Eddie Kendricks

Kendricks, is one of the great voices from legendary soul group, The Temptations. Born in Alabama, his career spans more than three decades of recording, performing, and touring. “Intimate friends” comes from the 1977 album Slick, which was released on Tamla Motown. Kendricks recorded 13 solo LPs from 1971 to 1983. Slick features great talent such as Robert White and Eddie Willis (guitar), George Roundtree (keys), Uriel Jones (drums), Jack Brokensha (percussion), Roderick Chandler (bass), Jerry Paul (congas), Cheryl Lynn, Barbara D and many others on background vocals.

Beginning with slow and sexy keys, the first few bars are what draws you in. Once the voice of a young woman moans the first note, the evening is sealed and the soft congas joined by Kendricks’s voice, the band, and the constant whispering of the background vocalists beckon you. If there was ever a song that came close to lovemaking, this has got to be one of the best. Drifting back and forth, with subtle and sudden increases in intensity, it’s a love ballad for new or ancient lovers. Tell your bff you’ve got a song for her or him to hear tonight. Whew! Is the heat on? Ain’t no kissin’ in church!! Enjoy.

Eddie Kendricks – “Intimate Friends”

Taking inspiration from John Coltrane‘s “Naima,” Stalin perfectly sums up her leaning to Coltrane as her, “way of reaching out to people today that haven’t been introduced to the music of John Coltrane, who haven’t been introduced to jazz in a way that appeals to them, to people who don’t know jazz at all and to everyone to understand what John did for the musical platform we all use today!”

Step Like A Giant contains leaps through bounds with Stalin singing with such delicacy and precision, providing us with funky hooks, broken beats, classic and nu jazz grooves, with a little hip hop sprinkled on top.

Production is provided by artists far and wide, such as Drew Beats, Madus & Scogil, EnO, Lil Chif, Unforscene, Replife, Flyphonic, Jay Soul, Dhundee, Waiwan, Nate Smith and band members, Jo Philpotts, Alex Bennett, Paul Jones, Simon King, Liz Elensky.

Delicious listening. Head over to Cecilia Stalin’s Bandcamp page to get yourself a copy of Step Like A Giant. NOW!

Check out videos below and catch a dose of some funk genius. It is my hope the original plan to collaborate with Prince (and a few others) actually happens—as THAT would be incredible!!!

Few people can belt out a tune clearly and melodically at a rally, wedding, street corner, or office as well as she can with little to no strain. Relaxed and modest however, you would never know it unless you asked. California’s Bay Area has a historic body of incredible musicians and producers who have broken ground on new frontiers of music, and the business of independent music regardless of genre. Siaira is part of that legacy. If you look up her work, you’ll see she has shared the stage and beats with Bay Area fixtures such as revolutionary rhymer T-Kash (Guerilla Funk/ The Coup) and producer Nick James who is responsible for countless remixes and a few cuts for Native Gunner Bambu. You might also hear her on tracks produced by Zakiya Harris (Fiyawata).

In this interview I ask Siaira a few questions about her musical career, the future, and what inspires her as she prepares to set sail for Brooklyn, New York. Welcome Siaira Shawn to Muphoric Sounds.

MS: What does your stage name mean? How did you get it?

Siaira Shawn: My stage name is my first and middle name. Mommy gave me the first name, and she allowed my fathers choice to be my middle name.

MS: For our listeners/readers who are unfamiliar with your work, how would you describe yourself as an artist? Who are you and what do you do?

Siaira Shawn: I am a lover, an all around artist, a worker of and for the community, an aspiring renaissance woman, in the tradition of Paul Robeson and others; my ultimate expression is being a singer/songwriter.

MS: What are some of your biggest influences in terms of your songwriting and singing?

Siaira Shawn: I get influences from everywhere; from my life, others lives, culture, history, politics, nature. I want to speak of and for people. I want to speak the truth and spread love and contribute to culture. I like to make the macro, micro; I think we learn in many different ways and music is a very important tool of liberation and education.

MS: Can you tell us briefly what your first positive performing experience was like?

