The other night 3 djs saved my life… Dwele, T3 (Slum Village), and of course Waajeed. It was a difficult week and I needed some good music and some grey goose. The Detroit crew created a party called Fantastic (like the first slum album) that was off the hook.!!! Smooth soul selections, impromptu performances, and a lively crowd sprinkled with hip hop soul artists like Bilal and Tiombe Lockheart. The night was perfect…. I just had to big up the party up before I mentioned the new PPP single .

So the PPP (formerly Platinum Pied Pipers) formula goes like this Waajeed plays producer/musical director with the beats while Saadiq brings the live instrumentation to the mix. The PPP cast members usually changes with each record ( like menudo LOL). This time around PPP introduces soul singers Coultrain and Karma Stewart. The new single On a Cloudb/w Angel (Ubiquity) offers a new musical direction than what PPP fans might be used to, but still manages to keep the soulful energy your used to hearing.

I included the Trackademicks Remix of On a Cloud because it’s my favorite on the new single. You can also check out the short documentary style video produced by Waajeed on location in Dubai. The video covers the making of the new single and an introduction to the new PPP cast. Video after the jump enjoy!!!

PPP@Myspace.com

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I came across the music of Dam Funk via a 12inch remix of Baron Zen’s Burn Rubber that was in heavy rotation at my job (Turntable Lab). The beat was so soulful and funky it instantly made me walk over to the turntable to see who it was. Ever since then I’ve had a strong interest in the music of Mr. Dam Funk.

Dam Funk is at the forefront of the modern funk movement and a walking boogie funk historian. He keeps the good people of LA dancing to the Funk, with his popular weekly party Funkmosphere, where he plays rare boogie and funk selections usually only found on vinyl. Dam funk’s latest 12 inch release Burgundy City (Stones Throw) is a testament to his passion and dedication to the boogie. On Burgundy City Dam Funk not only plays all the instruments, but with no sequencing… no computer. Such a rarity in the digital age… just like the man himself.

Baron Zen - Burn Rubber (Dam-Funk Remix)

Dam-Funk - Burgundy City

Dam Funk@Myspace

Raphael Saadiq is about to release his fourth solo album The Way I See It on Columbia Records. Mr. Saadiq has kept himself busy creating future classics for Joss Stone, Kelis, and Anthony Hamilton. You may have heard that Raphael recently invited 100 ladies (ladies only affair) to preview his new album at an undisclosed location through his myspace page. I can’t be mad at the brother for that one.

In this episode of Fader TV, Raphael Saadiq invites you into his creative lab to talk about his new album and his overall creative process. Let’s hope for some more Instant Vintage type classics. Video after the jump!!

Raphael Saadiq@Myspace.com

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With the new release of D’Angelo’s greatest hits (so far) CD/DVD compilation. The King of Neo Soul returns to give his fans a reminder of how he captured the crown in the first place. All of D’Angelo’s classics cuts are included on this project. The same week of the release, a mysterious 45 record with two unreleased D’Angelo tracks turned up at Turntable Lab.

On the A side D’Angelo covers Bill Withers ode to Captain Save’ms everywhere in Use Me. If your familiar with D’Angelo’s work you know he has a certain skill for taking over songs and making them his own. The B side features a song that sounds like it could have been a stolen gem from D’Angelo’s unreleased album with Questlove. If your not convinced Dj Triple J reminds you several times that you didn’t get this track from him. I apologize for the tags on the song, but these are exclusives. Enjoy!!!

D’Angelo- Use Me

D’Angelo- Really Love

D’Angelo@Myspace

Meet Supreme Justyce, a group of five Super Heroines standing in the face of danger, the danger being fake, plastic, overrated “hollywood” chicks that are antagonizing and ruining girls and women’s self esteem. Co creator Kecia Hayes, impressed us with this comic strip, that provides some alternatives to Hanna Montana and Barbie.

The comic strip is pretty live and action packed. In the beginning Supreme Justyce rushes these paparazzi loving, fake chicks. At first I thought the beginning was kinda harsh, they basically start out kickin’ these blonde girls’ asses. But then I realize it wasn’t about “white girls”, there is a “black bambi” they beat up for playing herself. Nevertheless the comic is beautifully illustrated and exciting I kept clicking to see what happened next.

Check out www.supremejustyce.com

Holla!
Nemiss

HCR is wrapping up another season at WBMB and getting ready for the summer season. The summer season of HCR is more freeform/mixtape style. Last week’s show was a preview of the summer season with something we like to call fruitless expeditions.

