The Maroon Cafe

John Legend & The Roots | I Can’t Write Left Handed [Video]

September 1st, 2010 // No Comments » // Video //

Last night I headed over to Brooklyn Bowl to check out Listening Session of The Roots and John Legend’s album, Wake Up!. After an hour of waiting I decided to make the trek back home. From what I’ve heard from people who stayed, it is a throwback album with a lot of soulful tunes. The amazing amazing (had to say it twice) clip above is The Roots and John Legend’s cover or Bill Wither’s, I Can’t Write Left Handed.

Wake Up! is in stores September 21st [pre-purchase here].

Jesse Boykins III | Prototype f. MeLo-X & Trae Harris [Audio]

September 1st, 2010 // No Comments » // Listening Section //

Jesse Boykins III take’s prototype and makes it his own. Smooth listening and soothing track right here. Get familiar with Jesse Boykins III, this kid is on the verge of taking off. Check out what his thoughts on the track below.

In honor of Andre 3000 & The Isley Brothers, I decided to finally produce & record the song I’ve been using to start my live set for the past year. It also marks the end of a great summer filled with love & new experiences. Definitely a thank you to all my believers and supporters. Hope you find your Prototype in 2010. Special thanks to MeLo-X & Trae Harris for being on the wave with me. -Jesse Boykins III

Jesse Boykins III – Prototype f. MeLo-X & Trae Harris

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Russ Chimes | Midnight Club EP (Part 1 – Never Look Back)

August 31st, 2010 // No Comments » // Video //

UK house/new wave artist Russ Chimes is someone you need to keep an ear out for. If you grew up with Super Nintendo or Sega in your life, then you will appreciate Chime’s catchy 80′s synth hooks. Head to his myspace and check out some of his remixes. Above is a video for what is on our shortlist for video of the year, Midnight Club Part 1.

Asher Roth and Nottz Raw | Enforce The Law [Audio]

August 31st, 2010 // No Comments » // Listening Section //

Now we the cops, enforcing the laws, so we get behind bars…

This premiered on Late Night with Rosenberg this past Sunday, but we waited for the one with curses (aka CDQ). This is the first leak off of their joint LP entitled, The Rawth EP.

Asher Roth and Nottz Raw – Enforce The Law

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The Nice Guys| “Mr. Perfect” [Video]

August 31st, 2010 // No Comments » // Video //

These dudes are from Houston and they’re called The Nice Guys, they have a track called “Mr. Perfect,” there sound is fresh and the buzz will certainly increase once this is passed around the blogosphere. Did you jot down all that info? Good, now enjoy visuals up above.

DJ Driis (Idris Elba) Takers [Mixtape]

August 31st, 2010 // No Comments » // Listening Section //

I’m not normally a hater but for some reason, I can’t stop but hating on Idris Elba. What can’t this man do? As you know, not only is Idris Elba an actor, but he is also a talented musician known as DJ Driis. Here is the mixtape he has put out for Takers, the number #1 movie in America.

Download – Takers Mixtape

Lauryn Hill Explains Her Rock The Bells Set [News]

August 31st, 2010 // No Comments » // News, Video //

L-Boogie has been getting a lot of criticism for her choice of changing the tempos for her tracks at Rock The Bells this year. While I understand what she was trying to do, her strained vocals and sloppy band didn’t help the cause. Check the video above.

There’s been such a long period of time where I haven’t been able to communicate where my mind is, where my consciousness is, where my ideas are, I have to upgrade them a bit so that they’re still exciting and fresh and they’re new. There’s something almost jazz-like the way I approach performances. I’m not sure if the audience really understands. We need, or at least I need, a certain amount of spontaneity, a certain amount of improvisation every show. I might have gotten spoiled from the Fugee days. We used to improvise a lot. It kept it so fresh and exciting. I need that. I need that improvisational, almost jazz-like improvisational dynamic when I’m onstage. It keeps it so exciting. It’s that unknown, that literal X factor that makes every show something different — something unique and something I want to continue to do.

Surfer Blood | Daytrotter Session [Audio]

August 30th, 2010 // No Comments » // Listening Section //

Fresh Face for 2010 (Can’t believe we only have four months left in this year) group, Surfer Blood recently stopped by Daytrotter and performed a few tracks off their Astro Coast LP.

Their set featured:

Floating Vibes
Harmonix
Anchorage
Twin Peaks

Stream – Surfer Blood Daytrotter Sessions