Music: Esperanza Spalding “Crowned and Kissed” [Live]
Esperanza Spalding performs ‘Crowned and Kissed’ on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
She makes me want to sing and play an instrument.
Music: Tensei -One EP
Chicago natives Simple X and Midas Wells (also known as Tensei) have created a brilliant, flowing instrumental EP that infuses hip hop, soul, electronica and jazz. Check out their latest release and let me know what you think.
New Music: Columbia Nights “Feel”
Columbia Nights has released a new song from their upcoming debut EP, which is anticipated to come out in May. The group gathered inspiration from George Duke’s 1974 album, Feel.
Click on the album artwork to listen to the track.
Here is what Columbia Nights have to say about their new release:
“George Duke has been an inspiration to our ears for some time. His mid-70s fusion period, brought to us by pioneering jazz label MPS, gave us classic records like The Aura Will Prevail, Liberated Fantasies, and Feel. These gems all spent plenty of time on the turntable as we crafted our EP over the past year. As Duke made the leap from sideman and session musician to groundbreaking bandleader and producer, his first solo projects represented a striking new approach to jazz, funk, and R&B. Lush pads, warm Rhodes, and far-out lead synths (not to mention incomparable keyboard chops) are just some of his signature sounds that have influenced our approach to production.
The Feel LP also represents one of Duke’s first efforts with a lyrical focus, and the album’s title track sees the instrumentalist offering wisdom through beautifully arranged, ethereal harmonies that resonate with the spirit of Columbia Nights. His message of transcendent love is one that we live by, and we hope that our re-imagining of Feel inspires you to do the same.”
New Music: Diggs Duke “Patiently We Bloom”
Once again, Diggs Duke seamlessly creates a musical masterpiece with his new release, “Patiently We Bloom”. Duke explains, “This song uses the beauty of the blooming season as a metaphor for action.”
You can download “Patiently We Bloom” for free on Bandcamp.
Diggs has also launched a new website: www.diggsduke.com .
Be sure to check it out!
Video: Add-2 “Cotton Fields”
Directed by Cam Be, this video comes off of Add-2’s mixtape “Save. Our. Souls.”. You need to add this to your collection.
Download it here.
New Video: Szjerdene “Blue Lullaby”
London born songstress, Szjerdene, has released a new video for her upcoming release, ‘Patchwork the EP’. I am looking forward to it. I discovered her music late last year. I am sure this new EP will be a treat.
Soul Spotlight: Elle Winston
If I had to choose three words to describe Elle Winston I would use: passionate, creative and organic. Winston is a musician who is true to her artistry and has a genuine interest in social justice, which is exciting! We need more artists who are socially conscious, and I found this interview with Elle gives me hope. You will find Elle’s sound rich and soothing. Be sure to purchase her EP, Who Said It Was Simple?
Written by Eb
When did you start performing?
I started performing around age 7 or 8. As a young person I was always involved in school music clubs and choirs, auditioning and performing in musical theater and, of course, talent shows. I was also an instrumentalist. I played viola seriously for about 11 years and frequently performed with school orchestras and strings performance groups.
I read in your bio that you used to sing with two bands. What made you decide to begin a solo career?
I have always worked musically on a solo basis, whether that be writing songs or pursuing collaborations, etc., but singing with a band had always been my ultimate goal as a young vocalist. I finished my degree in vocal performance in ’08 and knew that I needed another performance outlet. In ’09, a friend of mine and I started a small cover band (which never played a gig, I will add LOL) and though that didn’t take off, it did lead to me hooking up with other players in town. I played with two (sometimes three) bands for roughly two and a half years, all while still trying to work on my own music and find my own sound. Finally in the mid-part of 2010, I started seriously writing songs for a project. I didn’t how long it would take or how long the project would be, it started very organically, but I knew I wanted to finish a piece of original work. I co-wrote the project with Kevan Aaron and together we fleshed my first solo project!
What was the inspiration behind your first project, Who Said It Was Simple?