Fruitless Expeditions involves a lot of random conversations with no destination in mind. It’s all about the journey baby!!! Some of the topics we touch upon… a mini Biggie Tribute, estate planning, summer side hustles, and how tie a tie. Listen and give your feedback. We can use some guidance.

Download HCR- Fruitless Expeditions

Last week Eric Lau passed through the Turntable lab offices. He seemed amped shopping for records at the lab. I didn’t get a chance to meet him, but my boys Snack and Commish put me on to this London based producer and his new album on Ubiquity called New Territories. I did a little research and found out Eric Lau did an album with Dudley Perkins and Georgia Ann Muldrow (don’t know how I missed that one), so naturally I was sold.

A couple days after listening to the album New Territories I wished I had got a chance to say what’s up. All that to say I was very impressed with Eric Lau’s smooth, neo-soul inspired production. The tracks are guided along by the jazzy vocals of London songbird Rahel. This album will remind you of the late 90’s Neo Soul Movement in a very good way, just an overall good vibe. Check it out and give some feedback.

Eric Lau Featuring Rahel- Show Me

Eric Lau Featuring Rahel- Let it Out

Eric Lau Featuring Tawiah

Eric Lau@Myspace.com

Rahel@Myspace.com

Ubiquity Records

It’s no question that Luv4Art endorses Sen. Barack Obama for the upcoming elections, and hopefully throughout his political career. I think he represents light and hope in a country whose leaders have shown little if anything to inspire it’s people. I recently made a comment that Barack is reaching the Jordan status in regards to his popularity in America. Jordan at the height of his career was no longer considered a black man or a basketball player but a mythical entity adored by everyone. I feel Barack Obama is approaching this status, I like to call him the new Ipod, because everyone wants the newness.

So it’s no surprise that in order for Sen. Obama to make it this far he had to receive support from a lot of different places. This week I’ve seen two examples of support for Obama come out of left field. First legendary Reggae artist Cocoa Tea released a song Barack Obama on VP Records. The song is a great ode to Obama delivered in the roots reggae tradition. Listening to the song I’m just waiting for him to say something controversial that the Clinton camp would try to capitalize on (like Eddie Murphy’s spoof kill the white people on SNL).

Next is a music video from the front man of one of our favorite groups @ Luv4art SA-RA. Taz Arnold uses the first single from his upcoming solo project to inform everyone to vote for Obama. The best part of the video (and there are many moments) is when the chorus comes in and he says “We hood…We votin’ and throwing it up!!” with the Obama “O” hand gesture… too much. Lots of cameos in this video including artist Shepard Fairy (Obey/Barack Poster), Kanye, Jay Z etc. Check it out… vote Obama and as always give your feedback.

Cocoa Tea- Barack Obama

Taz Arnold Vote for Obama Video

Taz@Myspace

Pursuit Grooves aka Vanese Smith is a multi-talented artist and entrepreneur who resides in Brooklyn NY (originally from Washington DC). You might have been to her store Addy and Ferro or caught her on the ones and twos around NYC. Lucky for us this lady is also a serious beat-head. On her first album Fun Like Passion, Pursuit delivered with her electronic funk sound, my favorite song Nasty Girl has her even touching the mic as an emcee.

On her latest release Wild Art Forestry, Pursuit brings more of that electronic sound with the beats that knock, but also shows the evolution of her sound. I’m sure Pursuit has drawn comparisons to many producers of the next beat generation (Georgia Ann, Flying Lotus), but I think her sound is diverse and still evolving. But I’m happy to see more ladies behind the boards, gives Hip Hop/Electronica a different perspective.

Check out the album sampler below and give your feedback. For all you New Edition fans check out Pursuit’s remix of Count me out on her myspace page.

Pursuit Grooves- Wild Art Forestry Sampler

Pursuit Grooves@Myspace

knobsandwhistles.com

If you are a regular listener of HCR you know it’s a rare occasion that we discuss a serious political topics. But when we do it’s usually a very informative show, with intelligent insights to the situation. In this episode we had two HCR alumni stop through to join in the conversation, Marv (aka OG Eatmore) who called in from Atlanta and Dj Oja. Normally I would have a lot to say about the Sean Bell case, but I decided to step back and let my guests voice their opinions. Check out the show, your feedback and suggestions are much appreciated (homecookinradio@gmail.com).

I would like to say again rest in peace to Sean Bell and many blessings to his family.

Download HCR Sean Bell episode

Homecookin Radio