But of course you remember Label Love Vol. 3 from last year. Now the fourth installment is here just in time for summer! Label Love Vol. 4. includes contributions from some of our favorite record labels, including Tru Thoughts, BBE Music, Brownswood Recordings, Daptone Records, Record Breakin', Tokyo Dawn Records, and Ubiquity Records.

Each label brings its unique flavor in putting together this yummy soundscape of soul, funk, folk, disco, house, and electronic music. Find classics, unreleased joints, and exclusives on this unique compilation. Makes being trapped inside during this heatwave that much more bearable.

And hella high fives to our boo Roland LeFox for hooking up the awesome album artwork!

Bandcamp

Sofrito (Hugo Mendez & Frankie Francis) have rejoined forces to create a brilliant compilation of rare African and Caribbean music called International Soundclash.

Calypso artist Lord Shorty puts it down and brings us back to the basics of soca on "Vibrations Groove." The song is a playful piece by piece demonstration of all the layers of sound included in this classic style of Caribbean music - pretty freakin' cool.

Look out for International Soundclash on July 24.

Sofrito on Official Site

Saxophonist Ravi Coltrane today releases his newest project, Spirit Fiction, produced by the luminous Joe Lovano. Expect to hear music that is rich, layered, and expressive. Ravi brings versatility and a fresh flavor to each track by utilizing two different bands throughout the album. In the end you have some great summertime jazz - nothing like it.

Head over to NPR for a full stream of the album!

Ravi's tour is also now in full swing - be sure to take a look below for dates in your city.

Enter our contest to win Spirit Fiction.

Tour Dates
May 29-June 2 — Birdland — New York, NY
June 22-23 — Bohemian Caverns — Washington, DC
June 29 — Fort of Wolfisheim — Wolfiseim, France
June 30 — Festival Jazz de La Defense — Paris, France *
July 2 — Jazz a Vienne — Vienne, France *
July 4 — Centro Cultural de Belem — Lisbon, Portugal *
July 6 — North Sea Jazz Festival — Rotterdam, Holland *
July 7 — Comblain Jazz Festival — Comblain-la-Tour, Belguim *
July 21 — Black Sea Jazz Festival — Batumi/Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
July 25-26 — New Mexico Jazz Festival — Albuquerque, NM
July 27-28 — Dazzle — Denver, CO
July 31-August 1 — Jazz Alley — Seattle, WA
August 2-5 — Catalina Jazz Club — Los Angeles, CA
August 6-7 — Yoshi's — Oakland CA
August 11 — Richmond Jazz Festival — Richmond, VA
September 27-30 — Jazz Showcase — Chicago, IL
October 2-7 — Village Vanguard — New York, NY

Purchase Spirit Fiction on iTunes | Amazon

Facebook | Official Site

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/actYt8WkdvE" width="550" height="445" allowfullscreen="true" fvars="fs=1" /]

German electro producer Zedd shows off some serious piano skillage in the above piano version of his "Spectrum" single. Dude looks mad young and he's already a multiple time #1 spot guy at Beatport and a Lady Gaga tour mate, too?! Get em, boo.

Hear the original version for "Spectrum" below - a quite interesting contrast.

Purchase "Spectrum" on iTunes

Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud

One of the fortunate handful of artists to be discovered via MySpace, Georgian folk pop singer Meiko recently released her make-you-feel-all-gooey-inside sophomore album The Bright Side. And yes, her cooing vocal style is definitely reminding us heavy of one of our other favorite gals, Ellie Goulding.

While you may first think Ellie, don't get it twisted - the sweet toned lass cites a slew of influences that include Patty Griffin, Sade, The Cranberries, Fiona Apple, Indigo Girls, Nina Simone, and Portishead, for starters.

For those unfamiliar, get a taste of Meiko's sound via the below video for the album's leading track "Leave The Lights On." Quite forward lyricism from the sweet young lady - watch out for the nice ones!

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/wtwFByUXU20" width="550" height="445" allowfullscreen="true" fvars="fs=1" /]

Purchase The Bright Side on iTunes | Amazon

Facebook | Twitter | Official Site