Siaira Shawn: One of the most important performances occurred when I was in the fourth grade and I starred in Alice in Wonderland and my solo received a standing ovation. That moment solidified that performing would be my life.

MS: You’ve performed a lot as an up and coming musician. How would you say this has changed, advanced, or influenced your craft?

Siaira Shawn:I feel like you have to perform, it’s a part of being a musician, so it’s not separate from my musicianship. Performing makes you a better artist period.

MS: How’s the music biz looking to you in 2012? Is it a grim or bright world?

Siaira Shawn: I see a very, very bright world. I think there is a lot of great music out there and it’s finally starting to get it’s due, particularly independent soul/R&B music and all the amalgamations that pull from that tradition. A lot happened for me last year, so I see 2012 as the year where things go to the next level.

MS: You’re voice and your style of delivery is beautiful and unique. I’ve noticed you have a certain flair when it comes to fashion too. Is that on purpose or is it less “thought out” or planned?

Siaira Shawn: Thank you! It’s always been apart of who I was, the women in my family are quite fashionable, even my great grandmother. I have always been into fashion and aesthetics. I actually do styling too, so I want to take that farther as well. At this point it comes naturally, but I do think about it in the way that “my look” is seen as outside the norm or unique as you said. I want to make sure that I represent who I am wholeheartedly and by doing that I can inspire others to do the same and represent for those of us on outskirts. I hope to curate images that are unique and promote culture through a venture I call “The Outsiders Inside.”

“Incarus”

MS: Being from the Bay area, how has your hometown or environment shaped your sound/lyrics? Have any other cities added to “Siaira”?

Siaira Shawn: Yes, I was born and raised in San Francisco. Growing up in the Bay has definitely shaped me as an artist.  I think we produce very unique artists here. It is a great place to develop as an artist and incubate because there is so much culture and music here. There is such a spirit of activism and independence here and that bleeds into everything I do. I lived in DC for a year as a freshman at Howard (University) and I frequent New York a lot and I am moving to Brooklyn as I type. So, being on the east coast definitely influenced me. I just always wanted to work everywhere, I never wanted to be just a “Bay” artist. So going to other cities and performing in DC, NY, LA, TX, has let me know I have an appeal everywhere.

MS: Any new plans for 2012?

Siaira Shawn: Definitely more music, more performing, I’ll be releasing music videos, and I will be starring in a theater production. I also have plans to do more styling, education, and community work; I want to bring redbikeandgreen.org(a community building collective of Black cyclist seeking to improve the physical and mental health, economy and environment of the Black Diaspora) to Brooklyn and hopefully a manager and a company that believes in me and takes me to the next level. Changing a little bit of the world.

MS: Any shout outs you’d like to give?

Siaira Shawn: Too many [laughs] but, particularly, Christine Mehr, Marta Martinez, Melinda James, Nick James, and George Hearst. I just want to thank everyone who has supported me thus far!  Thank you and I won’t let you down!

MS: Name five musicians you have a constant rotation right now in your headphones?

Siaira Shawn: Hmm… Bilal, J*Davey, Emily King, Muhsinah, and Lianne La Havas.

MS: You released a music video in 2011. Can you tell us a bit about the song and the video?

Siaira Shawn: Not quite, a great friend of mine Nick James (look him up lol) and I just did a DIY style video, splicing some beautiful images together for my song “Dusk.” Dusk is a song about going after your dreams, working hard and being ready to attain them. I have an actual video coming out for my single “Icarus” directed by Melinda James and that’s coming out in the spring, so look out for it!

“Dusk”

Here we have the first taste from the album, “Afro Blue,” which was originally composed by Mongo Santamaria and made world famous by John Coltrane. Glasper and Badu spin it around and make it into something new to our ears. It’s gorgeous!

Black Radio is scheduled to release on February 28. The hype says Black Radio “boldly stakes out new musical territory” as he utilizes the help of his friends – such Erykah Badu, Bilal, Lupe Fiasco, Lalah Hathaway, Shafiq Husayn (Sa-Ra), KING, Ledisi, Chrisette Michele, Mos Def, Musiq Soulchild, Meshell Ndegeocello, and Stokley Williams (Mint Condition).

