Category Archives: Album Reviews

‘Gettin Up’ With Q-Tip!

02 Thursday Oct 2008

Posted by in Album Reviews, Feeding The Music Jones

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Even though we both fly…

When I got the invite to attend an in-store listening party, at which Q-Tip would preview tracks from his upcoming album Renaissance, my answer was a resounding “Hellll yeah!”

You already know how much I’m anticipating this album. Not to mention, in many ways, Q-Tip is one of my muses. I used to go by the name “Total Package” in the blogosphere, which was a spin on my sorority line name. One day it just came to me how every time the song comes on, I lose my mind. I think those that know me offline would agree that the name just fits – as does the nickname, “Aunt Viv.” That’s another post for another day.

Although I played it cool because in a sense I was there working, I was a little starstruck being in such close proximity to the dude who was one of the main reasons my bells were ROCKED just a few short months ago.  Any self-respecting fan of real hip-hop should feel me on that.

There was no need for that though. Without even spending any length of time talking to him, it was clear that although Q-Tip is a musical genius, he is still regular folk (you too Questo). As he talked about his love for the music and how after all these years, he still gets butterflies before he performances, it was all genuine.

He made the important point, that should sound familiar, which is that you gotta love what you do. He said that practitioners of hip-hop today may be hard workers and hustlers but you have to truly love the music. Q-Tip says that even today, some twenty years deep in the game, he still pinches himself because he can’t believe that he’s blessed to be able to do what he does as an artist – which is to bring us real hip-hop like what you’ll find on Renaissance.

Check out Q-Tip taking us behind the scenes: “The Making of Renaissance“

Here is the album cover ( which gets my stamp of approval) on which you can see a tracklisting.

 Here is Q-Tip giving us a taste of “Dance On Glass,” “Offishal,” and “Life Is Better.”

 We were fortunate to hear “Shaka,” which features a speech from Obama. Q-Tip has stumped for Obama and the song has the campaign’s approval. It’s also dedicated to the memory of Dilla and Daddy Q-Tip.

Check out “Move” and then “Shaka”

Since I know we have some D’Angelo fans on here, you’ll be happy to know that Q-Tip also confirmed that he is in fact hard at work in the studio and his new music is all that and then some. Color me naive but I’m fully expecting a new album in my hands in 2009.

It was cool to be up close and personal with Q-Tip while he was sharing the music. At times, I felt like a voyeur – like we weren’t even there. He was lost all up in it – which was probably a good thing since there were folks there more concerned with shooting the shit than LISTENING at a LISTENING party. But that’s another rant for another day.

Those that were there for the music were truly feeling what they heard and are excited about the album, which will be in stores on November 4 – the day of change!  That’s the day we will have a renaissance in music and hopefully the beginning of a renaissance in this country.

The night ended perfectly when I was able to get my Renaissance poster signed “To Vivrant Thang.” Check one more thing off the bucket list.

On November 4, I know I plan to go vote and then cop the album in that order. You should do the same. I can’t remember the last time I was this excited about a hip-hop album hitting the shelves. From what I heard, it will be worth the wait.

More video will be on my You Tube channel in the coming days. I know you’re already subscribed so you shouldn’t miss out. Meantime, you can head over to Soul Bounce and check out nOva’s review.

Let me know what you think of these tracks in the comments.

Review: Kenny Lattimore Timeless

01 Wednesday Oct 2008

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I decided to start with Kenny Lattimore’sTimeless since a few of ya’ll gave the idea of  yet another remake album a lukewarm reception. It’s certainly understandable since we haven’t had a solo project from him since the beginning of Bush’s first term. Not so fast, readers. You just might be missing out.

Dear Kenny,

Welcome back! It’s truly good to hear your voice come through my speakers again. Last time was two years ago when you and Chante (Moore) teamed up again for a second album, Uncovered/Covered .

Now why didn’t I know you grew up around these parts and went to the high school a stone’s throw away from my front door? And I call myself a fan?! You’re practically family!

I’ve been enjoying your sound since the eponymous platinum debut album where you gave us timeless tunes such as, “Never Too Busy” and one of the  wedding songs, “For You.” Fast forward twelve years and two more solo albums later, I’m considered a “tastemaker” with the power of the “pen,” and the ability to influence the purchases of music aficionados across the globe.

When I first heard about your new project and mentioned it in this space, folks weren’t jumping out of their chairs. Understandably, they want some original material from one of our favorite crooners. Now that you’re signed to Verve (very good look by the way), I expect you’ll be dropping some exclusive material for us soon.

Let’s talk about Timeless.

A lot of folks simply don’t get down with remake or tribute albums. I’m actually a fan of them as long as they are done correctly. I’m happy to say Timeless definitely has my stamp of approval.

I am impressed that you took on such an ambitious project. Tackling musical icons Donny, Marvin, Stevie, Al, Aretha, Otis, Elton John, and The Beatles on one album sure takes a lot of guts. Inevitably, people are going to compare your version with the original and be hard pressed to think you did anything to improve upon it. Not with this bunch.

