I already told you about up-and-coming chanteuse, Cherri V a while back, but now she's back with another hot single and teamed up with fellow UK star, Wiley for her new hit, "Skool Daze". Check it out!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Video of the Day: Cherri V ft. Wiley - "Skool Daze"
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Cover It!: Pride & Glory - "Come Together (The Beatles Cover)"
Pride & Glory are a Southern rock band fronted by Ozzy Osbourne guitarist, Zakk Wylde who also sings. Maybe it's my Southern roots that attracted me to this unexpected cover, but it's still hot no matter where you're from. With a piano-heavy melody and Wylde's rocky/soulful vocal, this cover can't lose.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Video of the Day: Leela James - "Baby, I'm Scared of You"
Actually this should be a "Cover It" post too, but I'm gonna let it slide. This video has been on my radar for some months because I own Leela James' latest album of covers, Let's Do It Again, but "Baby, I'm Scared of You" is my favorite track from the cd. Peep the vid!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Late Pass: Esperanza Spalding
Hand me my late pass on Miss Esperanza Spalding because I should've known about her from the jump.
Listening to the radio this morning, this Portland native has an absolutely amazing voice that sucked me in, and when I checked out her discography I came to this conclusion.: This chick is the T-R-U-T-H. 1) She plays violin and upright and electric bass. 2) She sings in 3 languages: Portuguese, Spanish, and English. 3) She cang SANG!
If you don't listen to another song today, at least listen to this track,"Precious", and fall in love with Esperanza's talent.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Dope Albums You've Probably Never Heard: The RH Factor - Hard Groove
Hard Groove is absolutely one of my favorite jazz/soul albums not only from Roy Hargrove's RH Factor, but of all time.
This is not your typical jazz album. Released in 2003, the Grammy-nominated Hard Groove has so many gems and so many prolific artists that it was hard for me to pick my 3 favorite tracks so I'm giving you all 4 tracks. Roy Hargrove made his band, The RH Factor, do the damn thing and put an album together that is so smooth and chill yet thought-provoking at the same time. With appearances from artists such as D'Angelo, Common, Erykah Badu, and Anthony Hamilton, I really don't have to say much more to convince you all how beyond amazing this album is.
My 4 Favorite Tracks Are...
Track 3 - "I'll Stay (ft. D'Angelo)" - When I rant on an on about FEELING music and you can't understand me, listen to this song and I DARE YOU not to feel anything. There's so much soul and feeling in this track that refuses to be ignored. I think the organ and D'Angelo's church-like vocals did me in. The music is so deep it'll have you singing "I'll staaaaaaay" even if you're NOT in a relationship.
Track 6 - "Poetry (ft. Q-Tip, Erykah Badu, & Meshell Ndegeocello)" - I love how Q-Tip starts the track out with his signature tone, and then Mama Badu brings in the easy neo-soulful transition. It's a perfect chill-out track.
Track 11 - "Kwah/Home (ft. Anthony Hamilton)" - I'm an Anthony Hamilton stan anyway, but the opening movement (or the "Kwah") of this song captured me. When I first received this album years ago, I had to listen to it over and over again.
Track 12 - "How I Know (ft. Shelby Johnson)" - This is my favorite track not only because it's cute and lovey dovey, but because Shelby Johnson's vocals carry a certain depth while maintaining an ease and softness. It's the perfect song to describe love on a mature level, but it's still light enough to enjoy.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Cover It!: Get Cape.Wear Cape.Fly - D.A.N.C.E. (Justice Cover)
I love how this remix is a uniquely acoustic spin on the recent electro hit. Check out Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly's take on Justice's "D.A.N.C.E."
Friday, October 2, 2009
On The Watch: Jared Evan
Jared Evan is a rising force in the r&b/hip-hop game, and his track "Headphones" is proof of it. "Headphones" what I like to call a "sneak-up". This is one of those songs that you listen to, and without even realizing, you're immediately vibing and feeling it. With Jared providing the vocals and flow, "Headphones" is a smooth chilled out track that definitely has that repeat button factor.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
You NEED This Album: Candice Ivory - path - undefined
You might as well say "thank you" in advance because once you hear Candice Ivory's debut album, path - undefined, your outlook on soul music will be changed.
Honestly, this is probably one of the best albums you've never heard. Although I've had this in my collection for some years, path - undefined is always one of those albums that I could pull out and still play like it's brand new. It's just that damn good!!! Mainly sticking with a neo-soul/jazz sound, Memphis native Ivory allows you to feel the soulfulness of every track even when she moves into a different genre.
My 3 Favorite Tracks Are...
Track 2 - "You Don't Have To Say It Back" - Very cool song that starts out as a smooth and soulful track with a surprising drum n' bass ending.
Track 3 - "Searchin'" - I can definitely relate to this one lyrically (and that's another story for a different blog), but the live instrumentation gives the song feeling and meaning.
Track 6 - "Scorpio Song" - Easily my favorite because of it's rockiness and depth, and again the musicianship is beyond amazing.
