Ward Brown had an advantage over most music-loving kids living in Chicago. He grew up as a child living next to the legendary blues guitarist Muddy Waters, and by his teen years he was playing drums professionally. Being one of Chicago’s most sought after session drummers, offered Ward various opportunities such as studio sessions [...]

Watching newcomer Darnell Levine perform is like an unanticipated warm day in the dead of winter; his unapologetic vocal delivery, honest lyrics, and melodious style bring reprieve to the sometimes stagnant air of the music scene. Being compared among jazz greats and neo-soul personalities is assumed, but he remains quietly neutral on the subject–letting [...]

Detroit soul singer Velben knows every direction to the human heart. The music on his debut EP Formless operates like an elite GPS navigational system through the beautiful but uncertain terrain of love and life. One would expect no less from a man who – as a youngster – spent countless hours listening to [...]