First Impressions: Jose James and Nneka Thaw Out The Winter Slump

Honesty is the best policy: Corinne Bailey Rae and Sade's releases were nice and received good ratings from me, but (and there is a big one wiggling in your face) you have to be in a "place" to listen to them in full and that place is quite dark. The timing was perfect for the two albums to be released, in the dead of winter when you're feeling the most defensive. The weather is playing cruel tricks and you're feeling the other kind of funk. The funk that makes you want to hide under the covers and not come out till that first sign of Spring pops up. To defrost, I'm tipping the beret to artists Jose James and Nneka for getting me out of my bluflunkies with their prospective new albums that sizzle and steamed away the frost that formed when the Solider and Sea came in.   

Crisp N' Fresh: Monica Brings 'Everything' and More

The last time that I truly listened to Monica was back in 2003 when After The Storm was released, the record was so-so, but on that album resided her last best song, "So Gone." Now flash to 2010, and I'm still comparing her output to that great musical moment. So I never really gave her latest "comeback" single, "Everything To Me" much thought, possibly because after two weak albums (After the Storm and 2006's The Makings of Me), I just wasn't interested anymore.

Now retracting those thoughts.

 After viewing the visual for "Everything To Me", I'm convinced that Monica is going for the gusto on her upcoming, Still Standing and that she's bringing that old school mentality back as the video is kind of the answer to my music video campaign prayers: There is an actual storyline. The vid follows through on a Fatal Attraction twist and it neatly unfolds to much intrigue. Though the song is rather charming and the video engaging, I can't but feel that two and two don't go together, almost as if the soundtrack for a video featuring a loony woman stalking a family around should be dark in nature. Not a summery sounding soul song backed with the lush instrumentation loop of Deneice Williams' "Silly". Still, props all around for a job well done, not to mention the sweet tribute to late great designer, Alexander McQueen, who designed some of the fabulous creations Monica is sporting in this. Sharp.

Still Standing will be in stores March 23rd. 

Album Watch: Estelle To Get 'Freak'-ish On 'All Of Me'

So Estelle is issuing a new album this year, and nobody told me? Oh, yeah, I'm supposed to know these things, right? Forgive me for slippin' on the report of the British hip-hop/soulster following up her 2008 breakthrough, Shine with a brand new set of songs on the upcoming third effort, All of Me. On All of Me, Estelle is reuniting with Shine collaborators such as Swizz Beatz and Wycelf Jean, but she's going to be mixing up the salad bowl to not keep her fans in stagnant waters. 

Estelle noted that she was going to be going back to her rapping roots, instead of singing, and it shows in the David Guetta produced first single, "Freak". Featuring Kardinal Official, "Freak" is kind of a step away from what "American Boy" was, and it's sort of welcomed though we might hear something poppier than the R&B infused Shine. The music video for "Freak" will be premiering this Friday on Estelle's official website, but in the meantime check behind the cut for a look behind the CGI and Grace Jones inspiration drenched video. Freakishly exciting indeed.

Crisp N' Fresh: The Look of Equestrian Love With Quadron

Horses must be having the best year ever, as first Sade was wrangling one on her battlefield and now Quadron are hanging around the stables witnessing a love affair of horseback riders play out in the new video for single, "Pressure". The Danish soul duo captivated me last year with their exceptional self-titled debut, and in a plausible move to reach American ears, they are releasing this visual to those who aren't familiar with the duo's sound. Quadron are about to release their debut to American markets in March, so if you've been ringing around the rose bush on listening to them, view the sweet and simple vid above and then ride your horse trot on over to online retailers to order your pre-copy of one of music's most unique sounding acts.

Song Stuck In My Head: Wearin' Myself Out With Stargard

Wear It Out - Stargard (1979)

In an alternate make-believe world, disco hopping would be the nocturnal activity, not sitting at home with a Stoffer's, a textbook and watching Golden Girls re-runs ad nausem. I'm pretty much a homebody, but if you let me loose in a big city where there are more appealing clubs (Rockin' Rodeo just does not have a sophisticated ring to it), then I'm your girl. So since I've been on some kind of disco kick since dipping into the Chic catalog (Diana Ross, Sister Sledge) and spinning other disco delights, it was natural for me to feel the need to brave the cold and find a dance floor. It was also natural that Stargard's "Wear It Out" would get an appearance in the playlist just because I love it so.

Stargard are the obscure disco act I like. They had attitude, a great name, and spicy tunes. They are most known for singing the theme song to the flick, Which Way Is Up and for playing The Diamonds  in the Bee Gees and Peter Frampton cinematic piece of flounder, St. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band movie. Not massively popular, as were flash-in-the-pan disco acts were at the time, but Stargard have a classic in  "Which Way Is Up". Yet, I much prefer the crunchy, Verdine White produced, "Wear It Out" from the group's last album as a trio, The Changing of the Gard. It instantly kick starts into a guitar-bass groove that is undeniable and straight up funky. It forces you to dance, and dance you shall upon listening to it below. Just remember to not hit someone in the face with your wild movements...cause wild you will get with this.

