Friday Freestyle
Friday, January 06, 2006You haven't forgotten about the Friday Freestyle have you? Yeah, I know you think I have, it's been a minute, lol, but I don't think I've gotten rusty. I always get by with a little help from my soulful friends like my girl, T.J. Brown, Chicago's best kept secret and Philly phenom Jus. Also look for some goodness from Jarrard Anthony plus more soul from Redd Soul and Free Sol. You can never go wrong with Mary and Faith so they helped me start the groove, Marvin & Bobby help me keep it classic and Peven Everett ends it just right. Special shout and lots of love to my girl, my partner in soul Lis who is helping me take Honey Soul to a new level on top of keeping me sane with her craziness in the chaos.
Speaking of chaos, lol, if you don't see me here posting for a while or get a response to your email right away, just know that I am working on something...well a few somethings. Have a great weekend fam!
1. Mary J. Blige - Be Without You (NRC Remix)
2. Faith Evans - Catching Feelings
3. T.J. Brown - Why U Wanna Leave Me
4. Rae & Christian ft. Bobby Womack - Get A Life
5. Marvin Gaye - When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You
6. Jarrard Anthony - The Dream
7. Redd Soul - Recognize
8. Jamal Doctor - Oh No
9. Jus - Vision In Black
10. Aquila - Life
11. Free Sol - Crazy
12. Terry Gresham - Still In Love With You
13. Lizz Fields - Selfish Tendencies
14. Peven Everett - Gabrielle
Friday Freestyle
Friday, December 16, 2005Sistas with voices. This week's Friday Freestyle is laid back and mellow and features nothing but my beautiful sisters in all our multi-faceted glory.
These sistas are not getting major airplay but I'm sure after listening you will agree that they should. By the time you get to the last song, "Rain" by Leela James you will want to play it all over again. This radio blog also includes some of the women who have embraced me and what I do here. They have shown nothing but love and support so I wanted to salute them. Love and thanks to Wayna, Julie Dexter, Carmen Rodgers, Tamara Wellons, TJ Brown, Gabbie McGee and Valencia Robinson. Thanks to all my singing sistas for representing us in such grandeur.
1. Jazmine Sullivan - Braid Your Hair
2. Salakida - Don't Make Me Wait
3. Carmen Rodgers - Way (I Want To Touch You)
4. Deborah Bond - See You in My Dreams
5. Jennifer Edison - Run Away
6. Josephine Sincere - I Like it
7. T.J. Brown - The Real Thing
8. Alison Crockett - Like Rain
9. Valencia Robinson - Everlasting
10. Joy Jones - Beautiful
11. Wayna - Slums of Paradise
12. Julie Dexter - Ketch a Vibe
13. Tamara Wellons - Gruve Song
14. Gabbie McGee - Sunshine and Colors
15. Leela James - Rain
Friday Freestyle: Sweet Soul
Friday, December 09, 2005Take a theme "sweet." Add songs with words in the title that apply and you have the latest Friday Freestyle. Some sweet soul for all you sweet souls out there. I started with my favorite song from Lauryn "The Sweetest Thing" and ended with the amazing Ledisi remaking "Brown Sugar" only the way she could.
I included the Dwele track for Cia, Lkyldy and anyone else who went to his concert last night in North Carolina. I know it was sweet, lol.
1. Lauryn Hill - The Sweetest Thing
2. Zap Mama - Sweet Melody
3. Kelis - Sugar Honey Iced Tea
4. Anthony David - GA Peach
5. Faith Evans/Mos Def - Brown Sugar (Extra Sweet)
6. Sade - The Sweetest Taboo
7. Sy Smith - Honeychild
8. Brad Young - So Sweet
9. Jill Scott - Honey Molasses
10. Dwele - Sugar Sweetums
11. Geno Young - HoneyDew
12. Jarrard Anthony - Candy
13. Anthony Hamilton - Icing On The Cake
14. D'Angelo - Brown Sugar
15. Ledisi - Sugar/Brown Sugar
Friday Freestyle: MySpace Music
Friday, December 02, 2005Since joining myspace I've come across some really amazing artists. Some I was familiar with and some that I discovered there. This Friday Freestyle showcases some of that wonderful talent. It's so easy to get caught up for hours just going from page to page. Myspacers I know you feel me, lol. Thanks Tom (the founder of myspace).
I started with our favorite, the super talented Darien Brockington's "Beautiful" because frankly I just can't play this song enough and he's such a sweetheart. The producer of the song, my homie Tru Ski is also on myspace. FYI, my interview with Darien is being re-broadcast on projectVIBE radio today (Friday) at 4pm CST. We're going a bit global on this radio blog with tunes from Chicago's Ramel, Pittsburgh's Hutch Simon Project, DC's Bilal Salaam, Lagos' Siji, the UK's Natalie Williams and a few points in between. I've included links to all their myspace pages below. Support good music.
1. Darien Brockington - Beautiful
2. J*Davey - No More
3. Hutch Simon Project - You Love (Remix)
4. Bilal Salaam - Blah
5. Siji - Feel's Like
6. Natalie Williams - Butterfly
7. D-Nell - Lace
8. Ramel - Back In The Day
9. Crystal Night - What I Feel
10. The Rebirth - Mark Of His Ways
11. Rhian Ayanna - Ivory Moon
12. Positive Flow Ft Donna Gardier - The City Streets
Artist Spotlight: Me'Shell Ndegeocello
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
[Listen to Me'Shell Ndegeocello]
I've put together twenty-five of my favorite songs from singer/bassist Me'Shell Ndegeocello. She is one of my favorite artists not only because of her outstanding musicianship and her genre defying, skillful blend of funk, jazz and r&b but also because she challenges everything that is supposed to be mainstream with her music and her personal style. Since her 1993 debut album Plantation Lullabies until today she continues to be innovative, unique and of course soulful. I didn't include any tracks from her latest CD Dance of The Infidel only because I wanted to concentrate more on her vocal performances. She is more a bandleader on that project. It is superb however and one you should have in your collection.
bio from allmusic.com
Although Me'Shell NdegeOcello scored a few hits early in her career, the singer/bassist opted to concentrate subsequently on more challenging material by exploring the politics of race and sex, among other topics. Born Mary Johnson in 1969 and spending the first few years of her life in Germany (her father was both a military man and a jazz saxophonist), NdegeOcello and her family relocated to Virginia in the early '70s as the youngster developed an interest in music....read more...
1. Marcus Miller & Meshell NdegeOcello - Rush Over
2. Meshell NdegeOcello - Soul Searchin' (I Wanna Know If It's Mine)
3. Meshell Ndegeocello - Love Song 1
4. Meshell Ndegeocello - Dred Loc
5. Meshell Ndegeocello - If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)
6. Meshell Ndegeocello - Who Is He (And What Is He to You)?
7. Meshell Ndegeocello - Pocketbook
8. Meshell Ndegeocello - Wasted Time
9. Meshell Ndegeocello - Beautiful
10. Meshell Ndegeocello - Mary Magdalene
11. Meshell Ndegeocello - Trust
12. Meshell Ndegeocello - Andromeda and The Milky Way
13. Meshell Ndegeocello - Fellowship
14. Meshell Ndegeocello - Fool of Me
15. Meshell Ndegeocello - Bitter
16. Meshell Ndegeocello - Outside Your Door
17. Meshell Ndegeocello - Stay
18. Meshell Ndegeocello - Call Me
19. Meshell Ndegeocello - I'm Diggin' You (Like an Old Soul Record)
20. Meshell Ndegeocello - Step into the Projects
21. Chaka Khan & Meshell Ndegeocello - Never Miss The Water
22. Meshell Ndegeocello ft Rahzel & Branford Marsalis - Steal My Soul
23. Meshell Ndegeocello - Soul on Ice
24. Meshell Ndegeocello - Dead nigga blvd. part 1
25. Meshell Ndegeocello - Make Me Wanna Holler
*adult language
sweetened by Honey at 06:00 PM |Friday Freestyle: Chill Hop
Friday, November 11, 2005This week's Friday Freestyle is about embracing my inner DJ. That part of me that just wants to mix together whatever is moving me at the moment and try to convey that vibe to others. I started with my favorite song, the Zero7 remix of Mos Def's "Umi Says" and went from there. You'll find some downtempo, some hip hop, and there's even an instrumental. I call this the Chill Hop Mix. I'd like to thank Jonz for the song suggestions, Todd for introducing me to Locsmif, and EJ for the Sandboy. I'm trying something a little different with the radio blog and mixed all the songs together into one file. There is also a limited time download available.
*edit
Make sure you check out Floetry's live performance of five songs and a behind the scenes interview here.
Chill Hop Mix
Mos Def - Umi Says (Zero7 Remix)
Billie Holiday - Don't Explain (dZihan & Kamien Remix)
The Pharcyde - Runnin' (Rae And Christian Remix)
Slum Village - Tell Me (ft. D'Angelo)
A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxation
Outkast ft Cee-lo - In Due Time (Locsmif Mix)
The Herbaliser - New and Improved (ft. What What aka Jean Grae)
Syzmanski - Contentment In Humidity
Soulive - Arruga de Agua (Remix)
United Soul - Soul Clap Remix (ft. DP, Jean Grae, Phonte)
Sweetback - Au Natural (ft. Bahamadia)
Sandboy - Common Cause (ft. Clara Hill)
*mature language
sweetened by Honey at 05:00 AM |Friday Freestyle
Friday, November 04, 2005This week's radio blog features Scar and Cee-Lo from the upcoming Got Purp, Vol. 2 (thanks Bo). I finally picked up Lisa Shaw's latest. My empty pockets would like to thank the tag team of Butta (for telling me about it) and EJ (for playing it). Can I borrow a dollar? Also featured is one of my favorite people, my giggle twin Gaelle and one of my favorite songs from Zhane (Can we get another album ladies?)
1. Fatima Lowe - Free
2. Avila Brothers ft Shelea - Let It Go
3. Scar ft. Cee-Lo - What Is This?
4. Yahzarah - Urgency
5. Sandra St. Victor ft. Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd, ?uestlove - Dizzy
6. Jazzanova ft. Vikter Duplaix - Wasted Time
7. Gaelle - Repetition
8. Lisa Shaw - The Last Time
9. Ledisi - Free Again
10. Deborah Bond - Giving Up
11. Antoinique - Blackwater
12. Zhane - Sending My Love
Friday Freestyle + Stimulated Download
Friday, October 28, 2005This week's Friday Freestyle features Ellis Hall aka E-3 who is the son of Tower of Power singer Ellis Hall, Jr. (thanks to o.s.u.m for the contact), Steve Spacek's blazing song "Dollar" superbly produced by Jay Dilla, and Yewande (pronounced E-wan-day) whose powerful voice delivers some alternative soul. She's one to watch.
In my blog quest to play every song Dwele has ever made, I have included yet another song from the Detroit crooner. Yall know how I am about him, LOL. He really puts his signature on this remake of Spacek's song. Esthero, Kim Hill and Frank McComb, it just keeps getting better.
1. Ellis Hall (E-3) - Last Resort
2. Steve Spacek - Dollar (Produced by Jay Dilla)
3. Yewande - Satisfied
4. Abenaa - Abenaa - Rain
5. Dwele - Eve
6. Esthero - I Drive Alone
7. Cee Cee Michaela - So Much Luv
8. Jack Herrera - Say the Word
9. Kim Hill - Open Wide
10. V - Confusion
11. Monet - U Told Me
12. Frank McComb - Shine
The Stimulated Mix is available for download for a limited time.
Download
1. Aaliyah - Rock the Boat (Stimulated Remix)
2. Beyonce - Speechless
3. Martin Luther - Truth or Dare
4. Meshell Ndegeocello - Trust
5. Joi - Lick
6. Kelis - Freak Me Slow
7. Janet Jackson - Moist
8. Jon B. - Before It's Gone
9. Maxwell - Sumthin Sumthin (Mellowsmoothe Remix)
10. Tweet - Taxi
11. Chico Debarge - Virgin
12. Peven Everett - I Wanna Make Love
13. Malik Yusef ft. Chantay - Auto-Eroticism
14. Novel - Peach
15. Prince - International Lover
*adult language
total time: 1:08:49
size: 63MB
Friday Freestyle
Friday, October 21, 2005I hope this week's Friday Freestyle stimulates you. It's meant to be sensual and pleasing to your ears. Of course there is no better way to start it off than with one of the hottest remixes I've heard in a long time, Aaliyah's "Rock The Boat" remixed by Kwame. I really enjoy his work so I think you'll be hearing more of his remixes here in the future. If you haven't picked up Martin Luther's Rebel Soul Music, his track "Truth or Dare" is just one more reason you need to add it to your collection. I ended with a classic from the "International Lover" himself, Prince. This is an adults only mix so you may want to get out the headphones if you're listening from work.
Enjoy the music, listen to the lyrics and get stimulated.
*adult language
1. Aaliyah - Rock the Boat (Stimulated Remix)
2. Beyonce - Speechless
3. Martin Luther - Truth or Dare
4. Meshell Ndegeocello - Trust
5. Joi - Lick
6. Kelis - Freak Me Slow
7. Janet Jackson - Moist
8. Jon B. - Before It's Gone
9. Maxwell - Sumthin Sumthin (Mellowsmoothe Remix)
10. Tweet - Taxi
11. Chico Debarge - Virgin
12. Peven Everett - I Wanna Make Love
13. Malik Yusef ft. Chantay - Auto-Eroticism
14. Novel - Peach
15. Prince - International Lover
Friday Freestyle + Duets Download
Friday, October 14, 2005I was in a pretty mellow mood so I was going for smooth tracks this week. I started off with Jonz whose sound has been described as "tripped out smoothness." Want to find out just how smooth he is? Check him out next week on Soul 2 Soul. Add to that songs from Omar, Crystal Night, Darien Brockington and Dwele's "Slide Out" and you just may slide right off your chair from the smoothness.
1. Jonz - Jonz Intro/Situation 1
2. Mint Condition - Fallin' Apart
3. Azur ft. D'Angelo - Love Is So Cold
4. Dwele - Slide Out
5. Luvpark ft Bilal - Fade Away
6. Brigette - Starlite Lounge
7. Ola Onabule - Soul Town
8. Crystal Night - You Inspire
9. Stephen Simmonds - I Hope U Do
10. Emel - Thinking About You
11. Darien Brockington - Dedication
12. Randevyn - Supanatural
13. Nuwamba - Take Me Away
14. Omar - I'm in Love
good news/bad news
The good news is that I made the Duets radio blog downloadable. The bad news is that when I put together the radio blogs, I don't take the total time of the playlist into account. I just put the songs together the way they feel to me. It's 87 minutes long which means it won't fit on a standard 80 minute audio CD. So you can play in your mp3 player or on your computer but it's too long to burn, well unless you make a mp3 CD. I'm sure you'll make good use of it. Download it here.
Duets radio.blog
1. Rachelle Ferrell and Russ Barnes - Reflections of My Heart
2. Rhonda Thomas and Alex Lattimore - The Matrimony
3. Conya Doss and Zero - Heaven
4. Tanya and Stanley M. Cooke, III - Over and Over
5. Jill Scott and Eric Roberson - One Time
6. Julie Dexter and Michael Johnson - Show Me Now
7. Nicci Gilbert and Dave Hollister - She'll Never
8. Kindred The Family Soul - Where Would I Be (The Question)
9. Lauryn Hill and D'Angelo - Nothing Even Matters
10. Lina and Anthony Hamilton - Around The World
11. Syleena Johnson and Anthony Hamilton - More
12. Clara Hill and Joe Dukie - Flawless Part 2
13. Ivana Santilli and Wade O. Brown - Can We
14. Conya Doss and Myron - The Wind
15. Tonia Woods and Jarrard Anthony - Will You Do It (You Make Me High)
16. Paige Lackey Martin (Sirius B Project) and Donnie - Always Remember
17. N'Dambi and Madukwu Chinwah - Rain
18. Emerald Jade and Craig Monroe - Delirious
19. Queen Latifah and Al Green - Simply Beautiful
20. Rachelle Ferrell and Will Downing - Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This
New Soul Duets Radio Blog
Friday, October 07, 2005I can't really call this a Friday Freestyle since there is a theme. This week's radio.blog was inspired by a comment from my girl Jen concerning Rachelle Ferrell and the duet with her little brother Russ Barnes. Soon after, we had a preview of Gerald Levert's duet CD. The radio blog Goddess was obviously pointing me in a certain direction, lol.
There are classic duets by Marvin and Tammi (Ain't No Mountain High Enough) and Donny and Roberta (Closer I Get To You) but I wanted to take a different approach. I've only included lesser known duets from contemporary soul artists. With a few exceptions, these are duets that maybe you never heard or maybe you just missed. I'd like to thank Jen for sparking my music imagination.
1. Rachelle Ferrell and Russ Barnes - Reflections of My Heart
2. Rhonda Thomas and Alex Lattimore - The Matrimony
3. Conya Doss and Zero - Heaven
4. Tanya and Stanley M. Cooke, III - Over and Over
5. Jill Scott and Eric Roberson - One Time
6. Julie Dexter and Michael Johnson - Show Me Now
7. Nicci Gilbert and Dave Hollister - She'll Never
8. Kindred The Family Soul - Where Would I Be (The Question)
9. Lauryn Hill and D'Angelo - Nothing Even Matters
10. Lina and Anthony Hamilton - Around The World
11. Syleena Johnson and Anthony Hamilton - More
12. Clara Hill and Joe Dukie - Flawless Part 2
13. Ivana Santilli and Wade O. Brown - Can We
14. Conya Doss and Myron - The Wind
15. Tonia Woods and Jarrard Anthony - Will You Do It (You Make Me High)
16. Paige Lackey Martin (Sirius B Project) and Donnie - Always Remeber
17. N'Dambi and Madukwu Chinwah - Rain
18. Emerald Jade and Craig Monroe - Delirious
19. Queen Latifah and Al Green - Simply Beautiful
20. Rachelle Ferrell and Will Downing - Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This
Friday Freestyle + Bonus
Friday, September 30, 2005This week's Friday Freestyle is just the usual soul essentials. I started off with a track by Eric Roberson from a compilation called While U Wait, one of the best compilations I've heard this year. Eric also has an EP called the "Appetizer" available on his site. Will Downing (every woman needs a little Will Downing in her life) and Floetry are turning the heat way up with songs from their upcoming albums. The last track is from the living legend Stevie Wonder whose new album finally has a release date, Oct. 18.
1. Eric Roberson - I Dare U to Stay
2. Will Downing - Put Me On
3. Floetry - Imagination
4. Rahsaan Patterson - The Moment
5. Steve Spacek - Rapid Rate
6. J. Rawls ft. Aloe Blacc - Bailar
7. Kev Brown (feat. Chronkite, Eric Roberson & Wayna) - Hennessey Pt.2
8. Zo! ft. Little Brother - Shoomp Remix
9. Pete Rock ft. Leela James - No Tears
10. Kelli Sae - Daydreamin
11. The Brand New Heavies - Brother Sister (The Angel Remix)
12. Incognito - Don't Turn My Love Away
13. Naked Music NYC - Through Tryin'
14. Olu - Long Way
15. Stevie Wonder - Sweetest Somebody I Know
Bonus:
I've made my Katrina: Anger, Sadness, Hope radio blog downloadable for a limited time.
Before anyone asks, or emails...no I will not be making every radio blog downloadable. This was a little too time intensive for me to do every week.
..and of course remember that there are still people in need. Support organizations that help like the Red Cross.
sweetened by Honey at 05:00 AM |Sisters in Soul
Friday, September 16, 2005Men may come and go but there's no friend like a sista friend. I have a special sista friend named Lisa who is so much like me, we call each other twin and we practically finish each other's sentences. Even our birthdays are close, 3 days apart. Her birthday is September 17. Wish her a happy birthday. Lisa designed this site and is the head diva over at the official Mint Condition fan site (and between you and me she is the secret member of the group LOL). Yeah, she bad! Ask Stokley, heh! I did a special radio blog in celebration of our birthdays.
