Adi Oasis - Mystic Lover

 

LOVE this song! Just discovering Adi Oasis or Adeline and man can she play and sing!!! Check her out

If you dig this check out some of the other stuff I'm listening to

Soul Portrait 10 - Amber Mark

 

A quick ink drawing on paper of singer songwriter Amber Mark. I'm new to Amber but I love her song "Competition" and "Love me right". I don't know much about her backstory but it sounds like she spent time in the US and Europe. Support her music here.

Whats this? This is a series of portraits I started several years ago for fun practice. I draw or paint portraits of Soul musicians I like. The last one was of Fatima from Sweden. Check it out here

Goapele Interview + fav songs

 

Nice interview w/ Goapele of Oakland talking about different points in her career. Brought back some memories and reminded me to peep her newer music.I'll admit I am often impressed by Talib's knowledge of Bay Area music. In this interview she talks about a bunch of stuff and could've listened to even more about her process, family, and future plans.

2001-Even Closer

Red White & Blues is a dope anti-war song she did right after the 9-11 attack in NYC. I remember watching her perform this at Frank Ogawa Plaza. I also love Childhood drama (Herbie hancock remix), Romantic, Too much the same, Things don't exist, and of course the classic from the same album. 

CLOSER! produced by Amp Live of Zion-I.

And some more i love that you might like....

2005- Change it All (also feat her activist roots) , Different w/ Clyde Carson (The Team), and First Love

2008-Don't be Shy is my jam, Milk & Honey

2011- Play, Money

2017- Dreamseeker EP  Cool Breeze

If you dig her and want to hear more soul please check out : Stuff I've been Listening to 17 w/ SOUL

Stuff I've been listening to - 20 (Remixes)

Otis Redding- Sitting on the dock of the bay DJ Spinna remix 2021

Listening to this remix of Otis Redding the other day reminded me how a good remix can really light up a depressing day. With isolation from family, friends, and restrictions I look for inspiring things to share. And I started this series of blog posts, to share good music new and old. The majority of this will be hip hop, soul, and reggae but I know many genre's have their dope remixes.

     

Brandy - I wanna be down IAMNOBODI remix 2013

The Roots - Silent treatment Da Beatminerz Remix 1995

Maylee Todd - Hieroglyphics Tall Black Guy Remix 2012

Mega Banton - Sound Bwoy Killin Salaam Remi Remix 2000

Teedra Moses - Be your girl Kaytranada Remix 2013

The Pharcyde - She said Jay Dee/Dilla remix 1995

Little Dragon · Seconds (Syd The Kyd of OFWGKTA remix)

Little Dragon - Seconds Syd The Kyd Remix 2010

A remix is a restructuring of an existing song. It could have the same beat and different verses, the same lyrics and a different beat, or a slight change that makes the song slower or faster. Either way it is an improvement of an existing song. These are some of my favorite remixes. It's not comprehensive, it's a list of what I like. Feel free to comment with your fav remix!

Dead Prez - Hip Hop w/ Sault Pele Durian Funk remix 2020

Capelton -Tour Dynamik Duo Remix 1994

De La Soul - Stakes is High w/ Fela Amerigo Gazaway Remix 2011

D'Angelo - Cruisin Remix 1995

Trackademicks · E-40- "Tell Me When To Go" ft. Keak Da Seak (Trackademicks Remix)

E40 -Tell me when to go Trackademicks Remix 2006

 

Timeless: Untitled/Fantastic remixed by Georgia Anne Muldrow from MOCHILLA on Vimeo.

Slum Village/J Dilla - Untitled/ Fantastic Georgia Anne Muldrow Remix

And there are so many more. For instance, the Luniz "I got 5 on it" remix, A Tribe Called Quest "Bonita Applebum" remix, NWA's "Dopeman" remix, SWV "Right here", or the Black Hippy Remix of "That Part" by Schoolboy Q. Ahhhh there are so many lesser known artists w/ dope remixes too. What's your favorite remix?

Want to hear more music? Check out my posts from the past!

