Audio Diva || Adventures In Sound

Artist Watch: Sh*t, Damn, Finally...D'Angelo Is BACK!!

2012-01-27T10:30:00.000-06:00

Spreading like a Texas wildfire is news of D'Angelo's return, as he took to the stage for the first time in eleven years yesterday during a special Stockholm, Sweden performance. Instantly, D's faithful followers blew out the candles and emerged from their praying shrines to join the rest of the Internet in the act of losing their ever-loving minds---and boy, did we ever. A thought process:

News of D'Angelo's comeback concert cropped up in the mid-morn of Thursday concerning him kicking off a short tour in Europe, his first stop occurring in Sweden. You're Audio Diva-ness wasn't so moved, even though his tour manager had begun a special tour diary making an exclamatory note that he actually stepped on the plane to the show. In addition to that, a photo of D posing with a fan at the event popped up around the Internets. These two things just set fire to the rain shower the day's pending spread of events. Still I needed more proof...
Proof came when a grainy video of the performance of "Chicken Grease" premiered, followed by "Shit Damn Motherfucker". What really pleased me more than just hearing him blaze through these hits was seeing him smile and thoroughly enjoy himself during these performances. True, D looks like he spent some time on the Black Pearl with Jack Sparrow like the swashbuckler of Soul music he is, but him beaming from ear-to-ear, interacting with the audience, and jumping around on stage gave me the relief that D is back to his old shenanigans. Not to mention he sounds G-R-E-A-T, especially on "Shit Damn". He's been gone for about twelve years? Pfft! Try twelve seconds, the man was on point.
The show wasn't all about the old, as D gave viewers something we can feel for the future as he uncorked a couple of new jawns by the names of "Sugar Daddy" and "The Charade". Both tunes are seeped in a Prince-ly groove circa 1986-89, when his Purple Highness began to fully fold Jazz into his Funk repertoire.
As usual, I don't try to jump the gun when it comes to comebacks, because let's face it---it's not going to be 2000 again and D has been through a lot in the last several years, so I ease into this hoping that he doesn't do another vanishing act again, that he actually sticks around, and hopefully we get a tangible release this year.
Still, just this much makes me a school girl again, catching all the feelings of hearing D'Angelo for the first time in the late 90's, and hearing these performances is bringing it all back. Now is the time to bring some real testosterone, some real He-Man grunt back into the Soul/R&B game, and D may be the one to navigate the genre back to being all about the raw emotive of love.
You can view the grainy (yet viewable) performances of "Chicken Grease", "Sugar Daddy", and "Charade" after the cut for one more time, or for the next billion times :)

Audio Vision: Kylie Gives Some Fine (Classical) Feelings

2012-01-27T10:20:00.000-06:00

The idea of a Pop dame like Kylie Minogue going all string n' bow Classical might get some red flags flipping up, but one listen to her re-imaging of her 1991 hit, "Finer Feelings" in a orchestral guise, might change a couple of minds, and shut a couple of flaps. Though it may be far-fetched to believe, but Ms. Minogue has been in the music biz for 25 years, and she's celebrating that fact by releasing surprises and "gifts" for her long supportive fans throughout the year she's dubbing, K25. The first crop of surprises are performances of her at the legendary Abbey Road studios covering some of her biggest hits in Classical/Standard re-fashion, re-fashions that are slated for a special album to appear later this year.

'It's no secret' that Kylie isn't an Mariah or a Whitney---but hell, they don't even sound like themselves currently, so Brownie points go to Kylie for her attempting to step out of her comfort zone to put a new spin on vintage favorites. And you know what? She doesn't sound half bad, as it's a real return to the classic symphonic she wove into her 1994 self-titled album---which was by far my favorite album of hers and doubled as proof that Kylie was more than just a soap-star turned singer, that she could fit her sweet coo into rich material. Frothing up the magic of her hit from '91's severely underrated Let's Get To It (which was one of the first inks to Kylie dabbling in R&B), Kylie keeps things quite 'klassy' indeed with a 24-piece orchestra in tow. Can't wait to hear the other re-fashions! Peep the performance after the cut, and as an added bonus, the original clip of "Finer Feelings" is for your viewing pleasure as well.

Audio Vision: An Explosion Of Diva Power In Paris

2012-01-26T12:24:00.000-06:00

During a tweet scan (follow me!) the other day, Chaka Khan was exuberantly tweeting about Paris' Fashion Week, as well as name dropping the likes of Grace Jones and Sister Sledge in the mix. Somehow I believed this was a figment of my Audio Diva imagination, and kept it moving, but lo and behold a video pops up of Khan, Jones, the sister Sledge AND Gloria Gaynor AND The Pointer Sisters all performing during the Etam fashion show, all on one stage---together.

*flatline*

*beep...beep...* Okay, I'm back, but seriously, that's an weapon of mass diva destruction right there and it warrants some heart palpitations. What you'll be treated to after the cut is an explosion of classic hits, lingerie (skip to about 2:17 to get to the singing), a 63-year-old Grace Jones in a leotard proving milk does a body good, and a rousing finale of "We Are Family" where all the bold and fabulous soul sistas join forces and let the decibel levels reach a new high.

Photo credit: HuffPo

Artist Watch: Live Your Life, Listen To Yuna

2012-01-25T10:15:00.000-06:00

Whenever I see Pharrell's name in adjacent to the ever-loving groove, especially as a producer, my brakes are slammed on and I do a wild U-turn to see what sorcery he has bestowed. This time he's onto something celery stalk fresh, as he's frothing up a newcomer to the scene. And who doesn't mind a new kid on the music block?

Welcome Yuna, a Malaysian singer-songwriter, who hits all the right cues with her single, "Live Your Life". Literally, this was l-o-v-e at first listen.
and a sweet 180 from the folk-pop EP, Decorate, that the former law student released last year. This time in Pharrell's sonic ambiance vase she sears in the leisurely yet funky morsel that begs to be put on repeated listens.

Good news, you can drop a dollar and purchase "Live Your Life" over at iTunes right now, as well as take in her cover of Nirvana's "Come As You Are" (where Pharrell makes a slight appearance on). There's even more good news as Mr. Williams is producing a bulk of her debut self-titled long player, which is to be out this Spring. Can't freakin' wait.

Yuna - Live Your Life

First Impressions: Ladyhawke Is Black, White and Sometimes Blue

2012-01-25T10:10:00.000-06:00

Full speed ahead we go into synthy symphonies on Ladyhawke's latest, "Black, White & Blue." This new breath is all in prep for Anixety, the long-anticipated follow-up to one of 2008's best debuts (seriously, Ladyhawke is a-mazzzzing to the 10th power). Glad to hear that Miss Hawke hasn't given up the synth steez, as personally, that revival 80's sound suits her and keeps my 80's baby arse exalted. Anxiety is all about adding in a rockier edge, and from the craggy interruptions of guitars and tumbling drums in this moment that give a nod to the early Punk eras---she's keeping that promise, and "Black, White & Blue" is very pleasing in that retrospect. Not sure if I really love it, but I don't loathe it, and that is always a plus. Marinate in it below.

Ladyhawke - Black White & Blue

RIP: Etta James [1938-2012]

2012-01-20T11:46:00.000-06:00

[Etta James, "At Last" singer, music icon, passes away at age 73]

We have lost a powerful and unique voice today. May she rest in peace.

First Impression: Santigold's Got A Big Mouth

2012-01-19T10:20:00.000-06:00

So while others (like yours truly) were fist pumping their right to creative freedom due to the SOPA/PIPA online strike yesterday, Santigold snuck her way in with a brand-new song from Master Of My Make-Believe, her hotly anticipated follow-up to her fantastical 2008 debut. Santigold has been vocal a number of times times about her album and her disdain for the plastic culture of today's society, and in a recent interview with V Magazine, she continued to back those claims of her trying to call-out all the fakers.

However you want to slice it, Santigold is passionate about her beliefs, and she sharpens her claws and lets them all fly out on the diss track of "Big Mouth", which takes some stabs at Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Her Not-So-Fetchness Lindsay Lohan. The song itself, which you can snag for free at Santi's homebase, rocks on a meaty Afro-beat sound. Though it feels a tad recycled, it's still hyper-kinetic enough for me to have it on a listening loop. To make the full circle, is the crudely drawn cartoonish music video that resembles a Sponge Bob Squarepants episode that is best enjoyed with a blunt or two, just due to the wackiness---it's pure high-end entertainment. Seriously, I'm glad to see (and hear) that Santigold hasn't diluted her quirkiness, though I'm kinda surprised at the shade throwing she's got going here....then again why am I asking for so much? Plus it's not like I disagree with her...

Still hoping she brings it just a little bit harder on the rest of Master Of My Make-Believe when it drops later this year. Pop after the cut to view and hear "Big Mouth"---it's sure to draw you out of your crawl towards the weekend.

Wipe Off The Dust: Life After Chic With Sister Sledge

2012-01-19T10:15:00.000-06:00

To hear Sister Sledge is to hear "He's The Greatest Dancer" and "We Are Family" bounce, skating and rockin' through your head. No difficult feat, especially since they've been featured in film montages since their craft and continue to be the "go-to" jams for whenever you want to dip in some Disco. Yet, that is beside the point, because for me, Sister Sledge should be best remembered as one Chic's finest production moments. Their pair albums with them, 1979's We Are Family, and 1980's Love Somebody Today, are seamless affairs of Disco-Funk and Soul pleasure that salutes to the groove of Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards.

While hit makers with Chic there is always some sort of 'selective amnesia' when it comes to what they released after those seminal hits with Nile and 'Nard. Possibly due to the Disco backlash around the beginning of the 80's a lost of interest for the sisters occurred, leading to their later efforts becoming mis-begotten. True, they would reunite with Nile Rodgers for 1985's kind of dull, When The Girls Meet The Boys, but what happened in-between that time?

All American Girls (1981)
If you didn't look at the liner notes, you would've assumed that All American Girls is a Chic production. Duped you'll be. There is a lot of Chic-ism sprinkled among this set, due to the repetitive bass-lines and swirling strings, but this is all Narada Michael Walden's production wizardry. He does a perfect job of giving the impression that the Sister Sledge are under the influence of Chic when the opposite is at play. Something about All American Girls in it's 'imitation of Chic flavoring' I like---a lot. Next to Love Somebody Today, it's my favorite Sledge effort as it's solid throughout with bass lines that won't quit, ballads that are soft serve creamy ("Next Time You'll Know", "Don't You Let Me Lose It"), and all the post-disco experimentation you need. The pro-female title track proved to be lucrative for the sisters, as it hit #3 on the R&B charts, while "If You Really Want Me" is post-disco at it's most earnest. Radio stations probably didn't know what to do with "He's Just A Runaway" as it's a bold shift for Sledge with it's grinding rock-guitar backing. It was a missed opportunity, because Kathy Sledge's raspy vocals were meant to drape over a track like this. A number of other tracks like the tropical coo of "Happy Feeling" and jovial "Oooh You Caught My Heart" screamed "hit", but once again some opportunities were overlooked. Chic-less, but brimming with ideas, All American Girls showed the Sledges could chameleon themselves in various genres.

The Sisters (1982)
While All-American Girls feels progressive in it's make-up, The Sisters is a slight regression in it's atmosphere as it feels right out the late 1970's. It happens when "Super Bad Sisters" comes in with horns blasting and a funky backing, all the electronic funk of All American Girls far gone---well, until some timely "raps" come in. It must be noted that the Sledges solely produced and wrote most of the material on this, which is quite impressive and gives this set a real personal touch. The prime hit off of it was a re-working of Mary Wells' Motown classic, "My Guy". Cute it is, but this feels sort of passive considering what they've done prior. Still there are shimmering moments like "Lightfootin', "Il Mácquillage Lady" and the brooding cool-down, "Everybody's Friend". One other interesting thing to note about The Sisters is that it features the first rendition of "All The Man That I Need", a tune that Whitney Houston would scoop up in 1990 and make a slushy hit out of it. Things sound vastly different on the Sledge's version, including a male vocalist, but if you're curious about this song's origins, The Sisters can be picked up just for sheer curiosity.

Bet Cha Say That To All The Girls (1983)
While The Sisters was stirred, Bet Cha Say That To All The Girls is shaken. Now entering in as the pilot for production is multi-instrumentalist, George Duke, who is mostly known for his Afro-Jazz Fusion bushel of albums, but who took some stylish turns in the 80's as producer. France Joli, Deniece Williams, and Irene Cara received the Duke touch around this time, and he does the same for Sledge as he brings the pop-rock hybrid that was discovered in All American Girls, and branches it out here. Lead-off single, "B.Y.B.O. (Bring Your Own Baby)" is quite electric and segues nicely into "Lifetime Lover". Bet Cha's fault is that the single choices were weak, opting to peg it's success on okey-dokey ballads instead of Valley Girl work-outs like "Let Him Go" that drive with a 60's girl group flair or mid-tempo pleasantries like "Smile". Lots of what is on here feels ready for a 80's teen movie soundtrack, making for a gloriously dated (but in a good way!) set that is worth taking a second listen too.

First Impressions: The Mystery Of Sandie Black

2012-01-19T10:10:00.000-06:00

I love a good mystery and this one is a real corker.

Picture it...my in-box, at around oh, one in the morning. I can't sleep, the glow of the laptop screen isn't helping matters so I'm forced to occupy my insomnia by being lured into weeding through e-mails, looking for distractions. Suddenly one piece of mail catches my eye. Opening it there is a link to a Bandcamp page, a lone and mysterious link.

What is this? Is this spam? If I click on it will I get weak, stale tunage? Or will I stay in Wonderland and see how deep the rabbit hole goes? My curiosity has gotten to me and it is one in the morning so naturally I'm bored--click on the link I shall. A picture of a police car with 'Sadie Black' spray-painted on it and a doughnut shop against a dusk backdrop, greet me. Off to the side are a few blunt descriptions: Toronto, hip-hop, alternative, soul, house, R&B, rock...and a free download of a track called "Get Free". "Okay, I will," I thought. So I press play.....

Now I'm hearing some kind of Janelle Monáe meets J*Davey meets Idle Warship wonderment, tempo-changes, guitar riffs, sharp lyrical flows, dreamy decadence...just real aural goodness that must be shared. So here I am, posting my "clues", and really no word on who or what Sandie Black is. It's a pure mystery, and one I hope to solve soon....

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://sandieblack.bandcamp.com/track/gotta-get-free"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Gotta Get Free by Sandie Black&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

First Impressions: Emeli Sandé Has Got Next

2012-01-19T10:00:00.000-06:00

Emeli Sandé has done it again. With rapid fire driving her into a flurry of percussion and Gospel-tinged wonderment she ejects "Next To Me" out a cannon, and gives rousing awareness to love and all of it's commitments. She's performed her new single recently on The Graham Norton Show (and has even performed it acoustically), but revisiting this gusto, this diction, it just snatches that breath right out of you. Emeli is well on her way to being the UK's next BIG voice and might give Adele a run for her money. Here's hoping Emeli gets her due in the States.

Even though the album sampler for her debut, Our Version Of Events gives the impression that the project is going to be a froth fest of ballads (still a premature notion), "Next To Me" is a stone winner, and even excels at besting "Heaven"...well, just a smidge. Pop over the cut to engulf yourself in the track and it's official visual.

Song Stuck In My Head: Madonna - Masterpiece

2012-01-17T10:49:00.000-06:00

Was waiting for an official call for this, but I guess winning a Golden Globe (plus getting some heee-larious shade from Elton John) warrants the belief that yes, "Masterpiece" isn't a mirage that Madonna's hungry fans have cooked up...it's a tangible tune, and a jump-start to what is to come music wise for her this year. Madonna recorded "Masterpiece" for W.E., the film she directed about the love affair of King Edward VIII and American socialite Wallis Simpson becoming an obsession with a modern-day New Yorker. While that last bit is pretty interesting, "Masterpiece" is more than just background music.

Somehow I underestimated Madonna (I mean, you heard Hard Candy...) and with her currently working with clown car escapees like M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj it kind of had my side-eye in a twitch. Still this song is good. Even better than good. I heard it in demo passing, but hearing it now in full polished form I have to say that Madonna oddly excels at doing slower-tempos. Though I hear a lot of parallels to ballads past ("Take A Bow", "The Power Of Goodbye", and of Who's That Girl's underrated, "The Look Of Love"), I'd still like to add "Masterpiece" to another exhibit of how Madonna can pull off a dreamy ballad with lots of effectiveness. Madonna has often been in desire to be in the throws of the A-List acting elite, but what she does best is right here on this song.

Madonna - Masterpiece

Audio Vision: Little Dragon 'Shuffle A Dream'

2012-01-17T10:22:00.000-06:00

In accordance to the Chinese New Year, 2012 is the Year of the Dragon....so maybe we can say it's the Year of Little Dragon? Or so I gest....

I've heard varying reviews about Ritual Union where it falls in the either 'love it or hate it' category, yet one thing is for sure, this Swedish brood is well on their way up from the underground to being household names, and that's all good to me. "Shuffle A Dream" was one of my favorites (if not the favorite) off of Ritual Union, and here they are performing it for The Guardian's Live Sessions. So enjoy this little sound morsel as it's been a molasses kind-of-month.

(Side beauty note: I LOVE Yukimi's nail polish)

Artist Watch: Meet Michael Kiwanuka

2012-01-11T10:20:00.000-06:00

Sometimes when a person is lauded by a 'prestigious' title my Claire Huxtable side-eye gets the best of me. It's all because that 'special' marker doesn't translate beyond that hype, and then I'm one built-up and duped buttercup. While I'm not a native of UK, I'm always interested at whoever gets pegged for the annual BBC Sound Of.... because I find myself championing some of those names later on this blog. Still the whole thing is a crapshoot, you never know who really is going to live up to that title (just look at who was chosen last year and how that turned out). So I proceeded with caution about Michael Kiwanuka, a relatively unknown London bred singer-songwriter-guitarist, who beat out such fan favorites like Frank Ocean and Lianne La Havas and provoked tons of scalp scratches. So who is this guy and is he really all that great? Pretty soon I understood why Kiwanuka was chosen---and not just because he sings well.

We've been there and done that with all the nostalgic turns music has been on for the past several years, but what sort of delighted me about Kiwanuka was while everything he's doing isn't new, it just didn't feel forced. He lets himself sort of ease into the material and has a real affection for the sound his has cultivated. Based off of his influence list (Bill Withers, Van Morrison, and Otis Redding), his whole sound is out of time, and wise beyond his 24 years. Hell, sometimes you think you hear the crackle of a worn LP when you hear his stuff, but somehow it's just right for 2012. He didn't have me at his single, "Home Again", he snatched me off guard with the delicately woven, "Tell Me A Tale", which has some mighty fine arranging and instrumentation going on. Now this is an unique song and it reminded me of if you put Blood, Sweat, & Tears in a blender with some Ray Charles sensibility and stirred it all up. For a further check-out, "I Need Your Company" and "They Say I'm Doing Just Fine" gave me some real old time religion where Kiwanuka does neat interplay of Gospel, Folk, and good-old-fashioned Soul. Based on that material, I can clearly see why he was chosen and maybe BBC's Sound of 2012 has a rightful owner. Kiwanuka's debut album, Home Again, will be available come March 26th, and hopefully will live up to the praise.

Tell Me A Tale

I Need Your Company

They Say I'm Doing Just Fine

Recycle It!: Kissey Gets Creepy

2012-01-11T10:00:00.000-06:00

Staggered into hearing some 'newness' from Kissey (Asplund was the last name) the other day and fell upon some sort of a oddly cobbled together collection of songs, one that didn't involve the loose cannon, "Cry". The set included a cover of Pharoahe Monch's "Simon Says" (or rather a 'remix') as well as the arresting "Taking It Cool" which clocks in at less than two minutes, but does so much in that space of time. While I'll bookmark the page that "Taking It Cool" rests on (and wonder what the hell she's doing for a new album), I wanted to take a look at what she did on a cover of Radiohead's seminal hit, "Creep". Now if you've been accustom to the original either you're sick of it being the go-to song when discussing the influential UK band, or figure that nobody can come close to what Thom Yorke did vocally and that little known Kissey trying this is an abomination.

I'll admit, the beginning of this is quite coarse, but once she got to the chorus, things were rather solid. Acoustically driven and feeling just as self-mocking as the original, this is a raw dose of homage that is well worth a listen or two. Peep the original after the cut to refresh the brain on the original to compare.

Kissey - Creep (Radiohead cover)

First Impressions: Georgia Anne Muldrow Sows Some 'Seeds'

2012-01-10T14:45:00.001-06:00

Another year in and another Georgia Anne Muldrow project to get giddy about. Seriously, where does she find the time to do all of this? I can sometimes barely handle writing, eating, and breathing! With Madlib producing the whole damb thing of the upcoming Seeds, Georgia is accumulating a hefty crop of albums, and this one is sure to be her most interesting yet. Lots of firsts going into Seeds as this is the first time where Muldrow drops her production duties, and the first Madlib has produced for this female vocalist. So with guards let down, and comfort zones askew, Seeds should be an interesting project indeed. Be prepared to have it impede in your world come March.

