15/2008 at 6:00 PM  |  Leave a Comment  |  Permalink