Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Song of the Day: "Warwick Avenue" (Duffy)


"Warwick Avenue" - Duffy
  • Writers: Jimmy Hogarth, Aimee Duffy, and Eg White
  • Record Label: A&M/ Mercury
  • Released in 2008 from Rockferry
  • Peaked at #3 on the UK Singles Chart



Remix: "Stop & Look (Black Milk Remix)" (The Delfonics)


"Stop and Look," was the first single off Adrian Younge Presents the Delfonics, which dropped back in December of 2012 and earlier in 2013, an official remix of that amazing track, which features production by Detroit MC Black Milk and rhymes by Cali hip-hop legends Souls of Mischief  hit the net.

With that said, I was going through an old playlist earlier this evening and rediscovered this gem and thought a (re)visit would be in order. Therefore, take a listen below to "Stop & Look (Black Milk Remix)" and Enjoy!

Live Audio: "Open My Heart" (Yolanda Adams)


Yolanda Adams released a live album entitled The Experience back in 2001 and one of the standout tracks from her live album was the nearly 8 minute gospel opus of "Open My Heart," where Adams testifies through this soulful performance.

Originally lifted as the first single from Yolanda's Mountain High...Valley Low, it became her first #1 single on the Billboard Gospel charts and even peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles & Tracks chart.

With that said, Yolanda clearly has one of the best voices in the industry today hands down and you can take a listen below to enjoy her spirited performance!

Second Listen: "Rain" (SWV)


Back in 1997, SWV released their destined classic "Rain" as their second single from the group's third album Release Some Tension.

Sampling Jaco Pastorius's "Portrait of Tracy," "Rain" would go onto peak at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on the Hot R&B Singles chart. With that said, take a second listen to this 90s classic after the jump and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Move On Up" (Lion Babe)


Back during ESPN's coverage of the NFL draft, the Disney owned network used Lion Babe's cover of Curtis Mayfield's iconic "Move On Up" when the broadcast cut to and from a commercials. With that said, now the rising group have released the official audio of their remake of "Move On Up" for our consumption.

Flipping the classic soulful jam with a modern twist, Lion Babe's cover might not be everyone's cup of tea but it's an interesting take on such a classic joint. Take a listen below to Lion Babe's cover of "Move On Up" and Enjoy!

Cut: "Don't You Know That?" (Luther Vandross)


Luther Vandross released his debut album Never Too Much on August 12, 1981 and one of the forgotten about gems from Luther's debut album is the smooth two-step joint "Don't You Know That?"

While the album is best remembered for Vandross' #1 hit "Never Too Much" and his soulful opus "A House Is Not A Home" (a cover of the Burt Bacharach and Hal David penned ballad), "Don't You Know That?" was the second single lifted from the project and it would go onto become a top 10 R&B hit.

With that said, take a listen below to the cut "Don't You Know That?" and Enjoy!

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Live Video of the Day: "If You Think You're Lonely Now" (Bobby Womack)


Best known for his classic 1981 hit "If You Think You're Lonely Now," from his fifteenth studio LP "The Poet," Bobby Womack's "If You Think You're Lonely Now" is one of those timeless classics that comes along ever once in a while. Watch his sublime performance of his cut below and Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "Halfcrazy" (Musiq Soulchild)


"Halfcrazy" - Musiq Soulchild
  • Writers and Producers: Taalib Johnson, Ivan Barias, Carvin Haggins, Francis Lai
  • Record Label: Def Soul/ Def Jam
  • Released in 2002 from Justlisen
  • Peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 & #2 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart



Cut: "Hanging On" (Ellie Goulding)


Over three years ago,  Ellie Goulding released her take on Active Child's "Hanging On" with the assistance of Tinie Tempah and while Ellie's vocals and the track are on point, Tinie's verse just seemed a bit out of place on the whole production.

With that said, versions of "Hanging On"  hit the net without Tinie Tempah's verse and while her newly released  Halcyon Days (Deluxe Edition), that was released features her "Hanging On" version with Tinie Tempah, after the jump you can listen to her solo version!

