On Saturday, November 15 at the Landmark Theatre in Richmond, I’ll be fourth row center, gasping and swooning as this man reminds me why I’ve been in love since I pressed play on Urban Hang Suite twelve years ago. Why I still hold on even after seven whole years…and not a word from you.
If he flicks his sweat into the crowd, ya’ll pray some of it falls on me. Even though I’ll likely flatline and need medical attention.
Can’t forget that Jazmine Sullivan will be opening – which is the cherry on top. I should have spent considerable time with her album by then and will be excited to get a first live look at what she’s working with. You all know that’s how I measure whether I pump it or dump it. Whether I’m a stan or a lightweight fan. It’s all about how I feel when I’m watching this person perform inches away from me.
As always, I’ll do my best to bring my loyal readers and subscribers to the channel anything I can. It will likely truly be a labor of love and a test of my fortitude and slickery. Yes, slickery.
Tickets ain’t no joke so I’m sure many will have to pass on this show. I sacrifice and peanut butter and dine on peanut butter and jelly and Ramen noodles just for ya’ll.
Have a great weekend. I know mine is off to a great start.
*skips away from the computer*
PS I know he no longer looks like this but…I just want to hold on a little longer. Don’t judge me.
Party people! I hope everyone has had a great week. Mine has been mostly sweet with a touch of sour but I roll with the punches.
This week’s OSF theme is Girl Groups. This was a rough one to narrow down! As I anxiously await Tuesday when Raphael Saadiq’sThe Way I See Itdrops, I thought about giving ya’ll some Motown sounds. Maybe some Marvalettes, Supremes, or Martha Reeves and The Vandellas.
Then I thought that since I’ve been in a sassy mood this week I should drop some Klymaxx, “The Men All Pause.” and “Meeting In the Ladies Room.” I play “The Men All Pause” is mood music when I’m headed out on a Saturday night.
However, as I’ve mentioned, the 90s is my favorite decade in music in part because of the proliferation of girl groups. So many to choose from: Jade, Changing Faces, 702, En Vogue, XScape, Total, Blaque, and two of the best selling female groups of all time: TLC and SWV.
And then there was Zhane.
Should be no need to introduce you to Zhane. For the one or two…
When I tell you I let my tape rock til my tape popped, I’m not exaggerating. My freshman year of college as I was getting over an unrequited love, I estimate Pronounced Jah-nay got about 8,873 spins and Mary’sMy Life twice that (but that’s another post).
They also won a hard fought spot on my Top Fifity Songs list. It wasn’t easy to choose just one from that album.
However, I got to end it with their first hit, “Hey Mr. DJ,” the ultimate party starter. I dedicate this one on the “request line” to DJ YZO of Industry Soul.You’re the greatest mannnnnn!
Where are they now?
Both Jean Baylor and Renee Neufville are both enjoying solo careers.
Jean’s album Testimony: My Life Story is available for download on her website. I think I am going to cop that!
I am long overdue. I have a backlog of albums to purchase but there are also some upcoming releases that I also need to get my hands on.
I’m also compiling this list because either I don’t know where to look or there are very few sites that have updated release info all in one place without me having to scan through genres I have no interest in.
This list contains albums I’m anticipating so it still won’t be comprehensive. I hope it can serve as a reference for soul and real hip hop music lovers out there. I don’t need to be the only out there eating PB&J!
As folks wander in and drop some gems I may have overlooked in the comment section, I will likely update this. I’ll likely make a page for it right up there at the top so you can locate it quickly.
Let me know whether you plan to high tail it to the store and get any of these. Or let me know your thoughts about what we can expect from any of these artists. Will I be jamming it or slamming it?
September 9th
I was kind of ambivalent about Hurricane (with the exception of “Pretty Baby”) but I have been feeling the cuts I’ve heard from Eric Benet’s latest album. He also is a very entertaining interview!
Take a listen to “Hunger,” the second single from Love and Life.
Kenny is too fly on that album cover! I’ve always been a fan of his sound. I look forward to seeing what he can bring to the remakes of some timeless classics. He dares to touch Donny, Marvin, Otis, Stevie, and Aretha all on one album?! Well rock on Kennywith your bad self! “Starship” is one of my favorite songs so I’m anxious to see what he does with that one in particular.
Not to mention, she’s from the City of Brotherly Love and you already know how much I stan for all things Philly. Reminiscent of the buzz around Chrisette Michele, this is surely one of the most highly anticipated albums of the year. As if she needed her rising star to soar any faster, she is opening for Maxwell on some (if not all) of his tour dates. Probably the quickest selling ticket ever for an artist who hasn’t released an album in years and one who has yet to drop one. Soul Bounce has been stanning for Jazmine for months now. If you’re behind, get into this.
