Metal Lungies

Bilal lends his unique cadence to this epic groove that will not appear on his upcoming album Air Tight’s Revenge.

Download: Bilal – Free

via Vibe

Janelle Monae’s The ArchAndroid is far and away the best thing I’ve heard this year. Lauryn Hill reincarnate. Maybe that’s premature considering Ms. Hill is still alive, but musically? Oh yes.

Listen at CHUCK S?SS

Mayer Hawthorne’s latest video packs love, jealousy, and heartbreak into two minutes. See also: “Green Eyed Love”

If Flying Lotus’ space odyssey Cosmogramma gives you a headache, you may find his contributions to Jose James’ Blackmagic more agreeable. Blackmagic already lies in a gray area between between jazz and soul, but FlyLo’s three songs (these two plus “Code”) make it even harder to categorize. You should probably avoid that debate altogether and just bump these.

Download: Jose James – Made For Love (produced by Flying Lotus)

Download: Jose James – Blackmagic (produced by Flying Lotus)

Also check out his interviews with okayplayer and Pop & Hiss.

80s soul. So funky. Think Keni Burke or “Sexual Healing.” Album drops May.

Download: Onra – Long Distance

via Rhythm Incursions

The video for “Janelle Monáe’s “Tightrope” is a rare example of a video enhancing the song. I don’t think I’ll ever listen to this song again without thinking of the crazy dance party in the video. Monae & co. can move! Grab the audio and give it some burn.

via Isis Valentino

DJ Khalil laces fellow New Royales member Chin with a remix of his single “Mask on My Face.” Khalil’s beat for this R&B joint is a lighter take on the demonic bangers he handed out to rappers in 2009. Chin’s album D’Tach drops April 6.

Download: Chin – Mask on My Face (ft. K’Naan) (DJ Khalil Remix)

via okayplayer

Aleon Craft and SMKA collaborated on this whisper-y Atlanta-flavored remake of the OG Temptations hit “The Way You Do The Things You Do.” The Prologue Pt. 1 comes out March 15. Ain’t shit changed since ’64.

Download: Aleon Craft – The Way You Do The Things You Do (produced by SMKA)

I dug Raheem DeVaughn’s songs with Ghostface and I was actually really excited when I heard they might be doing an album together, but I’ve never seen DeVaughn as a viable solo artist. “The Greatness” may have just changed my mind. This is what a “song for the ladies” should sound like. Mature and funky. Check his mixtape from January.

Update: video here.

All praises due to Black Spade for the hazy soulful “New U.”

Download: Black Spade – New U (produced by J*Davey)

via Saturn Never Sleeps