Glenn Lewis - Take You High

One of those magnificent releases from Canadian vocalist Glenn Lewis. His songwriting and vocal work is somethin’ that gets me excited, being a songwriter and vocalist myself. The subject matter puts you on a mind state of awe and emotional travel. His 2002 “World Outside My Window” is a gem that R&B aficionados should not sleep on. Even though it has taken awhile for him to release a new album (including a shelved or unreleased album…I don’t even know what happened), his latest release “Good One” has him back in the studio with Dre and Vidal giving you anticipation of good things to come. Unfortunately, Glenn told me that the track will not make the forthcoming album.

I had the pleasure of meeting him at The Garrison (he was checkin’ out one of his homies perform) last month and when he asked what my name was, he enthused about it and said he was gonna name his son that. That’d be dope! =)

J-Live Feat. Cvees - Do My Thing

Middle school English teacher, MC, DJ and producer J-Live has been rockin’ mics for quite some time and is associated with givin’ that throwback lyrical delivery and sound. Bein’ an English teacher, his rhymes are never given whack status and he gets quite intelligent with rhyme placement.

The Ceremonial Victorians or Cvees for short jumps in on this Probe DMS produced heat seekin’, head noddin’ joint that goes hard anyway you listen to it found on his 2005 “The Hear After” release.

I’ve always been a fan of J because he always has somethin’ to say and utilizes wordplay and ingenuity without any fillers or gimmicks. These lyricists nowadays have someone (of many) to look up to.

Nottz Feat. Mayer Hawthorne - I Still Love You

Norfolk, Virginia based producer Nottz has been bangin’ countless speakers with many artists under his belt for production credits. He makes his debut on “You Need This Music”, an album title that may seem a little over confident with its instructions, but this as an addition to your hip hop collection should be considered.

He teams up with the dapper soul croonin’ Michigan native Mayer Hawthorne providin’ the hook on “I Still Love You” to bring out a horn infused, head noddin’ joint with some soul sprinkled in for an added chillout-smile-in-your-face vibe.

Nottz has proven to be one of the illest producers in the game and there’s no stoppin’ him now…he’s on the move.

Nicholas Payton Feat. Wynton Marsalis & Roy Hargrove - The Three Trumpeteers

Trumpeter Nicholas Payton gives you plenty of his chops on the 2008 “Payton’s Place” release. His ability to show finger dexterity and high range notes make him one of the most premier jazz trumpeters out there.

Enter Wynton Marsalis & Roy Hargrove on “The Three Trumpeteers” where all 3 trumpeters hit you with horn stabs, melodic combos and soarin’ octaves.

If this trio were to make an album, man…it’d be a brass fiasco.

Elzhi Feat. Royce Da 5’9” - Motown 25

Slum Village member Elzhi shows he’s able to hold it down solo on his 2008 debut “The Preface”. Black Milk is all over the boom-bap hard cracks of snare and bass production scheme on the album and holds ground on “Motown 25” with fellow Detroit rapper Royce Da 5’9” providin’ hard rhymes, pound for pound.

Elzhi displays rhymes within his rhymes when he opens the track with, “I end careers, years, pierce ears, fears for spears. They say I’m gifted, get lifted like the beers from Cheers…” and gets intelligent on his flow with braggadocious swagger. He has every right to be when he can weave words to create punches and jabs lyrically.

Joe - My Love (Live From Japan Recorded At Billboard)

Joe has always had one of the strongest and inimitably smooth voices out there on the R&B scene. He hasn’t stopped and is still croonin’ to ladies to this day.

Joe was captured in Tokyo with a live band in an intimate setting, performin’ new and classic Joe joints on “Joe Live In Japan: Recorded At Billboard Live”, CD/DVD set for those who want to enjoy the audio, or put visuals to it.

Live concerts done well can bring out the magic in music and this band totally hooked it up with keys, drums, bass, guitar, trumpet and saxophone.

It was a great concert from start to finish and I didn’t have to visit Japan for it.

Colin Munroe Feat. Wale & Dallas Austin - Will I Stay

Toronto based producer and singer Colin Munroe has been rubbin’ elbows with a bunch of noticeable artists as of late with production work and features. He made himself appear on the radar with a remix of Kanye West’s “Flashing Lights”.

In 2008, he dropped a mixtape entitled “Colin Munroe Is The Unsung Hero” and I think this title fits. I believe he’s an underrated artist and people still shrug as to who Colin is.

With a bunch of top notch features on his belt on the mixtape, Wale and Dallas Austin lend a hand on “Will I Stay”, an upbeat nodder with his signature electronic/rock infused hip hop beats.

Colin needs more acclaim…cuz you know T-Dot’s got it goin’ on.

Soulive Feat. Black Thought - Clap!

They say 3 heads are better than one. I can also apply that with musicians in that 3 musicians are better than one.

Soulive is a jazz/funk trio consistin’ of Eric Krasno on guitar, Alan Evans on drums and Neal Evans on the Hammond B3 organ/bass keys and clavinet. When they wild out…they wild out and come up with the most catchiest grooves to ride on.

Black Thought of The Roots lends a helpin’ mic on “Clap” from Soulive’s 2002 endeavour entitled “Next”. Their phrasin’ when it comes to puttin’ all three together gives you a funk extravaganza. “Clap” undertakes a smoother and laid back groove…and while they’re mostly instrumental…they’ll invite a few cats with some hip hop vocals.

They will be playin’ The Horseshoe Tavern on June 27. I shall have the privilege of witnessin’ these bad boys tear the roof off that sucka!

Brassmunk Feat. Moka Only & Chris Rouse - How Bouts

The current line up of S-Roc, Agile, Clip and King Reign (replacin’ May One-Nine) complete the Scarborough-based Brassmunk roster, one of T-dot’s high energy driven rap groups.

2007’s “FEWturistic” had them on the return for a 21-track fiasco. Colin Monroe gives you the production on “How Bouts” while Moka drops a rhyme on top of Chris Rouse’s croonin’. I hear a little Bilal-esque force on Chris’ vocals.

Perhaps a little bedroom music here?

Q-Tip - All In

The inherent bounce of a J Dilla production and the sound of Q-Tip’s characteristic inimitable nasal voice comprises the dope 1999 “Amplified” solo debut. Aside from the 2 DJ Scratch productions, Dilla is riddled all over the entire release.

“All In” has Tip just playfully ridin’ the beat…effortless, without a care…dude’s eatin’ somethin’ before the joint even starts, haha!!!

Bounce to it.