All these songs are significant to us. Some for obvious reasons, others we would only understand because they're restricted to the secret sister code, never to be broken (until we sign the million dollar book deal, LOL). Here are a few of our favorite songs and of course I had to start it off with one of my favorite people.
Happy Birthday Sis, I Love You!
1. Dwele - Birthday Message/Sugar Sweetums
2. Mint Condition - The Never That You'll Never Know
3. Valencia Robinson - Black Sol Sista
4. India Arie - Strength, Courage, & Wisdom
5. Nas - Virgo
6. Tanya Chester - Girlfriend
7. Mos Def - Umi Says (Zero 7 Remix)
8. Mint Condition - If You Love Me
9. Dwele - Weekend Love
10. Floetry - Say Yes
11. Darien Brockington - Beautiful
12. Maxwell - This Womans Work
13. Bobby Caldwell - What You Won't Do For Love
14. Whitney Houston/Cece Winans - Count On Me
15. Stevie Wonder - Happy Birthday
Katrina: Anger, Sadness, Hope
Thursday, September 08, 2005
[Katrina: Anger, Sadness, Hope radio.blog]
If you enjoyed this mix (and even if you didn't), please donate your time and money to Katrina relief efforts.
Visit Red Cross, Black America Web, Network for Good or GuideStar to donate and volunteer.
If you live in the Houston area, get volunteer information here and donation information here and here.
adult language
1. Kanye West interlude (Public Enemy - Rebel Without A Pause)
2. Public Enemy - Fight The Power
3. Gil Scott-Heron - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
4. G.Bush/Charmaine Neville interlude (Stevie Wonder - Living for the City)
5. Stevie Wonder - You Haven't Done Nothin'
6. Mayor Nagin interlude (Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler))
7. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
8. Bob Marley - Exodus
9. Handsome Boy Modeling School - The World's Gone Mad (Ft Del The Funky Homosapien, Barrington Levy & Alex Kapranos)
10. Prince - Sign O' the Times
11. War - The World Is a Ghetto
12. Sade - Pearls
13. Urban Ave 31 ft Raheem Devaughn - Heaven Help Us All
14. William Devaughn - Be Thankful For What You Got
15. Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror
16. Bill Withers - Lean On Me
17. John Lennon - Imagine
18. Yolanda Adams - Open My Heart
19. Aretha Franklin - Amazing Grace
20. Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come
audio sources:
G.Bush via Crooks and Liars
Charmaine Neville via Trent
Kanye West via Bomani
Mayor Ray Nagin via Todd
Katrina Relief Benefit Calendar
At CD Baby, musicians have donated their entire wholesale price to the American Red Cross disaster relief fund. List of artists.
If you live in the Atlanta area, there is a benefit @ Apache Cafe tonight (Sept. 8) from 7pm - 3am featuring Urban Soul, Algebra, Dres da beatnik, Jiva, Phillipia, Anthony David, Julie Dexter & many more. All proceeds go to help those displaced and in need. Artists that want to help please email image@mindspring.com. Telephone 404-876-5436.
Also in ATL, there is a Gathering of Artists Humanitarian Action on Sept. 9, 4.30-6.30pm and 7-10pm at the Southwest Arts Center. Telephone 404-505-3220
thank you Julie for the ATL info
If you live in the Los Angeles area, Magic Johnson Foundation is having a "Hurricane Katrina Relief Drive" this Sunday, Sept. 11th from 12pm-6pm @ the Magic Johnson Theatres in Baldwin Hills. Volunteer phone (310) 247-2033
thank you Lisa for the LA info
African American Relief Efforts and Black Folks Speak Out!
thank you lhenry
Friday Freestyle
Friday, September 02, 2005A little downtempo (Clara Hill), a little broken beat (4 Hero). Add a DJ (DJ Spinna) plus some producers (Red Astaire, Bugz). Factor in some male vocalists (Dwele, Dwight Trible) and some female vocalists (Leela James, Vinia Mojica, Nina Provencal). Add some UK Soul (Silhouette Brown, Down To The Bone), and some French/African soul (Les Nubians). All equals another Friday Freestyle.
1. DJ Spinna ft. Vinia Mojica - Idols
2. Swamp82 ft Nina Provencal - Falling
3. Red Astaire - Follow Me
4. Dwele - Angel (Yam Who Broken Remix)
5. Dwight Trible - Otherworldly
6. Leela James - Music (Hoods Edit)
7. Clara Hill - That Easy
8. Silhouette Brown - Spread That
9. Les Nubians - Embrasee Moi (Deep Mix)
10. Down To The Bone - Angel Baby (Daz-I-Kue Vox Mix)
11. 4 Hero - Hold It Down
12. Bugz In The Attic - Booty La La
Friday Freestyle - For EJ
Friday, August 26, 2005After encountering some technical difficulties, I am able to post again, thanks entirely to EJ. He fixed the problem. His help and kindness really made me feel good so I'd like to dedicate this week's Friday Freestyle to him. Thank you EJ!
This week's playlist is also about feeling good. I've included tracks that get your head nodding. Jah_Luv noticed that Rahsaan Patterson sounds like Raphael Saadiq. I agree, plus sometimes I think he sounds a little like Stokley from Mint Condition and even Chaka Khan. He's got an amazing voice. Also from the the amazing voice crew included this week are the jazzy vocals of Ledisi, Queen Aaminah and Karen Bernod. American Idol finalist LaToya London says she'll do "Anything", a song that I'm pretty sure we would have never heard on AI. Watch for her debut in September.
1. Rahsaan Patterson - The One For Me
2. NYR - Ride With U
3. Ledisi - I've Got It
4. Queen Aaminah - Keepin' it Real
5. Deborah Bond - See You in My Dreams
6. LaToya London - Anything
7. Lynden David Hall - Dont Hide Your Heart
8. Jazzyfatnastees - Hear Me
9. Karen Bernod - Chillin' On The DL
10. Sol Edler - Crush
11. Antoinique - Fell In Love
12. Geno Young - HoneyDew
Happy Birthday to Bomani! Go wish him well.
More thanks...
..to Todd for the use of some of his artist spotlight radio blogs (added to the radio blog section.)
..to Doug for informing me about my international press, LOL
..to the highly in demand Lis for the Soul 2 Soul graphics
..to Cheryl & Simone for the music
sweetened by Honey at 09:55 PM |Friday Freestyle
Friday, August 19, 2005There's a soap opera going on in this week's Friday Freestyle radio blog. On this week's edition of The Young & The Soulful...Trina Broussard tells us about the lies. Syleena and Angela Johnson are tired of the deception. Mint Condition, Peven Everett and Musiq want to know what's really going on. Lina, Mysti Day and Frank McComb have had enough. Angie Stone & Valencia Robinson try to come to a resolution. Finally, Jamie Jones offers a solution and a happy ending.
I'll be talking to at least 3 of the artists in the playlist on upcoming editions of Soul 2 Soul. Who will it be? Stay tuned. See, I told you it was like a soap opera, lol.
1. Trina Broussard - Lies
2. Syleena Johnson - Everybody Wants Something
3. Angela Johnson - Tell Me
4. Mint Condition - What Happened
5. Lina - Leaving You
6. Peven Everett - Testin Me
7. Musiq Soulchild - Halfcrazy
8. Frank McComb - Better Off Without You
9. Mysti Day - You Gotta Go
10. Angie Stone - Different Directions
11. Valencia Robinson - Bye Bye Angel
12. Jamie Jones - Higher Love
Friday Freestyle
Friday, August 12, 2005I was really in my zone when putting together this radio blog. This is the type of music I listen to most often...smooth soul. Although I didn't intend it, I noticed that alot of the artists have something in common. Most were background singers or members of a group before going solo.
There is an ex back-up singer for Jill Scott who goes by the name of V, and ex-Brownstone member, Nicci Gilbert. Also there is a background singer for Little Brother and Foreign Exchange, Darien Brockington and Martin Luther who has performed with the Roots. Alison Crockett, Leena Conquest, and Julie Dexter started as band vocalists before going solo.
Coincidentally, those last three ladies have taught music in the past or teach now. Rachelle Ferrell also taught music but I know you can't teach anyone to hit that high note the way she does on the track with her six octave range. Wow, that's amazing. Ok, that's enough trivia, let's get to the music.
1. Leena Conquest - The Breeze (remix)
2. V. ft Jill Scott - Born Again
3. Jill Scott - Free (Prelude)
4. Darien Brockington ft. Trevor Peterson - Seduction
5. Nicci Gilbert - Summer
6. Martin Luther - Lust
7. Eric Benet - Femininity
8. Alison Crockett - Like Rain
9. Julie Dexter - Ketch A Vibe
10. India.Arie - Brown Skin
11. Rachelle Ferrell - Run to Me
12. Wayman Tisdale - When I Opened Up My Eyes
13. Harmone - Come Talk To Me
14. Siji - Sanctuary (Fuji Soul Mix)
15. Esthero - Dragonfly's Outro
Friday Freestyle
Friday, August 05, 2005All hip hop this week on Friday Freestyle. A few of these snuck up on me. You know how you hear something but don't pay much attention to it until you hear it again. Slum Village's It'z Your World from their latest Prequel to a Classic was like that. OhSoKool played it on his radio show and I thought, ok, I'm feeling that now. Young Jeezy ft Jay-Z's Go Crazy (remix) was another. My nephew sent it to me this morning and it was the perfect fit. Mainly this week's radio.blog is all about the beat.
*explicit language
1. The Roots - Don't Say Nuthin' remix
2. Slum Village - It'z Your World (feat. J. Isaac & Kurupt)
3. Young Jeezy ft. Jay-Z - Go Crazy (Remix)
4. Blackstar - Bright as The Stars (Dirty)
5. Symbolyc One - Callin'
6. Andreus - Ghetto Music
7. Living Legends ft. Nara - Good Fun
8. Pitch Black - It's All Real
9. The Away Team - On The Line Ft. Joe Scudda, Chaundon & Rapper Big Pooh
10. Foreign Exchange - Raw Life
11. DJ Cam ft. Afu Ra - Voodoo Child
12. The Herbaliser - It Ain't Nuttin' (feat. MF Doom)
bits and pieces....
My Jaguar Wright interview was quoted by AOL Black Voice's Buzz Column (second paragraph from the bottom). That's kinda cool, although I wouldn't characterize what Jag said as "ranting". Thanks Bo for the heads up
Videos from Eric Benet and LaToya London have been added to the Video Soul section
and some goodies...
Little Brother's "Minstrel Show" Sampler (1 full song, 6 snippets) download
Jamie Foxx's Brady Brunch song. This is too funny. download
Thanks to Simone for sending this to me.
Friday Freestyle
Friday, July 29, 2005I guess I should call this radio blog the Friday Gumbo because I threw a little bit of everything in there. From Digable Planets to Gregory Isaacs to Frank McComb, this is what happens when you can't committ to one style, LOL.
1. Jill Scott ft Diamonique - Whatever (co-stars remix)
2. Digable Planets - Flyin High in the Brooklyn Sky
3. Goapele - Catch 22 remix
4. Sade - By Your Side (Neptunes Remix)
5. Gregory Isaacs - Night Nurse (Cottonbelly remix)
6. Meshell N'Degeocello - Fellowship
7. J-Live ft. Dwele - Coming Home
8. Foreign Exchange - Come Around
9. Guru and N'Dea Davenport - Trust Me
10. Julie Dexter - Like Ours
11. Kim Hill - Mars
12. Carmen Rodgers - Dream
13. Frank McComb - Shine
Prince: Hate 2 Adore, Pt. 2
Friday, July 22, 2005
We started off the week with Prince, so let's end it that way too. Here is Part 2 of "Hate 2 Adore." In case you missed it, part 1 was all about hurt & heartbreak. Part 2 is about love and sensuality. These are those saccharin sweet love songs with some seriously sexy ones sprinkled in.
This one was difficult for me to narrow down. Prince has love songs and then he has sex songs. Of course then there are love songs about sex...or are they sex songs about love? I started with my favorite Prince song of all time, "Adore" and ended with what any true Prince fan is when it comes to his music, "Insatiable."
I want to remind everyone that I am not responsible for any high pitched Prince imitations while in the work place nor any enhanced or prolonged amorous feelings that result in rushed trips home to your loved one. Please be responsible when listening. But if there are any babies born 9 months from now, if it's a boy, name him Prince. If it's a girl, name her Honey, LOL.
*adult language
Prince: Love & Adore radio.blog
Adore Playlist
1. Prince - Adore
2. Prince - The One
3. Prince - Damn U
4. Prince - Erotic City
5. Prince - She's Always in My Hair
6. Prince - Diamonds And Pearls
7. Prince - When 2 R In Love
8. Prince - The Most Beautiful Girl In The
9. Prince - Call My Name
10. Prince - Dreamin' About U
11. Prince - The Sun, The Moon And Stars
12. Prince - The Greatest Romance Ever Sold
13. Prince - 7
14. Prince - Love 2 the 9's
15. Prince - Kiss
16. Prince - I Wanna Be Your Lover
17. Prince - Take Me With U
18. Prince - I Would Die 4U
19. Prince - She Loves Me 4 Me
20. Prince - Soul Sanctuary
21. Prince - Extraordinary
22. Prince - Do Me Baby
23. Prince - Slow Love
24. Prince - Scandalous
25. Prince - Insatiable
Prince: Hate 2 Adore, Pt. 1
Monday, July 18, 2005
I have been contemplating doing a Prince radio.blog for quite some time but it was an overwhelming undertaking. The sheer number of songs from this musical genius is just staggering and thoughts of narrowing it down sent me into a purple-hazed anxiety attack.
At first I thought I would break Prince's songs down into certain time periods like 1976-1984 but after further thought, grouping them into categories seemed to work well. You know I have this thing about themes, so "love & hate" felt right. Besides the love songs coming up fairly soon, at some future date there could be the sex songs, the party songs, the spiritual songs...oh the possibilities.
I originally only planned to do the love songs but after mentioning this to Bo, he suggested the heartbreak songs as well. He's right, what's love without some heartbreak, especially the way Prince tells a story. I'm presenting the "I Hate U" playlist first. As soon as I'm able to narrow down the love songs to something manageable that wouldn't require you to map out a few days to listen to, I'll present the "Adore" playlist. While I love Prince's more popular songs, I have included a few tracks that have received little or no radio airplay but are just as funky as his major hits.
*adult language
Prince: Hate & Heartache radio.blog
I Hate U Playlist
1. Prince - I Hate U
2. Prince - When Doves Cry
3. Prince - 17 Days
4. Prince - Thieves In The Temple
5. Prince - Don't Play Me
6. Prince - So Dark
7. New Power Generation - Wasted Kisses
8. Prince - One Of Your Tears
9. Prince - How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore
10. Prince ft. Rosie Gaines - Nothing Compares 2 U
11. Prince - The Beautiful Ones
12. Prince - Why U Wanna Treat Me So Bad
13. Prince - Still Waiting
14. Prince - Gotta Broken Heart Again
15. Prince - When You Were Mine
16. Prince - Strange Relationship
17. Prince - If I Was Your Girlfriend
18. Prince - Anotherloverholenyohead
19. Prince - Another Lonely Christmas
20. Prince - Purple Rain
Summer Sundown
Monday, July 11, 2005
Afternoon Dreams 2 by Consuelo Gamboa
This is a jazzy, soulful radio.blog inspired by those relaxing summer days...and nights. It's very laid back, if possible recline before your listen, LOL. (Thanks Lis for the name)
1. Luvpark ft Bilal - Fade Away
2. Norman Brown ft. Vesta - Rain (remix)
3. Regina Belle - Lazy Afternoon
4. D'Angelo - Cruisin (Wet Remix)
5. Boney James ft. Dwele - Break of Dawn
6. Isley Brothers ft. Onda and Esthero - Summer Breeze
7. Carl Thomas - Summer Rain
8. Kem - I Can't Stop Loving You
9. Sade - Kiss Of Life
10. Deniece Williams - Free
11. Pete Belasco - I'll Come To You
12. Jamiroquai - Morning Glory
13. Chic - A Warm Summer Night
14. Smokey Robinson - Quiet Storm
Friday Freestyle: Slow Grooves
Friday, July 08, 2005I'm slowing it down this week. I've compiled the songs from CD's I've been playing to death this week. Raheem Devaughn's
1. Raheem Devaughn - You
2. Peven Everett - Everyday Girl
3. Conya Doss - Stay
4. Davina - Come Over To My Place
5. Nuwamba - Forever
6. Laurnea - Wrong
7. Dave Hollister - On The Side
8. Hil St. Soul - Pieces
9. Van Hunt - Down Here in Hell (With You)
10. Rhonda Thomas - Breathe New Life
11. Julie Dexter - Choices
12. Geno Young - Let's Lay Down
13. D-Nell - Different Day
14. Natasha Bedingfield - I Bruise Easily
15. Frank McComb - Never Letting Go
Friday Freestyle: Hip Hop/Soul
Friday, July 01, 2005This week's Friday Freestyle has some hip hop, some soul and some hip hop and soul artist collaborations. These are some of my favorite artists with some of my favorite songs (yeah I know I always say that, lol).
I featured two songs from the outspoken and hugely talented Kim Hill. Her song "Right Now" features Common and is from her forthcoming album titled "Pharaoh's Daughter." The other track called "The Real Hip Hop" is from her 2003 self-released album, "Suga Hill." The song is about some "Monkey Business" with a certain hip hop group who may be asking "Where Is The Love?". But they should have known not to "Phunk With Her Heart." Did I mention she was a member of the Black Eyed Peas in 1995 but was booted out when they uhhh...took another direction. Listen closely to the song. Not that I'm one to gossip, LOL.
Another singer you should be checking for is Kendra, Parliament's lead vocalist. Her song "This World" is from her album myriadmorphonicbiocorpomelodicrealityshapeshifter. Now that's a mouthful. I hope I gave you an earful with this mix.
Have a happy and safe 4th of July.
*adult language
1. Method Man and Mary J. Blige - All I Need (Razor Sharp Remix)
2. Adriana Evans ft. Dred Scott - Check The Vibe
3. Kim Hill ft. Common - Right Now
4. D-Nell - Weigh it Up
5. Guru ft. Isaac Hayes - Night Vision
6. Will.I.Am ft. Terry Dexter - Lay Me Down
7. Kim Hill - The Real Hip Hop
8. DJ Jazzy Jeff ft. Raheem, Erro & Vee - For Da Love Of Da Game (DJ Jazzy Jeff Remix)
9. Kendra - This World
10. Musiq ft. Aaries - Caught Up
11. Lina - I Am
12. Cee-Lo Green - I Am Selling Soul
13. Leela James - Long Time Coming
14. Martin Luther - Rise
15. Omar ft. Angie Stone - Be Thankful (Blaze Mix)
Old "High" School
Sunday, June 26, 2005I was listening to Curtis Mayfield's classic Superfly this weekend and I thought about how many songs back in the day had d.rug references. Sounded like a radio blog to me. In all fairness some of these songs are referring to a love "high" but it's still a reference to being high. I've only included old school R&B songs before 1990 and it's not at all about glorifying d.rug use. Some of the songs included are decidely anti-d.rug.
Noticeably absent are the kings of psychedelic funk Parliament/Funkadelic. While George Clinton admits that a lot of the songs were d.rug influenced, I didn't have any in my record collection that dealt with it throughout the entire song. "Sir Nose" does contain the lines "Baa baa black sheep, Have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir. A nickel bag full" but that's the only reference in the song. There is also "Super Stupid" about an addict who accidentally buys the wrong d.rug on the Maggot Brain album, and the title track as well, but those were mainly instrumental tracks. I may in fact have some songs that would fit here but Parliaments lyrics are so obscure I have no idea what they are really talking about.
