The second installment of the The Black Opera is here. Following their introduction titled Overture The Black Opera will be presenting EnterMission, any moment now. To prepare you for this demonstration The Black Opera is debuting the audio and visuals for the first release from EnterMission titled “Villains”.

“Miles & Duke & Wynton & Mos”

Coltrane Curtis talks about the influence of Jazz musicians on his personal style.

Could “Swim Good” possibly be my favorite track of the year? Or is it that I’m high on life, excited that there are finally, and greatlookingly (not a word? Whatevs.), visuals to Frank Ocean’s ‘Swim Good’?! I’ll settle for a combination of both. After many fan-made videos and covers (some bad, good, and simply breathtaking like this one by Ebrahim), Frankie found it was due time to cater to us with the real deal. Due time indeed! Swim Good is featured on Ocean’s Nostalgia, ULTRA album, which I pretty much expect, if not DEMAND you to know by now. The video is directed by Nabil Elderkin and with a true Frank Ocean feel to it, I must say that I’m perfectly pleased with the result. Yep, let’s put this vid on repeat today. Enjoy!

Download | Stream

I’m still on vacation. But from my Barcelona balcony, I’ll make an exception for Full Crate. The summer continues with his “Woofers & Dirt” mix. After playing at lots of festivals this summer with some crazy energetic tunes, it only felt right for Full Crate to make a mix for the people to enjoy that same festival vibe at home, in the car, on their bikes towards work, or whatever you can make a good excuse for. Lucky enough to have seen him play at this year’s Mysterland festival, I can understand why we would want to latch on to this summer feeling he provides us just a tad bit longer. What you can expect? A 90 minute musical journey filled with some of the newest and best UK / House / Grime / Dub / Broken / Drum & Bass / Electronic sounds. As Full Crate puts it himself: “Just make sure your bass level & woofers are in check, cuz this is pure dirt!!!!”. Not to mention that the sick artwork is made by Punchdouble. Who also just released his book “Bare Essentials“. Go get itttt! All that’s left for me to say is ENJOY, which I’m sure you will. Now all we can do is wait for his next release in anticipation. In the meantime, I’ll be catching some rays of sun while summer’s still here. Back before you know it!

Leila’s Tale – A story of lost Love.

Szjerdene lays a vocal over the amazingly deep sounds of Dimlite. Enjoy

Seems like it’s a day full of surprises in my inbox. I love it, keep ‘em coming at notoriouslyaddictive@gmail.com. One of those surprises came from Stephanie Estes, who has been loyally informing me over the years of M.N.A. on the latest newnew what to keep an eye out for and all that good stuff; such as the newest video from The Black Opera. I could tell you who The Black Opera consists of, but the artists prefer to keep their identities concealed for the sake of the movement, so I’ll respectfully do so. “Gods Camera” is the latest video inspired from their debut project, Overture. Also check out “Sleep Tight“, their first official music video (under the cut) if you weren’t familiar with them yet. You might not know it Stephanie, but thank you for keep on giving me food for thought and new music to look forward to.

“WE are ALL currently under surveillance. – #TheBlackOpera“
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New York, New York! Yours Truly is cooking up something amazing at the shop this Saturday. Come join them in what they do best EAT DRINK $HOP DANCE SWIM, featuring The Hood Chef on the grill and a bikini contest sponsored by Emily Brown of the creative swimwear brand “House of Jackie Brown.” If you don’t already know about the orgasmic burgers The Hood Chef has been cooking up all over the city, be prepared to get schooled. Bring Your Own BUNS and get to 1007 Broadway on time! If you’d like to enter the bikini contest, arrive in your own and you may walk away with a House of Jackie Brown original. DJ Schoolboy and DJ Yamez will be on the decks spinning tunes guaranteed to get you dancing. The shop will be open all day, so come check out their new line and don’t miss the opportunity to lace yourself up in YTB with up to 50% off on select items all August long!! Bon appetit my New Yorkians.

You’re Invited!
FREE
Saturday, August 6th, 2011 4-11PM
1007 Broadway Brooklyn NY
RSVP@YOURSTRULYBRAND.COM

I’m glad to see a message from Dorsh in my inbox: “Cynotoire, you asked when I would drop another track fit for summer, and I think I have one worthy of letting go!” Thanks Dorsh for sharing it with me and now it’s time I pass it along to all of you. Read what Dorsh had to say:

She was an incredible artist known not only for her powerful voice, but also for the pain and heartache she conveyed in her lyrics and her personal life. I can vividly remember being in Manchester, England in late 2006 when I first heard “Just Friends” at a club named Po Na Na (which I think no longer exists). I ended up buying “Back to Black” and it turned out to be one of my favorite soul albums of all-time. I was so devastated last week when I heard that she had died, I immediately grabbed “Back to Black” and started jamming it over and over and over. As I was listening to “Just friends” I realized that it was possible to respond to all the questions she was asking ‘her lover’ in the original, while leaving some room open for interpretation. Please fulljoy this remix I drew up for the ever amazing Amy Winehouse. I hope she’s in a better place and her soul can be free. Bless up!!