First Impressions: Glittering and Rewarding 'Family Jewels'

There is something about Marina. Marina Diamandis  that is. Coming out of Wales, Marina shook up the pop groundwork with the 2008 release of the whimsical "Obsessions". From the get-go the song was attractive and was itching to be taken seriously as a wisely derived pop track for grown-ups. Soon after the song started bubbling on the blog scene, Marina was lumped into the same satchel as other British avant-pop-rock acts such as Florence + The Machine and Bat For Lashes. Marina has currently been pegged to follow in the footsteps of Kate Bush, the original queen of kooky rock-pop, and well, she has every right to.

After "Obsessions", Marina continued to distribute more precision cut singles such as the mechanical poetics of, "I Am Not A Robot" and the robust, "Mowgli's Road". Soon after, The Crown Jewels EP was released and the anticipation mounted for Marina to issue her stylistic pop in full album form.

The wait is now over as The Family Jewels is in presence and it's time to dig in, both hands of course, to pull out such sparkling and enticing pop-rock nuggets. Sound nuggets that are smart enough to not rot your teeth, but still addicting enough to make you come back for more.

Freebie Adventures: Marsha Gives Us A Taste Of 'Sincerely' With New EP

 Just a week after Teedra Moses gave us the 'royal' treatment with her mixtape, Marsha Ambrosius surprised her Twitter followers Friday with a little gift of musical proportions. Yours Sincerely is a brand new EP (erm, mixtape...it's however you want to look at it) that features a lofty tracklist of eight songs, eight songs that are the window into what the former Floetry vocalist has in store for her upcoming debut solo record, Late Nights, Early Mornings. From the sound of things featured on this short set, we should be saving up our nickels and dimes when the album drops in stores later this year, because it's going to be worth the purchase.

Take a listen at the potent piano track, "Glass" for a preview to getcha in the mood to freely download.

Glass

DL: Yours Sincerely

Audio Vision: Sade Pulls A Funny On Wanda Sykes

It's funny, Sade was always one of those musicians who seemed so studiously involved in their music that the last thing they would do would be to crack a joke, or much less smile. Since Ms. Adu has made herself a stranger for oh, every ten years or so, I backed up my claim to the hilt. Well, I have been had.

The ever elegant Sade guested on The Wanda Sykes Show over the weekend in a pretty hilarious skit that shows us that the Queen of Cool can shake her sillies out every once in awhile. The skit derived from the comedian campaigning for Sade to come onto the show and perform, and she got her wish...well sort of. After coaxing Sade with a parking space and "horse", Wanda Sykes gets what she's been vying, but learns that Sade has other things in mind. Quite a nice treat to see Sade get comical with Wanda, and to think we thought she was all stuffy n' stuff. Also while watching this I forgot how deep Sade's speaking voice is...wowza.

Album Watch: Leela James To Reveal Her Soul With New Effort

It may be safe to say that Leela James' cover songs journey, Let's Do It Again, was just a warm-up for what the Los Angeles native has up her sleeve for this year.

Back in 2005, Leela gained attention when she put the music industry on blast after declaring, "where'd the soul go?" on her first single, "Music" off of her exceptional debut, A Change Is Gonna Come. As quick as she appeared, Leela dipped out of the spotlight, only to resurface quietly with Let's Do It Again. The album didn't light hearts afire, but maybe in 2010 with a brand-new album of material, Leela may regain interest with her rousing soul growl and music that feels like it was rooted from the raw clay of Southern trials and then brewed in a Mason jar like sweet tea.

Now Leela is keeping up with that raw n' sweet sound on the Stax label (sharing it with the likes of other belters like Teena Marie, N'Dambi, Angie Stone and Nikka Costa) and is ready to shine once more with her third release, My Soul. The album is to be a continuation of what we heard off of Change, with production, once more, by Chucky Thompson, and includes guest stars such as Raheem DeVaughn. The first taste of the new effort comes in the form of laid-back groove of "Tell Me You Love Me" which has a lofty sample of The Manhattans "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" that fits with Leela's vintage approach to music.

Recently, James released the black-n-white visual for her first single, so check after the cut for the newest video, and be on the look-out for My Soul when it arrives just in time for summer when it drops May 25th. 

Cover Smother: MGMT Recalls Genesis...Sega Genesis That Is

MGMT's gets animated on the cover of their new album, Congratulations, due in stores April 13th. It's very early 90's Sega Genesis game-esque, recalling the Sonic the Hedgehog art period.