To bad I didnt think of this radio blog on April 20, heh! Turn this one up..dare I say..high.
oh yeah...
disclaimer: I in no way endorse the use or abuse of any illegal substance.
Old "High" School radio.blog
*adult language and content
1. Faze O - Riding High
2. Laidback - White Horse
3. George McRae - I Get Lifted
4. Curtis Mayfield - Pusherman
5. Curtis Mayfield - Freddie's Dead
6. Rick James - Mary Jane
7. Stevie Wonder - Too High
8. Marvin Gaye - Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky). Marvin sang candidly about his addiction on this song from his classic album What's Going On. I included this one based partly on a convo I had with Jaguar Wright (oops, sorry, lemme pick that name up, LOL...but that is why I included it, besides it being a great song)
9. Bootsy Collins - Munchies For Your Love. The funk has never been so sweet. He's hooked on his chocolate star...uhhh baby baaba.
10. Freda Payne - I Get High (On Your Memory). From 1965, this has been sampled recently by Styles P.
11. Sly & The Family Stone - I Want to Take You Higher
12. The Temptations - Cloud Nine
13. Musical Youth - Pass The Dutchie. A little disturbing when being sang by a bunch of kids. This song was based on The Mighty Diamonds "Pass the Kouchie." Apparently Kouchie is a Jamaican term for a pipe full of mari.juana. A dutchie is a cooking pot, so noone realized that the song had d.rug origins until later.
14. Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel - White Lines (Don't Do It)
15. James Brown - King He.roin
sweetened by Honey at 01:20 PM |Friday Freestyle
Friday, June 24, 2005I started to call this week's Friday Freestyle "Naked Ladies in the House." But before your mind goes "there", let me explain, lol. I included the ladies of Naked Music like Aya, Gaelle, and Lisa Shaw whose music has sort of a downtempo, deep house feel. Cute title, but then I decided to include others in the mix like Vivian Green, Nina Simone, Esthero and Marc De Clive Lowe and it morphed into something else. So here it is, untitled (unless someone can think of a good name).
1. Vivian Green - Fanatic (P'Taah Future Soul Mix)
2. Nina Simone - Save Me (Vocal Mix)
3. Aya - Looking For the Sun
4. Nadirah Shakoor - Touched My Soul
5. Esthero - Beautiful Lie
6. Stephane Pompougnac - Lizzie's Ballroom
7. Marc de Clive Lowe - Quintessential
8. Alex Gopher - The Child
9. Big Muff - My Funny Valentine
10. Quintessence - Sparkle
11. Blue Six - Beautiful Tomorrow
12. Ultra Nate - Twisted
13. Gaelle - Rain
14. Lisa Shaw - If I could (Restless Soul Remix
15. The Rurals - Relax Your Soul
Live and Unplugged
Monday, June 20, 2005This is what was supposed to be my Friday Freestyle radio.blog. Better late than never. With summertime approaching and music festivals popping up everywhere I decided to go with live songs...well as live as you can get on a recorded track. Luckily I picked artists who sound really good live. There are a few I haven't had the privilege of hearing live. Eric Roberson for instance, but based on his track here, he sounds like he really puts on an entertaining show.
I started with my girl Lauryn Hill. I know she has been getting some bad press lately, but my Lauryn love is not that fickle. Of course, if I would have been there and paid to see her, I may have been a little disappointed too. Anyway, she sounds pretty good on the first track. It was from her performance in Sweden, I believe at the end of last year. Now that I'm looking at the tracklist, there are alot of folks on there that have tested my music faithfulness by going AWOL...D'Angelo, Maxwell, Bilal, Musiq, Sade, Donnie. They better get it together, I can't wait forever, LOL.
*adult language
1. Lauryn Hill - Soon As I Get Home (Live In Sweden)
2. Jay-Z ft Jaguar Wright - Ain't No Love (MTV Unplugged)
3. D'Angelo - Brown Sugar (Live In Sweden)
4. Floetry - Say Yes (Live in New Orleans)
5. Musiq - Just Friends (Live)
6. Eric Roberson - Couldn't Hear Me Over The Music (Live)
7. Jill Scott - Do You Remember (Live)
8. Bilal ft Mos Def - Reminisce (Live)
9. Sade - Cherish The Day (Live)
10. Erykah Badu ft Geno "Junebug" Young - Didnt Cha Know (Live)
11. Maxwell - Ascension Dont Ever Wonder (MTV Unplugged)
12. Meshell N'degeocello. - Love song #1 (Live in NYC)
13. Anthony Hamilton - Charlene (Live)
14. Donnie - Cloud 9 (Live In Atlanta)
15. John Legend ft J. Ivy - So High (Live In NYC)
In The Meantime....Midnight Soul
Friday, June 17, 2005
Happy Friday everyone! I am putting together a Friday Freestyle radio.blog but as usual time is an issue and real life is interfering with my blogging...the nerve, LOL. But I always have a backup.
In the meantime I thought I would share what I've had on heavy rotation this week. It's a compilation of songs called Midnight Soul. The description calls it "a lovingly seductive collection of contemporary soul music infused with a touch of house."
It's a two CD set of some of the best soul music I've heard in a minute. I've uploaded the first disc. It's dope yall! It features some great artists like Alison Crockett, Roy Ayers, Platinum Pied Pipers, Roy Davis Jr. and Crazy Penis. Yes, the name of the group is "Crazy Penis" and I actually have never heard of them before now but I just wanted to type that name, LOL. Hey, when else would I have the chance to legitimately type that name and just imagine all the jokes you could use with that one... [insert joke here].
If for some reason my Friday Freestyle turns into a Saturday Freestyle or a Monday Freestyle, I'll upload Disc 2 (although I personally think Disc 1 is better). See I always have a plan. It's available at Amazon today for only $14.99. That's a great price for two CD's so you might want to grab it before it goes back up to it's original price, $19.98.
edited 6:39pm, added disc 2
Midnight Soul - Disc 1
1. Roy Ayers ft. Erykah Badu - Everybody Loves The Sunshine
2. Alison Crockett - U R (Yam Who? Remix)
3. Unforscene - Don't You Worry
4. Faze Action - We Don't Know How (Fink Remix)
5. Greyboy - Genevieve
6. Platinum Pied Pipers ft. Tiombe Lockhart - I Got You
7. Crazy Penis - 3 Play It Cool
8. Roy Davis Jr - Slow It Down (For The Steppers)
9. Yam Who? - Star of the Story
10. Fat Freddy's Drop - Bluey
11. Kaskade - Let You Go
Midnight Soul - Disc 2
12. Peter Malick ft. Norah Jones - New York City (DJ Strobe Brooklyn Vibe Mix)
13. Boca 45 ft McKay - In The City
14. Mark Rae - Reach Out For Me
15. Alice Russell ft. TM Juke - Hurry Home
16. Fertile Ground - Live In The Light
17. Lizz Fields - When I See Love (Ty & Drew Mix)
18. JT Donaldson - Trust Me
19. Only Child ft. Amp Fiddler - U Bring Me Vibes
20. Mark De Clive-Lowe ft. Capitol A - Travelling
21. Renaissance - Do It To It
22. Linn - Available (Rasmus Faber Mix)
Friday Freestyle
Friday, June 03, 2005This week's Friday Freestyle was based on one song, "Beautiful" by Darien Brockington. He's the guy who sings back up for Foreign Exchange and Little Brother. He's got a new solo project coming out sometime this year. The title is very fitting because it is just that...beautiful. I've played that song so much I hear it in my sleep. I've played it so much my husband and probably the whole neighborhood hears it in their sleep, lol. I tried to pick songs that would fit "beautifully" with Darien's. This radio.blog is definitely romantic and mellow. I happened to be thinking about my husband when I put these together. Our 16th anniversary is coming up in a few weeks. To put that in perspective...I spent my entire adult life (that's the entire 90's decade and half of this one) loving this man. Whew, that's a long time to spend with someone and when he's not driving me crazy, he's driving me crazy *wink wink* LOL
This radio.blog is a mixture of some new finds and some old favorites. Someone new I discovered is a singer named Alex Lattimore who sounds a little like Will Downing to me. He's part of a group called Transcendental Funk. I don't know much about them yet, but what I do know, I'm really feeling. He is featured on songs #2, 3, & 4. I also included some artists I have discussed with some folks who've reached out to me in email...Jack Herrara and D'Nell (#6 & #11). I have to thank them for putting some great music on my mind. Finally, I included Sheila E (#8) for my sis Lis..she knows why, LOL, and if we ever wrote a book of our convo's it would be hilarious. Now as Prince(#7) would say ..."lets get lost in the mellow.."
1. Darien Brockington - Beautiful
2. Rhonda Thomas ft. Alex Lattimore - The Matrimony. Rhonda is someone who should be on your radar. Fantastic singer.
3. Transcendental Funk - The Reason I Love
4. Transcendental Funk - Paradize
5. Les Nubians - Embrasse-Moi . Which means "kiss me" in French.
6. D'Nell - 20 20 (Main Mix)
7. Prince - Mellow.
8. Sheila E. - Hold Me
9. Jill Scott - The Way
10. Maxwell - Sumthin Sumthin (Mellowsmoothe Remix)
11. Jack Herrera - Be Free
12. Jon B. - Before It's Gone
13. Leon Ware - Rocking You Eternally. A great song from 1981
14. Michael Bohannon - Make Love Last Forever
15. Marvin Gaye - I Want You
Friday Freestyle
Friday, May 27, 2005I put together another Friday Freestyle radio.blog. I wanted to make it upbeat and throw some hip hop in there. I started with a soulful two minute interlude from Marc De Clive Lowe called "Heaven Part 2". It's actually the last song on that album but I thought it would make a great intro.
I threw in some new tracks from some old favorites like Camp Lo (remember Luchini aka This Is It). They're back with a new one called "Gotcha". Pharrell is doing his thing again, this time with Missy Elliott. Truth Hurts is still telling the truth. My favorite line from her song "I was ride or die, you was hide or lie", LOL.
I added some of my new favorite artists like Peven Everett, Big Pooh and The Avila Brothers. Backed that up with some old favorites like Mary J. Blige, De La and the Roots. Sprinkled in some of my favorite hip hop tracks and came up with a hip hop for grown folks radio.blog.
explicit language
1. Marc de Clive Lowe - Heaven Part 2
2. Camp Lo - Gotcha
3. Mary J. Blige - Never Been
4. Peven Everett - You Ain't Bout Nothin
5. Bosko ft Truth Hurts - No Regrets
6. Prefuse 73 - Now You're Leaving (Feat. Camu)
7. Four Tet Feat. Guilty Simpson - As Serious As Your Life (Jay Dee Remix)
8. The Roots - Pussy Galore
9. Jaylib - The Red
10. Common, Guru, Royce Da 5'9 & Chino XL - Enough Beef
11. Big Pooh - Between The Lines
12. Phonte - Too Late
12. Jean Grae - Dont Rush Me
14. Kenn Starr ft Asheru & Talib Kweli - If
15. Pitch Black - It's All Real
16. De La Soul - Copa (Cabanga)
17. Missy Elliott ft Pharrell - On & On
18. Avila Brothers - Tilt Ya Cups Feat. Sly Boogie
Artist Spotlight: Lauryn Hill
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Today is Lauryn Hill's 30th birthday and I wanted to pay tribute with 30 of my favorite songs from L-Boogie. Lauryn the quadruple threat, socially conscious rapper, brilliant songwriter, aspiring actress and a gifted singer seemed to be destined to become hip hop royalty from the first time we saw her as a member of the Fugees. Her classic album The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill only solidified her position as the queen of hip-hop. But it ain't easy being queen.
At the 1999 Grammy awards, she won five of her 11 nominations, including Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song, and Best R&B Album, the most ever at that time for a woman. Personally, I admired her strength, her intelligence, and her complexity. Her appeal was broad as she merged hip-hop with soul, R&B, reggae and pop. Her beautiful face stared to us from everywhere, from the covers of The Source to Harper's Bazaar to Time Magazine, and she made us proud. Then something happened.
Rumors continued to circulate about her deeply personal feud with former Fugee member Wyclef, she was sued over production credits of her album (and won), and her personal and legal relationship with the father of her children, Rohan Marley, seemed to be getting more media attention. At a time when she could have written her own ticket to media superstardom, she selectively turned down roles in Charlie's Angels, The Bourne Identity, The Matrix and Beloved. Her public appearances seemed to stop altogether. When she did re-appear, there were stories of her strange behavior. Anyone who witnessed her scattered, soul-searching and very personal performance on MTV's Unplugged in 2002 knew that there was something different about Ms. Hill. After that she seemed to disappear from the spotlight again until September 2004 when the three Fugees were reunited at Dave Chappelle's Block Party in Brooklyn, New York and a Tsunami Benefit in Malaysia in March of this year.
Plans are still in the works for a Fugee's reunion and Kanye West has signed on to produce her upcoming album. Lauryn is scheduled to perform in Atlanta at the Vibe Musicfest in June. Speaking as a fan, I anxiously await her return, I hope she has found that inner peace she always longed for and I'll support her as I always have because she has blessed me with some great music.
1. Lauryn Hill - The Sweetest Thing
2. Nas ft. Lauryn Hill - If I Ruled The World
3. Santana ft Lauryn Hill & Cee-Lo - Do You Like The Way
4. Lauryn Hill - To Zion
5. Lauryn Hill & D'Angelo - Nothing Even Matters
6. Bob Marley & Lauryn Hill - Turn Your Lights Down Low
7. Lauryn Hill - Ex-Factor
8. The Fugees - Ready Or Not
9. Lauryn Hill - Lost Ones
10. Lauryn Hill - Superstar
11. The Fugees - Vocab (Refugees Hip Hop Remix)
12. The Fugees - Fu-Gee-La
13. Wyclef ft. Lauryn Hill & Pras - Year of the Dragon
14. Lauryn Hill - Keep It Tight
15. Lauryn Hill - I Get Out
16. Lauryn Hill - Freedom Time
17. Mary J. Blige & Lauryn Hill - So Unusual Remix
18. Lauryn Hill ft. Mary J Blige - I Used To Love Him
19. Lauryn Hill - Tell Him
20. Kanye West ft. Lauryn Hill - All Falls Down
21. Lauryn Hill - When It Hurts So Bad
22. The Fugees - Killing Me Softly With His Song
23. Lauryn Hill - Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
24. Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop That Thing
25. Lauryn Hill - Everything Is Everything
26. Lauryn Hill - Every Ghetto Every City
27. Common ft. Lauryn Hill - Retrospect For Life
28. Lauryn Hill - Final Hour
29. Lauryn Hill - The Passion
30. Lauryn Hill & Tanya Blount - His Eye Is On The Sparrow
Friday The 13th Mix
Friday, May 13, 2005I admit it, I am a little superstitious. I try not to walk under ladders and I cross my fingers for luck. However some people take it very seriously. Have you ever wondered why Friday the 13th is considered such an unlucky day? Read more about it here.
Luckily I'm not so superstitious that I go hide under the bed until the 14th so I put together a radio.blog to fit the occasion. When else would I get the rare opportunity to do a Friday the 13th radio.blog? (OK, January 13, 2006 is on a Friday but that's a long time away, lol). Songs with words in the title like lucky, magic, karma, deja vu seemed to fit.
To start it off, I picked what probably could be the anthem for the day, "Superstitious" by Stevie Wonder. Today is also Stevie's 55th birthday. I wanted to include Teddy Pendergrass' song "Bad Luck" but I couldn't find it. But then again, that would have made the radio.blog 13 songs. Hmmmmm, maybe I'm more superstitious than I thought, lol. What are some of your superstitions or some really strange ones you've heard about?
1. Stevie Wonder - Superstition
2. Jill Scott - One Is The Magic #
3. Faith Evans - Lucky Day
4. Alicia Keys - Karma
5. Teena Marie - Deja Vu (I've Been Here Before)
6. Atlantic Starr - Touch A Four Leaf Clover
7. Alyson Williams - Just My Luck
8. Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly - Lady of Magic
9. Isley Brothers - How Lucky I Am Part 1 and 2
10. Joi - If I'm Lucky, I Just Might Get Picked Up
11. Janet Jackson - Black Cat
12. Santana - Black Magic Woman_Gipsy Queen
How Honey Got Her Soul Back
Monday, May 09, 2005This is what was going to be the Friday Freestyle last week but with a few modifications. Friday, I had some uptempo to midtempo songs that I was going to call "Lost In The Music" but after I actually lost the music, lol, that seems like bad luck to me. *throwing salt over my shoulder*
So instead, I started out with the midtempo songs to get the groove started, smoothed it down to a slow steady pace near the middle and then just pumped it back up near the end. Hmmm, what does that remind me of? Errr...uhhh anyway, I guess I'll call this one "ImSoHappyToGetMyMusicBackICouldntWaitToDoARadioBlog" OK, maybe that title is a lil' too long, lol. Here we go...
1. Cee-Lo - Basehead Jazz
2. DJ Mitsu ft. Dwele - Right Here
3. Jhelisa - Friendly Pressure
4. Adriana Evans - River (Honey For Oshun)
5. Satoshi Tomiie - Heaven [D-Influence Remix]
6. Platinum Pied Pipers - Fever (feat. Zeno)
7. K'Alyn - Knowing
8. Yahzarah - Urgency
9. N'Dambi - Deep
10. Loose Ends - You Can't Stop the Rain
11. Jamiroquai - Everyday
12. Marvin Gaye - Soon I'll Be Loving You Again
13. Bahamadia ft. Dwele - Philadelphia
14. Vikter Duplaix - Looking For Love (Critical Point 58th Street Mix)
15. Nuyorican Soul - Jazzy Jeff's Theme
16. Phillip Charles - Holy Sounds
Todd's Friday Meme
Friday, April 22, 2005Todd has hit us with another musical meme...
A) Post your Top 5 CD's of 2005 up to this point
B) Then, create a radio.blog (or just list) your Top 10 Songs of 2005
HERE ARE THE RULES:
For The Top 5 CD List:
1. All material must have been released in 2005 (Compilations do count as CD's)
2. Advance copies do count, as long as the official release is
scheduled for 2005
3. Small summary on why the CD's on your list, with the 2 or 3 standout songs.
4. They don't have to be in any particular order
For The Top 10 Song Radio.blog/List:
1. All song must have been officially released in 2005
2. No more than 2 songs from one artist allowed in top 10 singles.
[arby' and list]
3. The don't have to be in any particular order
Just like my musical tastes, my top 5 CD's run the spectrum ...from R&B, Jazz, Hip-hop, & Soul and includes albums from singers, rappers, producers, & musicians.
Me'shell N'degeocello - Dance of the Infidel
Me'shell my belle! She displays her jazz side here focusing on her bass playing and accompanied by insanely talented musicians like Michael Cain, Jack De Johnette, Kenny Garrett, Don Byron, Oliver Lake, and Oran Coltrane. Her super-band also includes Cassandra Wilson, Lalah Hathaway and Sabina Sciubba (Brazilian Girls) on vocals. Can you imagine hearing a band like that playing live? *chills* My favorites: Dance of the Infidel, The Chosen, Aquarium
Pete Rock - The Surviving Elements
This is an instrumental album with ole school flavor that proves why Pete Rock is one of the dopest producers in hip hop. Young wannabe producers should sit down, shutup, and take notes. This CD makes me wish I could rap. My favorites: You Remind Me, Hop Skip Jump, (Pimp) Strut
Julie Dexter - Conscious
You can listen to this album from beginning to end and never lose the beat. The whole flow and the vibe gets you caught up. My favorites: Choices, Rain Song
Common - Be
This is hip-hop for grown folks. Not mindless but mindful music with great production. Common returns with his clever flow and head noddin' beats. My favorites: Faithful, Love Is, Go
Mariah Carey - Emancipation of Mimi
Just like Common, Mariah has had some musical missteps but comes back strong with this one. She still has one of the best voices around. My favorites: Mine Again, Stay The Night, We Belong Together
I also have to add that it was a toss up between Mariah and Faith's "First Lady". So I included one of Faith's song in my top ten songs instead of Mariah's.