The Internets are on edge waiting to see what Common delivers on Invincible Summer. It’s been described as “clubby,” which is not what I want to hear from him. However, I’m willing to give it a chance (although Bilal is M.I.A). Santogold makes an appearance, which I’m feeling. No album art has surfaced just yet (unless I’ve missed it). Meantime, I’m very content to stare at his beautiful mug in photos like the one above.
I am not feeling Joe’s album cover at all. Well, his milk dud head is sexy. The track that I’ve heard didn’t reach out and grab me. I’m going to give Joe a chance. I still believe he has another “All The Things” or “I Wanna Know” left in him.
You already know how much I love Ledisi. There’s singing and there’s sangin’. I was excited when I heard she would be making the most wonderful time of the year a whole lot better. This will be a welcome addition to my holiday soundtrack. I can’t wait to hear the spin she puts on some of the classics.
September 30
Two albums with cover controversy being released on the same day? Will that be the conversation or will we stick to the music?
Let me first say that I do hope the woman whose body this actually is or the graphic artist who did this photoshop job were well-paid for what is actually a beautiful album cover. I’m very much looking forward to an album full of JHud’s powerhouse vocals. I’m not blown away by the admittedly catchy “Spotlight.” I suppose I favor her ballads. I must also admit that I’m more excited about the next time I get to see her on the big screen.
At the end of the day, all I care about is the music. I’m definitely feeling “Magic.” I already know all I need to know because he’s opening for Mary J. Blige. He also gives good interview. The Evolution of Robin Thicke still gets play on the ‘pod two years later and I have the same high hopes for this album. I like the cover but I’m a tad disappointed that it is so reminiscent of The Evolution. Hey, I guess if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
October 18
When I first saw this album cover, I swore they had stolen it from my BFF’s wedding album. This is exactly how the set up for the ceremony looked. If I wasn’t so lazy, I would post the pics side by side.
As you know, I love all things Philly soul. I have loved Kindred’smusic since they arrived on the scene with Surrender To Love. I still get all gushy inside whenever they perform “Stars.” I feel the same about the first single, “House of Love.” I have supported both their albums and will continue to do so. After all, they got mouths to feed! I look forward to The Arrival in stores on the 21st of October.
October 28
Dear John,
Our relationship has been a little shaky since I ran (not walked) to the store to cop “Once Again,” as soon as Best Buy opened on the day it was released.
I ONLY LIKED ONE SONG ON THE WHOLE COTDAMN ALBUM!
You’ve started trying to make it up to me by giving me Estelle. “Stay With Me” is my favorite song on Al Green’s “Lay It Down.” So I agreed to go to counseling.
Then you dropped “Green Light” and performed another new track, “If You’re Out There” from Evolver at the Democratic National Convention. So I let you back in.
The agony! How much longer can “Vivrant Thing” wait for this album? Especially after he was one of the main reasons my bells got ROCKED by real hip hop this summer. I guess the good thing about this date is that I would have something to console me on the drive down to the Carolinas/ATL should the PAIN ticket steal this election.
December 16thbroke my heart with Ain’t Nobody Worryin and Soulife.
Anthony Hamilton, who has cleaned up very nicely I must say, will drop a new album called The Point of It All. Well Anthony, after I completely fell in love with Coming From Where I’m From, you
After two strikes, I still can’t quit you!
I guess you got that magic. Even if I’m not loving what he’s singing, I’m loving the sound of him singing it.
“Cool,” with David Banneris aiight. I like the sentiment. I could have done without Banner though.
Other releases I’m keeping an eye out for are:
Beyonce’s double album I Am….Sasha Fierce is due out on November 18th. I should have quit her after the mess that was B’Day but I’m hoping for another Dangerously In Love. Actually I guess I did since I only own Dangerously In Love. *shrugs* She’s doing two movies though so this may be another rushed H.A.M. Let me stop before her stans find their way in here. I’m not dealing with that shit.
After hearing the singles released so far, I see that I am not going to get my Dangerously In Love.
Thanks, B.
Sometime in June, September 23, November 11, December 9
Well, since the “Invincible Summer” has come and gone, our boy Common needed a new title. I can get with Universal Mind Control, which is also the title of his first single. I’m not especially moved by the video– <girly moment> outside of the fact that he is looking muy deliciouso. </girly moment> After being bamboozled and let astray several times this year, the word in the streets is that we’ll have a product in our hands by November the NEXT millennium.