But the best comparison so far is this Toe Jam & Earl game art (Browine Points to those who remember that game). Thank you for the nostalgia, guys. 

Buzzy Wuzzy: Soldier On

What's the buzz, tell me what's a happenin' 

• Sade hits #1 on the Billboard charts, something that finally makes sense [NYT]
• In case you missed it...Lady GaGa and Florence + The Machine win big at the Brits, Lily Allen spazzes out and the Spices! [MuuM]
• Piracy Wars wage on for music bloggers [WIRD]
• Michael Jackson is to be honored with art work in the subway where the "Bad" video was filmed [UPI]
• The Oscars will not be featuring any music performances [IDOL] 
• Butter Queen Paula Deen to be on American Idol? Hope she's not feeding the contestants.... [E!]
• Prince rehearsal videos from 1984...no joke. [SB]
• Nina Sky cover The Ronettes...not as bad as you would think [PB]
• VV Brown talks about how her music is like a Pollock painting  [PRN]
• Jill Scott was on Mo'nique, disclosed 'W&S Vol. 4' is to be 'freestyled' and ate some hot sauce. [DM]
• Mariah Carey's Angels Advocate tour isn't doing so heavenly sales wise...with that setlist it sure isn't [MD] 
• Yeah, the new Sugababes album ain't Sweet 7, it's sour [PTA]
• Glad I wasn't the only one who hated the "We Are The Fail World" remake, Jay-Z talks some sense [RS]
• Well, George Michael's "Father Figure" is ruined for me now [CRKD]

Wipe Off The Dust: The Curious Case Of Regina

Around the mid-to-late 80's there were lots of pop super troopers that were trying to do the Material Girl Thang. Sure Madonna isn't the end all of pop stars (though she is the most fabulous) but it was obvious that Madonna has a winnable formula that every up-in-coming pop star in the making wanted, yet during her prime run in the 1980's, Madonna was quite unbeatable.

Since the music industry is mainly all about "finding the next one", there were acts that tried to capture that Madonna sound by recruiting songwriters and producers the Madge worked with or just embodied the same kind of pop sound quality. Regina Richards is one of those first dubbed "Madonna Wannabes" possibly because her hit single, "Baby Love" was co-written by Madonna's long-time writing partner, Stephen Bray.

Myths From The Pop Crypt tells us that Regina and Bray had written "Baby Love" for Madonna, but she passed on it, and Regina decided to record it herself. At the time of its release Regina dropped the "Richards" (possibly because being known for a single-name is much more decorative on album covers), and released her one and only solo album, Curiosity in 1986. Only two singles were released but "Baby Love" was the hit as it went #10 on the Hot 100 charts, even sneaking to #30 on the R&B charts the same year. 

Regina was never able to capitalize on "Baby Love", possibly because it's a top-notch slice of Bubblicious pop. With the addition of David Sanborn on sax and Siedah Garrett on backing vocals, this song is a well-rounded treat. In my opinion, it's one of my favorite pop songs from the 80's. The song did get a revival in the 90's when Dannii Minogue recorded it in 1992, making a hit for herself. Though Minogue buffs it up with a slick House/Hip-Hop groove, the original Regina version is still tops. If you're drawing a blank about the song, here's a reminder...

Album Watch: So Craig David Is Doing A Motown Era Covers Album....Cue The Snores

I can't fight this feeling anymore...I don't really know what Craig David is doing with his music career. Also I probably should stop trying to make him and 2002 happen again, because the days of skull knit caps, Born To Do It and "bo selecta" are long gone. This feeling emerged when Craig announced that his new album was to be a Motown covers album done for "modern times", and promptly I couldn't help but roll my eyes and go "How massively original".  

Now cover albums aren't terribly bad, especially if the artist actually thinks outside the box and picks songs that haven't been covered already at ad nauseum. That type of ambition is welcomed in my world, not the dozen or so divas who have thrown down Cheryl Lynn's "Got To Be Real" on an bonus cut. Or the male singers who thought, "Hey, I can do Donny Hathaway! Lemme do "Someday We'll All Be Free"!!' No. Please. Don't. In perspective, some songs get "over covered" and a lot of those over done covers can be heard every Tuesday and Wednesday night on American Idol. So do we really need to hear "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" covered again? Well, Craig David thinks so.

 Signed, Sealed, Delivered (yes, that's the title) is being released this Spring, and not only does the cover art look like Photoshop Typography for Dummies, the tracklisting is basically Motown and 1960's Soul Music 101. "Just My Imagination", "For Once In My Life", "Mercy, Mercy Me"...nice tries but come on. As many popular Motown songs that sputtered out of that record label juggernaut this was what was picked? And as for Al Green's "Let's Stay Together"...Tina Turner did the first and last remake of that one.