Here are my top ten songs of 2005 (so far) in no particular order.
1. You Remind Me - Pete Rock - A remix of the classic Al Green beat.
2. Diamonds - Kanye West - I hate that I love this, lol.
3. Mesmerized - Faith Evans - This has got on old soul sound that I just love. "Lucky Day" from that same album is another one of my favs.
4. Don't Hide Your Heart - David Lynden Hall - If you've been reading my comments lately then you know I'm on a UK music kick. This is some of the amazing stuff I'm discovering.
5. The Chosen - Me'shell N'dgeocello ft Cassandra Wilson - Her hypnotic voice combined with the smoothness of the music just washes over you and you are instantly mellow. "..come bare your soul to me.."
6. Rain Song - Julie Dexter - A siren song from a soul goddess
7. Faithful - Common ft John Legend & Bilal - I like the lyrics, the beat, the vocals. There is nothing that I don't like about this song.
8. Back In My Life - Kem - From his upcoming Album II. Definitely worth the wait.
9. Cab Ride - Tweet - Her vocals are so light and airy but's it a very seductive song and surprisingly fits very well with Bob James' "Theme From Taxi"
10. Purify Me - India Arie. This song makes me wanna run barefoot through a field of flowers in a sundress, LOL. I keep this one on repeat
Artist Spotlight: Esthero
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
from allmusic.com:
Vocalist Esthero was born Jen-Bea Englishman on December 23, 1978, in Ontario, Canada. She moved to Toronto in 1996, and quickly became a fixture at the city's open mikes. There she met Doc (real name: Martin McKinney), an engineer and producer, and the two began working on a demo featuring his programming and her vocals. Sony eventually took interest, and suddenly Esthero went from a fledgling idea to a duo with Esthero's name as their own and a record, Breath from Another...[read more]
I recall (barely) seeing Esthero on the Chris Rock Show in the fall of 1998, but I do remember thinking..."who is this red-headed chick?"
I didn't pay much attention to that appearance but a few years later I heard a friend playing "Heaven Sent" and thought..."that's kinda dope, who is that?" Ever since, I've been a fan of Esthero's smooth, breathy vocals, and her sometimes quirky, but deep lyrics. But it's her mellow, jazzy voice that wins me over on every song. Whether she's singing over trip hop tempos or hip hop beats, she's effortlessly sweet and sexy and recognizable in a way that should have brought her more prominence in today's sound-alike music market. Although somehow I don't think she would fit into conformity driven mainstream anyway. Their loss, our gain.
She has a knack for aligning herself with the right artists and has collaborated with everyone from Mos Def, Goodie Mob, Saul Williams and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. Her first full album since 1998's Breath From Another was scheduled to be released next week (April 26) but Amazon has it releasing on June 7. Wikked Lil' Grrrls will feature appearances by Shakari Nite, Cee-Lo Green, Jemeni, Jeleestone and Andre3000 of Outkast and her site says "Esthero creates a perfect world where samba meets soul and jazz unites with rock". She released an EP earlier this year. Here are 20 of my favorite Esthero songs.
1. The Isley Brothers ft. Onda & Esthero - Summer Breeze
2. Esthero - I Love You
3. Saul Williams ft Esthero - Tao Of Now
4. Esthero - Superheroes
5. Esthero ft. Cee-Lo Green - Gone
6. Goodie Mob and Esthero - World I Know (Country Livin Version)
7. Black Eyed Peas ft. Esthero - Weekends
8. Esthero - I Drive Alone
9. DJ Krush ft. Esthero- Final Home
10. Esthero - Heaven Sent
11. Esthero - Breath From Another
12. Esthero - Lounge
13. Esthero - That Girl
14. Esthero - We R In Need of a Musical Revolution
15. Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes ft. Esthero - The Universal Quest
16. Mos Def ft. Esthero - Summertime
17. Esthero - Original Bitch
18. Esthero and Danny Saber - Song for Holly
19. Esthero- Half a World Away
20. Esthero - Anywayz
Friday Freestyle
Friday, April 15, 2005Yes, I'm a radio.blogging fool this week but I do them as they come to me, so here's another one for you. My musical mood is a little different from last week and I have to thank N'Dambi for that. I was listening to her and got lost in the mellow...so much so that I included two songs from her. Although I didn't initially plan it this way, most of the artists I've included have remained under the radar as far as recognition and record sales. With the exception of Stevie Wonder and to a lesser extent Monica, you probably won't see very many of them on the Billboard charts or hear them on urban radio. They are all amazing singers, most are songwriters and some are musicians as well. No lack of talent here and if you are looking to find new, different and amazingly good material for your record collection, get as many of them as you can. I have links to most of their sites in my links section if you'd like to find out more about them.
Have a musically mellow weekend.
1. N'Dambi - Picture This
2. D'Nell - This Thing
3. Alison Crockett - Like Rain
4. Andrew Roachford - Take U High
5. Aya - Nobody Knows Me
6. Laurnea - Sun Don't Rain
7. Fertile Ground - Come 2 Me
8. Zhane - Off My Mind
9. Kindred ft Ursula Rucker - We
10. Stevie Wonder - Too High
11. Eric Roberson - Miles Away
12. Raheem Devaughn - Ask Me
13. Monica - Sick and Tired
14. Jesse Powell - Did You Cry
15. N'Dambi - Lonely Woman
16. Goapele - Closer
Bubblegum Heartbreak
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Do you remember your first heartbreak? No, I'm not talking about the one where you wanted to go upside their head with a blunt object or send a broadcast message to the world about how trifling they were. I'm talking about wayyyyyyy back when love was new and innocent. The thought of him/her made your heart flutter. You passed notes in class that read "Do you like me...yes or no?". The love you thought about every waking moment of the day. The same one that ultimately broke your innocent little heart. Everyone told you that it's just puppy love and you'll get over it but at the time it felt like your whole world came crashing down. This radio.blog is about that..the love and the loss told through songs from the 80's and 90's.
I remember my first love George. He was the cutest boy in school with deepest dimples you've ever seen. I remember when we went on our first date to the movies. Don't ask me what movie it was because I spent the whole time wishing..praying that he would just hold my hand. Then he did it, he made that move. He slowly put his arm around me and pulled me closer to him. I thought I was in heaven. Until his mother slapped his arm. She was sitting directly behind us in the movie theatre. Damn chaperones, LOL. George moved away later that summer. It was just across town but to me it may as well have been to Japan. It was over *sigh*. I cried for days and played Stacy Lattisaw's Love on a Two-Way Street ten thousand times in a row. My best friend's cousin Terrance came to town for summer vacation shortly after and then it was "George who"? Thank goodness for the resilient young heart.
Bubblegum Heartbreak radio.blog
1. Tracie Spencer - Tender Kisses
2. Stacy Lattisaw - Love on a Two-Way Street
3. Brighter Side of Darkness - Love Jones
4. Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam - All Cried Out
5. Rene and Angela - You Don't Have To Cry
6. Michael Jackson - She's Out Of My Life
7. Troop - All I Do Is Think Of You
8. New Edition - Is This the End
9. Foster Sylvers - Misdemeanor
10. Jackson 5 - Never Can Say Goodbye
11. Ready For The World - Love You Down
12. Ralph Tresvant - Sensitivity
Prince Covers
Monday, April 11, 2005
Is imitation the sincerest form of flattery? Although I am a true blue purple Prince fan, I don't get uptight when someone remakes one of his masterpieces...except when I think they suck. I suppose it's all subjective. I put together a radio.blog with 12 of MY favorite Prince covers. I may have committed the ultimate Prince fan no-no by acknowledging that some people aren't half bad re-doing his songs but sue me, I thought it would be fun to hear remakes of his songs and I bet there are 1 or 2 on the list that you haven't heard. (For the record, while I think these are all good, I don't think anyone comes close to touching Prince's original versions...well maybe Chaka's "I Feel For You")
For those who are wondering when I'll do a Prince radio.blog...I don't know. Thats such a hard thing to put together. What Prince do you choose...early prince, popular prince, obscure prince, emancipated prince, slow prince, funky prince, nasty prince, undercover prince (jamie starr, alexander nevermind, camille, etc)....you see my dilemma? But it may be coming soon.
A million and one thanks to Todd da Music God who went above and beyond in helping me find the #2, #4, & #12 songs after some people thought I was making these up, LOL. I owe him big time. Thanks Todd! Shoutout to Fave who asked an interesting question in past comments. If there were a biopic about Prince, who would play Prince? Answer that one in the comments for me please.
But before you do anything and since we're talking about imitation, watch one of my favorite Prince impersonations from the Chappelle Show (contains explicit language). It cracks me up everytime. So have a laugh and then have a listen.
1. Strange Relationship, W. Ellington Felton. - I guess you know me well, I don't like winter, but I seem to get a kick out of doing you cold. I love that line. I really like this remake.
2. She's Always In My Hair, D'Angelo. - This one's pretty funky
3. I Feel For You, Chaka Khan - She is so good doing this one, alot of people forget that Prince did it first.
4. Erotic City, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
5. Do Me Baby, Meli'sa Morgan
6. Shhh, Tevin Campbell - This one is a little tricky. Prince wrote the song that Tevin included on his 1993 album "I'm Ready" and then included it on his own "Gold Experience" album in 1995. I guess you could call it a pre-make?
7. The Beautiful Ones, Mariah Carey & Sisqo
8. If I Was Your Girlfriend, TLC
9. How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore, Stephanie Mills. I took an informal poll and this one won out over Alicia Key's version.
10. Diamonds and Pearls, Phil Perry & Everette Harp with Bob Belden
11. Nothing Compares 2 U, Sinead O'Connor
12. Purple Rain, Randy Crawford
sweetened by Honey at 02:30 PM |Friday Freestyle
Friday, April 08, 2005I had another radio.blog planned for this week but because I couldn't find some of the tracks I thought would fit it perfectly, I decided to just put it off until...whenever. But it's always good to have a back-up plan. I've really been vibing to some good music this week and thanks to some motivation from EJ, I put together a friday freestyle radio.blog. If I was feeling it, singing it, turning it up, repeating it or dancing to it this week, it's in here.
1. Peven Everett - They So Cold. I included a song from his Studio Confessions album on my last radio.blog but he is so good I'm sure he will be showing up alot in the future.
2. Cee-Lo - Closet Freak. Doesn't this song seem to fit him perfectly? lol
3. Jazmine Sullivan ft Missy Elliott and Timbaland - Backstabbers. Missy's 17 year-old protegee. If you watched Missy's "Road To Stardom" show, Jazmine was featured in the episode where the contestants had to come up with a video treatment for her.
4. Prince ft. Q-Tip - The Greatest Romance Ever Sold (Neptunes Extended Remix). Prince's song was already bumping but the Neptunes and Q-Tip really did it justice with the remix.
5. Platinum Pied Pipers ft Georgia - One More Minute
6. Q-Tip - Blue Girl
7. Res - Sittin' Back. Can we PLEASE get a new album from her, I'm feening.
8. 4Hero ft Jill Scott - Another Day. Jill can sing no wrong
9. Common ft D'Angelo - Geto Heaven, Pt. 2. Speaking of feening for an album...c'mon D!
10. Little Brother ft Pete Rock - Whatever You Say (Remix). Maxwell's "Whenever, Wherever, Whatever" makes this one of my favorite remixes.
11. Pete Rock and CL Smooth - It's A Love Thing (Nicolay Remix)
12. Darien Brockington - A Night Like This
sweetened by Honey at 01:12 AM |Soul on Ice: The Chill Off
Friday, April 01, 2005Anyone up for a Spring chill? I was telling Todd how much I was feeling his chill radio.blog, it's straight fire...or should I say ice? I mentioned that I was thinking of doing one "sometime" in the future and he challenged me to a chill off. Oh a challenge? I ain't skurred! What can you do except talk some trash and try to deliver. OK, here's my trash talk Mr. TK. I hope you're wearing your thermal drawz and your ice skates because it's about to freeze up in here. Just call me frozen Honey when ya skate by, LMAO. He knows it's all love, hehe. Ok, now let's move on to the music.
I have a confession. I don't know the difference between downtempo, trip-hop, trip-downtown, whatever, lol, I just call it all electronica. So I had to go with what I considered chill. Music that I would want to hear when I'm relaxing, reading the sunday paper, or just chilling and of course, it had to have some soul. Good music knows no boundaries, so I've also included some artists who aren't considered electronica like Mos Def who had a pretty chill track on his Black On Both Sides album (thanks for the suggestion Kool) and I had to end with the Prince and a 14 minute groove from his jazz inspired album N.E.W.S.
1. Siji - Heal
2. Soul Bossa Trio - Naima
3. Marvin Gaye/EnLounge - I Want You (Morning Espresso Mix)
4. Kyoto Jazz Massive - Between The Lights
5. Nuspirit Helsinki - I Wonder 2:14 AM
6. Jaffa - Be Nude Baby
7. Bjork - Hidden Place (Remix)
8. SoundShifter - Strip Song
9. Esthero - Superheroes
10. Soulstice - Fall Into You
11. Jack McDuff - Oblighetto
12. Meshell N'degeocello, Rahzel & Branford Marsalis - Steal My Soul
13. The Cinematic Orchestra - Channel 1 Suite
14. Ther Detroit Experience - Highest
15. Mos Def - May December
16. Yesterdays New Quintet - Una Esta
17. Jazzanova - What A Woman
18. Groove Collective - Fly
19. Tosca - Doris Dub
20. Prince - North
Artist Spotlight: Dwele
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
I've been listening to alot of Dwele lately, so I thought I would put together some of my favorite songs from the Detroit crooner. His voice is sexy and sultry but there is a pure quality that makes it rather angelic. I am convinced Dwele could sing anything and it would sound good. When I'm in the mood to hear some good mellow music, Dwele never disappoints.
Andwele Gardner (his 1st name means "God has brought me" in Swahili) began writing songs at the age of ten, after his father was murdered outside his home in Detroit. In 1998 he made 100 copies of a demo tape Rize, that quickly spread his reputation as a singer/songwriter. He's also a natural born musician. He's never had voice lesson in his life and he is self-taught on the the trumpet, piano, bass and guitar.
I first heard Dwele on Slum Village's Tainted and fell in love with his voice. Besides Slum Village, he's also appeared on numerous collaborations with artists such as Bahamadia, and the Platinum Pied Pipers. He signed to Virgin Records on the strength of his songwriting and performance skills, and released Subject in 2003. I couldn't find any information on what he has upcoming, but I am looking forward to his next project.
1. The New Sector Movement - The Sun (Dwele's Motor City Remix). I have to thank Todd for passing this on to me. It's been one of my favorite songs ever since.
2. Platinum Pied Pipers ft. Dwele - Open Your Eyes. A remake of the Bobby Caldwell song.
3. Slum Village ft. Dwele - Count The Ways. This song gives the phrase "nasty groove" a whole new meaning.
4. Dwele - Without You
5. Dwele - Kick Out of You
6. Dwele - Angel (Ohsokool NYC Freakmix). One of Ohsokool's smooth mixes. Thanks Kool
7. Slum Village ft. Dwele - Tainted
8. Dwele - Find a Way
9. Platinum Pied Pipers - Would It Hurt You To Try Me. When I 1st heard this song, I thought..what did he just say? See my earlier reference to Dwele being able to sing anything and it would sound good. I'd been looking for this one for a while and Kool was kind enough to pass it along.
10. Slum Village ft. Dwele - Closer
11. Dwele ft Kanye West and Consequence - Hold On (remix)
12. Bahamadia ft. Dwele - Beautiful Things
13. Dwele - Truth
14. Dwele - Lady at Mahogany
15. Dwele - Twuneanunda
16. Dwele - Down Jimmy. My 1st thought...who is this little kid singing. That's just Dwele changing his voice to fit the story
17. Dwele - Sugar Sweetums
18. Dwele - Fantasy
19. Dwele - Everybody Wants To Rule The World. A remake of the Tears For Fears song.
20. Dwele - Imagine
Love's Taken Over: Sensual Sounds
Friday, March 25, 2005
Midnight Snack by Henry Lee Battle
I just felt like taking it "there" today. Not much explanation needed. Love, sensuality, indulgence, satisfaction...
Love's Taken Over: Sensual Sounds
1. Chante Moore - Love's Taken Over (Quiet Storm Mix)
2. Lisa Shaw - Always
3. Geno Young - I Get So Wrapped Up In You
4. Sara Devine - Beautiful
5. Carl Thomas - Hey Now
6. Jill Scott - Honey Molasses
7. Nuwamba - Heaven
8. Sweetback ft. Amel Larrieux - Gaze
9. Vikter Duplaix - Manhood (Vikters ILM Remix)
10. Peven Everett - I Can Give It
11. Eric Roberson - 4U
12. Sade - By Your Side (Neptunes Remix)
13. Gaelle - Repetition
14. Yahzarah - Love Is You
15. Frank McComb - Intimate Time
Friday Freestyle
Friday, March 18, 2005Don't let the post name fool ya. This week's radio blog is not freestyles from my favorite emcee's (although that does sound like a good one). This one is just some random songs I've been playing alot this week and made into playlists. Some are older songs and some are from upcoming releases. It's upbeat and a good way to kick off the weekend and the upcoming first day of Spring (3/20).
Let me also say "thanks you" to those have really had my back this week while I've had the flu and lost my voice. My husband who has put up with my eye rolling, generally sh*tty attitude and has been eating junk food all week because not only am I not cooking but the the sight of food makes me..uhhh nevermind. Don't feel too sorry for him though, he's the one who gave it to me (no more kissy kissy for him, heh!). My cousin Cheryl, Lis and Kool who I know are now saying "if this heffa types/emails me 1 mo' time about how sick she is, I'm gonna give her something to be sick about" LOL. They have all been really good about me whining to them (so I wouldn't do it here..well until now). My buddy Todd for supplying me with my drugs...my Fiona fix and my Nas fix.
Happy Spring *sneeze*cough*
Tracklisting:
1. 112 - Let This Go, Pleasure & Pain. From their upcoming release on 3/29
2. Mark De Clive Lowe ft Abdul Shyllon - Quintessential, Tide's Arising. This one will be released 3/22. I 1st heard this on Kool's SugaTreats radioshow. Thanks Kool
3. Digable Planets - Flying High In The Brooklyn Sky, Stolen Moments: Red Hot & Cool
4. Brand New Heavies ft Masta Ace - Wake Me When I'm Dead, Vol. 1-Heavy Rhyme Experience
5. Kenny Dope - Funky Jeep Music, Unreleased Project
6. Clinton Sparks ft Clipse - Where You Been, Maybe You Been Brainwashed. Will be released 3/22
7. Christina Milian ft Twista - For Real, Sounds of RNB, Vol. 21
8. Truth Hurts - Ready Now, Ready Now,
9. Jaylib - Starz, Champion Sounds
10. Sol Uprising - Solar Love, Sol Power
11. Kelis ft Raphael Saadiq - Glow, Tasty
12. Platinum Pied Pipers ft Tiombe Lockhart - Stay With Me, Stay With Me EP
My 12 Favorite Songs
Monday, March 14, 2005A Musical Meme
Todd's asking "What are your 12 favorite songs?" After looking at the screen for a moment like he asked me to shoot off my own foot, I thought, there is no way I can do it. Only 12? Anxiety aside, I did manage to narrow it down to my favorites of all time...uhhh at this time. Ask me next week, they may change. The rules:
- An artist is only allowed one song on the list
- Post radio.blog (if you can)
- A sentence or two on why each song makes the list
A few that kept jumping in and out of my top 12 were...Anita Baker Angel, Esthero Superheroes, Jon B. What In The World, Portishead Glory Box, and John Coltrane A Love Supreme
1. Mos Def - Umi Says (Zero 7 Remix). If you know me at all or have been reading this blog for a while you know I have a thang for the Mighty Mos/Dante Smith/Pretty Flaco, etc etc. The message is..life is uncertain, live up to your potential now. This song would have been #2 but the Zero 7 remix put it at the top for me.