Live Audio: "Live in California 1987" (Whitney Houston)


The wealth of Whitney Houston material that has been unreleased is mind-blowing and while fans of The Voice, including myself, will have to wait to see what her estate decides to release in the coming years, several of her fans have been uploading live audio performances from the late Diva.

With that said, today's live audio selection comes from Houston's 1987 concert tour stop in California where she performed a rousing set that including "How Will I Know," "You Give Good Love," "Saving All My Love For You," a cover of Luther Vandross' "Never Too Much," "Didn't We Almost Have It All," and her infectious joint "I Wanna Dance With Somebody." With that said, take a listen below to this sublime live audio set and Enjoy!

Second Listen: "Until The End Of Time" (Justin Timberlake ft. Beyoncé)


While Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé both released albums in 2013  and have since been touring the world, I thought it would be appropriate to revisit their 2007 duet "Until The End Of Time."

Lifted from Justin Timberlake's last release FutureSex/LoveSounds, "Until The End Of Time" would go onto peak at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and #3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart even without a video or promotion.

With that said, take a second listen below to "Until The End Of Time" below from Justin and Beyoncé and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "All I Do" (Bluey Robinson)


It's been a minute since we've heard from Bluey Robinson but towards the end of 2011, the up-and-coming crooner performed at the Cosy Show and offered up a solid rendition of the Stevie Wonder classic "All I Do."

While he has been spending the majority of 2013/2014 appearing on MTV UK as a VJ, hopefully the will bring us his official debut album soon as his vocals are really on point. With that said, watch his acoustic performance below and get his The Cool EP for free in the meantime!

Monday, September 28, 2015

Song of the Day: "Don't Make Me Wait" (Jazmine Sullivan)


"Don't Make Me Wait" - Jazmine Sullivan
  • Writers: Carlos McKinney and Jazmine Sullivan
  • Producer: Carlos McKinney
  • Classification: Funk, Neo-Soul, and Philly Soul
  • Record Label: J Records
  • Featured on 2010's Love Me Back



Amazing Cover: "I Wanna Get Better" (Tinashe)


While I am not familiar with Bleachers, Tinashe has brought them to my attention as she takes on a cover of the band's "I Wanna Get Better," which is lifted from Terrible Thrills, Vol. 2, an all-female remake of Bleachers' debut album Strange Desire.

Terrible Thrills, Vol. 2 doesn't just feature Tinashe's rendition of a Bleachers original but also includes covers from Charli XCX, Sia, MØ, and Carly Rae Jepsen, is now available for free download via Google Play.

With that said, take a listen below to Tinashe's cover of "I Wanna Get Better" and lookout for her sophomore album Joyride when it's released this November!

New Video: "When Love Hurts" (JoJo)


After releasing her tringle last month, JoJo is back with the first official video from her three singles. Selecting her house-inspired "When Love Hurts" as the first single to receive the official music video treatment, JoJo is featured with a diverse group of dancers in an abandoned warehouse doing light choreography.

With that said, get into JoJo's new video for "When Love Hurts" below and lookout for other new videos from the Atlantic Records songstress  other two singles, "Say Love" and "Save My Soul."

Live Audio: "Diary" (Alicia Keys)


I had the honor of catching Alicia Keys perform back in 2011 as a part of her intimate series of concerts entitled "Piano and I," and Mrs. Keys reminded the audience why she is so special. Despite the criticism that has befallen her over the past few years, at the heart of Alicia is a true musician who is one of our generation's most talented artists.

With that said, one of my favorite tracks from Keys has always been her "Diary (Unplugged)" version which showcases her phenomenal artistry as well as her background singer Jermaine Paul's incredible vocals.

Take a listen below to the recorded audio from that night's MTV Unplugged and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Sex on Fire" (Angel Taylor)


Angel Taylor made some buzz for herself a few years ago by appearing on NBC's breakout reality TV hit The Voice and before her time on the show, she was actually signed to Universal Republic and was making her way as a singer/songwriter.

