The Stepkids have just let loose on a new video for their track “Suburban Dream” off their self-titled debut LP. James Brown would have totally partied with these guys. Heavy.
The Stepkids 
(Stonesthrow) (Official)
Rating: 8.3
The Stepkids have just let loose on a new video for their track “Suburban Dream” off their self-titled debut LP. James Brown would have totally partied with these guys. Heavy.
The Stepkids (Stonesthrow) (Official)
Rating: 8.3
“OVERdue” tells it like it is. Angry, soulful and overdue. Previewed from ZZ Ward’s forthcoming Eleven Roses mixtape. Get into it!
ZZ Ward – OVERdueZZ Ward 
(Tumblr)
Rating 8.2
Portuguese collective Orehla Negra put down this stunning flip of Betty LaVette’s 1973 tune “Your Turn to Cry”. Listen.
Orelhla Negra – M.I.R.I.A.M.Orelha Negra 
(Facebook) (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.5
Everything this guy puts out just absolutely kills it (If you’re not hip, you need to familiarize yourself ASAP). The reggae-styled “When Will They Learn” is certainly no different. LB’s track record is pretty much flawless but “When Will They Learn” might be our favorite song of his yet.
Liam Bailey & The Dynamic Set – When Will They LearnLiam Bailey 
(Official) (Facebook)
Rating 8.3
The Roots are prepping the release of what’s probably their 15th or 20th album, Undun. The latest preview of the project is “Stomp” which features fellow Philadelphian P.O.R.N. and knocks really really hard. An electric guitar lead frames P.O.R.N.’s rhymes as the 1-2 pushes underneath what can only be described as a modern take on the blues. Be ready.
The Roots – StompThe Roots 
(Official) (Myspace)
Rating 8.4
Tedsmooth puts Bey on some straight Marvin Gaye shit on this new remix for “Party”. In addition to the new mix, the NYC DJ grabs Styles P for a couple fresh verses. Sweet.
Beyonce – Party (DJ Tedsmooth Remix) (Feat. Styles P)DJ Tedsmooth (Official) (Twitter)
Rating 8.1
By Trevor Meyer
Awesome music continues to pour out of New Zealand. If you’re new to this Wellington-based band, consider this your chance to get funky with the high-acclaimed Kiwi band, The Black Seeds. The soulful “Cool me Down” comes to us off the band’s third album, Into the Dojo. If you see an angry bro in a social situation who is taking that “defensive lion position” (you know what I’m talking about) cool him down with this throwback. He may not dance, but he’ll be unfolding his arms and loosening up his polo shirt in no time. I’m hoping these guys come at it with a new album soon.
The Black Seeds – Cool Me DownThe Black Seeds 
(Official) (Facebook)
Rating 8.5
The brand new “Home Again” is yet another example of what UK singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka does so well. It’s just his soul, a guitar, and some minimal instrumentation all tuned into that special MK frequency. Get (re)familiar below.
Michael Kiwanuka 
(Facebook) (Official)
Rating 8.2
The dude Mayer Hawthorne takes PB&J all the way back 1970 on this new remix for “Dig a Little Deeper”. It’s a jangly, well-harmonized joint that would be right at home smack in the middle of an all-request triple play on your local Oldies station.
Peter Bjorn and John – Dig a Little Deeper (Mayer Hawthorne Remix)Peter Bjorn & John 
(Official) (Facebook)
Rating 8.0
We’ve been big fans of Teedra Moses for a minute now. Recently, our girl signed with Rick Ross’s Maybach Music Group. Here’s hoping that means she’ll be able to get hands on some of those syrupy Rawse mafioso beats. Teedra was born to sing over that shit (think Gwen McCrae). She’s one of the best voices in the R&B game, period. Cheers to the MMG signing being the start of a push to the top that is deserving of her talent.
Teedra Moses – Get FreeTeedra Moses 
(Facebook) (Twitter)
Rating 8.1
Hearing Drake and The Weeknd on a sort of 70’s soul influenced major key track like this is nuts. Take Care is sooooo fucking good; such a massive step forward from Thank Me Later. Hard to believe it’s the same guy. Take Care might be a classic. It’s, no doubt, one of the best LPs of 2011. “The Ride” might be our favorite track from it yet.
Drake – The Ride (Feat. The Weeknd)Rating 8.9
