Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Behind the Scenes: Mariah Carey and Jermaine Dupri in Studio


Mariah Carey and Jermaine Dupri are back in the studio together working on Mariah Carey's followup record to her 2009 gold album "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel." Peep the two frequent collaborators working it out in the studio below and lookout for new music from Mariah later this year.


Live Video of the Day: "Spirit In The Dark" (Aretha Franklin)


Maybe people forget that the Queen of Soul is a talented pianist and in this live video of the day, the Queen not only shows off her phenomenal skills on the keys, but also croons out her classic "Spirit In The Dark" like only she can. Watch this sublime live performance from the 1971 Montreux Jazz Festival below and Enjoy!


Song of the Day: "Someday" (Ledisi)


"Someday" - Ledisi
  • Writers and Producers: Luther "Mano" Hanes, Rick Watford, & Ledisi Young
  • Record Label: Verve
  • Featured on 2007's "Lost And Found"

New Video: "The Truth" (Bei Maejor)


Artist on the rise Bei Maejor has been making a name for himself these past few months and now the producer/singer/rapper/ is back with a new video for his joint "The Truth." Peep the official visual below and Enjoy!


Live Clip: "Love" (Musiq Soulchild)


Peep this live clip of Musiq Soulchild performing his smash hit "Love" in Paris. Check out Musiq's crazy vocal range which he puts on full display during this live performance. Watch below and Enjoy!


Grammy News: Adele Slated to Perform


Adele is slated to perform at the Grammy Awards this February marking her first performance in over five months and also the first performance she shall give after having surgery on her throat. Though there is no word yet on what she will perform, it would appear logical that Adele would perform one of her three number one singles "Rolling In The Deep," "Someone Like You," or her current chart-topper  "Set Fire To The Rain."


Live Audio: "Superstar" (Luther Vandross)


Luther Vandross' live album "Live at Radio City Music Hall" is one of the best live albums your ears will ever enjoy and is a master class in singing. While a lot of today's vocalists go for the big and high notes every time out the gate, Luther is a master at building the momentum of a song and showcasing the subtlety    and sultriness of a prue clean note. With that said, take a moment and enjoy his soulful nearly 13 minute opus below with assistance from Nat Adderly Jr. and Enjoy!


Amazing Cover: "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (Lauryn Hill)


Back in 1967 Frankie Valli had a huge hit with his ballad "Can't Take My Eyes Off You,"  fast-forward 31 years later and Laruyn Hill enjoyed similar success with her sublime take which would go onto earn her a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and peak at #35 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart and #2 on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart in 1998. With that said, take a listen below to her amazing cover of Valli's classic "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" and Enjoy!


Second Listen: "Freak Me" (Silk)


Back in 1992 Silk released their debut album "Lose Control," and soon released their second single "Freak Me" in February of 1993. "Freak Me" would go onto peak at #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B Singles chart become the groups' most memorable hit. With that said, take a first or second listen below to "Freak Me" and Enjoy!


Trailer: "Nothing On You" (Tyrese)


Tyrese has dropped the official trailer to his latest visual for the joint "Nothing On You." Lifted from Tyrese's latest release "Open Invitation," the trailer features gives fans a taste of the sensual visual as well as some good news for fans of Tyrese as he will be rereleasing "Open Invitation" on Valentine's Day with bonus material and unreleased joints. Peep the trailer below and lookout for more music from Tyrese come Valentine's Day.


Monday, January 30, 2012

Live Video of the Day: "Cause I Love You" (Lenny Williams)


Every once in a while there comes a long a classic song that will forever live on and sometimes even eclipse's the artist who crafted the tune. In my opinion, Lenny William's sublime "Cause I Love You" is one of those exemplary classics and what makes him and this song even better is that his live rendition is even better then his phenomenal recorded opus. With that said, watch Lenny croon it out below and Enjoy!


Song of the Day: "Make It Last Forever" (Keith Sweat featuring Jacci McGhee)


"Make It Last Forever" - Keith Sweat featuring Jacci McGhee
  • Writers: Keith Sweat and Teddy Riley
  • Producers: Keith Sweat and Teddy Riley
  • Record Label: Vintertainment/Elektra Records
  • Released in 1988 from "Make It Last Forever"
  • Peaked at #59 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the Hot Black Singles chart

New Joint: "Are You Good" (Angel featuring Mark Asari)


UK singer-songwriter Angel is back with a new joint "Are You Good" and an accompanying mixtape "Any Minute Now." With that said Angel and featured crooner Encore's Mark Asari share the microphone on this thumping mid-tempo that you can check out below!


New Video: "Walk Away" (Oliva)


"Love & Hip-Hop"'s Oliva is back with a new visual for her latest single offering "Walk Away." Those who have followed the reality series are aware that Olivia turned down a deal with EMI and has decided to make the independent grind with her music. With that said, peep Olivia's new official video for "Walk Away" and lookout for more new music from her throughout 2012!


