Check out pt2 of our tribute to women of alternative soul compilation. Many are new to our ears and we've included others we feel need to be given extra attention in your playlists. Shouts out to all vocalists included and to everyone that shared the mix with their friends.

The Friday before my birthday I went record shopping and came up on a really good haul. I picked a few joints to give me doubles but the rest were all records that were not in my collection. I’ve been doing Vinyl? Check! (view) on the site since it’s inception and promising myself I’d do a mix but never got around to doing it. This isn’t a mix per se but I have arranged it to give it an agreeable flow.
I can’t recall the first albums I picked up while digging but when I found The Crusaders’ Street Life I knew I was in for an excellent excursion; This mix showcases my haul. The tracks are lesser known gems, at least to me, with the exception of Street Life, a personal favorite. I hope you enjoy this “mix” as much as I enjoyed discovering these treats and choose to share as I have with you. This is just part 1

DJ Rahdu has mixed together 45 minutes of music for you to chill or dance to. From traditional house to remakes of funk jazz classics, Le Moelleux de Danse V2 is a listening experience sure to be enjoyed. Put on your headphones or your dancing shoes and let's start the dance!

Rippy Austin - L.O.V.E Remix ft Nasty Nate & Robert Casey
Uptown Funk Empire - Last Trip to Nowhere
9dw - Boby's Jam (12" mix)
Delta Quadrant - Carried Away
Melodiesinfonie - Breitgefachertsein
Elements of lIfe - Children of the World
The Foreign Exchange - So What If It Is (Remix)
J Finesse - Let It Be ft Sybil Shanell & Atoyia Keys
Ron Hall & The Muthafunkaz - The Way You Love Me (Dim’s T.S.O.P. Version) Dubstrumental Ft. Marc Evans
The Robert Glasper Experiment – Ah Yeah ft Musiq Soulchild & Chrisette Michelle (Zepherin Saint Remix)
Donald Byrd - Loves So Far Away (Soulpersona Tribute)
Medline - Expansions ft Roni Alkekengie

When we first embarked on creating this compilation, we set out to merely highlight a few female artists that we’ve come across in the last year or so, who’s sound has struck a chord in our soulful hearts. As time progressed, the project took shape as more music flooded our ears and it then became more of a challenge to select the right tracks, for as a famous author once stated;

“The human voice is the organ of the soul” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

That said, after much listening and selecting, we bring you a collection of tracks from a handful of ladies who have recently brought a uniqueness of soul to their chosen craft.

Some allow the power in their lilting voices to enhance the lyrics, giving them a striking depth, others eschew flamboyant vocal range in lieu of tighter production and universal feel, while a few opt for bringing both elements together to create a superior overall product. In the end, be it over a heavy produced electronic soundbed, a more traditional Soul/R&B template or with nothing more than a guitar and a microphone, each lady brings their “A Game” and has left us and many other wanting more.

[some] jazz 5 finds us showing the range of a lot of the new artists on the scene. Yatha Bhuta (Onra x Buddy Sativa) have released one of my favorite projects this year with their forthcoming album and their avante garde approach to the genre.
An interesting musical development has been Hip Hop producers (Medline, K-Def, Headnodic) replaying jazz or completely constructing new tunes from the ground up. Their passion for the music is well portrayed in their releases so make sure you check them out!

Kendrick Scott Oracle - Cycling Through Reality
Yatha Bhuta Jazz Combo - Dark Karma
Demian - Out of Green Ink
Clarence Peters - Born & Shake
Alex Mllsted - Kaleidoscope
Headnodic - Blue in Green
Lucas Arruda - Batuque
The Sign of Four - Mirage
K-Def - Street Jazz
Medline - Black Narcissus
Rachel Eckroth - Gold
Ross McHenry Group - Intercosmos

artwork by zeruch

After we posted Jesse's Once Again, For Horace (Download) we began talks to release some of his music. The result is what I call The SleepWalker Sessions, one track and one mix that capture a vibe infrequently found in music. Jazzy and soulful, Futerman's music has the uncanny ability to lead you to the mystical land that lies between consciousness and the dream state. His beautiful work escapes true definition, drifting around easy listening and ethereal, it always hits the spot. Grab the download, listen, enjoy, then RT, Share and Spread the word about Jesse Futerman and The SleepWalker Sessions!

jesse futerman and sam webster- dreamtape
duvall thompson feat bernard purdie-ghostnotes
jesse futerman- he lost his mind
jesse futerman- I dont go out anymore
matches-honeycomb
jesse futerman-funds
jesse futerman- one for dan zacks (thanks for all the records)
jesse futerman-broken glass (the con) extendededit
john martyn- solid air
jesse futerman and jon foster on drums-for my mother and father

Same as last time, I’m still combing through songs for the Spring compilation (soon come) but these songs were just begging to be put in a playlist as another in-betweener.

More good music to fill the void while you wait for Spring to be completely sprung.