And if that hasn't soured you too much dig the first single, "One More Lie (Standing In The Shadows)" which heavily samples The Four Tops' "Standing In The Shadows Of Love" after the cut. The mighty have surely fallen.

Crisp N' Fresh: Melanie Fiona Stops Hearts In Special Visual

To continue with Valentine's Day leftovers, Melanie Fiona wipes off vintage dust to pay homage to 50's and 60's variety shows in a special video for track, "You Stop My Heart". The song was actually one of my favorites from Melanie's debut, The Bridge, and I'm glad to see that it's getting the proper video treatment, with girl group motifs and chrome microphones. Nice touches. Any romance-nay-sayers will probably untwist their mouths from distain and find themselves crooning along to this, that's just how sweet and irresistible it is.

My only disgruntlement is why is this only a minute and a half long and that horrid "We Are The Fail" video was eight minutes and half too long. Life just ain't fair.

Freebie Adventures: Teedra Moses' and the Art of 'Patience'

Holy guacamole, Teedra Moses has distributed enough mixtapes to compile all the songs featured on them for a complete album. So I think instead of waiting for a follow-up to 2004's Complex Simplicity, we should all just take the songs from this compilation and other loose tracks that have resurfaced since 2006 and make our own bootleg sophomore album. Patent pending.

Yes, I said it, because you were thinking it, but were trying to be nice. 

As I retract my sharpened cat claws over the long-delayed sophomore set from Ms. Moses, let's be thankful that she is at least giving us something to quench our thirst with while we wait for that day when The Young Lioness will be released. The smartly titled, Royal Patience (or 'Impatience'...however you look at it), is a 12-song set of songs that Ms. Moses decided to release over the weekend for our Valentine's Day pleasure, and well, it's not too late to get your love thang on, as the album is still available for download, and oh, yeah, it is free. So check the tracklisting (which is after the cut) and then support Teedra Moses by downloading away. 

DL: Royal Patience 

Song Stuck In My Head: I Wouldn't 'Change' My Life Either, Lisa

"Change" - Lisa Stansfield  (1991)

Oh, it was Valentine's Day yesterday? So where is the list of best lovey-dovey melodies, you ask? Well, if you had been wise, you would've checked Koffee Mag Online, where I dished out the 14 songs for the 14th plus gone back in the archives for a playlist specifically for all you Single Awareness folk. So what did I do on All Hearts Day? Made a special dinner (turkey burgers), watched Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day for the zillionth time (Lee Pace!) and polished off the Arbor Mist Strawberry Zinfandel that was residing in my fridge (*hiccup*). Oh, and I listened to some Lisa Stansfield.

Instead of wallowing in single-dom misery this year, I celebrated my freedom by being brave and listening to songs with a romantic lean to them. Thus, I had a rousing listening session of Lisa Stansfield's first two albums, 1989's Affection and 1991's Real Love , and I had forgotten how both records are rather classy soulful affairs, not to mention, essential late 80's and early 90's listening. Real Love's "Change" is the song of choice as it has always been my favorite Stansfield cut, even though it's subject matter is that mushy stuff about feeling so much devotion in a relationship that no changes need to be made, blah blah blah. But it's a really swinging number that is seasoned with robust horns and strings, and of course Ms. Stansfield's glorious vocal chops. Vocal chops that I wish I had, but don't mind imitating (badly) into a hairbrush.

Crisp N' Fresh: Experience 'Paris Nights and New York Mornings' With Corinne

And still she won't release "Closer"....

One of the more cheerier tracks (and a favorite) off of The Sea is being prepped as the second single and to get us charged up we have this lovely visual of Corinne Bailey Rae whizzing about the Paris scenery. After the more somber visual of "I'd Do It All Again", it is quite nice to see her back to the free-spirited and happy-go-lucky personality, which is almost a rekindling of videos like "Put Your Records On" where a carefree nature abounds. Yet, the real focus of this video is definitely Corinne's luscious curls, which cascade about and look utterly gorgeous. They are practically the star of this video. 

First Impressions: 'Make My Heart' Brings Back The Pulse For Toni Braxton

To be honest, there were so many leaks whizzing left and right from Toni Braxton's upcoming Pulse project that it became a bit tedious to the point of me ignoring a lot of what was released. Especially since a lot of the tracks released after other decent, leaks like "Not A Chance", were soppy ballads that paled in comparison from Toni's previous ballad outputs. So I missed what a swiveling dance-floor ready spectacle "Make My Heart" is, thus I'm making up for lost listening time by noting how this is quite how I wanted Miss Braxton to comeback...not sucking the face off of Trey Songz.