Behind the Scenes: "Will You Be There" (K'Jon)


K’Jon, known best for his debut single "On The Ocean," which was released a few years ago is back with a new record "Will You Be There" and a forthcoming album "Moving On," which is due April 10th via Shanachie Records. With that said, the crooner has just recently released a behind the scenes feature with his co-star and director. Take a peak below to the behind the scenes feature as well as the video, if you haven't seen it.





Video:

Second Listen: "Brown Skin" (India.Arie)


Back in 2001, India.Arie released her second single "Brown Skin" from her debut album "Acoustic Soul" and the Carlos "6 July" Broady produced joint heated up the airwaves during the fall and subsequent winter months of 2002. With that said, take a first or second listen to India's thumping "Brown Skin" below and Enjoy!


Live Audio: "Fallin'" (Alicia Keys)


Alicia Keys' "Unplugged" album featured the famed singer/songwriter at her best in my opinion showcasing off bother her phenomenal soulful vocals and her excellent piano skills. With that said, take a listen below to Alicia Keys' amazing live rendition of her first #1 hit "Fallin'" and Enjoy!


Amazing Cover: "Space Oddity" (D'Angelo)


D'Angelo's presence has been sorely missed and now that the crooner is back, these live clips are just enough to tide eager fans over until he release a new album and/or launches into a world tour. With that said, during his set in Paris last night, D'Angelo crooned out a sublime rendition of David Bowie's "Space Oddity." Watch his amazing cover below and Enjoy!


Live Clip: "Grown Man" (K. Michelle)


K. Michelle always brings it when she performs and during this acoustic performance of an original entitled "Grown Man," K. Michelle croons it out perfectly. With that said, peep her amazing acoustic performance below and Enjoy!


New Joint: "Elephant" (Alexandra Burke)



X-Factor champ and UK superstar Alexandra Burke is back with a new joint entitled "Elephant," which is lifted from her forthcoming sophomore effort. Though the song is a bit different from what we've previously heard from Burke as she is entering into the urban/dance/pop realm, there is no denying her powerhouse vocals that won her the singing competition. Take a listen below to "Elephant" and lookout for the official video coming soon.


Sunday, January 29, 2012

Live Clip: "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" (D'Angelo)


The man is back and though he only teased fans below with his classic "Untitled (How Does It Feel)," D'Angelo crooned it out like no other and has me and everyone else on the edge of their seats waiting to see what happens next. With that said, watch D'Angelo croon out his classic below and Enjoy!


Live Clip: "All By Myself" (Celine Dion)


Of all the songs that Celine Dion that Celine Dion has covered, her rendition of Eric Carmen's "All By Myself" is one of, if not my favorite from the powerhouse vocalist. With that said, Celine Dion headlined the 2011 Jamaican Jazz and Blues Festival this year this past friday night and the Canadian powerhouse had the crowd singing along to ever single word and note she crooned. Watch her performance below and Enjoy!


Amazing Cover: "Superstition/Living for the City" & "I Wish/Higher Ground" (D'Angelo and Tony Rich)


During the 1996 Grammy Awards, D'Angelo and Tony Rich collaborated on a Stevie Wonder mash-up tribute on Wonder's classics "Superstition/Living for the City" and "I Wish/Higher Ground." With that said, check out their sublime performance below and Enjoy!


Song of the Day: "I Like" (Guy)


"I Like" - Guy
  • Writers: Gene Griffin, Aaron Hall, Timmy Gatling, & Teddy Riley
  • Producers: Gene Griffin and Teddy Riley
  • Record Label: Uptown/MCA
  • Released in 1989 from "Guy"
  • Peaked at #70 on the Billboard Hit 100 & #2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks

Second Listen: "Fool's Paradise" (Meli'sa Morgan)


Back in 1986 Meli'sa Morgan released her debut solo album "Do Me Baby" and the third single lifted from the set was her classic "Fool's Paradise." Though her cover of Prince's "Do My Baby" and her second single "Do You Still Love Me?" had higher peak positions on the charts, "Fools's Paradise" is such a classic in its own right and deserves a first or second listen below!


Live Video of the Day: "Drunk" (Ed Sheeran)


Ed Sheeran appeared on The Graham Norton Show this past Friday to perform his lastest single "Drunk." Accompanying himself on an acoustic guitar, Sheeran croons out a solid rendition and you can peep his performance below.


Video in the Works: "Co-Sign" (SWV)


SWV's latest single "Co-Sign" is slowly heating up radio stations around the country and to help propel their new joint into a bonafide hit SWV have shot a video with famed photographer turned director Derek Blanks. While details of the shoot have yet to hit the net, two photos of the trio have from the set and hopefully the visual will hit sooner rather then later. Either way, peep the picks and lookout for this forthcoming album "I Missed Us," when it hits stores April 10th.