Stuff I've been listening to 19 - UK Artists

Stuff I've been listening to 18 - House Music

Stuff I've been listening to 17- Soul

Stuff I've been listening to 15 - Jazz

Moonchild - Too Good

Been a fan of Moonchild for a long time and i'm loving this new LP. Listen to the whole album here.

More Music? Did u see my last post of UK artists I'm listening to? Listen here

Stuff I've been listening to - 19 (UK artists)

 

Greentea Peng - Dingaling (2021)

It feels like I've been listening to a lot of UK(British) artists lately from a few genres but mostly hip hop and soul. Here are a few of those artists. Hearing how they do their own thing and flip soul, hip hop, jazz, or house really trips me out sometimes. One of my biggest wishes is for more US based MCs, vocalists, and producers to collaborate with them. Got some folks I should hear? Leave a comment!

Yusef Dayes & Tom Misch - Storm before the calm (2020)

Cleo Sol - Sweet Blue (2019)

Little Simz-Backseat  (2016)

Eric Lau-Masamba (2017)

Kokoroko- Carry me home (2021)

Nayana IZ - TNT (2020)

Sault - Little boy (2020)

Andrew Ashong - Never dreamed (2013)

I wish I could tell you where everyone is from but I do not always know. And I'm trying to include artists from the past 5-10 years mostly. If we were going back in time I would include artists like Soul 2 Soul, Massive Attack, Radiohead, Loose Ends, or Sade.

Omar - I want it to be (2016)

Zilo - Show me whats mine (2021)

Blue Lab Beats - Memories (2019)

Hawk House - Chill pill (2014)

Hollie Cook - That very night (2011)

Shout out to Osunlade, Gilles Peterson, Vanessa Warren, Thinkbeat Radio, and the Colors YouTube channel for some of the gems!

The previous "Stuff I've been listening to" was about HOUSE music

Stuff I've been listening to- SOUL music

Stuff I've been listening to- JAZZ

Inspiration board 39

 

Ok, lately a lot of whats been on my mind is the study of film, particularly how to storyboard a good film sequence. Heres the board from top top bottom, left to right: 

1. Gaidaa- Incredible young singer/songwriter from the Netherlands via Sudan 

2. PBS YouTube series "Weathered" about climate change is scary and engaging 

3. Cassey Kuo-incredible concept/story artist 

4. DJ Premier is doing a videos series abt beats! 

5. Lightbox Expo-art, film, animation, illustration expo online 

6. Greentea Peng-great UK singer songwriter photo by Suki Dhanda 

7. Maya and the Three-Upcoming film by Jorge Gutierrez 

8. Blk Wmn Animator-is a video series by Deborah Anderson 

9. Jordi Lafebre-french illustrator for comics

10. Drik the Villain-Graf writer w/ 3d styles

11. Native artist- David Kanietakeron Fadden great piece abt native genoicde

12. My Dad the Bounty Hunter-an upcoming animated seriess by Everett Downing Jr. 

13. Studio Binder-great resource for learning film 

14. Screenwriter and story consultant Brian McDonald gets deep into the story

15. Hand lettering by Carmi Grau 

16. Script consultant/writer - Shannan E. Johnson gets structure

Please check out the links and support these folks, things, etc.

Did you miss the previous inspiration board? Here are a few 

Inspiration board 38 

Inspiration board 37

What's this? This inspiration board is one of the ways I stay inspired and sane through all of life's trials, and tribulations, work, etc. I've been making inspiration boards full of films, books, music, events, people, artists, movements, and more for over a decade. Do you have an inspiration board? Please share in the comments.

Who am I? My name is Rob and I'm an artist working in kid lit, public art, and other disciplines. Go to my website, or follow me on IG or YouTube.

You can purchase my book "Art of Rob" here

Tortured Soul Feat N'Dea Davenport

 

A little light today in constant heavy times. 

Hablot Brown / SZA

 

Hablot Brown-GO

SZA-Percolator

Stuff I've been listening to - 17 (Soul)

 

Welcome to the new normal. Every so often I will post a bunch of songs that I've had on heavy rotation. Why? I LOVE MUSIC. If I didn't paint, that's probably what I'd do. Here are some Rhythm & Blues/ Soul songs that have been keeping me warm. The first one is from Minneapolis' Carlitta Durand who I heard of via Phonte. 

