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One of the many benefits to living in the DMV is the wealth of musical talent that lives here as well. Two such talents who we consider family here are SoulBounce are DJ Stylus of the Soul Controllers and Zo! from The Foreign Exchange good music conglomerate. It's always a pleasure to see these two cats when I'm out and about. Tomorrow night at Tabaq Bistro on U Street will be no exception when Stylus fires up the turntables at Refuge, his weekly Wednesday night party, with one of our favorite multi-instrumentalists as his special guest for Zo's Secret Stash.     

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NYC Bouncers, here's another opportunity to get your groove on for free this week. SoulBounce in association with Soul Afrodisiac is giving one blessed Bouncer and their guest a chance to see Heston this Sunday, November 22nd at the Highline Ballroom for the Collage concert also featuring Jeremy James, Mingus Murray, Olamide and Jon Hope. We're not really up on Heston like we should be at SBHQ, but don't let our late-busness effect your listening experience. From what I've heard, he puts on quite a show. And head up, DC Bouncers, Heston will be performing at Blues Alley this Thursday night as well. But for those New Yorkers who want to be in the place to be for free this weekend, hit the bounce for details on how to enter. Tickets may also be purchased online at TicketWeb.

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It's no secret that we have mad love for Jesse Boykins III on SoulBounce. Hell, it's no secret that he gets mad love just about anywhere he happens to be. Even though his last full-length album was released last year, there is no shortage of JB3 treats to tide you over until he decides to drop another one. Having released "Shine" and "Chanel: Part 2 Spirit Dilla" over the past few weeks has meant that several producers have gotten their crafty little hands over them. Below are two remixes from Christian Rich and Machine Drum. And after the bounce is an oldie but goodie in the form of Melo-X's remix of the oft-mispronounced "AmorUs" a/k/a "She Was A Walrus." Enjoy.  

Jesse Boykins III: "Shine (Chrisitan Rich Remix)"

Jesse Boykins III: "Chanel (Machine Drum Remix)"

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There is an ultra-fine, super thin line between douchebag-worthy Pop music and Pop music that is worthy of your time. Just to prove my point, remember the side-eyes and twisted-up faces you gave N'Sync repeatedly until their formula finally hit a soulful nerve in your brain that traveled down to your neck muscles that allowed you to nod silently in approval. You know what I mean. With this in mind, consider Matty*P and Kaufmann's The New Affect to fit the above description that Pop music needn't be scary and off-putting, but just fun and dance-inducing. "Don't Stop" is one of those melodies that may stick with you for awhile. The instrumentation that you hear tinkling under their vocals may stick with you for awhile as well. I can only speak for myself when I say that I've been searching for a bubbly dance-driven track this whole year. I think I may have found it. See if their "Electro-Soul" suits you as well. 

The New Affect: "Don't Stop"

The New Affect [Official][Twitter]

I'm not sure how I feel about this one. Like most of you, I love Mos Def and "Umi Says" is just one of those tracks that I don't want to hear anyone else perform but him. I'm not going to say that Dasha doesn't sound great because she does. But there's something missing. The song ends abruptly, and while that's not her fault, I felt even more lost when the song was over than before I pressed play. Plus, is it just me or is there something a tad bit subversively sexy about her version? Again, this may not be her fault. Some people exude sex no matter what they're doing, but not on a song about your Mom. I really may just be straight bugging. Take a listen and judge for yourself. [H/T: KN]

Dasha: "Umi Says"

I can't believe I'm writing this, but I absolutely adore Beyoncé and Lady Gaga's track and video for their collaboration known as "Video Phone." Granted, I haven't liked anything Beyoncé has done since "Me Myself & I," but I did show some love to Lady Gaga's impressive artistic ability not too long ago. Watching this brightly-colored and assertive display of female domination play out on my laptop's screen, I couldn't help but strongly desire plastic undergarments and my own entourage of devoted male dancers, capable of being the human equivalent of a Louis Vuitton bag I crave so much. Remember that feeling you got when you first watched, mouth agape and ass shaking, "Crazy In Love"? It's kind of like that. But with two booty drops instead of one. Take a gander and enter what accounts for contemporary Pop heaven.

I will be the first to admit that I've taken a take-it-or-leave-it approach to most of Alicia Keys' music over the past few years. From "No One" to "It Doesn't Mean Anything," her music has just been aight for me. However, in order to be fair, I also must admit that this has been a good year for AK, proving she has the right touch after writing one of my favorite songs off of Whitney Houston's comeback effort, and her major vocal contributions to New York's new anthem. So, I still give her a chance. Her newest video, for the song "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart," seems to be on that same page, with Alicia possessing super powers and a motorcycle that leaves neon tracks. Sweet. Nope, it doesn't make much sense, but listen... if Ms. Keys wants to touch sick puppies while prancing around in a purple body suit, then we shall let her. OK? Check the clip and hopefully you'll be like me and give Alicia her props for a solid, if not spectacular year. She's earned it. [H/T: RR ]

Unwavering dedication--at the expense of tears, heartache and sanity--throbs in the core of any true "ride or die" type of love. When My Life dropped, Mary J. Blige had become the poster child for tormented souls battered by incredibly flawed love and "No One Else" was her pledge to stay and never stray. Produced by Dalvin DeGrate and Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey of Jodeci, the track was rooted in a sample from Al Green's "Free at Last" and layered with gritty drums and a funky, slap bass to give it that Hip Hop Soul edge. Mary assures K-Ci (let's be real, that was her mega boo at the time) that her heart was his to possess and their "love was meant to be." While her raspy vocals bled with an illogical adoration:

"Can't hide / 'Cause I'm satisfied / Yes, I'm satisfied / Even when I cry / Won't stray / Stray away from you / I would be a fool / You know these words are true."

With Slick Rick chanting "There is no competition" in the background, this joint had to be a tremendous ego stroke to K-Ci, who also lent his voice to the song's hook. Mary was indeed that "ride or die" chick and her streetwise monogamy was as real as it gets.

Mary J. Blige: "No One Else"

Tomorrow night, Janet Jackson sits down with Robin Roberts at her Malibu home for her first public interview since brother Michael Jackson's death. The session, called In The Spotlight, was taped a month ago and portions have started to leak in order to whet the public's appetite. The most potentially inflammatory comments come from Janet, directed at Michael's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, who she blames for her brother's death. "He was the one that was administering," she tells Roberts. "I think he is responsible."

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• Spend a couple minutes behind the scenes of Janet Jackson's upcoming "Make Me" video [PBB]