Audio Diva Takes Another Short Sabbatical

*sigh* Once again school has whisked me away from blog land. I'm working on two HUGE projects at the moment and they have been taking up much of my time as of late. Thus, I have decided to take another break from the blog, this time a little longer than expected.

Since Thanksgiving holiday is next week, I will be returning back to blogging duties on December 1st. I know, a long time...but I know I have some wonderful affiliates (see left side-bar) who will steer you in the right music direction until my return.

Also, if you are a self-promoted/independent artist/producer, see this post, and e-mail me if you are interested in wanting to answer some questions and help me with my project.

While away, I'll be on Twitter, Last.fm, Tumblr and elsewhere on the Internets, so if you want to hit me up with a comment, question or the like, just e-mail me or reach out to me on Twitter :)

Keep the music playing and see you back in Dec. 1st!

Crisp N' Fresh: Robin Thicke Gives The Ladies Some 'Sex Therapy'

THE video of 2009? Maybe...the opinion rests in the scrumptious display that Robin Thicke has set forth in his new video for single, "Sex Therapy" and boy, its a feast for the eyes and the imaginative mind. There is a lot to see here, you've got food porn (chocolates, strawberries...what no snozzberries?), you've got Robin giving some sexy-wexy come hither stares to the screen and gnawing at pearls draped on his lady friends...well, the song is indeed called "Sex Therapy" why not take it all the way? And take it all the way (or off...) Robin does like the gentleman he is. While I go and fan myself from the sensual fever that this video is, press play and experience Robin taking it to another level.

The Audio Diva 2000's: Hey Ya and Like Wo! [2003]

Some things about 2003 are escaping my memory possibly because for me, it was a bit boring. Save for a few occurrences such as seeing Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguliera live on stage and enjoying every moment of it, even right down to these two girls in front of us that were so wasted out of their minds that one was slumped over the side railing crying, "Cry meee a rivvverrr!!" when the song Justin was performing was "Like I Love You". Fail. From that day, I swore to not drink heavily at concerts for fear of looking the fool and missing the concert.

2003 was also the year my school's drama club went to the high school theater convention that was held in Wichita Falls, Texas. It was quite fun because we got to see some great performances of high schools putting on productions of Godspell and Ragtime. All the while my drama class wondered why our high school was so cheap and wouldn't let us put on spectacular performances like what we were seeing before us. Aside from that, the convention was also fun, because I actually had my first "acting" role that year, and went from being the soundboard girl to actually having time in the spotlight. This was all thanks to the girl who had the role originally pissing off the teacher to the point where she was kicked out of the production we put on that year. I ended up being in this crazy comedy of errors production called, "Cut!" and well, I played a girl named "Jennifer", who's character was described as "The Nerd". Such a big stretch for me....

Elsewhere, on the musical front, we saw the rise of Beyonce, the solo star as well as American Idol's first winner, Kelly Clarkson. No Doubt released their Singles collection with a cover of Talk Talk's "It's My Life" as well as the news that frontwoman Gwen Stefani was embarking on her solo career (we'll get to that next year). Kelis brought boys to her yard with her "Milkshake" while Daniel Bedingfield gave Justin Timberlake a run for his white soul boy money with his catchy single, "I Gotta Get Thru This". Dannii Minogue was having Neon Nights (and hasn't released an album of brand new material since) while Blu Cantrell was experiencing Bittersweet feelings. I also became an even bigger fan of Nelly Furtado after she released her long hibernated on Folklore project, which gave me my anthem of the year, "Powerless (Say What You Want)". 2003 also saw the emergence of Amy Winehouse with her album, Frank, but she would catch on with Americans untill 2006. 50 Cent was "In Da Club" and was the coolest thing in Hip-Hop at that time due to the factoid he had been shot in the mouth multiple times. Gangsta.

The Big 3 of 2003

Alicia Keys
True facts. Keys' best album is Diary of Alicia Keys and to me, she hasn't really gone back to this sound. True, she has evolved (and not to everyone's liking at the moment) and we'd want her too, but Alicia was much more the trendsetter than the trend follower back in 2003. Her 2001 debut, Songs In A Minor, set the tone that Alicia was bringing back the artist/instrument concept, but she took it to the zenith point with Diary. She dipped her fingers deeper into the vintage soul, even making her come close to being the Patrice Rushen of her day. She came up with gems like the comforting title track, the stark "Karma", and oh, the physically amazing, "Nobody Not Really".

OutKast
If you weren't a fan of this duo from Atlanta by now...well, now you were, and so was your Mom, Dad, and your Auntie....everyone. It seemed that everywhere you went, "Hey Ya", "Way You Move" or "Roses" was being played. I can recollect hearing "Hey Ya" being played in the dentist office every time I went to get my braces tightened and it made it just a little bearable having those pliers in my mouth (blech). "Hey Ya" was inescapable and it brought Big Boi and Andre 3000 to mass attention. OutKast were at the top of their game with their Grammy-winning double album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (the second hip-hop album to win that title) and it was quite a sprawling piece of hip-hop artistry. This double album was one of the last testaments where mainstream hip-hop was actually fun and smart.

Mya
There was a time where Mya wasn't subjected to B-list reality show tendencies and albums that can only be found in overseas CD shops. She had some catchy radio hits ("My Love Is Like Wo..." was loads of fun) and she was quite the dancer (well, she still is, but she's on Dancing With The Stars...). In 2003, Mya surprised me with her third offering Moodring, which was a nice collective of thumping R&B/Hip-Hop numbers and Pop smarts. The sweet "Fallen'" was the single that should've been her biggest hit, as were the Sean Paul assisted "Things Come and Go" and the slinky, "No Sleep Tonight". Plus Rick James' classic, "Cold Blooded" was given the Mya treatment with the biting "Sophisticated Lady". A slept on album by many, but not by the Audio Diva.