Robert Glasper x Erykah Badu – Afro Blue by BamaLoveSoul

From the sound of this, it was created during the infamous James River sessions, which was slated to be D’Angelo‘s his third album. We know how that panned out…into nothingness. So here we have a smoking leak — a remake of Soundgarden‘s 1994 hit, “Black Hole Sun.” We can call D’Angelo the master of the remix as his remixes bring something else to the original, whether it’s delicacy or hardness; it’s always special.  My favourite D’Angelo remake is Prince‘s “She’s Always in My Hair.” On “Black Hole Sun,” he has tapped into his inner Prince again, a la Camille era (“If I Was Your Girlfriend,” “Scarlet Pussy,” “U Got the Look“), where Prince would speed up his voice, then pace it to the tune’s tempo. This groove feels oh… so… good…!! And the vocals are unique to D’Angelo.

As said in the Muphoric Sounds Year End Wrap Up, D’Angelo is scheduled to do shows in Europe this month and next; so it’s just a matter of time before he hits the US with what we want. It’s coming!!!

D’Angelo ” Black Hole Sun ” (Demo) by FUNK?U

Whoa! That’s a huge assertion to make, I had to hear if this guy could back it up. And I have to say, he most certainly did. From the boom clap of the break beat on Configa‘s “Back to Basics,” track which features John Graham, I was drawn in. With his killer delivery and lyrics you will see hear that John Graham is no lightweight!

Success in Retrograde is a lyrical journey, with great productions – he got the help of Shade Cobain, Kiddie Fresh, Amir Swain, Mark Henry, Sizemen, and Brandon Lee.

Scheduled to release on January 11th on Ego Free Music Group, you can check out the two tracks below and then head over to his bandcamp site to pre-order (pre-orders receive a USB wristband).

Where to begin? This year marked some bizarre ocurrances, the sudden deaths of the Over Weight Lover Heavy D and Amy Winehouse, Jay Z & Beyonce getting preggas, Chris Brown showing us that his therapy has not worked, UK songstress Adele killing the charts with 21, and the masses believing that Obama is a magician—can eradicate a mess that took 8 years to create in 4 years. (Just saying).

Here at Muphoric Sounds, the Best Of 2011 is different, as everything reviewed on this site is considered being the best heard at that time. Below is our list of some of the great albums to hit in 2011 — what’s great about the list also, is all from this list have released their music independently; free from label constraints.

1. Floating Points - Shadows - continues to bring us into his synth world, but with more bass, floating between jazz and dubstep beats that is completely danceable.
2. Mar – Mar Variations – A project sparked by Dorian Concept’s “Bipolar Friendship,” has just grown it’s own legs. Now we all await for Mar’s next variation, as they’re all outstanding pieces of work! Check out the latest one.
3. Little Dragon – Ritual Union – Longstanding fans of Little Dragon, from their debut, it is so gratifying to see them grow into notoriety. If there’s one band who deserves it, it is Little Dragon.
4. Radiohead – The King of Limbs – Perfection in every way. Radiohead are an electronic band, who are so open to try out new sounds, you never know what you’re going to get – which makes them a complete treat. “Lotus Flower” video, still a favourite.
5. Thundercat – The Golden Age of Apocalypse – Absolutely in love with Thundercat’s sounds – hard and delicate all at the same time, with incredible arrangements that leave you satisfied.
6. Malice & Mario Sweet - Happy 2 Year – Seattle’s new flowering talent, taking us to an era when duets conveyed passion and love, over real soul and funk laden beats.
7. KING – The Story – Hailing from the West Coast, these young ladies came with something refreshingly different. Looking forward to their next project and shows on the East Coast!
8. Elzhi – Elmatic – Never, ever thought it was possible to do a remake of Nas’s Illmatic (the album was perfection in its original state). However, in comes Elzhi using Will Sessions as his band, and it’s a new listening experience! Well done!
9. Van Hunt – What Your Were Hoping For? – From his great musicianmanship, superior songwriting, Van Hunt can put out anything and I’d follow. The journey is so inspiring.
10. Omar + Zed Bias  - “Dancing” (Single) – A true jump up and whine your waist tune!

