Category: Soul

Stubbys House of Christmas

SHEI ATKINS - SPREAD THE LOVE (THIS CHRISTMAS)

1/19/2011

Somewhere between Soul diva Mary J. Blige and Gospel group Mary Mary lies Shei Atkins, an inspirational Soul singer (and personal fitness trainer!) from Houston, Texas. Shei has released at least 3 full albums (available at the usual on-line spots) and is currently finishing up "Emotional", set to be released later this year. Oh, and she's got a book out, too. "Get A Man, Keep A Man" is available in hard cover, soft cover, and e-book formats. There's even an accompanying song you can download for free. Head to Shei's web site for more info on her and her many projects. "Spread The Love (This Christmas)", apparently from 2009, can be downloaded free through Twiturm. Twiturm? Man, they lost me at Facebook, know what I'm sayin'?

FLASH ATKINS - ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU

12/28/2010

Flash Atkins - All I Want For Christmas Is You by Paper Recordings

A couple of free tracks from Paper Recordings. These two both feature mellow, soulful beats and ethereal vocals. And I like both recordings a lot, but neither strikes me as particularly Christmasy. Though, to be fair, that could be because the big day has passed (kind of like trying to remember the big bird over your bowl of turkey soup). I guess Lounge or Chill Out is what they're going for here. In any case, you can download these tracks free or just listen. You don't even have to go to Paper Recordings, if you don't want to, cuz we got widgets!

Ralph Myerz feat. Rebekka Karijord - My Private Night by Paper Recordings

THE DIPLOMATS OF SOLID SOUND - LET IT SNOW

12/22/2010

DIPLOMATS OF SOLID SOUND - Let It Snow by Record Kicks

A tip of the hat to Christmas A Go Go, who have been on fire this week, for finding this 2-sided soul single from Record Kicks. There's an actual vinyl 7" of this one, though very limited--might be sold out already (but check here if you're interested). In the spirit of the season, Record Kicks is giving us free downloads of both sides of this gem through January 6. "Let It Snow" from The Diplomats of Solid Sound features a bit of an Archie Bell and The Drells arrangement to it, while Ray Harris tackles the Godfather of Soul's "Soulful Christmas" straight on. Hot buttered soul courtesy of Record Kicks. You can download "Let It Snow" using the widget here, but, to hear and download "Soulful Christmas", you'll have to visit Record Kicks.

JULIE C. - IT WON'T BE CHRISTMAS (TILL YOU'RE HERE)

12/20/2010

1. It Won't Be Christmas (Till You're Here)
2. Christmas Kisses
3. Old Man December
4. Joyeux Noel

Thanks to Hip Christmas for putting us on the trail of this artist.
Soulful Julie C. isn't just content to give away one free Christmas song. She's giving away four--unveiling a new one each Monday before Christmas--including her current single "It Won't Be Christmas (Till You're Here)". And, hey, what do you know, it's week number four. This is some real fine original stuff that'll remind you a bit of Joss Stone and a bit of Norah Jones on the downbeat side and of the old "girl groups" on the upbeat side. No email required (though, if you sign up for the mailing list, you'll get a (non-Christmas) track from Julie's upcoming album). Just head to Julie's web site and click on the artwork for each song to get your downloads. How cool is that? Don't know how long they'll last, so get em now.

OUTREACH 24/7 - THE CHRISTMAS SONG

12/20/2010

Always nice to find something different, fresh and original. How bout some Hip Hop Gospel with Jazz. Outreach 24/7 is a Washington, DC based ensemble noted for being simultaneously laid back and funky. Here, Outreach 24/7 covers "The Christmas Song", gives the lyrics a religious makeover, and includes a couple of Jazz solos in the break, a little guitar spot from Eric Blake and a whirl on the keyboards from Tree Walters. Sweet! You can hear and download the song free on Reverbnation.

CHEAP SEATS - THIS CHRISTMAS

12/16/2010

Can't say why, really, but this hit me exactly right this morning. Nobody reinventing the wheel, here. Just a sweetly done straight ahead cover of Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas". Found the video first, then went looking to buy the 45, if there was one. Guess not, but the tuneage was free. Cheap Seats has a nice pop/rock groove (the world needs more good pop music, too, it really does). And the lead singer has a good sound. Check the band on Pure Volume and dig the Motown-goes-bubblegum sound on "Sin, Repent, Repeat". Liked "High Ride" too. Yeah, good stuff for pop hounds like me. A little bit of that old Philly Blue-eyed soul. "This Christmas" by Cheap Seats will cost you all of an email address at Bandcamp. Feel free to preview the track up front. They won't mind.

KANYE WEST - CHRISTMAS IN HARLEM (final version)

12/16/2010

Well, that didn't take long. Kanye West was apparently waiting on the Dipset contribution to his holiday jam when it leaked yesterday. So what are you going to do? The full and final song was due Friday, but "Christmas In Harlem" is out now. This one features drops by Dipset, Pusha T, Big Sean, Cyhi da Prynce, Musiq Soulchild, and Teyana Taylor. You can skip down a few posts to read about and download the leaked version. Collect the whole set. Oh, you can find the final version, well, pretty much everywhere this morning. I got mine here.

KANYE WEST - CHRISTMAS IN HARLEM (leaked version)

12/16/2010

Kanye West is a tough act to get a read on. Like the girl with the curl, he seems to alternate between "very, very good" and "horrid". Of late, he'd been in one of his "very good" periods and had promised a track a week until Christmas. Not Christmas tracks, mind you, but still... Then he sort of dropped from site, MIA for weeks. Well, one of Kanye's "track per week" songs leaked onto the net in its unfinished form Wednesday--a Christmas song and a good one. The leaked version of "Christmas In Harlem" features CyHi The Prynce & Teyana Taylor. And Kanye tweets that the full version will drop Friday and feature many more R&B stars. Or, to quote Kanye himself, "Eeeeevrybody on it!!!!" Head over to The Idolator to download the leaked version of "Christmas In Harlem" and stand by for the full joint. It's smooth and soulful, upbeat and happy. It might be the best thing I've ever heard him do.

MAYER HAWTHORNE - CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE

12/15/2010

Mayer Hawthorne - Christmas Time Is Here by Mayer Hawthorne

Yet another version of the Vince Guaraldi classic, this one from Mayer Hawthorne and Stones Throw Records. A note attached to the digital freebie reads:
Happy Holidays everyone,
All the best Christmas songs were written by Jews, and Chanukah songs suck. This is my favorite Christmas tune, sung over the Vince Guaraldi instrumental.
Cheers,
Mayer Hawthorne
Alright, then. Nuff said.

DJ JAZZY JEFF & AYAH - XMAS TIME

12/13/2010

Sure Will Smith got the TV show, the movies, the fame and fortune with all the trimmings. But it was DJ Jazzy Jeff, afterall, who had top billing on those 80s Hip Hop records that launched The Fresh Prince. And while the world kept its eyes on the charismatic Smith, Jazzy Jazz has continued making good music--writing, recording, producing and more. At present, he's working on an album with singer Ayah. But the pair took a break to lay down this soulful holiday track, "Xmas Time", which they're giving away free (along with the instrumental B side) at DJ Jazzy Jeff's web site for a limited time. It sounds like the took the first few notes from Vince Guaraldi's "Christmas Time Is Here" and took off from there. Lots of other free downloads on the site if you poke around a little bit. Head to Ayah's site for a free album sampler. What's Will Smith given you lately?