"Make My Heart" reminds me of something early 2000's Toni would've done, think 2001's "Hit The Freeway" or even go back a decade and recall that 1992 number, "Give You My Heart" that Toni did with Babyface. It's not the finest pop-R&B jaunt, but it's still satisfying enough to get us in the mood for what Pulse has in store as it has a great horn opening and has Toni getting out of that slushy ballad river she was wading in. The Pulse project is still underway, even amid jabber of push-backs and financial issues, and it's to (sadly) coincide with Braxton's latest venture: reality TV.

Later this year, Braxton will be featured in Bravo's Braxton Family Values, which not only showcases Toni, but her sisters from 90's R&B group, The Braxtons. Le sigh. Guess we get the sour with the sweet.

Click after the cut to see Toni strut her stuff to "Make My Heart" with some over-zealous dancers on the Wendy Williams Show.

First Impressions: Janelle Monae Dances OnThe 'Tightrope'

At the moment, I'm currently snowed in (a rarity in Texas) so it's truly fantastical that Janelle Monae has debuted a brand new single off of her upcoming album, The Arch Android to keep me entertained while I snuggle up with my mug of green tea. 

After what seemed like Foreversville for Janelle Monae to have an full length album out, we hopefully, if we cross fingers, toes and eyes, will have The Arch Android out this year. For our enjoyment, the first single, "Tightrope" made it's entrance today, and it's a funky horn-infused hand clapping twisting and shouting dance fest. With Big Boi spitting some verses part-way in, this song is surely going to get people excited for Janelle's official debut as it's quite delish.

Surprisingly, this cut is actually not as 'far-out' as Monae's previous releases, such as the intergalactic soul trip that we were taken on with 2008's Metropolis: Suite I - The Chase, it's a little tamer with much more polish, but it still possesses a lot of that spunk that Monae is known for and it has a flippin' great instrumentation and arrangement.     

"Tightrope" will be released tomorrow on Monae's website, along with another new track, "Cold War". But you don't have to wait (since we've been waiting for this debut album for such a long while) as you can listen below. With the snow falling outside my window, and news of not one but two new Janelle Monae tracks, it seems more like Christmas in February.

Tightrope (ft. Big Boi)

First Impressions: Sade Treads Softly and Exquisitely Across Love's Battleground

In an age where pop tarts pop out of the toaster of sound with high calories and less substance to keep you full shorter than four hours, it's easy to see why Sade's return to the music world after a ten year hiatus is welcomed with open arms.

If you're a music connoisseur, the UK Jazz/Soul collective isn't unfamiliar territory. In some way shape or form, the quiet storm rumbles of Sade (mainly comprised of Sade Adu, Stuart Matthewman, Paul Denman and Andrew Hale ) have invaded your life. Their catalog begins in 1984 with the release of their debut album, Diamond Life and has continued with the larger than life sounds of modern classics such as, "Smooth Operator", "Is It A Crime?", "The Sweetest Taboo" and "No Ordinary Love", plus many more.

There are some critics who are trying to figure out how Sade Adu will fit into a new generation of listeners, yet why should it matter what age bracket Sade wedges into? All it takes for her to command an audience is by seducing with that husky tone of hers, and captivation has been achieved especially on this new set. Soldier of Love is the group's sixth set and it plays like a continuation of 2000's Lover's Rock, yet it is it's elder and wiser sister.

Soldier of Love is nothing short of elegant. The album was carefully crafted and pays attention to details in each composition. No surprise since Sade is a premiere band who know about the "good old days" of album crafting...you know, the days when artists actually cared what their audience was listening to, not engaging in selfish narcissistic endeavors or trying to rack up chart action. Sade made an album for those who have enjoyed their previous work, for those who want to rediscover what the band has to offer and an album for those who just want something rich and  to ooze out of their players. In short, Sade made a record that is a full course meal that is satisfying till the end.

The Tape Deck: UncomfortableStyloBossMeltPartyBlip

I'm proposing that I bring this back. Highlighting just six songs this time around...

1. The Uncomfortable Truth - Nneka: Newcomer (well to Stateside shores) Nneka has recently released her third disc, Concrete Jungle, a fusion of Reggae, Hip-Hop, Soul and Folk that quenches the thirst for raw unabridged talent. Infused with a clopping percussive backdrop and elongated brass licks leading single, "The Uncomfortable Truth" brings back the elements of social conscious cuts from the 70's, fresh for the 21st Century mind. Nneka is getting lip service as the next Lauryn Hill, so we best watch this space. Read my write up about this new kid on the music block at Koffee Mag Online.

2. Stylo - Gorillaz (ft. Mos Def & Bobby Womack): This song gets better with each listen, serious. Next to Erykah Badu's "Window Seat" and Goldfrapp's "Rocket", this has risen to be one of my favorite slices to emerge out of 2010, and to think the year just started. Bobby Womack's voice does have some dust on it, and in essence it works on this somber cyber crawl.

