Jessie Ware: Wildest Moments

I'm not sure that this British artist has really caught on in the USA yet, you all can correct me if I've just missed her, but she's had a great deal of success in the UK, and I wouldn't be surprised if she becomes popular here as 2013 unfolds. This song is off her 2012 debut album, Devotion.

Frank Ocean: Channel Orange

I've mentioned Frank Ocean on the blog before, and I don't think there will be a best of 2012 list out there that doesn't have his Channel Orange near the top. The album is thoughtful, well-layered hip hop, with equal dashes of R&B, Soul.

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti

This is the track, Only in My Dreams, off the album Mature Themes, which was released in August on the 4AD label. The soulful song Baby, off the same album, has also garnered some attention and is worth a listen.

Nick Waterhouse: Some Place

I have commented often on this blog about how thrilled I am that there is so much soul out there these days. If you agree, you're going to love this song off Waterhouse's debut album that was release last month on Innovative Leisure Records.

Charles Bradley: Heartaches & Pain

We are in the middle of a sort of 1960's soul music revival fueled in large part by the success of Daptone Records , which is the label that relesed Bradley's 2011 album No Time for Dreaming, where you'll find this song. By all accounts, Charles Bradley has had a life filled with many difficulties, and it is that which brings the gravitas to his sound. When you listen to the song below, not only are you blown away by the performance, but when you hear him sing about heartaches and pain, he is credible. Not all artists possess that quality, and that is what separates good soul from the very best. Let me know what you think.

Wilco Cover

Rarely does a cover outshine the original, but below, I think you'll find that JC Brooks and the Uptown Band have done it. They've taken a good song and totally made it their own, and I don't know that I'll ever listen to the original they same way again. Both songs have been around for a while, but I only recently heard the Brooks version. Hear both below and let me know what you think:

Alabama Shakes: I Found You

I love the retro sound of this song. This Alabama-based band is playing rock as it should be. And the video isn't too bad either.

Kitty, Daisy, and Lewis: I'm So Sorry

This is a family band hailing from London that writes music infused with R&B, swing, country, blues, and, as you'll hear below, ska. The band members are incredibly talented, all of them multi-instrumentalists, which aids their musical flexibility.

This is off the 2011 album, Smoking in Heaven.

Plan B: She Said

Plan B is a British artist who does a little bit of everything, and this song, off the 2010 album, The Defamation of Strickland Banks, exhibits how wide his musical range is. This song grabs you in the first bar and never lets go. What do you think?

Fort Knox Five

This Washington, D.C. quintet has got enough funk to go around for everyone. Try not to dance when you hear this one.



Buy it on Amazon: Radio Free DC

Diplomats of Solid Sound: Lights Out

There is so much soul out there right now this songs feels like a recent release, but it's actually off the 2008 album, The Diplomats of Solid Sound Featuring The Diplomettes.



Buy it here: The Diplomats Of Solid Sound featuring The Diplomettes

Bobby Long: Dead & Done Blues

Here is a solid blues-drenched folk tune by this British artist, who is signed to Dave Matthews' record label, ATO Records.

Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra: Kiss the Sky

Shawn Lee is a multi-instrumentalist from Kansas. This song is off his album Voices and Choices.

Concha Buika

Spanish flamenco-infused-jazz. Her album, El Ultimo Trago was one of the best albums of the year.

The Generationals: When They Fight, They Fight

Off this New Orleans-based band's 2009 album Con Law, the song below rocks with all the soulful vigor of the Muscle Shoals sound it evokes. Also check out their recent EP, Trust.

Jose James: Blackmagic

American born London-based musician Jose James has a smooth voice and is creating some smooth sounding jazz. The song below is off his 2010 album Blackmagic.

The Constellations: Felicia

This Atlanta band delivers some solidly danceable tunes. Also check out their tune Setback, here.

The Secret Sisters

Hailing from the music mecca Muscle Shoals, Alabama, this duo is creating music filled with beautiful harmonies that sound like something on the radio 60 years ago. They are currently on tour with Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs. Check out their website here.

Quadron: Slippin'

Hailing from Hovedstaden, Denmark, the duo Quadron melds electronica and soul beautifully.  It is easy to appreciate the depth to their songs; every time you listen you can pick up something that didn't hit you before--and that isn't common in pop. Learn more about them here.

Cee Lo Green

You've all heard this viral hit by Cee Lo, former member of Goodie Mob and Gnarls Barkley. The full album will be released next month, and I can't wait.