We’re revisiting the remakes theme this week because you never really can get enough of that funky stuff…when it’s done right.
Since we were on serious D’Angelo album watch earlier this week, I thought I’d keep the good vibes going by featuring a couple of his remakes he did – and did well. But then again, I’m probably biased. And don’t apologize for that.
Crusin, Smokey Robinson
Crusin, D’Angelo
Prince, She’s Always In My Hair
Ya’ll ain’t getting me shut down by the big bad web sheriff so I’m just linking up for this one. View it here.
D’Angelo, She’s Always In My Hair
For real, D’Angelo, if by the slimmest possible chance, you should ever read this, please stop fuggin around and get back to what you were put here to do. Seriously.
I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. Head on over to the other OSF participants sites and keep the party going.
Every since I sawChrisette Michele perform in DC last Fall where she hit us with new music, I have been anxiously awaiting news of her forthcoming album. According to her Myspace blog, it appears to be complete!
I’m so so so excited to share with you some new music! this new album took NO TIME to record. it seems like every word that i sang was already on the tip of my tounge before i even got to the studio. one song i dreamt, came to the studio the producer had music that already went with it and then my new friend, writer filled in the blanks like only he and i can! it was just so fateful.
The new music she refers to is a single called ‘Epiphany’ the negro-you-done-messed-up-for-the-last-time- and- I’m-leaving song that she does so well without sounding trite. She wrote almost all of the songs on I Am but turned that task over to Neyo on this track. I am not big of a fan of the music that comes out of that boy’s mouth. However, he is a home run hitter with that pen and a pad. And he has scored again with this one.
I stan for Chrissy (and I’m not alone – her You Tube videos on my channel are among the most viewed) and if this is any indication of what’s to come, there will be no sophomore slump here!
It’s been three years since his debut album, The Revelation Is Now Televised. The release date for his sophomore effort, The Paradox, is March 17th. You can preview and download two singles “Gone Away” and “This Moment” over on his Myspace page.
Ever wonder what music is in rotation on some of your favorite artists’ iPods?
Ever think about hanging out with your favorite artist one evening and having them play DJ? What songs would be on the playlist?
The other night on Twitter, Erykah Badu left the building and “DJ Loretta Brown” got on the wheels of steel and turned Twitterverse into one big old school party. Some of these songs I wasn’t even familiar with, which made it even better.
The impromptu house party led to a new musical discovery.
Mama’s Gun just may be my favorite Badu album. Still debating on that one. I do know that that the Grammy-nominated song “Didn’t Cha Know” was a highlight on that album for me. What I didn’t know was that it sampled “Dreamflower” by the band Tarika Blue from their self-titled album released in 1977.
Check out some of the other tracks on her playlist. Lots of classic soul here, which is why I will always respect Erykah as an artist. She knows her music.
Follow DJ Loretta here. She’s about to turn from “an apartment into a restaurant.” (meaning the baby’s birth is imminent). So get while the getting is good!
Many thanks to DJ YZO over at Industry Soul for alerting me to the fact that after more years in the business than most of us have been alive, Stevie Wonder will release his first official DVD, Live At Last!
According to YZO’s intel (no side eye needed), it will be out on March 10th and will feature his October 2008 “Wonder Summer Nights” concert at London’s O2 Arena. He is backed by a fourteen member band, including his daughter Aisha on vocals.
I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing Stevie live so I’m excited to get my hands on the next best thing. It seems he’ll be covering many of my favorites including “You Are The Sunshine of My Life, ” My Cherie Amour,” “Superstition” (funking at it’s best!), “Higher Ground,” Living For The City,” and President O Man’s theme song, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours!”
Check out a brief promotional preview.
Now I know how I will be spending that Amazon gift card I’ve been holding on to. Once I get my hands on it, you know I’ll be reviewing it here!
UPDATE 2/2: Via Billboard, here is the set list:
Intro / “All Blues”
“As If You Read My Mind”
“Master Blaster (Jammin’)”
“Did I Hear You Say You Love Me”
“All I Do”
“Knocks Me Off My Feet”
U.K. Medley: “London Bridge Is Falling Down,” “Fool On The Hill,” “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” “Satisfaction”
“People Make The World Go Round”
“Higher Ground”
“Spain”
“Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing”
“Visions”
“Living For The City”
“Part-Time Lover”
“Overjoyed”
“Lately”
“I’m Gonna Laugh You Right Out Of My Life” (performed by Aisha Morris)
“My Cherie Amour”
“Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)”
“Sir Duke”
“I Wish”
“Isn’t She Lovely”
“You Are The Sunshine Of My Life”
“I Just Called To Say I Love You”
“You Are The Only One” (snippet)
“Superstition (So What The Fuss)”
“As”
Talk about a non-stop par-tay! Seriously, I think this release calls for a viewing party.
Billboard is also reporting that Stevie is at work on a project that is going to knock ME off MY feet. He’ll be releasing a duets album with Tony Bennett and produced by the master, Quincy Jones. It will feature a lot of Marvin Gaye songs turned jazzy since Marvin always wanted to be a jazz musician.
Stay tuned. Reviews of the Inauguration weekend Eric Roberson/The Revelations featuring Tre Williams and last night’s Tortured Soul show coming very soon – with video of course!
If you’re subscribed to the You Tube channel, you’ll see the video going up there first.
Just sharing some news on the 2009 album releases homefront.
I did say I would shut this whole shit down if we didn’t get an album from D’Angelo this year. It’s looking increasingly like my side eye might finally get a rest after nine long years. (Thanks Fresh!)
Billboard is reporting that the forthcoming album will be called “James River” (I can dig it!) and will include collabos with Raphael Saadiq, Roy Hargrove, Cee-Lo Green, Mark Ronson, and….HWSNBN!!! If and when that happens, I’ll do nothing else for the foreseeable future but listen to that track on repeat 24/7.
The album doesn’t yet have a release date other than a vague, “this summer” which doesn’t put my side eye palpitations totally at rest. Sorta like putting a ring on it with no definitive date on the horizon.
He’s also planning to tour here and in Europe. Again, I’ll believe it when I see some dates and venues announced and an increase in Ramen noodle sales in order to be able to afford the tickets. But I do actually have hope!
Now on to an artist who leaves me with absolutely no doubt that his album will be in our waiting hands this summer: Eric Roberson.
He said at the concert the other night that the album is about 95% done. He expects to record for another month and it’s a wrap!
The other night he performed another new song, which I hope makes the album. The very sexy, yet funky, “The Power That Kisses Hold”
If this is any indication of what we’re about to see on “The Newness” or “Music Fan,” we’re in for a musical treat…as if there was any doubt.
SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE 