Marsha Ambrosius 'Late Nights & Early Mornings' Washington D.C. Listening Session

DTLR and Unruly conducted a listening session with Marsha Ambrosius and previewing tracks for her upcoming album. Legendary producer and hip hop purveyor Busy Bee make a short appearance.

Marsha Ambrosius Late Nights & Early Mornings on J- Records arrives March 1st!

Raekwon 'Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang' NYC Listening Session Report

Raekwon Shaolin Vs Wu-Tang on Ice H20/EMI arrives March 8, 2011

via The Boombox

On Wednesday night, Raekwon mingled with media while previewing his latest project 'Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang,' due everywhere on March 8. Originally positioned as Wu-Tang Clan's RZA-less followup to '8 Diagrams,' Raekwon, who takes credit for the name of the project, grabbed his title and ran with it. Good thing, too.

Listening to the 17 cuts (not including the bonus tracks) on the album, Rae does justice to the kung fu theme with soundbites from vintage martial art films and theatrical beats that segue songs titled 'Chop Chop Ninja,' 'Butter Knives' and 'The Scroll.' While Rae is the clear star, he isn't scared to share the stage with a laundry list of guests, including Nas, Rick Ross, Mobb Deep, Busta Rhymes, Jim Jones, Lloyd Banks, Raheem DeVaughn, Estelle, Black Thought and, as expected, Wu's Ghostface and Method Man. Ghost teams up with Rae on four tracks begging the question: When will we see a Chef and Ghost collaborative album?

As the room of bloggers and journalists chatted among themselves, took notes and tweeted, Rae stayed close to the speaker, eyes closed at times, and rapped his verses while bobbing his head to each track.

"We were tryna show y'all a little movie," Rae says of 'Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang.' The emcee succeeded. The conceptual project seems to work best through Rae's eyes making it easy to forgive the Clan for not releasing this as a group effort.

Tracklisting:
01. Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang (prod. Scram Jones)
02. Every Soldier In the World ft. Method Man (prod. Erick Sermon)
03. Silver Rings ft. Ghostface Killah (prod. Cilvaringz)
04. Chop Chop Ninja ft. Ghostface Killah & Estelle (prod. Bluerocks)
05. Butter Knives (prod. Bronze Nazareth)
06. Snake Pond (prod. Selasi)
07. Crane Style ft. Busta Rhymes
08. Rock N Roll ft. Ghostface Killah & Jim Jones (prod. DJ Khalil)
09. Rich & Black ft. Nas (prod. Sean C & LV)
10. From the Hills ft. Method Man & Raheem DeVaughn (prod. Kenny Dope)
11. Last Trip to Scotland ft. Lloyd Banks (prod. Scram Jones)
12. Ferry Boat Killaz (prod. Alchemist)
13. Dart School (prod. Allah Mathematics)
14. Molasses ft. Rick Ross & Ghostface Killah (prod. Xtreme)
15. The Scroll (prod. Evidence)
16. Masters of Our Fate ft. Black Thought (prod. Tommy Nova)
17. Wu Chant (Outro)

(video courtesy of The Urban Daily)

Ne-Yo Previews 'Libra Scale' Upcoming Album For UK Press & Media

Report and main photo courtesy of Social Writers.blog

Last night (Thursday July, 8th) we had the pleasure of being invited to the album playback for Ne-Yo's forthcoming new album, 'Libra Scale', at The Hospital Club, Covent Garden.

Ne-Yo himself hosted the event and told us the concept behind his fourth album; the album is based on a short story which he wrote. In short the story is about three rubbish cleaners, Clyde, Leroy and Jerome (who is played by Ne-Yo), who are given super powers by a mysterious man and they are known as The Gentlemen (very clever of Ne-Yo to continue his 'Year of The Gentleman t'heme).There's three rules that they must abide:
1) They must protect the city
2) They can't tell nobody about their powers
3) They can't fall in love
Jerome ends up falling in love with a lady called Pretty Sinclair, so he breaks one of the three rules which then caused a disruption within the equilibrium. After Jerome sleeps with Pretty Sinclair the backfire of falling in love begins; she turns mentally mad, some of Jerome's super powers are given to her and her eyes turn into diamonds. Pretty Sinclair believes Jerome made these things happen to her on purpose so she intends to destroy him and everything his loves, so she becomes his enemy and is known as Diamond Eye. Diamond Eye goes about destroying the city and Clyde and Leroy end up working for her. Jerome does nothing to try and stop her because he loves her.

The mysterious man re-appears as Jerome broke one of the rules and gives Jerome two options to choose from - he must kill Diamond Eye and Pretty Sinclair to make time reverse, or time is reversed and Pretty Sinclair lives, but Jerome must die.

This is the cliff hanger that Ne-Yo left us on.......urging us to want to know what happens next.....

Whilst telling the story, Ne-Yo played us six tracks off of 'Libra Scale':

Champagne Life - represents the 'American Dream' that The Gentlemen are living.

One In A Million - An addictive beat full of drums and base laced with Ne-Yo's signature voice. The track is based on how Jerome feels about Pretty Sinclair.

She Is -A guitar rifted track giving the track a mid tempo yet ballad feel at the same time. Represents when Jerome and Pretty Sinclair are falling in love.

Cause I Said So - An up-tempo club banger filled with funk and RnB. This is Diamond Eye's theme song.

Beautiful Monster - Ne-Yo's current single. Represents Diamond Eye as she's evil but so beautiful you have to have her.

What Have I Done - This track is very Michael Jackson-esque, reminds me of 'She's Out Of My Life' by MJ. The track represents when Jerome is down in the dumps about Diamond Eye/Pretty Sinclair.

The concept of the album is great - fresh, innovative and different! The tracks sound very much like something Michael Jackson would've done, both melodically and lyrically, which was done on purpose. So far only collaboration to feature on the 'Libra Scale' is with rapper Fabolous.....I guess we'll have to wait till September 21st to find out if anybody else will feature.

Photo links:
Punch Bowl
WENN Photo

Also read That Grape Juice's report on the event here.

Fat Joe 'The Darkside: Vol.1' Album Preview

Fat Joe The Darkside: Vol.1 on Terror Squad/E1 arrives July 27.

At last night's, Fat Joe The Darkside: Vol.1 listening session at Skyline Studios, NYC.

Tracks previewed are:
"If It Ain’t About Money ft. Trey Songz (prod. Cool & Dre)
“Intro - Welcome to the Darkside” (prod. Scram Jones )
“Valley Of Death” (prod. Cool & Dre )
“I Am Crack” (prod. Just Blaze )
“Kilo” ft. The Clipse and Cam’ron (prod. DJ Infamous)
“You Don’t Want No Problems” (prod. Scoop DeVille)
“How Did We Get Here” ft. R. Kelly (prod. Raw Uncut)
“Heavenly Father” ft. Lil Wayne (prod. Streetrunner)
“I’m Gone” (prod. DJ Premier)

Track details via Planet Ill
“Welcome to the Darkside” (Scram Jones production) features a few clever lines and hard production. Ends with “We gone throw the biggest party when Curtis die.” Draw your own conclusion.

Cool & Dre keep that flame hot on “Valley Of Death”. Very low bottoms, guitars, and loud ambient noise. Scorching hot.

Just Blaze gave Joe an immense, bottomless beat for “I Am Crack” and Joe delivers one of the all time gully songs speaking as the drug itself. “It’s Crack, baby minus the incubator.” Sick.

The “Kilo is 1000 grams” sample first flipped by Ghost is somersaulted by DJ Infamous on “Kilo” which features The Clipse and Cam’ron. Very, very ugly. Infamous bodies “Rappers Are In Danger” as well.

Scoop DeVille wrecks a Flash Gordon sample like his momma is in a basement with Bin Laden on the titanic “You Don’t Want No Problems”. You have to hear it to believe it. “Weezy On the Island where a Day feel Like A Milli”. More sickness.

R. Kelly drops by on “How Did We Get Here” returning to his more soulful delivery.

“Heavenly Father” feat Lil Wayne gets on Pun’s widow and deads any notion that he owes her anything.

DJ Premier-produced “I’m Gone” closes the album. It was produced the day Guru died and is triumphantly somber with punctuating piano but an immensely chunky string and hard drum create the perfect storm of malevolent sorrow.