In the meantime, Rolling Stone offers the title track free o' charge, so listen without feeling you have to nickel n' dime it. You might be surprised at how Madlib has sort of buffed down some of GAM's raw edges, but it works in this old school Soul jaunt which has a hefty 70's sample in tow.

Georgia Anne Muldrow - Seeds

First Impressions: Another Appetizer From Delilah

2012-01-10T14:45:00.000-06:00

Hey there again, Delilah (last time, promise).

From The Roots Up, Delilah's official debut album will be upon us come March, but to wet your whistle till then, here's another pristine single, this time going by the name "Never Be Another", a track that is sure to just further capitalize on the fact that Delilah is one to watch this year. Starting out with some slip-n-slide futuristic synths, we get a dramatic percussive stunner that has some intricate vocal moments done by Delilah. Actually I quite favor this over the other material I've heard from her ("Go", "Love You So") which provokes me to have high expectations on what her debut will entail. 2012 is looking mighty sharp from here.

Delilah - Never Be Another

Take 5 Friday: Running With Scissors, Muhsinah & Remembering Vesta

2012-01-06T10:30:00.000-06:00

Reheating leftovers of the week...

1. How Does It Feel (Jumping The Gun): It's official. We D'Angelo fans are hard-up. So hard-up that one listen to a new "demo" called "Black Hole Sun" caused a myriad of actions to take place----hands clutched hearts, "he's back!" rolled off of tongues, breaths were unbreathed, praying shrines were abandoned. I knew better. I knew that the word "demo" and "new D'Angelo song" meant some sick twisted joke that would, in the end, make me cry on command like Viola Davis. So I just sat back and chewed on some popcorn and watched when everyone was proven wrong by Questlove---who concluded that this was a Soundgarden cover, and D recorded this about close to a decade ago. Ah, well, it's still worth several listens. Not too crazy about the high-pitched vocals, but it's dirty, raw and a funky spin on the original---and ain't nothin' wrong with that. So back to the praying shrine we go, as once again there are mumbles of D working on new material and that 2012 might be the year we get to hear it. Still, I'm not waiting for this pot of water to boil.....

2. Stop!: It's hard not to gush about Muhsinah's Gone EP. Anybody who has downloaded it and heard it knows that it was possibly one of the best EP's of the year (well, in my little world it was). Good news is that the' Golden Girl' is set to re-package Gone into a deluxe edition with even more electronic soul-punk goodies to gobble up. But first, dig if you will this pictorial of Muhsinah as she plows through the bleachy guitar bliss of "Stop!" that highlights stop-motion and about 20,000 pictures of the singer herself. Instagram has nothing on this.

3. We Are Young: Here's another 'relic' from 2011 that was overlooked by me. It's no secret that Janelle Monae is checking her 'soul clock' as she'll be releasing two albums this year, so we should be well-prepared (and ecstatic!!) for this intergalactic funk dame to spice up this year. 2011 wasn't all too shabby for Janelle as she toured extensively, gave a wonderful performance at the Nobel Peace Prize concert, and had a prominent guest-spot alongside group, Fun. for their beer-bottle-to-the-sky single, "We Are Young". The song has been picking up some steam, especially since it's food fight visual extravaganza dropped earlier this week. The real treat is actually the acoustic version where the talent really shines. All the glitz n' synthy glam is scrubbed off and actually this song feels more like the anthem this track strives and succeeds to be.

4. Shady Identity: Not sure. Not sure at all. Usually I love the Scissor Sisters for being the campy, ear dessert (that sounds gross---but work with me) in my music collection, but this new collaboration with Krystal Pepsy (the cute nostalgic name of singer, Azealia Banks) leaves me a bit cold---also somewhat befuddled (love that word). After the glorious Night Work from 2010 with its shimmering first single, "Invisible Light" , you'd think the quartet from NYC would build from there, but "Shady Love" is kind of sophomoric, right down to the goofy raps (rhyming Madonna with Barack Obama---come on) and clunky generic beat this side of something that girl with the $ in her name might try to shill. Maybe it's the bizzaro music video that kind of has me tasting something tart. If the point of the vid was to make me have nightmarish flashbacks of my grade school pageants, then hats off to the Sisters for succeeding. This is just merely round one for what is to come from SS's upcoming album, so I'll chalk this up as 'strike one' and hope for a homer later.

5. Something About You: TVOne's Unsung opened the new year with a bangin' new season and they've got an impressive line-up (Bobby Womack, Millie Jackson, Atlantic Starr, Ray Parker Jr., David Ruffin, Freddie Jackson, Sheila E., Full Force, Whodini) in store. This week, the late Vesta Williams' life was put in the spotlight and,once again, it's riveting viewing to find out the what lies beneath all the chart-topping black wax. Williams' found success with singles "Once Bitten Twice Shy", "Don't Blow A Good Thang", and "Congratulations" in the late 80's as well as earned the reputation for being an electric live performer. Amid these successes Vesta struggled with drugs and weight issues, the latter being a reason why her career stalled, as we all know how the music industry can be about image. Last year, Williams sadly passed away, and since this is the last interview she did, this episode has an eerie air hanging over it. Still, if you watch, Vesta managed get her weight under control, wrangle her drug habit, and find peace within herself, all while the music kept playing---and that is something you have to give applause for. You can watch the full episode here, especially if you're like me and your janky ass cable provider doesn't offer TVOne. Get your music history lesson.

First Impressions: Groove N' Move To Teen Daze and Lemy Leopard

2012-01-05T10:35:00.000-06:00

Could 2012 be the year that dance/club music gets some more respect? One can sort of wonder, especially when the first born of this year's music provokes moves that could warrant a broken lamp (or a broken leg). I'm practically dancing all kinds of jigs and sweating my perm over these tracks mainly because nothing feels better than to start the new year off with some kinetic sounds. It is true that people nowadays believe that dancing in public is well...uncouth, and a gateway to embarrassment, but I always say---that's half the fun. If you're into a never-ending-groove, then try this duo on for size.

Sometimes I can be a skeptic, and skeptic I was about Teen Daze's "Let's Groove". Thinking, that this couldn't possibly be THE Earth Wind & Fire seminal 1981 slam-a-jam (a jam that never fails to brighten my mood at first note), a definite eyebrow went up when it was in fact said suspicion. As a 'Elements' purist, someone who was born and raised on Phillip Bailey's high-pitched vocals and Verdine White's basslicks, I have to say that this re-imagining of one of post-disco's finest is pretty damn righteous. Teen Daze, a producer/DJ out of British Columbia, has beefed up this classic, showering it with even more razzle-dazzle synths and a surging groove ready for the clubs. It's still as highly danceable as the original, and will still make you want to put a shiny, glittering Jetson-esque get-up on layaway. The track is fantastically free if you wanna continue the party well past this blog post time.

Let's Groove

It's no secret that I love me some House music as I've mentioned it oh....about a couple of times. Over the holiday weekend I caught the hilariously awkward 1995 flick, Party Girl, starring Parker Posey ('He-He-Hello'!) and was delighted over how it's soundtrack was seeped in that bold 90's House that I grew up on. This track, by newcomer, Lemy Leopard, is a nice chaser to the flim viewage as it carries in that same repetitive tradition---literally it feels like a track out of time. "Stay But House Me" weaves in bits n' pieces of Ben E. King's classic "Stand By Me", but you really don't notice it as you sweat it up and get lost in the thicket of beats. Leopard's newest EP, Safari is making waves later this month, but for five minutes take this one in.

Stay But House Me

Camino: Streogum /BamaLoveSoul

First Impressions: Love Moves In Afro Blue, Thanks To Robert Glasper

2012-01-05T10:30:00.000-06:00

Shame on me for not talking more about Jazz pianist Robert Glasper around these parts more often. To rectify that, there is nothing but good news coming from his camp for the new year. Glasper, along with his Experiment trio, are releasing their first full-length, Black Radio this year and to get hyped for the occasion he's enlisted a drove of artists I love to guest star, and they include, Meshell Ndegeocello, Bilal, Ledisi, Lalah Hathaway, Lupe Fiasco---and really, that's just a portion of talent present. Also on that roster is the beloved KING, whose EP The Story is no joke (and my top EP of last year) and whose career is on the climb. So for those of you itching to hear something beyond what that trio of ladies conjured up on The Story, then hearing them saddle up to the Experiment on "Move Love" will show that they aren't just a fluke. What you'll hear is a real feast of Soul serenity where Jazz piano and KING's penchant for dreamy n' creamy electronic soul collide. To sweeten the deal, the track is free for you to grab over at Glasper's official site. Another talent on board is none other than Miss Erykah Badu, who lends a lovely hand on the John Coltrane classic, "Afro Blue"...and well, after hearing it, I've come to the swift conclusion that February 28th can't come soon enough, because Black Radio is a project I can't wait to unwrap.

Move Love (feat. KING)

Afro Blue (feat. Erykah Badu)

Album Watch: Experiencing CocknbullKid's 'Adolescent Behavior'

2012-01-03T13:15:00.000-06:00

Before she was 'counting the seconds to adulthood' Anita Blay (street name: CocknbullKid) was wallowing in 'adolescence' trying to find her way in the cunning mist that is the music industry. Floating around the inter-webs currently, is Adolescence, a collection of tracks the singer recorded in the mid-to-late 2000's that are surely to surprise those who weren't aware that Blay had a sort of stripped down/spacey Prince-y/UK Janelle Monáe vibe preceding the piano-pop turn she takes on now. I've listened to a few of these songs prior (especially "I'm Sorry" and "Boys and Girls") and can totally understand why the shift in style prompted those to dislike what Adulthood was (though it was one of my top 10 records last year). Still it's really funny how the music industry can sort of clay mold an artist to make them fit in with all the rest, isn't it?

Adolescence wasn't officially released by the singer---so know that it's one of those deals. Still it's free, a neat companion piece to Adulthood, and it's an interesting look back at what folks were expecting of Blay on her debut, but (sorely) didn't get.

DL: Adolescence

Recycle It!: Alice Smith Isn't Foolin' Around

2012-01-03T13:01:00.000-06:00

To ease on into the new year...here is someone who I'm 'greatly expecting' to come to the surface this year and grace us with a new album as it has been a while since we've heard from this someone---but then again whose counting (*cough* five years)? That someone is Alice Smith. Here and there she pops up and gives us that rousing voice of hers, reminding us all why we fell in love with her style back in '06 with her debut, For Lovers Dreamers and Me. Here she is giving a little cover smother to Cee-Lo's "Fool For You", which was a favorite off of The Lady Killer. Smith says that this was done in one take and what you hear is 'what was captured in the room'. Without Phillip Bailey and Melanie Fiona for back-up, you can sort of second guess, thinking maybe Cee picked the wrong duet partner for this track, as Alice sounds righteously deeee-lightful on this and would be a neat contrast to Cee's vocals. We really should hear Alice's voice more often than we do.

This impromptu session happened before the holidays rolled in, but no time like the present to show it a little love.

Adventures In 2011: Top 30 Albums [#10 - 1]

2011-12-30T15:01:00.001-06:00

....and like Boyz II Men sang, "we've come to the end of the road".....here are my top ten albums of 2011!

Hope you enjoyed this "re-cap", and by all means don't be shy, share your favorites of this year in the comments :) A BIG thank you to all for reading Audio Diva throughout the year, and let's hope for further musical greatness in the new year!

10. Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes
"Get Some" and "I Follow Rivers" convinced me enough to give Lykke Li a further try, and what do you know? This is a surprisingly grandiose album that holds it's fists up ready to engage in combat, but is actually rather lush and exposing. Lykke is trying to make sense of her jaunt into adulthood, and we go along for the ride. She takes this trip on a dose of scrambling drum work and a sound akin to Phil Spector's 'Wall of Sound' from the 60's, and the product is a brooding introspective stew that is oddly accessible. Right when "Youth Knows No Pain" barrels in, this was clearly an album for me. Lykke's best reveals are nestled in the ballads as "Sadness Is A Blessing" and "Love Our Of Lust" could have been ripped from anyone's journal. Sure it's arty, a tad snobbish, but in all the right ways and for the right reasons. Most sophomore efforts tend to be a bit arrogant, a "I got this" attitude sprinkled over it, but Rhymes is a maturing effort for Lykke, who poises herself at being a staple voice in the 'art-pop' world. There is something in that water in Sweden...I'm sure of it now. [Review]

Notable Tracks: I Follow Rivers, Youth Knows No Pain, Sadness Is a Blessing, Rich Kid Blues, Get Some, Love Out Of Lust

9. Cocknbullkid - Adulthood
"Tell me when it starts, when it gets good"...that's been pretty much my thought process this whole year, and it's the central theme of the title track of Anita Blay's (nickname: CocknbullKid) debut album. Love, loss, screw-ups, and awkwardness are the themes, and it all works in it little fussiness. Blay has shifted her sound palate to a much more piano-rock aesthetic, ditching her electronic-shock Soul for a sunny-side-up type of Pop that is fluid and rich, yet has a nice seasoning of cynicism. It works for her. Singles "Hold Onto Your Misery", "Asthma Attack" and "Yellow" cement everything together in perfect Pop fashion. Adulthood doesn't try to be a good Pop album, it just is.

Notable Tracks: Hold Onto Your Misery, Adulthood, Asthma Attack, Happy Birthday, Cocknbullkid, Yellow, Bellyache, I Deserve It

8. Van Hunt - What Were You Hoping For?
Excuse my French, but Van Hunt doesn't give a flying fuck. He's really all the better for it, because if he didn't have this type of attitude, we'd be in for some boring fluffy tripe that doesn't expand on what fans of Van Hunt know that he's capable of doing. Van is not Mr. Nice Guy on this, and he's letting everyone know he's got a lot on his mind. He wants to prove the point as to why his last album (2008's Popular) was shelved and he, the artist, was shafted. He wants to discuss why our culture relies way too much on wealth and populace---and the consequences there after. He wants to also discuss why he wants to get into your pants. Okay, maybe that's TMI, but really Van let's it all hang out here in this rock laced affair to where he scrutinizes society as well as his own inner-self. Unlike any other album he has put out, WWYHF is Van at his creative brink, and he's living to tell. I like this Van Hunt, I would like him to stick around. [Review]

Notable Tracks: Moving Targets, Falls (Violet), Eyes Like Pearls, Plum, Cross Dresser,

7. New Look - New Look
In the calm of the storm of 2011 rested New Look, as they took the mellower way out and released an album of chill-dub that is hypnotic and clean. The Canadian husband and wife duo came onto my radar with a re-craft of Janet Jackson's "He Doesn't Know I'm Alive", and is was so unexpected and cerebral that I had to take a second glance. Like I mentioned, New Look feels like an album from out of time, and as we remember that music, like fashion, is always repeating itself, this set of sparseness feels like those early crackling days where science met musical instruments. The results of that merge gave way to the extremely electronic 80's and New Look actually plays that time era well with nods to those like Kraftwerk, Laid Back, Giorgio Moroder, and yes, even a little bit of that early Freestyle period. Very sterile yet soulful (think Little Dragon as well), New Look give us an album that is basic enough, but rich enough to where all the intricate details are in plain focus. [Review]

Notable Tracks: Nap On The Bow, The Ballad, Teen Need, Relax Your Mind, Numbers, So Real

6. Jamie Woon - Mirrorwriting
Dub-step became the darling genre of 2011, and pitted in the ring were Woon, James Blake, and The Weeknd. So who won? Well, it's whoever you feel came across better---I mean that's just personal prerogative. So for me, Jamie Woon won. He's just a bit more inviting and much more in-tune with his R&B-ness to where Mirrorwriting translated better. In addition to it being starkly funky, Woon has the better voice, and he doesn't sound like he's trying too hard, (and in the case of The Weeknd) nor does he sound like he's dancing on the idea of slitting his wrists over an affair gone wrong. Mirrorwriting keeps things quite streamlined, engulfing as a full listen, with R&B hooks galore that have him fit in with the Thickes and Ushers of the world, yet a smidge above. Standouts such as the ministry of "Spirits" and the millennium boy band harmonies on "Middle" and "Lady Luck" always have me coming back to this. Oh, and "Night Air" is also present in it's singular ambition, bringing full circle the notion as to why I'm rooting for the Woon. [Review]

Notable Tracks: Middle, Spiral, Spirits, Lady Luck, Night Air, Shoulda, Waterfront, Gravity, TMRW

5. Sneaky Sound System - From Here To Anywhere
So Dance music is for the kids? For the Bieber-ites? For the Disney Dolts? Sneaky Sound System didn't get that memo---at all. Coming from the Land Down Under, the duo (comprised of Connie Mitchell and Black Angus) make and album that is blast from the past yet isn't apologetic about it being seeped in perky dance beats that feel BIG 80's cool, with a 21st Century sharp tongue. As a whole with "Big" and "We Love" lighting and inviting you in, the album is a party so you should strictly come dancing to this. [Review]

Notable Tracks: Big, Friends, The Colours, Really Want To See You Again, We Love, I Need You So, I'm Not Leaving, 1984

4. J*Davey - New Designer Drug
In a few interviews that I've seen concerning the duo of J*Davey, I've always admired Jack Davey's frankness about her love affair with various music forms, especially of the rock persuasion. As a fellow 'awkward Black girl' myself, one interview she did hit home for me as she mentioned while everyone was listening to R. Kelly in middle school---she was listening to Nirvana. Been there, been outcasted like that. Something about listening to music outside of the "designated" R&B and Hip-Hop bracket, sort of scares people of color into believing some sort of 'Blackness' factor is gone once you hear a grungy guitar. It's a weird hangnail that I'd wish would get clipped. Music should never have listening criteria behind it. So what does this commentary have to do with NDD? It's because of Jack Davey and Brook L'eau's honesty to the music that they love and are inspired by, how it molds the essence of their sound, driving it at full speed, allowing them to be creatively forward. Only they could do this with genuine flash and flair. "This" is NDD. It's a taunt punk-electro-Soul-rock-pop-whatever-you-wanna-dash-it-as gumbo that has to be experienced to be understood. [Review]

Notable Tracks: Little Tramp$, Queen Of Wonderland, Turn The Lights Out, Topsy Turvy, Whatchalookinat, Rock That Ship

3. Friendly Fires - Pala
A blazing dance machine is at your service, and it's surprising coming from the source. Friendly Fires have had their indie-pop sensibilities in check, but here they are refined, and much more confident than on their '08 debut, not to mention give a straight-through sensation that is stuffed with glorious middle-eights, fat bass licks, dizzying synths, and sweeping arrangements. It's all seems like too much being thrown at you, from all sides, but who gives a damn when you crank this bad boy up and it all sounds so unabashedly lively? They pounce on the New Wave of yore (I hear a lot of Howard Jones' Human Lib in this), as well have their ears tuned into the funky dispositions of the post-disco era (especially as far as "Hurting" and "Running Away" are concerned) and they pass with flying colors. Named after Aldous Huxley's fictional setting in the book, Island, Pala feels as if you crash landed into a utopia where all they do is dance around in euphoria with not a care in the world.

Notable Tracks: Hurting, Live Those Days Tonight, Hawaiian Air, Pala, Pull Me Back To Earth, Blue Cassette, Running Away, True Love, Show Me Lights

2. Adele - 21
Like Lykke Li and Cocknbullkid, Adele is going through some 'thangs' as a 'roaring 20' and she's hit every single aspect about that awkward limbo in time on the nail. Wrestling with inner-self Adele does on here, as she exposes every faucet of her being without force feed or "woe is me" bawls. She's witty and fussy ("Rumor Has It", the now eternal "Rolling In The Deep"), she wants to be tamed ("Someone Like You", "One and Only"), she's learning to grow ("Turning Tables", "I'll Be Waiting"), and she wants you to understand where she's coming from at an age where you just don't know what the hell you are doing.. To say this wasn't my musical bible of the year is a lie, and while it's (shockingly) not my number #1 album for a couple of reasons (one being below), Adele doesn't have much to worry about, as she's made me a fan for life with whatever she put forth on this glorious tapestry of sound. [Review]

Notable Tracks: Rolling In The Deep, Turning Tables, Rumor Has It, One and Only, Set Fire To The Rain, Take It All, Lovesong, Someone Like You, I'll Be Waiting

1. Rahsaan Patterson - Bleuphoria
Somehow I've been waiting for an album like this to be done by a male artist. A concise, honest, and well-sung effort that from the moment it began, it just clicked, and captivated me throughout. Well, that's not fair, there have been a lot of fantastic male singers with quality recordings in recent years, but Bleuphoria is something I've been wanting to hear for awhile, especially from the R&B/Soul genre. I think it's just the originality that makes this the top for me, the way Rahsaan doesn't pander his sound to the trends and how he makes every note, lyric, vocal run, and arrangement count. Not to mention, I loved every single song (a real rarity for me). Usually we get a lot of Marvins, Stevies, MJ's, Princes, Jimi Hendrix's, etc.'s that come out and try to win over a market hungry for a recall of those talents, but there are just some that are cobbled out better than others. Rahsaan has the heart and technique like a lot of his past disciples, but he's no copy-cat, he's a champion of his quality. Just listen to highlights like "Easier Said Than Done", "Stay With Me", "Miss You" and his sizzling cover of The Flamingo's "I Only Have For You" and you'll hear some real simple innovation at play. Rah oft throws people for a loop with his albums because they don't follow a set pattern of R&B/Soul---and really it's for the better.

