When it comes to progressive hip-hop and soul, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better label than Stones Throw, home to MF Doom, Breakestra, Dudley Perkins and Peanut Butter Wolf, among others.
A new release to look for is Aloe Blacc’s Shining Through (due out July 11). Blacc, one-half of indie hip-hop group Emanon, explores an array of styles on Shining, from soul to Latin to world. At first blush, his uplifting voice – especially on Dance For Life – is a bit reminiscent, however lofty this comparison may seem, of Stevie Wonder.
Aloe Blacc | I’m Beautiful
Aloe Blacc | Dance For Life
While we’re talking about Stones Throw, hip-hop fans (or anyone, for that matter) would do well to hit up eMusic for two free tracks – Gets Mine and T. Biggums – from Oh No’s forthcoming LP Exodus Into Unheard Rhythms.
Just checked out these Aloe Blacc tracks. very nice. the Stevie Wonder comparison makes sense. also reminds me a lot of a young Shuggie Otis. (also high praise).
do you have Shuggie’s Inspiration Information? or his work on Preston Love’s Omaha Bar-b-que? could be a mailer in it for you if answer to either is no.
The answer is no … mail ’em!
dude, you got ’em.
(you prob know this but Shuggie wrote “Strawberry Letter 23” made famous by the Quincy Jones produced Brothers Johnson).