New age hip hop, spoken word, and song lyrics over upbeat hip hop, funk, soul, Caribbean, and jazz music.

18 MP3 Songs
HIP-HOP/RAP: Alternative Hip Hop, SPOKEN WORD: Inspirational

Details:
TRUE VIBE RECORDS RELEASES
FOLLOW UP TO LANDMARK RECORDING

On Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 True Vibe Records released Jazz Funk Hip HoPoetry Phaze 2, the follow-up to the highly acclaimed CD Paradise Presents Jazz Funk Hip HoPoetry.

The âPhaze 2â release is also the debut for Oakland, California-based spoken word/hip hop group Sound Of Urban Life Soldiers or S.O.U.L.S., the groupâs acronym and what their bulging fan base refers to them as. The group members and songwriters consist of poets Raquel Ramsey, Keith Thompson, President L. Davis and rap/hip hop artist Keldamuzik along with songstress Shavone, and they have a unique blend thatâs âupbeat funk with jazz, hip hop, R&B, and Caribbean influencesâ

According to label owner and producer Bill Jackson regarding Phaze 2, he says âjust as the genesis of the original CD was my pilgrimage to Senegalâs Goree Island in Africa, this music is born from the âcompelling social concerns that continue in America.â

The lead single âSquash It!â featuring Keldamuzik with guest hip hop artist D. La Brie and guest vocalist Rufus Wonder certainly supports that theme as it addresses the grave problem of violence in Americaâs urban cities, and from early indications this seems to be the song that makes S.O.U.L.S. a major player in education music and the track a part of the solutions! You can also view the âSquash it!â music video on the True Vibe Records website at www.trueviberecords.com

While there are lighter more playful moments on the CD as with âAll The Aboveâ that again features Keldamuzik at the mic running down a love and relationship theme, there is the Caribbean-flavored (reggae) âI Canâ with vocalist Shavone delivering a very tender love song with an almost dancehall track. The jazz lover isnât forgotten here with the contemporary track âThe Man Upstairsâ with its hip hop /trip hop feeling and a scorching tenor sax solo from guest artist Ben Ball.

All three poets are full of fire and earth moving emotion here addressing issues from fatherhood to the piece about menâs âRites of Passageâ from President Davis and âThe Role of Menâ addressed by Keith Thompson, while Raquel Ramsey delivers supremely and passionately with a sultry piece titled âConnections.â

The album also features a host of highly-talented guest artists which include dynamic poet Roxanne Hanna-Ware and fiery spoken word artists Big Dan and Alejandra Mojica running down a Latino perspective.

Jazz Funk Hip HoPoetry Phaze 2 is a well-balanced, well-crafted, and cleverly-written collection of urban life experiences and feelings delivered with the often pulsating bass line that locks everything in place and drives it home. This will no doubt be a radio, retail and down loading favorite!!

People who are interested in should consider this download.