Read the full listening session account here:
Planet Ill - Fat Joe The Darkside: Vol.1

also The Source Magazine was in the building as well. Read their account:
The Source - Fat Joe The Darkside: Vol.1

Bun B Previews 'Trill O.G.' At NYC Listening Session

via Vibe

Making his way to the Big Apple by way of Port Arthur, Texas, Bun B held a private listening session for his forthcoming album, Trill OG, last night (Tuesday, June 1) at Dame Dash’s DD172 gallery. Nestled on the outskirts of New York’s artsy Tribeca district, media, friends and special invited including guests Chamillionaire, Slim Thug, Asher Roth, Cool Kids and others gathered in the former (and new!) Roc-A-Fella CEO’s creative playhouse to get the first listen to Bun’s latest chapter in the Trill saga.

While the mix of bloggers, hipsters, artists, and media types rubbed elbows, Bun B grabbed the mic to say a few words before introducing the album. “I am very proud of this album, Trill OG—I put a lot of hard work, pain and sweat into this record. But with that being said it’s not preachy or sad. It’s very entertaining and just an incredible record.”

Sticking to his guns, the living legend rhymes familiar themes on his forthcoming third solo LP but comes up with anything but stale material. He enlisted beatsmiths such as DJ Khalil to bring some new flavor to his candy-coated bars and veteran DJ Premier to lace a neck-breaking track sure to get play way on both sides of the Mason-Dixon. Bun B shows he can still be the star of the show when riding with some today's biggest names. On “Just Like That,” Bun gets an assist from Young Jeezy as the two lyrically abuse the record’s relentless snares and snyths. Bun also gracefully dissects syllables and crushes any doubts that he's fallen from his Underground King throne on the Preemo-produced “Let Em Know.”

But the record that commanded an immediate silence from the chatter was “Right Now,” which features posthumous verses from the late Pimp C and Tupac and Trey Songz on the hook, all weaved together so nicely that the record sounds as if it were recorded yesterday.

The Roots 'How I Got Over' NYC Listening Session Report

The Roots How I Got Over on Island/Def Jam/Okay Player arrives June 22.

In attendance, L.A. Reid, Zoe Kravitz and the rest of The Roots crew. Check out the photo links after the article.

via the Boom Box

Last night, New York City was blessed by the legendary Roots crew beyond their nightly in-house band duties for 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.' The hip-hop band was hosting their first listening session at Legacy Studios for their ninth full-length studio album, 'How I Got Over,' an album reminiscent of 2002's 'Phrenology' with obvious natural progression.

"Contemporary" is the word that comes to mind when first hearing 'How I Got Over.' Not to suggest they've gone adult contemporary, but rather, it's the inevitable growth of a band who, after originally busting on to the scene with their crossover success, is now relishing in the collective genius of the entire group. Even friend and co-worker Jimmy Fallon was in attendance to support the Roots, eagerly awaiting to see what the select few in the media thought of their latest effort. 'How I Got Over' will undoubtedly be well-received, probably more so than 'Phrenology,' as the landscape of hIp-hop has significantly changed since then.

Here is the general rundown of 'How I Got Over':

1. 'Walk Alone' (feat. Truck North, Porn, Dice Raw, Mercedes Martinez):
This opening track follows a smoothed out intro and keeps the melodic momentum going in this neo-soul cut with former Jazzyfatnastees front woman Mercedes Martinez.

2. 'Dear God 2.0' (feat. Jim James, MOF):
This lead single is a reinvention of the Monsters of Folk classic 'Dear God,' only slightly darker and more intense than the original.

3. 'Radio Daze' (feat. Blu, Porn, Dice Raw, Mercedes Martinez):
A mellow Bass-heavy movement with Blu as the official scene stealer.

4. 'Now Or Never' (feat. Phonte Coleman, Dice Raw):
Modestly mature track with the quietly desperate hook, "Gotta get my shit together / it's now or never".



5. 'How I Got Over' (feat. Dice Raw):
The first leaked track and video off 'How I Got Over,' is jungle-tinged with jazz sensibility.

6. 'The Day' (feat. Blu, Phonte Coleman, Patty Crash):
This track resembles the 'Phrenology' cut 'Sacrifice' featuring Nelly Furtado, but with Blu's opening verse setting the stage for the whole song, as new school Roots affiliate Patty Crash provides a soulfully edgy hook.

