Artist Watch: Nneka's Adventures In America

Nneka has clearly made a big impression on me. Her third album, Concrete Jungle, has instantly become one of my top releases this year with its spirited grooves, lyrical wit and homespun delivery. The Reggae-Hip-Hop vocalist isn't new to the music scene as she has had two albums out prior, yet Concrete Jungle is Nneka's first handshake to American shores, and now she wants to get even more acquainted. Born and raised in Nigeria, Nneka is stepping onto American soil for her first North American tour and she has decided to share with us her experience. If you think she is just as passionate in the music on her albums, you're not far off in your thinking as we can see Nneka pour her all out on stage...and you can do it all by sitting comfortably in your home without purchasing a ticket.

Nneka has been letting fans keep tabs on her whereabouts in the US of A through a video tour diary from her YouTube homepage, Nneka World. In each of the clips she takes us through the motions of embarking on the open road, her thoughts on the experience, and of course the biggest thrill of all, stepping on stage and letting her music touch audiences, especially those Americans who have been waiting and those who have just discovered her talent. Check after the cut for a look at a performance of one of my favorites off of Concrete Jungle, "Suffri" and three of the current video diaries to get a fly-on-the-wall experience of an artist on the rise.

Crisp N' Fresh: Christina Aguilera Rides Dirrty Again In 'Not Myself Tonight'

Strap on, darlings, Christina Aguilera is taking us on a bumpy ride into a night of debauchery. Most were a little skeptic about the music video for Aguilera's vivacious romp, "Not Myself Tonight", especially after promo pics popped up sparingly throughout the week with stupid comparisons to you-know-who in tow. Please. Give Ms. Aguilera a break because the visual from the first single off of her upcoming Bionic effort is nothing short of "Dirrty" Part Deux with splashes of styles from Madonna's "Erotica" and "Human Nature" videos, and Christina does indeed play up on those homages quite well. Christina isn't playing Miss Nice Girl in this as she toys with some S&M gear, liquid latex and grinds on beautiful strangers. Oh my. It is raunchy, but done with a sharp flair that it isn't anything you need to cover your eyes or get squeamish over, in fact, the costuming and the striking make-up (love the red lipstick) make for a fashionably sexy time.

Song Stuck In My Head: It's The 'Same Old Scene'

"Same Old Scene" - Roxy Music (1980) 

I would've had a Tape Deck today, but it's kind of hard to have one when you've got one song in your head for the whole week. I apologize, I'll get right next week. So what has consumed me this week? It is Roxy Music's 1980 track, "Same Old Scene". Now I'm not a big Roxy Music fan, and I'm not going to pretend that I know sooo much about them, because I don't do the poser blogger thing. All I knew prior was that they did "Love Is The Drug" and man, Grace Jones does a great cover of it. 

Since I've been home bound lately due to my final studies, I've decided to not go insane by going through a list of movies that I've been meaning to see and watch them during "break time" (aka procrastination times). Recently, I got to view the 1980 punk music homage and rebel riot gurrl movie Times Square, and this song briskly and perfectly opens up the movie. From then on, I was hooked, so hooked that I had to play the opening of the movie again. A download later and it's gotten heavy rotation. It has a nice swiveling disco beat, but doesn't lose the rock edge (think Blondie's "Heart of Glass") as it booms in the background adding grit and a sinister vibe to the track, it truly does sound like it came from slick nighttime city streets, especially the Times Square seen in the film. Plus any song that ends with a wailing saxophone gets double Brownie points from me.

So like any Friday, comment on your favorite songs this week...just do it in this post.

Crisp N' Fresh: N.E.R.D. Puts 'Hot N' Fun' Into Motion

N.E.R.D. aren't wasting any precious time as just last weekend they released their scorching bounce, "Hot 'N Fun" and now here is the official video clip of the track. The band gets on the good foot by showing clips of their stop at the Temple University campus in Philadelphia, giving full proof that the group does indeed put on an energetic show. Nelly Furtado isn't present, but it doesn't distract from the fun that the N.E.R.D. crew and their fans in the audience are having. Their upcoming set, Nothing, has gotten a push back, and it will now be in stores July 6th. No biggie, as at least we will still be able to have the funk of N.E.R.D. in our hands before summer's end. 

Buzzy Wuzzy: Friday News Crumbs

A little bit of news backwash...

•  The Killers' Brandon Flowers is going solo and his album is called, Flamingo? Um, okay. [SPNR] 
• Lady GaGa tops TIME's 100 Most Influential People. And if you think that's off...just see the rest of this list and have your mind changed. [TIME] 
• Since She Wolf didn't fare well, Shakira is trying again [RUp]
• Why M.I.A.'s uber-violent music video will make you sit down and shut up [JZBL] 
• Hip-hop's newest cat, B.o.B talks shop [PBB]
• Who is the Skype Mass Choir and what do they have to do with Yahzarah? [SB] 
• Anita Baker goes to Nashville, preps album to feature Snoop Dogg...talk about pickles and ice cream [ST]
• Corinne Bailey Rae sits down and dishes further about The Sea and dealing with grief through music [IS]
• More pickles and ice cream, Janelle Monae tells Billboard ArchAndroid is like a cross between James Bond and Frida Kahlo [BB]
• Kanye West to get animated (and debut some new ish) on The Cleveland Show [NYM]
• Kylie Minogue's Aphrodite is ballad free, beat heavy and VERY Kylie...oh my. [PJ] 

