Ungh! This is some ish that sounds like it could be in the soundtrack to James Bond or Charlie’s Angels – and it kinda makes you feel bad, no? Mixing pop, psychedelic, funk, soul, and jazz to create a sound larger than life, Copenhagen’s The Asteroids Galaxy Tour blessed folks with their sophomore album, Out Of Frequency, earlier this year.

The retro-funk tune “Major” immediately grabs you in and tops it off with an unyielding hold with their dynamic new video.

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British singer/songwriter and tattoo artist Purple Ferdinand is a 23-year-old blends her sweet folky soul vocals with a ukulele on her debut promo track, the baring acoustic “Beautiful Anomaly.” For those obsessed Lianne La Havas fans out there – this’ll tickle your fancy a little extra.

The quirky artist appears completely in her element and down to earth, making the video appear more like a living room performance. This is one of those videos that makes you thankful for that YouTube replay button.

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Every month our Next Step contest contest seems to pick up more – we are now ready for May entries!

So many awesome artists have been showcased through this series. Tara Priya in July, Iman Williams in August, Tall Black Guy Productions in September, Cole Williams for October, Tensei for November, Awalé for December 2011, Annabel (lee) & Richard E for January 2012, Krystale for February, and Derek Dumont for March!

Stay tuned for the announcement on our April Next Step winner next week!

The winner will receive an “Artist Spotlight” feature post on the Giant Step website, and up to $1,000 in Giant Step Marketing services!

Please note that we are accepting submissions from anyone that makes music – producers, singers, instrumentalists, rappers, and bands alike are all welcome.

This month, we are accepting submissions from today through Thursday, May 31st. That said, we are now open for May 2012 entries!

Submit your music for consideration!

After releasing various 45s and tour two years of touring her debut album This Is…, Gizelle Smith is ready to share some of her newest solo material with us. The electrifying “Jonny” is a bright and upbeat soul and funk tune that has instantly won us over. And her voice? Like a sunny day. Loving it!

Look out for her upcoming album sometime in 2013.

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Photo by Haley Weir

Two British sisters comprise a shoegaze brand of alternative pop duo known as 2:54. Their upcoming debut album’s leads single, “Creeping,” has recently dropped and it’s a perfect whirl of guitar riffs and echoey chilling vocals. If you like The XX, you are most definitely going to dig these lassies.

Their self-titled album will drop on May 28. While you wait, perhaps a little rock and roll around to the “Creeping” stream below? You already know what we’re doing.

The US tour will kick off on June 9 in Brooklyn – more dates below.

Tour Dates
05/15 Chats Place, Hackney $
6/9 Brooklyn, NY – Knitting Factory !
6/10 Washington, DC – Rocknroll Hotel !
6/11 New York, NY – Mercury Lounge !
6/13 Boston, MA – TT The Bears !
6/14 Montreal, QUE – Divan Orange !
6/15 Toronto, ONT – NXNE/Lee’s Palace !
6/17 Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle !
6/18 Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock !
6/21 Seattle, WA – The Crocodile !
6/22 Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge !
6/23 Vancouver, BC – Biltmore !
6/25 San Francisco, CA – Independent !
6/26 Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour !
6/27 San Diego, CA – Casbah !

$ = The xx
! = Widowspeak

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As many may now know, “Godfather of Go-Go” Chuck Brown passed away yesterday in Baltimore at the age of 75. Having been a staple to DC music culture for decades now, go-go was founded by the singer-songwriter and musician as a response to disco in the mid 70’s. The funky dance music was dubbed go-go by Brown due to its non-stop energetic nature that keeps ‘going and going.’

The magnetic performer naturally became focal to the go-go movement and quickly became a local celebrity as the genre cemented its place as a source of pride for DC folks.

“Bustin’ Loose” was the song that put go-go on the map nationally, spending four weeks at the top of R&B charts in 1978. Other local hits included “We Need Some Money,” “Go-Go Swing,” and “Run Joe.”

Chuck and his contributions to the world of funk will not be forgotten. And indeed, go-go will most definitely live on.

Blending pop, soul, funk and reggae, Selah Sue’s music is never dull. The reggae vibes are strong and absolutely groove worthy on the new “Raggamuffin” track featuring J.Cole and a little treatment by Supa Dups – it premiered today on Hot 97, and we’ve got it for streaming below!

Selah’s self-titled debut album is already multi-platinum in parts of Europe, having earned its place in top 10 charts in Belgium, France and the Netherlands. The US version of the album will include three exclusive tracks: “On the Run,” “Break,” and “Fade Away.” On the album people can expect collaborations with J.Cole, Cee-Lo Green, Jerry Wonda, and Meshell Ndegeocello.

And after watching that video for “This World” in April, we’re basically in total adoration of the Belgian singer – act like you don’t want to hug her right now.

Look out for Selah’s album to drop in the US on August 21. In the meantime, catch the rising star on tour, which will include The Roots Picnic on June 3!

Tour Dates
05/18/12 WASHINGTON DC – U STREET (Supporting BETH ORTON)
05/27/12 LOS ANGELES, CA – UCLA JAZZ REGGAE FESTIVAL
5/30/12 NEW YORK, NY – BOWERY ELECTRIC
5/31/12 NEW YORK, NY – ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL
06/03/12 PHILADELPHIA, PA – ROOTS PICNIC

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Now based in LA, French-Moroccan vocalist Ilhame (pronounced “Eelum”) has got a very special treat for us Bob Marley lovers out there. “Still Waiting” is her cover of Bob’s “Waiting In Vain,” which also includes an breathtaking guest feature from Ky-Mani Marley.

The gorgeous video above is directed by our good pal Andre Power, and follows the darling Ilhame on a dreamy sequence of her day. Oh, and did we mention that the song is in French and Arabic?!

Look out for Ilhame’s debut album Just Wish It to drop this year – it’s going to feature Nicolay, Shafiq Husayn, T3, and Big Pooh, just to give you a little taste.

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So, it’s been at least a month that you’ve been rocking Miles Bonny & B.Lewis’ new project, the Egg Black EP.

Our favorite track off the project, “Bottom to Top,” gets an explosive video treatment. The video portrays a smoky kaleidoscope-esque haze of a couple doing their due diligence in the bedroom. Lots of skin and romping about – it’s almost like trying to make out those scrambled channels! Yep, we took it there.

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The Sugarman 3 are flexing something serious on this new album, which also happens to be their first in ten years. What The World Needs Now was written and recorded in four days, and you’d never be able to tell with the timeless retro funk and soul tunes on this project has going on.

Stream the entire project at Paste Magazine.

Purchase What The World Needs Now on iTunes | Amazon

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