01. Bilal - Winning Hand
02. Lewis McCallum - The Almanac feat. Mara TK
03. Angie Stone - Lovers' Ghetto
04. Szjerdene - Lead The Way
05. Raphael Saadiq - Tick Tock
06. LION BABE - Treat Me Like Fire
07. Nikka Costa - Like A Feather
08. Jai Paul - Jasmine [Demo]
09. The Album Leaf - Descent
10. Zo! - Nights Over Egypt feat. Carlitta Durand
11. Choklate - Whenever
12. Muhsinah - That Day
13. Oddisee - Sligo Creek
14. Tone TreZure - Moonstruck [Luz De La Luna]
15. Donnie - Turn Around
16. Melanie Fiona - First Love [Applejac Remix]
17. The Jackson 5 - Never Can Say Goodbye [Beatnick & K-Salaam Remix]
18. Lovebirds - Want You In My Soul feat. Stee Downes [Original Mix]

More beautiful jazz tunes for your listening pleasure! This podcast includes some Afro Cuban tunes courtesy of Roy Hargrove and Mop Mop to keep things interesting. Grab the previous 3 HERE :
http://bamalovesoul.com/?s=%5Bsome%5D

Kan Sano - Minamo (Solo Piano)
The Cinematic Orchestra - Lapis
Meshell Ndegeocello - The Chosen
Jaleel Shaw - OPtimism
BRZZVLL - Crystal Palace
Matthew Halsall - Fletcher Moss Park
Farnell Newton / Marcus Reynolds Quintet - Lover's Groove
John Raymond - Dani's Theme
Roy Hargrove - Dream Traveler
Mop Mop - The Golden Bamboo
art by Melynda Carney

As the month of February began I read a FB status requesting the favor of no mixes or reworks of Dilla's work this year. Discontent with the trendy and overwhelming amount of Dilla output this time of year, I could understand the intent of the statement but disagreed with the sentiment. To many, Dilla is a mark to be achieved or surpassed and recreating or remixing his work may be just the tool to help them find their own sound. Just as Dilla admired Pete Rock and probably tried his hand at flipping some of Pete's works, these producers/singers/MCs are showing their love and respect to a fallen hero.
Since his passing, I've collected a large number of hours of Dilla tributes, jacks, remakes, flips, etc and here is my hour long mix of these reworks. Please enjoy!

01. Madlib - For My Mans (Prelude)
02. Flying Lotus - Fall in Love
03. NAMELESS - Pay-Day-Pay-Day
04. ISHE' - Layed up (DILLA...DILLA...DILLA)
05. Evil Needle - Dilla Beat
06. Apollo Brown - We Almost Lost Detroit (RIP J DIlla)
07. Slum Village - Fall In Love (Chief Remix)
08. Dice Raw - Offbeat Onbeat
09. Jay Dee - Where U At (Come & Get It J Finesse Remix)
10. Ahmir - Dilla Tribute
11. Slum Village - Get Dis Money (WaxRoof's Dilla Tribute Remix)
12. J-Zen - Sunny Dilla-ight
13. Warren Xcellence - Last Train Home (Bjork x Dilla)
14. Dwele - Workin' On It
15. Robert Glasper - Dillalude #2
16. J Dilla vs Unplugged - See You Cry (Boost remix)
17. Karriem Riggins - J Dilla The Greatest
18. M-Phazes - Raise it Up for Dilla
19. Tek Nalo G - JDTG (Interlude)
20. Jay Dee - Pause (Ishfaq remix) feat Frank N Dank
21. Waajeed - Jeedo Suave
22. Jay Dee - F--- The Police (The J.Rocc Re-Work)
23. J88 - Look of Love (Pants Mix)
24. The Roots - Make Em NV
25. Ta-Ku - Dedication To Love Songs
26. DJ Spinna - Dillagence (One-4-Jay) feat Phonte
27. ZO! - 4Dilla
28. @quatic Son - JayDillaJayDeeJamesYancey
29. Cris Prolific - Aquarius
30. J Rawls - A Tribute to Dilla
31. Darryl Reeves - She Said
32. J Dilla - Deamy (Brabe cover/Simba Re-Edit)
Artwork by Lord Sketch

Jesse Fischer & Soul Cycle - Keep the Faith (Live)
The passing of Donald Byrd last week signals the passing of another jazz legend. Byrd’s storied career includes performing with numerous jazz icons, facing criticism for his Mizell collaborations, forming the Blackbyrds and being recognized by the Hip Hop community and having his music sampled and remade.
There are many musicians still creating fantastic music and holding their torch for jazz legends past and present. Here is some of their work. Find it, download or purchase it and enjoy!

Robert Mitchell 3io - Alberto Balsam
Vijay Iyer trio - Optimism
Nicola Conte - Mystery of You
Next Collective - Refractions in the Plastic Pulse
Ambrose Akinmusire - With Love
N'dambi - Bitter, Bitter Blue
Sonar Kollektiv Orchester - Silent Distance feat Clara Hill
Simon Toldam Trio - Hej Tro
The Kandinsky Effect - Johnny Utah
Donald Byrd - Love's So Far Way (SoulPersona Tribute)