We here at Neosoulville first want to thank each and every one of you for your continued support of us through reads, participation of events like The Word & HBGD-Memphis, and concert series like The Foreign Exchange’s Authenticity Tour and most recently the Lalah Hathaway show. Your continued support encourages and motivates us to remain providing optimum events and progressive dialogue within this city and beyond. I’m sure most of you are looking ahead to 2012 (which you should). And of course there been "countless" countdowns of the best & worst of 2011. Well…I’m not going to do that…not exactly. Hands down…no lie and no need for co-sign…2011 was significantly one of the best years ever in terms of music.

There’s nothing greater than a live show. It’s mostly because of the energy that is given and received from the spectators and the headlining act. It is hands down the best experience to be granted. This past Tuesday night was no exception. Neosoulville in conjunction with The Foreign Exchange Music hosted the latter leg of The Foreign Exchange’s Authenticity Tour at The Rumba Room, Downtown. The venue was packed with good vibes and those who just wanted to enjoy a unique experience in the city. They were not disappointed.

Movie Lovers: The Indie Memphis Film Festival kicked off on yesterday and I got a chance to check out “The Wonder Year” – a documentary about the complexities of hip hop producer 9th Wonder (Little Brother). This one was a must-see for hip hop heads and all around music lovers. If you missed it you missed it…but you can get more info HERE.

I literally squealed like an adolescent girl when I arrived back at my desk to see my neat package postmarked from Foreign Exchange Music. I knew that it contained my autographed copy of Charity Starts At Home. I restrained from listening to the free download link that was sent days earlier so that I could appreciate my purchase. I’m still trying to dissect what “Batty Batty Batty!!” means, but I have not been able to stop listening to this album. Noting that this is Phonte’s debut solo release, my expectations were high…because well hell…it’s Phonte. I was not disappointed in the least.

“But otherwise there’s no transparent consistency in the sound—outside of Joshua’s heart-wrenched vocals, which lie somewhere between a coarse scream and a sweat-stained Pentecostal baritone.”
-Natalie Elliot, Oxford American

Two years post Spectrum; [Brittany] Bosco has dropped her first name and emerged with a new look, sound, and EP cleverly titled Pacer. If you are not familiar with this Savannah-native songbird, Brittany has imprinted a sound uniquely hers and transcended her influence into the Atlanta music stream. This album is representative of her ever-constant evolution as an artist. I, being a Bosco fanatic, was not disappointed. The album was well worth the wait. “Yeah-Yay” is one of my favorites on the album as well as “Kids” that feel reminiscent of youthful days past. This conceptual album features production by Dogbite, with the band Washed Out.