You said in an interview that you wanted the music to feel “organic and not forced.” I think that’s been my problem with some of these remake/tribute albums. Right songs matched up with the wrong voices. That was not the case here.

Here is the tracklisting. Let’s talk about what I considered the standouts:
1. Something (Original Artist: Al Green)
2. Everybody Here Wants You (Original Artist: Jeff Buckley)
3. You Are My Starship (Original Artist: Norman Connors/Michael Henderson)
4. And I Love Her (Original Artist: The Beatles)
5. Come Down In Time (Original Artist: Elton John)
6. That’s The Way Love Is (Original Artist: Marvin Gaye)
7. Ain’t No Way (Original Artist: Aretha Franklin)
8. I Love You More Than Words Can Say (Original Artist: Otis Redding)
9. Ain’t No Use (Original Artist: Stevie Wonder)
10. Undeniably (Original Artist: Terence Trent D’arby – now Sananda Maitreya!)
11. Giving Up (Original Artist: Donnie Hathaway)

The first single, Norman Conners, “You Are My Starship,” is one of my all-time favorite songs. From the opening notes, it just flows inside of me and melts down slowly. It’s not a song that I take too kindly to folks messing with. Frankly, it’s been overdone. So family or no family, if you just had to touch it again, it needed to be done right or we would have had some problems! I am happy to say we are still cool. You did the song justice with your signature velvety vocals. I love the change in the arrangement. It’s subtle enough not to stray too much from the original. I can see why Norman Conners embraced what you did with it.

“Something” was another favorite for me. Great track to open the album with. When I’m listening to it on the Metro, I’m dancing in my seat to the point that people around me are definitely thinking I could be one sandwich short of a picnic. They’re not hearing what I’m hearing.

Don’t tell Jeff Buckley but while I really like his version on “Everybody Here Wants You,” I love yours. I wish this had been your song. Your falsetto is simply beautiful. Very sexy. Yours is the version I will place on that “make a baby” soundtrack.

“Ain’t No Way,” is another song that I don’t think should be touched. Aretha owns it. However, you took me to church on this one! You had me looking around for my Martin Luther King church fan.

“Undeniably,” “Ain’t No Use,” and “I Love You More Than Words Can Say” were also stand out tracks for me. That sax interlude on “Undeniably”  just takes the song to another level for me. I wasn’t a big Terrance Trent D’Arby fan so I had never heard this song. However, even after hearing his live version, I have to say you “own” this song.

Now I got to keep it real, Kenny. The one song where you fell a bit short for me was “Giving Up.” I just don’t know if anyone but Donny should ever touch that song. The hopelessness and loss in his voice is virtually impossible to recapture. I don’t think it’s a song that anyone could or should make their own.

Overall, I’m happy to say that this project isindeed one that I can let play from start to finish. As I mentioned, it often relaxes me after a long day working to get Obama in the White House! However next time we hear from you, it needs to be an entire set of new material. You have covered the best and done it well. This ambitious project is the perfect way to close that door for a while.

I am looking forward to what’s up next. See you on tour! If the sound of the instruments on the album are any indication, your live show is one not to be missed.

Vivrant Thang

About Those Album Reviews

30 Tuesday Sep 2008

Posted by in Album Reviews

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I’ve been asked by some of my faithful readers to start reviewing some of the albums I purchase when I undergo music therapy. I would promise to get to it but there was always some hesitancy deep inside of me that I couldn’t place at the time.

I’ve been a book reviewer, a pretty damned good one at that. I should be. Despite my many grammatical errors here, I do actually hold an advanced degree in English Language and Literature. U of Maryland professors beat that critical analysis out of me.

Although I do feel I know good music equally as well, I still felt some kind of reluctance to write about it in detail. The fact is, I think I was already comparing my writing to others before I even put fingers to keyboard. Would I be able to find the same language they do to express how I felt about this music?

Damn all that.

I be who I be and I write how I write.

I write for ya’ll. You keep coming back so you must like what you skim read here 😉

I’ve decided to take a different approach to the standard reviews and do what I do best – write in a conversational tone with a side of my own special brand of humor – which I’m not sure some of you get. But that’s another post.

My reviews will be written as letters to the artists. I’m going to talk to them about how I feel about the album as if we go way back. This style might not be the standard and may induce some wicked side eye action, but I think it fits what I’m trying to do here on this site – whatever that may be on any given day.

We’re going to step our game up around these parts and add start adding some music to the mix so you don’t have to take my word for it when I rave about a particular song.

Now let me add a little disclaimer here. Ideally, for newly released albums, I want to get the review out right before the release date or very shortly thereafter. However, I do want to give the album at least three listens before I start writing. The first will be a quick listen to make a snap judgement on whether I like it. The second two listens will allow me to really spend some time with the album and listen to what the artist is trying to do with the project. So suffice to say, I will attempt to stick to that schedule but you know how I do.

It may be a little rough and long-winded in the beginning. I hope to get better the more I do. So just roll with a sista.

First up to bat, Mr. Kenny Lattimore’s Timeless. Will we pump it or dump it? Stay tuned!