We Plug to Y.O.U... The Stuyvesants.

Before we go into the music, I surmise this is where I introduce myself. Well, I'm Jo. Or doJo. If the name sounds familiar (although I won't be offended if it doesn't), it's because of this. Ayo asked me to contribute, and I had a great time doing it. Hopefully I can do it again sometime [wink wink, nudge nudge]. A couple of months & BBM conversations later, here I am. My musical tastes range from that good old Jackson 5 to the musical styling & impeccable adlibs Gucci Mane has graced us with (in small doses, of course). I’m enamored with Colbie Callait almost as much as I love Ray Charles, and the musical productions of Nicolay and the whole Foreign Exchange Music imprint will forever leave me breathless. I don’t claim to know more than I do in terms of music, and I will admit that I don’t give everything a chance. But from what I like, and what my last fm page tells me, I’m willing to give almost everything a chance. But enough about me; let’s get to the music.

I love Brooklyn. I’ve always called it my second home. There was a time where I was adamant that I’d live there for the rest of my life. Although that notion has come and gone, one thing that remains is that my love for the city is still there. My favorite time to go is during the summer. There’s so much energy and so much going on, you really can’t sit still. So when this project popped up in my Twitter timeline while I was at work, I took a chance on it and was blown away. What I’m plugging to you is 25 tracks of soulful, crate-digging, utterly amazing production in the form of The Stuyvesants’ “Brooklyn’s Finest.”


No one can describe who they are and what they do better than that person, so I’ll let them handle the formalities:
"The Stuyvesants” is a collaborative effort between music producer Allan Cole (Algorythm), and record collector Darien Victor Birks (Flwrpt). Both reside in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY. The two wanted to work together on a project where they could incorporate several of their talents, related to music and design. They wanted to do this under a moniker that would pay homage to the ’70s. The collaboration allowed them to do four major things, design, beat dig, produce amazing music, and simply have fun.
Through this project, they hoped to not only pay homage to the 70s but also take the listener on a journey through Bed-Stuy in that era. I can truly say that they achieved this goal and then some. I've been playing it non-stop since June 1, and each time I find something new to love.



I have to admit, I’m not into jazz, but there is something to be said about this particular track, "A Liquid Love (A Sophisticated Meeting Place)". I was in a band for 6 years, so of course, the first thing that drew my attention were the horns. They’re soft, but not too soft; they charge but they’re not overbearing.



That song, "There's So Many", is my favorite on the project. The first time I heard it, I was immediately taken to my aunt’s apartment in Brooklyn (in my mind, of course). This song is a perfect example of block party, everything is all-good and everyone is having a great time kind of music. The tambourine gets me all the time and I just start doing a soul clap each and every time. There’s just enough funk and soul and it balances perfectly. Go on ahead and do the bus stop to it – I won’t judge.



"Sunrise in the Stuy” is a whimsical and enchanting song. The loop of the horns and how they come in at what seem to be odd counts is a highlight for me. This song, to me, is the space in-between when a dream ends and when you wake up. I can definitely see myself in bed when this song comes on, and the climax at 1:31-34 is the morning stretch. Or maybe it’s the moment I open my eyes.

More notable songs that I encourage you to check are “W.O.M.A.N., ”a sultry track that encourages a slow dance; “Seldom Seen,” which has a vocal chop and a breakdown fit for a king, and “Green Ave. Anthem” which is just as fanciful as “Sunrise in the Stuy.” “Hustlers” is a gritty, grimy attack that still maintains the soul that is prevalent throughout the entire album. The drums are hard hitting and the chop of the hook is flawless.

The Stuyvesants’ album is, in my opinion, perfect for any occasion.

Their goal was to pay homage to the 70s, and I think they achieved that goal and more. Any listener can tell that Algorythm and Flwprt took their time to perfectly craft this album, and it is prevalent from track 1 to 25. Each song is crafted so that either they are short enough to always make you want more, or long enough that you still want more, thus hitting the repeat button. There is a song for everyone on this project, and a song for any occasion. I recommend anyone to give this a try, because there is no room for disappointment on this project.


Download: The Stuyvesants – Brooklyn’s Finest

Until the Next Time,

Dojo

We Plug 2 Y.O.U... CILLA K - FINE LINE

There should be a rule sometime in the near future banning lazy writers from owning/managing/editing websites or  any form of publication, maybe that will kick me into shape! I've been away for a bit, haven't I? We could go back and forth with the blaming games on this but what would that solve heh? Anyhoo right into the reason I'm here today...

I received an email on the 25TH of June (Yes! A month ago so #dearartists I'm really not ignoring your music, oh except if its really awful then YES I'm ignoring it! Alas I digress) from a French West Indian alternative/indie-soul artist & beat-maker based in New York by the name of Cilla K about her debut album, 'Fine Line' which was released in April and then she also went on to list a few Online Editors that have been so kind as to review her work... In this list included some of my favourite websites such as Above & Beyond Magazine, Soul:UK & This is Real Music and so I thought I'd pay particular attention to this lady and her music.


