Music Addikts

As ADDIKTS, we have a vast range of music we love.  We don’t like to box ourselves in. If it moves our soul-we support it! So let us introduce you to Soulganic, a quartet based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Heavy percussion and latin grooves would be the best way to describe Soulganic. Icognito meets Carlos Santana.  Imagine that! So you can tell by that description that this is an album worthy of adding to your collection. My attention was really grabbed by a song called “Remidios the Beauty”, this is a fully instrumental melody, but the sounds melt so well together.  This is the kind of song you listen to when you’re spending a lazy day at home.  It is pure.  Growing up with a father who studied Jazz musicians, I can fully appreciate the breadth of this track.  “I don’t need no words because I understand”, as one of my favorite songs explains.

This album fully displays true musicianship.  Since I’m a huge electric guitar fan, I like the ‘funkiness’ of the song “Lady Lovely”.  My favorite tracks on the album are “Carry On”(which reminds me of a Leela James vibe), “Run”, and “Temporary Thrill”.  Each song exhibits it’s own level of ‘funktastic’.

To learn more about Soulganic, be sure to visit their website.  Also, get the album today!

keep your soulHIGH!

Since my discovery of PJ Morton, during a live show in Atlanta back in 2006(Kings of Underground Soul), I have been ADDIKTED to his music. There is something about his voice and the quality of his lyrics that make me  support whatever he does.  He’s also a pretty nice guy, which doesn’t hurt.  PJ Morton has returned with his highly anticipated album, Walk Alone.  My first thought was, ‘hmmm, what an interesting title’ and I was quite curious as to which direction he would go with this album.  So being the eager beaver I am, I pre-ordered and got the album in no time!  I ripped it open and immediately put it in the player. *Disclaimer: These are my own personal interpretations as I hear it.  The beautiful thing about music is, you can have your own.*

The beginning of the album sets the tone for describing what we can assume is a relationship gone sour and now he realizes he’s left to “Walk Alone”.  However, it can also be interpreted as any relationship, not only a romantic involvement. After my first listen, I thought – “how sad”.  PJ Morton surely has had to “walk alone” especially with him choosing to follow his musical career and not sing gospel music.  Growing up in the church can add a lot of pressure to life, especially being a “PK” (Preacher’s Kid).   This song has depth.  If anyone has ever walked out on you(especially after claiming they’d always be there), you can identify with this song.  It’s pretty touching and more than anything-real. 

And why is it every time you end up being happy with a new significant other, people come out of nowhere? Riddle me that! PJ’s song “Girlfriend” puts a cute spin on something many of us have experienced.  One of my favorite songs on the album is definitely, “Don’t Ever Leave”.  This song hits me a little personally and it’s reminiscent of classic PJ material.  And after he’s asked her not to leave, he turns around and “She’s Gone.” This song is big.  I mean he explicitly describes *insert expletive here*  up and admitting it.  How many people really do that? Thank you for recognizing your mistakes.  Men, take notes.  Ladies too!  When I listen to “The One”, it makes me want to two-step.  I dig it.  The soul-clap infused “I Need Your Love” continues the theme of missing someone you once loved and the expression of longing for them. Missing  and longing – two concurrent themes I immediately recognized in these melodies.

 The next few tracks take the album in a different musical space.  More happiness. More inspiration. With songs like “Love You More” ft. Tweet and “Mountains and Molehills”, it gives the album an emotionally balanced feel.  To change lanes a bit, we get some encouragement on the last song. If you know anything about Gospel music, you are no stranger to Bishop Paul Morton.  As an added bonus, PJ collaborates with his father to deliver an enlightening message, called “Let Go”. 

The album is honest.   An aural investment.  This has been officially approved by an ADDIKT! 

Please support honest music! You can get the album on iTunes, in-stores and on his website. Also be sure to follow PJ Morton on Twitter.

keep your soulHIGH!

It is a very vulnerable and delicate place for an artist to allow you into their personal thoughts, especially when those thoughts may show the more human side. Darien Brockington released the Cold Case Files Mixtape  and had the streets buzzin’! It is honest.  It is open. It is Darien. I rememeber the first time I met Darien Brockington. He performed at a show in Atlanta and we had a mutual friend who introduced us.  He was humble and I interviewed him on the spot.  What I remember most is his passion for music.  Darien conveys that and even more on his mixtape. 

The mixtape begins with an interlude, followed by an upbeat funky joint called “Meet Me In Paris”.  This was a great way to get listeners excited about the rest of the album.  He keeps the uptempo-ness  going with my personal favorite, “Let’s Make Love(Tonight)”.  This song kept me in my car at the grocery store.  I had to let it finish before I went in.  Yes, I am indeed an ADDIKT! Midway thru the 19-track mixtape, Darien Brockington delves into “Panty Dropper” mode and tells us about his “Fashionista”.  This song basically conveys how he’s still in love with her, but wishes he wasn’t.  Who hasn’t been there at some point in life? He continues in PD Mode with the track, ”Girl It’s You”. Now let me warn you…this song is body roll ready.  That’s the ADDIKTS signature dance! Ahem…moving on…

The album ends with Darien coming to an “Epiphany”. But in order to know what that is…you need to get the mixtape! For $5,  you’ll get your fix…you know quality “dope” is more expensive than that…this is a deal! Click here to get your copy!

 This has been officially approved by an ADDIKT…

keep your soulHIGH!

“Who Knew” Keke Wyatt was going to come back with a great representation of how she’s grown as an artist?! “Who Knew” she was going to come back looking super fab – not that she didn’t before.  “Who Knew”??!  Not I, said the ADDIKT! We let me just give a little insight to the record from our point of view.  Most ADDIKTS remember Keke from her duets with Avant.  Beautiful duets, might I add, but how many of you ‘knew’ much about her outside of that? Well, she is answering your questions on this new album.  With the title track “Who Knew”, I must admit it makes my head nod.  Not fond of the term “baby daddy”, but I’ll give Keke a pass on this one.  There’s a mix of up-tempo and ballads.  From the R&B vantage point, I would recommend you adding this to your collection.  My faves so far, include: “So Confused”,  “Weakest”, and “Who Knew?”.  Go get it! The ADDIKTS won’t lead ya wrong… 

Stay tuned for more from Keke Wyatt and the ADDIKTS!

keep your soulHIGH!