Album Watch: Why Toni Braxton's 'Pulse' Breathes Life Back Into R&B...Well, The Leaked Version Does

R&B and me have been on different plateaus recently. Somewhere down the winding avenues, Rihanna, Keri Hilson and Trey Songz morphed the genre and made me scrunch my face up as if I had eaten a bucket of Lemonheads. Thus, I kind of abandoned listening to anything resembling mainstream R&B. It was even more disheartening seeing veterans of the genre (Mariah Carey and Usher) and those trying to break their alternative soul roots (Vivian Green and Angie Stone) cheapen their sound to disastrous results. Then in walked Monica with her comeback Still Standing and I was relived that she didn't try to be gimmicky and ended up delivering a straight shot of catchy tunes that felt like old times. Now Toni Braxton comes sauntering in with Pulse, and she follows in Monica's high-heels, as she's managed to show the young kids how to do R&B, without pushing the Benjamin Button age reversal button and still remaining fresh and spirited.

Artist Watch: Sista Soul Donn T's Kaleidoscopic Dreams

It's a family affair concerning Donn T, whose name may escape you but whose brother you already know. This up-in-coming sista from an intergalactic funk n' soul planet has sibling relations with none other than drummer ?uestlove from The Roots, and that right there let's you know that talent does indeed grow on the family tree. It's even more clear once you listen to Donn T's music that she is indeed a up-coming shining star in the making, and though she's been on the music trail for awhile (I'm tardy for the party on hearing about her), hopefully by the end of 2010, she'll be doing big things. So what is the evidence that she's worth your while? 

Crisp N' Fresh: Lupe Fiasco Trips The Light Fantastic

More Lupe Fiasco? Please and thank you. Fiasco's "I'm Beamin'" has been out for awhile...okay, okay, this song in blog years is centuries old as it has been out since January of this year, and after a long waiting period, the visual is streaming and is pretty much what you want to accompany this spacey number. The Neptunes produced track coasts along vibrantly with the visuals of children, cardboard cutouts, streams of multi-colored lights and the best part...Lite-Brite designed graphics (childhood calling!). The whole thing feels like an elaborate and big budgeted school pageant, just whenever we did grade school pageants we never had someone as 'cool' as Fiasco guest starring, nor cardboard cutouts to resemble cars, city skylines and stars. Jealous, I am. Expecting Fiasco to pull out the big guns for his upcoming Lasers effort.

First Impressions: Kelly Rowland's 'Commander' Stands At Attention

As a rooter for the underdog, I've always had a soft marshmallow spot for Kelly Rowland. Maybe because her 2002 track, "Can't Nobody" was one of the best singles to come out that year and yet, nobody listened to it as it went nowhere on the charts. Even though the song was supercalifragilisticexpialidocious amazing. So my disgust at how Miss Rowland was treated back when her debut album, Simply Deep was released pooled into my current feelings every time I hear something from her. She's like Rachel in Glee...I don't wanna root for her, but I can't help it.

I liked Ms. Kelly in 2007, I even immensely liked the collaboration she did with Travis McCoy called, "Daylight" (people totally missed that one too), and hell, I liked "When Love Takes Over" when people twisted their noses up at it. So do I like her newest David Guetta produced pop trot called, "Commander"? Yes and no. I have to say that I love love love love....the chorus. It surges right on in and pinballs around wonderfully, it's very Madonna "Celebration"-esque. Okay, the bridge is great too, but...the verses and the beats are a bit...wimpy washcloth, wet, soggy and messy. Thus, something seems a bit uneven with this song, to me

This will no doubt win over fans in the pop market, and with the right video and right push, it could be a comeback of sorts for Ms. Rowland, but some will be disappointed due to the auto-tune (isn't auto-tune so last century now?) and the fact that this is a beastly little dance song this side of a UK pop singer, not the R&B singer that she once was. But the chorus is what glues the raggedy pieces of the verses together, and that is worth hearing the song. Hear what I mean...

Commander

Remember The Time: Brang Me A Higher Luv

Steve Winwood's Back In The High Life again gets a lot of ridicule because well, people liked Steve Winwood when he was a grungy 70's experimental rocker or wailing like a seasoned soul man at 18 in the Spencer Davis Group back in the 60's. Screw, "Higher Love", the man was in Traffic and played guitar right alongside Eric Clapton for years, he's better than synthesized drum machine drenched pop, right? Even though I like me some Traffic ("The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys" is that ish), I can appreciate the yuppied up Steve Winwood too, because it was a little less edgy and more laid-back. 

Currently I revisited High Life, on the strength of "Freedom Overspill" popping up on my workout playlist and well, you can't listen to High Life without listening to "Higher Love", try, but you can't. The blending of Steve Winwood's voice with Chaka Khan's background wails should've happened long before "Higher Love" and probably should've have continued onward. Even when listening to this song I have to question, why in heckle nobody thought of making them do a duet album or something?  The two sound awesome together. Like they do here during this live performance which features much more highlight on Miss Khan's vocals. Magic.

