Ropeadope

Radio Music Society is one of the great albums to have been released in modern times! The whole album is astonishing, and presents Esperanza with more of a mixture of soul and funk. Here's one of the gems from that album titled "Cinnamon Tree" (kinda reminds me of the likes of Angela Bofill and Phyllis Hyman). Enjoy!

The first single from the Robert Glasper Experiment's upcoming release, Black Radio, "Ah Yeah" is a smooth ear-licking track that has been on constant repeat in my car for the last three weeks!  It features vocalists Musiq Soulchild and Chrisette Michele. Enjoy.

This song is oozing with groove. You may recognize the tune from Jay-Z's track 'Roc Boys' in which he sampled MSB. A song so cool you forget that vocals are absent. 

So, if you haven’t been buried under a massive rock, or something, you’ve heard the hype surrounding the eclectic bassist, Stephen "Thundercat" Brunder. I’ve been anticipating the release of his recently released debut, The Golden Age of Apocalypse, for some time now. Needless to say, I wasn’t disappointed when it officially dropped last week. The sound is a mix of George Duke, Jaco, Flying Lotus (of …

In this song, The Heavy take a Clarence Reid sample and turn it into something equally funky, yet completely different. It's a sizzling soul number with enough "oomph" to get even the squarest of square up and bumpin'.

"Children listen to me, It ain't where it's at."  Too often do public figures shy away from the responsibily of being role models.  Gil embraced it, and showed us what to do, and also, what not to do.

Maybe it was the deep baritone; maybe it was the perfectly shaped 'fro; maybe it was his unparalleled wit; or it could've been his height.  Gil Scott-Heron captured, not only the hearts and minds of America's hoods, but also of an entire planet of music lovers.  Gil was an enigma that barged his way into America's conscious with an uncanny and intricate mix of spoken word, …

Enjoy this beautiful east coast weather. This is "Green Lights" by Aloe Blacc.

If you haven't listened to Adele's new album "21", then I really don't know what to tell you.  This girl is putting out the best music right now, so pay attention!  I was originally going to post the tear-jerker "Someone Like You", but nah its too nice out for that - here's "Rumor Has It".  Dig it.

Never before have I heard "let me see that ass" sung with so much soul.  Join me in my new musical obsession with the Weeknd - the most refreshing thing for modern R&B in a while.  You can check his debut mixtape, House of Balloons, on his website for free.  This selection is entitled "Wicked Games".

Here's the super awesome Black Milk remix of this already awesome song - "The Dollar" by Bilal.

Most known for his seminal work on the Blaxploitation film, The Mack, Willie Hutch was an intricate part of Motown's success in the early-to-mid 70's.  Ode to My Lady is by far my favorite album from Mr. Hutch, as it presents him as a more refined songwriter and composer.  Here's a nice cut from this very album titled, "Just Another Day."  Enjoy.

Vibe out to this RAD Classic - Off of his 2005 Ropeadope release Three Piece Puzzle, this is Jneiro Jarel's "Breathin". 

Bless your soul - you got your head in the clouds. Adele is not your typical singer-songwriter chick ...she has become the modern day queen of soul....her new album "21" came out last month...this song is one of my favorites

A rare little gem that's perfect to put on loop while you get some work done, or just zone out.  Enjoy.  P.S. - recongize it as a sample?

From his Stones Throw debut Toeachizown, this is "(My Funk Goes) On & On" by Dam-Funk. Deep bass, groovin keys and a vocoder - what more could you ask for?

A classic cut that appears on the "Funky President" mixtape by Kraz - features one of the most famous breaks of all time.

Really?  It snowed last night?  Over here in RAD land, we're more than ready for warm weather, but til then we'll just have to pretend.

Do I need a late pass for just recently falling in love with Lykke Li's music?  Seems like she's been everywhere and I've just kinda been ignoring it.  But anyway, I'm glad I finally listened cause she lives up to the hype - if you haven't listened yet, then don't wait any longer to hit that play button...

From his 2009 Warp Records debut Ambivalence Avenue, this is "Jealous Roses". Bibio's sound merges the quirky rhythms of instrumental hip hop with lighter guitar-based, poppy and indie-rocky layers on top. Listen as he gets soulful with the 70's wah-wah guitars and falsetto vocals.

What's happening friends?  Here's a joint from the recently released Cody ChesnuTT's EP titled, Black Skin No Value.  With six tracks, clocking in at around thirteen minutes, ChesnuTT song-writing and vocals are reminiscent of tracks from the Marvin Gaye's seminal masterpiece, What's Going On.  I honestly believe that Cody is working himself toward an epic full-length LP soon.  Enjoy.

It's been a long time coming. Though it seems overdone to introduce a blues song with strings, Sam Cooke's voice and the beautifully written lyrics make this track shine. When you have the blues, the only place to look is up.