Slum Village, Villa Manifesto
E1 Music

“I had a vision to put us all back together,” raps T-3 on “The Reunion Pt. 2” from Slum Village’s Villa Manifesto. But much has changed since the group’s 2005 self-titled album: J Dilla passed away in 2006, and then Baatin died from a drug overdose three years later. Both get the spotlight through pre-recorded material, and when the quartet shines together on the kinetic “Earl Flynn,” it’s Fantastic all over again. Wisely, surviving members T-3 and Elzhi balance bittersweet memories (“We’ll Show You”) with the sumptuous neo-soul raps SV fans know and love them for.

On July 28, future soul princess Georgia Anne Muldrow returns with Umsindo. She just released the Ms. One compilation in May, but this one is a solo effort, her first since 2006′s Olesi: Fragments of an Earth. It arrives via Someothaship/E1 Music (formerly known as Koch). And yes, it includes the original version of the “Roses” track featured on Mos Def’s excellent The Ecstatic.

Here’s the bio info:

UMSINDO (which means sound in Zulu) is Muldrow’s second full length album and tells this story with subject matter ranging from world politics to the metaphysical sciences-with laserlike synthwork to match. Muldrow, who birthed the new millennium hip-hop soul movement, is the producer/singer/songwriter phenomenon who keeps on giving.

Umsindo is dedicated to Muldrow’s African heritage with themes of creation and calls to wake up the consciousness to all who hear it. This Afro-centric gem of an album speaks to the Zulu warriors whose lineage goes back before the planet, where the power of sound is paramount.

Here’s the track listing:

• 1. “Jina Langu Ni Afrika (my name is afrika)”
• 2. “John De Conqueror (ona moove)”
• 3. “Seminole Unity Chant”
• 4. “Uhuru Flight”
• 5. “Daisies”
• 6. “Okra”
• 7. “Sermonette”
• 8. “Fonky Day”
• 9. “Generation/ you got it”
• 10. “Nsamanfo”
• 11. “Caracas”
• 12. “Slice It”
• 13. “So Far”
• 14. “Roses”
• 15. “Idlozi”
• 16. “Slice It (Reprise)”
• 17. “Kids”
• 18. “West Coast Prayer”
• 19. “E.S.P.”
• 20. “Beya”
• 21. “I.Q.”
• 22. “De Wiz”
• 23. “Roses Pt. 2″
• 24. “Diaspora”

I have mixed feelings about these Georgia Anne Muldrow collaborations. On the one hand, it’s cool that she’s replicating the kind of free-flowing spiritual jazz community that inspired her so much. But I’m still waiting on a proper follow-up to her solo debut — and best album — Olesi: Fragments Of An Earth. None of her subsequent projects have had the same kind of incantatory power.

But for now, her new comp Ms. One will have to do. It features guest spots from a range of artists, including her partner Dudley Perkins (congratulations on their new baby), Jimetta Rose, Eagle Nebula, Stacey Epps, Black Milk and Big Pooh. Ms. One produces all of the tracks.

Georgia Anne Muldrow presents Ms. One drops May 5 via SomeOthaShip and E1 Music (formerly known as Koch). (May 8 update: The release date has been changed to May 19.) Here’s a bit from the press release:

Georgia Anne Muldrow, who birthed the new millennium hip-hop soul movement, is the producer/singer/songwriter phenomenon who keeps on giving. The Ms. One compilation album is her latest gift of truth and inspiration to a troubled world. Fine musical artistry and compelling lyricism by every artist on the project makes this a beacon of light amidst a dark musical landscape. The bold, bright genius of Ms. One takes hip-hop and soul music to the higher place we all know it should be.

Georgia Anne Muldrow is an American singer and producer formerly signed to Stones Throw Records. She was the first female artist signed to the label and is currently in a relationship with fellow former Stones Throw artist Dudley Perkins. The two recently gave birth to a baby boy. Aside from their relationship the two have also collaborated together on several records including the critically acclaimed G&D project released by Look Records in 2007.