First Impressions: Lupe and Alicia are Beauty and the Beat On "Love Letter"

How about another clash of titans? In this corner we have Lupe Fiasco and in the other, standing idly by, is Alicia Keys, and together they pack a one-two punch with the funky 70's shuffle, "Love Letter To The Beat". Fiasco is one of the few rappers that doesn't irritate me musically or personally and he usually delivers the goods (2006's Food & Liquor is still a favorite), so I knew with the addition of Keys this would've been pleasing. The results of this pairing are instant sharpness as the lyricist and the keymaster bring to life the Chad Hugo produced track. Yes, this part frenzied and slick tempo switching number is exactly something that I wanted from Fiasco, as well as what I wanted the direction of Keys' The Element of Freedom to be...well, in a perfect world. Miss Keys pretty much takes over the cut, which has one to believe this was from the Freedom cutting room floor. Yet, I'm betting it is an addition to Fiasco's upcoming LP, Lasers, and if so then things are looking rather bright for Fiasco's third album project.

Love Letter To The Beat (ft. Alicia Keys)

Recycle It!: Sia Takes On The Power of Madonna With 'Oh, Father'

When I peeped the tracklisting for Sia's upcoming We Are Born effort (Wikipedia never lies...), I couldn't help get a little excited of the prospect of the Aussie songstress tackling Madonna's 1989 single, "Oh, Father". The track is one of Madonna's most obscure ballads that sort of gets short changed due to meatier ballads like "Live To Tell" and "Take A Bow". The song was even low charting upon it's release, being the first Madonna single in seven years since her 1983 debut to not hit the top 10 spot. Still chart performance never was a predictor of quality as this is one of the most beautiful yet heart tugging pieces on the Like A Prayer set and it actually one of Madonna's most reflective and personal manifestos that showcased the Material Girl reinventing her sound on a grander level. At a recent performance at San Diego's House of Blues, Sia took her rendition to the stage to test out on her attentive crowd, and the results are nothing short of "wowie" with a side of "yeah, yeah, yes". Wonder how the album version will sound? To compare, I included a live version of "Oh Father" from Madonna's fantastic Blonde Ambition Tour circa 1990. [via AJW]

First Impressions: N.E.R.D.'s Bass Groover Is a Body Mover

From the looks of me, you wouldn't bet I was a bass guitar girl. Violin and kazoo you figured, but nope you're oh so so so wrong. For me, there is nothing better than a slapping and gritty bass in the background of a musical track. Give me that sound and I'm a happy camper. Thus, I latched onto N.E.R.D. snotty little groover, "Hot N' Fun", which fulfills the bass quota as this song completely rides on it. Pharrell basically hits it on the nail when he voices that the bass in this song is hypnotic, and add in Nelly Furtado's vocal tones (glad to hear her cameo on something other than a Timbaland track) and you've got a simmering pre-summer jam. As I'm one of few that loved the life out of the trio's 2008 Seeing Sounds effort, I'm quite prepped to hear what they have cooked up for Nothing, their next album which is to be released June 15th. Perfect timing, as N.E.R.D is definately great summer driving music. On that note, the repetitive "look at you, look at me" lyric in this must have been derived from that Old Spice commercial...

Hot N' Fun (ft. Nelly Furtado)

Buzzy Wuzzy: Monday, Monday

A whole mess of news...

• If Jay-Z and Betty White don't do a duet on SNL, I'm going throw a Dorothy Zbornak stare [BWM] 
• Speaking of SNL, Gabourey Sidibe quasi-sang that she's not 'Precious' (while SNL still remains un-funny) [YT]
• Christina Aguilera's "Not Myself Tonight" isn't doing so hot on the charts [TGJ]
• Whitney Houston probably needs 'look to' a sabbatical, folks walked out of her show in London *sigh* [USAT]  
• Feel like your eyes were dilated? It's just Kylie Minogue's blurry Elle cover [MMuse]
• Congrats to Monica as her Still Standing album went Gold. R&B isn't dead! [SR] 
• Remembering Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes...hats 2 da back, people [PinBB]
• Gorillaz and Bobby Womack make an appearance on The Colbert Report [OKP]
• Janet Jackson might pull out 'Black Cat' claws to play Eartha Kitt in upcoming biopic [M&C]
• Sophie Ellis-Bextor and album shop talk [XOM8]
• Craig David, Natasha Bedingfield, Joss Stone and Lily Allen are all rich and under 30? [HM]
• Mariah Carey is getting into the holiday spirit (way too) early [RUp]

Artist Watch: He's Sung The Hooks, Now It's Bruno Mars Time To Shine

Singing the hooks on hip-hop tracks has become a sure-fire way now to become a singing star these days. Just ask Chrisette Michele and Keri Hilson who began their careers with singing the cooing choruses of some of rap's biggest hits. Now you can add Bruno Mars to the roster of hook performers who are gearing up to make it big in the solo market. You may have been acquainted with Mars already, but here is a refresher of sorts. In less than a year this Hawaiian native has gathered up three guest spots on hit rap tracks, such as Flo-Rida's "Right Round", Gym Class Heroes' Travie McCoy's (he goes by Travie now?) "Billionaire" and recently riding high on my current springtime jam (and recent #1 single), B.o.B's "Nothin' On You". Mars also has the tag as the man behind the scenes...you know producing, writing and all that undercover music man stuff as he's put his talent at work with the likes of Brandy and K'naan. So Mars has been around, we're just giving him some attention now.

