#FRESHFRIDAY (3/30 - R&B/Pop/Soul) - LATE post

This week's edition of #FRESHFRIDAY is dedicated to the lovely and quite beautiful Jhene Aiko.  She came out of NOWHERE last year and had one of the TOP mixtapes PERIOD with Sailing Souls.  Her voice literally soars.  I like unique voices and her's has a innocent quality to it, but it still retains maturity.  Her mixtape was so dope that by the time most people found out about her and her talents, she was signed to Def Jam.  Recently, Jhene released a video treatment as a teaser for her upcoming album, which is rumored to be titled Souled Out.  If you don't have the mixtape, here's the link:

Jhene Aiko - Sailing Souls

View her teaser video "3:16AM". The videography is nice, and there is just something real sexy about this girl.

Okay... I remember this team when they were YouTube sensations.  Karmin has moved to the big leagues.  I guess it helps when you are promoted by Ellen DeGeneres among other major networks that have picked these guys up.  I love the tone of Amy's voice.  She's so clear and intentional as a singer.  You will see that they've gone from the low-budget home videos that hit YouTube to now videos directed by Marc Klasfeld - who by the way, has a VERY impressive music video resume.  This is their new song, "Brokenhearted".  I encourage you that if you are not hip to their music that you go do your research. 

Emeli Sande. WOW!  I'm beginning to think that the UK has really embraced and taken over a Soul movement that the United States needs to tap into.  This young lady has a unique look, with rich tone that is reminiscent of Beyonce before pop-mania.  Emeli can CERTAINLY sing and I love her sound.  She, along with many other artists that I've blogged about, renew my faith in real singing.  It helps that she has already gone platinum in the UK and she will release her project in the US in June. i FULLY expect Adel-like sales in teh US.