Georgia’s father is the late jazz guitarist Ronald Muldrow, her mother is Rickie Byars-Beckwith and stepfather is Rev. Michael Beckwith, the musical director of Agape Spiritual Center in Culver City, CA and the teacher in the Movie and book The Secret. Her early work involved collaborations with the Platinum Pied Pipers and Sa-Ra. Most recently she was featured on Erykah Badu’s latest album on the track Master Teacher. Georgia is known for playing the majority of instruments featured on her recordings. She has also started producing for various artists including Black Milk, Little Brother, Stacey Epps and more. Her vocal style and musical accompaniment often are free-form in nature and truly something unique.

Here’s the track listing:

• 1. Georgia Anne Muldrow, “Return”
• 2. Illicit Child, “Hiphop”
• 3. Georgia Anne Muldrow, “Mr. President”
• 4. Maryetta Moore, “Head Of My Soul”
• 5. Jimetta Rose, “Divinely Free” (feat. Dudley Perkins)
• 6. Black Milk & Big Pooh, “2 MC”
• 7. Darryl “D-Moe” Moore, “Sundaze”
• 8. Stacy Epps, “Motivation”
• 9. Jimetta Rose, “My Life”
• 10. Ms. Dezy, “80′s Freestyle Skit”
• 11. Ms. Dezy, “Dearest Daddy”
• 12. Rickie BB, “Near & Far”
• 13. Ms. One, “Turiya’s Smile”
• 14. Illicit Child, “Far Behind”
• 15. Mortonette Stephens, “Magic Walk”
• 16. Darryl “D-Moe” Moore, “Long Gone”
• 17. Eagle Nebula, “Funny (Hiphop)”
• 18. Darryl “D-Moe” Moore, “Drunken” (feat. Dudley Perkins)
• 19. Maryetta Moore, “Million Man”
• 20. Sopretti, “Try Your Best”
• 21. Georgia Anne Muldrow, “To Dance”

Remember last fall when Roc ‘C’ and Oh No announced a new project called The Transcontinental? Well, the album is here. The Transcontinental drops May 19 on E1 Music (formerly known as Koch). Guests include Big Pooh and Chino XL, who appear on the album’s first single, “The Warriors.”

The only mistake I made, I seems, is that IMAKEMADBEATS isn’t a pseudonym for Oh No, but a completely new artist.

Confused? Read this from the bio:

The madman turned producer, then producer turned madman, IMAKEMADBEATS, also known as NeMo, has just began what many call a masterful reign of musical artistry on the Hip-hop world. Born in Fontana, California, raised in Memphis, TN, and higher educated in Orlando, FL and later, NYC, this character has seen his share of culture, styles, and societies. He hails from a diverse lineage, his father was born in Memphis, TN, and mother in Guyana, raised in England, UK. Drawing from all these experiences, his contributions to The Transcontinental provide the vivid backdrop for this musical journey. …

Roc C and IMAKEMADBEATS join forces to create a journey in beats, drawing from all aspects of American Hip-hop from the fertile lands of Oxnard California all the way to the gritty streets of New York City. Join us as we are taken down a trail of real life experiences seeded with Hip-hop exuberance from the left bank to the right, travelling from coast to coast.

Here’s the track listing:

• 1. “Introduction” (feat. Not Dr. Trevis)
• 2. “Still Here”
• 3. “Just A Man”
• 4. “The Warriors” (feat. Big Pooh & Chino XL)
• 5. “Blakout” (feat. MidaZ the Beast)
• 6. “The Official Smash Mouf” (feat. DJ Romes)
• 7. “Imagine That” (feat. Felony)
• 8. “All I’m Asking” (feat. Viva)
• 9. “By Any Means”
• 10. “Struggle”
• 11. “Whisper Music”
• 12. “Won’t Fall”
• 13. “Hit The Floor”
• 14. “The One I Love”