New do + August updates

Thanks go to my dude Jose at Cozy Creative with the funky fresh design remix we've got going on over here at My Soul nowadays. Took us a little while to put this together, and I'm liking what we've come up with. I hope you like it!

Also, if you will direct your attention just to the right of these words right here, to the side-bar over there...yep, that stuff right there. As you can see, my regular "Rotations" and "Props Over Here" sections have been updated accordingly (it is August, after all) with some brand new brand new brand new brand new...for you.

In a nut-shell, as you might imagine, these two monthly offerings clue you into what's getting some spins in my system/jeep/earbuds ("Rotations") and what I'm reading/digging from elsewhere on the world wide web ("Props Over Here.")

In lieu of an archive from past months, I'm gonna share a few of the past items featured from earlier in the year so you know what it's all about:


February
Theo 3 - Make It Big (via Theo 3)

April
Kev Brown - Alternative Joint (via Kev Brown)

June
Major Lazer - Hold the Line (b. Cause's check ya Swag fix) (via Diamonds In the Dust)

Body Rock @ Napoleon...first Thursdays

Back again...



DJ 2-Tone Jones and yours truly rockin the 1-2 for the evening. Some inspirational dance floor jams as always. Come thru!!!

Genuine for '09...


2-Tone Jones
(King RJ – DC/Bmore/NY)
www.myspace.com/dj2tonejones

Body Rock
Thursday, Aug 6th
Napoleon Lounge
1847 Columbia Rd NW
Washington, DC

FREE
21+
Dress Code – Casual but stay Classy DC


***Props as always to the homies Patrick (Non-Social Productions) and Jose @ Cozy Creative for the slick visuals!!!***

Music Machine

My man Goldenchyld says you can't throw a rock in the Bay area and not hit a DJ, and I believe it. That said, the Fingerbangerz (who might could be going by The Bangerz these days) are head and shoulders above most, whether we're talking the Bay or elsewhere. You may have seen/heard them with The Jabbawockeez on America's Best Dance Crew or whatever, you may have seen them on tour, or you may have seen them killing shit in the greater San Jose neighborhood on any given night of the week.

Truth is, these cats can turn it out. I first heard of them when their debut album 'The Virus' dropped maybe back in 2004/2005 or so. From a production perspective, Goldenchyld, G-Wrex, Replay, Cutso, Ngobility and Square One got a good thing going. You can tell in listening to their stuff that they like to have a good time, and that's why I want to share this with you today.

***Perfect for house parties, corporate gatherings and underground booty clap contests***

DO NOT SLEEP...


Download the 'Music Machine' mixtape

Version

My friend and co-worker Efim gave me a CD a while back just on the strength that it was something he thought I'd enjoy. Not that a CD is the most extravagant of gift's that a DJ or music-lover can get, but it's nice to have people who look out for you and have similar interests and appreciations. At the time, I was certainly familiar with the name Mark Ronson (and admittedly had some preconceived notions) but had not really heard much from the dude until I was passed this copy of his debut album 'Version.' It might have taken a couple listens to soak up all that the record contains, but I must say that this album is something to check for (now that it's been out for a couple years or whatever.) This is some funky, soulful stuff. Of course, it doesn't hurt that names like Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, Kenna and others are featured vocalists on the record, but in truth I'm equally if not moreso impressed by the music here. Call it pop, call it soul, I don't know how you classify this otherwise, but I like this. Don't get it twisted, not everything on here suits me or is top-notch, but when it's right it's right. A couple (of the handful) of standouts are the Coldplay-inspired uptempo rendition of "God Put A Smile On Your Face" featuring the horn section from The Daptones and "Apply Some Pressure" featuring British singer Paul Smith.



On a similar note, I once gave a copy of 'Sounding Out the City' to my friend Monica and my description of the album was that it sounds just the way that it looks (below)...I'm not sure my words can truly do justice to how strong this record is. So, in this case with my buddy Efim, when it was time to return the favor, I once again offered up one of my own copies of 'Sounding Out the City,' the debut full-length from El Michels Affair. I told him the same thing I told Monica...it sounds just as it looks.

That said, if you've not heard this record, in short, you truly are missing out. Many people have spoken/written praise for El Michels Affair for their covers of Wu-Tang tracks, etc. (I got to see them live at XM a few years back with Wu doing that shit live...for real, one of the many beautiful perks of working at a place like XM,) but they truly shine when they do their own original stuff, and in most cases 'Sounding Out the City' is original stuff from the group (save for an Isaac Hayes cover.)

Soul, funk, whatever...this is good music. Take it in...



Got a couple vinly-exclusive take-alongs for you here as well.

First, a little break from Leon Michels and crew...and second, another bit of smooth from the Truth & Soul Records camp, some classic material.

El Michels Affair - EMA break


Black Velvet - Is It Me You Really Love?