Now I have been a little wary of how R&B males got drenched in that synthy-syrupy pop vat (think Chris Brown, Trey Songz and the current (blah-de-blah) state of Usher) where their decent vocals get drowned out by heavy showers of synths. Yet, Mars carries the sound vocally better as his powerful rough vocal is a neat contrast to that shiny perky pop. Frankly, if Mars sang Usher's tragic, "OMG", I'd probably would like it miles better...but this isn't a perfect world. Don't be put off by Mars' music, especially if you're not a pop fan, but just listen to his voice, as I'm pretty much on board to hear more of it. To get a taste of Mars, check out the current leaks that are to be on his upcoming EP, It's Better You Don't Understand, coming soon to an ear drum near you.

Runaway

DreamTaker

Move On

Crisp N' Fresh: Welcome To The Sia Puppet Hour

I love Sia. Well, duh with a dollop of obvious, as if I disliked her (and who is crazy enough to dislike this woman?) we wouldn't be talking about the sheer joyful noise that is her video for "Clap Your Hands", now would we? This video is basically what I miss about growing up and watching Fraggle Rock, The Muppet Show and Eurkea's Castle on the tube...just sheer puppet fun. Sia dons various puppet looks (the cutest being the multi-colored koala...a definite nod to her native Australia) and wiggles and sways her way through the socking pop of her latest single. We Are Born can't get here quick enough...

Album Watch: Cyndi Lauper Is Getting The Blues

She Bop, She Blues? Cyndi Lauper has worn many musical hats during her 20+ years in the music business, and she rotates them like clockwork, making sure that she's shaken and never stirred. She began as a pop-rock MTV icon with her classic debut, She's So Unusual in 1984. Later on her works went to a rockier place with her 1989 album A Night To Remember. Then 2004 she dipped into cool standards waters with At Last, then shifted gears and went folk-soul with The Body Acoustic. She took to the dance floor in 2008 with the sparkling electronic disco charged, Bring Ya To The Brink. Clearly, it's never a dull moment with Miss Lauper.

Now Miss Lauper is going the Blues route, with her upcoming set, the aptly titled Memphis Blue, which is to feature some heavyweights in the genre such as Johnny Lang and Mr. King of Blues himself, BB King. Two snaps for that. Lauper has been busy lately as she recently joined Downtown Records where the likes of Santigold and Gnarls Barkley roam, and if you're a reality nut you saw her face-off with other notables on Celebrity Apprentice. Thankfully, she's ditched reality shows for now and is sticking to the music. Will definitely keep you posted on Cyndi's foray into 'Blues-dom' by the time the album drops on June 22nd, as I'm quite interested to hear her tackle yet another genre.

Audio Diva Workshop: About My Sporadic Blogging...

You've probably noticed that I have been sporadically blogging on here and it's not because I have lost interest in Audio Diva, it's because I have been bombarded with school work, internship work AND wrapping up the final loose ends of my college career. In the next three weeks, I will be graduating from college, and it's been a lengthy, tiring, yet rewarding five year road for me, thus I couldn't be more pleased that I will finally be done with higher education and moving onto the next phase of my life....

Buzzy Wuzzy: Her Badu-Ness & Company To Embark On Tour

Haven't you heard? Maybe you have. But if you haven't, just know that Erykah Badu is touring and she's bringing some friends along for the ride. Not just any 5-minute friends or acquaintances, oh no, she's bringing along the likes of Janelle Monae, ?uestlove, Bilal and N.E.R.D for a night of sheer musical fancy with her 'Out My Mind, Just In Time' tour. Badu will be a busy touring bee this year as in addition to the full tour schedule she'll also be present at Lollapalooza, the revival of Lilith Fair and latching onto Maxwell when he tours as well. Soul and Hip-Hop heads will no doubt rejoice at these collective forces kicking it on the same stage, and if they don't...then pity the fool.

Sadly, I won't be able to attend this wondrous shindig since Badu didn't get my ESP messages and brain waves to come to Dallas before I leave the area in May...but maybe if someone gets a ticket to this party they can give me the scoop. The tour schedule is after the cut...

Album Watch: Kylie Is A Mighty 'Aphrodite'

Bleary eyed and insanely tired from wrapping up the loose ends of my university years this week (one more month, guys!), it only took a moment to see Kylie Minogue opening her arms like our own 'Personal Jesus' to cheer me up out of a wallowing funk and bring me to salvation. Okay, I wasn't walking across water or seeing any signs, well, except for the sign that the Aussie pop Queen is indeed following up 2008's lovely, X, in a massive way.

Kylie's official site announced earlier today that the diva is issuing out her eleventh studio album, titled the mighty bold, Aphrodite, this summer with the single, "All The Lovers" being the first up to bat in June. The album is to be possessed with the production sounds of Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears, Calvin Harris, Stuart Price and Keane's Tim Rice-Oxley. Wowie. After Janelle Monae's fantastical cover from yesterday, and seeing Kylie's cover art right now, the ladies are bringing it with the "I am woman hear me roar". Can you dig it? I think I sure can. Click after the cut to hear a special snippet from her new single, "All The Lovers" and wait in angst for Aphrodite, which plows into stores, July 5th.

Cover Smother: Janelle Monae's Gilded Perfection

Oh, this is lush. Janelle Monae looks like a regal robotic queen on the cover of her long anticipated debut, The ArchAndriod. I'm sort of reminded of Earth, Wind and Fire album covers (All N' All for starters)...and The Wiz...but in a good way. Now this is how you make a great first impression.

The ArchAndroid drops in stores May 18th.