Top 15 Songs of 2003
1. Diary-Alicia Keys ft. Tony! Toni! Tone!
2. Hey Ya-OutKast
3. Love Of My Life-Erykah Badu

4. Gotta Get Thru This-Daniel Bedingfield
In some ways, Daniel Bedingfield was in the right place at the wrong time. Around this time there seemed be room for one soulful white boy and we all know who that was. His sister, Natasha hadn't made waves yet, but Daniel emerged out of nowhere with this exciting piece of pop. The 2-step skittish hi-hat percussion was engaging as was Daniel's voice bouncing up and down. Some found it annoying and liked it when he was all smalschy with "If You're Not The One", but this was good. Debut album wasn't too shabby as well.

5. Fallen-Mya

6. Crazy In Love-Beyonce ft. Jay-Z
I may not always be on Team Beyonce, but you cannot deny that her debut solo single was quite a stompin' jaunt and a nice little wake-up call to R&B starlets out there. Sure it sampled the heck out of , but it was still a rock solid joint and was just the beginning of Beyonce's effervescent reign.

7. Frontin'-Pharrell Willams ft. Jay-Z
8. It's My Life-No Doubt

9. So Gone-Monica
To my ears, this is the last great Monica song before she fell off and is now reality show fodder and releasing "buzz" singles and calling them "comeback" tracks with no album in sight (I swear she's been on the comeback trail since 2007, give it up or stop playin' Monica). In 2003, Monica was still kind of fun to follow, and this song, which featured the always eager Missy Elliott, was a nice little throwback to 70's soul.

10. Willing & Waiting-Mary J. Blige
11. Powerless (Say What You Want)-Nelly Furtado
12. Strict Machine-Goldfrapp
13. Sugar Honey Iced Tea-Kelis

14. When I Get You Alone-Robin Thicke: My initial thought process when I saw the video and heard this song for the first time: Who is Thicke? Oh, he's Alan Thicke's son. Really? Mr. Seever's son? Oh, and look he's got long hair and he's riding around on a bicycle singing a great song that was based on the disco classic, "A Fifth Of Beethoven" . The song is awesome though, and man he can sing, hope he sticks around.... Little did I know this was the beginning of something mighty beautiful...

15. Miss Independent-Kelly Clarkson

The Gospel: What Is Janet Jackson's Best #1 Hit? - A Glance Back

The question stated in the post title is full of beans. Pinto, Lima, Soy. Beans. Ask a Janet Jackson fan what their favorite #1 hit or even asking what their favorite song is and you'll probably stand there watching them count fingers and change their minds. It's a hard task, but if anyone just wants to know what is the best #1 hit, they'll have a chance to make up their minds, or at least attempt to, today when Janet's two-disc Number Ones set drops. The comprehensive global #1 hits package is sure to appease 'nasty boys', 'fast girls' and 'R&B junkies' all around as well as open those unaware to the wonderful career that Ms. Jackson has crafted.

As Janet's last couple of albums haven't been something to salivate over, it's quite intriguing looking back at the 27 years that Janet has been recording music (we cannot forget her ill-fated first two albums, 1982's Janet Jackson and 1984's Dream Street) and seeing how much the youngest member of the Jackson clan has actually put out. Even as a long-time fan, I never realized how many hits Janet has had. I know, it should be obvious as Number Ones covers 23 years, but it's an impressive 23 years, with songs that to this day I can pretty much sing-a-long and perform the dance steps to in front of my vanity mirror (Oops, I just told on myself). Even most of the songs that are about as old as me, like the zesty "What Have You Done For Me Lately", if released today, would be hits because well, the songs are just structured well and they hold up well past their expiration date.


True, mainstream music is on the decline and anything would sound better than what everyone is screeching about these days, but the combining forces of Janet with producers, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis' production work is quite eternal, as in no one will ever do what they did again. Jam and Lewis play a massive part in this collection as does Janet herself, as a majority of the songs featured were overseen by them. Still not convinced if Janet's 80's and 90's hey-day is still crisp n' fresh in today's 00's? Peep 1989's "Love Will Never Do Without You", which still sounds fresh to my ears.


See what I mean? And this was recorded over 20 years ago.

Maybe I'm reaching, but greatest hits albums like this (think Madonna's Celebration, which is just as massive as this) kind of make me feel reflective on an artist and their material, especially one that I have been listening too since I was a wee little Audio Diva in the making. The nice thing about this set is that every song is in chronological order, so we get to really hear the progression of Janet's musical career. From her being social aware in the late 80's with her "rhythm nation", to sexually confident dame being just janet. in the early 90's, to the deep thinking soul mama during those glorious Velvet Rope years, all of it and more is present on Number Ones.


While Janet, to some, is not on the same caliber as her late brother, I've always thought she was just as great, as she has influenced many with her style, her moves and her tunes. It's evident with each passing R&B starlet, who in some way shape or form takes a page out of the Janet Jackson handbook and copy it oh so delicately.

Even though the question stated in the post title is quite ludicrous...what is Janet's best #1 hit to you? Feel free to reflect on Janet career and share in your favorite songs in comments.

Quickie Reviews: BridgeChaserEarlyMonster

Melanie Fiona - The Bridge
Even though the distribution process for Miss Fiona's debut album was a little screwy, this Canadian R&B songstress means business with her first curtain call. The Bridge is a delightful set of funk, R&B, soul, that are sprinkled over with old school qualities. The album's sound brings to mind the likes of Chaka Khan and even Tina Turner as Melanie's voice rips proud and strong through cuts like "Bang Bang" and Motown-tastic, "Please Don't Go (Cry Baby)". She does simmer down for cuts like the Spanish guitar flavored, "Teach Him" and the glorious 50's dreamscape, "Stop My Heart", which shows off her vocal range the best. Quite a coheasive introduction to a singer who's career should doubt go into full bloom.

