Seattle Soul: Choklate on Vibe.com

Soul singing has become an increasingly fraught vocation; the Brit revivalists are cracked out or allegedly boinking for tracks and the run of the mills mask their mediocrity with Auto-Tune, designer beats and chest-popping choreography. But as Barry O and India.Arie remind me, there's hope. Moments of brilliance lurk in overembedded corners of MySpace, the low rent live circuit, DIY labels and occasionally a major label worth their weight in surplus jewel cases. I've recently been intrigued with Seattle-based soul singer Choklate. Her full-bodied voice, laid back melodies and judicious storytelling recall Jill Scott and Georgia Anne Muldrow. Check "Now What" on Choklate's MySpace page for a sample or if you're in the New York area, stop by the Highline Ballroom Saturday night when she opens for the inimitable Bilal. I caught up with Choklate via e-mail as she prepped for the Highline show and a number of Southern dates, including SXSW, after which she'll return to Seattle to record a follow up to her eponymous 2006 release.

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Dwele I Got Soul Conf. Promo

Dwele I Got Soul Conf. Promo

New Raheem DeVaughn Video

I Got Soul Conference 2008 Announcements: Dallas Visitors & Conventions Bureau, Sonicbids & Malcolm Jamal Warner

IGS 2008 is shaping up to be an exciting weekend of good music, panels and events! They have partnered with Dallas Visitors and Conventions Bureau, City Arts Festival and Sonicbids in the last couple of weeks. The DVCB brought together IGS and City Arts. What this does is give the incoming artist more options than performing in the tribute show and artist showcases. They now have spots in a outdoor festival that has the potential to expose them to 80k over a two-day period. www.dallascvb.com

The Sonicbids partnership(Thanks Fiona) will provide increased accessibility of the IGS talent to other gigs and events nationally and internationally. IGS Talent committee now has the ease of viewing the multiple genre talent on Sonicbids electronic epks. This digital tool bridged enormous gaps for the conference and the talent interested in performing or attending the conference. http://www.sonicbids.com/IGotSoulMusicConference


Malcolm Jamal Warner has signed on to host a IGS event! This multi-talented brother is an actor, spoken word artist and musician. Other talent committed are Eric Roberson, Choklate, Yazarah and Allison Crockett just to name a few. Stay locked for more information soon about the title sponsor.

SXSW Soul Austin, TX

So SXSW has decided that it too appreciates what's going on with the soul scene. Next week there will be 3 nights and 3 venues worth of performances by some amazing artists on the soul music scene. I'm excited about Heavy, Choklate, J-Davey, Yazarah and the other equally amazing artists performing next week. Bavu Blakes, Fiona Bloom(The Bloom Effect) and SXSW partnered for this momentous occassion. NYC owns Sat. w/Russell Taylor, Miz Metro and Maya Azucena. Bavu Blakes will spotlight his ep release. Oooh, I hope I can catch all this good music. Neo Soul Cafe along with Fusicology will be helping to get the word out about these events in Austin.