2. Prince - Adore (live). What makes this one of my favorite songs? The voice, the lyrics, the sexiness...the crush I've had on him since I was 13 and never been able to get over? All of the above. Of course you really haven't heard the song until you've heard him perform it live. So thanks to my musical angel Camille, I've included the live version here.
3. Maxwell - Fortunate. The ultimate love song. Plus I love me some Max. He'll release another album...as soon as I unchain him and let him out of the basement, LOL. And for the record Todd, I know you instituted the "one song per artist" rule so I wouldn't do a radio.blog full of Maxwell. Hmph!
4. Des'ree - I'm Kissing You. It's the passion and the way she sings it that reminds me of my husband and how powerful and passionate it feels when we kiss, still one of our favorite things to do after 15 years.
5. Fiona Apple - Slow Like Honey. This is a hauntingly beautiful song. It could be about obsession, addiction or anything that seems to overtake you. "..slow like honey, heavy with mood". Warning, if I'm listening to Fiona, Sade, and Nina Simone all together, you know I'm the special guest at my own pity party.
6. Art Of Noise - Moments in Love. I believe there is a subliminal message in this song telling you to feel all sexy and whatnot because everytime I hear it, my clothes start falling off, LOL. Am I the only one feeling that? I have to be honest, I like this song because it makes me horny. Tell the truth and shame the devil, hehe.
7. Donny Hathaway - A Song For You. Brilliant in every way. My favorite part, the piano after the lyrics.. "listen to the melody because my love is in there hiding".
8. Sade - Cherish The Day. It's a little different from her usual melancholy songs (which I love). This one's got a funky beat that moves me and makes me feel good. The message aint bad either.
9. Nas - One Mic. Powerful and revolutionary. Besides Mos, one of my favorite emcees.
10. Lauryn Hill - The Sweetest Thing. Those guitar strings and her voice. That does it for me.
11. Stevie Wonder - Ribbon In The Sky. It's just one of Stevie's beautiful ballads. I couldn't decide between this one and "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Need You)", my other Stevie favorite.
12. Miles Davis - Bitches Brew. I could mention how Miles helped create a whole new music genre with the fusion of jazz and rock, or the haunting echo of his horn, or even that it's a 26 minute electro-funk-jazz masterpiece that makes this track one of my favorites. But here's the real reason. My husband (the jazz head) introduced me to this period of Mile's music on a road trip to New Orleans. To this day, whenever I hear this song, I get flashbacks and feel phantom motions of ...well uhhh you get the picture.
sweetened by Honey at 09:52 AM |Jazz Funk Fusion
Thursday, March 10, 2005As I listened to Kool and The Gang's Summer Madness on last week's radio.blog I thought, hmmm, I need to hear more of this kind of jazz/funk. So here is a radio.blog filled with just that. These songs are from the 70's and 80's when bands who actually played instruments were the norm. Seems like a long time ago. I was so used to hearing some of these songs on radio shows as transition songs between programs, to fill dead air space, etc. that I was almost oblivious to their funkiness...almost. I have to also say thanks to KB for the suggestions.
1. The Blackbyrds - Rock Creek Park
2. Roy Ayers - Everybody Loves The Sunshine
3. Incognito - Nights Over Egypt
4. Randy Crawford - Street Life
5. Grover Washington Jr - Mr Magic
6. Donald Byrd - Fallin Like Dominoes
7. Roy Ayers - Running Away
8. Herbie Hancock - Watermelon Man
9. The Ohio Players - Skin Tight
10. Average White Band - Pick Up The Pieces
11. George Duke - Reach For It
12. Ramsey Lewis - Sun Goddess
13. The Commodores - Machine Gun
14. The Commodores - Cebu
15. The Brothers Johnson - Land of Ladies
Message in the Music
Monday, March 07, 2005Fair Warning. If you have a conversation with me it may result in a radio blog.
My buddy Kool (you can check out his SugaTreats radio show tonight) and I were discussing Nick Holder's song, No More Dating DJ's which is about a woman who is fed up with dating DJ's, rappers, producers, and other industry types. It's narrated by spoken word artist Jemini who is funny and brutally honest about all the self-absorption and misogyny that can take place in that game. If you are a male DJ, you may want to wear a cup before listening, lol. Actually Kool had some really open views about the whole thing considering he is a DJ and he also talked about how we music lovers often interject our personal feelings through the music we play. I thought hmmmmm, sounds like a interesting radio blog, how I feel about music told through music.
Esthero said "Im so sick and tired of the shit on the radio". Can I get an amen. It can be frustrating being a music fan these days with the lack of good music, negative stereotypes, the beef (fake or otherwise), delayed record releases, lack of promotion for good artists, and some of those "industry folks" who just corrupt the whole thing and give music a bad name. So what do you do about it? Stop listening to music? That's not an option for most people like me who were raised on it and can't imagine their lives without music. Personally, I'm not one to get outraged or protest music because it's trendy or in the news. I voice my opinions with my dollars and my playlist rotation, but in the end, I'm still a music fan and I can't see anything changing that.
Question: If you could speak through music to reflect your feelings right now, what song would you play?
Message in the Music radio.blog
1. Nick Holder ft. Jemini - No More Dating DJs (Pete Rock Main Mix)
2. Esthero - We R In Need Of A Musical Revolution
3. Sarah Jones ft DJ Vadim - Your Revolution
4. Ursula Rucker with King Britt - Untitled Flow
5. Skillz - 2004 Rap Up
6. Erick Sermon ft Marvin Gaye - Music
7. Leela James - Music
8. Gangstarr - Mass Appeal
9. Public Enemy - Dont Believe The Hype
10. Common - I Used to Love H.E.R.
11. Masta Ace ft Sham and Professor Ego - Who Killed Hip Hop
12. Little Brother - The Yoyo (Nicolay Remix)
13. De La Soul - Supa Emcees
14. The Roots - Good Music
15. Timbaland and Magoo ft. Brandy - N 2 Da Music
16. Prince - Musicology
New Release Radio.blog 3.01.05
Friday, March 04, 2005This week's new release radio.blog starts off thumping with some funky bass playing from David Dyson's Soulmates album. He's amazing. Go ahead and play some air bass, you know you wanna, lol. Keyboardist Marcus Johnson gives us some "Sunday Jazz Brunch" smoothness from his Inter Alia CD. Both of these 2000 releases are newly available on iTunes. O2'L's piano and guitar duo and trumpeter Soel are classified as Electronica but sound rather jazzy to me. We round it up with some jazz and r&b from Kool and the Gang and funkmasters Parliament/Funkadelic, who both have compilation CD's out this week. It's all about the instruments this week. Pay close attention to the bass, keyboards, horns and drums on each of these songs. All different, all incredible.
1. David Dyson - Vixen, Soulmates
2. David Dyson - Soulmates, Soulmates
3. Marcus Johnson - Chocolate City Groovin, Inter Alia
4. Marcus Johnson - Love Talk and Slow Jams, Inter Alia
5. O2'L - Senior Wilhelm, Doyle's Brunch
6. O2'L - Cali, Doyle's Brunch
7. Soel - Le Vicomte, Momento
8. Soel - Shining Pain, Momento
9. Kool And The Gang - Summer Madness, Kool and the Gang Gold
10. Kool And The Gang -Jungle Boogie, Kool and the Gang Gold
11. Parliament - Tear The Roof Off, Parliament Gold
12. Parliament - Flash Light, Parliament Gold
Old School Groovin'
Wednesday, March 02, 2005I hadn't planned to do a radio blog today but after getting into some convos yesterday about old school, I couldn't resist. After talking with Kool, EJ, and James (who sent me the Renee and Angela), I had to go dig out some of my favorites from the 70's and 80's.
1. Mtume - Juicy Fruit (12in single)
2. Cameo - Flirt
3. Slave ft Steve Arrington - Weak At The Knees
4. Chuckii Booker - Games
5. Ohio Players - Ecstasy
6. Rene and Angela - I Love You More
7. Bootsy Collins - I'd Rather Be With You
8. Bernard Wright - - Who Do You Love
9. Change - A Lovers Holiday
10. Surface - Happy
11. King Floyd - Groove Me
12. Rick James - Mary Jane
13. The Commodores - Brick House
14. Carl Carlton - She's A Bad Mama Jama
15. Hot Chocolate - I Believe in Miracles
Jamie Foxx radio.blog
Sunday, February 27, 2005
I have been waiting to do a Jamie Foxx radio.blog that displays his musical side for a while. I was going to do it whether he won an Oscar or not but I'm glad he did win for Best Actor. Congrats also to Morgan Freeman who won for Best Supporting Actor.
If you don't know by now about Jamie Foxx's numerous talents, let me just tell you...the brotha can sang. He's performed on numerous variety and award shows (especially lately) and has signed to J. Records with an album scheduled to be released sometime this year. I've gathered some of his recorded songs starting back in 1994 when he released a CD called "Peep This" (available on iTunes). I had "Bed Springs" and "Scream Shout" (from an album by Melvin Riley of Ready For The World Fame) in my collection from years ago. For once, being a musical pack rat paid off, LOL. Most of these songs are very sexy. If his past musical style is any indication of his upcoming album, it will be very hot.
1. Jamie Foxx and Alicia Keys - Georgia (Live at the 47th Grammys)
2. Jamie Foxx - Bed Springs, Bait Soundtrack
3. Jamie Foxx and Melvin Riley - Scream Shout, Bedroom Stories
4. Jamie Foxx - Summertime, Peep This
5. Jamie Foxx - Infatuation, Peep This
6. Jamie Foxx - If You Love Me, Peep This
7. Jamie Foxx - Baby Don't Cry, Peep This
8. Jamie Foxx - Don't Let The Sun Go Down, Peep This
9. Jamie Foxx - Light A Candle, Peep This
10. Jamie Foxx - Experiment, Peep This
11. Twista ft. Jamie Foxx and Kanye West - Slow Jamz, Kamikaze
12. 50 Cent ft. Jamie Foxx - Build You Up, The Massacre
Badu B-Day Radio
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Today is Erykah Badu's 34th birthday. As a tribute I uploaded 34 of her songs to the radio blog.
Erica Wright was born on February 26, 1971 in Dallas Texas. At the age of 14, she landed a gig freestyle-rapping for local radio station. (She was backed by a beat-boxing Roy Hargrove, who would one day achieve fame in his own right as a jazz trumpeter.) She successfully auditioned for admittance to Dallas's arts magnet school. Erica, a.k.a. "MC Apples," performed as one half of a female rap squad.
Declaring Erica Wright to be "a slave name," she changed the spelling of her first name to Erykah, 'Kah' meaning inner self, which can do no wrong." A new last name, Badu, after the scat-singing of jazz greats. She later made the discovery that the invented surname actually means "to manifest truth and light" in Arabic.
She was working as a teacher and part-time singer when she opened for D'Angelo at a 1994 show. D'Angelo's manager, Kedar Massenburg, was impressed with the performance and hooked her up with the singer to record a cover of the Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell duet "Precious Love."
[more info from her site]
1. Erykah Badu - Didn't Cha Know
2. Erykah Badu - Bag Lady
3. Erykah Badu - Orange Moon
4. The Roots ft Erykah Badu - You Got Me
5. Erykah Badu ft Zap Mama and Karon Wheeler - Bump It
6. Erykah Badu - Hollywood
7. Erykah Badu - On and On
8. Erykah Badu - Green Eyes
9. Erykah Badu - Other Side of the Game
10. Erykah Badu - Danger
11. Erykah Badu ft Lenny Kravtiz - Back In The Day (Puff)
12. Roy Ayers ft Erykah Badu and Sakoni - Everybody Loves The Sunshine
13. Erykah Badu - Time's A Wastin'
14. Bob Marley ft Erykah Badu - No More Trouble
15. Erykah Badu with Stephen Marley - In Love With You
16. Erykah Badu and D'Angelo - Precious Love
17. Erykah Badu - Stay
18. Erykah Badu - Ye Yo
19. Erykah Badu - My Life
20. Erykah Badu - Woo
21. Erykah Badu - Appletree
22. Erykah Badu - Certainly (Flipped It)
23. Erykah Badu - Call Tyrone
24. Erykah Badu - Cleva
25. Erykah Badu - A.D. 2000
26. Erykah Badu - A Child Sings the Blues
27. Erykah Badu - Next Lifetime
28. Erykah Badu ft Roy Hargrove - Think Twice
29. Roy Ayers ft Erykah Badu - Searching
30. Zap Mama and Erykah Badu - Bandy Bandy
31. Outkast ft Erykah Badu - Humble Mumble
32. Common with Erykah Badu - The Light (Remix)
33. Erykah Badu with Common - Love of My Life
34. Erykah Badu ft Rahzel - Southern Girl
New Release Radio.blog 2.22.05
Friday, February 25, 2005This week's new release radio.blog has a lot of underground artists like Aesop Rock and Opio (the Hieroglyphics crew) although Common and Cormega are on major labels so does that mean they lose their underground status? Cormega's CD "The Testament" was the first album he ever recorded but because of struggles with his label it wasn't released for five years. Read more about it here. If you're into electronica/dance music you'll recognize Thievery Corporation and M.I.A. M.I.A's "Galang" song drove me crazy after hearing it one too many times and that may happen with the catchy "Pull Up The People" but I've been singing the hook all morning..."pull up the people, pull up the poor"..
1.Common ft The Last Poets - The Corner, The Corner EP
2. Aesop Rock - Holy Smokes, Fast Car Danger Fire & Knives
3. Aesop Rock - Number Nine, Fast Car Danger Fire & Knives
4. Aesop Rock - Winners Take All, Fast Car Danger Fire & Knives
5. Thievery Corp ft. Gunjan - Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Cosmic Game
6. Thievery Corp ft. Notch - Amerimacka, Cosmic Game
7. Thievery Corp ft. The Flaming Lips - Marching The Hate Machines Into The Sun, Cosmic Game
8. Ludacris - Get Back (Sum 41 Rock Remix), single
9. M.I.A - Pull Up The People, Arular
10. M.I.A - Galang, Arular
11. Opio ft Pep Love - Talk Dirty, Triangulation Station
12. Opio ft Planet Asia - The Grassy Knoll, Triangulation Station
13. Cormega - Testament, Testament
14. Cormega - One Love, Testament
15. Cormega - Coco Butter, Testament
Chanteuse
Wednesday, February 23, 2005chanteuse - A woman singer, especially a nightclub singer
I used that word for the title because I haven't heard it in a long time. That applies to the style and the songs used in this radio.blog as well. Berry enjoyed the bit of jazz in my last new release radio.blog. She was even inspired to write a beautiful poem. So when she emailed me with the idea of doing a radio.blog with the ladies of jazz, I was all in. I thought I would supply what little songs I had in my collection and she would recommend others but it turns out, not only did she know some great jazz tunes, she had most of them in her collection. Thanks Berry for the ideas and the tunes.
This radio blog features some of the greatest jazz singers of our time. Listen to a little history.
1. Etta James - At Last
2. Dinah Washington - What A Difference A Day Makes
3. Lizz Wright - Salt
4. Chaka Khan - Funny Valentine
5. Diane Reeves - Speak Low
6. Billie Holiday - Lover Man
7. Lena Horne - Stormy Weather
8. Nina Simone - Trouble In Mind
9. Sarah Vaughn - Round Midnight
10. Cassandra Wilson - Blue Skies
11. Nancy Wilson - Save Your Love For Me
12. Abbey Lincoln - Afro Blue
13. Natalie Cole with Nat King Cole - Unforgettable
14. Carmen McRae - Send In The Clowns
15. Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong - Autumn In NY
New Release Radio.blog 2.15.05
Friday, February 18, 2005With Jeff Lorber, Miles Davis (for Bobby who wants me to do a Miles radio.blog), Nancy Wilson (with Cannonball Adderley), Nina Simone, Wes Montogomery, Joey DeFrancesco (with Jimmy Smith), Kenny Burrell and Dexter Gordon, this week's new release radio.blog is decidedly jazz oriented. Curtis Mayfield gives us some classic soul and Dobie and A Guy Called Gerald (with Ursula Rucker) add some electronic dance flavor.
No more typing from me, just listen.
1. Dobie - B Boy Anthem, The Sound of One Hand Clapping
2. Dobie - Lovesong ft Helena Paul, The Sound of One Hand Clapping
3. Jeff Lorber - By My Side, Flipside
4. Jeff Lorber - Ooh la La, Flipside
5. A Guy Called Gerald and Ursula Rucker - Millenium Sanhedrin, To All Things What They Need
6. Curtis Mayfield - Make Me Believe In You, Sweet Exorcist
7. Curtis Mayfield - When We're Alone, Never Say You Can't Survive
8. Nancy Wilson and Cannonball Adderley - Save Your Love for Me, Lady Sings the Blues 2: After Hours
9. Nina Simone - I Loves You Porgy, Lady Sings the Blues 2: After Hours
10. Joey DeFransesco with Jimmy Smith - Ive Got My Mojo Workin, Legacy
11. Joey DeFrancesco with Jimmy Smith - Legacy, Legacy
12. Miles Davis - Budo, Blue Note Perfect Takes
13. Kenny Burrell - Midnight Blue, Blue Note Perfect Takes
14. Wes Montgomery - Misty, Smokin at the Half Note
15. Dexter Gordon - Body and Soul, Mosaic Select
Thin Line Between Love and Hate
Monday, February 14, 2005♥ Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!
We all know that there's a thin line between love and hate. The Persuaders told us that back in 1971. I thought it would be fun to spotlight both sides of love for Valentine's Day....the good and the bad. I've done two radio.blogs.
On the first one, I've included songs that speak to all the wonderment of love. That indescribably endearing feeling that just makes your world a better place. Even if you lost it, you are just glad that you were blessed for that moment and you'd spend a lifetime in pursuit of it again. Most of the songs on this one (the first one in particular) literally have the ability to make me cry. Yeah, I know I'm an emotional jellyfish, LOL. I stuck mainly with the tried and true classics.
The songs on second radio.blog are for all the love haters. The ones who can't understand what the big deal is and say "fuck love". If you've ever been been hurt, lied to, or cheated on in the name of love, you can probably relate. I probably had more fun choosing these songs. I had over 30 songs initially so I had to narrow it down quite a bit. There are alot of woman/man scorned songs out there.
The 1st one (the good side) is dedicated to my husband who's been giving me good di...uhhh lovin for the past 15 years (longer if you count the courtship). The man who kisses me every morning before he leaves for work and every evening when he returns. The way he lets it linger just for a moment longer than a "peck" speaks volumes to my heart. The second one (the bad side) isn't for anyone in particular although I guess it should go out to my 1st serious boyfriend. The one who broke my heart and gave me a frame of reference for choosing those songs...punk azz, LOL.
