Mara Hruby may be new to most, but in the Bay Area this talent is already thriving, gracing the famed Yoshi’s in her first year of performing. Her vocals are haunting; folky, jazzy, soulful – she truly sounds like a dream. Her first project is called, From Her Eyes, where she remakes popular songs by men (November 2010). Recently, she put out her video for Mos Def’s “The Panties;” a whimsical and dream-like feel is complemented by blue tones and soft-focus visuals – add in the stunning Mara and it’s quite a breathtaking sight. The rest of the EP includes covers from The Roots, Andre 3000, D’Angelo, Van Hunt, Bob Marley, and Jamiroquai. Take a listen to that and download below! This lady is a real treat.

Facebook | Twitter | Bandcamp | Official Site

Nikka Costa is releasing the first in a series of EPs, Pro*Whoa!, on June 21st, and she is offering up a stream of the new track “Head First.”

Head First by TheNikkaCosta

Don’t forget to check out her YouTube channel Nikka’s Box. You never know what she’ll do next as she proves in her latest installment above, where she bares no expense asking viewers, “what’s a girl gotta do to get her music heard?” Also, she still has the first single, “Nylons in a Rip,” available for free download at www.nikkacosta.com.

Pre-order Pro*Whoa! on iTunes.

Leading up to the June 21st release of his new album From Africa With Fury: Rise, Seun Anikulapo Kuti, the prodigious son of legend Fela Kuti, brings to us his video for the single “Rise”. As if the title of the video wasn’t already clear enough, Seun immediately lets us know that his message is a powerful one by staring directly at the camera proclaiming, “Our stomachs are still empty.” Directors Juliet Rios & Gabe Imlay do a great job of capturing Seun and his dancers as they flex their Afrobeat performance chops.

Seun also announced his US Tour dates for this summer, backed by his band Egypt 80, the combo first fronted by his renowned father.

More Info + Streams on From Africa With Fury: Rise

Official Seun Kuti Site | Facebook | Myspace

Click to see US Tour Dates

Chicago emcee ADaD is steady on the move with Q-Tip and all-star production lineup including Madlib, Exile, and Waajeed on his team. Having already released an impressive stream of material, ADaD is currently working on an album with Exile. While you wait for those goodies, we suggest you take a listen to his latest release with Illmind, the audibly triumphant “Wishful Thoughts.” Stream and free MP3 download below!

ADaD X Illmind “Wishful Thoughts” by allnaturalinc

Twitter | Official Site

The highly anticipated Essence Music Festival is back and features everything soulful – from old-school to new-school to pop sensations; See Boyz II Men, Jennifer Hudson, Miguel, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Dwele, Usher, Mint Condition, Charlie Wilson, Timothy Bloom, and Fantasia, amongst others. The music is enough but add in that New Orleans grub, though? No question that this is a trip that needs to happen. Essence has partnered with Giant Step to offer our members special 10% discount tickets; The offer expires June 30th, so jump on it!

Official Site | Buy Discount Tickets

Estonian electronic producer/remixer Mord Fustang kinda rocks our world. Fresh to the scene, his first single dropped only a month and a half ago. Just last week, he released a totally radical remix of CeCe Peniston’s “Finally,” which you can preview below. And you neeeeed to take a listen to one of our favorite tracks, “Lick the Rainbow,” also below. It sounds like a tropical forest house party on a spaceship with occasional alien attacks.

Finally (Mord Fustang Remix) *PREVIEW* by Mord Fustang

Mord Fustang – Lick The Rainbow by Mord Fustang

Purchase “Lick the Rainbow” on Beatport

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Jazz guitar legend Larry Coryell gets down with The Wide Hive Players at Fantasy Studios. Larry recently released an album with the quintet, Larry Coryell With The Wide Hive Players (April 12). Expect another collaborative record from the bunch in 2012. In the meantime, enjoy this uncut behind the scenes video and getcha groove on.

Purchase Larry Coryell With The Wide Hive Players on iTunes | Amazon

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San Diego based songstress Havana returns with her sophomore album entitled Entervention (released May 10th). Juxtaposing her present life with what she witnessed in her past, Havana cites this work as her opportunity to share feelings that have troubled her for quite some time. The album showcases a more electronic and upbeat sound compared to her previous release, and features production from Brook D’Leau of J*Davey, GB (Dwight Trible and Shafiq Husayn), and Trackademicks. Havana and her crew have graciously offered the Giant Step community an exclusive free download of “Daylight” for y’all to have a little taste of the project. Don’t be shy.

Havana – “Daylight” [MP3]
 

Purchase Entervention on iTunes | Amazon

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Self-proclaimed renaissance man, Melo-X, talks to Fuse TV about his latest project, More Merch (released December 2010). The producer, rapper, DJ, and visual artist breaks it down all the way from the album’s title to a live preview. While many ‘Jacks of all trades’ aren’t quite masterful in any compelling shape or form, we can tell you that this dude makes some stuff that will grab you – particularly when it comes to those beats. What’s more is that Melo makes most of his projects available for free, including the 16-track More Merch below. Aaaaooowww! Get on it.

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Our favorite Chicago venue is gearing up to celebrate their second anniversary and you know they are going to do it with a bang. On Sunday, June 5th, Louie Vega with the help of resident DJ Terry Hunter will ring in a new year at The Shrine. This is a very special Chicago appearance for the legendary Master At Work, so get there early and make sure you bring your dance shoes because there will be no wallflowers at this party.

The Shrine