Welcome back! This time around we have The Tony Rich Project, Laura Izibor, Chico DeBarge, Rahsaan Patterson, Vivian Green and more. Enjoy.

1. Part The Waves – The Tony Rich Project
2. Grace – Me’Shell Ndegeocello
3. Feels Good – Rahsaan Patterson
4. Different Times – Raphael Saadiq
5. Mr. Right – Chrisette Michele
6. Run To Me – Lina
7. Giving Something Up – Amel Larrieux
8. Yes (I’ll Be Your Baby) – Laura Izibor
9. Mad – Vivian Green
10. Walk Away – Sarah White
11. Oh No – Chico DeBarge
12. Ocean Wet – Peter Hadar
13. I Only Have Eyes 4 U – Chester Gregory
14. Let Go – Lalah Hathaway
15. River Rise – India.Arie

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

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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

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

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This week we have Lisa Shaw, Jamiroquai, Jaguar Wright, 4hero, Sarah White and more. Enjoy!

1. Find The Way – Lisa Shaw
2. Trilogy – Kelis
3. Valley of Love – J*Davey
4. Soul Education – Jamiroquai
5. Feel The Same – Groove Armada ft Angie Stone
6. Spring Summer Feeling – Jill Scott
7. I Don’t Know – Jaguar Wright ft Black Thought
8. Give In – 4hero ft Darien Brockington and  Phonte
9. How Long Do I Have To Wait For You? – Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings
10. Always In My Head – India.Arie
11. No Love – Little Dragon
12. Fade – Sarah White
13. Be Here – Raphael Saadiq ft D’Angelo
14. Dancewitme – Maxwell
15. Think Twice – Erykah Badu ft Roy Hargrove

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Sometimes you just have to let go. It’s been hectic for me the past couple of weeks and as my life changes so do things around here. Switching to Tuesdays for new podcasts and hopefully it’ll stay that way *fingers crossed*.

Raphael Saadiq’s new album was just released today and it was worth the wait. If the thought of another Ne-Yo cd coming out makes you cringe then pick up Raphael Saadiq’s The Way I See It instead. Hidden Beach artist Tony Rich is back with new music as well as Solange. All I can say is at least she isn’t a Beyonce clone and I’m glad she came out with something different. There are a few songs on Sol-Angel and The Hadley St. Dreams (and why that title?) that are nice, Sandcastle Disco grew on me mainly because this is the version with Q-Tip on it. Robin Thicke graced us with his Magic and Something Else is scheduled to be released on 9/30.

I love Teena Marie, I grew up listening to her and Where’s California has to be my favorite song. I remember looking for this song for years on something other than vinyl and finally found it a few years ago. Bah Samba remade Portuguese Love and while that isn’t a song I would think should be remade but with the UK’s Alice Russell on vocals they did it justice and then some.

The Playlist:

1. Back In Love – Estelle
2. My Pride – Algebra Blessett
3. Never Give You Up – Raphael Saadiq ft Stevie Wonder & CJ
4. Sweet On You – Hil St. Soul
5. Truth – Dwele
6. Part The Waves – The Tony Rich Project
7. Let Go – Lalah Hathaway
8. Sandcastle Disco – Solange ft Q-Tip
9. You Know I’m No Good – Amy Winehouse
10. Magic – Robin Thicke
11. Lucky Day – Faith Evans
12. Portuguese Love – Bah Samba ft Alice Russell
13. BraveBird – Amel Larrieux
14. I Miss You – Darien Brockington
15. Where’s California – Teena Marie

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