The Tape Deck: SpeakChangesPorgyDigginRescueCalifornia

Six songs that I'm feeling this week (all from the 20th Century it seems)...feel free to put your six tracks of the moment in the comments. I think we'll make this a Friday thang.

1. Don't Speak - No Doubt 

This song is fifteen years old. Fifteen flippin' years old. I remember buying Tragic Kingdom when it was new. I know thirty-something/forty-somethings might find me overreacting a bit on this realization, but the older I get the more it kind of boggles my mind how some songs that you remember being pristine and fresh on arrival are being sung by contestants on American Idol like it's a standard Rod Stewart should be doing on an lousy album. Still re-listening to this song in 2010, I can't help but think how this song hasn't aged one bit. It sounds just as good as it did when I heard it the summer of 1996 on the way to swimming classes.

2. Gonna Make Changes - Phyllis Hyman 

You know I love me some Phyllis Hyman, and this is another favorite number from her as it's disguised as a slow churning love ballad due to the sultry groove it's riding on, but it's really an inspirational cut of being confident in oneself and saying to the world, "I'm here...and I'm going to mess you up with my awesomeness". Well, that's half-true, but it's what I believe Ms. Hyman was getting at. Off of Phyllis' first Arista release, Somewhere In My Lifetime in 1978, this song stands out as one of her best writing efforts as well. And check out the performance at the link above...you don't get performances like that anymore.   

3. Georgy Porgy - Toto 

For some reason, it's always embarrassing to like Toto, or so music snarkist claim it to be. Why? Because it's smooth rock or whatever gooey title radio stations give this type of music? Because they are a band named after Dorothy's dog? Who cares really because there are about three songs Toto have done that I really love, "Hold The Line", "Africa" (which had me adore the Guitar Hero-esque version from Chuck) and this song. It's a nice slice of Blue Eye Soul that is catchy like a cold. Plus Cheryl Lynn is on this doing what she does best and that is sang the refrains, so you know that this is great. 

Freebie Adventures: Kissey Asplund and Daru Jones Are 'So Good' On Free EP

It's been a long time since we've seen the quirky stylings of Kissey Asplund as her debut, Phelthora, made waves in 2008, but at least she has given us a beat to step too with producer Daru Jones in tow. The duo collaborated together on the appropriately titled EP, So Good. Only a five song expose (with two bonus instrumentals for all you instrumental enthusiast) that is definitely worthy of your listening time, especially since it combines the best of musical worlds with Kissey's perky soul-tinged voice and Daru's head bobbing hip-hop beats. Oh, and also this free for download and consumption, so you don't have to laid down any monies to get some musicology in your life. So check the jazz influenced, "Sweetest Day" at the player and get to downloading to add some groove to your weekend. [via PBB]

Sweetest Day 


DL: So Good EP

Audio Vision: Nikki & Rich's TV Debut, and Lousy 'Next Best Thing' Puns

The Motown motor keeps on running with Nikki & Rich at the wheel this time time around. The duo made their debut on The Ellen Show yesterday and pretty much proved that they are the "next best thing" coming in music with a pretty rousing performance of their debut track, "Next Best Thing". From the sound of things they really made a good impression and hopefully we'll get to hear some more from these two. The duo premiered their official video on Ellen yesterday as well (but it's unembeddable or I would've posted it...way to go Ellen) but I'll give you the "next best thing", their performance on the show. Okay, I'll stop with the "next best thing" puns, but the duo asked for it with the title of this song, because it's just as catchy as the music.

Riddle Me List: Happy Birthday, Dusty Springfield!

It's getting 'dusty' in here...well, Dusty Springfield that is. Asking me who my all-time favorite singer is a cruel inquiry, as the rankings vary from day-to-day (even minute to minute) and since there are so many artists that I listen to it's quite Russian Roulette...it's nerve racking to decide their rank numbers. I will attest that Dusty Springfield is no doubt at the tippy top of the list of singers that can do no wrong to me, and it's all due to how she lays her commanding contralto over musical material. Whether she sung the Burt Bachcarach catalog or went all Pet Shop Boys, Dusty made the songs events as her voice oozed about like honey, making singing seemed like such a simple task. As one of blue-eyed soul's legends (even though she hated the term), Dusty Springfield was the finest in her field. Her life story is part sweet and of course bitter, same for her music, and her catalog is one that any Soul music fan should be at least familiar with. But that is just my little opinion. 

Dusty Springfield has released a plethora of singles and albums during her three and a half decades of song, so it's a bit complex for me to compile and scrutinize a list of her ultimate best songs, but I picked a handful of my Dusty favorites (11 to be exact) to celebrate the fact that today would've been the singer's 71th birthday. So let's celebrate one of music's major talents by soaking in some of her best, and if you have a Dusty favorite, join in on the conversation after the cut. 

Cover Smother: Kelis Takes A Stance

Two snaps to Kelis who has all the right in the world to stand like she is since she just wrung ex-husband, rapper Nas' bank account out like a fully used Swiffer Wet Jet cloth...the singer poses fiercely, looking like an intergalatic belly dancer, proving that she hasn't lost her foothold fashion and attitude. Be intimidated.

Fleshtone drops in stores July 6th.