Notable Tracks: Insomnia, Easier Said Than Done, I Only Have Eyes For You, 6AM, Stay With Me, God, Miss You, Ghost, Goodbye,

Adventures In 2011: Top 30 Songs [#10 - 1]

2011-12-30T10:30:00.000-06:00

...and without further ado, #10 through #1!

10. Hurting - Friendly Fires
You know I never really believed that Disco "died" when the 80's rolled around and everyone was smashing disco balls and records, acting foolish. Naw. Disco just got a brand new pair of shoes and has been secretly sneaking around in various forms over the decades. Not to say that Friendly Fires is a disco band (that'd be going against the Indie Pop code, and how dare I! *clutches pearl necklace*), but the spirit of the boogie resides in a lot of what occurred on Fires' Pala. One such glory moment happens throughout "Hurting", which was my favorite from jump. From the squishy opening, to the sample that I just cannot place right now, to the shuffleboard middle groove, there is a lot to hear and digest on this supple funk machine. But don't think too hard, because, (and quote a wise trio of hip cats): "You should be dancing...yeah!!"

9. Heaven - Emeli Sandé
Blink and you might have missed Emeli Sandé give it her all on her debut single, "Heaven". I don't know how anyone would have kept this under rug swept because with a voice that transcends over the heaviest of string-styled synths and a frantic drum beat is something that should be lauded---and often. "Heaven" is a four-minute wonder that is a surprising blend of Gospel and searing dance-pop (think a sort of a glossier Massive Attack). While more electronic-pop in tone than what her voice leads you to believe (she'd blow a lot R&B starlets out of the water and off dry land with that range), Emeli is going to fit nicely into a market that is hungry for those days where Martha Wash was wailing about "gonna make you sweat", and for those itching to bring the Soul back into Dance music. Here's looking at you in 2012, Emeli.

8. I Follow Rivers - Lykke Li
With her weird, but charming little voice, and a ping-pong beat that feels like a traditional waltz one minute and a tribal throw-down the next, Lykke captivates with the blistering bustle of "I Follow Rivers". Clearly it was the shake-up that pop music needs. It's sorta Santigold-ish, but that's just the "Haughty-Music-Journalist-Phrase-Aggregator" talking.

7. Why Even Try (feat. Sara Quinn) - Theophilus London
For the 80's babies out there, "Why Even Try" gives us a window to imagine. Imagine what went down in the decade where we were crawling on all fours and missing out on the neon n' coke party. Okay, it wasn't all that glamorous, but the music and movies of that era have you believe otherwise, and Theophilus has his ear to that fact. With the track he doesn't try to just emulate, he's knee-deep in the style and it's is an expertly drawn out homage to that era, proving Theophilus' penchant for producing. The bassline is every.single.thing and Sara Quin (from Tegan & Sara fame) adds that fleeting moment of quirk that pushes the song into being more "artsy" than your regular pop-hop track.

6. Make My - The Roots (feat. Big K.R.I.T.)
While we coin the term "singles artists" for those special ones who can never seem to get an album right, but knock out home runs with each single released, The Roots are the opposite of that. They are the "album artist", the ones whose singles aren't really singles, but entities of a full project. I'm well aware that "Make My" works as a part of undun's glorious surroundings, but stand-alone it does (especially as that middle-to-end part instrumental is concerned). Never one to disappoint, The Roots give a silky sound fury of brutal honesty that make this one of the best songs of their career.

5. Don't Pass Me By - Spree Wilson (feat. Esthero)
It always seems that my favorite Canadian trip-hopster, Esthero, pops up in the most unsuspecting places---and as a featured artist no less. If I had my way, Esthero would have that third album out, but alas, I have to take what I can get. This time she finds a guest spot that is much more her speed, and much more sublime, and in short, is just gorgeous. Spree Wilson was gracious enough to have his debut album, The Neverending Now, as a free grab bag of treats, so it's no struggle to get or even get into "Don't Pass Me By", and he's wise to have Esthero join him in melodic matrimony. In less than three minutes, Spree and Esthero get their point across in such a subtle way that you'll be wanting them to do this more often.

4. Big - Sneaky Sound System
Massive. Whopper. Copious. Colossal. Monster. Gigantic.....Many a way you can say the word "Big", but how does 'big' sound? It sounds like this. Sneaky Sound System doesn't hold back for a second as lead vocalist, Connie Mitchell bulldozes her way through this shimmering and expertly arranged pop trap. Every bit of it should be licked off of the fork and plate and euphorically savored---it's really the only way.

3. Supernatural - KING
A pure love letter to Mr. Wonder-ful himself. Stevie Wonder that is. KING no doubt had Wonder on the brain when recording this stunner, and thankfully, that adoration doesn't overshadow what these trio of ladies can do when they scrawl out their own blueprint and let their creativity roam free. Treading softly and with a tepid march that mirrors the budding realization of finding "the one", the track builds up into a masterful climax complete with a fanfare of horns and space age-y synths that is really divine. While "The Story" was the single of choice off of the similarly titled surprise hit EP, "Supernatural" displayed that KING really do deserve to sit atop a throne.

2. Alone Together - Daley (feat. Marsha Ambrosius)
Like I've said, Marsha Ambrosius works best when she's at the hip of someone else, and well, I haven't heard her sound quite like this since "Say Yes". In a surprise move, Daley and Marsha get their Marvin and Tammi on, but this isn't your parents/grandparents duet of soulful portions, oh, no, this is sizzling, sauteed yearn right here that hits a deeper chord, making you believe in the power of two.

1. Cameo Lover - Kimbra
Surprised? I am. This song kind of crept up on me. I wasn't too sure if this was THE song for me this year as you can tell there were many I loved (and many that didn't make this list), but it all boils down to what's in the heart, and like the song refrains "open my heart" I did and 100MPH it went straight into it. There were days where this song stayed stuck in my head long after it was over, and right now it's doing a marathon in my head and I don't even have it playing. For other songs, it's maddening, for this number it's welcomed. It's not the most polished song, nor does it ooze with some political/social importance. It's a simple song about allowing love to flow that is a soda jerking 60's girl group-ish pop with a driving tambourine beat that is hard to resist. Yet something happens when it hits the 2:22 mark going onward---and that's when things really get wild. While Pop music usually gets prodded, jabbed, over-analyzed, and jeered at, it's songs like this that make me believe that life is too short to be pretentious, and that I'll always champion music that is as half as fun and as unique as "Cameo Lover" is.

Adventures In 2011: Top 30 Albums [#20 -11]

2011-12-29T13:43:00.000-06:00

We're almost there, but #20 through #11 first....

20. Raphael Saddiq - Stone Rollin'
There was a time where I begrudged the whole "Motown Revival" thing that seized the latter part of the 2000's. To me, it sort of made artists lazy as there was a sort of 'no assembly required' aesthetic about it. All you had to do was add in a doo-wop here, a finger snap there, your own Marvin cry there, add water, stir it up and repeat for the next twelve songs. Boring. So why is Stone Rollin' rated so high when it's basically Saddiq having yet another Motown love fest this side of his 2008 album, The Way I See It? Because Saddiq knows how to make Soul music the fine wine that it is and doesn't let his love affair with certain legendary artists get in the way of his own creative drive. First single, "Radio", didn't do anything for me, but toss that dud out and the album is loads of fun and nostalgia when "Heart Attack" and "Go To Hell" swivel on in. "Movin' Down The Line" keeps Stevie Wonder in mind, while Little Dragon's Yukimi Nagano adds a current modern edge to the lovely, "Just Don't". Much more brooding and variant than it's predecessor, Stone Rollin' touches all the cornerstones of Soul music history, but forms it's own opinions. [Review]

Notable Tracks: Go To Hell, Movin' Down The Line, Just Don't, The Answer, The Perfect Storm, Daydreams, Heart Attack

19. Georgia Anne Muldrow - Owed To Mama Rickie
With each passing year, I wonder when more people will know about Miss Muldrow. Then again I sort of like it that she's not known among wider circles. It's a selfish act, but so few can appreciate what she does. She's a diligent worker of sound, as she releases an album (sometimes two) every year, and she never sounds stale or at a lost for ideas. While she follows in her contemporaries like alt-Soul favorites like Eryakh Badu and N'Dambi, she's got her own tricks up her sleeve and is all the better for it. This time she's paying tribute to her mother, and with squishy 70's inspired jaunts like "Dr. Feelgood" and "All In All", she's reaching back into the past, honoring it, and intertwining them with her future, making for yet another full circle album to add to her cannon.

Notable Tracks: Dr. Feelgood, More & More, Ez Duz It, Mother Father God, All In All, Moonsong Lullabye

18. Little Dragon - Ritual Union
Something about Little Dragon---they just get it. Every single time. Ritual Union is a continuation of the Swedish quartet's brand of sterile Soul, building from where they gloriously left off on Machine Dreams, just with a frostier blanket over it and a tunnel focus on lead singer, Yukimi's supple vocals. Futuristic funk exercises of "Nightlight" and "Shuffle A Dream" stand-out and warm up the lighter fare like the quiet brilliance of the title track and the sparse and slightly dubby "Brush The Heat". Still in all of it's minimalism, Little Dragon still reigns at being an act that can straddle being complete detached, but oddly welcoming.

Notable Tracks: Nightlight, Shuffle A Dream, Brush The Heat, Little Man, Ritual Union, Crystalflim, Summertearz

17. Oh Land - Oh Land
Like Florrie, Oh Land is another blondie model who has a lot more going for her than suspect. Oh Land makes herself a delicious candidate in the Danish music scene, as her debut album turns a keen ear to the blueprint Sia has mapped as it blends in such whimsy and theatrical vocals this side of Paloma Faith's Do You Want The Truth.... from 2009. "Sun Of A Gun" and "Wolf & I" were out of the bag last year and added to the froth of praise, while "White Nights" has been heard in many a commercial with it's cute "ooh-oohs". Usually with hype like that, the full album 8 times out of 10 fails to deliver, but on the contrary as Oh Land is chock-filled with even more sound adventures (hear "Helicopter", "Rainbow", and the trip-hop-ish "Break The Chain") that have you taking a second glance.

Notable Tracks: White Nights, Helicopter, Sun Of A Gun, Break The Chain, Perfection, Rainbow,We Turn It Up, Wolf & I, Voodoo

16. Idle Warship - Habits Of The Heart
This year has been one for the duos---were two makes everything really out of sight. If there is one album that plays up it's eclecticism like Janelle Monae's The ArchAndroid from last year it's Habits (just not as cultivated). Talib Kweil and Res moonlight as Idle Warship, and they combine their universal styles and influences to created a collective so rambunctiously fun and absorbing. It's not everyone's cup of green tea as hopes were dashed when folks realized that this wasn't a Hip-Hop record thanks to Kweil's presence fooling them. Frankly, you don't want this to be a Hip-Hop record---at all. With guest spots from Jean Grae, Chester French and Destiny's Child's Michelle Williams, this is a real multifarious fireball of a set that has lots of nooks-and-crannies and if you're into that kind of jumbled together pinball wizard of sound, then this album will make you proud of your open mind and pickle and peanut butter taste. [Review]

Notable Tracks: Covered In Fantasy, Burning Desire, The Floor, Enemy, Kayta, Laser Beams, Rat Race

15. DJ Jazzy Jeff & Ayah - Back For More
Another perfect combination....Somehow Back For More has been classified one of two ways. Some see is as a mixtape while others (like myself) see this as an album. However you want to slice and dice it, any listener of this will know that Jeff and Ayah were meant to be be together to merge their talents and refine the ideal that Hip-Hop and Soul can be harmonious---not the train wreck it's usually made out as. Ayah had already won me over when she dropped 4:15 and her Trouble Woman mixtape while Jazzy Jeff has been a presence that I grew up on (okay, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air anyone?). Yet, this set reminds me of why Jeff was the force behind Will Smith's rhymes way back then. Tight grooves, samples that don't distract from the original ideas at play, and Ayah's butter rich voice have this be quite the sound high.

Notable Tracks: Notorious, Be Alright, Forgive Me Love, Tables Turn, Back For More, Make It Last, Baby, The Game (Somebodies)

14. Joy Denalane - Maureen
There's this cheesy-eye-rolling idea that you can feel the emotion of a song simply through the melody, no lyrics required, and well, that cheesy-eye-rolling idea works. Especially when it comes to music that is not in your native tongue. No need for a translator as far as Maureen, Joy Denalane's third outing, is concerned. Hitting close to the heart, and touching every corner of the soul, Denalane performs the album strictly in German (with the exception of the inviting cover of Heatwave's "Happiness Togetherness"), but don't let that stop you from enjoying it, as Joy makes her homeland proud with this gorgeous reflective that further displays what a talent she is.

Notable Tracks: Siehst Du Mich, Frei, Rosen, Happiness, Nie Wieder Nie Mehr, Lass Es Libe Sein

13. The Roots - undun
'Beautiful' is not a term synonymous with Hip-Hop/Rap music in the general sense nor is it the opportune word to describe an album built around a character's tragic un-doing. Yet, The Roots have managed to bring the beauty into the beast with their socially poignant album, undun, which follows the downfall of one who fell through the cracks of society, and goes by the fictitious name of Redford Stephens. undun doesn't march on in like other Roots' albums in the past, it's whisper quiet, quick on it's feet, and at times it competes at being a clone towards last year's excellent, How I Got Over, as the little sibling that is trying to break out of big sibling's shadow---but doesn't want anyone to catch on to that vibe. Inspired by indie artist Sufjan Stevens' unique ways of deriving concept records (he's also a featured guest on the album), The Roots have made a real musical gift here, with an album that provokes you think. No fast food here. You really have to marvel at the final four tracks are strictly classical minded suites, all less than two minutes, but adds a real dimension to the project. It's official, The Roots make me enjoy Hip-Hop and are my favorite Hip-Hop act ever this side of the Tribe and OutKast.

Notable Tracks: Make My, Kool On, Sleep, Lighthouse, I Remember, One Time, Tip The Scale

12. Meshell Ndegeocello - Weather
Once again Meshell carves out another niche for herself, making it the ultimate task for critics to peg her down. Goody for her, because who wants to be huddled into the same category as every Jack and Jill who cradled a guitar or bass? She's probably made her own genre by now because of her ability to stray away from mainstream influence (Meshellism, I'll call it. Catchy, no?).Yet, even when she's at her most serene (like she is on here) she forms a captive audience, and nary a bored yawn is to be emitted. The position and praise I give to Weather is probably bias, as Meshell never has out-right disappointed me to where I was completely thrown for a loop. It has a a craftiness that makes for beautiful listening especially when you hear beachy tracks like "Oysters", edgy crawls like "Dirty World" or waltzes like "Feeling For The Wall" or her affection towards Leonard Cohen's "Chelsea Hotel". Introverted she may be, and not the "glamorous" recording artist that seems to sell by the pound these days, every now and then we need someone who is a deep thinker---and thank goodness for Meshell. [Review]

Notable Tracks: Oysters, Dirty World, Crazy and Wild, Feeling For The Wall, Chance, Chelsea Hotel

11. Kimbra - Vows
Quite the 'artful dodger' Vows is as it genre hops like no other---and you know that's right up my alley. At times Kimbra sounds quite Bjork-y ("Two Way Street", "Old Flame") other times she wedges into some sort of 'bleached' Nina Simone thing ("Plain Gold Ring", "Withdraw") or was inspired by a blend of Teena Marie and 90's girl groups ("Call Me"). Miraculously, it's all in fashion and doesn't make Kimbra come off as someone who is biting off more than she can chew.You also can't say that Vows is blasé, as you're entertained throughout with all the hodge-podge of ideas and the acrobatics and personalities that Kimbra's voice takes, but tracks like hype singles "Settle Down" and "Cameo Lover" will let you in on that immediately. While it may be a tad unfocused (most debut albums are), it's a first outing that introduces the possibility of this New Zelander to begin hanging with the bigger boys and girls whenever people finally catch on to what a unique character she is.

Notable Tracks: Cameo Lover, Settle Down, Plain Gold Ring, Call Me, Good Intent, Two Way Street, Old Flame, Withdraw

Adventures In 2011: Top 30 Songs [#20 - 11]

2011-12-29T10:00:00.000-06:00

Even more shoo-bee-dooing for 2011...#20 through #11 have arrived...

20. The Strangest Feeling - Jessie Ware
On the rise Jessie Ware is, as she comes from out of the shadows of her work with SBTRKT and Sampha to stake her flag among the dub-step/soul crowd. No sweat really as she's got a great entry in the guise of "The Strangest Feeling", a song that is dauntless and haunting, carried by writhing vocals by Ware. For some reason, this song feels oddly decades older than it is, yet is so chilling and abstract that it has to be from this century. The overseas market is really killing it when it comes down to sophisticated, icy soul tapestries like this.

19. The Edge Of Glory - Lady Gaga
There are just some songs that you instantly like when you first hear them. This is yet another one of those "!!!" moments that got my shoulder's a shimming and and me throwing my fist up in a Arsenio Hall "whoop" (totally dated myself there). An euphoric wash of electronic strings, cymbals, and pop smarts invades and proves that when Gaga stops putting her arrogance on display, she can craft a mighty fine pop tune that doesn't over-stay it's five minute mark. Added bonus is the late Clarence Clemons whose sax solo melts into the electronic fussiness of this and it makes it possible that yes, even in the 21st Century a sax solo can be welcomed with open arms.

18. I'm Gonna Dance - Ayo
Ayo is fighting for her right to well, be in this fist-pump-to-the-sky anthem that is packed with loads of posistivity and spirit. It truly was my musical 'motivational speaker' for this year, and whenever I feel a little in the dumps, this song instantly gets me back on track. It has all the right elements to it, from witty phrases (okay, she gets a little feminist, guys) to guzzling guitars that give Ayo her edgiest, boldest, and possibly poppiest track yet. While the German-born singer/guitarist had a nice n' quiet album out of Billie-Eve this year, it was the single of "I'm Gonna Dance" that stuck out it's sore rebellious thumb and showed off that Ayo can turn her usual flair for soul-folk into a rocking affair.

17. Big Brown Eyes - Benny Sings
How tidy and sweet is this song? There aren't any big synth explosions, drum machines, a rap solo, or any of the other trappings that seem to clutter or bog down perfectly good material. This is just a simple expression of love for someone with some whopping sepia peepers, and it's delectable with a high potency of sunny Soul that is not too much and not too little. This is just right, said Goldilocks.

16. Shake It Out - Florence + The Machine
In a contrast to the above "Big Brown Eyes", "Shake It Out" is a balls-to-the-wall epic climb that has to be brawny, especially as the lyrics are concerned, as it's all about getting over your fears and your oppressors---you know all that philosophical mumbo-gumbo that makes people like Florence popular among the Top 40 haters. Amid all the shattering percussion and Florence's yelps, yet another "motivational" song was added to my cannon, as the lyric: "and it's hard to dance with devil on your back" was pretty much my mantra for all of 2011 and will probably continue to be, as it is oh so poignant. Shame that I found the rest of Ceremonials a bit lackluster (save for "What The Water Gave Me" and "Only If For The Night"), but this is the jam worth looping.

15. The Streets - Camille Jones
On a whim this song came into my world, and I'm so glad it did because it's a fabulous slab of Electronica. Usually the best songs are those that are unexpected, the ones you didn't really seek out, or fit into your usual listening pattern, and this is a fine example of that. Camille Jones is a relative unknown (well, except in her native Denmark) and I really wish she wasn't such a secret because "The Streets" is too good to go unnoticed. Urgent and soulful, this is sort of reminiscent of something Roisin Murphy would pull, yet, Jones owns on this.

14. I Took A Little Something - Florrie

It's really all about that glorious rain of synthesizers in the beginning. It really and truly is. Okay, the rest of the song is sensational---fluffy, spirited, and just feels suited for confident impromptu dances this side of an 80's dance themed musical. But did I mention it's really all about that shower of synths in the beginning? Just in case you didn't catch that....