Get Your Love On Get Your Hate On
The Love Songs
1. Des'ree - I'm Kissing You, Supernatural
2. Kem - I Can't Stop Loving You, Album II
3. Brian McKnight - Love of My Life, Superhero
4. Norman Connors ft. Michael Henderson - You Are My Starship, You Are My Starship.
5. Donny Hathaway - A Song For You, A Donny Hathaway Collection.
6. The Isley Brothers - Living For The Love Of You, Love Songs.
7. Prince - Adore, Sign O' The Times.
8. Stevie Wonder - Knocks Me Off My Feet, Songs In The Key Of Life
9. Rene & Angela - Your Smile, A Street Called Desire and More
10. Heatwave - Always and Forever, Always and Forever
11. Earth, Wind, and Fire - Reasons (live), Elements of Love: Ballads
12. Jeffrey Osbourne (LTD) - Love Ballad, Ultimate Collection
13. Cameo - Sparkle, The Best Of Cameo
14. Luther Vandross - Here and Now, Essential Luther Vandross
15. Anita Baker - Sweet Love, Rapture
The Hate Songs
1. Sparkle - Be Careful, Sparkle
2. Joe - Stutter, My Name Is Joe
3. Chante Moore - Bitter, Exposed
4. Olivia - Silly Bitch In Love, Olivia
5. Truth Hurts - The Truth, Truthfully Speaking
6. Glenn Lewis - It's Not Fair, World Outside My Window
7. Lauryn Hill - Ex-Factor, The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill
8. Tamia - Tell Me Who, Nu Day
9. Avant - Seperated, My Thoughts
10. Tony, Toni, Tone - My Ex-Girfriend (Is A Ho), Sons Of Soul
11. Yvette Michele - I'm Not Feeling You, My Dream
12. Sade - Bullet Proof Soul, Love Deluxe
13. Me'shell N'Degeocello - Fool Of Me, Bitter
14. Oran "Juice" Jones - I Saw You Walking In The Rain, Juice
15. Angie Stone- No More Rain (In This Cloud), Black Diamond
New Release Radio.blog 2.08.05
Friday, February 11, 2005You know the deal by now. Eack week, I spotlight some newly released tracks (or re-released tracks). I don't include songs that are already in the Listening Booth section because well, that's redundant, LOL. I don't know how long I will continue to do this so I hate to call this a regular thing. I know some week will come where I will be disgusted with my choices or iTunes will bankrupt me but for now, it's all good. Tell me what gets the thumbs up and what doesn't.
1. Big Pooh - Between The Lines, Sleepers. Big Pooh, a member of Little Brother gets some help from 9th wonder, Phonte and Murs on this album.
2. Big Pooh - Strongest Man, Sleepers
3. Big Pooh ft. Murs - Now, Sleepers
4. Krayzie Bone - Getchu Twisted, Gemini: Good vs. Evil. I got this one because my nephew wanted it but I kinda like it. Hmmmm now that I think about it, it's kinda disturbing that my 18 year old nephew and I like the same thing, LOL.
5. Krayzie Bone - Put It On Yall, Gemini: Good vs. Evil
6. Krayzie Bone - That's That Bone, Gemini: Good vs. Evil
7. One.Be.Lo ft Magestik Legend - Unparalleled, S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.. Now this is more my style. I first heard about him from the phenomenal funkdigital.
8. One.Be.Lo - Axis, S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.
9. One.Be.Lo - Used 2 Be Fly, S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M..
10. K Ci and JoJo - All My Life, All My Life: Their Greatest Hits
11. K Ci and JoJo - Tell Me It's Real, All My Life: Their Greatest Hits
12. Shuggie Otis - Strawberry Letter 23, Inspiration Information. Although the Brothers Johnson had a huge hit with this track, "Thunder Thumbs" and "Lightnin Licks" weren't the originators of this trippy soul track. That honor belongs to guitar virtuoso, multi-instrumentalist Shuggie Otis. He's influenced everyone from Prince to Raphael Saadiq. If you consider yourself a music fan, this is definitely a name you should know.
13. Shuggie Otis - Inspiration Information, Inspiration Information
14. The O'Jays - The Backstabbers, Essential O'Jays. If you know soul music, you know the O'Jays. I was going to include "For The Love of Money" but The Donald has ruined that song for me, LOL.
15. The O'Jays - Stairway To Heaven, Essential O'Jays
The Beautiful Mix
Sunday, February 06, 2005I was looking through my songlist for tracks for a Valentine's Day Mix. So I'm thinking "ok, what was that song Babyface had...something about beautiful". Searched for "beautiful" and noticed how many songs I had with the word "beautiful". Now did yall see that lightbulb pop up above my head? LOL "Hmmmm, sounds like a radio blog to me". So these are songs with the word beautiful. I admit this didn't take a lot of work on my part (unless you count the time I took to narrow it down to just 15 songs) but hey, they are still good songs. Oh yeah, and for the Valentine's mix, I decided to go another direction...sort of 
edited 2/08
This was so much fun, I'm challenging all the SP's (sound providers) to do a "one word radio.blog". Your choice of word. (Lis, Todd, EJ, KB that means you, LOL). Even if you don't do radio.blog's it would interesting to see a one word playlist from you.
1. Al Green - Simply Beautiful, I'm Still In Love With You. This song is over 30 years old (1972) and still one of the most romantic ever.
2. Masta Ace - Beautiful, Long Hot Summer. This album came close to making my "best of 2004" list.
3. Outkast ft. Cee-Lo - Slum Beautiful, Stankonia.
4. Snoop ft. Pharell and Charlie Wilson - Beautiful, Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$
5. Tweet - Beautiful, Southern Hummingbird. I love this song because it reminds me of my husband.
6. Me'Shell N'Degecello - Beautiful, Bitter. If you want to hear beautiful songs, add this album to your collection.
7. Bahamadia ft. Dwele - Beautiful Things, BB Queen. Thanks Todd for this one.
8. Donnie - Beautiful Me, The Colored Section.
9. Mary J. Blige ft Mos Def and Talib Kweli - Beautiful (remix), How Stella Got Her Groove Back. Yes, another Mos appearance in my radio.blog, LOL
10. Talib Kweli - Beautiful Struggle, Beautiful Struggle
11. Prince - The Most Beautiful Girl In The World, The Beautiful Experience EP
12. Prince - The Beautiful Ones, Purple Rain Soundtrack - A double dose of Prince because he's doubly beautiful.
13. Joe - So Beautiful, My Name is Joe. He doesn't get a lot of recognition but I have enjoyed every album he has released.
14. Babyface - You Are So Beautiful, For The Cool In You
15. Boney James - So Beautiful, Ride
New Release Radio.blog 2.01.05
Friday, February 04, 2005Limitations. That's what I found myself facing when deciding whether or not to do a "new release" radio.blog this week. First of all, this week I wasn't real excited about any of the new releases. Second, there were a few compilations so some songs technically are not new. Third, alot of the music was already available for preview in the Listening Booth section. But then I listened to some of the tracks I had and really liked the different varieties...dancehall, hip hop, jazz, and r&b. It was like being offered a tray with different desserts. The fun is in the tasting. So here are this week's musical treats.
1. Max Julien - Interlude, DOD. I just included this one for nostaglia. Yep, that's Max Julien aka Goldie from The Mack providing the interludes on the new Do or Die. The po pimps are backs with one of the original pimps, lol.
2. Do or Die - If Only You Knew (ft. Twista & Syleena Johnson), DOD
3. Do or Die - Higher (remix ft Kanye West & Shawnna), DOD
4. Do or Die - Around Here (ft. Malik Yusef), DOD
5. Beenie Man - Dude (ft. Miss Thing), From Kingston To King
6. Beenie Man - Who Am I, From Kingston To King
7. Beenie Man - King of the Dancehall, From Kingston To King
8. Roots Manuva - Colossal Insight, Awfully Deep
9. Roots Manuva - Awfully Deep, Awfully Deep
10. K.V. - Money & Crime, Money & Crime EP
11. K.V. - Hoodstomp (clean version), Money & Crime EP
12. Caribbean Jazz Project & Dave Samuels - Stolen Moments, Here & Now: Live in Concert
13. Miles Davis - My Funny Valentine (live), My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis in Concert. I thought this would be perfect to end with, especially with Valentine's Day coming up.
Artist Spotlight: Raheem Devaughn
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Little did I know when I composed my favorite albums of 2004 that one of my favorite songs, Heaven Help Us (by Urban Ave. 31) from my #3 album, Soul Lounge 1, would be connected to another song that went immediately to my heavy rotation playlist, Guess Who Loves You More. Raheem Devaughn is the common denominator. There is something so soulful and nostalgic in his voice, I couldn't resist. It wasn't long after that I began one of my obsessive journey's to discover anything musically related to him.
The self-described "r&b rock star", who was born in New Jersey and grew up in the DC and Baltimore area, was influenced by his mother's record collection and his father, jazz musician Abdul Wadud. He has made a name for himself recently as one half of the Washington DC based group CrossRhodes and as a member of Urban Ave 31.
I hear traces of Marvin Gaye and Prince in the rawness of his voice but I can certainly envision him finding his own path to legendary status. He recently signed with Jive Records. His single, Guess Who Loves You More, will be available in stores on Feb. 15 (it's available now on iTunes) with his debut album following this fall. You can read more about Raheem on his website or order some of his earlier work from Urban Ave 31.
***I must thank everybody's favorite DJ, EJ, for dedicating his OSW radio.blog to me. I'm truly honored. I have arrived, LOL. Check out his Sweetness Mix and tell me that isn't the sweetest thing ever. Thank you EJ, you're the best!
1. Raheem Devaughn - Believe. This may be my favorite song by him right now, but only because I'm giving Guess Who Loves You a break from that position.
2. Raheem Devaughn - Guess Who Loves You More.
3. Raheem Devaughn - Until. This one uses The Isleys Brother's song "Footsteps in the Dark".
4. Raheem Devaughn - Take You Home. Remake of the Terror Squad song.
5. Raheem Devaughn - Go DJ. Remake of Lil Wayne's Go DJ. Maybe I'm hallucinating but doesn't it sound like he's sayin "Go EJ, that's my DJ". I must have EJ on the brain, LOL. Well whatever he's saying, I'm singing "go EJ", lol.
6. Raheem Devaughn - The Love Experience. A very personal song for him.
7. Raheem Devaughn - What If
8. Raheem Devaughn - My Own Thing. From the Drumline Soundtrack.
9. Raheem Devaughn - Prototype. Remake of the Outkast song.
10. Raheem Devaughn - Let's Get Blown. Snoop's song remade
11. Urban Ave 31 - Heaven Help Us All. Great message song.
12. Urban Ave 31 - 2 Be U. More positivity.
13. Urban Ave 31 - Homeless
14. Crossrhodes - Balance
15. Crossrhodes - Put In Work
New Release Radio.blog 1.25.05
Friday, January 28, 2005For me, the only thing better than listening to my favorite music is disovering new music. I thought this might be a good opportunity to preview some new songs that probably won't get a lot of radio airplay. All of these were released on Tuesday (1/25/05) and you can find them in the "New Releases" section. There is something for everyone...hip hop, r&b, house & electronica. I hope you discover something new that you like.
1. Pete Rock - You Remind Me, Surviving Elements: From Soul Survivor II Sessions
2. Pete Rock - (Pimp) Strut, Surviving Elements: From Soul Survivor II Sessions
3. Vanessa Williams - Everlasting Love, Everlasting Love
4. Vanessa Williams - Let's Love, Everlasting Love
5. Adani & Wolf - Wings Of Santa Lucia, Adani & Wolf
6. Francois K. - Sandcastles, Deep Space NYC 1
7. Louie Vega - Cerca De Mi (Kenny Dope Mix), Elements of Life: Extensions
8. Pat Metheny - Part One (short version), The Way Up
9. Cunninlynguists ft. Kory Calico - Mic Like A Memory, Will Rap For Food
10. Daz Dillinger ft. Nate Dogg - Come Close, Tha Dogg Pound Gangsta
11. Daz Dillinger - Tha Dogg Pound Gangsta, Tha Dogg Pound Gangsta
12. Geto Boys - Declaration of War, Foundation
13. Geto Boys - When It Gets Gangsta, Foundation
14. Big Noyd - Hu What, On The Grind
15. Big Noyd ft Mobb Deep, Infamous Mobb, & Illa G - Money Rolls, On The Grind
80's R&B Divas
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
I'm still stuck in the 80's with the ladies, but this time it's the R&B divas. You remember 80's R&B from the ladies don't you? When it was actually your voice that opened the door and your individuality that kept it open. No lip syncing wannabes here...just beautiful women with soulful voices who know how to communicate through a song. These ladies are all the real thing and the fact that it all seems natural and effortless is a real tribute to their showmanship. Most are still in the music business although not as much in the spotlight as they once were. Some like Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle and Teena Marie are still releasing albums today. One, Phyllis Hyman, was tragically gone too soon. They are all timeless....like any good diva should be.
I wish time (and my record collection) would allow for me to showcase more than the 15 I have here. As a matter of fact, after searching everywhere for my Best of Miki Howard album, I'm beginning to wonder if I just imagined blasting it through my headphones. So if anyone has a Miki Howard song that they want to send me, email it to me and I'll add it to the mix.
*edited 1:30 p.m.
also check out Lis' radio.blog, it's a perfect companion. The 80's are back in effect!
*edited 1/28, 4:48 pm
adding another radio.blog to the 80's roll call. Todd is gonna make ya sweat with his electro-funk mix!
1. Teena Marie - Portuguese Love. With all that soul, I'm still convinced she is just a light skinnned sistah, LOL. If you miss Teena's voice, I would suggest picking up her latest La Dona. She's still got the pipes.
2. Chaka Khan & Rufus - Sweet Thing. Although Chaka didn't start her career singing with Rufus, this is the group that really put her on the map or more correctly stated, she is the one who put them on the map. She left the group in 1983 to pursue a solo career. Everytime I hear this song, I can't resist the urge to sing out loud (and off-key, LOL)
3. Regina Belle - Baby Come To Me. I was surprised to learn she released an album in 2004. Anyone heard it?
4. Norman Connors ft. Phyllis Hyman - Betcha By Golly, Wow. Statuesque and beautiful. She looked like a model and sang like an angel.
5. Angela Bofill - I Try. Wonderfully rich alto voice
6. Natalie Cole - This Will Be (Everlasting Love) She's covered all the bases with soul, pop, and jazz releases.
7. Lisa Stansfield - All Around The World. I love this song, still makes me wanna dance.
8. Patrice Rushen - Haven't You Heard. Keyboardist/singer/songwriter/arranger and more, she produced some of the tightest grooves of the 80's.
9. Angela Winbush - Angel. Former Stevie Wonder backup singer and one half of the duo Renee & Angela, she's written and produced hits for Stephanie Mills, The Isley Brothers, and Lalah Hathaway.
10. Anita Baker - Sweet Love. Another beautiful and distinctive alto voice that's a fusion of jazz and r&b.
11. Whitney Houston - Saving All My Love. I think she's largely responsible for alot of singers trying to do all those riffs and runs though no one has really been able to do it with the success she has. She is also the first artist ever to have seven consecutive #1 singles. Unfortunately a lot of (self-created) personal drama has overshadowed what a great singer she is (was?)
12. Patti Labelle - If Only You Knew. Actually this is one of Patti's more reserved performances but the vocals are still powerful
13. Vesta Williams - Congratulations. Who else still remembers the video with her showing up at the church, LOL.
14. Evelyn "Champagne" King - Love Come Down. Her nickname is a variation of a nickname she had as a baby, Bubbles, because she blew spit bubbles. The famous story is that she was discovered at age 15 while singing in a recording studio bathroom. She was helping out her mother who was a cleaning lady. This one is produced by Kashif.
15. Stephanie Mills - Feel The Fire. It's hard to believe that giant voice is coming from such a tiny body. The funny thing I remember about her is that she used to be married to former Soul Train dancer/Shalamar member Jeffrey Daniels (the guy with the big fro) back in the 80's (lol @ my gossip retaining memory)
Ladies First
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
A week ago I said "I have to represent my femcees properly by dedicating an entire radio blog in their honor". I hope I've done that with this radio.blog that spans about a 25 year period (1980 - 2005) with tracks in no particular order. Ladies of Hip Hop radio.blog
It's no secret that hip hop is full of machismo and misogyny. If this were a personal journal I could probably tell a few stories about being a woman who loves hip hop but wasn't taken seriously by my male counterparts and being tested and challenged or worse yet, "some" of them not understanding that every woman is not a groupie nor should be treated like one. And that's just from a fan's point of view. I can't even imagine the trials and tribulations of women who actually choose to make it their career. So I have great respect for any woman who has stepped into that arena. But this is not meant to be a personal commentary on the state of hip hop but rather an appreciation for the women who've been blessed with a gift to flow, made their voices heard and made hip hop their own.
The subject matter of female hip hop is diverse and reflects who we are, from the soft to the hard, from the conscious to the materialistic. Women don't necessarily rap about anything different from males, but what is different is their perspective. Even with women that rap strictly about sexual matters, it's almost always from a position of power with them in the dominant position. Although typically their images fall somewhere between two extremes...rough and rugged tomboys or freaky bombshells, a few like Lauryn Hill and Jean Grae manage to highlight their complexities well and come across as deep thinkers with something to say. Hip hop is still a man's world, but the women that rise to the top prove that they can rock the mic with the best of them.
The first female solo artist to record hip hop was Lady B. ("To the Beat Y'All", 1980). If you're interested in learning more about females in rap, go here and visit sites like verbalisms or try to find the 3 set series of CD's called Fat Beats & Brastraps.
Other noteworthy femcees (that I didn't have tracks for) include Ladybug Mecca, Conscious Daughters, Heather B, Nikki D, Charlie Baltimore, Queen Penn, Shawnna, Oaktown 3.5.7, Nonchalant, Sister Souljah and all the other sistahs who made inroads. Thanks Todd for #10.
1. Bahamadia - I Confess (Kollage, 1996). One of my favorite hip hop albums with production by DJ Premier and Guru.
2. Lauryn Hill - Lost Ones (The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, 1998). L Boogie the triple threat..actress, emcee, singer.
3. YoYo - You Can't Play With My YoYo (radio edit) (Stompin to the 90's, 1990). Ice Cube's protegee represented for the I.B.W.C. (The Intelligent Black Women's Coalition). She has a new album Fearless coming out this year.
4. Lady of Rage - Afro Puffs ( Above The Rim Soundtrack, 1994). Although she had a hit with this track off the Above The Rim soundtrack in 1994, she didn't come out with her debut album until 1997.
5. Jean Grae - Knock (Attack Of The Attacking Things, 2002). Going originally by the name "What What" she has received alot of critical acclaim for her style and delivery. One of my favorites.
6. Remy Martin - No Bet Chill (2005). From her upcoming album There's Something About Remy
7. Eve - Love is Blind (Let There Be Eve, 1999). Ruff Ryder's first lady moved away from her "pitbull in a skirt" image and is currently starring in her own sitcom and recording an album on Dr. Dre's Aftermath Records.
8. Missy Elliott - Get Your Freak On (Miss E...So Addictive, 2001). Ever since she hit us with the "hee hee hee hee haw", she's been an innovator in the field.
9. Lil Kim - No Time For Fake Ones (Hard Core, 1996). Unapologetically sexual. She's swallowing babies, what can ya say? LOL
10. The Sequence - Funk You Up (Sugarhill Presents.., 1980). Angie B. (aka Angie Stone), Cheryl (The Pearl) Cook, and Gwendolyn (Blondie) Chisolm became the 1st female rap group to record.
11. JJ Fad - Supersonic (Supersonic, 1988)
12. Push It - Salt N Pepa (Hot Cool & Vicious, 1986). Pioneers
13. Da Brat - That's What I'm Looking For (Unrestricted, 2000)
14. MC Lyte - Paper Thin (Lyte As A Rock, 1988). One of the best rappers ever, she now appears on the sitcom "Half & Half"
15. Roxanne Shante - Roxanne's Revenge (1984). Only 14 when she approached Marley Marl about doing an answer back record to UTFO's "Roxanne Roxanne"
16. Foxy Brown - Hot Spot (Chyna Doll, 1998). 25 year old Inga Marchand signed again to Def Jam Records. Her new CD "Black Rose" is expected this summer. I like her approach to rap, she sometimes sounds like a dude but you would never mistake her for one.
17. Trina - Da Baddest Bitch (Da Baddest Bitch, 2000). Ms Trina doesn't bite her tongue about anything.
18. Foxy Brown, Mia X, Gangsta Boo - BWA (Bitches With Attitude) (Chyna Doll, 1998)
19. Missy Elliott, Rah Digga, Eve - Party and Bullshit (remix) (2004). I like this one better than the original with just Rah.
20. Queen Latifah, Monie Love - Ladies First (All Hail the Queen, 1989). Hip hop on a conscious level, I played this song to death when it first came out.