Not going to make any predictions this year, but will note, it seems our collective prayers and candle lighting is doing something. D’Angelo will embark on a European tour in January/February 2012, a sort of test out the waters before he brings his show to the US. Keep praying people!! Keep praying!!

As we approach a new year, we wish you all the best for 2012!!

Peace + Love + Light
The Muphoric Sounds Team

Born in 1940, this Richmond Virginia native was brought up in a musical family. He studied music in high school and at Morgan State University. Starting his career in Baltimore and later moved to New York City where so many musicians make the pilgrimage to in order to gig, collaborate, learn, and elevate their skill. After studying with family, school, the clubs, and many greats, he grew into an extremely accomplished musician and band leader, who has played with Art Blakey, Betty Carter, Gato Barbieri, Miles Davis, Guru from Gangstarr, and Pharoah Sanders. As a band leader of The Cosmic Echoes,” the Visions of a New World was the second LP he released with famed producer Bob Thiele.

The bass is deceiving, first screaming full of funk, then providing a trance-inducing floor for the guitar, trumpets, vocals, synthesizers, and violins to walk on. One of the reasons I gravitated to Liston Smith, despite the fact that he’s been so widely sampled in hip hop, is his incredible ability to fuse sounds and genres together. Jazz, traditional, funky, electronic, psychedelic, or even rock elements. This song and this LP have so much to offer the ear. Check it out below.

“A Chance for Peace” by Lonnie Liston Smith

Mark de Clive-Lowe released Renegades, his ninth solo album last month on TruThoughts Records and can be purchased from the following links:  Amazon | iTunes.

The Best of MdCL Mix by DJ Spinna is available for free download at the following sites Soundcloud | MixCloud – or you could just play it here while you pursue Muphoric Sounds.

The Best of MdCL Mix by DJ Spinna by Tru Thoughts

“Avril 14“ is so beautiful; just rocked my world. The intensity of the music with Mar and UK singer Szjerdene‘s incredibly heartfelt delivery, will make you want to run up to the one you love and just hold them. The video documents a beautiful couple preparing for their first child—the excitement, and the love they have for each other is so pure. However, complications arise and shatters their bright world into something that is harrowingly painful. “Avril 14” is a variation of an instrumental by Irish electronic composer Apex Twin. Again, the music is left untouched and vocals are added to breathe more life and dimension to the original composition.

Directed by Hesdy Lonwijk and actors Nasrdin Dchar & Kim Pieters. Watch the video below, and head over to Mar‘s WeTransfer site to get your free download.

First hearing “Heart & Soul,” the infectious hook that is vintage soul mixed a hip hop flavour, there was anticipation for his 5-song EP. Baby Jaymes does a rendition of 50 Cent‘s “21 Questions” bringing in live instrumentation and inverting the song to sound melodic.

Calling his style “ghetto retro,” largely in part due to his sound having subtle leanings to Motown but also containing enough soul, hip hop and live instrumentation to make it a sound of now. Baby Jaymes is fun and I look forward to seeing what his live performance is going to look and sound like.

Being on the West Coast he definitely asserted himself within the right circles and has had songs featured in motion pictures, such as Malibu’s Most Wanted, My Baby’s Daddy, and Any Given Sunday.

Check out “Heart & Soul” below and head over to iTunes to purchase this EP.

Heart and Soul smooth mastered 1 by BabyJaymes

If you haven’t purchased What You Were Hoping For? yet, I suggest you do. It’s an electric ride of discovery with profound lyrics that make you go, “Hmmmm…”

iTunes | Amazon

Mutants, is a compilation of remixes where he delves deep into 80s funk and soul, taking us back to the two step era, also incorporating those soulful house songs that never grow old. His selections include a mix of power vocalists, such as Erik Rico, Amalia, Colonel Red, Ursula Rucker, Gregory Porter, Eska, Sly Johnson, to name a few.

Check out two songs from the compilation, then head over to Tokyo Dawn Records for purchase.

“1960 What?” by Gregory Porter (Opolopo Kick & Bass Rerub)

“Our World” feat. Erik Rico (House Mix)