On this past week’s Rhythm Lab Radio, we had our monthly segment with UK DJ, producer, and tastemaker Karen P. She presented her top picks for February 2009 which included music from the amazing album from Mulatu Astatke & The Heliocentrics, and the band The Invisible. Plus we had new music from Soil & Pimp Sessions, Brother Ali, DJ Vadim, and the South African band BLK JKS.

Here is the playlist:

Hour 1
Millie Jackson – “I Cried”
Brother Ali – “Good Lord”
Soil & Pimp Sessions – “Satsuriku Rejects”
Kushti – “Taking Hold ft. Alice Russell”
Juice Crew – “Da Orchestra”
DJ Vadim – “Hidden Treasure ft. Sabira Jade & Kwasi Asante”
Quantic & His Combo Barbaro – “Un Canto A Mi Terra”
Kuroma – “In New York, Everything Is Tropical (El Guincho Remix)”
Bullion – “Time For Us All To Love”
Muhsinah – “From Here”
BLK JKS – “Lakeside”
Sarah White – “Fade (J Todd Remix)”

Karen P Presents
Mulatu Astatke & The Heliocentrics – “Masenqo (Strut.K7)”
The Invisible – “London Girl (Accidental)”
Jamie Finlay – “Don’t Sleep”
Mulatu Astatke & The Heliocentrics – “Esketa Dance (Strut.K7)”

Listen to Karen P Presents
[audio:http://www.needledrop.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/rhythmlab_feb09.mp3]

Hour 2
Fuego – “Dejalo Caer”
Dj Furreta – “Minha Mangole”
Unathi – “U R Devine”
DJ Damost – “Wa Ku Kuluka feat. Mr. Dino”
DJ Jesus – “The Thanks”
Bob Sinclair – “The Love Generation”
Dj Furreta – “Ola La Yeah”
Dj Joca – “Djokidos”
Dj Cleo – “Gabz to Mbabane w/Brickz”
Black Runner – “Pump It Up”
Magic System – “Zouglou Dance”
Dj Killer – “Revolucionário”
Murder Cat – “Blam Blam”
Enur – “Calabria Riddim”
Ding Dong – “Go Away”
Goapele – “Closer (Remix)”

Yesterday I went to see the soulful singer from Brighton, England Alice Russell perform at the Majestic in Madison, Wisconsin.  First off I just wanted to give a shout out to the Great Dane. I had an amazing meal. It was Salmon with Chive Butter Sauce with grilled Asparagus. Alright, back to the show.  Alice and her band went on around 10pm, and started with the song Two Step from her latest album Pot of Gold.  She put on an amazing show plus her producer TM Juke was their on guitar. Y’all need to check out some of TM Juke’s music too!  Here is just a little taste from the show. The video shows Alice performing her song “Mean to Me” from her album “My Favorite Letters”. Don’t forget to check out my interview with the soul singer as well.

Needledrop.net Presents: Alice Russell – “Mean To Me” Recorded Live at the Majestic in Madison from Tarik Moody on Vimeo.

Before there was Amy Winehouse, Duffy, Joss Stone, there was Alice Russell.  Originally from Brighton, England, Alice Russell have became  one of my favorite singers.  When I first heard her voice, it was on a track by Kushti called “Taking Hold” which was originally released back in 1999. The track had a more of trip-hop feel than the soulful sound that she normally does.   Then a few years later she hooked up with Will Holland aka Quantic and the label Tru-Thoughts, and released three records including the amazing Under the Munka Moon, which was a collection of tunes she have done in the past.  Including the formentioned Kushti tune. Probably her most famous track is her cover of the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” which was produced by Tru-Thoughts artist Nostalgia 77.

Fast-forward to 2008. Ms. Russell started her own label Little Poppet and released Pot of Gold which was distributed through the Six Degrees label. It is an amazing album drenching with raw soul.  Her cover of Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” is just simply beautiful.  I got a chance to sit down and chat with Alice Russell during the Hotel Cafe Tour.

Alice Russell Interview (download)
[audio:http://www.needledrop.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/alice-russell_interview.mp3]

Check out this other interview which PRI The World did with Ms. Russell
[audio:http://www.theworld.org/pod/glohit/01292009.mp3]

Kushti – “Taking Hold feat. Alice Russell”
[audio:http://www.needledrop.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/kushti-taking-hold.mp3]

Alice Russell is currently on tour and she is performing tonight in Madison.

March 15 – Café Montmarte, Madison, WI
March 21 – Troubadour, Los Angeles, CA
March 22 – Detroit Bar, Costa Mesa, CA
March 24 – Yoshi’s, San Francisco, CA
March 25 – Yoshi’s, San Francisco, CA
March 26 – Nectar Lounge. Seattle, WA
March 27 – Holocene, Portland, OR