7. 'Right On' (feat. Joanna Newsom, Sugar Tongue Slim):
Andy Samberg's girlfriend, pianist and singer/songwriter Joanna Newsom assists this thumping track with newcomer Sugar Tongue Slim, who sounds like a cross between Cypress Hill and the Pharcyde.

8. 'Doin It Again' (feat. John Legend):
A signature Roots sounding track, where John Legend sings the hook in a slightly rockier way than we're used to.

9. 'The Fire' (feat. John Legend, Rick Friedrich):
This keys-heavy closing track screams 'victory!' in its uplifting and triumphant production.

Bonus Cut #1:
A cypher meets posse cut amidst DJ scratched production, like the soundtrack to a schoolyard.

Bonus Cut #2:
Sugar Tongue Slim is on the hook and lends a verse to this song probably titled 'Hustler,' since STS repeats it throughout the cut along with "I hope my baby girl grows up to be a hustler."

Photo links:
Wire Image

Big Boi: Tonight's 'Sir Luscious Left Foot' Listening Session NYC

L.A. Reid & Big Boi previews some new cuts off the Island/Def Jam album 'Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty.'

Nas And Damian Marley Listening Session At The Digiwaxx Offices NYC

Held yesterday (Thursday, April 1) at the Digiwaxx offices in New York City, Nas & Damian 'Jr.' Gong' Marley took part in a Q&A listening session for their upcoming album 'Distant Relatives.'

Photo links for the event:
Getty Images
Wire image

Capone-N-Noreaga Talk About Their Original 1997 Album 'The War Report'

Prepping for The War Report II, Capone-N-Noreaga talk about the times and the era when the original The War Report was released on Penalty Records back in 1997 at a recent press event on a rooftop somewhere in New York City.

Capone-N-Noreaga The War Report II on Ice H20 arriving soon!

(video courtesy of QButta)

Murs & 9th Wonder 'ForNever'; Part Of 10 Murs' Albums In 10 months In 2010

via Baller Status

Murs is back. After a stint with Warner Bros. Records that resulted in the release of 2008's Murs for President, the Los Angeles rapper has returned to the indie circuit.

Later this month, he'll be dropping the highly anticipated collabo album with producer 9th Wonder called ForNever, their fourth pairing. But, the project is just one of 10 albums Murs plans to drop throughout the remainder of 2010.

During an invite-only listening party for the forthcoming album on Friday (March 5) in Los Angeles, Murs told us about his plans to release a new album during the last week of each month through December, each one consisting of 10 new songs.

With an indie mentality, Murs says a slew of unreleased material was built up during his tenure with Warner Bros. So, now that he's free of his contract with the major label, it's all going to see the light of day ... during the 2010 calendar year.

"Warner Bros. kind of ... stifled me creatively 'cause I was used to having product flow every year -- touring, album, tour, album, tour, two tours and album," Murs explained BallerStatus.com. "I'd do two 60-city tours, something in the summer, then new album. I was a workaholic. They kinda shut me up. I have all this music coming outta nowhere, so I'm ready, and I think this is an ultimate way to kick it off...

"During that time, I created so much music that I have a surplus," the rapper added, "so, I'm trying to do 10 records in 10 months this year. It's 2010, we're gonna have 10 records with 10 songs."

Despite leaving the Warner, Murs say he and the label parted on good terms and commended the people he worked with. In the end, he said they just had a "difference of opinion."

The first of the music to come out of the vaults will be ForNever, which features the production of 9th Wonder, and guest appearances include Sick Jacken, Uncle Chucc, Suga Free, Kurupt, and Verbz.



The first single is the Sick Jacken and Uncle Chucc assisted "The Problem Is." A video was shot with director Estevan Oriol last month, and is scheduled to surface in the coming weeks.

ForNever drops March 30th.

Additionally, during our chat, Murs revealed that one of the next projects -- of the 10 dropping this year -- will be a collaborative effort with rising west coast producer Terrance Martin.

Further details about other upcoming albums were unknown at press time though.

More information:
MursWorld.com

Related:
Murs & 9th Wonder 'ForNever' Los Angeles Listening Party

Murs & 9th Wonder 'ForNever' Los Angeles Listening Party

via the L.A. Weekly

​Writing about a listening session at a Los Angeles clothing store is about as exciting as detailing the events of a family birthday party. While the music is playing, it's great to catch up with familiar faces over free drinks, but there's very little insight to offer those that didn't attend. Who wants to look at pictures of grandma opening her presents next to a cheese-grilling DJ Rhettmatic?