13. Hear My Call - Jill Scott
Bravo.We already know that Jill Scott can sang (note the "a"), but somehow her voice hasn't been used quite like this. Her diction as she languishes is just breath-taking, and for such a musing moment where inwardly she building up her broken spirit, she doesn't hold back. Truly this is an inspiring, spiritual piece and one that hit home for me once I heard it. I usually don't get misty hearing songs that much, but this one got my eye-ducts a little moist. Like I always said, Scott is that big sister I never had who has been-there, screwed-up-that who continues to teach, but never preach. She gives a master class when she performed this at the 41st NAACP Image Awards, and it's by far the finest performance, that I think, she's ever given.

12. Queen Of Wonderland (feat. Thundercat) - J*Davey
Nobody does electric, quirky and eclectic like J*Davey, and one of the finest examples of their caliber is "Queen of Wonderland". The avenues this song takes is the real show-stopper as you're taken on a real rhythm trip, not to mention the chunky bass-lines of Thundercat beefs things up to an edgy fair. Jack Davey revives the punk-New Wave sneers of the early 80's wonderfully here in the vocals, and it's really alllll good. Headphones and an open mind are required to properly experience this.

11. Turning Tables - Adele
It's safe to say that "Rolling In The Deep" is Adele's finest hour, but let's not forget about the other hours, which make up the brilliant 21. Since I like to be different and screw with everyone's expectations of me, "Rolling In The Deep" doesn't get the spotlight here---hell, it's been hogging the spotlight since it arrived last year, and well, with 340 billion covers later from John Legend to YouTube hopefuls, it's time to roll the song in the deep. "Turning Tables" brings back the idea of the ballad, especially to the mainstream which has made those type of tracks such a lost art due to people's attention spans about as long as it takes to warm a slice of pizza in the microwave. True, "Set Fire To The Rain" and "Someone Like You" reign supreme and gave Adele ample hits, but this understated stunner nails this one without all the huge theatrics and gives a stream-lined and heart-on-sleeve performance that is quite a thing of beauty.

Adventures In 2011: Top 30 Songs [#30-21]

2011-12-28T14:31:00.002-06:00

As a perfectionist, I can be hard on myself. As a caring individual (when I wanna be...), I have a 'more the merrier' mentality. So I often wonder why I put myself through hell trying to narrow down each year to 30 songs. It totally goes against my ethics. Still every year there are about 30 songs out the hundreds that I like that I can't get enough of, that get me hyped, or get me thinking when they turn on---and this year is no different. Though 2011 didn't have the most prolific songs to ever grace this world (it really was a weird year), these 30 were my favorites of the bunch.

....#30 through #21 are here for your aural enjoyment...

30. All Tied Up - Robin Thicke
When it comes to skipping the foreplay and getting to the point, Robin Thicke isn't a bashful boy about it. Sometimes it's a bit TMI outside of the music dome (he should never do interviews again), but when it comes to the tunes, it's a-okay.While a lot aren't too sure where Thicke stands musically, as Love After War earned itself a myriad of reviews from the disappointed to the satisfied, I can say is that he's back to his old tricks when "All Tied Up" is concerned. Mary J. Blige surprisingly co-writes/produces this yearning piece with Pro-J (it's quite a shame she didn't have this kind of keen sharpness on her My Life II set) and gives Robin room to play vocally around in. This song spells out the reasons why Robin can redeem himself nicely for next year as it capitalizes on the sexy times he's accustomed to---and who doesn't love that?

29. Fabulous Life - Mya
'Guilty Pleasures' they are usually dubbed, but sometimes you need a song that makes you cast cares away and no "label" is needed. Mya is so not being checked for in Americana, as she has gone into the loving arms of the J-Pop market, but folks need to remember that there were R&B starlets prior to 'Beyonce Domination', and Mya was in that shimmering conglomerate. Every once in awhile she'll release a song that reminds me of why I've always made room for her in my music library since the late 90's. "Fabulous Life" is one of those songs. It's a pleasure cruise of crisp, strident pop, that can be found on K.I.S.S., Mya's now sixth album, and is a bushel of fun that it'll make you want to take to the nightlife immediately. While everyone was "moving like Jagger", I'm sticking to the fabulous life.

28. Far Away - Marsha Ambrosius
For seven minutes Marsha Ambrosius has your attention with the soul stirring "Far Away"---and she makes it worth every minute. While most songs that deal with heavy topics like suicide tend to veer into loaded preach sermons that feel more 'after-school special' than they need to be, "Far Away" keeps things at a classy minimum. Even it's accompanying music video took it a step further and wonderfully tackled the timely topics of homophobia and bullying. Still, somehow, not everyone is impressed with how Marsha handles herself, as from eavesdrops and conversations I've had with musical minded pals, Marsha isn't cutting it vocally. To some degree, I can say I agree, as Marsha's debut solo effort Late Nights & Early Mornings didn't really sit with me on a full level like I wanted it to, but this little quiet storm number feels like the Marsha I remember from Floetry, thus I can't deny giving credit where credit is due.

27. Love On Top - Beyonce
Dammit. That's the word that flew out of my mouth when I heard "Love On Top". Dammit that I like this when I'm not one to worship at the alter of Bey Bey Cakes. Dammit that I liked---no loved this---to the point where it's made my end-of-the-year list. Though I'm from the party who suffered from the over-saturation of Beyonce in the early 2000's, I admit to sometimes finding moments where she gets it right. She hasn't matured a lick, but maybe Beyonce doesn't need to be the "deep" artist people want her to be (or the "deep" thinker her stans believe she is), she just needs to have jams to get the party started, nothing more or less. "Love On Top" is what happens when Bey controls herself and IS herself, and has fun while she's at it. Sunny brass and the 80's post-disco groove disposition makes this such a grand gesture---it's effortless, and when you do effortless, you get wonderful results.

26. Radioactive - Marina & The Diamonds
A nice sprinkling of single cuts by artists who are itching to own 2012 found their way to me this year, and didn't disappoint. For the second year in a row, Marina has found her way onto my list again, and with a slice of pop pie that is just as delish as what she offered on last years' The Family Jewels. "Radioactive" has all the flamboyance of a 90's dance floor sizzler, and is quite a hefty start to what Marina has in store for next year. Yet, it didn't need all the negative feedback it received from fans nor needed to have Marina shill some commentary about how her dying her hair blonde was to make a point about 'America's twisted idea of physical hierarchy'. Naw, all those trappings aren't necessary, a solid pop tune like "Radioactive" can stand on it's own---and it does.

25. Insomnia - Rahsaan Patterson
Any song from Bleuphoria could have made this list, but none rocked or reeled me in like "Insomnia". Rah's ode to the restless dreamers blends in his penchant for marrying electronic soul into raucous rock, and he does it with such sly conviction that you wonder "how does he do it?!?". The arrangement of this is brutally killer. It physically lets you into the tossing and turning trials of a would-be sleeper who will soon feel the light and hear the "birds sing", but has to have their lover return. If a night owl could talk, this would be it's theme.

24. Only Wanna Give It To You - Elle Varner (feat. J. Cole)
When a woman says she wants you instead of a new pair of shoes---you need to pay attention. Quick. This sort of plea doesn't get heard often, and sometimes it's a breath of fresh air when a woman can put her feminist fist down and succumb to being a hopeless romantic (we all are---just some braver to admit it than others). Elle Varner is wise beyond her years to know this, and is even wiser for embedding that message into a summery sweet treat that has already been lauded by R&B's most stubborn of critics (*waves hand*) With a backbeat of Mary Jane Girls' "All Night Long" and a layer of confectioner's sugar and the un-pretentiousness of a 90's love groove, Elle's first impression takes R&B off the life support it's on, and revitalizes it for the new wave of starlets. Welcome aboard.

23. Video Games - Lana Del Rey
It's weird how some people get instant fame, and others have to wait for years and years. It sort of fascinates me how certain people are just plucked up from obscurity and in a week's time we're worshiping. This is how I felt about Lana Del Rey (I guess everyone loves a tortured indie artist with lip injections) whose fame was a bit too rushed for my taste. When you extract the hype n' circumstance (a tactic I do with those who's image and personality taint their real product), her singles do have some weight and I have yet to be disappointed. To have my hipster moment of the year, "Video Games" is brutally searing, and brutally good. I had my doubts, but it's orchestral arrangement straight out of a 1960's movie score feels so luxe that it's hard to put down. Let's bookmark this page, and see if Del Rey can charm when her debut, Born To Die comes out next year.

22. Marizpan - Zo! (feat. Eric Roberson and Phonte)
Unlike with 2009's ...just visiting too, super producer Zo! didn't quite bowl me over this time with ....just visiting three, his now third attempt at re-imagining classic songs for the modern ear. Yet, "Marizpan" his collaboration with buddies, Eric Roberson and Phonte saves the day at being as savory and as luscious as the treat itself. Paying considerable amount of respect to Eric Tagg's original, but fashioning it with current sensibility, Eric Roberson's vocal display completely takes us on a soulful ride that is rid of indulgence and full of heart. Instant love happened at the press of the play button.

21. Hide Yourself - 14th
Such a pleasantry this is. What I like to focus on is the spilt personality it takes on as it begins as a brooding piano ballad and then transitions itself into a milky UK Garage bounce that serves up a unique urgency. It really does melt in your mouth. Like a broken record, I'll say it again and again---we'll be hearing more of 14th next year and thankfully so.

Adventures In 2011: Top 30 Albums [#30 - 21]

2011-12-27T12:28:00.000-06:00

This year, I found myself a bit tongue-tied, not really sure what to say as a curtain call to the year. That's usually not like me, at all. *feels forehead, nice and cool, no fever* Yet, the pessimistic child inside me believes that blank space is evil so let me be honest....

2011 was the year that took the sour and defeated taste of 2010 out of my mouth. It truly did. 2011 personally as well as musically was a smidge and a half better. I was surprised with the breed of new talent that rose to the occasion, was nodding my head at the innovative rhythms, and championed some artists simply because they had a lot to say---and they said it well. Sure there were disappointments and losses (Amy Winehouse, Nick Ashford, Gil Scott-Heron, Heavy D...), but all n' all, I didn't need to raise the volume up with my middle finger at 2011. It bounced, skated, and rocked just fine.

While this may not be the "tops" for everyone, these were the albums I played the most, digested every word, listened and loved every tempo change, and came back hearing something new each time I pressed play. In short, they were my favorites of 2011.

...so here is #30 through #21 at your service....

30. Lady Gaga - Born This Way
There were times where I didn't want to like this--at all. It wasn't even going to make this list. It's flawed with bloated production. The bonus material out-shined a lot of album tracks. The "I GOTTA BE MADONNA!!!" arrogant attitude that is down right turn-off-ish to a Material Girl Lifer like me. Then like a filthy secret I'd return time and again and find something in the hard machinery that would keep me listening. Hell, once you get over that rocky beginning and slurp up "Bloody Mary" the album is seeped in a sloshy drunken stupor that makes you feel like you stumbled into a piano bar---and into a hella good time. Hear "Highway Unicorn (Road To Love)", the beautiful nasty of "Heavy Metal Lover", and the dazzling rebel yell of "Bad Kids" to get a grip on the vibe I mean. True, Gaga is sniffing her own arse now, believing in her brilliance to the point where she's rapidly becoming annoying. True, that she's focused more on image instead of what's she really does best---her voice (yep, it's buried in this). Still, like the female Kanye West that she is, ego IS what this album is all about, not about the gender and sexual equality that ~~"Express Yourself"~~ the title track boasts. Nope. She fooled you deep thinkers of Pop. If you just chew up the narcissism and spit it out, then you can enjoy what Gaga has done here and not take yourself too damn seriously.

Notable Tracks:, Bad Kids, Bloody Mary, Marry The Night, Fashion Of His Love, Heavy Metal Lover, The Edge Of Glory

29. Clare Maguire - Light After Dark
There has been web chatter that Clare Maguire is a bit of a bore in a live setting, or that this album didn't live up to the odd Blues stomp of the incredible, "Ain't Nobody". Well, if she's that terrible, if Light After Dark is just so polluted with soulless dreck, then she has fooled me. Light plays like the album that Florence + The Machine should have done this year---but then again, that's not fair to Maguire, who doesn't drench her epic sound climbs in pretentious theatrics. Light's biggest fault is that producer Fraser T. Smith lays each song thick with bold synth-n-strings infused proclamations that it becomes a hard to sit through due to Maguire's voice being the real showpiece. Sparingly, the album, with it's interesting Celtic lean, hints at future possibilities. It gallops in fantastically with "The Shield & The Sword" which raises quite a few goosebumps along with "Last Dance", "You're Electric", "Sweet Lie", and "The Happiest Pretenders", which all require the volume to be raised. Following in the same vein as other thick British golden throats like Annie Lennox, Alison Moyet, and Lisa Stansfield, Clare Maguire glides in with glossy and brooding appeal---leading me to believe that maybe there are those who aren't ready for that kind of Pop finery.

Notable Tracks: The Shield & The Sword, The Happiest Pretenders, Ain't Nobody, You're Electric

28. Nikki Jean - Pennies In A Jar
Oh so quiet Pennies In A Jar fell, it's copper coated melodies somehow missing a market that is hungry for anything vintage. Now before thinking that this is yet another attempt at capturing the bygone eras of shoo-be-dooing, Pennies lives up to authenticity by having the pens and voices behind that "golden Soul/Pop" singer-songwriter era present in the credits, giving the former Lupe Fiasco disciple and Kanye West tour opener something special for her first time out. Thom Bell, Carly Simon, Lamont Dozier, Jimmy Webb, Carole King, Burt Bacharach, and more fill out this dream team, giving Nikki lots of professional support. She even received personal permission by Bob Dylan to re-write and pull "Steel and Feathers (Don't Ever)" out of the three decade slumber it had in his vaults to add to this album---talk about a big 'wow'. Though it's a little too creamy for it's own good, and that roster of talents makes it seem that Nikki is just a 'talking' head for their legendary status, yet Nikki is the captain of her ship, as she drives this nostalgic riddled album with a pen in hand and a voice to boot into a charming sea of Soul, Pop, Folk, and Gospel. In all, with tracks like "How To Unring The Bell", "China" and it's delectable title track, Pennies In A Jar feels like a genuine tribute than copy cat-ism.

Notable Tracks: How To Unring The Bell, Steel and Feathers (Don't Ever), Rockaway, Pennies In A Jar, China

27. Miguel Migs - Outside The Skyline
House music has the dual personality to either get you rocking steady, or lures you to kick back (with a drink in hand of course) and just let the music take you. Flexible it is, even when it's at it's most divergent. Outside The Skyline takes the road less taken as it seems to me that San Francisco producer/DJ Migs took some risks to make this possibly the best album he has done. One look at the delectably varying assemblage of guest spots will have you thinking this, and for an eclectic music lover like me---this is heaven. Veterans Lisa Shaw and Aya are back on board, along with Reggae artists like Half Pint and Freddie McGregor, Bebel Gilberto, and disco/soul legend herself, Evelyn "Champagne" King bringing their own flavors to this class act. Also get a load of Meshell Ndegeocello who sounds so at home on the likes of "Tonight" and "Close Your Eyes" that you wonder what took someone so long to realize that her seducing alto was meant for this. Like a love affair gone right, Outside The Skyline sweeps you off your feet. [Review]

Notable Tracks: Everybody, Tonight, They Don't Know, The Distance, Breakdown, Don't Stop

26. Goapele - Break Of Dawn
There was a time where Break Of Dawn seemed like a mirage of a release. After years of keeping us on the edge of our seats with "Milk & Honey", Goapele returns with the most engulfing and focused album of her career. I wasn't as turned-off like others by the fact that this is "only" ten tracks. In fact, that's one of the main reasons why Break Of Dawn works for me. Sometimes we get brainwashed that an album is good due to it's overflow of songs, but here Goapele has to impress in the 'traditional' way when artists way back when had just ten songs or less to get the point across. From sexual heals ("Play" and the superb, "Undertow"), heartbreaks ("Tears On My Pillow" in all it's old school goodness) to odes about motherhood ("Hush"), and back to the cry of being monetary in love (the sly Recession jab in the funky good "Money"), Goapele draws lines to all her points. [Review]

Notable Tracks: Undertow, Tears On My Pillow, Break Of Dawn, Play, Money

25. Benny Sings - ART
There's a cat on the cover of this. A pretty cat. So ART must be a something worth checking out, right? It's cat approved after all? There's more to it than that....Benny Sings has been a singer whose name I've come across, but didn't really delve further. Reasons are unknown, just that I wonder what took me so long. Benny's got a real Christopher Cross thing going on. Not a bad thing because "Sailing" is bad ass (whether you want to believe it or not), but Benny's attention to the soulful corners of 70's Soft Rock along with his tunes of love n' lost, makes him sort of interesting, and he's got a whole album full of that kind piano-pop-rock that puts pep in the step. Hall & Oates' style is given a nod on the sunny tracks of "Can We Try" and favorite, "Honey Bee", while "Realize" takes things into a dub-step soul crawl that contrasts in all the right ways. Yet, "Big Brown Eyes" is the winner and played often it needs to be.

Notable Tracks: Big Brown Eyes, Honey Bee, Realize

24. Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Make A Scene
America is clearly settling---or afraid to embrace Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Settling in that folks overseas are crafting Pop music that doesn't pander. Afraid in the sense, that The Bex would probably make competition stiffer because of her posh demeanor and smart yet savory dance tunage that makes American Top 40 Pop child's play. Make A Scene furthers the unique twists, rhythmic pounds, and overall power that The Bex puts forth in her efforts---a power that sorely gets brushed over. A lengthy time in the making, Scene is a frenzied romp that features such stomping opuses like "Revolution", "Not Giving Up On Love", "Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)", and the early 90's punch of the title track, as well as others. "Starlight" further extends the fact that Sophie can class up the joint, as well as be rhythmically in-tune, and it's the main highlight. Chock-filled with dance music's producing elite (Calvin Harris, Richard X, Junior Caldera, Freemasons...for starts), that roster alone can make this a daunting effort, but each song strangely slips into each other, like the ultimate DJ it is and a party is to be had. If you just want a straight up injection of sizzling floor burners, then Make A Scene provides that cure. This is the dance album of 2011 that people should be listening to.

Notable Tracks: Starlight, Make A Scene, Not Giving Up On Love, Bittersweet, Magic, Revolution

23. Jill Scott - The Light Of The Sun
About a decade ago, Jilly from Philly released Who Is Jill Scott? With it she refashioned the idea of modern Soul and took her big sister wisdom straight into the millennium. Now eleven years down, Scott is still a prominent fixture for those who still jones for the days of Soul yore, but like it with a twist of current intellect. Pitting long-time listeners at a dividing line, Scott's fourth album, Light Of The Sun isn't Jill at her best as it's at her most commercial (thanks to her shift to Warner Brothers) with her sounding less progressive even though she's backed by with long-time collaborators Dre & Vidal and JR Hutson. Yet, Light Of The Sun is gentile, feminist forward, and melodic enough, to where minor discrepancies aren't a real bother. Brassy numbers like "Hate On Me" and "Blessed" are Scott in her usual confident air, but when she goes from the throwdown to the cooldown is when Scott begins to teach with a tender touch. Class is in session once the Paul Wall assisted "So Gone (What My Mind Says)"and the snatch-n-grab grooves of the Prince-y duo of "Making You Wait" and "Missing You" come into play. While "Hear My Call" wins it all as Scott's finest display of balladry and spiritual awakening. Even when she's a bit light on her feet, Scott still manages to woo and inspire.

Notable Tracks: Hear My Call, So Gone (What My Mind Says), Making You Wait, Until Then (I Imagine)

22. Feist - Metals
By no means is this The Reminder---and really you don't want Metals to be. You want Feist to sort of grow from what made The Reminder a commercial darling. On the fence, with legs ready to either bail or join the greener pastures, was where I rested with this album. "How Come You Never Go There" didn't prod me further, even though it was charming and one of the best songs to come out of the summer. Something about Metals is that it's an album that you need to hear more than once to fully appreciate how Feist spun this, how she made this a quilt of potency. Even when she's being summer soft like on "The Circle Married The Line", she packs a lot of heat. Gut bucket banjos and guitars (the brilliant "The Bad In Each Other"), along with ram-bam percussion ("Comfort Me") and chants (deliciously done on the surprising "A Commotion") make this wild west of an album a treat and having Feist into a 'prairie folk woman' this side of Joni Mitchell's early years. It all quietly rises Feist above The Reminder proving she's more than just "1234" and songs meant for an iPod commercial.

