Nina Sky - You Aint Got It

I wasn't a huge fan of Nina Sky's "Move Ya Body" Reggaeton-inflected breakout hit years back but after finding their self-titled "Nina Sky" album in a used record store I was pleasantly surprised. It to this day is an underrated R&B gem and for years I've been eagerly awaiting some new material from them.

Today while surfing the web I not only found out Nina Sky has some new material but they actually have a brand new EP available on their Bandcamp page!! These girls are doing something new with the change in their look and sound and I absolutely love it. Enjoy "You Aint Got It" which has an unexpected 90's house/pop sound to it.



Check out their "The Other Side" EP here:
The Other Side EP

ReneeDion - Have Mercy

I posted ReneeDion's "Nothing At All" video earlier this year and am now posting her ridiculously good video for "Have Mercy" off her next project entitled "The Bridge." Seriously, before she even started singing I was already in love. Moreover, the video has a lot of emotional impact and suits the song expertly. She continues to be an artist to watch!

Bilal - Levels

I can't believe it's been almost a whole month since my last post! My apologies, things have been kinda all over the place with me moving and getting settled into my new place but I'm back and ready to share some of the great music videos I've come across during that time off.

First off is Bilal's video for "Levels" which also happens to be my favorite cut off his latest release. Erykah Badu makes a cameo and Flying Lotus directed it; I really don't need to say anymore than that. Enjoy!

O'Spada - Time

The most enigmatic singer off of 35Bag's self titled album, I loved Julia Spada's earnestly soulful voice and cute accent. After checking out some of 35Bag's Youtube videos, I found out she is the lead singer for the group O'Spada. Here is their video for "Time," a peppy tune with a nice 80s throwback vibe. But 80s throwback in a good way, not in the "enough is enough!" way often seen a couple years ago with the 80s synth resurgence.

No Distance Just Grace" by Afta-1 & SPEAK

AFTA-1's collection of "Love Is Real" mixtapes are some of the smoothest down-tempo affairs that I've heard in recent memory. In fact, through them I first heard the timeless "Tiden Flyver" which I posted about back in March.

I recently ran across this video he had done with the emcee SPEAK. I love stop motion music videos and can't recall having seen too many hip hop ones.

Kissey Asplund

Kissey is one of those artists that are immediately memorable after a first listen. Her record "Plethora," feels like some living breathing sea creature from another planet due to it's often unconventional ebbs and flows it's the songs. It's definitely one of my go-to listens when I feel the need to escape and clear my mind. Enjoy this beautifully shot artist highlight from a few years back, as well as the song "Do You," which I just ran across for the first time!

Jack Peñate - Tonight's Today

I'm usually the one that introduces my friends to new music so it was a great surprise when one of my best buddies told me about Jack Peñate. I'm not sure why but when listening to "Everything Is New" I felt an air of excitement that I haven't felt since some of Nelly Furtado's earlier work. The album has got this exciting world music feel to it where you can tell Jack is a big connoisseur of all different types of cultures and music. To me, that's about the sexiest characteristic an artist can have!

Here's Tonight's Today off his album "Everything Is New"

Throwback: Esthero - That Girl

Here's a throwback video from an artist who in my opinion needs no introduction. A big reason why I make music today is because of Esthero. I'm eagerly awaiting her next album but in the interim I continue to play "Breath from Another" and "Wikked Lil' Grrrls" like I just bought them a couple days ago.

Enjoy "That Girl" off of the critically-acclaimed "Breath from Another!"

ReneeDion - Nothing At All

I ran across ReneeDion on and fell in love with this song. I had to look her up and joined her Facebook page and after she accepted me we actually chatted for a bit! There is nothing like running across a talented down-to-earth and humble artist; it's always such an inspiration for me and my craft.

Enjoy "Nothing At All" below off of ReneeDion's gem, "Rhapsody Inn!"

Kings of Convenience - Boat Behind

I adore Kings of Convenience. They are a true testament to the old adage of less being more. When I listen to them sometimes I ponder about how the hell they are able to create such lush and full sounding songs with often only a guitar and two voices. They also remind me that a bazillion instruments and layers often hurt my own songs more than help.

Enjoy the video for "Boat Behind," which compliments the song like a perfectly fitted glove!

