No matter what your opinion is about the current state of music, without fail, every year there are a few releases that will meet the standards that sum up your definition of real music; whether hip-hop or otherwise.

For the past two years I’ve been talking up Ledisi as a voice that needs to be heard. Thanks to my tireless efforts, in 2008 she was nominated for best new artist and best R&B album at The Grammys. *I’m kidding.. about being responsible.*

On August 18, Ledisi will offer up her fourth album to the world Turn Me Loose.  As Ledisi explores different sounds and continues to “tell everything, which is her usual m.o.,” this time around there is the hope that she breaks through to a wider audience.

According to industry reports, Ledisi’s first single off the album, “Going Through Changes” was the most added song to radio playlists in the first week of July.

That’s certainly a good sign of things to come. Your local station is not up on Ledisi? Take a listen..

Phenomenal stuff.

Raphael Saadiq produced two songs. Here they are talking about the collaboration of two heads from Oakland, California.

One more. This is Jawn Murray giving a sneak preview/review via his car stereo.

August 18. Good music week. Ledisi’s album drops. Buy it. ← That’s what I have on my calendar. You should too.