Monthly Archives: February 2009

Lalah, Rashaan and Bilal: Happy Valentine’s Day to Me!

13 Friday Feb 2009

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones

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by vivrant thang on valentine’s day

pressplay2No suggested Valentine’s Day playlist this year unfortunately.  But that one still works – trust me!

My intention was to join in Cupid’s Hunt but I decided to leave that to the professional lovecasters. I’m glad I did because the early entries would put my meager efforts to shame. Stay tuned though because as I said last year, it’s all about spreading love the other 364 days a year for me. I have this idea that’s been brewing so there may be a mix in me yet!

I’m especially excited about this Valentine’s Day because I’m going to be spending it with my first love : music.

Earlier that day, I have an appointment for a relaxing hour-long facial, which I promised myself I would get once a quarter. It’s all about self-care for me this year. I was going to have a massage as well but just discovered that I get discounts through my job so will have to schedule that later. I’ll likely have a leisurely lunch down in that area, maybe pick up an outfit, and then return home, all vivrant and ready to roll to my first show of the evening.

Lalah Hathaway, Rahsaan Patterson and Noel Gourdin are going to be performing for one show here in DC at Constitution Hall.

I don’t talk enough about Rahsaan and Lalah in this space, particularly Rahsaan. Talk about underrated. The things this man does with his voice, particularly in live performances, never ceases to amaze me. I look forward to hearing Lalah perform songs from one of the greats of ’08, Self Portrait.

Both artists have an arsenal of songs that will get lovers in the right mood for a post-show “nightcap.” Here are two songs I’m expecting to hear.

Watch this bonus clip of this song from another performance where Ra-Re Valverde and Trina Broussard were backing him. Talk about making beautiful music together. I would love to see an entire album featuring these three. And I won’t even mention throwing Ledisi in the mix! <<<—-You should click there.

She claims this cover, which is not an easy thing to do!

Although I will highly enjoy that show, you know the highlight of my evening will be spending time with my man Bilal. I have been anxiously awaiting this day for a while now.

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If it hadn’t been so cold out, I would have walked up and down the street with that poster in my hand. It’s that serious.

I know we are going to get a supersexy version of “Soul Sista.” I hope this song is last because I will surely be ready to go and practice making some Lil Vivs after this one!

Damn, it’s going to be a good night. I hope yours is even better.

Happy Lovers Day, my dear readers. You should be loving something!

Underrated Male Soul Singer Spotlight: Leon King

11 Wednesday Feb 2009

Posted by in Underrated Artist Spotlights

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by vivrant thang

leonking1

It’s been all about the females. Time to give the men some love! Here’s an advance of this week’s Urban Thought Collective column.

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One of the great things about being a music blogger – or even a blogger in general –   is that it brings all kinds of people into your circle. One of my favorite readers is from the UK and we have became fast friends and music-swapping buddies almost from the moment he first commented. I’ve discovered that some of the best music comes from overseas and he has truly put me on to some gems.

Recently, he put together his first mixtape and sent it my way. As I was grooving to his eclectic mix of soul, funk, electronica, house, and downtempo, there was one song I kept coming back to from an artist I hadn’t heard before. That automatically activated my detective skills and I set about finding out all I could about UK-based Leon King.

Before I even get to the music, I must mention how when I added Leon as a friend on Myspace, he responded back with a private note thanking me for the add and for appreciating his music. I love it when an artist is still hungry. That response, coupled with my instant affinity for his sound, got him moved to the top of my list of artists to spotlight.

Music is in Leon’s blood. His father is a musician with crates just ripe for digging. From an early age, he was exposed to artists like the incomparable Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Prince, and D’Angelo. At the tender age of 3, he was already aware of music’s effect on the soul and learned to play nursery rhymes on the piano. By the age of 5, he was playing the guitar and started professionally sitting in with other artists at 15.

