Georgia Anne Muldrow’s best song to date gets an excellent treatment. It honors her homey, down-to-Earth vibe while adding graphic elements that make for a very nice clip.

Directed by Ogechi. Taken from Umsindo. Props to Frolab.com for the link.

In 2009, Georgia Anne Muldrow dropped three albums (including a compilation and a set of early demos) and saw her excellent ballad “Roses” re-interpreted by Mos Def. On January 26, she’ll continue with Kings Ballad, a new set for Ubiquity Records. “King’s Ballad is a celebration of creativity and uniqueness, things that are necessary to a meaningful life expression. It’s about being yourself,” she says in a press release.

More excerpts:

Everything you hear on Kings Ballad is handcrafted and non-sample-based. She has been called a modern day Nina Simone, and fans of Chaka Khan and Betty Davies would feel at home with Kings Ballad, too.

In the midst of amazingly fruitful studio time, she cranked out several albums and compilations in 2009, on the back of recent collaborations with the mighty Mos Def (on his Ecstatic album), and Erykah Badu (on her New Amerykah album). Kings Ballad is the latest work and is all original and exclusive. It opens with a nod to the inspiration of children, and moves through themes earthly and cosmic, about her partner, the longing for a more universal consciousness, veganism, and the title track which is an ode to musical-hero Michael Jackson.

Written and produced during transitional times, Kings Ballad was crafted against the backdrop of the early days of the Obama administration, the last days of the life of Michael Jackson (a family friend and big inspiration) and while her son grows towards his first birthday. She even moved studio spaces at the outset of recording. But distractions are not disruptive to the Muldrow music-making machine. In fact, motivation comes easily. “The driving force within me is my need for freedom of cultural expression,” she explains. “And in my culture music always serves a divine purpose. Mine in particular is of a healing nature, so I get over my down days by being true to my warrior soul.”

Here’s the track listing:

• 1. “Indeed”
• 2. “Doobie Down”
• 3. “Simple Advice”
• 4. “Kings Ballad”
• 5. “R.I.P.”
• 6. “Thrones”
• 7. “Summer Love”
• 8. “Shang-A-Lang”
• 9. “The Ooh Wee Show”
• 10. “Can’t Stand Yo Love”
• 11. “To The Stage”
• 12. “March For Africa”
• 13. “Chocolate Reign”
• 14. “Baby Dee”
• 15. “Live”
• 16. “Room Punk!”
• 17. “Thatch”
• 18. “Industrial Bap”
• 19. “Morena Del Ray”

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”

On September 25, Georgia Anne Muldrow and Dudley Perkins will unveil The Message Uni Versa. For fans of Muldrow’s brilliant Olesi: Fragments of an Earth, this album is more straightforward and spiritual-based than her searing, sometimes-anguished solo work. For fans of Perkins’ solo albums (not including his music as Declaime), it finds him collaborating with a new partner, not the mighty Madlib.

With two talents as formidable as Muldrow and Perkins, there isn’t any need for cameos and guest appearances. Muldrow handles the bulk of the beats, but Perkins chips in some beats. The music is a unique blend of hip-hop, funk and soul.

Some may surprised that The Message Uni Versa isn’t arriving via Stones Throw Records. Instead, it comes through Look Records, the Bay Area label founded by onetime Stones Throw artist DJ Design. The Message Uni Versa, says Perkins in a press release, “means one song in the universe; we’re trying to reach the masses through this album to let everyone know we are all one.”

As for Epistophik Peach Sounds, the duo’s erstwhile label? Its first release will be Jimetta Rose’s “America” 12-inch. Produced by Muldrow, it’s scheduled to arrive with Groove Attack Distribution on September 21.

Meanwhile, the track listing for The Message Uni Versa is below.

• 1. “Ye Olde Skit”
• 2. “GodUnit”
• 3. “On One”
• 4. “One”
• 5. “Peace of Mind”
• 6. “Time”
• 7. “Found”
• 8. “U”
• 9. “All 4 U”
• 10. “Ye Olde Skit Too”
• 11. “Good Mornin Amerikkka”
• 12. “P.I.F.O.T.P.H. 34″
• 13. “War Drums”
• 14. “The Stomp”
• 15. “Poppa’s Song”
• 16. “MGD” (feat. M.E.D.)
• 17. “Stronger”
• 18. “Ye Last Olde Skit”
• 19. “The Message”
• 20. “Uncle Dudley’s Outro”

During the next several months, Dudley Perkins and Georgia Anne Muldrow plan to cement their status as the power couple of future soul.

Perkins, who also records under the name Declaime, is best known as Madlib’s homie from Oxnard, and the unique rapper/vocalist behind triumphs such as A Lil’ Light and Expressions. Meanwhile Muldrow’s full-length debut Olesi: Fragments of an Earth updated free jazz for the 21st century, and was one of the most talked-about underground soul albums of 2006.

Now the two are launching a new label called Epistrophik Peach Sounds. And while details on the label’s release schedule are a little sketchy, a few recordings featuring both artists will definitely drop during the summer.

First came Pattie Bling & the Akebulan Five’s Sagala on Ramp Recordings last month. While mostly a Muldrow solo endeavor, it featured Perkins on one of the tracks. Next week (June 12) brings Beautiful Mindz, a collaboration between Perkins, Muldrow and UK producer 2tall. It will be released by Amalgam Digital, the label behind last year’s Juggaknots comeback album. The major project, however, will be Muldrow and Perkins’ G&D. It drops via Epistrophik on August 28.

West Coast fans will get to see the duo in the flesh when they open for Bumps, the Tortoise percussion/breaks side project. Dates for the “West Coast Fonk Bumps” tour are below:

• 6/20: Rhythm Room, Phoenix, AZ
• 6/21: El Rey Theater, Los Angeles, CA
• 6/22: The Independent, San Francisco, CA
• 6/23: The Independent, San Francisco, CA
• 6/25: Alladdin, Portland, OR
• 6/26: Neumo’s, Seattle, WA

Finally, here’s a video for the title track from Beautiful Mindz.

www.myspace.com/dudleyperkins
www.myspace.com/theworthnothingskrew