A bigger challenge arises when the unveiling of an anticipated record is the center of such events. The reason that 100 people gathered at La Brea clothing store And Still on a Friday night (March 5) (other than the free drinks) was the third collaborative LP from L.A. rapper Murs and North Carolina super-producer 9th Wonder, ForNever, coming out March 30 on SMC Recordings. Unfortunately, because everyone was busy chatting and drinking and the soundsystem was far from perfect, there wasn't too much listening at this listening session.

Plenty of people heard Murs' superhero combination of get-girls humor and sociopolitical proclamations, but it's not an amicable situation to truly digest new music. What comes through instead are brief flashes that turn into bookmarks for when ForNever leaks onto The Internets some time this month. There was the unnamed song with a hook about "cigarettes and liquor" that seemed to capture the best of Murs' FELT collaborations with Slug -- without actually featuring the Atmosphere front man -- by getting the party started and enjoying the shit out of his efforts. Or maybe it was an indictment of tobacco and alcohol companies... it was kind of hard to tell.

Then there was Murs and 9th's follow-up to Common's classic hip-hop-as-lady-friend metaphor, "I Used to Love H.E.R" -- featured in the video above. Murs doesn't so much as update the 1994 staple as he covers it, aided by a loop from 9th Wonder that might even out-jazz the original. That final flash from last night's listening session came from the ForNever lead single, "The Problem Is."

Featuring Sick Jacken and Uncle Chucc, "The Problem Is" succeeds with big epic strings and a heart-heavy hook. Murs spends his time addressing the world's problems mostly by attacking capitalism and the inevitable evils it carries. Psycho Realm's Sick Jacken then questions the balance between guns and education while "not preaching, [and] just giving you the real 24." It's a memorable track on an album that should shape up to be one of the year's best indie rap albums and you can download "The Problem Is" right there, should you want to listen. If you just want to hear it, however, you'll need to wait until the next party at a clothing store.

(video courtesy of theerapjournalist)

Janelle Monae 'The ArchAndroid' Spin Magazine Sneak Preview NYC Listening Session

Atlanta's R&B star Janelle Monae debuted her May 18 release, The ArchAndroid, with an exclusive listening party in New York Thursday night (March 4), and like her music, the event was loads of tripped-out fun -- Diddy even patched in via webcam from his Paris hotel suite to join the party.

On the strength of a solid '09 -- "Many Moons," the single off her EP Metropolis Suite I of IV: The Chase, landed a Grammy nod for Best Urban Performance -- Monae signed with Diddy's Bad Boy Records, and if anyone knows how to throw a party tailored to every nuance of his 25-year-old singer's oddball taste, it's Diddy.

Actors dressed in black undertaker cloaks and white beaked masks circled an open bar where SNL's Kenan Thompson and members of the Roots drank; attendees were escorted two at a time into a small basement theatre, where popcorn was served; and special programs describing "The ArchAndroid Experience" were distributed, complete with this instruction: "After you've heard The ArchAndroid, please don't tell your friends its shocking secrets."

"Janelle is my most artistic signing yet," Diddy said, his image projected on the theatre's screen. "She's not afraid to dream. I'm known for my hype, but her music speaks for itself." His accolades were then interrupted by a knock at his door. "Oh, sorry. It's room service!" Sigh.

"I want dancing," Monae then instructed. "Get up, act a fool!"

The deep beats of "Suite II Overture" then blasted to a film accompiment -- videos of pyramids, boxing matches, trains, and taxis, plus acid-drenched pics of Monae, the clip's co-director -- and in seconds the place was jumpin'.

Members of Monae's Wondaland Arts Society crew flailed, shook, mash-potatoed, and straight freaked in the aisles. And for good reason: The ArchAndroid is out-of-this-world funky, from the turbocharged R&B single "Tightrope" to the free-floating jazz guitar and psych bass grooves of "Mushrooms and Roses."