Today, artists like like Bilal, Eric Roberson, Vikter Duplaix, and J*Davey are in heavy rotation on his playlists. If this is the flavor in his ear, it’s not a surprise that I was digging his style from first listen.

Listen to Digital Church

Listen to Knowingness

Although he is currently unsigned, he is grinding away on the independent scene. He told Straight No Chaser, “If you’ve done a real piece of work that stays true to you as an artist, and your deservedly happy then a major label steps in and signs you then great, you can get that large awareness and exposure, but how often does that happen? The opportunity is there to be heard but you really do have to be pro-active and make that happen, put yourself about!”

His EP will be available this year and he has already started work on two other EPs. Visit his Myspace page to hear more of his music and keep up with news about future releases. Leon King is definitely one to watch.

As always, share your thoughts about his music in the comments.

New India Arie: In Stores Tomorrow, Preview Now!

09 Monday Feb 2009

Posted by in Music News

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by vivrant thang on india arie  new album

indiarie

As you know, I’ve been highly anticipating India Arie’s fourth album, Testimony 2: Love and Politics. Her songs have definitely been key in my life.

Well tomorrow is the day – it will be available in stores and on Itunes for your listening pleasure.

Impatient like me? Want to try before you buy? Well the entire album is currently streaming on her Myspace page. I took a quick listen and the tracks that grabbed me immediately are “Yellow,” “Ghetto,” and “River Rise.” I’m looking forward to really spending time with this album and may review it. On first listen, I think if you liked her last album, you’ll have this one in constant rotation as well.

In case you’ve missed the video for the first single, “Chocolate High,” you can view it here.

You also still have several hours to enter the contest to win a free copy of the album with a side of India.Arie chocolate. Head on over to Soul Bounce and enter now!

india_album

Once you’ve listened, come back and let me know what you think!

Stevie Does The Ellen Show

08 Sunday Feb 2009

Posted by in Music News

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by vivrant thang on stevie wonder on ellen

stevie_ellen

First news of the live DVD, a 2009 release and now a live performance on Ellen this past Friday. I was excited to be home to catch the face-to-face and the final song.

I tell you, Stevie Wonder has to be on every television personality’s list of favorite people to interview. Aside from his storied musical career, his personality is an interviewer’s dream. He’s the quintessential Taurus 🙂 We’re talented, a tad raunchy, but always fun!

He talked a bit about his writing process, mentioning how he came to be involved with the Hidden Beach Obama-inspired compilation CD.

Stevie talked about the possibility of being on Dancing With The Stars, which would certainly be groundbreaking in many ways. I hope they find a way to make it happen.

He performed “I Wish” and “All About The Love Again,” from the Hidden Beach CD.

Tune into the Grammys tonight to see if Raphael Saadiq and Stevie win for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group for “Never Give You Up,” a track from The Way I See It. The competition is stiff. “Stay With Me (By The Sea) was one of my top songs of 2008. However, any track that Stevie blesses is a winner.

His live DVD should already be on your Amazon wish list ready to order on March 10th, followed up by an album later this year.

Old School Friday: New Edition Members

06 Friday Feb 2009

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones

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by vivrant thang on old school friday

bbrownnn

Great theme this week. Music by New Edition, collectively or solo as well as any groups they were apart of or produced. So many choices with this one. I went from LSG to just Johnny Gill. I thought about getting my Mr. Sensitivity on with Ralph. Maybe a little Poisionnnnnnnnn so I could feature my favorite New Edition member who I crushed on BIG time, Ronnie.

In the end, although he will be a popular choice, I decided to go with Bobby. He is celebrating his 40th birthday this week,  and has yet another crumbsnatcher on the way that he’ll be hard pressed to be able to afford Similac for. So let’s show him some love. And some prayer. He needs both. Let’s remember the good ole days before well, you know.

Three of my favorite solo tracks from Bob-bay!

Now this is definitely a week where you want to visit other OSF members and see what they pulled out of the vault.

Have a great weekend folks!