Crisp N' Fresh: Maxwell Is Suave and Debonair On 'Fistful Of Tears'

Oh, Maxwell, it has been awhile since I last saw you on stage crooning and making all the ladies swoon and now here you are doing the same, just that I can see you a bit better and your handsome mug is not on a jumbotron. So it's safe to say that Maxwell keeps on squeezing out the juice of Blacksummers'night, and he's released one of the top notch cuts, "Fistful Of Tears" at last. Though the single was released back in January (which seems like eons ago), now we have a classic smooth visual, as he channels his inner Marvin Gaye again, by performing center stage in a monochromatic yet stylish backdrop, with his band playing idly  by. Very sophisticated. He's sure to conjure up this kind of magic again when he hits the stage with Jill Scott this summer during their upcoming tour, no doubt about it.

First Impressions: Scissor Sisters Shine A 'Light' Back To The Days When Frankie Said 'Relax'

Why am I not a Scissor Sisters fan? I don't really know. I know of lead singer, Jake Shears producing talent (he'll be doing some more musikal thangs with Kylie Minogue later on this year) and I recall friends who adored them back in high school when 2004's "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" was everywhere, but never did I really listen. Sometimes these things happen. Call it the hazard of "so much music, so little time", yet there is no time like the present to see what the New York quintet have drawn out of their hats.

So maybe it was the glutus maxmius staring me in the face, or that fantasmical 80's script font on the cover art of their upcoming effort, Night Work, but I was provoked to stream the group's latest, "Invisible Light".  I'm glad I did, because this song is rich. Rich in arrangement from it's climatic build to it's persistent synth make-up. Immediately I was reminded of Frankie Goes To Hollywood and their 1984 booming sex on wheels hit, "Relax" or the equally charging, "Two Tribes", possibly because this song kind of bombards you with its weighty instrumentation and emerging vocals. The track is also quite "Thriller"-esque when Sir Ian Mckellan chiming in with a eerie monologue, making the sprawling six and half-minute romp sound like an thundering anthem for club children. To think this is the last song featured on Night Work...wonder what the rest sounds like? Curiouser and curiouser, as Alice would say.  

Night Work drops in stores June 28th.

Invisible Light

Audio Vision: "Sue Sylvester Dance On Air" - Glee's Homage To The Material Girl

Crafting Madonna into a parody seemed only a job that Weird Al Yankovich could do, but don't tell that to Sue Sylvester. The conniving and domineering cheerleading coach (played oh so perfectly by Jane Lynch) took on the Material Girl for a special promotional piece for the satirical FOX sitcom of high school musical proportions, Glee. In an almost verbatim choreographed and scenery setting as the original video, Sylvester takes on the Madonna 1990 dance classic (and one that was a vid to dance your ass off too) with sass and flair.

Joined by Glee characters, Kurt and Mercedes (played by Chris Colfer and Amber Riley), you can't help give a little chuckle as everyone strikes a pose and hams it up for the camera, especially when a few Glee quips slip their way into the lyrics ("Sue Sylvester dance on air" and "Will Schuester, I hate you" had me snort out my 7Up). This homage is just a small corner of the cake, as next week the show will be soaking in the glow of Madonna, with everything from the musical numbers to the attire (prepare yourself for pointed bras and lots of mesh) being inspired by her Madgesty. So get your laugh on after the cut and move to music!

Recycle It!: Erik Hassle Acoustically Takes On Cooke's Classic

So let's just say I am a purist of Sam Cooke and especially of his signature testament, the 1964 classic, "A Change Is Gonna Come." Especially of that splendid beginning where Cooke's voice oozes with such painstaking fervor, almost like he was told that this was the last song he was ever going to sing, and that he'd better make it a good one, and thus, he just gave it his all, and he did it so explosively in just the first few bars. Ever since hearing the song (as a wee pigtailed thing mind you), nobody has really compared, barely hinting at the vocal acrobatics of Cooke. I am not budging even with Erik Hassle, but he captured the attention span with his acoustic cover of the raging soul number that I couldn't help but say, "well, this is one of the best versions I've heard, so far" (well, next to Leela James'). Hassle is no stranger to digging in the crates for acapella inspiration as the Swedish singer/guitarist, has covered the likes of Peter Gabriel, The Strokes and even giving Rihanna's "Russian Roulette" (*cough* making it sound like an actual song *cough*) the Hassle touch. While us Americans await for Hassle's debut, Pieces, to arrive this summer, take a listen at what type of voice you'll be dealing with, if you haven't heard already. [via HCM]

Crisp N' Fresh: Toni Braxton Mixes Club N' Church With 'Make My Heart'

For those who were a little worn on strobe lighted club-party jamming-throwdown-group-dance-routine videos, then Toni Braxton has the cure for you with the "Make My Heart" visual as it's not your typical dance video romp. Here you will see an underground dance party that mixes in some B-Boys and Gals with fan toting church women, and well, it's insanely random. Like her upcoming Pulse record, which has been leaked all over the place over the course of a year, and this video is really all over the place, yet there's a lot of shoulder shimming to make up for it. Plus Toni does look rather stunning in the solo shots (and love the blue nail polish) as she struts around and even busts a few moves in a fringe dress and lacy one-piece. Still there is something so oddball about this whole visual, but I'll just shimmy my shoulders and dance away that thought.

Pulse drops in stores May 4th.

Album Watch: It's No 'Love Story' But Vivian Green Still Vocally Shines On 'Beautiful'

All has been quiet on the Vivian Green promotional front, as her latest disc, Beautiful dropped last week like a feather. Yet, people should cup their ears and listen a little closely, as Ms. Green has dropped a record that is worth catching some feelings.