New Joint: "Voodoo" (Frank Ocean)


Though fans have been eagerly awaiting Frank Ocean's debut album after the release of his critically acclaimed mixtape "Nostalgia, ULTRA," the famed singer/songwriter has been hard at work crafted joints for himself and others. With that said, another joint from Ocean has hit the net in the form of "Voodoo," which is another solid short joint from the crooner. Listen below and Enjoy!


New Video: "Sleepover" (Tony Williams)


Tony Williams aka The World Famous Tony Williams recently released his mixtape "Some Of My Best Rappers Are Friends" and now comes an official visual for the crooner's single "Sleepover," which is lifted from his forthcoming debut album, "King or The Fool." With that said, peep William's official video for the mid-tempo joint "Sleepover" and lookout for his debut album later this year.


New Joint: "The Sky Is Falling" (Natalie Duncan)


Verve's Natalie Duncan is busy working on her debut album "The Sky Is Falling," and to help tide her ever growing fan base over until the release of her debut LP, Natalie has released a live EP featuring the title track as well as a Grizzly Bear ("While We Wait For The Other") and Rolling Stones ("Gimme Shelter:) cover. Take a listen to her new joint "The Sky Is Falling" and her sublime covers below and Enjoy!


Saturday, January 28, 2012

Album in the Works: "I Missed Us" (SWV)


A release date for SWV's "I Missed Us" has finally been set and is scheduled for release on April 10, 2012 via  eOne Music / Mass Appeal Entertainment. This will mark the trio's first release since their 1992 album "It’s About Time." With that said, take another listen to their current single "Co-Sign" and Enjoy!


Live Video of the Day: "At Last" (Christina Aguilera)


Christina Aguilera was selected to honor the late Etta James during her funeral earlier today with her most iconic song "At Last." Christina, having performed the song throughout the entirety of her career, took to the microphone and belted out a highly emotional and powerful rendition of the ballad which had the mourners recording the spirited performance with their phones and offering a standing ovation at the end. While no one can do it like Etta James, and even Aguilera would agree, Christina's rendition was heartfelt and emoted the energy and fire that James was known for. With that said, watch her sublime rendition below and Enjoy!


Song of the Day: "You Dropped A Bomb On Me" (The Gap Band)


"You Dropped A Bomb On Me" - The Gap Band
  • Writers: Lonnie Simmons, Rudy Taylor, and Charlie Wilson
  • Producer: Lonnie Simmons
  • Record Label: Total Experience
  • Released in 1982 from Gap Band IV
  • Reached #2 on the Billboard R&B charts and #31 on the Billboard Hot 100

Interview: Melanie Fiona


Melanie Fiona caught up with StyleBlazer.com to help promote her forthcoming sophomore album "The MF Life." During the interview Melanie opens up about her personal style, what inspired the visual style of her first album, her forthcoming album "The MF Life," and a whole lot more. Peep the interview below and lookout for Melanie's forthcoming album this May.


Remix: "Rolling In the Deep (Edu Cruz GPS Remix)" (Adele)


Eduardo Cruz aka Penelope Cruz' younger brother has crafted an infectious remix to Adele's  first #1 smash "Rolling In The Deep." If you haven't heard this take of Adele's hit then you should definitely take a listen below to this upbeat remix by Cruz. Listen below and Enjoy!


Second Listen: "Always" (Atlantic Starr)


Back in 1987 Atlantic Starr released their seventh studio album "All in the Name of Love" and the second single from their album was their #1 hit "Always." Peaking at #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Black Singles chart, "Always"would become the group's biggest hit to date. With that said, take a first or second listen below to "Always" by Atlantic Starr and Enjoy!


Amazing Cover: "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)" (Carla Cook)


Though no one can do Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler)" like he can, Carla Cook offers up a sublime interpretation of Marvin's classic. With that said, take a listen below to her amazing cover of Marvin's "Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler)" and Enjoy!


Live Clip: "Easy" (Lionel Richie)


Several months ago Lionel Richie graced the stage at the 2011 Festival Mawazine: Rhythms of the World. During his set, Lionel performed countless classics and hits from his and The Commodores' discography. With that said, Lionel let into a spirited rendition of The Commodores' classic "Easy" and you can check him crooning it out below while on the piano.


Live Audio: "Love Won't Let Me Wait" (Luther Vandross)


Take a listen below to this masterful live vocal performance from the legendary Luther Vandross as he croons his way through his classic take on Major Harris' "Love Won't Let Me Wait." Luther's heart warming vocals over the smooth live instrumentation are off the chain and if you don't have it make sure you add this and his "Live at Radio City Music Hall 2003" album to your collection. Listen below and Enjoy!