Rating: 9.7/10

Mr. Hudson - Straight No Chaser
It has become apparent to my ears that Straight No Chaser, was what Kanye West was going for with 2008's 808's. He wanted to be a quasi-indie British White guy with a singing voice. Luckily, he got to live that dream by producing this intriguing set of electrified soul and pop, as first evidenced on the excellent, "Supernova". Mr. Hudson has a soulful voice akin to if it was immersed in dry ice. It's rigid, haunting yet there is some soul behind it. Straight No Chaser is much more polished than A Tale Of Two Cities, the debut from Mr. Hudson's group, The Library. Glossy exterior aside the quirk and intricate lyrics are still there. "White Lies" stabs like a dagger while "Instant Messenger" eerily plods along on a determined percussive beat. If you miss the blips and beeps of New Wave 80's, this is an album that personifies it quite gloriously.

Rating: 9.3/10

Georgia Anne Muldrow - Early
Georgia Anne Muldrow is a brave soul. She's brave for uncovering past songs that she had written in her teen years and has transformed them into the album you see before you. The things I wrote in my teen years, I'd like to burn in a bonfire, but in some ways Georgia hides her embarrassment and is paying homage with Early, and it's quite a trip down memory lane. Songs like "In Love Again" and the warm jazz backdrop of "Sunset" are slightly awkward, yet truly delightful. I'm coming late to the Georgia Anne Muldrow party, but better late than never. If anything the best moment is the swift, "Run Away" and as a complement the charming cartoon derived music video will remind you of your youth with such cartoons a la School House Rock.

Rating: 9.8/10

Lady GaGa -The Fame Monster (8 Song-EP)
If La GaGa couldn't get any more massive, she drops an atomic glitter bomb on the listening public with her 8-song EP, which is merely not just an attachment to her fantastic pop record, The Fame. In fact, The Fame Monster becomes integrated into what The Fame is, to make for one massive listening adventure. Yet, on it's one octo-strcturce, The Fame Monster is just as delightful and one of the best pop offerings you'll find. Aside from "Bad Romance" being roasted in your brain, "Dancing In The Dark" pounds way and Teddy Riley's "Teeth" is edgy yet adds a touch of horns to make it unique. The fun is put back in pop music again.

Rating: 9.7/10

Artist Watch: Saunders Sermons Is A 'Classic Delight'

Sophistication. Saunders Sermons possesses this trait and it shows through on his musical offerings. The Soul Bounce crew is already smitten with the sounds of Sermons, and now the Audio Diva is cosigning, purple glitter pen in hand with this New York vocalist and trombonist and what he is serving the music community.

Sermons name, or possibly his trombone sounds may be familiar to Maxwell fans as he currently toured with the soul man this year during his Blacksummersnight show. Yet, Sermons shines on his own accord, as his 2009 debut EP, Classic Delight, is well...a classic deeee-light. Sermons takes what made 1940's and 1950's jazz so timeless, gives it a little modern twist, and manages to make it sound almost as if he created the style himself. His take on Nat King Cole's "Straighten Up and Fly Right" is just as cheery for the 2000's, as Duke Ellington's "In A Sentimental Mood" is elegantly executed and is one of the best covers I've heard in a long while. Sermons also serves up his own original cuts which can be classics in the making. Such as the wonderfully textured"Don't You Understand", which opening tumble of piano grabbed my ears and never let go. The only disappointment Classic Delight brings is that it only contains seven songs. One listen and you want more and since there is no more (only seven tracks), it's almost criminal. For skeptics, be sure to note that Sermons' sound is likened to a refreshing ice-cold tall glass of water and upon first listen you'll finally realized how parched you were for a sound like this.

Don't You UnderstandIn A Sentimental Mood

Remember The Time: Everything Is 'Hypocrisy', According To Millie Jackson

To know me is to know that Millie Jackson rocks my face off. In fact, she probably told me off, kicked me when I was down and blamed me for taking her man. That's just how Millie Jackson operates, she's just uninhibited and not afraid to give someone lip. It's quite fun to explore Millie Jackson's music as she has a sprawling catalog of albums and a lot of them are what cracklin' and poppin' soul from the 70's (and early 80's) is all about. In this flashback, Millie struts her stuff on Soul Train back in 1973, as she sings along to her song, "Hypocrisy" from second album, It Hurts So Good. In some ways, I'm jealous of those who got to experience Soul Train during those bell bottom days, I've often had aspirations of shaking my rump in fringe pants, rockin' Afro hair puffs and shimming next to some Junebug who was trying to get on camera by over dancing. Shattered dreams.

Oh and style note, the Afro and the studded jacket Millie is sportin': A+

ATTENTION! All Indepedent/Self-Promoting Artists and Producers

ATTENTION!

This type of post is usually out of the norm here on Audio Diva, because I usually stick to reporting about music and my music life, but we can all break the rules every once in awhile *wink*

I'm working on a final project for one of my journalism courses, and it involves me crafting a blog (yeah...piece o' cake) about a ~newsworthy~ topic. I have chosen to do it based on independent/self-promoting artists and producers, those who don't have the big labels backing them up, those who really do it for the joy of music and how they've been using the Internet to get their music out.

If you are are interested in being interviewed by me (or know someone who'd fit the criteria and would like to be interviewed), please feel free to drop me an e-mail as soon as possible with a few lines saying your interested. I will also be asking for audio clips, photos, videos, social networking information etc. so I can include it in the profiles (I'm supposed to have an interactive site).