3. The Boss - Diana Ross: As a self-proclaimed "Sometimey Diana Ross Fan", I don't attest to knowing overtly everything the diva has put out, (which is ALOT) but I can say that I do massively enjoy a Diana track whenever I'm under the spell to pull out the Diana albums I do own. I'm more in favor for Miss Ross' dance cuts, especially around the late 70's and early 80's, because I usually find her ballads a bit too sappy for my taste. Thus, 1979's "The Boss" fits like a sleek black formal glove, with rhinestones on the trim, it's elegant yet down right well...bossy. Ashford & Simpson give Ross a disco delight that is meant for singing into a hairbrush. 

Audio Vision: Alice Smith Returns Like A Blaze Of 'Fire'

Just when it was evident that soul/rock wailer Alice Smith was going to have her mug permanently plastered on the milk carton of long lost music artists, she has emerged and as loud and as ferocious as before. Apparently, Smith has been on the performing circuit (she was recently at Grammy preliminaries performing) and keeping a low profile while prepping a follow-up to her 2006 debut, Lovers, Dreamers & Me, which we should get our hands on come this Spring. Now we can finally get a taste of what Ms. Smith has been brewing up in her sound kitchen over these last couple of years, and it comes in the form of track, "Fire", which you can see in a video clip below. It has been awhile since I have soaked in the gruff n' saccharine sweet croon of Ms. Smith, and upon pushing play, I was reminded as to how truly potent and stellar Alice Smith's vocal delivery is. It sure does pack alot of heat, as you can see here. Now if only we can hear some more goodies.... Shouts to Soul Bounce for the heads up on Smith's whereabouts.

Buzzy Wuzzy: Logos, Comebacks and P!nk, Oh My

What's the buzz, tell me what's a happenin' 

• MTV stopped kidding themselves and cropped changed their logo [THR]
• P!nk sits down with Oprah, didn't do any acrobatics (drat) [L965]
• Michael Jackson's doctor pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges; out on bail [IDL]
• Jill Scott releases a statement about all that Hidden Beach legal gobbly-gook [S2S]
• Justin Timberlake dons a wig and gets the Hasty Pudding award...and yet no new music news [RS]
• Whitney Houston began her 'Nothin' But Love' comeback tour in Korea, and she didn't sound half bad [TW]
• Comeback City continues as Groove Theory are reassembling [SNL]
• Boy George's life to be made into a movie...I'll tumble for that (rimshot) [BBCN]
• Taylor Swift is being marketed all wrong. You don't say? [JZBL]
• J Dilla's birthday was Sunday, celebrate still with learning about the music program in his honor [DFP]
• Alicia Keys will be joined by Robin Thicke and Melanie Fiona on her 'Freedom Tour' [ABCN]
• Corinne Bailey Rae says she was influenced by Erykah Badu and Bjork [SC]
• Usher is seeing double on the new boring album cover for upcoming Raymond vs. Raymond [NLL]

The Gospel: Is The 21st Century In Need Of a 'Soul Train' Revival?

If you were by a TV set last Saturday, you might have gotten a chance to expose your peepers to VH1's Rock Docs special about the 40 year retrospective of the popular music showcase, Soul Train. The Train rode, rocked and reeled for 35 seasons, beginning in 1971 and ending in 2006, and saw the evolving nature of soul music, from late 70's disco, into the electronic 80's and then into the Hip-Hop lane merge of the 90's. Not to mention showed Black culture in a positive fashion to a mass audience. The show made stars such as Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye bigger, and introduced us to the likes of Teena Marie and Rufus & Chaka Khan. In short, an ever-revolving door of musical acts got their big break on the show and went on to make music history. The impact of Soul Train proved to pump the music market more than one probably thought, and nothing like the show, which spawned dances like the Backslide (aka The Moonwalk), fashion and gave us the party staple, the "Soul Train Line", has ever come to light ever again. Sure we can probably view shows like MTV's TRL as being a grandchild of the show with the addition of music videos, but Soul Train was in a class of its own.

There have been rumors swirling about of the show getting a revival for the 21st Century, not only in a movie format and DVD's of vintage episodes, but all new episodes showcasing the musicians of now. While it sounds like a pretty energetic idea, I had a conversation with my father (aka Audio Dad) about if it is indeed a good idea to bring back Soul Train with an all new format, and my father was strongly against them reviving the show. Like civil music nerds, we verbally duked it out, and in some ways I see where he is coming from. Then again, I also can see if the show was revived for a new generation how it could change how we consume music....