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Bright Lit Blue Skies

I ran across Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti on LA's KCRW radio and partly due to the station's eclectic mix of music, I could not gauge if they were a new group or if they were some obscure band from the late '70s. Thankfully because of Shazam (if you've got an iPhone it's a must download) I was able to catch their name. With great warm melodies, a soft refreshing lo-fi sound and solid pop sensibilities, I always find their album "Before Today" a pleasure to listen to!

Check out "Bright Lit Blue Skies" below, the first music video off that record. It seems like it was a blast to shoot, for sure!

Numaads- Now

Following my post of Taylor McFerrin's "Place In My Heart" comes another beautifully shot video thick with ambiance and quiet, potent emotion. I've been highly anticipating Numaads first full-length album after their all too short three song EP released last year. Sounding as if it could be the distant cousin of a lost Groove Theory B-side, "Now" remained stuck in my head the majority of the second half of 2010. Enjoy!

Taylor McFerrin f. Ryat - Place in My Heart

After watching and listening to this breathtaking video, I am kicking myself for missing Taylor McFerrin's LA concert a couple months back at Little Temple. I won't say anymore, just watch and thank me later!

Taylor McFerrin feat. Ryat - Place in My Heart from Simon Benjamin on Vimeo.

P.S. In case you were wondering, Taylor indeed is the son of the great Bobby McFerrin!

Ilya - They Died For Beauty

This video is a throwback to one of the most beautiful albums I have in my collection. I just came across this homemade video to the title track of Ilya's "They Died For Beauty" and thought the two were a perfect pairing. Enjoy!




As a bonus, here is my favorite song off of the album (well favorite amongst favorites), "All For Melody."

Eagle Nebula - Waiting...

Eagle Nebula's "Cosmic Headphones" debut is an album I still listen to quite frequently. On top of featuring Georgia Anne Muldrow's homegrown "fonk" production, Nebula's flow is so unabashedly original, playful and insightful that it brightens up my day every time I listen to it.

So I was over the moon when I just found out about her free LoveBomb EP which can be found at her Bandcamp page, . Featuring production by Daru Jones that greatly compliments Nebula's often intergalactic flow, if you love hip hop this is a must-listen! Enjoy the official video for "Wating..." below!

KING - The Story

I ran across KING's "The Story" EP on Moovmnt.com and immediately fell in love! These 3 girls completely self-produced this EP and it sounds unlike any other artist or band that I've heard of. That's why when gearing up to post the video to "The Story," I was completely enthused to hear that none other than Music Queen Erykah Badu recently signed KING to her own Control Freaq record label! And here I was earlier this month worrying that this talented group might not get the attention they deserve. That news seriously made my entire day!

Enjoy the video to "The Story" and get your ears ready to listen to some fresh, new and most importantly, substantial music!

Joy Jones - Over

With this blog's ever-budding focus on the music videos of often undiscovered gems, I've too been discovering tons of videos by artists I love that I never knew existed. Joy Jones' "Over" is one of those videos. Listening to her album "Godchild" makes me feel like I'm traversing through a futuristic jungle full of life, color, rhythm, soul and a bit of jazz along the way. Definitely a favorite of mine in recent months!

Flying Lotus - MmmHmm

I had been hearing tons of buzz about Flying Lotus but I slept on him for quite a while. This was during a time I had already OD'd on hip-hop instrumentalists and didn't want to check out another. However, after one day seeing Cosmogramma on sale, I had to pick it up and see what all the fuzz was about.

First and foremost, Flying Lotus is so much more than a hip hop instrumentalist. He truly is a jazz musician in the realm of hip hop. I was and continue to be blown away by "Cosmogramma," at times not as much by the individual tracks but what the album as a whole speaks of and just how incredible of a ride it is. The album is truly a masterpiece and as a result I will be picking up the rest of his work whenever able.

Please enjoy the video below of "MmmHmm" off of that album. At first I loved the Man/Mother Nature motif but then after realising "Mother Nature's" leaves are of a very recognisable and popular plant, the video took on a bit of a different meaning lol.

Jean Grae - My Story

It's the underrated and under-appreciated videos like this that made me want to create this blog in the first place. Behold the very honest and powerful video for "My Story," by one of the most absolute best MC's out there, Jean Grae. It's a shame that mainstream seems to think there is only one coveted female MC spot with so many other talented artists out there!

Brittany Bosco - Blues for Blue

I had picked up Brittany Bosco's "City of Nowhere" EP a couple years back and was very impressed with her custom flavor of progressive soul. Then she released her Spectrum EP and I instantly fell in love with the jazzy cut "Blues for Blue." Her music video for that song does a great job of capturing the tune's essence. Enjoy!