Once again, if you're interested in being profiled in my project drop me an e-mail with the subject title: Artist/Producer Project at:

thewritingdiva@gmail.com

Okay, now back to your regularly scheduled Audio Diva... :)

Crisp N' Fresh: Locked & Loaded, Melanie Is Ready To 'Bang Bang'

Rawr! Melanie Fiona gives an adrenaline rush in her latest video for single, "Bang Bang". Rockin' and reelin' her way through this stylish and simplistic visual, Melanie once again causes a ruckus behind the mic by stompin' and shimming with her band. Once again, Melanie shows off how she is one of the more exciting R&B singers to come around in awhile, but she is one with a voice that will bust out the windows and captivate your ear drums. Melanie's debut, The Bridge, which recently racked up the #1 slot on the iTunes charts last week, is currently out in stores. Support this talent if you know what's good for ya!

Recycle It!: Sia Makes You Want To Buy A Lincoln

We all know that popular music is a constant in commercials to the point where we associate Swiffer sweepers with 80's New Wave songs. It's quite funny that we barely have original jingles anymore to sell products. Every product or service advertised are riding on the beat of either Rick James' "Superfreak" or Modern English's "Melt With You" (which has described burgers, crackers and cars in the past...and to think this song was about romance).

For me, TV is usually either on for background noise or to catch Glee on Wednesday or sitcom re-runs like Golden Girls and Cosby. As for commercials, those are an complete afterthought... until one day I was cleaning out my room and the familiar lush voice of Australian singer, Sia started to echo throughout my room and I had to drop the pile of clothes I was holding due to the fact of actually hearing Sia on the tube in America. It turned out that Sia had lent her voice to a Lincoln car commercial.

Still I was pleased to hear Sia's voice (as she is one of my favorites) and hear her exquisite take on, Australian band, The Church's 1988 hit, "Under The Milky Way", even it was for a lowly car commercial. As we know with covers, sometimes we've been accustomed to the original so much that anyone who comes along and gives their take we are reluctant to the change of voice. Still, I think Sia encapsulates the eerie and tender sound that The Church's original provoked so gorgeously, making it a winning cover. Check out both versions below and remember, sometimes covers can come from the oddest of places.

Crisp N' Fresh: Izzi Dunn Shows Us It's Not All About 'Tits & Ass'

When I first heard of British musician Izzi Dunn having a song called, "Tits and Ass" a stream of giggles came out.

Yes, I'm 12.

I then suppressed my giggles with coughs and decided to get grown and listen to what this song is really about...as it's not some homage to the Lil Waynes of this world. In fact this funky punch of a song is an stark open letter to those who think that women are just on this Earth too shake their moneyrumps. Izzi's biting lyrical wit and her gritty soulful growl is indeed a refreshing wake-up slap, musically and socially. Recently, the video for the track dropped, and I must say it expertly displays the subject of sexism and the hypocritical slant the music industry has about women by showing both sides of the story. As Izzi says, "there is more to me than tits and ass" I couldn't help but pump my fist and cheerily go, "Right, on sista!"

Dunn's sophomore album, Cries and Smiles, drops digitally on November 16th, and should be a treat for those who love the talent that is coming out of the UK Soul scene.

First Impressions: Jully Black 'Running' For Love and Hope

Usually I'm not a fan of socially conscious cuts unless it deals with a certain Marvin Gaye album or there is some "rhythm" and "nation" involved. Call me a meanie bofeenie, but sometimes these songs end up being a bit too preachy or extremely overblown that they are cringe-worthy. Though I had a change of heart when Will W. over at his great Pop Maven blog let me have a listen at Canadian R&B star, Jully Black's cut "Running". Thus, I knew this was going to be something that would be pleasing to my ears. "Running" rides on a skittish drum/handclap beat with an infectious chorus and inspirational lyrics. Actually this song has gotten some multiple plays, just because of its positive nature and that it's an R&B song that isn't overrun with too many synth gimmicks or glossy hip-hop tricks. Refreshing indeed. Need a feel good song to spice up your day? Well, Jully Black has the remedy.

Running

Wipe Off The Dust: Rediscovering What 'Bedtime Stories' Was All About

Sometime between being Mistress Dita and a "ray of light", Madonna released in 1994 a luxurious set of tracks under the title, Bedtime Stories. Most have amnesia when it comes to this record, even though it spawned hit singles such as "Human Nature" and the gorgeous, "Take A Bow". I'm one of those people who had this record because A) I'm a Madonna fan and B) because of the singles released. Not because it's another gem of an album from the Queen of Pop, more like, it was obligatory to have because once you're a fan of Madonna, you have to have the complete collection. It would take me years to finally sit down and appreciate this album and in a turn of events, its actually my favorite Madonna album, right after Like A Prayer. Unfortunately, my first response to this was along the lines of "this is making me sleepy, let me pop in True Blue instead". The girl has to learn and get grown, right?

My naivety aside, rediscovering Bedtime Stories years later as an older and wiser individual, was like what Esthero coos about "the electric blanket...is warm", this is what Madonna's 6th effort is. It's lush, comforting, and sensual without all the sexual gimmick that Madonna overly uses to get your attention. Here the music and Madonna's lush and sometimes hypnotic vocals speak for themselves, and no doubt since she recruited R&B/Hip-Hop/Trance producers, Dave Hall, Dallas Austin, Babyface and Nell Hooper and artists like Bjork and Meshell Ndegeocello to assist in the makings of these musical stories. The results are Madonna getting in the Lounge and House groove, not to mention becoming more soulful than she's ever been (and believe me, Madonna has had her R&B moments). Madonna had been edging towards this sound since 1990's "Justify My Love", and almost got there with 1992's Erotica, but here on Bedtime Stories, Madonna has achieved a more nurturing and sensual tone that is soothing to the sound.

We know about the singles of Bedtime Stories, but what about the songs in-between....

