Required Listening Vol. 2-Required Listenin CD - Import

When Toronto-based and ever versatile label Do Right! released Required Listening - a raw, diverse and stunning compilation of sounds by artists from Toronto, critics and music lovers around the globe took notice. Required Listening Volume 2 promises to keep up that standard of quality by featuring fresh tracks from the West Coast, to the East Coast, with some stops in between. Vancouver is best known for its beautiful terrain, incredible climate and overall easy going vibe. These days Vancouver is gaining the reputation as an epicentre of dope music. Representing Van City is internationally renowned tech-fusion producer Mathew Jonson, who teams up with programmer Tyger Dhula and keyboardist Danuel Tate of Dante & Dhula. Together they form Cobblestone Jazz; both bands are included on Required Listening 2 with their signature minimal techno, jazzy breakbeat, dub sound. Another Vancouver native, Amalia Townsend, works double duty as key vocalist for the nujazz band, Sekoya and sings with the 8-member deep funk and soul unit, 1 Luv. Bringing the party rockin' vibe is DJ and producer Aklimatize who throws down some serious broken beat. Next stop is Toronto where emcee extraordinaire Abdominal comes correct with his "Unofficial Toronto Anthem" (as quoted by Mayor David Miller): 'T-ode' taken from his debut solo album "Escape from the Pigeon Hole". Up and coming artist Justis blends hip-hop and jazz, while veteran emcee/DJ Anonymous Twist flexes his skills on a track with Planet Asia. Indie-rock darlings Apostle of Hustle get the head-nodding remix treatment by hip hop DJ's/producers, Circle Research. Singer/songwriter Sacha Williamson lays down a soul-drenched jazzy track that will warm your heart and Brian Macmillian melds reggae, soul and acoustic folk. Well renowned DJ Catalist aka Alister Johnson switches it up with a gorgeous, soulful, brukbeat track featuring the stunning vocals of Vancouver native Alonzo. Required Listening 2 makes a quick stop in Montreal to include the infamous producer/DJ Ghislain Poirier with a slow, bumpin', dub track from his forthcoming album. The final destination is Ottawa, where critically acclaimed Souljazz Orchestra drop the afrobeat ruckus. Required Listening 1 was a taste of what was being cooked up in Toronto's backyard, Volume 2 expands the terrain to show the rest of the world what's blowing up in Vancouver, Toronto, as well as Ottawa and Montreal. Compiler & Do Right label boss John Kong continues his journey across Canada to join the dots between hip-hop, funk, soul, future-jazz, broken-beat, house, techno and everything in between. Required Listening 2 is the second volume in this compilation series that really does require listening.