New Music Monday

New music crosses my ears daily. From receiving emails and newsletters to combing other music blogs and websites, the music never stops. So every Monday I’ll be sharing the variety of sounds that catch my attention in the course of a week, from music downloads and podcasts, to music videos and singles. It’s one way to clear my inbox, but more importantly it’s a way for you to get to know these artists, be it an indie singer-songwriter or an up-and-coming band, group or duo. So without further adieu, here’s a list of artists, complete with video and/or audio as well as a short bio.

Jesse Boykins III | Genre: neo-soul/electronica

R&B singer Jesse Boykins III (Photo/Yin & Yang)

Chicago singer-songwriter Jesse Boykins III and producer Gora Sou dropped the visuals for Boykins’ latest single “The Perfect Blues”, which is a beautifully trippy Asia-inspired video shot in Tokyo, Japan. The single is included on the forthcoming Zulu Guru, a collaborative project with producer/MC MeLo-X, which will be released via Ninja Tune on October 30. But to find out more about Jesse Boykins III, visit http://jesseboykinsiii.com/

Kella | Genre: French hip-hop/soul

French-Canadian rapper Kella (Photo/I AM PR)

Karine Ella better known by her stage name Kella is a French-Canadian emcee hailing from West Africa, who’s dropping gems in her native language for her latest video “J’taime comme ca” which features singer CL Easy. Mixing the vibes of African rhythms, hip-hop and soul (think Les Nubians), Kella’s latest mixtape la Relève Vol. 2 is out now. For more info, visit www.facebook.com/Kellaofficial

Artist: Shira E. | Genre: folk-acoustic

NYC-based poet and singer-songwriter Shira E. (Photo/Shira E.)

Shira Erlichman or Shira E. is a New York City-based singer-songwriter with an acoustic guitar, a pack of soul and lyrics that pack a punch. The “Even the Moon” star recently released her fifth independent LP entitled Lamps, a bold blend of experimentation and folk sounds. Having shared stages with Ani DiFranco and Coco Rosie –in terms of voice, Shira sort of reminds me of the late folk-jazz singer-songwriter Eva Cassidy from her Time After Time recording. Even so, to hear Shira live, head over to Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn, NY on August 26. More info at http://www.shiraeee.tumblr.com/

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