Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 4:00PM 
Al Castellana is probably the greatest soul singer in Italy and has just released the first single off his new album (scheduled for a March/April release). This guy really doesn’t sound how you would expect him to - what an absolutely stunning voice. You can also watch the video HERE.
Al Castellana, Soul in Aside Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 3:36PM 
A new D’Angelo remix, which comes courtesy of one the most under-rated Hip-Hop producers around, Freddie Joachim. This is a melodious percussive take on one of my favourite D tracks - it’s been on repeat for the past hour. I miss this man. Get your free download HERE.
D'Angelo, Freddie Joachim, Remix, Soul in Aside Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 3:24PM 
The 3rd remix off the upcoming remix album from Jamie XX, which will see him re-imaging Gil Scott-Heron’s 2010 album, I’m New Here. Have a feeling that this release will be a special moment.
Dubstep, Gil Scott-Heron, Jamie XX, Remix, Soul, Spoken Word in Aside Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 5:25PM 
Here is a bubbling mid-tempo groove from Reel People, which sees Tony Momrelle asking the object of his affections why they just can’t seem to make things work out. Everything about this is beautiful - similar standard to their two previous albums, Second Guess and Seven Ways To Wonder. Can’t wait for this latest release.
Reel People, Soul, Tony Momrelle in Aside Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 3:25AM 
Here is a stunning new track from an upcoming London-based soul singer, called Iman. It’s co-written by my mate Ed Sheeran, and is another example of how much talent this man is blessed with. She has a beautiful voice and the track has been perfectly crafted, to create a little masterpiece. One of those songs that you have to put on repeat. Excited to hear what else she has to bring to the table this year.
Ed Sheeran, Iman, Soul in Aside Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 2:14AM 
Here are two little beauties, which are taken from a new (modern) 18 track compilation based on groove fundamentals such as 80’s and 90’s R&B, Minneapolis funk and early electro. It features ‘74 minutes of dirty g-funk bangers, sweaty robot grooves, cosmic p-funk bombs and anthems of intergalactic existentialism’. This is everything I love about music, and more - it connects the dots between electro, rap, house and R&B and is an is equally recommended for fans of funk past, present and future. Both of these show the diversity of what is on there. Fucking BOOM!
Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 3:26PM 
Off back to Uni tonight and have been packing up my stuff all day, to this soundtrack. I thought it would be nice to share it with you all - 18 tracks of smooth soul vibes. Tracklist and download link after the jump.
1. D’Angelo - When We Get By
2. Bobby Womack - Across 110th Street
3. O’Jays - Backstabbers
4. Curtis Mayfield - Give Me Your Love
5. Baby Huey - Hard Times
6. Jill Scott - The Way
7. Minnie Ripperton - Inside My Love
8. Lyn Collins - Think
9. The Temptations - Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone (DJ Jazzy Jeff & Pete Kuzma Solefull Remix)
10. Stevie Wonder - All I Do (Is Think About You)
11. Gil Scott-Heron - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
12. Donny Hathaway - Love, Love, Love
13. Donald Byrd & The Blackbyrds - Think Twice
14. Bill Withers - Grandma’s Hands
15. Grover Washington - Just The Two Of Us
16. Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come
17. Al Green - For The Good Times
18. Ray Charles - (Night Time Is) The Right Time
Friday, January 21, 2011 at 5:44PM 
Earlier in the week Corinne’s cover of Prince’s classic ‘I Wanna Be Your Lover’ leaked onto the web. Well, now I can bring you her beautiful take on one of my favourite ever Bob Marley songs; they will both be available on The Love EP, which is dropping on Valentine’s Day. Hit the jump to hear Corinne breaking down the EP track-by-track. I love this lady.
R.I.P. Bob.
‘I Wanna Be Your Lover’
I met Prince in London at his gigs at the O2 and he gave me loads of encouragement. I was amazed by the gig but even more impressed by the aftershow he did in a small venue where he tore up on the guitar and played other people’s songs too. This is one of my favourite Prince songs and gives me the chance to sing the kind of sexy, rhythmical music I love but never seem to write. Getting the chance to do this song was a dream.
‘Low Red Moon’
Belly were one of the prime influences on my first band Helen, where we had a real indie/DIY ethic. I was addicted to their album ‘Star’ as a teenager and learnt loads about guitar playing just listening to them. They made me realise the most important thing in music was to express yourself and get your ideas across, without worrying about playing like a virtuoso. We had such fun playing this song, it’s like an aggressive 60′s science-fiction soundtrack.
‘Is This Love?’
My mum was the Bob Marley fan in our house which I loved, because although my father is Caribbean, he didn’t much care for reggae. Little examples like this meant I grew up learning that you could be yourself and never had to be a cliché because of your ethnicity. And Bob Marley is such an incredible songwriter, which means you can approach his songs in so many ways. I wanted to put ‘Is This Love?’ into 6/8 and bring the tempo back to underline the poignancy of the lyric, and then Steve Brown arranged the piano part into something reminiscent of Carole King or Aretha Franklin’s gospel-soul piano style, which gave it a whole extra level. When guitarist John McCallum added in this Hendrix/Curtis Mayfield sound, it brought in a whole American doo-wop dimension too. So it’s like a whole bunch of my favourite influences in one beautiful song.
‘My Love’
I first heard ‘My Love’ at an event for Paul McCartney at the White House, where I was invited to play. A string section played the song and I was struck by the fragility of that ascending melody on “My love does it good”. I was also really touched by Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney’s relationship; their mutual respect and the fact they had known each other so long. When we recorded this song the harmonies and keyboards were definitely influenced by Stevie’s sound.
‘Que Sera Sera’ (live)
‘Que Sera Sera’ is a song we have been closing our gigs with all over the world. I love Sly and the Family Stone’s version, how he takes what feels like a nursery rhyme in Doris Day’s lovely hands and turns it into a philosophical outcry, declaiming “The future’s not ours to see”. Sometimes I attack this lyric angrily, sometimes I’m all peaceful and surrendered to it. What an amazing song. We recorded this super-long version in Washington D.C one night when the magic in the air meant we didn’t want to get off stage. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed playing it.
Bob Marley, Corinne Bailey Rae, Cover, R&B, Reggae, Soul in Aside Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at 4:17PM 
Rhode Island-based duo Voices of Black released their Wolf + Lamb debut yesterday, Plastic Dolls, which is their second full-length to date. The album moves with the groove of Hip-Hop, the beats of House and the stride of Pop music way in the future. Musical perfection? I think so.
Hip-Hop, House, Soul, Voices Of Black, Wolf & Lamb in Aside Monday, January 17, 2011 at 11:21PM 
Got sent the remixes for Magnetic Man’s latest single last week, and was blown away by all 3. Breakage & Skream both smashed it, but this Soul mix by Yoruba is an amazing take on the track. I love John.
John Legend, Magnetic Man, Remix, Soul, Yoruba in Aside 