I have been listening to 'Fine Line' for close to a month now and it is a thoroughly enjoyable body of work. I rarely ever use 'enjoyable' to describe music (even though I think I should more often) but its the Summer and if you're not listening to Music that you are enjoying then there must be a problem. Having said that, I still wanna be able to appreciate the music I'm listening to. Note that appreciating & enjoying music are two different things... I enjoy & appreciate Cilla K's 'Fine Line'. 

I'll just show you a couple (or 3) reasons why and if you're a regular listener of our radio show on Melody One, you will have heard these reasons already but yeah let's listen to some music...



"You've got the face of an angel but I know you're an evil child." - Cilla K

Something about this record apart from the title 'Evil Child' grabs you immediately you hear it... Alright, maybe not immediately but I guarantee you once you've hit the chorus, you cannot get that line outta your head and the harmony on this as well gets me. The combination of those light drums patterns & what I think are lead guitar strings gives Cilla K the haunting & captivating musical backdrop she needs to make this record work and she doesn't disappoint on those vocals... I really really like this song, what do you make of it?

Lemme know what you think of this next one as well yeah?



This record 'Black & White' sounds so different from the other songs on the album & I'm not saying that it doesn't quite fit into this album BUT it does have a certain different feel to it that's not on the rest of the album (it may just be me so you can tell me if I'm wrong when you listen to the album) and it's certainly not a bad thing, it's just an observation. It sounds more 'Summery R&B-ish' than 'Alternative Indie-Soul-ish' if that makes any sense. I really like this song & you can hear the beauty in what she's doing with those drum patterns & guitar strings again, this time with the right touch of piano keys... Simple sounds but the effects are amazing to my ears (you need to plug in headphones to hear these guitar strings in all that accentuated glory)


All in all, 'Fine Line' is 15-tracks of GOOD Music without saying too many words! Cilla K's dreamy vocals, the amazing melodies & harmonies and of course the very impressive production on this album make it one that you should definitely check out. From the two records we've already shared with you, to other stand-out tracks such as the very enjoyable 'Lost in You', the hard-thumping Hip-Hop influenced title-track 'Fine Line' and the 'Drive You Home' remix which we're about to listen to, this is so worth your time!!!



"Tell me have you lost your way boy" - Cilla K

'Drive You Home Remix' was my stand-out record from the album when I first listened to it but now I'm undecided as I quite like 'Evil Child' a whole lot but this is still a stand-out record by any measure! Those horns are simply the business & Cilla K's vocal harmonizing shines through on this record

You can stream the whole 'Fine Line' album for free via Cilla K's Myspace Page and so you should! I reckon you'll like it so I've included the purchase link for 'Fine Line' right below for your perusal! It's only $5.99 (around £3.50)

Purchase: Cilla K - Fine Line

Until the Next Time...

We Plug 2 Y.O.U... ONE MIC + JULY 25TH 2010 + The Mid-Summer Edition

We haven't done one of these in a really long time right? Well I really hope you can come out for this one (well if you're in London ofcourse), it'd be really good to see you + after our little break last month, it'd be kinda nice to know we still got you like that, you know...

"GUESS WHO'S BACK AGAIN? The ONE MIC Series is BACK for its Summer Show of 2010 - ONE MIC... The Mid-Summer Edition...  AND in our consistent & continuous bid & effort to keep plugging the best of NEW & EMERGING Performing Artistes, 'We Plug GOOD Music' & the dMp have put together another magical evening of GOOD MUSIC, GOOD Poetry & GOOD Comedy for Y.O.U!" - We Plug G.O.O.D Music
I am really looking forward to this showcase on the 25th, it feels so NEAR!!! Carol Ohemaa, who's doing a spoken word set on the night, asked me last night at Writer's Block in Shoreditch, if I was nervous and usually the answer would be NO because leading up to the last few One Mic events, I'd been really calm and jus like yeah 'whatever's gonna go down is gonna go down!', which is/was a sharp contrast with how I was at the very first 'One Mic' event back in August last year, that was emotional boiiii... Anyway back to the present day, 'One Mic', Next Week Sunday... Am I nervous? Yeah BUT I am also very excited...

WITH the release of their debut single 'Night Time Calling', UK-Based Hip-Hop/Folk Duo, I Am One Project are receiving rave reviews left, right and centre SO we thought it only right for them to come and show you what all the hype is about right on the 'ONE MIC' stage + FRESH off of her packed out E.P Launch Party in Shoreditch, UK Soul Singer Dionne Reid finally graces the 'ONE MIC' stage and with her, she brings that realness & freeness that's been missing on the scene, EXPECT a truly electrifying SET from the very talented Ms. Reid + so much MORE AMAZING Music & Poetry on the night including Jodi Ann Bickley, the amazing Performance Poet from Birmingham, Emerging Zimbabwean born + UK Based Soul/Funk Singer Chantelle Nandi and Acoustic R&B Singer/Song-Writer Craig Storrod to name only a couple, this Mid-Summer 2010 Edition of the 'One Mic' Series promises simply to be as we say 'A MAGICAL EVENING of GOOD MUSIC & GOOD POETRY'!

GET your £5 tickets HERE via Ticketweb and then check out all the DETAILS about One Mic... The Mid-Summer Edition + Some footage or material of some of the artists you can expect to catch down at 'One Mic' come July 25th at Elixir Bar! ALL right after the JUMP...
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