Sometimes there is a case of bias syndrome when entering in an artist's third effort, especially when their debut effort was right on the money. This is how I went into listening to Beautiful, and though I wasn't expecting A Love Story...Continued or even a slice of style such as her signature hit, "Emotional Rollercoaster", I believed some of that grit and soul from the singer's 2002 debut,  A Love Story would seep back in. Maybe I expected too much...

Remember The Time: Terence Trent D'Arby's 'Hardline' Live

Maybe I have mentioned this...or not...but never do I get tired of saying that Terence Trent D'Arby is one of my favorite vocalists. Ever. All-Time. Infinity. Gushing much, but it's true. One of the worst crimes in music was how his career got knocked by the wayside, possibly due to future experimental albums that had folks scratching their scalps and some brash quotes that managed to get folks feathers ruffled (apparently he compared himself to The Beatles...which is some unwritten 'oh, no he didn't!' in music-dom). Still no matter what, if you dig back into D'Arby (who now goes by Sananada Maitreya) then you're in for a listening thrill ride, as after his highly successful debut, The Hardline According To..., D'Arby managed to make albums that combined every genre of music you could possibly think of. Quirky concepts aside, D'Arby's finest is definitely his 1987 debut. Before you is a video clip of D'Arby performing the album's opening track, "If You All Get To Heaven" to a live audience, and it shrilly stomps in just as brisk as on the record.

First Impressions: Robyn Let's Her 'Body Talk' With "None Of Dem"

There's been a lot going on in Robyn Land as the Swedish electronica starlet is gearing up to release a triple threat of albums this year, all of them going by the scrumptious name of Body Talk. The three album project will be released in increments, with the first installment, Body Talk Part 1 EP, seeing the light of day on June 7th, and the first three singles being officially released today.

We've already soaked our bones into the zany, "Fembots" and the romp of "Dancehall Queen" now the latest, "None Of Dem" has surfaced ant it's a five minute wall of sound, courtesy of  producing Norwegian duo Royksopp, that is quite disco minded with it's structure yet has a very spooky edge to it that sort of drifts along as the song pounds on. It's actually quite delightful, though it does get repetitive after a good minute. Still that's not a bad thing, only that you gotta wear some sturdy dancing shoes because you'll be wearing them down with this. [via PJ/RT]

None Of Dem  

The Tape Deck: YouHereIntuitionBoringStayMermaid

Six songs I'm feeling at the moment...list your six songs of the moment in the comments, if you so desire. 

1.Nothin' On You - B.o.B ft. Bruno Mars 

Been keeping a watchful eye on newbie vocalist Bruno Mars, especially after getting a listen at his track, "DreamTaker" (which sounds like a better constructed and sung Chris Brown track), but I'm still gunning him for big things, as his collaboration with fellow rising star, rapper, B.o.B, "Nothin' On You" is exactly how I like my combo plate of verses and vocal trade-offs. I truly love this song. It's got that laid back summer anthem vibe that is sounding so right at the moment. B.o.B doesn't try to overpower with his verses (his flow is actually on point throughout), and Mars has a really rich tone where he wedges in quite decadently.Watch for these two...something big might come of them.

2.  Here I Am - Monica 

You know something, Monica's Still Standing record isn't half bad, in fact it's one of the best mainstream R&B albums I've heard in a long time. And really with an R&B veteran like Monica, were you really going to get anything less?  The lead off single, "Everything To Me" is still the best track while the upfront "Woman To Woman" 21st Century makeover, "Blackberry" is growing on me. But I'm really liking the slow plodding percussion backing on "Here I Am" and how Monica sounds so crisp and assured. She sounds all around confident on the whole album, but this song basically offers more than "Still Standing" projects, that Monica is indeed back on the block and still Miss Thang. 

3. Female Intuition - Mai Tai

No secret that I have a thing for power pop/R&B from the 80's and Mai Tai is no exception. Mai Tai is one of those 80's groups that kind of came and went once the decade dissipated, but left behind a few fantastic singles (see "History" complete with idiot proof dance moves!). They were formed by a Dutch producing team to possibly to be the European answer to The Pointer Sisters. The Sisters Pointer are much better, but Mai Tai has some great little pop/R&B numbers, and this is one gleaming nugget in their cannon of output. The synths in this packs a powerful wallop and it's infectious enough. For those who like the big 80's sound will enjoy this like I. 

Album Watch: What You Should Learn About 'The Hard Way'

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings are an act that I should be keeping close tabs on since I'm a Soul music enthusiast and all, yet I don't. It's possibly because the revival of the 60's/70's sound was so (and still is so) prominent, that I couldn't squeeze them at the table where Amy Winehouse, Raphael Saddiq, Alice Russell and many many others were serving up their slice of vintage pie. And it is strange, as they were one of the first bands to dust off the dancing shoes of the Motown era with everyone following suit remaining the sort of indie darlings of that movement. Yet, they got ignored by me. So I'm mending wounds. True, you can pick up any old vinyl from days gone by and hear the same exact thing this group puts out...but it's something about hearing that sound in the present that has everyone giddy because it feels like seeing an old friend again, yet they are more polished than prior.

Blog Scoping: An Album Review A Day, Keeps The Music Nerd Informed

 I'm kind of a nut for reviews. Okay, pulling up in Obvious Station on the Duh! Express. And frankly, I like to divulge in other writer's reviews because you always get the fuller spectrum of an album or single, especially from a point of view you never saw before.