I'd Rather Be Your Lover
Meshell Ndegeocello (who we must remember is signed to Madonna's Maverick label) adds her dialogue to this scratchy R&B mid-tempo that had a groove liken to what Zhane and Mary J. Blige achieved prior.Don't Stop
An uptempo smooth pop track that has a slight disco feel to it due to the swoops of strings laced in. A nice little hand-clapper with motivational speech from the Material Girl.Forbidden Love
Anybody who knows a lil' somethin' about 90's R&B, knows that Babyface was the producer of choice if you wanted a seductive soul anthem. Here 'Face adds his velvet vocals to this slice of sexy that is somewhat forgotten nowadays.
Love Tried To Welcome Me
Covered with dust and sin...oooh, how fetching. A Spanish guitar driven lullaby that feels like you have submerged yourself into warm tropical waters. After hearing this, you probably don't want to come out of the water.

Cover Smother: Robin Thicke Is So Naughty, You Have To Have Your Parents Permission To Listen

Audio Mom and Audio Dad, may I have permission to listen to this? *raises eyebrow* While "Shakin' It For Daddy" isn't up to my snuff, the cover of the anticipated fourth effort, Sex Therapy is the type of sexy I was hoping for. From the looks of this artwork, Robin Thicke must've been inspired by the James Bond opening credits. Also check out that parental advisory sticker...this is serious, folks, there will be some serious lover man stuff happening on this record.

Sex Therapy will be released on December 15th, in two versions called, "The Sessions" and "The Experience". Ooh, la la.

First Impressions: Quickie Reviews #1 - Meshell, Dragonette, Glee, Mayer and The Satz

Limited time has forced me to get all fast-food with the reviewing of albums. But don't fret! Some albums will be getting full reviews especially when time allows but those albums that fall through the cracks are getting a second chance to shine. I will probably do a post of this accord every once in awhile whenever I get bogged down with school, sleep, life, etc. Since I don't want to leave you out in the dark with what new releases are all about this feature was created. Here are some albums that were released last month and didn't get a proper chance to bask in the Audio Diva sun.

Meshell Ndegeocello-Devil's Halo
Meshell Ndegeocello has always been that performer who just went above and beyond what you would expect music to sound like. Her breathy soul growl and her conscious to rhythms and lyrics engages each and every time. On Devil's Halo, Meshell is grittier, sinister and seductive, much more so than on previous efforts, and it shows in quasi-instrumentals like the haunting echo of "Tie One On". And it gets better as the album continues. Highlights "Mass Transit" grinds with earnest as does the skittish psychedelia of "Lola". Oh, then out of nowhere she re-dresses Ready For The World's 1986 hit, "Love You Down" and literally sucks all the Jheri curl juice out of the original, transforming it into a brooding motif. Clearly, this is one of the best albums of 2009.

Rating: 9.8/10

Dragonette-Fixin' To Thrill
To express the elephant in the room...this is not Galore. Luckily so, because how boring that would've been for Dragonette to re-do their debut just to please fans? The electro-pop/rock band from Canada step inside a 1980's arcade game console and just have a grand old time on Fixin' To Thrill, which isn't as glorious as their debut, but still pulls off everything you'd expect from this outfit...glitz, glam and loads of synths. The title track is still a sharp little pistol, and the electric fried country of "Gone Too Far" is divine. I'm much more attached to the New Wave bubbling of "Liar" and the digital get-down of "We Rule The World", and that's a good thing indeed.

Rating: 9.0/10

Glee-Soundtrack Vol. 1
This is what it is...all the songs from the hit TV show that had you singing along, no matter if you wanted to or not. It begins off expertly with the Journey cover "Don't Stop Believin'" and from there it continues into bliss especially when you get to Kristin Chenoweth singing "Alone" and the Jazmine Sullivan rehash of "Bust Your Windows". Listening to this, for me, is like curling up on my bed, watching The Cutting Edge for the millionth time while eating Stoffer's microwaveable macaroni and cheese. It's comforting and shamelessly enjoyable. As a bonus to myself, I imagine Puck strumming a guitar and singing Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" to me...and to think I loathed that song. Damn you Glee for making me care about a Neil Diamond song. Damn you.

Rating: 9.6/10

Mayer Hawthorne-A Strange Arrangement
The DJ-turned singer's debut has been in my listening queue for awhile, but I have been stalling on hearing what his debut was all about. In some ways, I thought I had heard this song and dance before.... a soulful white boy releases an album that grabs everyone's attention for that reason alone, not because it was something well...different. Maybe I misjudged Mayer because Strange Arrangement crackles with old school soul flair and some engaging harmonies that dabble in Blues and Motown doo-wop. In some ways Mayer seems to revive those sounds of what Tower of Power (when Lenny Williams was the vocalist) and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles did 30-something-odd years ago. While Mayer doesn't possess the best vocal chops, it works with his lush and simple arrangements. As songs like the title track, the samba sizzle of "The Ills" and the sneaky, "Green Eyed Love" are tops.

Rating: 8.7/10

The Saturdays-Wordshaker
The British quintet are a massive guilty pleasure of mines. Mostly due in part to how they made me believe in pop girl groups again after the release of their charming 2008 debut, Chasing Lights. Now less than a year, here they come with Wordshaker, an album that features the same pop symphonic instrumentation that drenched the first effort, but this time its much more prevalent. Wordshaker didn't "shake" me as much as I thought it would've, as a lot of the songs to me sounded identical, and almost like repeats of what the tracks on Chasing Lights were. Yet the title track grabbed me at being a little saucier than the other cuts and recalled the pop smarts of early 2000's.