With that said, below you will find a solid interpretation from Angel Taylor of Kings of Leon's "Sex on Fire," which is my favorite song from the group. Peep Angel Taylor's performance of "Sex on Fire" below and Enjoy!

Second Listen: "When a Woman's Fed Up" (R. Kelly)


Back in 1998, R. Kelly released his double album R and released the joint "When a Woman's Fed Up" from the set. The song reached number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 5 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.

The video, directed by Kelly, features Kelly's protege Sparkle as the woman who's fed up. The single and the video were released after Sparkle's debut single "Be Careful", a duet with Kelly, as a continuation of the story. In fade out the song samples "It Hurts Like Hell" by Aretha Franklin from Waiting to Exhale: Original Soundtrack Album.

With that said, take a second listen after the jump to "When a Woman's Fed Up" and Enjoy!

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Live Video of the Day: "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 and the Canadian powerhouse had the crowd singing along to ever single word and note she crooned. Watch her phenomenal performance of "All By Myself" below and Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "Bravo" (Ledisi)


"Bravo" - Ledisi
  • Composers: Claude Kelly / John Webb Jr.
  • Record Label: Verve 
  • Featured on 2011's Pieces Of Me
  • Released in 2012 and peaked at #59 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart



Amazing Cover: "Drunk in Love" (Beyoncé & Ed Sheeran)


While this isn't a cover per say, Ed Sheeran is offering his acoustic take on Beyoncé's "Drunk in Love," which he famously performed over a year ago now with King B.

Lifted from Beyoncé's set during the Global Citizen Festival, Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran's pairing vocally works perfectly and has me wondering if either of these superstars will be record a duet with one another for either of their forthcoming albums.

Either way it turns up, peep their duet on "Drunk in Love" below and Enjoy!

New Joint: "Just A Little" (Gladys Knight)


The Empress of Soul Ms. Gladys Knight is back with some new music to blast through your headphones and speakers with her new song "Just A Little."

Produced by Symbolic "S1" One, who has worked notably with Beyoncé, Kanye West, and Jay-Z amongst others, offers a more contemporary sound for Gladys to groove to.

The chorus for me on "Just A Little" offers a standout moment and I look forward to seeing Gladys hit the talk show circuit to perform "Just A Little" and maybe offer some of her Dancing With the Stars moves to go along with her new sound.

With that said, take a listen to "Just A Little" from Gladys Knight below and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Just In Time" (Mar)


Artist on the rise Mar covered Nina Simone's "Just In Time" during a performance back in 2012 and the rising crooner  accompanied himself on his guitar to this classic joint.

While going through some of my favorited videos on Vimeo earlier today, I rediscovered his brilliant interpretation of this Nina Simone classic "Just In Time" and you can watch Mar work it out below as we continue to await further musical moves by Mar.

Live Clip: "Run, Run, Run" (Jill Scott)


This past Thursday, Jill Scott brought her brand of soul to ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live with a riveting performance of her joint "Run Run Run," which is lifted from her #1 album WOMAN.

While "Run Run Run" isn't currently a single from WOMAN as "Back Together" was recently serviced to Adult R&B radio stations, it's a great throwback feeling classic uptempo soul song that Jill just knocks out the park.

With that said, watch her riveting performance of "Run Run Run" below and if you haven't gotten her latest album WOMAN yet, it's worth the price, trust me!

New Joint: "BURNITUP!" (Janet Jackson)


Full steam ahead on the Janet Jackson "comeback" train though if you ask me, Ms. Jackson if you nasty has never left because her discography is so steeped with classic hits that she really doesn't need to release anymore music in my opinion.

With that said, I can't wait until this Friday, October 2nd when Janet releases her highly anticipated album Unbreakable and this past Friday, Janet unearthed another joint from the LP in the form of her Missy Elliott collaboration "BURNITUP!"

Featuring a uptempo banger beat that is a sonic mixture of electronic, pop sensibilities and house drums, Janet's "BURNITUP!" is sure to burn up the charts. Take a listen below to "BURNITUP!" and Enjoy!

