The Soullective

Dani Elliott- Can’t Make Up My Mind

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 23:23:27 -0500

Dani Elliott- Can’t Make Up My Mind

Audio

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 23:23:00 -0500

Video

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 23:22:41 -0500

No words for this one. Long live hip hop…

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 22:52:22 -0400

No words for this one. Long live hip hop…

Classic joint from T Shirt. Totally NSFW.

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:54:57 -0400

PUSSY (Essay) - T.SHIRT from shirt on Vimeo.

Classic joint from T Shirt. Totally NSFW.

Alabama Shakes

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:48:43 -0400

Alabama Shakes :: "I Found You" from Rich Tarbell on Vimeo.

Alabama Shakes

Joey Bada$$ x Capital STEEZ- Survival Tactics

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:47:15 -0400

Joey Bada$$ x Capital STEEZ- Survival Tactics

Listening to this song makes me miss the hell out of Rawkus...

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:46:25 -0400

Listening to this song makes me miss the hell out of Rawkus Records. Pharoahe’s verse is just insane and M.O.P’s contagious energy is all over this track. I can listen to this all day..

Rashid Amir- Epidemic

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 22:35:29 -0400

Rashid Amir- Epidemic

Moufy- Miss Newton

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 22:35:19 -0400

Moufy- Miss Newton

Emeli Sande- Next to Me

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 22:35:11 -0400

Emeli Sande- Next to Me

Shout out to Jennah Bell for hitting the stage at the BET Awards...

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 00:36:49 -0400

Shout out to Jennah Bell for hitting the stage at the BET Awards tonight. She’s so dope. So talented. I’m more than happy for her. Music matters. Word

Album Review- Raquel Rodriguez

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:17:00 -0400

Raquel Rodriguez is best classified as a soulful, jazz songstress from the City of Angels. On her self-titled debut, she offers half a dozen, laid back tracks that are as smooth as they are relaxing. Not sure if this will be interpreted as a good thing or not, but I would describe Raquel Rodriguez as easy listening. I can imagine myself being in a dimly lit lounge, enjoying the company of a lady friend, nursing an adult beverage while Raquel performs with a live band. That really seems like it’d be the perfect setting for a performance of this album. And you know what? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Of the album’s six tracks, “Midnight Whispers” is easily my favorite, as it affords Raquel the opportunity to showcase her vocal and emotional range. The song is equally sexy and subtle—the audio equivalent of a little black dress. I’m far from a jazz enthusiast, but in my opinion “Midnight Whispers” is what jazz is supposed to sound like.

If I had to compare Raquel Rodriguez’s sound to anyone, I’d probably go with Corinne Bailey Rae, and just like Corinne, Raquel does a wonderful job of staying in her lane. She seems to know exactly what she’s good at and sticks to it. That’s not to say that she’s a one trick pony, however. I think that more than anything else, this project leaves you wanting more; not in a “I’m completely unsatisfied” kind of way, but in a “that was really good, and I’m sure she has a few tricks up her sleeve, so I can’t wait for the next project” kind of way.

With that being said, Raquel Rodriguez is very good for what it is, and that is a Jazzy record with enough hints of Soul to pique the curiosity of fans of both genres. If you’re looking to laugh, cry, or dance, you may want to look elsewhere. But if you’re looking to enjoy the company of your significant other, or simply a glass of wine, Raquel Rodriguez is the perfect album.

-Greg Leveille

What Ever Happened To Smoothe Da Hustla & Trigga Da Gambla?

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:29:03 -0400

To me, this song epitomizes that early 90’s, gritty, east coast rap that made people love and fear New York at the same time. These dudes were clever as hell on this one, especially considering the rhyme pattern they chose to stick to for the entire length of the song. I came across this DOPE interview that Smoothe did with Hip Hop Dx a couple of years ago. Definitely worth the read. Peace!

Bobby Womack: Harry Hippie

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:24:27 -0500

Bobby Womack: Harry Hippie

Anita Baker

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:24:22 -0500

Anita Baker

Sam Cooke- Bring It On Home To Me

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:24:18 -0500

Sam Cooke- Bring It On Home To Me

Otis Reddng- That’s How Strong My Love Is

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:24:14 -0500

Otis Reddng- That’s How Strong My Love Is

Dorothy Moore: Misty Blue

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:24:10 -0500

Dorothy Moore: Misty Blue

L.T.D: Love Ballad

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:24:04 -0500

L.T.D: Love Ballad