Missing Maxwell
Friday, January 14, 2005
I've learned a lot from women. I've learned about subtlety, and that intimacy is also about the spiritual and mental connection that occurs - Maxwell
Maxwell is the ultimate heartthrob. He's got the voice and the looks. Add to that the sincerity, sensitivity, and sensuality that his lyrics convey and he's got the sex symbol game on lock. He's been one of my musical obsessions since his first album, Urban Hang Suite (1996). He's released three other albums since then, MTV Unplugged (1997), Embrya (1998) (one of my favorite top 5 albums ever), and Now (2001) and appeared on various projects. But where is he? Some reports say he is the victim of record company politics (his latest effort tentatively titled Black Summers Night has been pushed back from spring 2004 to spring 2005). Rumors speak of personal demons preventing him from successfully promoting any new material. All I know for sure is that I miss him! I miss his declarations of love. I miss his songs about the joy of monogamy. I miss how he never objectifies women. I miss his spirituality. I miss the lushness of his lyrics. I just miss him...period. For anyone else who is missing him or anyone who just enjoys good music, I put together a radio.blog of some of my favorite songs from Maxwell.
1. Fortunate. From the Life Soundtrack. His biggest hit to date, penned by R. Kelly. One of my favorites.
2. Softly, Softly. From Sweetback's Sweetback album
3. Sumthin' Sumthin' (Mellowsmoothe Remix). From the Love Jones Soundtrack. Another favorite
4. Suitelady (The Proposal Jam), (Urban Hang Suite). From the moment he sang "..since I have had your brown legs wrapped around me..." he had me. If the next lines he sang were "...Honey go rob a bank..", I would have gone and gotten a mask, LOL.
5. This Woman's Work, (MTV Unplugged). His remake of Kate Bush's song as a tribute to a little girl who had cancer. He explains, "Her wish was to meet me and she passed away six months later. So I re-recorded the song for her".
6. Whenever, Wherever, Whatever, (MTV Unplugged)
7. Til The Cops Come Knockin', (Urban Hang Suite)
8. Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder), (Embrya)
9. Everwanting: To Want You To Want, (Embrya). "..lay all night here on top, if you want to...". Yes thank you! LOL
10. W/As My Girl, (Now). One of my favorites
11. Seguranca. From the Red Hot + Rio: Complilation album. I think this means "security" or securely", but don't quote me on that. Does anyone know the translation of this?
12.Welcome, (Urban Hang Suite)
13. The Suite Urban Theme, (MTV Unplugged)
14. Luxury: Cococure, (Embrya). He says this song is a "goodbye to the ailment of the love affair that inspired Urban Hang Suite, and a hello to the pursuit of internal luxury"
15. Matrimony: Maybe You, (Embrya)
16. No One Else in The Room. From Nas' Street's Disciple album
17. Let's Not Play The Game. From The Best Man Soundtrack
18. Get To Know Ya, (Now)."...brothers been trying to get in your trousers. I was just trying to get into you..." How refreshing is that?
19. Lifetime, (Now)
20. Reunion, (Urban Hang Suite)
21. Each Hour Each Second Each Minute Each Day: Of My Life, (Embrya). "..Do me until I'm done... till my lost if found..."
22. Know These Things: Shouldn't You, (Embrya). Very deep, about someone who seems to know you better than you know yourself.
23. For Lovers Only, (Now)."..Ever since the way you looked at me, love is not a want, love is now a need.."
24. Drowndeep: Hula, (Embrya). "..Let's drown deep in us. How would I let you go, when we be up here all alone".
25. Submerge: Til We Become The Sun, (Embrya). "..See if I'm breathing, because I'm not sure tonight if I'm alive. Words are demeaning, they can't describe.." Just beautiful!
To The Beat Yall
Wednesday, January 12, 2005I have been contemplating doing an old school hip hop radio blog for some time. While Mike put together a dope Dr. Dre tribute and Todd represented as usual for the west coast, I couldn't decide on what direction to take it..east coast, west coast, political, gangsta or what. So I decided to mix in a little bit of everything and just go for the beat. These are simply the beats I like, the ones I rocked back in the day. What you won't find here are female rappers because I have to represent my femcees properly by dedicating an entire radio blog in their honor. Look for that in the coming weeks. Yes yes yall and it don't stop....
1. Stetsasonic - Sally. "All That Jazz" was another one of my fav's by Stetsasonic.
2. Beastie Boys - Brass Monkey. One of the nastiest drinks known...malt liquor and orange juice, yuck!
3. Public Enemy - Night Of The Living Baseheads. Ode to the baseheads/crack heads...or rock stars as we called them in our neighborhood. But this song still makes me wanna do the Flava Flav dance, LOL.
4. Eric B and Rakim - I Know You Got Soul. Most agree that Rakim is one of the best to pick up a mic.
5. Camp Lo - Luchini aka This Is It. I still rock this one.
6. Main Source - Looking At The Front Door
7. Chubb Rock - Treat Em Right. The Chubbster. Whatever happened to him?
8. MC Breed - Ain't No Future In Yo Frontin'. Thanks Todd for having my back once again.
9. AZ ft Miss Jones - Sugar Hill
10. A Tribe Called Quest - Check the Rhime. Classic and one of my favorites.
11. Gang Starr - Mass Appeal
12. Pete Rock_CL Smooth - They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.). I just recently began to appreciate how wonderful Pete Rock's beats are.
13. Nice and Smooth - Sometimes I Rhyme Slow
14. Brand Nubian - Slow Down. Another tale of a rock star
15. Cypress Hill - How I Could Just Kill A Man
16. NWA - Straight Outta Compton. The epitome of gangsta rap.
17. Ice Cube - Pushing Weight. Ok, this may not be considered old school (released in 1998), but what exactly is the old school cut-off date? I'm sure Lis won't mind me including this one, yeahhhh eeee yeahhhh, LOL.
18. Black Sheep - This or That. I'll get with this, cause this is kinda phat.
Seduction Songs
Monday, January 10, 2005
I started out doing an uptempo radio blog this morning and messed around and hit "random" on my music player and ended up hearing Jon B. Damn his sexy lil soulful azz, LOL. Well it was over like 2004 after that. Instead, I put together a radio blog with a seductive mix of songs. Songs that make me all tingly (head nod to Lis and Fresh, LOL *inside joke*). I love my divas, but nothing but grown, sexy men here with voices that set the mood.
1. The New Sector Movement - The Sun (Dwele's Motor City Remix). Thanks Todd for supporting my Dwele habit by supplying such dopeness
2. Raheem Devaughn - Believe
3. Jon B - Before Its Gone - .."it really don't matter if you sweat your hair out tonight.." A man who obviously understands the plight of a sistah, LOL
4. Maxwell - Till The Cops Come Knockin. This man deserves his own radio blog...coming soon
5. Donell Jones - It's Alright
6. Carl Thomas - All You've Given
7. Jonz - Provide
8. Eric Roberson - Past Paradise
9. Brian McKnight - Back Seat (Gettin Down). Even the king of love ballads can get freaky every once in a while.
10. Mos Def - The Panties. Do I even need to go there? Yall know why I included this one right?
11. Tank - Slowly
12. Lathun - Sweetest Thing
13. Chico Debarge - Sexual
14. Van Hunt - Seconds of Pleasure
15. D'Angelo - How Does It Feel
My Top 25 Songs of 2004
Friday, December 31, 2004First of all I would like to acknowledge and thank all the wonderful commenters and fellow bloggers (yes that means you) I have come across since I started blogging wayyyy back in August of this year. You all have really made this fun and worthwhile for me. Special thanks to those who I would sit at a lunch table with if we were still in high school...KB, EJ, Todd, Berry, Mike, Greggy, Ceecee, Simone and of course my ace boon, my road dawg, (and all those other terrible slang names we used back in the day) would be my gurl Lis. We'd be the ones dressing alike and gossiping about everybody, LOL.
Now on to the list. I am not a music critic or writer (rolling my eyes at the smartazzes who are thinking...yeah we could tell, LOL) so I can't verbally express why each of these songs are my favorites. A lot of these barely got radio airplay. My only qualification for my "best songs of 2004" was that they moved me in some way...whether just tapping my foot, nodding my head to the beat, getting up and dancing or best of all, they moved me emotionally.
Here is my lyrical tribute to my best songs of 2004 (in order of their appearance):
Music, You Make Life So Good! You got me Falling easy, like a Summer Breeze. Got me Slippin and wondering What In The World? Is it Midnight in Bahia? The Fact Is even if I'm Down Here in Hell With You or between A Bullet and a Target, I'd do Anythang for Pieces of you...For Real! Just Call My Name, Bandy Bandy or Original Bitch and I'll Count The Ways and worship you like Aganju(?). Whatever the Situation, I want to get Closer to you. I'll go to the Ghetto, Rock it and Drop It...Like It's Hot. You teach me to be True To Myself and to remember I'm Livin For Today. How do I feel about you music? Love Is The Word because you make me feel Free!
Ha! Who said I wasn't a writer? (again I roll my eyes at the smart azzes, LOL)
Happy New Year Yall! Be safe, and see you next year ;-)
:::Best songs of 2004 radio.blog:::
1. You Make Life So Good - Rahsaan Patterson
2. Falling - Gaelle
3. Summer Breeze - Isley Brothers ft Onda and Esthero
4. Slippin - Aya
5. What In The World - Jon B.
6. Midnight in Bahia - Adriana Evans
7. The Fact Is - Jill Scott
8. Down Here In Hell With You - Van Hunt
9. Bullet And A Target - Citizen Cope
10. Anythang - Devin The Dude
11. Pieces - Hil St. Soul
12. For Real - Amel Larrieux
13. Call My Name - Prince
14. Bandy, Bandy - Zap Mama
15. Original Bitch - Esthero
16. Count The Ways - Slum Village ft. Dwele
17. Aganju - Bebel Gilberto
18. Situation - Jonz
19. Closer - Goapele
20. Ghetto Rock - Mos Def
21. Drop It Like Its Hot - Snoop ft Pharell
22. True To Myself - Incognito
23. Livin For Today - Toshi ft. Mos Def
24. Sweetback - Love Is The Word
25. Free - LaShell Griffin
My Top Ten CD's of 2004 (plus two)
Tuesday, December 28, 2004It's that time again. Time for countdowns of the year's most memorable, so I thought I would join my friends EJ and Todd in naming my favorite CD's of the year. These are the CD's that I can put on and enjoy every song from beginning to end. 12 cd's + 12 months = a pretty good year musically. I've also included links to some of my favorite tracks from those CD's. What are your favorite CD's of 2004?
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Radioblog: Ain't No Party Like An Old School Party
Monday, December 27, 2004
Jump Off by Frank Morrison
This radio blog was inspired by some music I was listening to over the holidays. All these songs have one thing in common for me...whenever I heard them I would exclaim "Oh, that's my jam!" LOL. Most of these songs are from the 80's, my prime partying period, LOL and I tore up a dancefloor or two listening to these. So go ahead, get up and shake ya groove thang!
*Special Thanks to Todd da Music God for #8 and #10
If anyone is interesting in owning some of these songs Amazon has some good old school compilations available. Old School, Vol. 1, Old School Jams, Vol. 3, No.1 Hits of Disco Soul Funk Rare Groove [IMPORT](which happens to be on my wishlist in case anyone is feeling generous, LOL)
1. Timex Social Club - Rumors. I have vivid memories of doing "the snake" to this one, LOL. Producer Jay King left shortly after this hit in 1986 and formed his own band, Club Nouveau.
2. Nu Shooz - I Can't Wait. From a husband and wife team, this song was hot in 1986!
3. Cybotron - Clear. Electro-funk
4. Planet Patrol - Play At Your Own Risk
5. The Soul Sonic Force - Planet Rock. Afrika Bambattaa's crew
6. Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love. There is also a more hip hop version by Jeckyll and Hyde called "Genius of Rap". I'm not sure which one came first.
7. Whodini - Five Minutes of Funk. I think I played the grooves out of Whodini's "Back in Black" album
8. Doug E Fresh ft Slick Rick - The Show. The human beat box. "...6 minutes Doug E Fresh, you're on!"
9. Tom Browne - Funkin For Jamaica (jamaica funk)
10. The Fatback Band - Backstrokin'. "..lookin for that good stuff, why don't you tighten up on your backstroke.." Sounds like good advice to me, LOL.
11. Chuck Brown and The Soul Searchers - Bustin Loose. The 1st time I ever heard go-go and I liked it.
12. One Way - Cutie Pie
13. Zapp - More Bounce To The Ounce. I wasn't quite sure what they were referring to back in 1980 but I get it now, LOL.
14. Slave - Slide. This was the group dance jam way before the "electric slide"
15. Brick - Dazz. "...dazz, dazz, disco jazz"
16. Vaughn Mason and Crew - Bounce Rock Skate. Even if you never owned a pair of roller skates you probably jammed to this one.
17. Rock Master Scott and the Dynamic Three - Request Line. Classic hip-hop
18. Newcleus - Jam On It. Just 4 words....wikki wikki wikki wikki
19. Frankie Smith - Double Dutch Bus. Yes this was corny but still one of my favs. My friends and I often talked pig latin, LOL.
20. Power Jam ft Chill Rob G - The Power. Snap took his hook for their popular version of the song.
John Legend Live
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Imagine. John Legend's voice, a piano and you. That sounds pretty good to me, how about you? It's been over 4 months since I was first enamored by John Legend. Here is your chance to hear John live before his Get Lifted CD is finally released on December 28th (after being pushed back from October).
This CD, Solo Sessions Vol. 1: Live at the Knitting Factory, was recorded live in New York, and features John accompanied only by his piano. It's warm and intimate and it's refreshing to hear a true performer who can go from the playful "She Don't Have To Know" to his rendition of Nina Simone's "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" without missing a beat. Listen for special guest appearances by Kanye West, J. Ivy and Imani Uzuri.
John will also appear on BET's "Christmas Memories" show with Faith Evans, Avant, and Wyclef premiering on Tuesday 12/21, 9pm ET.
*sidenote: make sure you check out new videos from Foreign Exchange (if you don't have their album, get it, you won't be disappointed), Snoop, and Twista in the new additions section.
Tracklisting for Solo Sessions Vol. 1: Live at the Knitting Factory below:
1. Intro
2. Lifted
3. Do What I Gotta Do
4. She Don’t Have to Know
5. Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood
6. Sun Comes Up
7. Stay With You
8. So High (ft. J. Ivy)
9. If This World Were Mine (ft. Imani Uzuri)
10. All Falls Down (ft. Kanye West)
11. Motherless Chile
12. Refuge
13. Must Be the Way
Radioblog: Mixed Grooves
Friday, December 10, 2004This radio blog is a fusion of hip hop, jazz, electronic and anything else I was really feeling at the time. I thought it would be fun to throw different styles together...and it was. I hope you enjoy it too.
1. Maybe Now - Clara Hill, Restless Times. You may see this album in the CD Spotlight. It's sooooo smooth and I love her voice.
2. Anythang (Remix) - Devin The Dude ft Rick James. I might be biased because Devin is from Houston, but homeboy smoothes it out nicely on this one. I miss Rick :-(
3. Everybody Loves The Sunshine - Roy Ayers ft Erykah Badu and DJ Sakoni, Mahogany Vibe. Updated version of Roy's classic jam.
4. Los Alamitos Latinfunklovesong (Bugz In The Attic Mix) - Gene Harris, Blue Note Revisited. Gene Harris was a jazz pianist and Bugz is a group of artist and DJ's based in West London responsible for a large amount of broken beat music today. Some of them also make an appearance later as the group DKD.
5. 1, 2, To The Bass - Stanley Clarke ft Q-Tip,1,2, To The Bass. I love when musical styles are mixed. Can u tell? LOL
6. Big Bounce Theory - Jneiro Jarel, EP. Another Houston homeboy (by way of Brooklyn) who started in the underground hip-hop scene as an artist/producer. I gotta love him for shoutin out H-Town at the beginning of the song.
7. Bhangra Fever - MIDIval PunditZ, MIDIval PunditZ. I had to include this one because it makes me jump up and dance like a fool when I hear it, LOL.
8. Anjangu (Latin Project Mix) - Bebel Gilberto. She has been in heavy rotation for me lately.
9. No Use - Jazzanova ft Clara Hill, In Between. What's even better than Jazzanova? Jazzanova with Clara.
10. All Over You (2B4U Remix) - Aquanote.
11. Blue Horizon - Maysa, Out Of The Blue. Former member of Stevie Wonder's group Wonderlove and Incognito. Once you hear her voice you can never forget it.
12. All Mine - Portishead, Portishead. It's hard to describe their sound. Dark, cool, sultry, innovative, weird, lol, but that only scratches the surface.
13. Andromeda and The Milky Way - Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Comfort Woman. I can't sing her praises enough. Whether she's being melancholy or rebellious, she's one of my favorite artists.
14. Not Time - DKD, Future Rage. I just discovered them recently and I'm loving what I'm hearing so far.
15. Warm Chill - TJ Remhi, Warm Chill. A self-taught jazz/blues guitarist who learned to play by ear listening to Jimi Hendrix, Santana and the Rolling Stones.
Radioblog: The Mighty Mos Def
Friday, December 03, 2004
I'm about to introduce you to one of my most intimate possessions....my MOS DEF collection, LOL. In case you haven't noticed, I am a Mos Def/Black Dante/Dante Beze/Dante Terrell Smith fan. And having about 150 of his songs (he is the king of collabos), it was a little hard to narrow my radio.blog down to 30 of his songs. It was like picking your favorite children...uhh well if you had 150 children. Ok maybe thats not a good analogy but you know what I'm saying. These are my favorite Mos tracks (of the moment).
I first heard Mos back in 1998 on Body Rock with Tash and Q-Tip and I thought hmmmm, who is that with the sexy voice. Then I did some research back to the days when he was acting before he was rappin, back to his days with UTD (Urban Thermo Dynamics) and it's been all love since then. He's so multi-faceted and that's what I think I was attracted to...the persona, the voice, the messages in his music, and his different types of musical vibes. I tried to capture those different vibes in my selections. Tracks 1-11 reflect his R&B side, 12-22 represent his hip hop side and tracks 23-30 reflect his rock n roll side. Go to your favorite type or listen to them all. Here is a good bio about Mos if you're interested.
tracklistings below:
01. Mos Def - Umi Says(Zero 7 Remix). "tomorrow may never come"... "shine your light on the world"... "I want black people to be free"... some of my favorite lyrics from my favorite song by Mos. Add the Zero 7 mix and it's positively heaven.
02. Mos Def - Ms Fat Booty, Black on Both Sides. This one was a major commercial success for Mos
03. Isley Brothers ft Mos Def - Beauty In The Dark, <="B0002S945C">Taken to the Next Phase. OK let's face it, the brotha can't sing but he sounds so good tryin, LOL.
04. Mos Def - Kalifornia, Biker Boyz Soundtrack.
05. Toshi ft Mos Def - Living For Today, Time To Share. This one makes you wanna cruise around in a convertible with the breeze blowing through your hair....uhhh ok, maybe that's just me, LOL.
06. DJ Honda - Foundation ft Mos Def, 2000. Listen to the words of this love song, "the foundation of love is tenderness" *sigh* "..I wanna build my house on solid ground to make it strong so that you'll stay around" *double sigh*
07. Mary J Blige ft Mos Def and Talib Kweli, - Beautiful _remix, How Stella Got Her Groove Back Soundtrack
08. Jill Scott ft Mos Def - Love Rain_Head Nod Remix. Jill and Mos, that's the best of both worlds to me.
09. Ronny Jordan ft Mos Def - A Brighter Day Remix, A Brighter Day
10. Hi Tek ft Vinia Mojica and Mos Def - Get Ta Steppin, Hi-Teknology. Vinia and Mos' voices really compliment each other on this cut.