Notable Tracks: The Bad In Each Other, A Commotion, Graveyard, Comfort Me, Caught A Long Wind, How Come You Never Go There

21. Ben Westbeech - There's More To Life Than This
Lending an ear to "Something For The Weekend" makes Ben Westbeech sound like he's doing his best Jamiroquai impression---this is evident when the track smooth talks it way in. Yet, I never judge an album by it's first single as the rest of There's More To Life Than This will alter the thought process a bit to think Westbeech is a Jay Kay 'Klone'. There's a little bit of everything sprinkled in, and while it's a bit too broad for an album, it's all in Westbeech's debonair performance that makes this music with backbone. A pop current blows in with "Same Thing", on "Inflections" has a Latin twist to it, while "Falling", "Justice", and "The Book" are deeply rooted in the House music tradition. Stunner "Summer's Loss"---the lone piece of balladry---has Westbeech utilizing his rich tone with a tender hand. The best moment outside of "Summer's Loss" occurs with "Butterflies", a proggy-Jazz number that sounds unlike any song on the album as it churns along. Yes, House music was very good to me this year (see Miguel Migs above) and this little-big album continued that affair. [Review]

Notable Tracks: Butterflies, Something For The Weekend, Falling, Justice, The Book, Summer's Loss

An Audio Diva Christmas: Yahzarah Comforts The Lonely Hearts

2011-12-22T16:19:00.001-06:00

Yahzarah is someone who never fails to put a smile on my face--even when she's being melancholic. For the lonely hearts out there this holiday season, Yahzarah is keeping them in mind as she re-does The Emotions wonderful 1973 holiday hit, "What Do The Lonely Do For Christmas?", and she does it with the same conviction and soulful warmth to put a little bit of spirit back in the de-spirited. True, the holidays are a less joyous time for some, especially those without a special someone (me!) who find themselves alone under the mistletoe. So if you find yourself going solo this holiday season without someone to share your Snuggie with---don't fret, grab that box of homemade fudge and pour some Bailey's Irish Creme and wrap up with this treat from the talented Yahzarah. Pssst!...and it's free too, so download at Miss Yah's Bandcamp page for instant joy.

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://yahzarah.bandcamp.com/track/what-do-the-lonely-do-at-christmas"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas by Yahzarah&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Adventures In 2011: Top 10 EP's & Mixtapes

2011-12-22T13:11:00.000-06:00

So we begin the rewind...

It seems to me that the 21st Century will be known for making the EP/mixtape into an artform. In it's 'prehistoric' days EP's were merely "bonuses" (see Songs In The Key Of Life) and rarely made entries into the charts. As for mixtapes, they were either bootlegs that you got from that shifty cousin of yours who had 'connections' and if you were making one it was mostly a series of thrown together songs on a cassette tape for long road trips---not for public consumption.

Mixtapes and EP's roles in music have shifted as they have become the alternative for the burgeoning up-in-comer who need lots of listeners, a dollop of hype, and a little luck. They're also the safest (and possibly cheapest) mechanism for a veteran artist to skirt around the binding ties of their record label and just have a space to create, while also keeping their listening public enthralled till the full album (and possibly finances for it) comes. It seems that freedom of musical speech has taken on a whole new perspective with these "mini-albums" and at times these EP's and mixtapes are so finely crafted that they even best what folks call an 'album'.

In 2011, there were about a zillion mixtapes and EP's that appeared and some stood out from the pack. From the veterans to the up-in-comer's giving an appetizer to what's ahead---these are my ten favorite EP's and mixtapes this year.

10. Nikka Costa - PRO*WHOA
Nikka has always strutted at the beat of her own bongo and has consistently stayed true to herself within her music (I'll just forget about that mis-step of "Ching-Ching-Ching", mkay). Hence why I will always have some sort of appreciation for her. Though she may not be the first or funkiest 'Vanilla Child' to bust on in with the greatest of ease (those hat tips go to Janis Joplin and Teena Marie, respectively), but Nikka comes awful close as strutting in their shoes and carrying the tradition. PRO*WHOA is a different avenue concept-wise for Nikka as she (unlike others on this list) really doesn't need an EP to prove anything, but for in this case, the EP gives her a chance to really condense her sound into a neat and feisty package. Hearing the likes of "Nylons In A Rip" and the jam-packed "Stuff" is Nikka furthering her rebel yell and wanting us to tag along with her for the raucous ride. She gives simple enough initiative in "Head First" with the lyrics: "let's dive on in and explore, head first". We'll gladly do, Nikka. [Download]

9. 14th - Hide Yourself
With no pretentious agenda, 14th just makes effortless melodic romps that hint at a 90's UK Garage state of mind. It's really that simple. Then yet it's not, because how in three songs and a remix can you sound so rich, copious, and intelligent? Well, they've done it. Whether they are joyously soaking in the neon glow of the nightlife ("Chimes") or in an introspective vortex where brood n' doom collide ("Lights Off"), this Brit duo knows their music craftsmanship. The title track is purely what is to come and what to expect from them---so naturally this is just a warm-up, but a delicious one at that. While their are other touted cats of the melancholic beat movement of dub-step that will have every music blogger creaming over their groove this year, I have to say that 14th ranks above the rest because there's a lot of heart and soul at play---and that wins in the long haul. [Download]

8. Muhsinah - Gone
DC darling Muhsinah confessed that Gone was comprised while in 'a place of emotional vulnerability' and is it ever. As if you're listening to a friend who has 'been there-screwed up that', Muhsinah guides you through a hurricane of trials and errors, but with a defiant fist pump of 'I will survive' lingering with each pang---and the sentiments are felt. When hearing the persistent march of "Stop & Go", the bleached punk thrust of "Stop", and the title-track with it's skittish video game bleeps, you're convinced that a raw nerve was hit as it's her most heaviest material. Released as a double package (a "2XEP", so to speak, as it's divided into the concepts of 'Urban' and 'Suburban') and wholly written, produced, performed, and recorded by Muhsinah, Gone further displays why she's one of alternative Soul's best kept secrets---and why she's a secret that needs to be spilled. [Download]

7. Theophilus London - Lovers Holiday
Timez Are Weird These Days was a misfire, a tart disappointment to those who believe Theophilus London is a capable contender to the Hip-Hop pocket. However you want to slice it the album spotlights the fact that the Brooklyn-ite works better as a mixtape/EP artist. Further evidence is Lovers Holiday which was also released this year as a basically an appetizer to Timez and actually goes above and beyond it in less tracks. With guest spots from Solange, Sara Quinn (from Tegan & Sara), and Devonte Haynes, Lovers Holiday isn't as sprawling as past mixtapes/EP's like I Want You or This Charming Mixtape, but it's strength rest in it's conciseness. In five tracks we learn of London's penchant for coked out 80's electronics, his hipster quality (giving him Kanye Jr. appeal), and his spirited attention to production. Really you're not focused on London's ability to flow (which is limited at best), but to the production, as songs like the urgent and brilliant "Strange Love" and syrupy crawl of "Flying Overseas" give awareness to that fact. London has an idea, actually many, but he needs to refine them like he does here on Lovers Holiday. This is just step one. [Download]

6. Robin Hannibal - Bobby
Robin Hannibal must need a body double to do all the work he's done in the past couple of years. He's 1/2 of favorite Quadron, as well as a part of the Boom Clap Bachelors and Parallel Dance Ensemble (among others) and being at the production end of those side-projects. So how did he find the time to craft Bobby? One can wonder, and be grateful. Bobby is pretty darn engulfing, with it's industrial minimalist ambiance and meaty drum hooks that don't rupture the ice glides of melodic charm. Tracks like "Amends" and the percussive "Transit" stand-out but put into focus that Robin's coos and chopped up vocal blats give the impression that the ghost of Michael Jackson possessed him, and this whole set is a reflection of that spirit of 'what-could-have-been'...To get off the Unsolved Mysteries air of it all, Robin clearly knows what he's doing here, which makes it ever the more unique. [Download]

5. Florrie - Experiments
Something supercalifragilisticFUN this way comes.... There are a number of blondes in the Pop biz, but don't gripe about it, just make room for one more as Florrie isn't the typical blonde singer/song writer/DJ/model...and what ever else looks good after a slash. Okay, maybe she is, but put her in a room with smart Pop 'blondies' like Robyn and Annie, and she's in very good company. Formally a drummer with the collective Xenomaina, Florrie has unleashed the sugary suite beast known as Experiments which in six tracks is fluid and unscrupulous. There are Pop stars of the current who take themselves way too seriously, leaving little room to have fun with whatever they've created. When hearing "Begging Me", "Speed Of Light" and the flashy brilliance of "I Took A Little Something", you know Florrie is enjoying Pop music and all of it's flexible elements. Contagious it is. This is what you want from Pop music, and thankfully Florrie gets it. [Download]

4. Beth Ditto - Beth Ditto EP
Gossip's feisty front-woman has always been a step above her peers, and with her confident persona, this shimmering disco ball of sound fits her. It also gives a nod to the frosted pink nails of 1980's Freestyle (hello Debbie Deb, Expose and Shannon!) as well as Madonna in her hungrier days when she was telling everybody to "dance and sing and get up and do your thing". Responsible for this sleek machine is the UK outfit Simian Mobile Disco as they drive the production on four cosmic climbs that are seamless and sharp. "Open Heart Surgery" and "I Wrote The Book" being the standouts as they stick to the paunch and circumstance of what makes a killer dance track accessible. Another reason for consumption is Ditto's slinky and soulful vocal delivery which has her being detached from her usual riot grrl growl---and all for the better as she morphs into a tried-and-true diva. This EP is purely a reflection of where Ms. Ditto is going for the future proving point that rhythm can mix with constraint and class in the electro-pop market. [Download]

3. Emily King - The Seven EP
Dropping East Side Story in 2007 was a big mistake. Mistake in the sense that Emily King released such a finely crafted set that listeners were clamoring for more right off the bat---yet a four-year wait was installed, and well, four years away in Music Land is sort of first world torture. You can blame the greased palms of the music industry (and cue her record label---the now defunct J Records) for putting fans through sort of a misery sphere, yet joy comes in the morning, or rather, a June morning, when King released The Seven EP. It's a grand return to form and further establishes that maybe ample time off provides supreme results. Like East Side Story, how you listen to Seven is a cinch. You just pop it in and let it play from start to finish, being the elegant back-drop to your day. You're easily persuaded to do so with tracks like the fluttering of "No More Room", "Sides", and the string-infused "Down", which have Emily back and refined in her classic Soul vibe. Here is a real artist exploring, and we're gladly doing so along with her. [Download]

2. Daley - Those Who Wait
Breath of fresh air. Daley, like most of the up-in-comers on this list, isn't really doing anything "new"---he's just doing it better. Comparing him to Justin Timberlake (whose been a hack thespian for ridiculously too long) and Robin Thicke (whose just now getting back in folks good graces after a case of mistaken identity) is an simple thing to do, as they have similar musical scope (okay, they are white boys with soul), but Daley really wipes the floor clean of all of them with his debut mixtape, Those Who Wait. What an introduction it is. Strapped with his falsetto and a keen sense of musical direction, Daley doesn't pander around, and flourishes with originality especially when he's doing exercises like "Let It Go" and "Smoking Gun" that have me giddy for him being the next George Michael (there I go again...). He holds his own with Marsha Ambrosius on the gorgeous, "Alone Together", and even revitalizes Maxwell's "Pretty Wings" while Madonna's "Like A Virgin" is stripped of it boopsey tripe and sounds almost relevant again. Though it's nice that he's a new kid on the block, but bets are on Daley to come into the new year in full force. I'll put them down, and wait.[Download]

1. KING - The Story
When you have a flourish of buzz for just three songs---you're doing something sensationally right. KING, a trio of ladies from the City of Angels, got the Internets all-a-flutter when The Story emerged in the throws of Spring. Hype is usually an exercise that tends to never pan out, but for KING heavy backing by the likes of ?uestlove, Phonte, and Miss Badu herself led many to fall under their spell instantly. Still, the music spoke for itself. The Story is so simple, effortless even, yet, embodies more on three tracks than some albums try to concoct on ten. Attention to detail is what makes "Supernatural", "Hey" and the title track, such bewitching merges of Pop and electronic Soul---and in a class of their own. Let's see where 2012 will take these ladies. [Download]

An Audio Diva Christmas: No Doubt Say 'Oi! To The World'

2011-12-19T16:26:00.001-06:00

Oh this is unabashed fun.

No Doubt fans fall in two categories. Either you hate how they became more Pop than Ska in the last decade or you love any and everything they did. I rest in the latter. I also wasn't a grouse about Gwen Stefani going the solo route. Prior to all that fan 'conflict' over their genre shift, No Doubt was just a collective out of Cali's Orange County who had finally brought Ska to the mainstream with their Tragic Kingdom set, as well as cemented their tenure with the signature song, "Don't Speak".

They were still pretty much wild kids on the run when they covered The Vandals' beaty n' bouncy Christmas song, "Oi! To The World" for the third volume of the A Very Special Christmas series. The song has often gotten negative backing behind it (okay, it's not the best Christmas song to say the least---then what is?), but I've always been a sucker for the energy of Gwen and her guys gave on this, plus I wouldn't be a 90's kid if I didn't say I heard this a lot growing up, enjoying every rambunctious minute.

First Impressions: Co-Signing SWV's Return

2011-12-19T10:20:00.000-06:00

What a lovely coincidence...after reminiscing about their holiday jaunt, along comes SWV back with some new tunage. Talk about an ESP moment....

It can be difficult to maneuver the music market when you've been out of the game for a spell---okay, try about twelve years---especially in a timespace where girl groups aren't as prevalent (well, here in the US at least) or as acknowledged as they once were. SWV aren't too worried about this little discrepancy as they are on the climb to a comeback next year. "Co-Sign" is the first step towards what is to come in 2012 for these sisters with voices. On first listen the song is refreshing to hear and has just enough 'oomph' to satisfy the old card carrying R&B heads like myself, as well, as get the youngbloods hooked on a 90's feeling. True, it's not the best thing ever and doesn't really touch the golden moments of their hey-day (their '92 debut, It's About Time is still my jam), but I appreciate the classy stance this song has as well as it sounding like something I could put on repeat and be happy with. Bravo to Taj, Coko and LeeLee for keeping things solid!

Maybe SWV could spark a Renaissance for R&B and encourage newer groups of the same breadth to come out of the woodwork? We can only imagine...

SWV- Co-Sign

Album Watch: Marques Toliver, Ph.D

2011-12-19T10:15:00.000-06:00

Marques Toliver had my undivided attention right when he decided to bust out with a violin to blaze away on a wonderful song called, "White Sails". He released his EP, Butterflies Are Not Free back in May to appreciative blog praise and he's not letting the calendar days of 2011 dry up until he squeezes out yet another little stunner.

An abstract cornucopia is what Studying For My Ph.D is. Well, mixtapes in general usually are, yet Studying is a real ram-bam hybrid of classical decadence meeting up with stark modern stylings that further drives home Toliver's forte. The subject matter of Studying focuses on Toliver's adopted home of England as he touches on current events such as the London street riots, plus other forums of fancy. With voices borrowed from the likes of Roberta Flack, Eartha Kitt, Beyonce, and Nicki Minaj, news reports, and some recognizable musical samples, Studying in all of it's jigsaw craft, comes together pretty darn well. At times it can be a bit much with the fast n' furious violin work of Toliver coming at you from all sides. Also the real beautification arrives in the slower jams ("Danger", "Beast" and "Astrology"). Yet, when you hear "The Answer" (which weaves in a nice Jackson 5 sample), you can hear that Toliver has a lot of big ideas in play and you wish for this idea to expand into a bigger project.

Released exclusively over at the UK newsie, The Guardian, Studying For My Ph.D is Marques' way of further showing how he can incorporate his vibe in various and unique dimensions. Not to mention all this 'studying' that he's doing will one day pay off.

Listen and download it for free here---no regrets you'll have.

Camino: Bama Love Soul

First Impressions: Chasing John Legend

2011-12-16T10:25:00.000-06:00

Sharing the same smile that John Legend is sporting in the pic above all due to a crispy fresh track from him. Legend has been mostly riding shotgun this year as he popped up on Common's excellent single, "The Believer" (from Common's pending The Dreamer/The Believer---an album that I have not forgotten about) and was "sorta there in spirit" on a re-working on Mariah Carey's "When Christmas Comes" (more about that later). Now Legend is back in the driver's seat and we're just supposed to fasten our seat belts and cruise into "Chasing Your Love"---which is quite the sparkler.

Legend wraps his sugar-in-the-raw vocals around the backdrop of Millie Jackson's "Summer (The First Time)" (aka one of my all-time fave Millie joints!) and it's a searing mid-tempo soulful climb. Hmm...sounds like Legend is dipping back into what made 2006's Once Again his most cohesive set (guess the electro-funk of '08's Evovler didn't latch on). "Chasing Your Love" has me seriously catching all kinds of elated feelings for Legend to return in 2012 with another long player. Rumors have been circulating that this cut might be the first inkling at what is to come, but there isn't an official word on if this is a solid contender or a one-shot deal in from a session. Whatever the case, John, don't keep us waiting!

John Legend - Chasing Your Love

An Audio Diva Christmas: SWV's Special Christmas

2011-12-16T10:10:00.000-06:00

Speaking of SWV....I've always loved these ladies.

No need to repeat the Dead Sea Scroll-esque list of R&B groups that emerged in the 90's, but it's a known fact, rule, no...music law that SWV should always be in attendance whenever such conversations take place concerning that bygone era. Weirdly, SWV's last official album is their1999 holiday set, A Special Christmas, and while it's not the most expectant send-off, it's still a sweet and fun treat that has the trio focusing on revamping traditional cuts and modern classics, as well as making it a family affair as members of Taj, Coko, and LeeLee's family are present on various numbers.

Particularly like how they revived The O'Jays' "Christmas Ain't Christmas (Without The One You Love)" as well as their takes on "The Christmas Song" and "O Holy Night". A round of applause also goes to "White Christmas"---a song I was never that fond of---that became my favorite cut on here as I adore how they R&B-ed it up in a slick vibe. Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas" is essential---every person who is card carrying Soul music fan knows this. While I worship at the throne of Hathaway, SWV's infectious take is one of the few covers of the track that I give a pass to. It's just so damn happy---and that's the kind of spirit that radiates through the rest of the collection, making A Special Christmas a real gift.

This Christmas

White Christmas

First Impressions: Take Me There, 14th

2011-12-16T10:00:00.000-06:00

Didn't want the week to slip away without mentioning this little nugget of sound....14th had one of the most delectable EP's this year and it'll be a matter of months (okay, try two months) for the British duo to show us what they can do on a full-length effort. Before it's released in February, 14th is being awfully generous by giving us the jump start of what's to occur on that upcoming release with the single, "Take Me There". Once again the duo revive the UK Garage of yesteryear in such a tailored yet bouncy production, there is really no room for fault. You'll find yourself pressing repeat with this one.

Shoot, if they keep this quality up, who knows what 2012 will bring for these two?

14 - Take Me There

An Audio Diva Christmas: It's A Holiday Where Things Fall Apart

2011-12-13T16:23:00.001-06:00

Quite the find this little oddity is. While digging around looking for holiday sound bites, I came across this quirky collection by the infamous 80's No Wave label, ZE Records. My music nerdery sort of went into overdrive when seeing the track list that featured some favorites like Nona Hendryx, August Darnell (of Kid Creole & The Coconuts fame), The Waitresses, Was Not (Was) and Miss 'Disco Clone' herself Cristina. So yeah, I had to scope this one out, not to mention share this find with all my readers out there, as this is the season of 'giving' ya know?

Released in 1981 (and sadly out-of-print), A Christmas Record, is one of those off-shoot holiday collections that strives to not to follow in the traditional fa-la-la of the season. As ZE Records is known for housing the "mutant disco" and "No Wave" music genres, this set succeeds at showing the spectrum of those genres. Mostly the album is known for housing The Waitresses' classic "Christmas Wrapping" (which the Spice Girls would later cover), but there are some other gems buried here. I've always loved the tropical-soul-funk sound of Kid Creole & The Coconuts (not to mention adore their sarcastic humor) thus August Darnell's "Christmas On Riverside Drive" isn't a let down as it's a reckless abandon 'sleigh ride' that is mega fun.

August Darnell - Christmas On Riverside Drive

Nona Hendryx with Material give us some icy prog-disco that feels meant for cruising down a lighted street way. If you're already familiar with Hendryx (LaBelle, hello!) then you know what kind of energy and unique flavor she brings and she brings a lot to this dense dance cut that is one of the earliest collaborative efforts between them. If you want to get technical this track sort of pre-dates what Madonna would surface up with "Holiday"...just something to consider...