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Song of the Day: "Missing You" (Case)


"Missing You" - Case
  • Producers: Tim & Bob
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Released in 2001 from Open Letter
  • Peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 & #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
  • Nominated for a 2002 Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance



Live Clip: "Syrup & Honey" (Duffy)


My favorite song in Duffy's discography thus far has to be her smooth silky soulful ballad "Syrup & Honey," which is lifted from her debut album "Rockferry."

Though it never gain the notoriety of Duffy's breakout single "Mercy," "Syrup & Honey" is one of those joints classic joints that a singer can sing countless times and it never gets old.

With that said, watch Duffy coo out a sublime rendition of "Syrup & Honey" below as we all eagerly await news on her highly anticipated third album and  Enjoy!

Cut: "Shirk" (Me'Shell Ndegeocello)


One of my fiends Jon reintroduced me to the sublime work of Me'Shell Ndegeocello last week and one of her cuts that he insisted I listen to was her powerful song "Shirk," which was featured on her 2007 album The World Has Made Me the Man of My Dreams.

An artistic genius who hasn't been given her just dues, Me'Shell Ndegeocello is one of those artists that really strikes you to your core if you open up and receive her honest lyrics and voice. With that said, take a listen below to her cut "Shirk" and Enjoy!

Friday, September 25, 2015

Song of the Day: "Why Does It Hurt So Bad" (Whitney Houston)


"Why Does It Hurt So Bad" - Whitney Houston
  • Writer: Babyface
  • Producer: Babyface
  • Record Label: Arista Records
  • Released in 1996 from the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack
  • Peaked at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #22 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs



Second Listen: "Emotional Rollercoaster" (Vivian Green)


Back in 2002, Vivian Green released her debut album A Love Story. Having previously served as one of Jill Scott's original background singers, Green took the the charts herself with her lead single "Emotional Rollercoaster," which would go on to become Vivian's biggest hit to date peaking at #13 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

The song even crossed over and became her first and thus far only top 40 hit on the Hot 100 peaking at #39. With that said, you can relive Green's poignant smooth jam "Emotional Rollercoaster," after the jump and Enjoy!

New Joint: "Circles" (Tamar Braxton)


Earlier today, Tamar Braxton lifted another joint from her anticipated forthcoming album Calling All Lovers with the sublime slow jam "Circles." Featuring a solid vocal showing from the GRAMMY-nominee, "Circles" is destined to be one of those cuts her fans are obsessed with and wish received the official single's treatment.

With that said, take a listen to "Circles" below and lookout for Calling All Lovers when it's released on October 2nd!

Amazing Cover: "Sailing" (Avant)


Back in 1980, Christopher Cross released his #1 hit "Sailing," which was a smooth sensual and silky ballad. Avant then rerecorded "Sailing," back in 2008 for his self-titled album Avant and later released it as a single. With that said, take a listen after the jump to Avant's solid cover of Christopher Cross' classic joint and Enjoy!

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Live Audio: "The Way" (Jill Scott)


Back in 2008, Jill Scott released her second live audio LP Live In Paris and the first cut off of the album is the reworked thumping "The Way." Though originally a smooth mid-tempo joint, Scott and her band infect some funk and rock into this classic.

With that said, take a listen below to her live take on "The Way" as we all eagerly await the release of both Jill Scott's lullaby album as well as her fifth studio album, which will be the followup to The Light of The Sun.

Cut: "Beautiful" (Tweet)


Back in 2002, Tweet released her debut album Southern Hummingbird via The Goldmind Inc. and Elektra Records.  While Southern Hummingbird is best known for Tweets' joints "Oops (Oh My)" and "Call Me,"there are a few cuts off the album that are some solid joints to have in one's collection.

With that said, I offer up her smooth joint "Beautiful" as one of these such joints. Take a listen below to "Beautiful" and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Going On" (Ella Eyre)


While I am not familiar with Ella Eyre at all, I stumbled upon her take of the Gnarls Barkley nominated joint "Going On" last year and thought I should revisit it with all of you.