11. Mos Def ft Esthero_50 Cent_Young Buck, Summertime EP - Jump Off/Summertime.
12. Evil Dee_Mos Def_Talib Kweli_Mr Man - Fortified_Live, Soundbombing 1. Love the beat and the flow on this one.
13. Mos Def - Mathematics, Black on Both Sides. Classic song from a classic album.
14. Mos Def - Hip Hop, Black on Both Sides
15. Mos Def_Pharoahe Monch_Nate Dogg - Oh No, Oh No, CD Single. I never get tired of this one
16. Mos Def - Brooklyn_freestyle
17. Mos Def - What Beef Is, Median Green: U Know the Flex Mix Tape 1 . Deep
18. Mos Def -Close Edge, The New Danger. Flow supreme.
19. Mos Def - Fear Not of Man, Black on Both Sides. Mos' sermon "..whatever's happening to hip hop is what's happening to us"
20. Mos Def ft Busta Rhymes - Do It Now, Black on Both Sides
21. The Roots ft Mos Def - Double Trouble, Things Fall Apart. You must have forgot, they double trouble, bubblin hot. This one's just funky!
22. Talib Kweli ft Mos Def_Jay Z_Kanye West_Busta Rhymes - Get By remix. Plus John legend in the background. What more could you ask for?
23. Mos Def - Rock N Roll, Black on Both Sides. "Elvis Presley ain't got no soul, Chuck Berry is rock and roll". Speak on it!
24. Mos Def and Massive Attack - I Against I, Blade 2 Soundtrack. I'm a Massive Attack fan so I'm really feeling this one and that a bassline a drum machine? Whatever it is, it's killin it!
25. Scritti Politti ft Mos Def - Tinseltown To The Boogie Down, Anomie & Bonhomie. I gotta thank Scritti for this one. There is also a Beatnut's remix,a Pete Rock remix, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad remix.
26. NERD ft Common_Mos Def_De La_Q Tip - She Wants To Move Remix. How can you not dance to this one?
27. Mos Def - Ghetto Rock, The New Danger. One of the standouts on "The New Danger"
28. Mos Def - Zimzallabim, The New Danger. "All I got is hard ryhmes and hot spit for them"..
29. Mos Def - Freaky Black Greetings, The New Danger
30. Mos Def - Freak Daddy, Soundbombing 3
Radioblog: Smooth and Sexy
Friday, November 26, 2004My husband is off for the holidays so my radio.blog reflects my mood this week. I'll just leave it at that, LOL. I wouldn't necessarily listen to it at work, but if you are in the mood for some smooth and sexy sounds, give it a listen.
Tracklisting below:
1. Maxwell - Sumthin Sumthin (Mellosmoothe Remix),Love Jones Soundtrack. OK where the heck is Max? I play every record he ever recorded...constantly. Time for him to give me some new obsessions.
2. D'Angelo - Cruisin (Wet P_ Remix). Besides Maxwell, D'Angelo is one of the only artist I would buy a CD from before I even hear a song.
3. Jonz - Situation, Soul Lounge 1: Vibe Compilation. I don't know what language he is speaking near the end, sounds like French but whatever he's selling, I'm buying.
4. Quintessence - Sparkle, White Light EP. Di di di dee dum. I can't stop singing that hook.
5. Ultra Nate - Twisted, <="B00005AVO5">Stranger Than Fiction.
6. The Roots ft. Musiq - Break You Off, Phrenology.
7. Slum Village ft Dwele - Count Da Ways, Detroit Deli. Dwele could sing the alphabet and I would be right there in the front row swaying to the beat. He instantly makes any song better
8. Prince - Insatiable, Diamonds and Pearls. I hesitate to say anything about Prince for fear that my obvious lust for him will be revealed, LOL.
9. Goapele - Romantic, Even Closer. Blunt and to the point, I can relate.
10. Floetry - Say Yes, Floetic.
11. Jill Scott - Cross My Mind, Beautifully Human.
12. Isley Brothers - Sensuality (Part 1 & 2), Love Songs. The Isleys are a stable to any good romantic mix. I just couldn't decide which one of their masterpieces to include.
13. Eddie Kendricks - Intimate Friends, Ultimate Collection. I'm glad he left the Temptations, if only for this one song.
14. Curtis Mayfield - Give Me Your Love,Superfly Soundtrack. If you saw the movie "Superfly" then you probably remember the bathtub scene. This song makes that scene even sexier.
15. Barry White - Never, Never Gonna Give You Up, All Time Greatest Hits. "The Maestro" The perfect way to climax...uhhh I mean end the set, LOL
Radioblog: The Spoken Word
Friday, November 19, 2004This week I'm focusing the radio.blog on the spoken word as a form of music. Actually, the tracks that I have selected are set to music but instead of saying the message is in the music, I guess you could say the music is in the message.
Some songs have social messages, some political, but all are still revelant especially with what's been reported in the media lately, yall know what I'm talking about. Of course I have included some pioneers like Gil Scott-Heron and The Last Poets, but others like Saul Williams, Ursula Rucker and Jill Scott (who started as a spoken word artist in Philadelphia) seemed necessary. Others like Me'Shell N'degeocello are not necessarily considered "spoken word artists", but certainly after listening to her flow, I don't think I am way off in including her in this group.
Although I had more spoken word poetry in my collection than I realized, my collection is still limited so if you have any favorite spoken word artists, drop me an email or leave a comment and let me know what's up. Oh yeah, if you are offended by the "N" word or strong language, you may want to skip this one. Enjoy!
Tracklisting:
01. Carl Hancock Rux - No Black Male Show, Rux Revue
02. Ursula Rucker with King Britt - Untitled Flow, <="B0000AINRN">Silver or Lead
03. Meshell Ndegeocello - Dead Nigga Blvd Pt 1, Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape
04. Malik Yusef and Carl Thomas - Trouble Won_t Last_Cold Cold World, Emotional
05. Jill Scott - Love Rain, Who Is Jill Scott
06. Dead Prez ft Abiodun - Mind Sex_Black Rose, Let's Get Free
07. Ras Baraka - Nina_ I Never Learned To Love,Voices of Urban Renewal
08. Ursula Rucker with the Roots - Return of Innocence Lost, Things Fall Apart Thanks EJ for the suggestion
09. Micheal Franti and Spearhead - Skin On The Drum, Stay Human
10. Blackilicious ft Saul Wms_Zack De La Rocha and Lyrics Borns - Release Pts 2 and 3, Blazing Arrow
11. The Last Poets - Niggas Are Scared of Revolution, 1st Album
12. Gil Scott-Heron - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Radioblog: Ol' Dirty Bastard
Sunday, November 14, 2004R.I.P. Ol' Dirt Dawg
*edited 11/14 to add tracklisting for the archives
01. ODB ft Lil Mo - Good Morning Heartache
02. ODB - Shimmy Shimmy Ya dog town remix
03. ODB - Danger
04. Slum Village ft Dirt McGirt - Dirty
05. ODB ft Kelis - Got Your Money
06. ODB and ICP - Dirty Stinkin
07. ODB ft Chris Rock - Recognize
08. Mariah Carey ft ODB - Fantasy
09. Jon B ft Dirt McGirt - Everytime
10. ODB - Give It To Ya Raw - SD50 Remix
11. ODB - Don't U Know, Part II
12. ODB - Ol Dirtys Back
13. ODB - Brooklyn Zoo
14. ODB - Protect Ya Neck II The Zoo - (featuring Lord Buddah Monk_Prodigal Sun_Zoo Keeper_Murdoc_Killer Priest_12 O_Clock_Shorty S___ Stain_60 Second)
15. ODB - I Can_t Wait
16. ODB - Rollin' With You
17. ODB - Raw Hide - (featuring Method Man_Raekwon The Chef)
18. ODB - Dirty Dancin_ (LP Version)
19. ODB - Cold Blooded
20. Dirt McGirt feat. Nicole Wray - Welcome Home
Radio Blog
Monday, November 08, 2004I updated the radio.blog. No themes this week, just tunes that seemed to go together (at least in my mind, LOL). Sorta smooth, sorta dance...hmmmm, hard for me to classify, you'll just have to listen.
*edited 11/10 to add tracklisting
01. Black Eyed Peas ft. Les Nubians & Mos Def - On My Own, (Bridging The Gap)
02. Hi-Tek ft Jonell - Round and Round, (Hi-Teknology)
03. JazzyFatnastees - All Up In My Face, (Tortoise & Hare)
04. Spooks - Sweet Revenge, (Siosos 1)
05. Ty ft. Roots Manuva - Oh U Want More (remix), (Upwards)
06. Isley Brothers ft Questlove - That_Lady_(Pts1_&_2), <="B0002S945C">(Taken to the Next Phase)
07. Isley Brothers ft Onda and Esthero - Summer Breeze, <="B0002S945C">(Taken to the Next Phase)
08. Esthero - Original Bitch, (O G Bitch [CD-SINGLE])
09. Fiona Apple - Criminal, (Tidal)
10. Citizen Cope - Pablo Picasso, (The Clarence Greenwood Recordings)
11. Jody Watley - Midnight Lounge, (Midnight Lounge)
12. Lamb - Heaven, (What Sound)
Radio Blog: 90's Girl Groups
Monday, November 01, 2004This week's radio.blog is dedicated to the girl groups of the 90's. I tried to pick groups who were well-known during the time and had released more than one album.
Here is who is included:
1. Zhane - Sending My Love (Pronounced Jah-Nay, 1994) - Zhane members Jean and Renee were rockin the club with Hey Mr. DJ, Groovethang and this cut. The CD was produced by Kay Gee from Naughty By Nature.
2. Brownstone - If You Love Me (From The Bottom Up, 1995) - Original trio members Mimi, Nicci, and Maxee were one of the first groups signed to Michael Jackson's MJJ Music. I luv the message of this song.
3. Jade - Don't Walk Away (Jade To The Max, 1992) - Tonya, Joi, and Di also had hits with I Wanna Love You and One Woman from the same albun.
4. TLC - Creep (Crazysexycool, 1994) - This album helped Lisa, Chili, and T-Boz become one of the top selling female groups of all times.
5. Kissin You - Total (Total, 1996) - Still one of my favorite songs to date. Kima, Keisha & Pam have moved on to other things. (Keisha and actor Omar Epps are now married with children)
6. SWV - Weak (It's About Time, 1992) - Plans for Coko, Lelee and Taj to reunite have fallen through. Instead, Coko is working with producers Kay-Gee, and her husband's producing duo, The Clemons Brothers on a solo release.
7. Wishing On A Star - The Cover Girls (Here It Is, 1992) - This is a really beautiful song from members Caroline, Evelyn and Michelle who were not the original members and who were themselves replaced in 1996.
8. En Vogue - Giving Him Something He Can Feel (Funky Divas, 1992) - En Vogue released an album Soulflower with Cindy, Terri, and new member Rhona earlier this year. Maxine and ex Lucy Pearl member Dawn are reportedly in talks to rejoin the group.
9. Xscape - Who Can I Run To (Off The Hook, 1995) - Sisters LaTocha and Tamika, Kandi and Tameka "Tiny", all from College Park, GA, joined forces with Jermaine Dupri and after singing at his birthday party in 1991.
10. Destiny's Child - Say My Name (The Writing's On The Wall, 1999) - This song features original members Beyonce, Kelly, LaTavia and LeToya. Michelle and Farrah replaced the latter two in 2000. Farrah left soon after, leaving the group with the existing three members. Their upcoming CD Destiny Fulfilled will be released on Nov. 16.
11. Blaque - Bring It All To Me (Blaque, 1999) - Shamari, Natina and Brandi were discovered by TLC's Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. Their name is an acronym for "Believe, Life, Achieving, Quest, Unity and Everything".
12. Where My Girls At - 702 (702, 1999) - Las Vegas natives Irish, Kameelah, and Lemisha were discovered by New Edition's Michael Bivins.
sweetened by Honey at 10:40 AM |Radio Blog: The Unsung Pt. 2, The Ladies
Monday, October 18, 2004This is the continuation of my first radio blog, this time showcasing the ladies. Just like in the first part, I didn't include the divas who have deservingly gotten a lot of attention like Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Sade, and Angie Stone and unfortunately some artists were left off just to keep things manageable. Instead I opted to include these beautiful ladies with beautiful voices who still haven't obtained superstar status for whatever reasons, but certainly not for lack of talent. You'll find the link under "The Sweet Spot" to the right. Enjoy!
1. Aya - Slippin (Strange Flower, 2004). This whole CD is just beautiful! Aya turned down several major record labels to work with producer Jay Denes of Blue Six on this album and her work with Stuart Matthewman on Sweetback's second album "Stage 2" may be the reason for comparisons to Sade. Warning: this song is contagious!
2. Adriana Evans - Midnight In Bahia (Nomadic, 2004). This song is just smooth, smooth, smooth. Adriana's voice is sultry and jazzy on this track.
3. Ledisi - Free Again (Soul Singer, 2003). Ledisi means "to bring forth" in Nigerian and she certainly does bring forth the soul on this song.
4. Goapele - Closer (Even Closer, 2004). Her promotional debut album "Closer" garnered so much praise that she added 5 more songs and released her sophomore album "Even Closer".
5. Trina Broussard - Inside My Love (Love Jones Soundtrack, 1997). Trina's remake of this Minnie Riperton's song left me wanting to hear more. It took another seven years before her latest album "Same Girl" was released.
6. Tweet - Smoking Cigarettes (Southern Hummingbird, 2003). Tweet's new CD "It's Me Again" will be released in January 2005 but you can hear a single from that CD in the "Have You Heard" section.
7. Amel Larrieux - For Real (Bravebird, 2004). Amel first gained popularity as a member of Groove Theory with her sweet, jazzy voice.
8. Teedra Moses - Be Your Girl (Complex Simplicity, 2004). Although this is Teedra's first album, it was very impressive. I hope she won't be overlooked for less talented and lesser clothed singers.
9. Lalah Hathaway - Better and Better (Outrun The Sky, 2004). This is my favorite song (at the moment) from this long awaited album. My favorite changes everytime I listen to it.
10. Lizz Wright - Salt (Salt, 2003). I often wonder if Lizz's brilliant CD was the victim of bad timing, bad publicity or something else altogether.
11. Amy Winehouse - Take The Box (Frank, 2004). Nineteen year old Amy is popular in the UK. Her quirky voice and the message of her songs makes this album irresistible.
12. Hil St. Soul - Pieces (Copasetik & Cool, 2004). Another UK import, singer/songwriter Hilary Mwelwa and writer/producer Victor Redwood Sawyer make up the group Hil St. Soul.
13. Zap Mama - Sweet Melody (Ancestry in Progress, 2004). Marie Daulne can turn a sweet melody into an incredible vocal production.
14. Rachelle Ferrell - Funny Valentine (Live at Montreux, 2002). Calling Rachelle a jazz artist just doesn't seem to do her justice. Her incredible voice/vocal instrument has a 6 octave range. Mariah who?
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Radio Blog: Chris Rock
Friday, October 15, 2004
In case you haven't heard, the Oscars are rolling with the new. Chris Rock will host The Oscar broadcast next year (Feb 27, 2005). I am anticipating this and curious about how much of himself he will actually be able to inject into the show. Anyway, I thought it would be great to hear some of his classic material so I uploaded one of his classic bits to the radio.blog (under the sweet spot to the right if you haven't been here before). The hilarious "niggas vs black people" was a 12-minute bit done at the Bring The Pain concert at Tacoma Theatre in Washington, D.C., in 1996 and captured live on his 1997 concert CD Roll With the New. So give it a listen and get ya friday funny on!
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New Music You Haven't Heard
Thursday, October 14, 2004Maybe you have heard it but I thought that was a catchy title, lol. I have added another radio blog just for New Music!(yes there are two radio blogs now, lol)
The new music radio is under "Have You Heard..." and I will update it with new songs I come across so that you can always have a first listen to the newest music. I will update "Have You Heard..." when I get something new so check back periodically because I won't do a new post for that. The newer tracks will be on top. Listen to one track or listen to them all, as always, the choice is yours. The other radio blog will remain my personal playlist of my favorite songs and I will let you know when I update that one.
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For my first radio blog
Monday, October 11, 2004For my first radio blog I decided to include songs from talented artists who in my opinion should be receiving a lot more recognition. Even with limiting the songs to those that I already have in my music collection, my first draft was well over 40 artists so of course I had to narrow it down. I only included male artists (female artists coming at a later date). I didn't include some of the obvious choices like Maxwell, D'Angelo, Musiq, Anthony Hamilton, Jaheim, and Joe because although they are not receiving the props they deserve, they are a lot more well known and receive more airplay than others. Then there are those who just didn't make the cut because I wanted to keep it to only 15 selections but they will be making future appearances. So here are the selections. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.
You'll find the link to the radio.blog under "The Sweet Spot" near the upper right. If you find anything technically wrong, like it won't play etc, please let me know.
1. Chico Debarge - Virgin (Long Time No See, 1997) . Another musical member of the Debarge family who spent some time in jail on drug charges before releasing this gem. This song is just smooooth...and on top of that, he is fionnne!
2. Carl Thomas- Hey Now (Emotional, 2000). This talented singer/songwriter debuted on P. Diddy's Badboy label and I don't think they knew what to do with him, what a shame. I call this song straight sex with a beat. The lyrics are simple but heartfelt. You'll definitely be feeling something before the song is over, LOL.
3. Jack Herrera - Say The Word (Unreleased). Upon doing some research, I discovered that Jack Herrera is actually the name of the duo composed of artists Sun and DominiQuinn. They had a song called "Free To Believe" on the Light It Up soundtrack and a song called High Off You with Jon B. on the CD, Red Star Sounds, Vol. 1.
4. Jon B. - What in the World (Stronger Everyday, 2004). Songwriter, producer, vocalist, and instrumentalist Jonathon Buck has had some personal tragedy lately (his recording studio burned down and he and his wife divorced.) but that didn't hamper his ability to soulfully caress a song with the best of them. Plus he ain't to bad on the eyes either, LOL.
5. Raphael Saadiq - I Love Her (Ray Ray, 2004) He's come a long way since "Little Walter" with Tony Toni Tone back in 1988. He now owns his own record label, Pookie Entertainment with himself, Joi, and Truth Hurts on the artist roster.
6. Rahsaan Patterson - I Always Find (After Hours [Import], 2004) The U.S. version will be released on October 26. He starred on KIDS Incorporated, has acted in small roles and commercials, worked as backup singer, and penned hits for Brandy (Baby) & Tevin Campbell (Back to the World).
7. Donell Jones - It's Alright (Where I Wanna Be, 1999). Here's an extra for you. Donell has a new song called U Make Me with Fat Joe from an upcoming album. Download it here.
8. Jesse Powell - Something In The Past ( JP, 2001) . I don't know why but he sort of reminds me of an older Tevin Campbell.
9. Glenn Lewis - It's Not Fair (World Outside My Window, 2002). It's hard not to make comparisons to Stevie Wonder when you hear his voice but his debut album is a great starting point to creating his own legend.
10. Stephen Simmonds - Alone (Spirit Tales, 2000) The Swedish born son of a Jamaican musician had some success in Europe before releasing his debut album in the U.S.
11. Dwele - Without You (Subject, 2003). He began writing songs at the age of ten, after his father was murdered outside his home. I first heard Dwele on Slum Village's hit "Tainted" and it's been a musical love affair with him ever since.
12. Van Hunt - Down Here In Hell (Van Hunt, 2004). He credits his father who he says was a part-time painter and pimp, for sparking his imagination and introducing him to the world of music.
13. Kem - Matter of Time (Kemistry, 2003) This self-taught musician quit his job and stepped out on faith by releasing this album on his own. It paid off and it was later picked up by Motown.
14. Bilal - Soul Sista (1st Born Second, 2003). Bilal Oliver was 21 when he released this CD but from his musical maturity, he seems like an old soul to me.
15. Dave Hollister - Take Care of Home (Chicago '85 The Movie, 2000). Dave says he is no longer doing secular music, only gospel. Let's hope he changes his mind and realizes that the best soul singers have gospel backgrounds.
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