Remember The Time: Boogie Your Wonderland

Nearly five minutes of surefire happiness. If you don't even crack a smile, you aren't human, and you are expelled from my Kingdom of Fun. As I'm still on a crusade to end the mediocrity of the recent music video output, I had to wipe off the dust of Earth, Wind & Fire's video for 1979 classic, "Boogie Wonderland" and take a look at how even during the music video's early dinosaur days, the video is better than anything put out in the last three years. Why? Let me count the ways:

1. The track is probably one of the finest Disco slices from that era. If you don't dance to this, you fail.
2. The Emotions whiz on in in these rainbow glitter capes
3. Those metallic outfits EW&F are sporting 
4. It's EW&F...what is not to like? 

To also point out, it's quite a simple video, well save for those metallic bodysuits EW&F are decked out in and the dancing around everyone is doing, but really, no special effects, no gimmicks, just a two groups performing for an audience that is clearly not there...and having a ball doing it.

First Impressions: Erykah Glides Effortlessly Into The 'Window Seat'

Last week we 'jumped in the air and stayed there', and now this week, we are taking the aisle seat and giving Erykah Badu the "Window Seat" to reflect on this airborne glide of sultry soul.

On Friday, Erykah released "Window Seat" to a flurry of excitement (mine included), thus making the anticipation for Erykah Badu's New Amerykah Part Two: Return Of The Ankh reach it's zenith point with the drop of it's official first slice. "Window Seat" is crafted to be the continuation of the sound that Badu achieved on her 1997 debut, Baduizm. It is mind soothing and has that effortless lyrical spill that is the perfect combination for Ms. Badu. ?uestlove adds his rhythmic drums to the mix and in a nutshell, you've got a tightly arranged golden nugget of a song. This is the type of track that everyone possibly wanted to hear off of New Amerykah Part One: 4th World War because it's not as fussy and feisty, yet "Window Seat" is exquisitely crafted and is the introduction needed for Return of the Ankh.  

Window Seat

Crisp N' Fresh: Beverley Knight Takes 'Soul Survivor' To The Stage

One thing that I don't get to do too often is see performers live. Whenever I do get a chance to snag a ticket to a show, it's usually filed under being a special event that is a once in a lifetime deal, like graduation, getting braces off, surviving a week of the detox diet...those types of milestones. Yet, when I am unable to catch those shows, thank goodness gracious for the Internet, because it gives me a chance to be front row and center in my mind at concerts that weren't even in my neck of the woods. Such is the case of this vid of  Beverley Knight performing an vibrant rendition of her glorious, "Soul Survivor" off of 100% at a recent showcase in London.

From previous Knight concert vids, this one is no different, but it's quite a feast to see a singer really stomp it out on stage and give a stellar vocal performance on top of it. Shame she couldn't have the song's accompanist, the ever-divine Chaka Khan in attendance to assist on the performance, but one listen and you can see Beverley can handle it all by herself. If you haven't gotten into this song by now, or picked up Miss Knight's 100% album from last year, then get your rump in gear. Shouts to Sexy Never Left for heads up on this.

First Impressions: Brittany Bosco Dips Her 'Rag Doll' In Acid

Eclectic soul Brittany Bosco is an artist that does indeed color outside of the lines...off the page, onto the wall, basically giving us mind graffiti of her style with each trick up her sleeve. With two EP's under her belt (2008's Spectrum and 2009's Spectrum 2.0), it wasn't going to take long for Bosco to issue out a long player, as her upcoming debut, Black, shall be making waves later this year. But first things first, we have to dish on the first glimpse into what Black is all about, and it's embodied in the sizzling track, "Ragdoll". 

 Yesterday afternoon, Bosco issued out an exclusive snippet of her newest track, "Ragdoll" for bloggers and music connoisseurs to engage in. Now the full version has surfaced for all to take a gander at it and it's truly something that you will not want to skip over.

Your ears will be treated to a ram-bam disjointed experimental rock jam that oozes with nastiness and recalls the likes of Tina Turner or Joyce Kennedy from Mother's Finest's rock-n-blues wails and attitude. This is a BEAST of a song, and it surely does bite back as it is a modern take on a classic rock ideal. Take a listen below for something that is truly salty and jarring (and I LOVE it).

Audio Vision: Jennifer Hudson Does Whitney Proud at the BET Honors

Singing "I Will Always Love You" is a tricky task, just ask all those American Idol hopefuls who try to execute this during audition time. Or remember when you crouched down like Whitney Houston in your bedroom to emulate the 1992 video and waited for that climatic moment where Miss Houston's voice escalated and you sang along so loud worrying your parents that you were hollering for trouble (true story)? Singing "I Will Always Love You" has formulated into it's own battleground, you have to enter at your own risk and with tons of arsenal because well, no one can hold a candle to Whitney Houston's version of Dolly Parton's 1973 single.

