Author Archives: Vivrant Thang

We All Need An “Abundance” of PPP in Our Life

02 Monday Feb 2009

Posted by in Album Reviews

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ppp_abundance

I was finally able to sit down and listen to another one of my most highly anticipated albums of the year, Abundance by PPP (formerly known as Platinum Pied Pipers). People, do not sleep on this one. It’s the first album I am adding to my Best of 2009 list.

For those not familiar, PPP, Wajeed and Saadiq are Detroit-based producers who released their debut album Triple P in 2005, an album that Questlove of the Roots says he listened to seven times straight.  Saadiq is a multi-instrumentalist, which is probably one of the things that draws me to their music. The live instrumentation is crazy, mixing elements of hip hop, funk, techno, disco, pop and house.

Before I pressed play on Abundance, I already knew that it would be a winner if only because an artist I discovered last year, Coultrain,  appears on several tracks. I instantly fell in love with his debut album, The Adventures of Seymour Liberty. The only reason it didn’t appear on my Top Albums of 2008 You’ve Never Heard is because I was so sure it had been released in 2007 and I was late. I’ll be spotlighting him here soon.

I also got to hear more from Karma Stewart, an artist out of Texas whose EP I heard recently and highly enjoyed. I’ll talk more about her later as well and she’ll be added to my ever-growing list of underrated female soul artists. Meantime, you can download The Karma EP for free. I see good things in store for her as long as us true music lovers do our parts.

karmastewart

Other artists that appear on the album are Jamila Raegan and Neco Redd who I think you’ll agree that you need to keep an ear out for. Neco Redd appeared on PPP’s debut album and has a project called “No Discipline” coming soon.

Abundance is truly an album you can press play on and groove from start to finish. No skips. I listened to it on the way into work one morning and it lifted my mood ten-fold.

Listen to a couple of my favorite tracks.

Ain’t No Ifs Or Maybes (featuring Coultrain)

Rocket Science (featuring Karma Stewart and Coultrain)

ppp

Support real music!

Old School Friday: Remakes (Can’t Get Enough!)

30 Friday Jan 2009

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones, Soundtrack of My Life

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dangelo

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.

I Heart The Word ‘Epiphany’ – Perfect Name for New Chrisette Michele Single

30 Friday Jan 2009

Posted by in Let's Rock: Concert Reviews, Underrated Artist Spotlights

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chrisettemichele

More good news on the highly anticipated album front.

Every since I saw Chrisette 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!

Let me know what you think in the comments.

Epiphany

v

Also have to mention and underrated male soul singer that has a date for his next release. You’ll remember V has been back on my radar since I saw him on tour with Jill twice last year.

Need a reminder?

That Jersey boy can sang! You know how we do!

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.

And the vigil continues.

There Was This One Night On Twitter: DJ ‘Loretta Brown’ on the “Wheels of Steel”

28 Wednesday Jan 2009

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones, Music Legends

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badu

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.

Listening to the original track and some other tracks on the album, make it a must purchase. All thanks to “DJ Loretta.”

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.

Any of your favorites here?

Ya’ll better stop sleeping on Twitter. For those that say they don’t get it, if you still don’t after reading this post, I don’t get you!

Follow me here.

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!

Stevie Live: Coming to a DVD Player Near You!

26 Monday Jan 2009

Posted by in Let's Rock: Concert Reviews

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by vivrant thang on stevie wonder live dvd

steviedvd

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.