Material (ft. Nona Hendryx) - It's A Holiday

Cristina (who one day will get the 'wipe off the dust' treatment) is the one who brings sort of the pessimistic 'glass-is-half-empty' approach to the holiday on "Things Fall Apart" which from the title you can guess what it's about. With her usual "You're standing on my neck" bored tone on she sounds wonderful against a backdrop of some real meaty electric guitars.

Cristina - Things Fall Apart

A very cool yule this is indeed.

Audio Vision: Amy Winehouse's Hidden Treasures Story

2011-12-13T13:01:00.000-06:00

Take about fifteen minutes out of your oh so busy day turning oxygen into carbon dioxide and take a view at the Amy Winehouse documentary, Hidden Treasures. The doc gives a song-by-song account of the recording process and back-stories on each track off of the recently released posthumous tribute, Lioness: Hidden Treasures. The reminisces about Amy's beginnings up to her zenith height of fame comes straight from the mouths of producers, Saalam Remi and Mark Ronson, two talented guys who worked close with Winehouse to craft her sound blend of 1960's girl group meets hip-hop beat queen.

Though it was a mixed bag of reviews about Lioness one thing is for certain within this quickie doc is a love for music and it's ultimate craft. Dive into it.

Artist Watch: CJ Hilton's 'Cold Summer'

2011-12-13T12:55:00.001-06:00

As much of a critic that I am about the R&B of today, there are times where flickers of promise invade into my ears. Here's where CJ Hilton comes in through that foggy forecast known as 21st Century R&B. From snagging a singer-songwriting spot on Raphael Saadiq's The Way I See It ("Never Give You Up" with Stevie Wonder was the tune!) to crafting a buzz-worthy mixtape with DJ Driis (aka ~~one of my husbands~~, actor Idris Elba), and now penning tracks for Mario, Mr. Hilton has been steadily making the rounds. So how come I'm just now hearing about him?

It's cause I'm slow. Forgive.

"Cold Summer" is the track that sort of won me over even though everybody loooves his Nas assisted, "So Fresh". To be honest, any R&B cat can do "So Fresh", but "Cold Summer" has a vastly different approach and here is where CJ's strong suits of writing and singing come into a real vigorous package. Often this song is being mistaken for, Miguel's number, "All I Want Is You" and that's possibly because Saalam Remi (the man behind Amy Winehouse's stunners) is responsible for both of these productions---and man, is "Cold Summer" sharp.

Okay, R&B, I see you trying to reel me in.....Pop after the cut to view "Cold Summer" the visual, as well.

Cold Summer

An Audio Diva Christmas: It's A Spaghetti Western Christmas With The Killers

2011-12-12T16:32:00.000-06:00

Hmm...let's try this equation on for size:

The Killers + Robots + Spaghetti Westerns = the music video for The Killers' "The Cowboy's Christmas Ball".

Yep, that's about right.

True, the holidays can be a depressing time for a lot of people, but really for me, the holidays is that special time to get that rod out of your arse and just have a little silly fun (and if that doesn't work---do us all a favor and sip some Bailey's Irish Creme, please). I will always have like for The Killers because, unlike other bands, they don't try to take themselves too seriously and have had fun with Christmas tunes in the past (see "Don't Shoot Me Santa", "¡Happy Birthday Guadalupe!" and last year's "Boots"). Not to mention each Christmas tune of theirs that is purchased, the proceeds goes fight AIDS as the band is apart of the Project (Red) campaign---so hey, hey for goodwill towards man! I gravitate towards that kind of spirit, and well, "The Cowboy's Christmas Ball" in all of it's down-home-country-fried-rock reeks of it. Maybe it's the Texas girl in me that can boot-scoot to this, but this is just real cheeky fun. Even though the video is probably the plotline everyone (but me) wanted from Cowboys & Aliens. Oh welp.

Recycle It!: Joy Denalane Brings In The Heatwave

2011-12-12T10:25:00.000-06:00

Music knows no race, culture, or language, and Joy Denalane is proof of that. I had known about Maureen (doesn't she look grand on the cover?), Denalane's now third album that came out this year. Yet, hadn't seen many folks talking about it because well....it's mostly all sung in German, just like her 2002 debut album, Mamani. To be honest, I have a hard time plowing through albums where I'm not fluent in the language, yet, I was urged by QH, a blog compadre of mine, to check out the album further, as I've been a fan of Joy's since Born & Raised became one of my all-time favorite albums back in 2006. Once again I was taken aback by the force that is Joy Denalane as I found myself enjoying the Maureen album in full. A round of applause goes to Joy for once again bridging the cultural gap. For further listening to the album, a couple of video sessions were made to show Joy in her zone and they are well worth the watch.

Sticking to my English guns, I was even more pleasantly surprised at Joy's gorgeous take on Heatwave's "Happiness Togetherness". It's a tune you don't hear too often, but has always left a warm impression on me from years of hearing off of the band's 1978 album, Central Heating, growing up. In my opinion, I've favored this slow jam over their most well-known hit, "Always & Forever". Heatwave has quite an interesting back-story as they were clearly more than the disco floor burners they released or the band where Rod Temperton got his start before being hired as Quincy Jones' in-house songwriter and the man behind Michael Jackson's chart-toppers. TV One's Unsung series had a great episode about Heatwave that opened my eyes to their hustle (and I do mean hustle---seriously, they prevailed over some real bad luck). Joy does Heatwave justice as she sings this with real conviction. Though it may be chill outside at the moment, this is one cut that beckons back sunny summer days.

Pop after the cut to hear Heatwave's original and soak in Joy's version below.

Joy Denalane - Happiness

Audio Vision: More & More From Georgia Anne Muldrow

2011-12-12T10:20:00.000-06:00

Playing catch-up on all the sounds that have by-passed me throughout this year has proved to be a challenge---but a fun one as it's never a dull moment. I have yet to fully dive head first into Georgia Anne Muldrow's Owed To Mama Rickie (which was released last month if you didn't know), but a provoking in the form of the visual for song, "More & More" is edging me to splash right on in with the quickness. With the great Bilal in tow, Ms. Muldrow waxes her poetics as she gives out some sage advice and a real self-esteem boost on this comforting soul number. I really do adore whatever Georgia Anne Muldrow does as she brings a lot of originality to the table in her prose and execution. She should be more famous.

First Impressions: Róisín Murphy Is In The Simulation

2011-12-12T10:15:00.000-06:00

I must have been a good girl this year as there's some newness coming from Róisín Murphy. Thank you Santa Claus. For the last couple of years or so Róisín has been popping in and out with new tracks (see "Momma's Place", "Orally Fixated", and "Demon Lover" for starters), but nothing has been seriously confirmed. Now out of nowhere this nine-minute track, "Simulation" just hypnotically pulses in getting the fans all salivating over her return. Yep, nine-minutes---but it's nine-minutes of deep House bliss. Tedious, yes, but with Róisín's vocals and the looping motif it's highly contagious and if you're into deep House like I, you won't regret this listen. There is a slight mystery as to who produced the track, the only clue that's been circling around is that it's a producer from northern England. Well, that totally narrows things down....

Though Róisín had every right to step out of the spotlight for awhile as she recently became a mother, I'm taking the insensitive approach as I need Ms. Murphy to show herself in 2012 with a full album---especially a full album of this type of House sound. Lush.

Simulation

Album Watch: She Wore A Yellow Halo

2011-12-12T10:00:00.000-06:00

Wow. Look at that cover smother.

If my calculations are correct, Goldfrapp has been in the game for close to eleven or so years (!!!). It seems like it was just yesterday when Black Cherry, (my 'first' Frapp experience), invaded my ears to where I proceeded to get euphoric, embarrassing myself and others around me as I waved my hands around to the 'wonderful electric' sounds I heard. Auto-bio that.

So it is timely that the daring British Electronica duo would unleash a single compilation. Of course with a new compilation comes crisp n' fresh tunes to tack on the tracklist for an surfire purchase (because if you have all of Goldfrapp's albums---then there is no point, right?). Goldfrapp is at least making sure the duo of newness ("Yellow Halo" and "Meloncholy Sky") will do your ear drums good---and they are off to a worthy start with "Yellow Halo". Accompanied with a neat video highlighting Goldfrapp's tour stops in South America, "Yellow Halo" is a creamsicle dream of a song that goes back to the relaxing sounds on Frapp's Seventh Tree set. Satisfying it is.

Pop over the cut to experience the visual and audio wonderment of "Yellow Halo" as well as the tracklisting to The Singles, which will be hitting shelves in February of 2012.

1. Ooh La La
2. Number 1
3. Strict Machine (Single Mix)
4. Lovely Head
5. Utopia (Genetically Enriched)
6. A&E
7. Happiness (Single Version)
8. Train
9. Ride A White Horse (Single Version)
10. Rocket
11. Believer
12. Black Cherry
13. Yellow Halo
14. Melancholy Sky

An Audio Diva Christmas: Walking in a Winter Wonderland with the Eurythmics

2011-12-08T16:09:00.000-06:00

Man, do I love Annie Lennox. She can really do no wrong for me. I'm well aware that Annie released her own Christmas collection last year, but I always come back to time where she was paired with Dave Stewart to spread some holiday cheer on "Winter Wonderland".

A local radio station here has been playing non-stop Christmas music (since like Halloween--womp), and well, they've played Johnny Mathis' "Winter Wonderland" version(s) way more times than I can stomach (no offense to Johnny). Thankfully, I have the Eurythmics' version in my holiday arsenal. "Winter Wonderland" is such a lyrical cheese fest, but in the Eurythmics hands it's transformed into icy brisk synth bliss. Love how it gets a little shaken up in the beginning to where you're not to sure if this is a holiday song or not. I won't go off into gushing about Annie's vocals---cause I will bore you.

Off of the very first A Very Special Christmas compilation (which had many other goodies on it) from 1987, this a Christmas tune that 80's babies like me can really appreciate.

Eurythmics - Winter Wonderland

Album Watch: The Return Of Ladyhawke

2011-12-08T10:25:00.000-06:00

Oh wow. Didn't expect this.

Ladyhawke (birth certificate name: Pip Brown) is on the comeback next year----and she's bringing new tunes with her.

*vogues and dances a jig*

The New Zealand synth n' bass maven is dropping her loooong anticipated sophomore album, entitled Anxiety, come March of 2012. She's keeping fans in their own pot of anticipation by releasing the tease of a brand new album track as well as the artwork for the pending album (which you can see on the left is fantastical) this week. Ladyhawke has been dropping some newness during her recent stage shows as well. Most notably there were some song reveals at her gigs for London's 100 Club---which you can check out here (the sound quality is not the greatest but it's better than nothing). I've heard bits of gossip about Ladyhawke slacking off of the 80's neon Day-Glo that made her 2008 debut album just plain magnificent for this effort. Yet, from the sound of the tease and with Pascal Gabriel back at the producing driver's seat, I'm not too worried about changes here and there. I completely wore out her debut (an all-time favorite album of mine), thus I'm quite anxious to hear what Pip is packing for us next year.

Peep the teaser video after the cut---usually I'm not a big fan of snippets, but this is one of those cases that I broke the rules for, ha!

Recycle It!: Kevin Michael Advises You To 'Use Your Heart'

2011-12-08T10:15:00.000-06:00

Ahhhh, 90's R&B....

Okay, I know, I know, it's not the end all of R&B music periods, but it's the nostalgia attached to it that makes me a bit bias towards it. How if you didn't like one girl group---there were about twenty others to choose from. How feverish stanning didn't exist, as Brandy and Monica could be equally liked and lauded. Men...were men, they crooned, swooned, and the begged like nobody's business, and even dedicated music videos that left little to the imagination (D'Angelo and Maxwell---I'm looking at you). While I cringe at the fashion choices I made, the era had a lot going for it musically.

Kevin Michael he understands this. He's near my age, and he grew up with this bevy of soulful grind going around, which is why I have no qualms of him covering SWV's "Use Your Heart"--at all. He's been more than capable of covering a tune as his Covers For You set was released earlier this year and he handled himself on Adele's "Rolling In The Deep" and other tunes nicely. So now he's tackling the keynote track off of SWV's 1996 New Beginning album and well, he nails it. He doesn't change The Neptunes classic production, he just lays down a charming vocal and possess the same coo and yearn Coko and the girls gave originally. It's a homage well worth applauding. Take a listen (and also take a free download) of the track, and pop after the cut to see SWV in all of their 1996 glory singing a live version of one of their best tunes.

Kevin Michael - Use Your Heart [DL]

[Side Note: Those who were searching milk cartons for Kevin Michael's mug will be pleased to know that he has released his second album, International, for the Japan market. You can pop over to his Bandcamp page for further information and listens. No word on if Kevin (or K as he was going by for a spell) is still working in his side group, They, but wonders never cease as this cat is always working the independent grind and making quality stuff.]

Album Watch: Points On A Lioness

2011-12-06T12:56:00.000-06:00

Lioness: Hidden Treasures provokes more than just the looming "what if?" factor like all other posthumous albums tend to emphasize. It further establishes how much Amy Winehouse really was a vocalist of a different breed. How she was yet another who managed to change the climate towards sounds that were deemed gone with the wind, and brought a new generation to have appreciation for it. Not to mention with every warble she had respect for where the sound truly derived from and did it well. Even though she led a less than favorable lifestyle (then again are we all saints?), Winehouse's candor about the realities of love, loss, and life was what brought people in. Toe-to-toe with the British Soul grand dames a la Dusty Springfield is where I like to place Amy Winehouse, because (and this is to my ear) she often had a pinch of overcast in her vocal tone to make it all the real---she had been there, and as I briefly mentioned, she was that voice in my head, and will probably continue to be. Lioness: Hidden Treasures is in a sense a sad affair, for obvious reasons, and it really doesn't lead one to figure out where Winehouse was going as a follow-up to her 2006 opus, Back To Black. Poignant, captivating towards her talents, and no doubt a worthy purchase, is mainly for the fans, as it closes the book to what Winehouse built her house of Soul on.

Some further points....:

The original version of "Tears Dry On Their Own" (just titled "Tears Dry" on here) is oh so sublime and was meant as more of a Stylistics-esque ballad, instead of the ram-bam fingersnapping jovial of the original. A real gem it is when it's taken down a notch. In fact, I actually like it better this way.
Mark Ronson's all over "Valerie" and it's here again---like it is on every B-Side bootleg and extended edition of Back To Black. Some part of me wishes something else had been put in it's place. B-Sides like "Fool's Gold" and even another cover (particularly "Someone To Watch Over Me") would have been a better, much more surprising addition---unless it's just me being grouchy.
Highlights like "Between The Cheats" swishes in a Grease "Beauty School Dropout" woo while "Halftime" (my favorite of the 'rares') is subtlety charming in a soothing flute riddled swirl that Minnie Riperton would have been proud of. These two Saalam Remi produced numbers easily could have been singles.
Amy was a fan of Donnie Hathaway, yet another artist taken from the music world before his time, and she does a real number on his signature hit, "A Song For You". She evokes the same raw Blues undertone this song has and rears up the attention to vocal detail that Donnie had on his original---scary good.
Many try to do Astrud Gilberto on "The Girl From Impanema" and so few catch the spirit. Amy is lively, with a bit too many sprawling scats for my taste. Yet, she was eighteen on this track and was just trying to find her voice and it's nice we got a peek into the beginnings of Amy here, even though this album, sadly, marks the end.

Artist Watch: Hey There Delilah

2011-12-06T11:31:00.000-06:00

Sorry her name warranted that post title...

Delilah has a lot going for her. She's yet another artist who hails from the UK and has a soulful strut of a different repertoire (what is in that water over there??). She's been noted for background vocal work (see Chase & Status' "Time"). She also successfully managed to interpolate Rufus & Chaka Khan's "Ain't Nobody" into her debut single, "Go" without sounding the least bit hackneyed. Oh, and she even got Miss Khan's approval to boot.

Delilah is doing all the right things in order to loftily set her up as a 'next big thang' in 2012, and once you listen to her Go EP, which was released earlier this year, you'll be impressed at the subtle crawl of her voice and the density of her tunes. Listening to tracks like "Breathe" and "I Can Feel You" (the best of the bunch) follow in the same camp of atmospheric soul, a laid-back genre that seems to be picking up R&B's broken pieces.

The obligatory music journalist comparison towards Delilah will make you have Esthero and Emily King on the brain (maybe even a smidge of Bjork), yet, it's merely a guideline to get a feel for where Delilah roosts. Currently her brand new jawn, "Love You So" is what's really grooving and has a stylish video as an accompaniment that sure to attract---and has no doubt impressed me further. Not to bog you down with more words to further explain the what and why you should check Delilah out, just take a listen to the Go EP below and then after the cut, make time to peek at her video for "Love You So". Regrets you won't have.

An Audio Diva Christmas: Snow Days With Boyz II Men

2011-12-05T16:47:00.000-06:00

This is one of those moments where I feel that I'm committing "Post Deja Vu", but eh, nothing beats Boyz II Men and hearing them harmonize on their Christmas Interpretations album from 1993 and I bet some of you guys feel the same---so repeat myself I shall. My holidays wouldn't be complete if Interpretations didn't get a spin as I live for their gorgeous acapella version of "Silent Night". Yes, I even remember when they popped up on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to sing it during an episode where Will Smith practiced his art of lying again...(love that show). Plus I appreciate their thinly disguised croons like "Cold December Nights" and "Who Would Have Thought", which can be played long after the season is over.

I'd like to think every R&B head has heard of their version of "Let It Snow" which features the voice and pen of Brian McKnight. It's a tried and true staple that I sometimes find myself playing it even in the sweltering heat of summer just so I can form mental pictures of crisp stillness, snowball fights, and school closings---it's just that cool. For someone who rarely sees snow and has spent Christmases in shorts and tees (the plight of a Southern Belle like me *pumps a Scarlett O'Hara fist*), this song always gets me in the mood for white fluff and of course just plain good holiday cheer.

Pop after the cut to view the Boyz (well the now trio of them) back in '08 with a performance of "Let It Snow" on Japanese TV with a killer pianist (who is tearin' it up on those keys), as well as the video version of "Silent Night" from way back when.

First Impressions: It's A Love Thang For Robin Thicke

2011-12-05T13:09:00.000-06:00

R&B music has been in the last few years well---excuse my French---rhythm n' bullshit. Hollow, lazy, and soulless to points where even the veterans of the genre have sort of fallen into Kidz Bop Hell. The excuse is to say, "it's experimental!!" or it's the "genre evolving for the 21st Century!!"---naw, it's just that pure raw honesty and love has been drained for the all-mighty "let's see what we can sell" jag and the latter is winning. Sure there's a digestible beat in the R&B tunes of today and not all of it is horrid, but the lovey-dovey-making-whoopie type of abandon is something that gets lost in all those strident club beats. It's a sugar rush, gone within minutes of hyper-activity, and maybe I'm just a Shady Pines Retirement Home ready-resident-of-R&B who needs to let go of the 90's, but it was disheartening to see the genre, a genre I love, take a real weak turn in these last years. Not to discount the artists who have consistently kept the soul, rhythm, and the affection in mind and kept it going in the mainstream (see Adele, Cee-Lo, Jill Scott), it's just that few have achieved to keep it "sexy and simple".

Then there is Robin Thicke. He's always been consistent, well--erm-- except for that little speed bump of Sex Therapy from 2009, but for the most part he has always been in-tune with reviving Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway and all 'em, without just literally covering every single track they treaded or sounded like he's doing Karaoke over Motown backing music. He has always had his own flavor, his own approach and when you sound as deliciously seducing as he does, you can't really find fault. Flying easy and knee-deep in love, Thicke is right back where he started from on Love After War, so breathe sighs of relief because the lover man is here with the chilled champagne, neck kisses, and whispering sweet nothings to boot.

Of course the lazy observation about this album is to imply that it will impregnate the female population within the first five minutes (hell, even a crude Sharpie drawing of Thicke on the cover is making my ovaries breakdance)---not to mention be a study guide for the men out there on the art of seduction. By all means this album is a man who is obviously 'in the mood' and whose goal is to get you there too. Still there is a little bit more to Love After War than just some sexual heals. You can't blame Thicke's current state, he recently became a father and he's married to the lovely Paula Patton---how can you not be sunshine and rainbows? He's inspired and on his affectionate grind, with a honey sweetness that is gritty in some places and smooth operator in others.

Love After War is a lush situation that points back to Thicke's 2003 debut, A Beautiful World---back when he was a bicycling Soul music spreading Jesus and giving Justin Timberlake a run for his White Boy Croon cash-ola. On some hand, Love After War is a bit too lush to where by albums' end you're completely sedated and feel like inhibited goo. Then again---that may be the whole point.