Thee Sacred Souls (San Diego) are giving me mountains of soul! Peep this song. 

This entire LP from  Lianne La Havas

(UK) is fire, but this is my favorite song from it.

Talk about sexy. This song is dripping with it. Love love love Sebastian Mikael, his sound, and his style.

Alex Mali (Brooklyn) gives me chills with the funk, pocket, and the slurred feeling of this song. So much style.

Dope mix of styles here with Seba Kaapstad (Germany/S. Africa).

This LA native Sunni Colón gives a nice intro to his LP Psicodelic here.

Greentea Peng (UK) I found through Colors and man has she dropped some heat in the last 2 years.

Saving the best for last, this jam from Alex Isley and Jack Dine (Both LA) is just the cherry on top to a series of songs and projects they've been doing together and this song is just flawless. Add the young Masego (Virginia) just kills it as a feature. 

That's it. Whenever I hear people say (insert musical genre) ain't what it used to be I just think how much they're missing. Mainstream outlets aren't enough. Whether its Spotify, Soundcloud, Youtube, actual record stores, or my favorite (DJ mixes) just go digging for new music :)

Listen to the last "Stuff I've been listening to" HERE

Thee Sacred Souls- Rose/Justice

 

Loving this group and their soul!

This is also a dope protest song!

Joey Quinones - Don't tell me

Feeling this brother's soul music.

 

Kindred Journey 28 - H.E.R.

I'm sure most of you who love R&B and allow new artists into their heart have already heard of H.E.R. But if you're new to her let me give a brief introduction. H.E.R. (Having Everything Revealed) first came on my radar on Daniel Ceasar's song "Best Part". One of the coolest things about her style is that she is not trying to do what everyone else was doing when she reemerged in the industry. Her music is something a soul lover of any age can feel. Gabby Wilson is a youngster from Vallejo California, home to greats such as Confunkshun, Mac Dre, and E40. She's a Blasian kid (Pinay + Black) and from an early age her family had her in the mix of music making and enjoyment. She plays the drums, bass, and piano. I think she's best known for her guitar licks and vocals. In a world of manufactured checklists of artists thus singer songwriter is a breath of fresh air and she's just getting started. With them shades she invokes MF Doom and Daft Punk with a focus less about how she looks and more about what you hear. Please follow her, support her music, and check out her most recent effort to inspire "Girls with Guitar's".

Sources: Revolt, LA Times, Sway in The Morning
Fav song: Carried Away

Did you catch the last one? Kiwi
Check out one i did of Equipto

Pele/ Durian Funk 2 - Trust Your Struggle

Just completed the artwork for this mix by my brother Pele (TYS) based in the Philippines. His DJ project Durian Funk shares funky revolutionary music from The Philippines and the US mixed on two turntables. 

Cop it HERE

From Pele:

Trust Your Struggle | Volume One

This mix is dedicated to the world amidst these trying times. Especially, to all of those who are feeling unsure of what tomorrow may bring for our loved ones, ourselves and our communities.

I am right there with you fam and I hope this music can give you some sort of inspiration to help us all get through these uncertain times. Sending you nothing but love, strength and some funky, soulful medicine music. In solidarity from Mindanao, Philippines to where ever you are on this Planet Earth.

Trust (Y)our Struggle,
Pele Durian Funk

Free download at https://soundcloud.com/peledurianfunk/tracks

Tracklist:

1. "We've Got Work To Do" - Tribe

2. "Think People" - Tribe

3. "We Know We Have To Live Together" -
Eugene Blacknell and the New Breed

4. "Concrete Jungle" - Little Beaver

5. "Waste Not Want Not" - Ken Haywood

6. "Suffer" - IFA Afrobeat & Okwei V Odili

7. "Our Generation" - Ernie Hines

8. "World" - 1619 Bad Ass Band

9. "Take A Look At Yourself" - Eddie Russ

10. "Rise Up" - Greenwood Rhythm Coalition
+Vocal Samples - Nina Simone, Amiri Baraka, Paul Robeson and Fela Kuti

