Altsounds — *Bands In Transit* caught up with* Michael Kiwanuka* who's already toured with Adele, played a multitude of festivals this summer and is currently on his first headline UK tour. He's already been compared to Bill Withers and Otis Redding, and althou... more info

Guardian Music — This Leeds band play the sort of indie you'd expect from a group named after a Beat Happening song. But don't call them twee…Hometown: Leeds.The lineup: Richard (lead vocals), Tom (bass), Laura (drums), Dan (lead guitar), Pete (rhythm guitar, backi... more info

Popdose — Otis Redding would have turned 70 tomorrow. The great New Orleans musician Wardell Quezergue died this week. Ken Shane pays tribute to both artists more info

MVSW — De La Soul ~ “Eye Know” From back in 1989. 3 Feet High and Rising is easily one of the greatest albums of all time. Check the songs sampled on this track! Samples Lee Dorsey ~ “Get Out of My Life, Woman“ Sly & the Family Stone ~ “Sing a Sim... more info

L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — Kanye West and Jay-Z were the big early MTV Video Music Awards surprise, although the appearance was leaked/tipped the media long before the show began. Walking out to a sample of Otis Redding's “Try a Little Tenderness,” Kanye and Jay did little... more info

Guardian Music — (Fontana)As house guitarist with Stax records in the 1960s, Cropper was one of the architects of southern soul, a moving force behind Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and more. Dedicated salutes one source of Cropper's terse but slinky style, the half-fo... more info

Guardian Music — Jay-Z gets all the best lines, but it's Kanye who seems to be in creative charge here, says Alexis PetridisYou have to be impressed with Jay-Z's resolve when it comes to the matter of collaborative albums, perhaps the one chequered area in an other... more info

White Folks Get Crunk — Not sure if its by coincidence or not that this dropped a few days after the Jay Z & Kanye joint that also samples Otis Redding. I mean the man made nothing but classics so there is a good chance it is coincidence. Around the 40 sec mark this joint c... more info

ContactMusic — Jay-Z and Kanye West have the blessing of Otis Redding's family to sample his track 'Try a Little Tenderness'. The hip-hop superstars sampled the late singer's classic tune for their track 'Otis' on their The Throne project, but had to get permission... more info

Guardian Music — Hip-hop heavyweights rename themselves for hotly anticipated collaboration album. No jokes about toilet seats, pleaseJay-Z and Kanye West have revealed the name of their forthcoming team-up. The hip-hop heavyweights are calling themselves the Throne ... more info