That's My SHIT!: Madonna ft. Lil Wayne - "Revolver"
Video of the Day: Sam & Ruby - "This I Know"
Can I just take a second to state how proud I am to be from Nashville? I'm so full of hometown glory that it ain't even funny. Thanks to acts like Paramore, Kings of Leon, All-Star, and others, Nashville is a force to be reckoned with, and Nashville-based duo Sam & Ruby are adding to that reputation. I've only recently come across their work, but Sam & Ruby have an undeniable chemistry and ease about their music and presence that it's truly contagious. Check out this vid of them performing "This I Know" from their album, The Here and The Now.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Album Review: Calvin Harris - Ready for the Weekend
Though (obviously) my music tastes vary, I'm secretly a techno/house/nu disco head. A great beat, dope melody, and mad pulse will get me moving every time, but what makes this album stand out is its ability to cohesively blend traditional dance tracks with other genres and that's what made me fall in love with Calvin Harris' sophomore effort, Ready for the Weekend.
Harris being a DJ and producer knows how to make you move, but this album is proof of him having it down to a science. In every single song, there's a certain pulse that makes your head nod and your toe tap, and without even thinking you're feeling the beat. Ready for the Weekend definitely brings a fresh spin to the often generalized genre of dance music by adding instrumental elements that even the most anti-techno/house activist could appreciate. Harris seamingly brings together a collection of tracks that is party perfect and (as corny as it sounds and I promise to never be this cheesy again) got me ready for the weekend.
My 3 Favorite Tracks Are...
Track 8 - "Worst Day of My Life (ft. Izza Kizza)" - I love how acoustic and bouncy this song is. It kinda reminds me of Andre 3000's "Love in War" from The Love Below.
Track 12 - "Yeah Yeah Yeah La La La" - Truthfully I love this song because it's severely catchy. I found myself subconciously singing "Yeah yeah yeah. La la la...la la la la!" way after I heard it the first time.
Track 13 - "Dance Wiv Me (w/ Dizzee Rascal & Chrome)" - This collabo was first released as one of Dizzee's singles from last year, and it was an immense success (4 weeks at #1???) so of course it had to make an appearance on Harris' album. It's definitely my favorite track because of Dizzee's signature grime style mixed with Chrome's R&B vocals and Harris' disco production.
Free.99 Deal of the Week: Future the Artist - Overnight Mixtape Vol. 4
I already told y'all about my hometown homie, Future the Artist, but for the past few weeks, he's embarked upon a project of overnight mixtapes (which he often tweets about while in progress) that solidify his will to grind. Check out his latest, Overnight Mixtape Vol. 4, as well as his other mixtapes on his blog, but here's my favorite track "615 City Reppa".
Monday, September 28, 2009
That's My SHIT!: La Roux - "Bulletproof (Nacey Remix)"
When I tell y'all that this is THE SLICKEST REMIX I'VE HEARD THIS YEAR, I'm not exaggerating one bit. Just...listen for your self and listen to the ENTIRE track because this is...this is just beyond SICK!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Album Review: "Exit Music: Songs with Radio Heads"
Admittingly, before I listened to this Radiohead tribute album, I was only an admirer of their work. I had a few of my favorite tracks from them here and there, but after listening to Exit Music: Songs with Radio Heads, I'm now a HUGE fan.
I came upon the whole album based on Sia's (whom you already know I stan for) chilling cover of "Paranoid Android", and from there I decided to check out the entire album. Thank Sweet Baby Jesus I did because this is probably the best tribute album I've ever heard. With a wide range of genres (ranging from funk, jazz, neo-soul, and folk) to an even more eclectic range of artists (Mark Ronson, Meshell Ndegeocello, Sa-Ra, The Randy Watson Experience), Exit Music: Songs with Radio Heads will definitely have a song for anybody...even if you aren't a Radiohead fan.
My 3 favorite tracks are...
Track 1 - Shawn Lee - "No Surprises" - Even though it was originally on OK Computer (my personal favorite), I began to really love this song after it was featured in one of my favorite films "L'Auberge Espagnole" (Sidenote: Check it out if you've never seen it because it's a really dope movie), and Shawn Lee does the track full justice. He captures Thom Yorke's original weariness and makes it a little more soulful
Track 4 - Bilal - "High & Dry" - Can I just take a second to say how much I love Bilal? He can do no wrong, and therefore this track is automatically dope.
Track 11 - Sia - "Paranoid Android" - The first time I heard this track...y'all. I got chills and a little bit teary-eyed because it was so chilling, beautiful, haunting, and moving all at once. I actually love this cover better than the original because Sia's voice captures the mood and moves with each movement within the song. Simply put, this track is musically perfect.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
That's My SHIT!: Basement Jaxx - "Scars"
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a true Jaxx stan, so you know that I was beyond joy to find out that they're releasing their new album next week titled, Scars. I've been lucky enough to preview the entire album (which boasts appearances from Sam Sparro and Santigold among others), but my favorite track is the title track "Scars". I love the entire composition from melody to beat, and the vocals (featuring emcee Chipmunk as well as singers Meleka and Kelis) are haunting yet comforting so it makes for a perfectly complex Basement Jaxx single. Peep it for yourselves.
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