11. "Zombie" - Fela Kuti and Afrika 70

12. "Upside Down" - Freedonia

13. "La Valla" - Bronx River Expressway

14. "Mr. Fortune" - The Hitchhikers

15. "Each One Teach One" - Kokolo

16. "Joyful Noise" - Breakestra

17. "Uhuru" - The Ramsey Lewis Trio

18. "We Ain't Free" - Boscoe

19. "We The People" - The Soul Searchers

20. "No More" - The Lumpen

Cover Art by Robert "Tres" Trujillo
Recorded and mixed by Pele | Durian Funk Productions.
Mastered by Dion Decibels.

Much love and appreciation to all the musicians and bands played on this mix. Massive respect to all the original vinyl diggers worldwide keeping the music alive.

Special shout out to Robert Liu-Trujillo and my Trust Your Struggle fam. And big thanks to the homie Jay Gee.

If you would like to support | paypal.me/durianfunk
Daghang salamat, many thanks.

Stuff I've been listening to-14

This is my favorite jam on this new Kaytranada LP Bubba!


My wife introduced me to a Lisa Shaw song and she led me to this collab with House producer Miguel Migs


Absolutely fell in love with this joint off the Ventura LP by Anderson Paak, produced by Pharell

Love this entire EP and her new single-just beautiful soulful and I found her through Colors!


Came across this track after reading about Brazilian Funk Music on Afro Punk and this bangs. If you're triggered by men wearing "women's clothing" listen to the song rather than watching the video.


Another slapper from DJ Rennan

Been enjoying listening to Cami Layé Okún's selection of Cuban music!

Going back to 83 with this funky classic.

Enjoying what you hear? Why not listen to the last one..
Stuff I've been listening to 13

Stuff I've been listening to - 12

Wow, I must have listened to this song 20 times playing the bridge over and over. Gabby Wilson aka H.E.R. is an incredible musician and deserves every single praise and or accolade. These are a bunch of songs I've had on repeat recently. You can see the last "Stuff I've been listening to" HERE
Temani really gives a different style on this one. Unlike any voice i've heard recently.
This is an old one, but I've been listening to a lot of house lately. Good vibes please! Both Yvette and Spinna did their thing on this! Makes me want to dance every time I hear it.


Destani Wolf's voice is a thing to behold. I've been in the same room as her while she sang and it just lifts you off the ground. Headnodic of Crown City Rockers produced this incredibly vibe filled beat.
This entire EP is fire. Just head nod material from start to finish!
Anthony Valadez, shout out to RecordBreakin!
A group of giants! R+R=Now
Again, found them via RecordBreakin!

Wanna hear more? Here is "stuff I've been listening to" 11

Cleo Sol - Inspiration

"As the mist falls heavenly" -Cleo Sol

Stuff I've been listening to - 11

Gavlyn -Needs (LA) Black Milk - Laugh now, cry later (Detroit) Ruby Ibarra - Us (San Lorenzo,CA) Jean Grae & Quelle Chris- Gold, purple, orange (NYC) Iman Omari- Move too fast (LA) Allmos (Stuyvesants) - Aromas Naturalle DJ Harrison- Piano Jazz (Virginia)

You can hear the previous "stuff I've been listening to" 10 here.

Siaira Shawn- Lost

Muphoric Sounds 44 - Curtis Mayfield (In the trunk)

It has been awhile since I did an "IN THE TRUNK" piece for Muphoric Sounds. If you have not heard this song by Curtis Mayfield I highly suggest you go on over to Muphoric Sounds : LINK

and listen to it. 

For those unaware, I have been writing as a contributing editor to Muphoric Sounds (a contemporary and old school music blog) since 2010 or 2009. It is a passion project for me because I love music, and the Chief editor Vanessa gave me a shot to write about old records I like. Please go there and listen to some of them. And if you're a beat maker/producer definitely download those songs and use them! Hopefully they inspire some new sounds. Share and support good music. I also write a series there called "PRESS REWIND" about old beats. Tune in.