Rating: 7.5/10

First Impressions: Mary Let's You Know She Is All The Woman You'll Ever Need

Foolishly, I doubted Mary J. Blige after a couple of hits n' misses concerning her upcoming Stronger project. Song releases, "The One" had me unhinged, while "Said & Done" gave me some faith, yet it didn't stick with me for long. So when new track, and upcoming single, "I Am" plops it way into my lap, I was a little wary at what was going to go through the headphones. Was this going to be ballad that would be the equivalent of a Lunesta sleep pill, or will this be a club thumper that would leave a sour taste in my mouth. Doubts. I had them. Always the Mary supporter, I pressed play anyways, and was instantly taken into a better place, thanks to the jubilant nature of "I Am". It's perky, without being nauseating, and it's got a great hand clapping beat that feels like a mix between Gospel and R&B up-tempo. Mary is much more assertive on this track than the others, as she tells her man that she the only woman he'll ever need and well, she darn pinking means it! Now this is what I call a strong single entry. Stronger hits stores on December 22nd, just in time for the holidays!

I Am

Crisp N' Fresh: Rah-Rah-Rah GaGa OoLaLa

In some sense Lady GaGa is making music videos an event again. There is hype built up right when it's announced the video is being shot, and then the countdown begins, the blood pressure rises and the stress levels go off the charts. To me, this is how a music video premiere should be, it should be anticipated, it should make you feel the need to drop everything to view, it should get you all twisted up in knots. Music videos should not just be an afterthought...which is what a lot of music videos this past year have been. Some artists just aren't music video stars and do much better in a live setting or just having that grandiose album to tote around. Not Lady GaGa, she was born to make flashy, kooky and downright engaging visual eye candies, and this is why she's got to be the best thing that has happened to the pop music world in a long time. There is so much to be seen here from hairless cats, to a polar bear coat, to zombie like dancing, fire and an excellent visual effect of a cascade of diamonds (the best part!!). My words can't even do this video justice, watch it and note that this is probably one of the better, more entertaining videos you will see all year.

Artist Watch: Let's Do The Time Warp Again With Baby Charles

"Their funky music is simultaneously tight but loose, heavy but soulful and dirty yet beautiful."

---With that description, we are already well acquainted...

Baby Charles is that group that brings back all those memories of me sprawled on our den floor browsing through Audio Dad's record collection and experiencing the sounds of funk-soul instrumental groups like Cold Blood and Graham Central Station. There is something comforting in that sound, all I need is the smell of dusty old vinyls and I'm good to go back into a time warp.

Hailing from Brighton, United Kingdom, Baby Charles' sound is reminiscent of that Southern soul n' funk bucket shuffle, lots of wailing bass and organs with a mindset stuck in the late 60's/70's soul mindset. Before you kind of roll your eyes and go, "well isn't everybody doing that soul revival stuff this day in age", the thing to understand about Baby Charles is that their 2008 self-titled debut sounds like it was recorded some 30 to 40 years ago. Literally. Right down to the album cover, which shows lead vocalist Dionne Charles, this album could've been pressed on black wax for Stax Records with the band performing in the seediest of jook joints. Yet its 2009 and Baby Charles' are kickin' it around like it's 1969, and this feels so authentic to me. Dionne Charles is the real force behind the group, as her voice blares with an earnest and gruff appeal, reminding me of voices like if Janis Joplin, Betty Wright and Gladys Knight just procreated this wailing funk-ta-fied baby. Take a listen if the words in the post still haven't convinced you.

Treading Water
Hard Man To Please Indecision

First Impressions: Men II Boyz, Craig David and Robin Thicke's Questionable Motives

Take two male R&B/Soul artists. One from America, the other from England. Both had great debut albums, and even better second albums. They made women squirm and swoon with come-hither sensual forays and smoothie thick vocals. Now flash to the present, and these two artists are trying to stay afloat in the fast food aspirations set by the music industry nowadays. So what do these two artists do? They take their gourmet Angus burger style and well, McDonald's it. Discovering that Craig David and Robin Thicke have resorted to clunky teenage cliches to sell records is like when I receive socks and underwear wrapped in a shiny box with a bow for Christmas. It feels like I have been cheated, forgotten and it's just downright wrong.

Not to say that Craig David and Robin Thicke are the only artists out there resorting to this new found plastic sound to gain airplay, it's just that these two are much more disheartening to see go this route than the others as they've built up a fan base for not sounding like every Chris, Mario and Trey of R&B. This week, both Craig and Robin have released new songs from their prospective upcoming efforts, and well, the output unimpressed me so much that it provoked me to explore this further.

In some ways, I feel a little icky even listening to these songs, and not the satisfied sexual healing icky, more like the second-hand embarrassment icky feeling, where the "stop" button gets pressed and the urge to hibernate in my closet seems so much more appealing. Craig David and Robin Thicke have already dropped hints to introduce their new direction, as Craig barely started a fire with his last effort, 2007's hip-hop themed, Trust Me and Robin has been altering his soul sound in recent leaks such as with tracks like "Sex Therapy" and "Dirty It Up". So maybe I shouldn't be so glib to all these changes. Yet, in some sense I feel these guys are going backwards and settling for sounds that just belittle them.

Before you is the evidence of what is to come, you can make a judgment and call it as you see it for yourself.

Shakin' It For Daddy - Robin Thicke

Cool Wit You - Craig David

Cover Smother: Alicia Is 'Free' To Be What She Wants To Be

Why do I get the feeling that I have stepped into a 1970's variety show, with white lattice fencing back drops, doves in cages, gauze and lots and lots of sequins? Alicia Keys unleashes her inner Amii Stewart, Labelle and Cher style on the cover of her upcoming, The Element of Freedom, due in stores December 15th. She looks lovely, but the sequined swim cap is a little too much, even for this Audio Diva.

Update: It's been reported (by Alicia Keys on her Twitter) that this isn't the official cover, apparently some fan got anxious and Photoshop happy to craft this, fooling us all. Just another day in music blogging paradise...