Until, Jennifer Hudson stepped on stage at the BET Honors last night and showed how she's about to seal her place into being the singing diva of her generation, taking the throne that Houston once held. Though Jennifer Hudson, hasn't had that album to really grasp the listening public (cause let's face it, her 2008 debut left little to desire, Grammy or not) her vocals are still top notch, as you can see here. If Miss Hudson continues on this trek, and gets with the right producers and record handlers...who knows what can happen? Till that occurs, enjoy this spine-tingling rendition of one of Mama Houston's beloved songs where Hudson gives a mighty performance worthy of praise and a second look.

Buzzy Wuzzy: Grammy Whammy 2010

3-D glasses couldn't have made the 52nd annual Grammys even more headache inducing this year. Every single year, I ask myself why do I tune into the Grammys? Sometimes I slightly feel shame for myself for engaging in 3+ hours of awards and performances that are either laughably bad or just plain the equivalent of an Ambien sleeping pill. Yet, I'm a music nerd, the Grammys are the Superbowl of music, and I run a music blog. Thus, I feel obligated and kind enough to give you guys, my oh so loyal readers, some sort of dish on what went on with the awards. Thus, I must engage in the madness.

Most of the fun for commentating about the Grammys occurred on Twitter. So if you follow me (which you should be doing already!) then you got the full experience of my uncensored snarkiness and bad behavior. In honesty, my excitement for viewing the awards waned through the middle of the show because everything became typical and not as noteworthy. Nonetheless, the 52nd Grammy's was an entertaining affair, that brought the laughs, the rage and the urge to question...well, everything, especially the fact that Grammy wins don't really mean much as any Joe Blow can get them nowadays.

Lots of other blogs and sites have or had extensive coverage of the awards, so if you want to see more, visit some of my affiliates (especially Pinboard , MuuMuse and Soul Bounce) for a more in-depth look. But if you want to peer into the Audio Diva telescope and read, you're more than welcome to click behind the cut for for some pros-and-cons/highlight and lowlights of Grammy night last night. And be sure start the discussion on what you enjoyed/didn't enjoy at last night's award show in the comments! :)

First Impressions: "Jump In The Air and Stay There." Will Do Ms. Badu

If your friends told you to jump in the air and stay there, would you do it? You might have heard your parents say something along these lines, yet if Ms. Erykah Badu was my friend (dreams) and she told me to get my Kriss Kross on...yeah, I'd jump. Why? When you're in the Church of Badu, you don't interrupt the sermon.

On Friday, Badu disclosed that she was leaking one track off of her upcoming, Return of the Ankh project, and in an anticipated wait we get the finished product, "Jump Up In The Air and Stay There". At first listen, this didn't particularly latch onto to me and Lil' Goblin Wayne's addition had me sour in the mouth. Yet, like flowers...I had to let it grow and soon the clunky clanky rhythm sounded a bit better by third listen. Not truly in love with the song, as this sounds a bit mediocre to me. Though it was a real tasty treat that Bilal came out of the lair to add in some of his soulful ad-libs that surely pop out of this track. Still I'd rather hear this song as it will be played in the album, you know, for a meatier effect.

Like I mentioned to a pal awhile back, if Eryakh spent a whole album singing about pigeon poop, I'd be cranking it up and voicing that it was the opus of greatness. Return of the Ankh will (or should) be in stores, March 30, 2010.

Jump In The Air and Stay There (ft. Lil' Wayne and Bilal)

Song Stuck In My Head: Tamia Always Moves My Heart With Her Debut Single

"You Put A Move On My Heart" - Tamia (1994)

It takes a lot for me to fully appreciate a ballad. Yes, I'm lame like that. I usually have high expectations for ballads, especially power ballads. Sure, you must throw your hands around and thrash your head about a la Mariah Carey or Christina Aguilera, yet I just like to feel the movement of how the ballad transcends. How the song climbs from a soft coo into a growling rage of emotion. Ballads aren't usually like that anymore so when we look back at Canadian R&B vocalist's Tamia's debut single, I have to say that I miss ballads of this design. 

Like many, I was introduced to the vocal poweress that was Tamia from the song, "You Put A Move On My Heart". I first heard this song off of Quincy Jones' 1994 album, Q's Jook Joint, as my father no less possessed the album. This song proved to be one of the winning tracks off of that collaborative effort and it's a song that continued to stay with me. Last week, I decided to dust off my Tamia collection, and like an old friend, this song came back into the rotation and still was as rewarding as ever. It is what you'd want from a Jones produced and Rod Temperton composed track, it's polished, crisp and catchy. There is another version of this song done earlier by Mica Paris in 1993, yet Tamia's is favored due to her just slamming on the vocals a bit finer. Quincy Jones had the right idea of introducing her to the world (though he didn't do much after her first album...sadly), because Tamia is a vocal talent and today is one of the most grossly underrated songstresses. Though we'll be seeing more of Tamia, hopefully, with the Queen project she has going on with Kelly Price and Deborah Cox...but for now go back to the 90's and recall this sweet number.