NEW MUSIC TUESDAY: BOSCO - Let Go Of Me [EP STREAM]

It's indeed a glorious occasion to return to the blogosphere, as today marks the official release of the Let Go of Me EP by BOSCO-- an ATL-based, experimental soul collective forged and spearheaded by singer/songwriter Brittany Bosco. Since releasing her trademark Spectrum EP in 2009, Brittany has strayed far from her style that first enraptured her neo-soul  fan base-- she's ventured into rugged blues/rock, chill wave, and balmy opera. The adaptable songstress has now joined forces with her Atlanta compatriots Ira G. (hip-hop/r&b producer), and three-fourths of post-punk quartet Tanderberry (Shane Orange, Jonathan Merenivitch, and Carlton Knight) for a debut collaborative effort chock-full of reverb, emotive soul, and ethereal grunge. Stream the three-song project after the jump and purchase it here.

SIDE NOTE: Be sure to catch BOSCO performing at the free SXSW Atlanta showcase on March 15.

MUSIC MONDAY JAM: Add-2 - "Cotton Fields"

It's MLK Day in 2012-- the great civil rights leader would have been 83 years old today --and the question remains: has Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream been fully realized? Leave it to the great musicians of our day to voice their opinions through their poignant art.  The fiery Chicago-bred emcee, Add-2 does just that, insisting that "even though the times may have changed, some perceptions haven't... to some, no matter how far you've come along, you will always be the same thing in their eyes."  Add expresses his point in this powerful video for his new song, "Cotton Fields," from his upcoming proper debut album, Save Our Souls (coming soon).  Say what you will about Dr. King's dream as it relates to contemporary social issues, but there's no denying the welcomed passion and sincerity Add-2 brings to hip-hop.  Dude is next up!

BONUS: Keeping with the spirit of Black History Month, which is right around the corner, be sure to check out Add's previous talked-about track "Modern Day Coons."       

ALBUM REVIEW: Phonte - "Charity Starts At Home"

September 27th was probably one of the biggest dates for hip hop releases so far this year-- J. Cole, Blu, Evidence, J-Live, among others, all dropped solid efforts.  My favorite of them all, though, comes from none other than Mr. Phonte Coleman of The Foreign Exchange.  After making a long run as a smoothed-out R&B singer, Phonte makes a refreshing return to hip hop with his solo debut Charity Starts At Home.  Check out my brief review of the album at All Music Guide.  Then do your music collection some good and cop the album.

MUSIC MONDAY JAM: Black Milk & Danny Brown - "Black & Brown"

There are plenty reasons to affix your ears to Detroit hip hop these days.  Aside from its viability as an epicenter of new musical frontiers, Detroit has, over time, significantly strengthened its artistic brand through its collaborative efforts by local artists.  Continuing to shape and mold the Detroit hip hop brand while pushing the sound beyond  local boundaries are hip hop movers-and-shakers Black Milk and Danny Brown.  The song "Black & Brown," originally featured on Black Milk's Album of The Year, inspired their new collaborative EP of the same name, which then spawned the above visuals for the title-track.  Black Milk's heart-pounding, symphonic production provides the backdrop for Danny Brown's abrasive, off-kilter raps as the two get rugged and rowdy and trade bars in a movie theater.

Stream and purchase the Black & Brown EP after the jump. 

MUSIC MONDAY JAM: Quadron - "Wounds"

 Soul mavericks Robin and Coco of Danish duo Quadron have been gaining traction around the world ever since the release of their unprecedented, self-titled debut last year.  While we haven't heard much new music from them since, "Wounds," a previously unreleased remix of the album standout "Simile Life," takes us into just one of many dimensions of this dynamic duo.  If you aren't yet familiar with Quadron, don't deprive yourself another minute.  Stream the song over at NPR, courtesy of yours truly and the good folks at NPR Music.

MUSIC MONDAY JAM: Kids These Days - "Clear Eyes"

It's Monday folks! And for those of you who dread the beginning of the work week (or the dawning onslaught of classes), this song by Kids These Days, "Clear Eyes" (from its Hard Times EP), may be the perfect soundtrack to your wistful reflections of the weekend. 

The stop-motion effect featured in the music video provides an extra visual feast to the song's mellow ambiance-- it's always a treat to be able to identify scenic shots of streets and locales of your home city in a music video.

SIDE NOTE: If you missed Kids These Days in action at Lollapalooza this year, check out a recap video of their performance after the jump.

MUSIC MONDAY JAM: Mint Condition - "Walk On"

For this month's randomly sporadic post, the contemporary R&B pioneers of Mint Condition refresh our ears with some good ol' fashion vocals.  "Walk On" is the group's single from their latest album entitled 7..., in reference to the number of albums they've amassed within their unprecedented 20-year-long career as a group.  With only seven albums under its belt in 20 years, the five-piece's enduring relevance goes to show that dedication to pure musicianship and vocal ability goes a long way.