The 17-track set, which is primarily produced by Pro-J and Plain Pat, follows a sophisticated concept of quiet Samba swings (something Thicke has done on a number of his sets), with Robin's voice cuddling you throughout. Strangely the album has two safe openers, "An Angel On Each Arm" and "I'm An Animal" that are brass chugging up-tempos, but don't do much. The standouts begin when the fleeting Latin orchestral of "Never Give Up" (courtesy of José Pablo Moncayo's "Huapango" from 1941) bounds in and then flows into the excellent, "The New Generation" which follows in a fuse of earthy hip-hop and 70's Jazz a la The Roots.

The New Generation

Current singles such as the title track and the Lil' Wayne guest spot, "Pretty Lil' Heart" fall into the groove and blend on into fluid pace. "Cloud 9" has Thicke in a traditional jazz state of mind to where it reminds one of George Michael's "Kissing A Fool"---for good reason. "Mission" instantly concocts swoons with it's easy-going sway and Mary J. Blige lends a tender pen towards, "All Tied Up" which is a jovial bounce of a soul stunner and is strangely one of the best things she's penned/produced in a while.

Mission

Though it could be trimmed by two maybe even four tracks, with Love After War, Thicke has injected the heart back into R&B, as well as the heart back into his own repertoire. As it's bogged down in creamy romantic lures and lyrical whimsy, there is something that keeps you going through all of it, and it's particularly because Thicke's voice is really something to gush over on this. He's always sounded good and above his peers on his past efforts, but he never sounded this good. Listening to numbers like "Mission", "I Don't Know How It Feels To Be U" and "Cloud 9", I can't help but be moved by his voice and he really does put on a nice performance throughout. So maybe fatherhood and growth into a now fifth set have indeed taken Thicke's craft to another, even greener pasture, as the whole atmosphere on Love After War contains neatly wrapped thrills that make this a true love thang worth savoring.

Official | Twitter | Facebook |
Release Date: December 6, 2011

First Impressions: Lana Del Rey's Moody Moods

2011-12-05T12:58:00.000-06:00

In all of her bee-stung pout to Instagram-ness, Lana Del Rey is one to watch by the time 2012 comes barreling around the corner. In the time that her melancholy melody, "Video Games" enchanted with it's taunt brutal weep, there were those who were quick to pass judgement. I've seen an array of jeers towards her authenticity as an artist to those focused mainly on her lip "injections" and really, it's a bit premeditated, especially for someone who doesn't have a stack of albums and awards to stand on.

Lana Del Rey might be a pretentious indie party that many feel that their not invited to, but there is something about her grainy voice that shines through all the artsy-fartsy stitch and it warrants some attention. Take for instant the title track of her official solo debut, Born To Die, which got a leak over the weekend. It's yet another vintage spread of orchestral lush-a-boom noir that doesn't steal "Video Games" thunder, but compliments it. Then there is Lana's voice in all of it's drolling boredom and it's very appealing to the ear. Four out of the six songs from her, I've instantly liked, and this one is one of them, therefore Lana is on my radar, as a singer---not as a lip injection impresario.

If you feel as I do, you're anxious to see what Born To Die has to offer, and we'll be able to see if Lana Del Rey can live up to the hype when the album hits the shelves when January of 2012 is on it's last legs.

Born To Die

An Audio Diva Christmas: Aaliyah's Angelic Tones

2011-12-02T11:30:00.000-06:00

Talk about some hidden gems....

I don't know what I was doing during Christmas of 1997, but obviously something was more important than seeing Aaliyah charming the trimmings off the tree during the annual Christmas In Washington TV special. Even President Bill Clinton (dang, you know this is old) was awe-struck as Aaliyah gave "The Christmas Song" and "What Child Is This" some tender loving care.

She was not the most powerful singer ever, but Aaliyah was always effective and she gives a real rich and heartfelt performance with these traditional holiday tunes. Yes, there is a slight undertone of melancholy to be had when hearing these renditions, especially when you realize that this concert was recorded during the time where she was on the expressway towards big success. In order not to think about what (tragically) became of Aaliyah and all the coulda/shoulda/woulda beens, these long-lost and somewhat forgotten performances are the good times that I'd like to remember about her. Take a peek after the cut to get that warm n' fuzzy holiday feeling inside ya from a true angelic voice.

Take 5 Friday: Chasing TLC, Adele & The Black Keys

2011-12-02T10:30:00.000-06:00

1. Chasing Bio-Pics: Just when I've been listening to nothing but TLC all week, along comes a curious news item that concerns them. Ironic, isn't it? VH1 is prepping to launch a music bio-pic series because it finally dawned on them that *shock! awe!*---they are an actual music channel. The Hollywood Reporter relayed that the first project VH1 is cooking up is a tele-film about the R&B trio. This tele-film will be penned by Kate Lanier who was responsible for the scripts of Tina Turner's bio-pic, 1993's What's Love Got To Do With It and---no judgey judge--- Mariah Carey's 2001 flick flop, Glitter. You can breathe easy again because T-Boz and Chilli have signed on as consultants and executive producers for the project. The flick is said to chronicle the band's formation, their impact on the music scene throughout the 90's, and the tragic passing of it's member, the spitfire spunktress herself, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. Yes, the group's issues with bankruptcy and the infamous house burning incident will also be brought to light---because that's the meaty soap operatic stuff that makes a bio-pic. As TLC are some of my she-ro's and one of my all-time favorite groups, this flick is right up my alley. Not to mention it sounds like it's going to be a delicious blend of Behind The Music and a over-the-top Lifetime movie. Can't wait. *rubs hands together*

2. El Camino: I have been meaning to say some words about Bluesiest duo from Ohio, The Black Keys after coming oh-so-late to listening to last year's Brothers---and now is the time to say some thangs. As there are a few albums left for me to digest before I start compiling my 'Adventures In 2011' year-end wrap-up, The Black Keys' El Camino is one of those last albums in the barrel that I'm looking forward to getting immersed in. Produced by Danger Mouse, and already in high anticipation after the quirky promo video for single, "Lonely Boy" went viral, the duo is keeping the momentum going by teasing fans to five songs on the album before it drops next Tuesday---how generous of them! Listen to five out of six tracks from El Camino (you have to hear "Little Black Submarines" and "Sister" before the day closes---juicy stuff) on the Black Keys' official page to whet the whistle for what's to come soon.

Psst!: Two more of my write-ups for Soul Bounce's Class of 1991 series are up. I waxed some personal nostalgia for BeBe & CeCe Winans' Different Lifestyles and Lisa Fischer's So Intense sets. So check 'em both out!

3. Bevy & A Gun: Mama's Gun is yet another band that I have told myself over and over and over to get into based on recommendations from some trusted musical compadres. Plus any band whose derived their name from Erykah Badu's 2001 album is automatically going to be something special and welcomed. So now, along comes Beverley Knight (whose been a real busy bee this year) to reel me in further to the British funktet and what a neat little surprise their single, "Only One" turns out to be. For the video they are having a full out jam session that is an instant mood lift, it's really all-around niiiice. Sounds like I'm going to have to seek out a listen to Mama Gun's recent album, Life & Soul before the year expires. Oh yes, definitely.

4. Adele Domination: Even though re-cooperating from throat complications sidelined Adele on the touring circuit, she still managed to have one of the best weeks ever...

Live From Royal Albert Hall CD/DVD was released, and if you've never been to an Adele show (like moi)---it's like a total replacement, sans seeing the beads of sweat, sniffing the same air as Adele, getting pushed up on by over-zealous and smelly strangers in the audience, etc. Her renditions of Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me" and The Cure's "Love Song" are among the many highlights. I just adore live videos/albums so yay! all the way for this.

Now that the Grammy nominations are out of the bag (with a few shockers in tow), Adele was a no-brainer for snagging the top categories. She's got six noms in total, including 21 for Album of The Year. Since the Grammy board tend to be a fickle bunch, Adele might either have an an India.Arie circa 2002 moment or a Michael Jackson circa 1984 moment---I'm hoping for the latter.

For a more gossipy bit, Adele gained some support from Mama Monster, Lady Gaga this week after some of Gaga's fans pounded on keyboards to spread around (lame) jabs at Adele, especially focusing on her weight. Once again, I'll never understand the way people make fandoms such a blood bath. Why can't you like both Adele and Gaga? What is criminal about that? Sometimes I feel I should teach a class on Music Junkie Etiquette, because there are some fans/stans who totally miss the point of art---it's subjective, not to mention have lack for tact and constructive opinions when it comes to putting their favorites on a pedestal and stepping on others. Thankfully Gaga spoke out about the ordeal in an attempt to not provoke enemies and to calm shit down. Sisterhood in motion---it's a beautiful thing.

5. Putting A Ring On It: Kimbra is a name I hope will become big come 2012. I mentioned about her, oh, awhile back, and I'm still stuck on her debut album, Vows. It's deliciously good with "Cameo Lover" and "Good Intent" leading the pack of goodies. This live rendition of "Plain Gold Ring" (which has hints of Nina Simone in it) happened a month ago on a show called, Rockwiz, but this is the first "live" video I've seen of Kimbra outside of polished up music videos, and I have to say, she is the real deal.

An Audio Diva Christmas: Natasha Bedingfield Shaking Up The Holiday

2011-12-01T15:33:00.000-06:00

...it's an Audio Diva Christmas...again.

Now that it's the first of Deceimbre and that there's (finally) a somewhat cold snap down here in the Lone Star State, it's time to properly get into the holiday spirit and who better to 'shake' and wake things up than Natasha Bedingfield? She's kicking off this series, a series where I'll be posting some holiday cheer every once in awhile on this blog until day 25.

Always the Queen of Positiveness, Nastahsa has a Christmas treat that is about as saccharine and teeth rotting of the treats you'll be scarfing down this season---and you'll listen and you'll love it because you can't really hate Natasha for walking on sunshine every day (even though, to me, it sounds like she recycled the beat of her 2009 single, "Strip Me" to back this---womp). Natasha bounces along on this Train cover track that is the official song for Coca-Cola's holiday campaign, so you'll be hearing a lot of this joyful track in the coming weeks. Natasha also sang the song in several other languages in order to appeal to all walks of life this holiday season.

With the big bad recession still laying folks off and keeping spirits down, it's nice to hear someone having some sort of cheer.

Shake Up Christmas

Recycle It!: Rahsaan Does The James Blake 'Scream'

2011-12-01T15:24:00.000-06:00

On a day to day basis, I find out that I'm surprisingly not that subdued enough for dub-step wonder kid James Blake. I wish I was, but alas I'm corny and bouncy and will rather listen to Debbie Gibson instead because hell, melancholy melodies don't always cure the mopes--cheesy pop does. Sorry if you're one who can find musical rapture with his self-titled debut album. I envy you, because I wish that there weren't moments on it that reminded me of when out of boredom I'll do Google Translate Beatbox (loads of pointless fun at link). Still when Blake puts his vocals to good use like on Feist's "The Limit To Your Love" and original track, "The Wilhem's Scream"---that's when I perked my ears up and care---because he sounded great on those and had this spaced out Hall & Oates thing going on.

I also care when Rahsaan Patterson sings, like really really care. Such the case when he tries James Blake's "The Wilhem's Scream" on for size and well---wins. He pulled out this cover and smothered it over really nicely during a live stint in the UK back in September during promotion for his excellent Bluephoria project. Someone had the good sense to record this on their celly and upload it, and here it is for your enjoyment if you missed out on it the first time this swirled around like I. After the cut is James Blake's original, just so you can compare and contrast.

Wipe Off The Dust: Taking Another Sip Of Neneh Cherry's 'Homebrew'

2011-11-30T13:53:00.001-06:00

Can Neneh Cherry ever escape "Buffalo Stance"? Probably not, as the song is massive and sort of overshadowed whatever Neneh put out further---which is where Homebrew comes in. Raw Like Sushi, Neneh's 1989 debut album, is a landmark entry in alternative hip-hop for women. In fact, I would dare say further that Neneh Cherry also had a hand in mixing soul, down-tempo, and jazz into hip-hop to produce an earthier tone to where The Roots, Erykah Badu, and Common (hell, most of the Soulquarians) carried that tradition in later years.

1992's Homebrew is a different affair from Raw Like Sushi. Sushi rocks on a poppier plane and possesses a real spunky and tough B-Girl attitude to where Neneh strode alongside Queen Latifah and MC Lyte. Homebrew, on the other hand, lounges around in it's ambiance snatching glimpses of R&B, trip-hop, and smoky Jazz (no doubt a homage towards her step-dad, Jazz trumpeter, Don Cherry), and really everything in-between. With guest spots from Gang Starr, R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe, and Lenny Kravitz, the eclecticness is what makes Homebrew such an overlooked batch that does indeed cast light on the fact that Neneh had actually outgrown "Buffalo Stance" and was headed into refined and cerebral material. Yet, *sigh* you know how this story goes, when an artist tries to escape that one big hit album/single, and dares to be different on the sophomore set---it tends to go over some people's heads.

Homebrew extends on Neneh's past, taking some from her early punk rock days and enhancing the moody moods that made up the filler material on Sushi. It's not really hip-hop, until Gang Starr's DJ Premier and the late Guru show up on the gritty opener "Sassy"---or whenever Neneh finds herself in a spoken word state. There are a multitude of textures that bubble up on this set in very unexpected (yet awesome) ways.

"Money Love" is accessible, funky and quite Janet Jackson "Black Cat"-esque, but the real craft comes in with "Move With Me". A seductive stunner that steps into the same vein of Madonna's "Justify My Love" in all of it's smolder and sex---and well, no wonder considering that Lenny Kravitz had a hand in co-writing it as well. It mirrors the same grimy tunnel sound of "Justify", but in some ways (and I know I'm committing Material Girl Sin), I prefer "Move With Me" over "Justify" any day. Something about it's gradual climb and Neneh's vocal performance just feels more fulfilling and enjoyable.

Move With Me

Neneh and Michael Stipe sound exceptional together on "Trout", and it's really criminal that this song didn't go past the college radio circuit and hit the mainstream back in '92, well, maybe because the song hinted at safe-sex---and in the 90's there were enough of those PSA's going around, still it was a quaint merging of the minds. On another hand, there are a few songs on this that I wish I could have written, as Neneh shines when she gets on her feminist soapbox, like when the guys of Gang Starr return to add some dimension to "I Ain't Going Under Yet", and rides it on a killer sparse Jazz beat. Also "Peace Of Mine" in it's thick smog of a groove has poignant things to say, as does my favorite, "Red Paint" that is a brightly done soulful bounce that is a contrast to the song's topic of loss before it's time. Another guest spot to note is future Portishead member, Geoff Burrows, who pens the trip-hop stunner, "Somedays" and is yet another gem of a moment on this set as well as is a nice precursor to what was to come of the trip-hop movement.

Speaking of Kravitz, "Buddy X" is notable not only in it's minor hit status (it barely cracked the Top 30), but also because Neneh wrote the track about Kravitz himself, alluding to the fact that he's well...a cheating bed sheet romper. Note that this song was released probably around the time Kravitz was on the skids with wife, Lisa Bonet (Denise Huxtable to all you TV heads), so in a snarky way Neneh is probably just calling a brother out on his cheating game, and in the most catchiest and funkiest way possible.

Buddy X

Neneh and her husband, producer Cameron McVey (known as Booga Bear) managed to successfully pull together all genres on this, yet Homebrew doesn't feel bogged down with them, and the flow of it makes for great listening. In all of her eclectic style, Neneh is definately a game changer whose name, to my ear, never gets mentioned in the mix of other female MC's and innovators of the "neo-soul" movement. Maybe she was hard to classify in one genre? Or maybe folks wanted the same type of vibe and sass of "Buffalo Stance" and got put-off by the variance on Homebrew enough to warrant it a chart bomb? Or maybe people just didn't pursue Neneh's music beyond Raw Like Sushi? Whatever the (lame) reasons, Neneh's Homebrew is really something to drink up, or to take another sip of if it didn't give you a nice buzz the first time.

First Impressions: Extraloveable Prince...Revisited

2011-11-30T10:15:00.000-06:00

This is pretty purpley cool.

As I can never pass up a music nerd moment like this not to mention formulate an excuse to post anything by Prince....there's been a bit of buzz about Prince re-recording one of his plethora of vaulted tunes, and it's the infamous, "Extraloveable". Any Paisley Parker is aware that Prince has gabillion upon gabillions of songs that are tucked away or sprinkled among numerous bootleg compilations. It can be overwhelming, not to mention an adventure in itself whenever you do discover these funky gems.

So Prince had re-recorded "Extraloveable", a track that was possibly meant for Vanity 6 back in the early 80's, for reasons...well, that aren't really crystal clear. He's also released the track only on iTunes Canada---in possible promotion for his Welcome 2 Canada Tour, which began over this Thanksgiving weekend. The revamped "Extraloveable" feels less raw digital 80's than the original, and more polished funk with Soul darling, Andy Allo (who is budding into protege territory) popping up in a guest spot.

Already Prince fanatics across the web have been rolling in the deep about how the re-recorded version isn't up to snuff. As Prince fanatical as I can be, I'm one of those who still appreciates the fact that he can take a song that he's done many moons ago and spin it around differently, making it sound just as crisp, and even crispier than what is jumbling around currently. Time doesn't erase the fact that "Extraloveable" is one of the greatest pieces of missed opportunity ever---why it was not included on 1999 is really a mystery to me. What I'd really like to know is if this sudden re-release just a thank-you to Canadian fans and/or maybe this is just the first step for Prince to dust off other vaulted material and re-record it for a new project?

Compare and contrast below.

Extraloveable (Original)

Extraloveable (2011 Version)

Camino: Hard Candy Music / Funkatopia

Audio Vision: Daley Comes Fully Loaded On 'Smoking Gun'

2011-11-28T15:21:00.000-06:00

Remember Daley? Of course you do, UK youngblood who had the guts to cover Madonna's Like a Virgin and Maxwell's "Pretty Wings" on his exceptional debut EP, Those Who Wait? Yeah, it's all coming back isn't it? And really you shouldn't be able to forget him on those grounds, lemme just say especially if you heard what I heard on it. He pulls out the big guns again for his official video for "Smoking Gun", which is stylishly decked out in black-n'white (instant sexification), kaleidoscopic effects, and features a woman who is getting her X-Men Storm on as Daley sangs away. Impressively shot and is a real great introduction to Daley if you already haven't gotten acquainted. I see in my crystal ball of funkiness that in 2012, we'll be hearing a lot more about Daley---betcha.

First Impressions: This Is Your Brain On J*DaVeY's 'Drug'

2011-11-28T13:13:00.000-06:00

Above the fold, outside the lines J*DaVeY's has always rested. After releasing an assemblage of genre bending mixtapes and EP's and causing agitation among their fans, the LA-based duo have finally liberated their first official album. Brushing off newborn excitement, listeners might be surprised to find that New Designer Drug is shaken, but also stirred.

Oddly coy they are as they play it safe in some corners, as even some jarring experimental tracks this side of the The Beauty In Distortion and Land Of The Lost EP's are buffered down with a file of mainstream influence. New Designer Drug doesn't necessarily push what the duo has been doing into broader territory. They really are, at times, just coasting along in all of their rowdy rebel yell aesthetic that has made them alternative music darlings. So nothing substantially has changed, still their is some spunk to be had, as Drug, does give you a 'high' with it's compact paradoxes of sound.

Style wise NDD brings back the ghosts of the 80's LA New Wave scene a la Missing Persons' 1982 classic, Spring Session M to other punkers and 'wavers' like Talking Heads and Blondie (to name a few). No Wave darling Cristina is resurrected in Miss Jack Davey herself as she chrips and drolls along in cynic yearn, leading the duo through electronic mists of fancy. Yet in all of it's vintage recall, NDD does the morose 21st Century alt-soul very well, and not a sag is to be found within the tracklisting.

Skittish "Queen Of Wonderland" features the dense bass works of Thundercat, and swirls you up in synthesized rapture. On the flip, the clap-trap of "Little Tramp$" has Jack's better half Brook D'Leau snatching the mic as he skips into a squishy methodical punk ode about annoying jerks that is wickedly sharp and satirical. The percussive "Whatchalookin@" jams away with it's wall of thundering pounds.

Less abstract numbers seem to show how the duo have toned down some of their vibe. Of these subdued jaunts, opener "Listen" smolders away as it's pleads are reminiscent of past J* tracks like, "Crawl All Over" and "Raincheck". "Rock That Ship" bounces on a electro-pulse this side of Annie while the super funk-a-tron of "Turn The Lights Out". "Topsy Turvy" channels early 80's Prince (think Dirty Mind or Controversy) as does the jagged "This One" which includes jarring tempo changes and vocal distortions from Jack. Long time J* listeners are already familiar with "Mama's Back" and it's urgent intro that pounds on the ivories and keeps the energy afloat.