Featuring some powerhouse gritty pipes, Ella hails from London and her rendition of "Going On" is featured on her EP "Deeper." While the original was produced by Danger Mouse, Ella's version stays true to the melody but changes up the instrumentation a bit.

With that said, take a listen below to Ella Eyre's rendition of Gnarls Barkley's "Going On" and get to know Ella a bit better in the process!

Second Listen: "Never Knew Love Like This Before" (Stephanie Mills)


Earlier this week, NBC announced that Stephanie Mills would be joining their live televised rendition of The Wiz this coming Fall and therefore, I thought it would be nice to revisit one of Stephanie's classic jams.

"Never Knew Love Like This Before" is a Grammy Award-winning hit song written by James Mtume and Reggie Lucas and recorded by American R&B singer Stephanie Mills. The song is the second and final single from Mills' 1980 album, Sweet Sensation.

The song became Mills' biggest hit on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart, where it peaked at No. 6, outperforming her previously highest charting single, "Whatcha Gonna Do with My Lovin'", which peaked at No. 22. The single was also successful on the R&B and Adult Contemporary charts, peaking at No. 12 and No. 5, respectively. On the UK Singles Chart, the track climbed to No. 4.

With that said, you can take a hopefully second listen to "Never Knew Love Like This Before" below and Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Live Video of the Day: "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" (Whitney Houston)


In honor of the release of Whitney Houston Live, I thought it would be nice to revisit this new classic performance of the late Ms. Whitney Houston.

During the release week of Whitney's "comeback" album I Look To You, Whitney "The Voice" Houston took part in a two part Oprah Winfrey Show special and during the second part of their interview, Houston took to the stage to perform her torch ballad "I Didn't Know My Own Strength."

While we still continue to honor the legacy of Ms. Whitney Houston, you can watch her powerful performance of Houston's touch ballad below and Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "Pretty Wings" (Maxwell)


"Pretty Wings" - Maxwell
  • Writers and Producers: Maxwell and Hod Davis
  • Record Label: Columbia 
  • Released in 2009 from BLACKsummers'night
  • Peaked at #1 on U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
  • Won a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance



Second Listen: "Love All Over Me" (Monica)


Back in 2010, Monica released her second single "Love All Over Me" off of her sixth studio album Still Standing. While "Love All Over Me" would go onto peak at #2 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, it stalled somewhat on the Hot 100 peaking at a respectable 58.

With that said, "Love All Over Me" is hands down my favorite Monica joint to be released in the past several years and I think we should all revisit this sublime ballad from Monica as we await more news regarding her upcoming album Code Red.

Live Audio: "If You Don't Know Me By Now" (Patti LaBelle)


Back in 1985, Patti LaBelle released what would become her last album with Philadelphia International Records and the standout joint from 1985's Patti in my opinion was Patti LaBelle's sublime live recording cover of the Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' "If You Don't Know Me By Now."

With that said, years later, her 1982 cover of "If You Don't Know Me By Now" would be re-released along with the concert it was originally recorded from in the form of Patti's live album Live in Washington D.C. Therefore, take a listen to her sublime rendition of th Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes classic "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and Enjoy!

Cut: "A Sunday Kind of Love" (Etta James)



"A Sunday Kind of Love" was composed by Barbara Belle, Anita Leonard, Stan Rhodes, and Louis Prima and became a pop and jazz standard, recorded by many artists. The song was first recorded by Claude Thornhill and his Orchestra on November 11, 1946.

Claude Thornhill released the song as a single in January, 1947 and it became permanently identified as the signature song for its vocalist, Fran Warren. Louis Prima and his Orchestra released his recording of the song in February, 1947, though the version I am most familiar with, and I am sure you as well is Etta's poignant rendition.

Lifted from her 1961 album At Last!, which is probably best remembered by Etta's sublime cover of "At Last," "A Sunday Kind of Love" is also another standout from this classic work from James and warrants a listen below!