Kenan Thompson, standing outside the venue after the event, wearing sunglasses in the dark, was impressed. "I loved it," he said. "It's high energy… it's wild. (source)

Also, read Suite 903 blogsite's rendition of Janelle Monae's listening session:
Suite 903 - Preview: Janelle Monae’s New Album

Consequence: More From The Listening Session At The Digiwaxx Offices NYC

(video courtesy of kimmicupcakes)

Related:
Consequence Listening Session At The Digiwaxx Offices NYC

Consequence Listening Session At The Digiwaxx Offices NYC

DigiWaxx held a private listening session (Tuesday, March 2) for rapper Consequence, he explains why he raps "Better" than EVERYBODY!

Photos:
Wire Image

Consequence - 'ConsTV' on Universal/Motown/G.O.O.D. Music coming soon!

(video courtesy of Telisad.com)

DJ Babu Los Angeles Album Listening Party & Short Film Screening Next Monday!

Ludacris 'Battle Of The Sexes' Album Preview

Ludacris - 'Battle Of The Sexes' on DTP/Island/Def Jam in-stores March 9.

via Rap-Up

1. “Hey Ho” featuring Lil’ Kim

The title raised some eyebrows when it was first announced, but Luda explained the concept of how it tackles the double standard of men sleeping around and being called players and pimps, but when women do the same thing, they’re called hos. “If men sleep around, we some players/ But for women, they be saying, ‘Hey ho,’” he raps on what he calls the sequel to 2000’s controversial “Ho” from his debut album. Luda said he got the “old Lil’ Kim” rapping again. “Ya’ll don’t f**k us, ni**as we f**k you,” spits the Queen Bee.

2. “Tell Me a Secret” featuring Ne-Yo

“You would never think that Swizz [Beatz] produced this song,” he said of the R&B-flavored jam. This one is on some “‘Lovers and Friends’ reminiscent type sh*t.”

3. “My Chick Bad” featuring Nicki Minaj

“She’s an animated female and I’m an animated rapper myself,” remarked Luda of his pairing with It girl Nicki Minaj. The chorus is bound to get stuck in your head: “My chick bad, my chick ’hood, my chick do stuff that your chick wish she could.” He even drops a reference to Tiger Woods’ wife. “That’s one of the records that we gonna put out there,” he told the audience of the potential single.

4. “Got a Man” featuring Flo Rida

Luda called this his “radio smash” featuring “radio controller” Flo Rida. It won’t be the second single, but may be the third or fourth. The Infinity production is the album’s most pop-sounding record with a catchy hook that recalls Positive K’s “I Got a Man”: “I know you got a man, man, man, but tell me what your man, man, man gotta do with me?” a male voice sings, while the female responds, “I know you got a girl, girl, girl, but tell me what your girl, girl, girl gotta do with me?”

5. “Can’t Live With You, Can’t Live Without You” featuring Monica

“Anybody who’s ever been in a relationship has definitely thought in their head that they can’t live with the person and they can’t live without them at the same damn time,” Ludacris said of this number that’s sure to appeal to his female fans. His “cousin” Monica sings the hook.

6. “How Low (Remix)”

There will be three or four official remixes to Luda’s chart-topping hit. One features Rick Ross and Twista, the other has Ciara and Pitbull, and Fabolous appears on a third. Ciara sings part of the hook on her remix and adds her own verse, as do all the rappers.

7. “Sex Room” featuring Trey Songz

Another song the hip-hop star likens to Lil Jon’s “Lovers and Friends.” “It’s exactly what you would expect if Ludacris and Trey Songz were to do a f**king record together,” he laughed about the X-rated material. Trey seduces while Luda talks dirty: “You can be my firecracker, my tongue gonna spark you up.”

When asked what the follow-up to “How Low” would be, Ludacris said it has yet to be chosen. He is selecting from three songs that are not complete and were not played at the listening (session).

Sade 'Soldier Of Love' Los Angeles Listening Session

Tonight's Sade 'Soldier of Love' listening event, brought out local press, radio, retail and key tastemakers in the L.A. area, me included.

Upon arrival at the super swanky Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills, I was greeted by a very generous staff. They took care of every need, whether it was filling your wine glass, offering up hors d'oeuvres or any directions to get around the hotel - it was service with a smile, all the way.