The inspiration behind this project came from a strong desire to create. At the time I was writing this project, I was also working on an Applied Project (aka thesis) to complete my Master’s degree. I really wanted to create something that I was musically proud of and draw from all that was swirling around in my head at the time. Singing and songwriting have always been things that I respected as crafts in their own right. I wanted to begin to step into that world with music that was true to me and music that meant something to the players who played it. I also was interested in telling a variety of stories about life. I had been writing my thesis and had drawn a lot of inspiration from Audre Lorde and a poem she wrote called Who Said It Was Simple? While the poem was very much about the feminist struggle, the race struggle and what it means to be a freedom fighter, it resonated with me in such larger ways. In my EP, as in the poem, there are strong themes of love, fear, uncertainty, triumph and strength. I wanted my music to share those same sentiments. I wanted it to be honest.
What message, if any, do you want to convey through your music?
In my music I want to convey truth. As cliché as that sounds, I hope for it to be 1. a true reflection of who and where I am at the time in which the music is created and 2. a truth that resonates with others. I think music is one of the most powerful things that we as human beings can do. Creating music is always, always, always a collaboration – whether in writing, performing or listening. It is one of the most potent connections that we can have with others. As creators of music, I think there is a very real responsibility that we bear. It’s the responsibility to speak truthfully about our own lives and also the responsibility to use the power we have to influence others’ lives in a positive way.
If you had to create a soundtrack that describes your life, what songs would you include?
WHOA! This interview just got crazy hard…okay so a couple songs that I can’t imagine my life without are:
“Man in the Mirror”- Michael Jackson
“Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” – Marvin Gaye
Any song from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill
Any song from Tidal by Fiona Apple
Any song from Illmatic by Nas
“Talkin About a Revolution” – Tracy Chapman
“Not The Only One”– Bonnie Raitt
“Mannish Boy” – Muddy Waters
“Spirit In The Dark”– Aretha Franklin
SO MANY OTHERS!
—wait, can’t leave out Bob Marley. What list is he not on!
Do you have any upcoming projects or events?
Right now I am in the process of working on a video for one of the songs off the Who Said It Was Simple? EP. I am also in the early stages of thinking about what I’d like to do for my next project. I am playing around with the idea of doing a cover album of revolution songs from my parent’s era when they were my age: Late 70’s through the 80’s. It will be homage to their musical influence on me.
A mission that The Soulcial Circle has is to shed light on various social issues that are occurring both nationally and internationally. What is one social issue that concerns you and what do you think we (society) can do to alleviate this problem?
My main concern, first and foremost, always centers around issues of rights/protections for women and girls worldwide. I am very passionate about the rights of women including reproductive rights, protections against domestic violence, sexual abuse and sexual assault. I am an advocate for the abolition of sexist behaviors, sexist legislation, sexist policy and ideology. Any and all things that render women “less than” I strongly oppose! In terms of what we as a society can do to change this, I think we have to be willing to talk about the history of our nation and that history lies in patriarchy. Once we engage that history, we can begin to uproot the hatred that festers and renders so many women as targets of abuse. I also believe that we have to have an uprising of men. Men have to be at the table. Men have to be outraged as well. This fight cannot be won without their investment and without an effort to reeducate men on what equality means.
I am also very concerned with the racist and classist practice of mass incarceration taking place in our country. I am enraged by the levels at which people of color and people from traditionally underserved communities are being swept up into the criminal justice system and losing their rights. The arresting, sentencing, deportation and incarceration of men and women of color and also the abuses that they experience while incarcerated, are deeply disturbing. I am fundamentally opposed to the existence and capitalist function of prisons and advocate for reconciliation and rehabilitation alternatives instead.
How can readers connect with you?
Hello readers! I would love for you to reach out. I can be found on Facebook under the name Lauren “Elle” Winston or on Twitter @Elle_Winston. My website is truly a hodge-podge of music, writing and fun stuff: http://www.ElleWinston.com and finally, you can see me cover some of my favorite tunes at http://www.youtube.com/MsElleWinston.
My EP can be found here: http://ellewinston.bandcamp.com/album/who-said-it-was-simple
Music: BJ The Chicago Kid “His Pain” featuring Kendrick Lamar
*flips table over*
Who has been hiding this good music from me?!?!
I’m a fan. Thanks, BJ.
Soulcial Circle 