We dropped “Make It Funky” last week and now bring you Erik Rico‘s “The Reworks Project” EP containing six remakes in total. He took music from legends like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Al Green, Sade and James Brown) and re-created them in his signature funky, electronic style. I was lucky enough to witness it live…and trust me it’s LIVE! Head on over to LifeNotes Music for more detailed info or download it HERE for free!

Erik Rico – 2 High

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Erik Rico – I Want You

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written by nilez \\ tags: al green, electronic, erik rico, funky, james brown, lifenotes music, los angeles, Marvin Gaye, prince, sade, stevie wonder, the reworks project ep

Siji, second born of twelve children spent much of his early childhood in Lagos and London before coming to the US to further pursue his musical ambitions. His own cultural heritage combined with the political and social movements of the age, exposed young Siji to the insurgent, politicized music of the Afrobeat legends Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Tony Allen as well as the soulful grooves of Marvin Gaye, Al Green, and Otis Redding.

The self-taught piano, percussion and acoustic bass player released an EP. He quickly garnered much respect, admiration and credibility which led to a lucrative worldwide publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music. Siji relocated to New York and performed in renowned venues has worked with a number of producers, but it is his collaboration with Osunlade, who produced music for Musiq Soulchild, Eric Benet, and classic R&B vocalist Patti Labelle, that fostered in Siji a love of production. It was only last year that the “Adé Siji” album dropped on his own label IVY Records and what an album it is. The self-titled sophomore album “Adé Siji”, is a full portrayal of where Siji currently stand as an artist and human being and the experiences that have come to shape his character. It even has some guest collaborations by King Britt and Rich Medina on there. I must admit I kinda slept on this one and rediscovered it recently. For those that love a medley of Jazz Fusion, Soul and Highlife…purchase “Adé Siji” HERE! Thnx to Apple Juice Break for the inspiring post and peep “Yearning For Home” video after the jump.

Siji – Fantasy

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Siji – Yearning For Home

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written by nilez \\ tags: adé siji, adesiji, afrobeat, al green, apple juice break, eric benet, fela kuti, highlife, ivy records, jazz fusion, king britt, lagos, marvin gay, musiq soulchild, otis redding, patti labelle, rich medina, siji, soul, tony allen, Video, warner chappell music

Raphael Saadiq invokes the spirit of Motown with his new release scheduled for September 16th 2008.

Saadiq cited The Delfonics, The Stylistics, Al Green, The Four Tops and Sam Cooke as inspiration for his new album . “Once I got into this, I got almost stuck ‘in character,’ the character of the old school singers I listened to. But I’m happy and excited it’s done. I put in a lot of work and I feel like I achieved something really great.”

Deviation have been playing 3 of the tracks promo’d from the LP for the last few months and can’t wait to hear the full length. Of all the Motown inspired music and throwback 60s production flying around the charts and the clubs at the moment, it sounds like Saadiq’s tribute is likely to be the most on point and true to the period.

If you are a Raphael Saadiq fan you need to check the 2 sneak previews below. ‘100 Yard Dash’ gonna be a big Deviation tune, sounding like a 2008 Four Tops anthem. Deviation

Raphael Saadiq – 100 Yard Dash

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Raphael Saadiq – Oh Girl

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written by moovmnt \\ tags: al green, motown, raphael saadiq, The Delfonics, The Four Tops, The Stylistics

The legend himself Al Green has been busy recording tracks for his new and upcoming album. Lay It Down is the title of the album that will be released the 27th of may. After so many years he is coming back to bless us with his music once again, and from the viewings of this video he going about it in the right way. This is a little video about the making of, the songs sound as soulfull as you are used of this man. And he’s working with our favourite drummer Questlove, and artists such as John Legend, Anthony Hamilton & Corinne Bailey Rae. Go get your copy as soon as it hits the stores, and for now check out the video.

written by moovmnt \\ tags: al green, anthony hamilton, corinne bailey rae, john legend, lay it down, new album, questlove, Video