Still I am picky about how I read my reviews on albums, because I'm such a Regina George. I have high standards. 

I don't mind a haiku (that takes some talent to describe something in three lines), but I do mind if someone just says..."This album was good, I liked it, especially track number five, it was dope!!!!!" Elaborate please. It's me being the descendant of English teachers, but sometimes you can't just sum up an album in just a few words. So this is where 365 Albums A Year comes in, a website that has a simple objective: it reviews an one album a day, all year round, except on Leap Day, because then they would have to change the site title to 366 Albums a Year, and that's not catchy enough. 

When pulling into the site you'll get a variety of reviews from all genres (I've seen David Bowie and The Foreign Exchange reviewed), and if you continue to follow them throughout the year, you'll be surprised each day. But these guys (all seven writers) are no fools, because they are reviewing albums that are actually good and classic in their own right...so if you're looking to see bashing on musicians, no can do here. So for the album review nut, this site will have you engaged for hours, as it did for me. Plus a site that can review Marlena Shaw's glorious Who's This Bitch Anyway? and D'Angelo's Voodoo is heavy in my book.

Crisp N' Fresh: Imani Coppola Steps In Solo Spotlight Again With 'Over It'

Guess it's safe to assume that Little Jackie is going to be resting on the back burner this year, as front woman Imani Copolla has decided to solider on alone for a second go around. To recall, Coppola began her singing career back in the late 90's with the rousing single, "Legend of a Cowgirl", yet she disappeared behind the scenes scribbling down notes and phrases for acts like Alice Smith. In 2008, she returned as one half of the producer-singer duo, Little Jackie, who had an impressive little debut, The Stoop, that provoke the cheeky hit, "The World Should Revolve Around Me".

Now it seems from the salty n' sweet attitude of this single, "Over It", that Miss Coppola is indeed 'over' and possibly done with whatever has been racking on her mind, as she skips around a cartoon derived New York City  in this animated/live action visual. Frankly, her 'fudge it I'm done fooling with this' sentiment is something I can truly dig at this point in time, thus I'm humming along. No word on if Coppola is prepping an album to back up this summery acoustic romp or not, but a part of me wishes she was cooking up a new album cause this song and video are de-lightful.

First Impressions: Electronica and Hip-Hop Collide On Sam Sparro's "Corrected"

With a song like "Black and Gold", Sam Sparro is going to have a hell of a time following it up. In fact, he's going to have a hell of a time following up his 2008 self-titled debut, because it was filled with epic synthesized funkatron tunes that just blasted through the speakers and were infectious to the ears. Yet, he's brave and willing to give it a shot to follow the album up, as over the weekend a brand new track surfaced that is to be the first single from his as-yet-untitled-and-under-wraps-at-the-moment sophomore record. 

The track, "Corrected", does refresh the brain molecules, with it's shrill synth work that mirrors 1980's hip-hop backbeats (courtesy of production by Dutch producing team Mason) not to mention the robust inclusion of DMC from legendary Run DMC. Mainly this song features, DMC, with Sparro contributing his raspy soulful drawl in the mix. It's a bit dicey in spots, possibly because this may not be a finished product, though from the sound of things something is bubbling up quite interestingly. Sample the radio edit after the cut.

Song Stuck In My Head: Oh, Baby Bring It All To Me

"Bring It All To Me" - Blaque ft. JC Chasez (1999) 

Let's do the time warp, again. Currently, I'm seeing the chapter close on my schooling years as May graduation is around the bend, thus, I will *gasp* have to grow up and be a stuffy adult. Since the thought, I've been grasping for my youth, becoming a Peter Pan of sorts, not wanting to grow up. So what better way to hold onto those moments is by reliving music antidotes from my youth? This is where Blaque comes into play.

This Atlanta trio came out at the tail end of the 90's, closing out the Decade of a Gabillion Girl Groups, with the late Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes signing them her record label. They had a good run with singles like "As If" and the R. Kelly raunch of "808", and were even backing up a bitchy Gabrielle Union in the cinematic cheerleading masterpiece, Bring It On. Off of their 1999 self-titled debut, single "Bring It All To Me" is the perfect meshing of pop and R&B, as we hear the silky smooth voice of *NSYNC's JC Chasez (the one we thought was going to have a bigger solo career over that curly fries haired guy named Justin) and he compliments the trio quite well on this Top Ten hit. There are two versions of this song, one with and without JC (the video below is the original cut), which was for their prospective radio audiences. Personally, I like the version with JC better, especially since it was the one I remember cranking up on my broke down yellow radio way back when.  

Crisp N' Fresh: Janelle Does Some Fancy Footwork In 'Tightrope' Visual

So yeah, I'm late, but let's be honest, you don't really have to push play to know what Janelle Monae has done for the visual of zippy single, "Tightrope". Okay, maybe you should push play just to see a music video that incorporates some frantic and fancy saddle shoe footwork, as well as some trippy surrealism elements and touches of Harry Potter Prisoner of Azkaban-esque details. Strangely, Janelle doesn't do the sista from another planet deal as no robotical elements are present, but with OutKast's Big Boi in tow, they deliver one hell of a dance party in an asylum, of all places.

In less than a week, we've had three visually appeasing videos (Erykah's, Kelis' and this one), so that sadly means we've gotten the quota for creative music videos done for the year. I'm just kidding.

The ArchAndroid drops in stores May 18th.