India Arie (Testimony Vol 2: Love & Politics)
Maysa (Metamorphosis on October 14)
Janelle Monae (Suite 1: The Chase)
Maxwell (Black Summer’s Night)
Brandy (she sounds hot on John Legend’s “Quickly” so I’ll add her to the list. New album, Human, on shelves 12/9 but will likely be leaked a month before)
After January 1st, I will be keeping vigil for albums from D’Angelo and N’Dambi, and India Arie which are all scheduled to drop in the early part of the year…we hope, wish and pray.
While I was busy preparing another Old School Friday post on the 5th, I should have also been celebrating my 1st blogoversary. I knew I started this blog last September but I was thinking that this was my first post. How could I have forgotten that I started it all with Miss Jilly from Philly and “Golden.” I was pretty damn proud of that one. Many bloggers reflect back on how bad their early posts were. I will say mine were much shorter back then.
My posting was very sporadic at first. I don’t think I really unpacked my bags and settled in until November or December. From that first post, all I knew is that I was going to use music to talk about whatever was on my mind.
And I never knew that posting my never-ending list of favorite songs (which I am still struggling not to update because the page has become too unmanageable) would be such a hit.
And in case you didn’t know, there are a LOT of “other women” out there and they need a soundtrack to their lives.
I was so excited the day I randomly came across a blog meme that was right up my alley. Did someone say Old School – on a Friday? The cherry on top was meeting some of the coolest folks in the black blogosphere.
I’ve written what I feel were some damn good posts which I’ve rounded up for you here and here, but I’m most proud of my participation in the week-long call to action, Black Blogging to End AIDS and the ways I integrated music into posts on a topic so serious to me. I don’t consider myself an e-activist by any means. So I was glad to be able to use this space to participate in a movement.
I know I sound like a broken record when I say that after a year, I still don’t know where this blog is going. I just know that as long as ya’ll are around and feeling what I’m doing here, I’ll keep cranking something out. From my very first commenter who still pops in and checks on me today, to one of my favorite readers from the UK, to the new folks that stumble in everyday, I am so grateful for each and every one of you. I read your comments on the way into work some mornings and they change my whole disposition for the day.
Even after a year, I’m still battling with how much more personal I’ll get here. The more I become linked in to all these social networks with people who actually know me in real life, the easier that decision becomes! Besides, I’ve put my mug on the front page now so there’s no more hiding out. The jury is still deliberating but what I can promise is to keep finding new and interesting ways to talk about non mainstream music and how it affects my life. I don’t want this to become solely a music blog because I don’t want to be forced to talk about Solange’s rants or Ciara’s nekked booty (although I will say this spread should effectively kill any comparisons to Baby Girl because she never had to show her ass to remain relevant. She had talent.)
You can definitely expect more concert reviews, more music therapy and more spotlight on artists that you should know. I’ve been asked to start doing some album reviews as well. So expect those in the coming weeks as I get my hands on some of the most highly-anticipated albums of the year.
Remember, when this space is dark, remember you can always find twittering or obsessively changing my music and my all-artist top friends on Myspace.
I’m not the only one celebrating a blogoversary. Don of Minus The Bars, one of my first and most consistently supportive male commenters) is celebrating all week. Our blogs were born a week apart. They’re Virgos 🙂 Check him out and leave him a comment. Well-written, entertaining posts over there. Great example of how a few early supporters turned into a whole community.
Before we get into this week’s theme, I first have to send major congratulations out to the staff of SoulBounce and Afrobella, who both won WELL-deserved Black Weblog Awards. As you all know, these are my two favorite blogs hands down. I am subscribed to well over 200. Nuff said.
On another note, I know my blogging here has been light However, I often “microblog” on Twitter. I plan to start talking more about the music I’m listening to over there as well as my random musings that I don’t always have time to post here. So if you’re on Twitter, feel free to follow a sista. I’ll add you as well so I can get to know my readers a bit better.
Let get to the getting!
This week’s theme is “Disco Inferno!” We’re highlighting some of our favorite disco songs. When I saw this week’s theme, one song immediately popped into my head. After doing a little research, I found my thread.
It shouldn’t have surprised me to see that The Emotions worked with Maurice White of my Favorite. Band. Ever. Earth Wind and Fire on “Best of My Love.” Members of The Emotions collaborated on and off the stage with Earth Wind and Fire.
Here is “Boogie Wonderland,” by Earth Wind and Fire and The Emotions.
Beautiful music indeed.
Now boogie on over to the other OSF participants pages and keep the party going!
SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE 
