Dubblestandart is a dub collective from Vienna, Austria that also officially backs Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, wherever he decides to display his insanity. So U know, just to handle that sort of task, is heavier than the bass sweltering through any speaker. On their latest upcoming release, Woman In Dub - the collective features a whole heap of gals such as Marcia Griffiths, Caron Wheeler, Chezeré, AmA, Ari Up n’ many others - singing n’ dubbin’ it up in their many styles that’ll mostly relax your nerves, in ‘slow motion’. Yes U could also add your fav’ kush to enhance the experience too, why not? However, U won’t absolutely need it ‘cause these ‘women in dub’ divas gotcha covered, June 21. So dub it up mi selecta, come down!

Stones Throw (featuring The Lions, amongst many others!) Premiere Party for their documentary, “Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton” happens on Thursday, June 20 @Exchange LA in DTLA. This sure rivals this vinyl!

If you’re in NY, catch a midnight frolic w/Kes The Band @BB King Blues & Grill, Friday, June 28 in the heart of Manhattan. Oh yes, carnival is seasonal - just not on 6/28 @midnight in NYC!

If you’re ever thinking of that feeling of ‘lack’ when it comes to soul - real soul - but not wanting to dig back into the crates of yesteryear, I’ve got the solution. Actually, not me specifically - but let me recommend a modern, progressive soulster, who’s as authentic w/out some visual stimulation as he’s with. Anyone will tell ya, Omar is “The Man”. I remember being introduced to him back in 1996, n’ ever since - his voice - no matter what song it resonated from, never disappointed. Some people are truly born w/this gift to bless us w/song. And on his latest LP, the UK sensation sounds solidly better than in his hey day of the mid-1990s or even when he resurged w/a few select shows throughout the U.S. in the mid-2000s. And today’s no different. Sorry, it is. Better. Mr. Lye-Fook is indeed STILL, the man.

I have a feeling we’ll be talking about these ‘exhibitionists’ soon again. Superhumanoids - from LA - on this delightful chill/lounge track, “Bad Weather”, isn’t that ‘bad’ at all actually…

“This Generation” - a track produced by Beatnick & K-Salaam - might’ve been the most slept on beats from 2012, by me at least. If U bypassed this being too stuck on the birth of Blue Ivy, Mitt Romney’s lies or something else, don’t miss this collab from emcees Fashawn + MURS. It’s a chemistry so natural, cancer patients skip chemo for this cure, no lie…

Why can’t more mainstream American music videos be as creative as this? Oh yea, I forgot it’s all about dumbing down, watering down n’ mass appealing - yet I find this very appealing. In fact, besides enjoying the groove of the soul-enriching sound of New Zealand’s Fat Freddy’s Drop on this “Clean The House”, how could U stop watching the theatrics of these FFD replica of puppets? And there’s also some dirt going on behind closed doors. Director Mark Williams does a fab job, but it’s the marionette master Jon Coddington who deserves the credit for these personified puppets jamming, gambling, driving, shooting, n’ crashing! 

Off their latest LP, Blackbird (out on July 9), U could expect more stomach-filling soul n’ even sweet syrup ‘one drop’ reggae, like on their title track, as part of their ongoing diverse-blend of music for fans from every corner of the world that listens more w/their ears, than what they see ‘under the influence’ w/their eyes. And building fans worldwide, they still sell records!

A nice blend of pop + yard vibez - compliments songstress/rapper Elliphant n’ spliff-soldier Ras Fraser Jr. And if U like what U see hear, do stalk her if she passes thru your ‘hood!

06/15 - Black Cat - Washington, DC*
06/16 - Cat’s Cradle - Carrboro, NC*
06/18 -Terminal West - Atlanta, GA*
06/20 - Maison - New Orleans, LA*
06/21- Fitzgeralds - Houston, TX*
06/22 - Emo’s East - Austin, TX*
06/24 - Granada - Dallas, TX*
06/26 - Tricky Falls - El Paso, TX*
06/27 - Crescent Ballroom - Phoenix, AZ*
06/28 - Glass House - Pomona, CA*
06/29 - Fonda Theatre - Los Angeles, CA*

*with Twin Shadow

…cause The Dolls asked my boy Jillionaire (Major Lazer) to drop it like it’s summer of ‘13!

Here Comes The French STEPPER - Saxophoner! Murdering over Sly & Robbie’s Taxi Gang riddims, Guillaume Briard’s Stepper Takes The Taxi LP drops on July 2. Hop on board…

More like Joey Dumba$$ to me…it’s so sad a cloudy beat like this always goes to waste YO!

Nope, it’s not part of any “throwback Thursdays” post. The video above is the first release off of Brand New Heavies’ latest LP, Forward. U can stream here to listen to the entire LP in case you’re craving that 1990s phenomena called ‘Acid Jazz’ that BNH was so instrumental in bringing to the forefront of the music industry. Forgetting the tag of yesteryear, it was just plain ol’ great musicianship. And today, after 7 years since they’ve dropped an LP, nothing’s changed (except for an addition of singer Dawn Joseph) about their sweet, soulful organic grooves that usually has N’dea Davenport’s vocals leading the progression. On this new single “Sunlight”, the blend of island street-life n’ high-life sophistication is evident throughout the isle of Trinidad, moving from the coastal scenic beach travels to the inner city aesthetics of coconut vendors, the joys of Trini carnival n’ smiling faces so stereotypical of the artful Caribbean. And there’s even more stereotypes - Trinidad’s naturally beautiful women. Not models. Just everyday gals, trekking towards the spring waterfalls, booty-hiking their way while we enjoy the sounds of BNH’s funky bass line, blending that acid jazz into disco. Kes even makes a cameo, rep’n his island for this legendary British outfit. Daft who?