Crisp N' Fresh: 'Every Now and Then' The Noisettes Go Soft On Us

The Noisettes usually don't speak softly and carry a big stick. They carry the big stick, but kind of whack it around causing much ruckus plus they add in their vibrant personalities that make them so darn infectious. Here the trio from London tone down their brash nature for one of their more lusher tracks on their current release, Wild Young Hearts. "Every Now and Then" is the newest single to be release from the band's sophomore effort, and the video for the single tugs at the heart strings with front woman, Shingai Shoniwa reliving a moment of love and lost. A real touching visual display that is simple as it is effective. Really this video is all about Shingai (as band mates Dan and Jamie are noticeably absent in this), who just radiates and grabs your attention with her perfectly coiffed hair-do and stunning ensembles (love that yellow coat!). Style and substance at your service.

The Audio Diva 2000's: Justified, Stripped...and Feeling Floetic [2002]

2002 is quite a blur to me for the sheer fact that there were only three things that mattered that year: Justin Timberlake, my first cell phone and Marching Band UIL Competition. My love for Justin Timberlake went to it's ultimate teeny-bopper zenith that year, with the former boyband member embarking on a solo career and me collecting the posters, books, singles and everything with his mug plastered on it. I know my parents probably paid for at least three cars that man owns. Marching band became much more grueling, as this season we were slamming the competition with our show based on the music of 70's soul-jazz band, Blood, Sweat and Tears. Personally, it was the best show we did, as there was some tricky formations that looked pretty darn awesome from the stands. I also believe I perfected my slides and flanks, thus I became a lead marcher of the clarinet line...but I'm just talking band nerd speech for those who are totally confused.

I became kind of obsessed with musical theater around this time due to me upping my geekazoid factor by joining the drama team, and being around those who prayed in the Church of Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. The Chicago movie and its soundtrack were huge for me, and I can remember re-imaging "The Cell Block Tango" with plastic chairs in the costume closet with my drama club pals. Good times, and sore necks from all that swiveling....

Musicians in 2002 didn't themselves too seriously because there were a bevy of hip-hop anthems and pop party jams that emerged that year. The best of the anthems was Nelly's "Hot In Herre" (and you have to pronounce "here" like "hurr" to sound legitimate). Some people took that song literally and took off their clothes...and it wasn't even hot anywhere.... On the serious side, "Clocks" and it's tinkling piano opening by Coldplay was the inescapable song of that year, even though I preferred the more evolving, "The Scientist". 2002 also saw the emergence of two R&B singers with names who started with "A". I'm talking about Ashanti and Amerie, and "Foolish"-ly we listened to Ashanti more so than to Amerie, who had one of the better R&B songs that year with, "Talkin' To Me". Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Vivian Green and Sia were the new kids on the block as well in 2002. No Doubt were 'rocking steady' with The Neptunes, who were the hot producers of the year, as Missy Elliott was 'working it' and talking about those "Gossip Folks". Justin Timberlake wasn't the only member to break from a group, as Kelly Rowland was the first Destiny's Child member to go solo this year as well. She gave us the smashing, "Can't Nobody" a song that sadly fell on deaf ears, as did Mariah Carey's quiet comeback from the Glitter mishap, the underrated Charmbracelet. 2002 was also when we lost the talents of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and Run DMC's Jam Master Jay to tragic events. As for the first cellphone, let's just say it was a blue Verizon Kyerocera (do they even make those anymore?) and about as big as a piece of roast beef lunchmeat...plus, it was the beginning of bigger things to arrive....

The Big 3 of 2002

Justin Timberlake
There was a time where Justin Timberlake was well...a singer. Currently, he's continuously on Saturday Night Live as if he's a cast member (Lorne Michaels just hire him already...), or he's swinging a golf club or pitching products for commercials. Sure he's producing for other artists and is attached at Timbaland's hip, but back in 2002, Justin Timberlake was well...the MAN. Many will disagree, but songs like "Cry Me A River" and "Like I Love You" were kind of inescapable at that time. Justified was the highly anticipated debut that was to show (and did show) that Justin was bigger than the boyband wind pants he wore while in *NSYNC. It spawned four grand hit singles and still remains to be the best thing he has done. In honesty, this is how I'd like to remember Justin Timberlake...him wearing the Michael Jackson fedora, singing "Senorita, I feel for you" and being the best soulful White boy around at that time. Not that other guy now...

Christina Aguilera
It seems every female pop star at that time was trying to shed their wholesome image and unleash their inner sex kitten. Out of all those who tried, Christina Aguliera did it better and with a much better album in tow. With ass-less pants and smudgy eye makeup, Christina shed her goody-good image and got a little "dirrty". In honesty, she didn't need to do the sex tart gimmick, her sophomore album Stripped showed the singer at her best as she vocally wowed with tracks such as "Beautiful" and "Fighter". The un-released tracks were the gems as "Loving Me 4 Me" and the jangly rock stomp of "Make Over" are still two favorites of mines. A year later, I would see Christina give her all live, and I became an even bigger fan than before.

Floetry
Floetry was one of those "Hmm...this album looks good, let me just buy it" type of purchases, and it proved to be one of the smartest buys for me that year. In fact, this was the album that kind of started me on how I discover music now...just by cover art attraction, and fortunately, that trick hasn't steered me off into a muddy ditch. The British duo continued to grab my attention, especially after seeing the video for "Floetic", which actually got some plays on MTV. In retrospect, "Say Yes" was possibly the best song that was released that year and still to this day it's one of the best expressions of love set to music I've ever heard.

Top 15 Songs of 2002

1. Cry Me A River-Justin Timberlake
2. Hella Good-No Doubt
3. Say Yes-Floetry
4. Fighter-Christina Aguilera
5. Full Moon-Brandy

6. Objection (Tango)-Shakira
Shakira started singing in English and dyed her hair blonde, and of course purists got a little miffed. Still it wasn't like the music she put out was bad..."Objection (Tango)" was my personal favorite with it's boisterious appeal, plus that cartoon music video was hilarious.