The actual listening session took place on the 9th floor of the hotel over looking Beverly and the Hollywood Hills. With a large flat panel TV, square center in the room playing Sade's 'Soldier of Love' video and with a posh couch/lounge area, I then met up with some Sony people attending the event. It work out well as we had the couch that was dead center with the AV system. We weren't about to miss a beat of one of the most anticipated records of 2010.

They first played the sizzle reel, a promo video piece showing Sade's complete body of work throughout her entire career. It's staggering to think of Sade's longevity in the business.

Then a short reel with the 'Soldier of Love' single used as the music bed for the TV show 'Lost'. I'm not too crazy about art meeting commerce, but this TV/Music marriage works well, or was it the wine kicking in?

I've posted up both Sade NYC listening session reports from Vibe and Showing Out on the site, but this was the first one out West.

And no, Sade was not at the event, but we wish she would've been there.

Keep in mind, there were at least 150 invited guest in the room talking through out the event while the music was playing. Although we heard the music well, at times our ears had to concentrate a little more than usual.

So on with the show...my track by track critique.

The Moon and The Sky

A great way to start off the record. A smooth track with an augmented nylon string & slide guitar present throughout. Sade's signature vocals are in there right off the bat.

Soldier of Love

They skipped this one in the sequence of the album, as they had already played the video for the track.

Morning Bird

What's noticeable about this track is the piano and the arrangement of the music, gentle yet haunting. Sade creates the wholeness that is the icing on the cake. Rich and creamy, this track is.

Babyfather

The groove on this track is irresistible. It almost feels that it has a reggae beat to it, but without sounding too reggae. The song is upbeat.

Long Hard Road

This track harkens back to the Sade from the 80's, but updated to today's sound. Jazzy flavor, with a beat that is subdued enough where Sade can bend and stir her vocal showcasing around.

Be That Easy

Where 'Long Hard Road' had a somber feel to it, 'Be That Easy' has an optimistic edge to it. In this part of the album, Sade starts to stretch out and become more free with her vocals, doing nice harmonies while keeping the melody in place. The guitars are sharp and the bass bobs along to the beat.

Bring Me Home

A beat loop is present on this track as it sets the tempo for the song, somewhat hot and acid like. This one got steady head nods from the group. The guitar and bass were stretched out, right in the pocket.

In Another Time

This for me is one of the more distinct tracks on the album. It closely resembles a Stax/Hi-Records Memphis sound without the horns. The shuffle was deep in place. Sade inter plays with the laid back sax & guitar grooves as the song winds up and down.

Skin

As we know, Sade's music embodies hope, fear, pain and longing for true heart felt love. At this point in the album, the lyrics come to a head. As the title suggests, Sade is in her most vulnerable state. Tender yet evoking.

The Safest Place

The last track is the most simplest in form and presentation. An acoustic guitar, an isolated beat and cello strings. Sade beckons that the heart is really the most safest place to be.


To recap, Sade's 'Soldier of Love' measures up to all expectations. It wouldn't fair to pick one song as the best. 'Soldier of Love' needs to be heard front to back, like a good album should be heard.

I would also like to say, hearing the record in its entirety before the public is not necessarily fair to you the readers.These advance listening sessions can be deceiving, as we can get hyped out too quickly, too fast. But rest assured, on February 9th you can safely buy Sade's 'Soldier of Love' and be confident of the choice you've made. It's that good of a record and definitely worth the wait.

Lil Jon 'Crunk Rock' Listening Session Preview @ Digiwaxx Offices

Lil Jon 'Crunk Rock' on Universal Republic/BME coming soon.

Photos:
Getty Images
Wire Image
Lil Jon 'Crunk Rock' listening session (set 1)
Lil Jon 'Crunk Rock' listening session (set 2)

(video courtesy of Steph Lova @ Digiwaxx)

Rick Ross, Maybach Music Preview Of 2010 New Music & Artists At Miami Studio

From yesterday's (Wed. Dec. 16) Rick Ross & DJ Khaled's "This Is For My DJ" listening session at We The Best studios in Miami, FL. On hand were relatively new, up and coming artists Young Breed, Masspike Miles, Ace Hood and Deuce Pound.

Erykah Badu: More From The NYC Listening Session

Erykah Badu - 'New Amerykah, Part II (Return of the Ankh)' on Universal/Motown in-stores Feb. 23, 2010.

Related:
Erykah Badu NYC Listening Session Album Preview