New Designer Drug, even in jumbled abandon, is well-organized and warrants multiple listens into it's psychedelia. Layers upon layers of sounds and ideas works for those like J*DaVeY as they make for a full course meal., plus show that they have ideas, and good ones at that. While their are some familiar moments that were tacked on here (yes, I remember you as well "Topsy Turvy" and "The One") and of course a slight slack off to not be too flamboyant, all-in-all J*DaVeY made a fine re-introduction that further reemphasizes how kinetic and innovative the duo is--and will continue to be for later albums to come.

Official | Twitter | Tumblr
Released Date: November 22, 2011

Album Watch: Cyndi Lauper's Love Letter To The Memphis Blues

2011-11-28T13:09:00.000-06:00

If you thought Cyndi Lauper and Blues wouldn't go together then be prepared for that sneer to dissolve off your face. Something about Cyndi Lauper I'll always love, she just slips into whatever hat she wants and excels at every turn. As once the woman who was supposed to 'beat' Madonna at her lace n' leggings pop game, Lauper has a divergent career that sort of went off the mainstream path, but is still exciting and influential.

She's So Unusual, Cyndi's 1984 debut, is her magnum opus (and one of my favorite albums ever---it's truly a work of pop art), but there are number of not-so-famous Lauper LP's that are just as ear worthy. I have yet to listen to Memphis Blues, Lauper's homage to the Blues and the city where the sound is in abundance, but what gravitated me to the album's accompaniment, To Memphis With Love is because hearing Blues live is somewhat better than soaking in an studio album. Something about the genre's gut growling grit translates better in a live format. Lauper toured on the strength of Memphis Blues in relation to the live music disc, there is a DVD of her performance which features guest spots with Allen Toussaint and John Lange.

While live albums usually get a bad rap, I personally enjoy them and To Memphis With Love is a real treat. Still my interest rested on the Blues version of her signature hits, such as "She Bop", "Change Of Heart" and "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" as I love a good old remake, especially when an artist can take a signature hit and morph into something else. "Girls" is a bit more ska than Blues on Memphis, but hey, she's re-crafted her signature song a gabillion times so I forgive it. Yet on "She Bop" and "Change Of Heart" from Unusual and 1986's True Colors respectively, she reinvents them with a lot of bravado and the results are...well, you have to click play below to hear. Just a fun time to be had by all.

She Bop (Live)

Change Of Heart (Live)

First Impressions: Snowed In With Kate Bush

2011-11-23T14:14:00.000-06:00

Conditioned I am on vintage Kate Bush. The 70's precocious piano maven who gave the musical Cliff Notes version about the saga of Emily Brontë's Heathcliff and Catherine with theatrics in tow. The 'Banshee Mother Goose' of the 80's. So conditioned to the vintage, to The Dreaming, The Sensual World, and The Kick Inside, that "new" 21st Century Kate Bush is like seeing a childhood friend and realizing we have nothing in common anymore. That our time making up wacky storylines to our Barbies lives and counting our Skip It battle scars are buried memories. Yes, arriving into Kate Bush's 50 Words For Snow is like reuniting with someone who I've always known, but has drastically changed in decades time. So timidly I approach Snow.

Seven songs long, (all of them pitching near ten minutes, with the longest track resting at a lengthy thirteen minutes!), the atmosphere of 50 Words For Snow is sedate, glacial, yet comfy. Snow's atmosphere compares to Meshell Ndegeocello's Weather as it too works in it's own bubble of comfort, how it's confined within it's own ideas, thoughts, and nature. Conceptually it mirrors the cycle of snow, from the still silence awaiting it's arrival to the pelting clumps of activity then to the finale of it slacking off, the job done as it blankets it's area, calm yet changed. For that, Snow does indeed hit it's mark aurally well.

It rests in the comfortable middle of where two of my favorite Bush records lay. It's 1985's Hounds Of Love in the sense of technical movements, varying shades of tempos, and romantic swells. It's also 1980's Never For Ever in the atmosphere as it clings to the cozy patchwork of a soothing baroque calmness. Most of the album is subdued with "Snowflake" and "Lake Tahoe" wistfully kicking things off. "Snowflake" is Kate back at her storytelling charm as she discusses the snow mission to silencing the loud jumble of every-day noise. The love letter to the Yeti, "Wild Man" wakes things up with it's strident banshee yell chorus, as "Misty" plays up some sophisticated jazz undertones. The title track features Stephen Fry as he recites just what the album title suggest in an literary vein. It's very Bush-y, but with Steve Gadd's drum work and Bush egging Fry to the word challenge, it's a succulent affair and not an avant-garde Scrabble game.

The big surprise though is when Sir Elton John wanders in on "Snowed In At Wheeler Street". His entrance is stunning, even striking as if he too came in through a snowstorm and immediately latched onto Bush. The two trade-off portraying two strangers who happen to find love together, and its an odd yet welcomed marriage.

For the acquired taste, Kate Bush has always been, and for those wanting to discover Bush this way may find that Snow is an overwhelming experience and find themselves out of the loop, with patience tested. It may also be a bit smug for some, I mean, it's a concept record about snow with songs that are longer than it takes to warm up a bagel in a microwave---yep, it's smuggalicious.

Yet, even when Bush gets indulgent or when 50 Words For Snow dips into being completely dull, somewhat pointless, and tedious (and it does), there is something effective and cunning about how this project is approached that each listen uncovers something that was missed from the first time out. And worthwhile it is for it's ambiance and with the winter months approaching it's right on time for snuggling into. With all of Kate Bush's influences floating around (see Feist, Florence + the Machine, et al.), coming back to the source is a warm familiar---never mind the drastic changes.

Welcome back Kate.

Official | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

Release Date: November 21, 2011

Audio Vision: Class and Poise, Thy Name Is Adele

2011-11-22T15:25:00.001-06:00

I'm in the early throws of Turkey Day (Thanksgiving for all you proper folks) by way of meal prepping and a warzone called the grocery store, thus I need something to call my rump down, and as the Internet memes say 'keep calm and listen to Adele'. You might have heard the news that Adele is releasing this month a special CD/DVD set, Live At Royal Albert Hall, as a special gift to fans who missed out on her tours, and really just because she can.

Here's a sneak preview at the aural magic you'll experience on the set as Adele eases through a deliciously lush rendering of "Turning Tables" (aka my favorite from 21)with such diction and poise that you'll have to drop what you're doing right now this minute and press play. This woman is just a class act.

Album Watch: Idle Warship's Unbreakable (Good) Habits

2011-11-21T10:15:00.000-06:00

Eat your heart out. Or so the album cover suggests, but the contents of Habits Of The Heart, Idle Warship's first official release, will have you thinking the same, as this is a group that isn't worried if whatever they're doing is not of the norm, and could possibly not be digested as simply. They just want you to listen---and that's fine by me. Idle is quite a strange collective, strange in that they are taking risks, risks that people grumble that there isn't enough of in the mainstream---yet still they are a best kept secret.

Now a duo (comprised of talents Res and Talib Kweli) they come front and center with a polished set of tunes that is a far cry from their Party Robot mixtape, only thing is don't call this a 'hip-hop' record, Talib Kweli doesn't hear it as such---and he's right. Eclecticism is the game here, and if you're not someone who can't get past the wham-bam flourish of every genre known to man or the grab bag of guest stars (Chester French, Jean Grae, Michelle Williams, John Forte) present then this is a 'habit' to break. Habits bends the genres, takes them out of their safety nets, and gives something for everyone. Though it borders a bit on overwhelm and at some points crosses into hackneyed this side of *shudder* Black Eyed Peas cheers, but for Idle Warship you won't be wiping the beads of sweat off of your forehead from chagrin, you'll be wiping it off because you'll be having a sexy good time sweating to this pinball machine of sound.

Even in it's dizzying haphazardness, Habits bridges every lick n' tempo change in a collective piece to where you're fully involved. First looks, "Laser Beams" and the skittish New Wave dream, "Rat Race" are night and day in tone. Disco and alt-punk rock merge on the excellent, "Burning Desire" and on it's flip "Beautifully Bad" reforms the pop torch song with more substance and risk. The best moment is the video game scribble of "Covered In Fantasy" as it merges arena rock, indie soul, and straight up rap, plus has the killer line: "if you scratch beneath the surface, you'll find my purpose" with Res driving the core mantra of Idle Warship home with the repeated refrain of: "I am me". Yes, Talib and Res are themselves and unapologetic about it---and that's exactly what you want and get when you listen to Habits of the Heart.

Burning Desire

Rat Race

Audio Vision: Anjulie Asks Who Do You Stand Behind?

2011-11-21T10:00:00.000-06:00

Not to get all political on you on this Monday, but one thing 2011 will be remembered for is the year where people got mad as hell and couldn't take it anymore. With Occupy Wall Street at a close and the handful of revolutions that occurred in the Middle East, (not to mention the the US presidential campaigning freakshow is going on right now), citizens of this planet have gotten off their bums and began to protest in ways that haven't occurred since the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960's. For some reason we probably thought that we didn't need to do this anymore, but the 99% found out that there is some fight left in us.

Music has oddly been silent towards this with sprinkles of tracks here and there that even hint at political themes. To fill that gap, here comes Anjulie, not well known in a sense that she can sucker listeners into believing they are activists, but she's got a little fist-pumping track called, "Stand Behind The Music". It's not the greatest track in the world, and pretty generic in structure terms , but there is a message there and it's a far better message than the messy "Brand New Bitch" from earlier this year (seriously, what happened to the off-beat Anjulie? Yet another one sucked into the Rihanna machine *sigh*). Anjulie even hits the heart strings by showing the real people behind the movements (mostly Occupy Wall Street occupiers) in this visual. So kudos to Anjulie for stepping to the plate with this. As for the other 1%, they need not watch and just keep eating their cake.

Take 5 Friday: Fiddles, Contributing, and a Whole Lotta Shaking

2011-11-18T12:44:00.000-06:00

Reheating leftovers of the week...

1. Class Of 1991: Here's a little shameless promotion. Soul Bounce is apart of my blog family and this year I've been asked to contribute a few pieces for their great Class Of... series which recaps albums celebrating 20 years of awesomeness and influence. Last year they had a great album selection from 1990, and this year it's gonna be even better as the number of albums and memories has grown for the 1991 set. Currently my remincense about Jody Watley's great Affairs Of The Heart album is up, and there are more muses from me to come in the next few weeks! So keep the Class of 1991 link bookmarked to keep checking back to hear all the great sounds from a very productive and transitional year in music.

Update 11/19/11: ...and once again the Internet provides the link between artist and fan...Jody Watley has responded to the piece on Affairs Of Heart on her blog, Stylefile (bookmark it!) and what a treat it is to read! For those who haven't scoped out the album, you have to understand how much of a personal tone Jody took on the record and she explains her creative decisions about the record as well as her favorite tracks on it. Plus she also shared little nuggets of word wisdom, like this one:

I don't regret not singing about shaking my ass. There was a lot of pressure at the time for me and I sacrificed the monetary support of my label to continue on my journey as the artist I wanted to become. I'd be lying if I told you I never looked back and asked myself what I was thinking. However, as Oprah would say 'what I know for sure' is that my desire to be authentic to who I am and to not succumb to just getting the cash is inescapable. I am who I am.

So a BIG thank you to Jody for reading and responding to the post! And you can continue to read the piece here.

2. Fiddlesticks: One to watch Elle Varner is certainly on the fast track. She performed at Black Girls Rock! a few weeks back, and gave a nice performance of her buzzy 90's summer breezin' single, "Only Wanna Give It To You". She's onto Round 2 with the appropriately titled "Refill". It's not as fluid as her previous single, as Elle's vocals sound a bit strained in places along with choppy tempo changes. Still, the jagged barnyard fiddle mixed with the 808 baseline makes for an intriguing backdrop, and it's one of the most interesting things I've heard all week. Still the best part is when she says: "I feel like the girl that's been at the bar too long---can't stand up." Feel ya, girl, feel ya.

3. Stomp: Here's the third video for The Roots undun video series. You'll watch it. You'll love it. Cause I do. And did I mention it's The Roots? undun is gonna be some kind of amazing when it comes out. I can just feel it....

4. Shake Shake Señora: Was I the only person who actually liked Little Boots? Surely there has to be someone out there who didn't think her 2009 debut album, Hands was a total tragedy. Maybe the venomous blog words from a few years back are sticking in my mind as there were a lot of catty and sneering responses to the music of Boots. Maybe there were one too many electro-pop pouts in influx around 2009 (see La Roux, Ladyhawke, Annie, and oh, yeah, Lady Gaga) and Little Boots just wasn't as flashy or didn't embody the 80's sound like the others? Really, don't know what the dealio was, but Boots is back and she's got this little clubby jaunt, "Shake". Buzz about it has been a mix bag, either people love it or believe it's a stinker (you'd think the girl strangled Elmo or something). To be honest, it's not as snazzy as "New In Town" or "Mathematics" from Hands---but it's 80's-tastic as you want it to be and that's a-okay with me.

5. You And What Army?: Here's a 'Recycle It!' that is pretty darn good. Remember Kimberley Nichole? She had a pretty rock-licking album, The Yellow Brick Journey, that came out oh, about a year ago? Well, homegirl with the blazin' voice and froofy tutu is back and she's still rockin' and reelin' especially on this cover of White Stripes hit, "Seven Nation Army." This is just one piece of the puzzle that's to be Kimberly's pending EP, The Rock Ballerina, where she'll be putting those vocals to good use on other rock and alternative classics that will drop sporadically throughout the remainder of the year. Peep the track below (as well as snag it for free at her Bandcamp page!) and also see her do another rock jam justice (Janis Joplin's "Cry Baby") during a live stint here if you're still not convinced of this lady's skills.

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://thekimberlynichole.bandcamp.com/album/the-rock-ballerina-free-ep"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;'The Rock Ballerina' FREE.EP! by KimberlyNichole&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

First Impressions: Are These the Sounds of a Comeback Ms. Blige?

2011-11-18T12:40:00.000-06:00

With caution I proceed with Mary J. Blige. Sort of pains me to even type that, but since 2009's Stronger With Each Tear (which I was wayyy too nice about when it first came out) I haven't exactly been a happy camper with Blige's output, more like I got poison ivy, and they ran out of chamomile lotion happy. So timidly I will approach the release of set My Life II: The Journey Continues (Part One) when it appears in a few weeks. The first releases from it such as "25/8" (and it's 'Recession Budget' music video) and Drake ~~The Fake~~ assisted, "Mr. Wrong" haven't exactly got me riled up. But dammit, it's Mary, and The Breakthrough and My Life helped me through college---thus I can't just ignore that history.

Of course a premature groan erupted when I saw that MJB was hooking up with Beyonce for a duet. When pressing play I was waiting for something lackluster once again, even with Bey's flashy ass there, but my eyebrow raised and well...a pleasant surprise washed over me with the Sean Garret produced track, "Love A Woman". Sure there is a bit of over-singing from both parties at times, but it's MJB and Bey--so it's expected and excused. Still this femme declaration track recalls the 90's right down to it's vocal exchanges, message, and sound backdrop and that's a good thing. Considering these ladies are products of that productive time in R&B, it's nice to see them join forces and bring that style back quite nicely. Personally, I find it worthy of a comeback single for MJB as it's got the right tone, but we'll see how this plays out...

Mary J. Blige (ft. Beyonce) - Love A Woman

First Impressions: Meshell Ndegeocello's Weather Forecast

2011-11-16T10:10:00.000-06:00

If there is anyone who knows how to make sensual and intricate love to music---it's Meshell Ndegeocello. With her husky alto that ribbons it's way skillfully around vivid proclamations, Meshell in her 20+ year career has had albums that have always tended to touch on the inner desires and intensities of human nature. She's been brutally honest about it all, whether dealing with the yearning monster within in herself or the intense passions she has in the throws of a relationship, Meshell never succumbed to cheapening her word play or catering to the 'what is now' club. Stylistically so, in a decade's time she has altered her sound with stark detours as the jazz-fusion-funk of her Plantation Lullabies and Peace Beyond Passion days from the early 90's are nestled in the back roads.

With Weather, her now 10th release, she continues to strike a chord, strike a shiver really, as Meshell has often had some sort of mystic ability with her music to make you feel urges that you thought you suppressed in public. Whatever the urge, feeling, or healing you get, there is always something provocative and original about how Meshell Ndegeocello lays out a record---and Weather is another attractive example of that craft.

Many critics have dubbed Weather the most folk-ish psychedelic space-out she's done. To some extent it is, atmospheric in every since of the word. Weather might feel quiet on first listen, with little room for surprise or variance as it oozes along in a cozy, non-conflicting thunder. Even more fluid as other Meshell projects, with it following in 2009's Devil's Halo complexity and 1999's Bitter's morose reflections, but Weather bundles all those elements and adds density and an eerie overcast to the fold. Sparse instrumentation provokes you to listen to the material lyrically, and some might miss a meatier backing instead of the brushing of drums, synth swells, and Meshell's basswork, but you come away feeling that the album serves as perfect accompaniment to a quiet evening, with just you and your thoughts in tow.

Thoughts you'll have with each track unfolding. "Oysters" (my favorite) drifts in like sea form to shore, in a comforting coo, while a warm waltzing beat opens up "Objects In The Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear". With Leonard Cohen's "Chelsea Hotel", Meshell caresses the song in such affection that it makes it hard to believe that this is a cover, not an original piece. Not as shivering inducing as her cover of Ready For The World's "Love You Down" from Halo, but still it's still just as alluring.

Oysters

Sensuality froths up on the blunt, "Petite Mort" which provocative provoking would make even Prince blush. As "Crazy and Wild" a duet of sorts between Meshell and a male 'inner conscious' is a hypnotic pound that just won't let up (and for good reason).

Crazy and Wild

Not all of Weather is meant for cozy moments. First introductions were made with the new wave swell of "Dirty World", which bounces on thick basslines and New Wave-ish squeaks, as does "Chance" with it's chiming pianos. The strumming acoustic swell of "Dead End" manages to put a little spark into the consistency fold.

Meshell is a box-less artist, as it's further proven with Weather. Sure you can squeeze and stuff the influences she embodies, and the multiple annoying music journalistic comparisons to the likes of Joni Mitchell (her closest of musical kin), Jeff Buckley, Weather Report, Traffic, etc. into it to make it all fit. Still it never will for Meshell Ndegeocello, because she's in a class all her own.

Somehow I believe it's because some people cannot believe that a woman of color could easily drift into being a color-less artist (shock! awe!) and since most of her peers either dare not to venture or just mainly dabble past their soul backyards, she's seen as an outsider, a rebel, someone who sticks out. Nothing wrong with that as Meshell has created another rich and submerging work with Weather, with it's contents exuding far beyond "tra-la-la's" and soulful "ooh-ings".

Meshell just is Meshell. Always has been, and always will be.

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Release Date: November 8, 2011

First Impressions: PJ Morton + Jazmine Sullivan = Built For Love

2011-11-16T10:00:00.000-06:00

PJ Morton is a talent who I've been meaning to delve into further and what perfect timing this post has considering Morton's releasing his major label debut come 2012. He comes bearing some fruits from this labor in the morsel of "Built For Love" which has the New Orleans singer-songwriter-instrumentalist (and "sixth" Maroon 5 member) trading vocal swoons with none other than Jazmine Sullivan. To think she said she was going to "retire"....heh.

No need to check Sullivan into Shady Pines Retirement Home nor think this will be the last time you'll hear PJ---these two really fire it up and are a great match. They have an equally great song as their backdrop, as it's a lush soulful sway with a keen peppering of Earth, Wind & Fire influenced horn work and harmony. Very nice indeedy. I am quite anxious to hear what PJ is going to drop next , and thankfully I can keep track of what is to come as his Tumblr page reveals all that is to come.

PJ Morton - Built For Love (feat. Jazmine Sullivan)

Album Watch: A New "Designer" Drug

2011-11-11T10:20:00.000-06:00

1,300th post!

Well, it's happening. J*DaVeY are releasing their debut album, New Designer Drug---in about a week. Yep. A week. No, it's not a mirage of words you're seeing, it's fact. Drug will be released on the group's personal label ILLAV8R and available for digital download come November 22nd. Perfect timing as it arrives in the early throws of the holiday season to where you can shut yourself in your room, digest it, and avoid pesky relatives all at once.

For fans of the LA duo, this has been a long-time coming considering the release of a handful of EP's and years of maybe-they-will-maybe-they-won't album release hints. But that's the life of a eclectic grassroots artist like J*DaVeY---when you don't fit the easy agreeable norms of the record labels, you have to work harder to be heard. From NDD, track "Queen of Wonderland" has appeared in live form during the summer months with performances at SXSW and Pinboard Blog's Rehearsal Rooms. Now the official album version has come out of the woods and all you need to do is let it 'crawl all over you'. Get your 3 bucks ready because come in a week, you'll be wanting this musical drug---and don't blame me if it's habit forming.

J*DaVeY - Queen of Wonderland (ft. Thundercat)