7. Can't Nobody-Kelly Rowland
8. Talkin' To Me-Amerie
9. Work It-Missy Elliott


10. If I Could Go-Angie Martinez
She's always been a radio personality, but Angie gave "singing"--or should I just say "music"--a go, and actually gave us a pretty spunky single. Truthfully, this is quite a fun tune due to the chorus with bounces around on a Latin-pop beat. Lil' Mo and Sacario (what ever happened to them?) provide the flows on this to take this song to #15 in 2002.

11. U Don't Have To Call-Usher
12. Bright Lights-Matchbox 20
13. Die Another Day-Madonna

14. Hit The Freeway-Toni Braxton
Yep, this was a atomic bomb for Toni Braxton as this song barely charted and led to her not charting much after that, but this was a jam that nobody heard. If you missed it, you missed out. The Neptunes gave Toni a perfect R&B groover that just didn't quit. Funny, rapper, Loon was on this...so you know this is a relic.

15. The Scientist-Coldplay

Audio Vision: Teena Marie Gets Down To 'Square Biz' On 'The View'

What time is it? Well, it's 'High Lady Tee Time', that's what! Teena Marie appeared on The View this morning to perform her new single, "You Baby", from her latest effort, Congo Square. Teena also whipped out her guitar to do the classic cuts"Lovergirl", "Ooh, La, La" and "Square Biz", much to my delight. Teena is still as spot-on and as soulful as ever, as she gave a quality performance, even taking on the "Square Biz" rap segment like it was 1982. Young music folks, this is a real pro right here. [H/T: UMD]

Artist Watch: Electric Wire Hustle Is Not A Dance, But A Music Force

There are times were a groove just kind of grabs you by the collar and slaps you out of your tepid existence for just moment. This is what happened when my ears fell upon by the New Zealand soul collective, Electric Wire Hustle. For this Audio Diva, 2009 continues to lack some real musical testosterone, but fortunately for my hungry soul, there are still some actual MEN making music, and music that is feeding my growls of musical hunger. Electric Wire Hustle are comprised of vocalist, Mara TK, and instrumentalists, Myele Manzanza and Taay Ninh, and all three come together to create quite an engaging sound. The group released their debut, Every Waking Hour, this year and its got a great mixture of trip-hop, funk, hip-hop and electronic rock that is sure to keep you out of musical boredom. Mara TK's voice is the main attraction, as it's vintage tone drapes over the electronic throbs of tunes making it sound like if you were hearing Marvin Gaye or even Donny Hathaway in the 21st Century. Two songs that had me at their opening notes were the jazz grit of "Buy Some Land, Put A House On It" and the trance ready, "Again", and lucky you, they are featured below for listening pleasure. So forget these little powder puffs in tight pants with slow off-key whines that the music industry wants you to listen to. Get acclimated to the Hustle and cue your ears into something with a little more bulk, a lot more edge and a sound that is geared to stick to your ears like musical oatmeal.

Buy Some Land, Put A House On It Again

Wipe Off The Dust: Cheryl Lynn Gets Down With Her Disco Self

When you hear the word "disco". What artists automatically spring to mind? Donna Summer and The Bee Gees naturally. But there were many others, some that came and went like the wind and others who stuck around to have pretty sizable careers. The ones that get pigeonholed in the disco mantra, are some of my personal favorites (see France Joli, Carrie Lucas, Cheri and Vicki Sue Robinson) because they just never seemed to give up the strobe lights and gold glitter dust, or rather they were doomed to being disco droids due to the genre dying out. Still whatever, it was good, posistive music that got you dancing. Oddly, I don't have many disco albums in my collection, even though people have told me, with a name like Audio Diva, you must have disco on the brain. How misjudging!

Yet, out of the disco albums that I do possess, the ultimate best is
Cheryl Lynn's sophomore effort from 1979, In Love. Cheryl Lynn is mostly remembered for two things: Winning on the defunct 1970's variety program, The Gong Show (prehistoric American Idol!) and for her pristine disco classic, "Got To Be Real". But I know better, because Cheryl Lynn possessed some fantastic vocal chops and had a few albums under her belt sash that weren't half bad. In fact, she gave us the delectable, "Encore!" in 1983, and who doesn't have that on their 80's playlist? But I'm getting ahead of myself...

In Love, is vibrant as a ray of sunshine, and chugs along with the utmost flair. In basic terms, it's all the disco groove you need. If only, "Got To Be Real" and "Star Love" from the singer's 1978 debut were on this, it would be the most perfect disco album ever...but we can't always get what we want. In Love was a moderate success due to the tantalizing, "Keep It Hot", which "flame doesn't die down" but oddly, the album just kind of evaporated into thin air possibly due to all the disco backlash that would occur in the years of 1979 and 1980. Still people missed out on quite a sparkling effort that is without a doubt, Cheryl's best offering. So what are the goods nestled on here?...

I've Got Faith In You: Kicks everything off magnificently with a thumping bassline and then dives into a swirling chorus. The French horn segment in the middle is freakin' D-lightful.Feel It: Whoo! This song just shoots out of a pistol and crackles like nobodies business. Disco to the hilt, and sure to have you work up a sweat.Keep It Hot: A slinky funk track that deserved to be a bigger hit for Ms. Lynn. The vocal phrasing in this is exciting and shows off Cheryl's voice in the best light. Damn, this woman could sang a song.Love Bomb: Now this song subject is a rarity nowadays, as this punchy swivel of a dance track is about expelling hate and bringing back the love. Oh, and look how 30 years later we still haven't grasped that idea. Well, this song still simmers with strings and a light peppering of horns.