Amanda Blank - Might Like You Better

I was apprehensive to buy Ms. Blank's CD for quite a while. I was afraid that she was just some Ke$ha clone (that alone is enough to make me run for the hills) but after seeing a video of a live performance of her's I decided to take the gamble and pick up her "I Love You" LP. Glad I did because it is one fun dirty electro-pop ride!

Less like Ke$ha and more like Princess Superstar meets Kid Sister, I thoroughly enjoy "I Love You" from start to finish. Be that as it may, would a consider it a guilty pleasure? Just a tad. I'd also consider it a great album who knows what it is and doesn't take itself too seriously. I'm sold.

Boom Clap Bachelors - Tiden Flyver

I was first introduced to this song and Boom Clap Bachelors from one of AFTA-1's stellar L.O.V.E. compilations. While I can't verbally understand an ounce of the lyrics (I believe they're in Danish), this song oozes soul, sensuality and seduction. If I were gonna make a 'Baby Making' mix any time soon, this would be included more than once.

While looking for a video to post of Tiden Flyver, I ran across the incredible Live version above. It is 100% pure everything (and gotta love the spandex!).  Bonus points if anyone can send me a transcript of the interview that follows!

Check out the album version below:

Andreya Triana - Lost Where I Belong

Andreya Triana is one artist that I've been hearing some buzz about recently and I finally bit the bullet and bought her CD. Solely listening to album snippets, I couldn't quite gauge how absolutely wonderful her album was since it's such a lowkey, laidback affair. Nine songs in length, the album "Lost Where I Belong" leaves you wanting more with it's honest, minimalistic production and catchy hooks. Andreya Triana has a beautiful, sultry voice and refreshingly realizes the importance of taking it easy and letting it simmer. She never over sings and always sings with such conviction and sincerity.

Check out the video for the title track "Lost Where I Belong," to catch a glimpse of this surely soon to be rising star!

35Bag f. Julia Spade - Remember the 90s

I ran across 35bag on one of my favorite music blogs, Moovmnt and I enjoyed "Ring My Telephone" so much that I bought the whole album on iTunes.  35bag's self-titled album is an eclectic hip hop/soul record that time travels from the 60s all the way to the future with it's imaginative production and song selection.

I adore the video for "Remember the 90s", which is the first official one that I've seen from the album.  It has such a charming home-made vibe to it that it makes me smile everytime I watch it.  I particularly love the guest vocalist Julia Spade, who I consider the standout vocalist of the album with her handful of appearances.  You can also find the song "Ring my Telephone" below!

Amanda Diva - Manchild

I've been following Ms. Diva's music career for a few years now and I love watching her truly grow into her artistry and into adulthood.  I do not understand why she continues to be so slept on!  Enjoy her latest video, "Manchild"!

James Blake - Limit To Your Love

It seems like I've been hearing tons about James Blake lately.  I had heard a couple snippets of work from his Klavierwerke EP released last year but wasn't able to get a full gauge of his work.  Then I ran across his excellent dub-step-ish cover of Feist's "Limit To Your Love" and I've been an official fan ever since!  His take of the song is hauntingly sparse with an ambience filled video that compliments it quite nicely.

Apparently he went to the same music school Amy Winehouse and Adele attended.  There's got to be something in the water there!

Cee Lo's "Bodies" Music Video

Cee Lo Green - Bodies VIDEO directed by Mikael Colombu from Mikael Colombu on Vimeo.


"Bodies" is hands down my favorite song off of Cee Lo's latest effort, Lady Killer.  So I was extremely excited to hear there was a video in the works for it.  I was not expecting it to be as incredible and imaginative as it is.  I am sure that I'll be seeing more work by Mikael Colombu, the director of this masterpiece.

Seaming

I first came across Seaming years ago after hearing her incredible operatic vocals on the opening of Herbaliser's "Something Wicked This Way Comes."  Recently I listened to that album again and finally had to look her up.  I'm glad I did because Seaming is gearing up to release her first full album shortly.  Her solo material seems to have a minimalistic almost electronic fun house vibe to it.  Extremely eerie at times and always beautiful.  Can't wait to get my hands on it once it's finally out!

Seaming's official Myspace page:  http://www.myspace.com/seaming