With the number of mainstream artists putting out bad music increasing to the nth degree lately it’s good to know that there are still artists who care about their craft and don’t just throw auto-tune in new releases just for kicks. To say I’m upset cause my favorite groups and artists aren’t coming with it is a huge understatement. So let’s highlight the good and just hope the others regain their senses and release music that innovates instead of regurgitating what’s already been done repeatedly by less talented acts.

With all that being said *takes a deep breath* let’s get on with the music. V’s latest release It is Finished! The Paradox: Vol 1 is out and available now. Check out his MySpace page for more info or head over to Soundclick to download it or buy it from CD Baby. Not only do we have V, we have India.Arie, Laura Izibor, Kelis, Stevie Wonder, D’Angelo and The Brand New Heavies to provide some listening pleasure especially if you’re as sick of the radio as I am. Enjoy!

1. Rolling Through The Hood – Kelis
2. Uptown – Raphael Saadiq
3. Iceberg – Tweet
4. Lover’s Ghetto – Angie Stone
5. Keep Together – The Brand New Heavies
6. Steady on the Grind – Erykah Badu ft Dead Prez
7. Ghetto – India.Arie
8. As – Stevie Wonder
9. From My Heart To Yours (DJ Premier Remix) – Laura Izibor
10. Smooth – D’Angelo
11. My Cryin’ Blues – Davina
12. Rules of the Game – V
13. Stop Playin’ – Anthony David
14. Breathe – Lalah Hathaway

Got a request? Send them to sels [at] essencegrooves.com

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This week we have Anthony David, Ledisi, Sy Smith, BSTC, Peter Hadar and more. And we’re going to make it official – Essence Grooves is now going to be released every two weeks. So enjoy and expect a new podcast on June 18th.

1. Honey – Erykah Badu
2. Come Around – The Foreign Exchange
3. You Better Not Hurt Me – Carol Riddick
4. Love Ultra – Dwele
5. Something About You – Anthony David
6. Spanish Fly – Eric Benet
7. For Always – Lalah Hathaway
8. Get To Know You – Ledisi
9. No Danger – Rahsaan Patterson
10. The Art of You – Sy Smith
11. Love It – BSTC featuring JL
12. Planets – Peter Hadar
13. Tired – S1 featuring Darien Brockington
14. 100 Yard Dash – Raphael Saadiq

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I had a little too much fun making this mix. There’s new music from The Tony Rich Project, Anthony Hamilton and Maiysha plus some India.Arie, Lauryn Hill and a classic from Minnie Riperton. The word is Tweet is working on a new album but having label issues (which seems to be going around lately) so no telling when her new work will see the light of day *sigh*

1. Jordan – The Tony Rich Project – Site
2. Brown Skin – India.Arie – Site
3. Lady – Anthony David ft Keisha Jackson – Site | MySpace
4. Faithful To You – Syleena Johnson – MySpace
5. All Over Again – Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings – Site | MySpace
6. Sweetest Thing – Lauryn Hill
7. Better – The Luv Bugz – MySpace
8. Her Heart – Anthony Hamilton – Site | MySpace
9. Inside My Love – Minnie Riperton
10. Always Will – Tweet – MySpace
11. Forever Yours – Rahsaan Patterson – Site
12. Hold Me – Maiysha – Site | MySpace
13. He Is – Heather Headley – Site | MySpace

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This week we have a little bit of everything ranging from new music by Brandy and Eric Benet to the classics of One Way and Junior. Brandy’s new cd Human is scheduled for a December release so be on the look out for that. Also showing some hometown love for my boy Dwele with Find A Way from his debut cd. Anthony Hamilton is doubled up on guest spots on Al Green’s You’ve Got The Love I Need and Angie Stone’s Stay For A While from Stone Love. Phaedra made her own version of Eric Benet’s You’re The Only One and she does it justice and then some. Enjoy… Until next week…

1. Words – Anthony David ft India Arie – Amazon | iTunes
2. Morning Child – 4hero – Amazon | iTunes
3. Composure – Darien – MySpace
4. The Hunger – Eric Benet – Amazon | iTunes
5. You’ve Got The Love I Need – Al Green ft Anthony Hamilton – Amazon | iTunes
6. Mama Used To Say – Junior – Amazon | iTunes
7. Find A Way – Dwele – iTunes
8. Camera (Gangsta) – J*Davey – Amazon | iTunes
9. Porcelain Doll – Brandy– Amazon
10. If You Play Your Cards Right – One Way – Amazon | iTunes
11. Think About Me – Q. Parker
12. You’re The Only One – Phaedra – MySpace
13. Good Day – Lina – Amazon | iTunes
14. Do I – Alice Smith – Amazon | iTunes
15. Stay For A While – Angie Stone ft Anthony Hamilton – Amazon | iTunes

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Well after an unexpected hiatus due to technical difficulties we’re back. A lot of new things are coming soon so keep an eye out. This week we’re starting out with Monica’s Still Standing, a song that has been on point for me lately. Be on the look out for a review of Jazmine Sullivan’s debut Fearless soon, along with reviews for Ayah and Jimmie Reign, who are a couple new artists to look out for. Both of these talented ladies have mixtapes available.  And if you haven’t checked out Anthony David yet you need to. Spittin’ Game is just one of my favorites on his cd Acey Duecy. This year has been good for R&B/Soul music and I’ll break down more highlights of my favorites as we get closer to the end of 2008.

1. Still Standing – Monica ft Ludacris – MySpace
2. Bust Your Windows – Jazmine Sullivan – Amazon | iTunes
3. Shoo Fly – Syleena Johnson – MySpace
4. Mary’s Joint – Mary J. Blige – Amazon | iTunes
5. Fallen – Ayah –  MySpace | Site
6. It Must Be Magic – Teena Marie – Amazon | iTunes
7. Spittin Game – Anthony David – Amazon | iTunes
8. Dream – Alice Smith – Amazon | iTunes
9. Be The One – Jimmie Reign – MySpace
10. I Need You – Alicia Keys – Amazon | iTunes
11. I Like It – Debarge – Amazon | iTunes
12. Burnin – Rahsaan Patterson – Amazon | iTunes
13. Do I Do – Stevie Wonder – Amazon | iTunes
14. Come Over Remix – Estelle ft Sean Paul – Amazon | iTunes

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