Category Archives: Feeding The Music Jones

Compilations: Yet Another Way To Discover New Music

03 Tuesday Mar 2009

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In previous posts, I’ve alluded to my affinity for compilation CDs. I think they are another great way to discover new artists. I was recently listening to a couple of compilation albums I’ve had for a years and realized I had been enjoying the sounds of Jazmine Sullivan and Ra-Re Valverde long before I ever got my hands on Fearless or A Beautiful Mess.

They are also a good way to hear songs from your favorite artists that may not appear on any of their albums. Sometimes it’s impossible to stay on top of everything that an artist you love puts out. Most times it is! Especially if he or she is as prolific as say, Eric Roberson.

So I thought I’d share a few of the compilations I own or am planning to own, that you may want to put on your wish list for that fine day when this recession is over and we can get back to spending the grocery money on music!

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This fifth volume of this UK-produced series was released in September 2008. I have been enjoying volumes 1-4 of these three disc sets for several months now. Great for long drives. This one looks to be just as promising with tracks by Hil St. Soul, Don E, Omar, Joy Denalane, Carleen Anderson, Conya Doss, Adriana Evans,  Rahsaan Patterson, Incognito, Maysa, Anthony David, and Reel People.

It also includes my favorite Angela Johnson andErro song. Can’t go wrong with that.

Lots of “new” names that I need to investigate like Richard Anthony Davis, Karen Bernod, Richard Darbyshire, Tony Remy and Bluey, and Mikelyn Roderick.neosoulunited2

This is the second volume of a series of three. Here, discovered Maiysha long before she dropped This Much is True and earned a Grammy nod. This is where I first heard Lisala before I first heard her perform with Angela Johnson last Fall at Can A Sista Rock a Mic? At the time I purchased this album, Lizz Fields, Temika Moore, and LaSonya Gunter were all names I had on my radar but never got around to listening to their music. These volumes were a chance to get a taste. I truly took a leap of faith on this purchase because most of the artists I hadn’t heard of like Michael Bohannon, Theresa Morton, Harmon’e, Abenaa, and Latanya Lockett. I wasn’t disappointed and it still makes it’s way into the rotation every now and again when I want to mix it up.

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I was reminded that I had this compilation in my collection after Soul UK mentioned one of the standout tracks, Michael Hammond’s sexy, sultry “The Morning After” over on his new blog.  Head over there for a listen. In addition to this gem, with tracks from Ra-Re Valverde, Heavy, Russell Taylor, Peter Hadar, and two DJ Spinna mixes, I’m sure you will agree that this is a must add.

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This compilation is eight years old and some of these artists now have albums worth of material for us to listen to. But this is still one that I throw on from time to time. It stayed on rotation when I first got it. Absolutely no skips on this one for me. There are tracks from our favorite soul artists like Jill Scott, India. Arie, Amel Larrieux, Erykah Badu, Anthony Hamilton, Glenn Lewis, and Jon B. The lesser known artists like Jack Herrera, Lathun,  and Eddie Jenkins shined just as bright.

I recently acquired the second volume, which has more of a hip hop slant. I have yet to listen to it but the first volume will always be the standout for me

I don’t have any of these compilations but they come highly recommended.

Hed Kandi– very eclectic array of CDs; highly recommended by The Connoisseur. read more here.

Nude Dimensions – deep and soulful house; albums you can put on at an intimate party or just lounging with your boo.

I haven’t even scratched the surface of great soul compilations out there. Please share some of your favorites in the comments. Or let me know what you think of some of the ones I’ve mentioned here. If none of them peek your fancy, check out Dusty Grooves for a very large selection that spans genres.

Let The Truth Be Told: Laura Izibor Is A Star On The Rise

19 Thursday Feb 2009

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones, Underrated Artist Spotlights

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lauraiz1

Every once in a while an artist comes who gives you “that” feeling.

I remember having “that” feeling the first time I pressed play on “Who Is Jill Scott?”

Now I’m by no means comparing Jill and Laura Izibor musically. While I do hope that Laura has even half the success that Jill has had and will continue to have, I don’t think Laura is an artist that needs to be compared to anyone.

My introduction to Laura’s music came once again from faithful reader Soul UK (who thankfully has been inspired to start sharing these discoveries on his own blog which will debut soon).  It took longer than it should have to finally give it a listen. I realized that I had heard her voice before on a couple of movies and television shows and was intrigued then. She has been in constant rotation every since and her album, Let The Truth Be Told, in stores on April 28, has earned a place on my list of highly anticipated albums of the year. It needs to be on yours too.

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Laura hails from Dublin and will only be 22 in May. She’s a Taurus like me 🙂 You know we talented and stuff!

(Aside: I can actually carry a tune but no one will EVER hear me sing. I leave that to my fellow Tauruses Laura and Stevie!)

She started digging in the crates around the age of 13, discovering the joys of Stevie, Candi Stanton, Roberta Flack, Otis Redding and Marvin Gaye and it was love at first listen.

She won a singing competition at 15 and started work on what is Let The Truth Be Told at the age of 17. While working on the album in Dublin, Philly, Atlanta, and New York, “The Soul of Ireland” has warmed up the stage for acts such as James Brown, Angie Stone, and The Roots as well as her own sold out shows at home.

Her songs have been the featured on television: Grey’s Anatomy and The Hills and on the the soundtrack to the films The Nanny Diaries, Step Up 2: The Streets, and Why Did I Get Married.

I was fortunate to see Laura perform live the other night here in DC at Bohemian Caverns or “the cave” as she “affectionately” called it.  She performed about ten songs, some which will be on the album. She was backed by a magnificent band that included Chris Rob on keys  and Maurice Brown on trumpet, both amazing artists with their own projects going. You’ll be hearing more about them both here. The way they all vibed on stage, you would think they had been performing together decades.

What attracts me to Laura’s voice is the grit and richness you hear from the artists that came before her. Like Chrisette Michele, I can hear in her voice that she has been studying “Ms. Billy, Ms. Ella, Ms. Sarah Vaughn, and Ms.Natalie Cole.” She also commands the stage with ease and it’s obvious she’s completely comfortable there and with her ability to connect with the audience. Songs that are “for the ladies” don’t feel like another sad love song. Thank God for that.

Check out a couple of her uptempo tracks. When she got up from behind those keys, she had us rocking down in the cave.

This track I may have to put on my 2009 Inspirational songs list, a reminder to be thankful for what you got. This should be a theme songs for the tough times we’re in. Whatever you’re going through, the next woman may be going through something worse. I have already been reminded of that several times this year.

Laura is headed back overseas to open for John Legend ahead of her album release. She wrote every song and co-produced the album as well. It’s all Laura, with no guest artists. She says,

“I didn’t want to be anybody’s protégé.” “It’s very tempting to put in the reinforcements, but for my debut album I wanted it to be 100% from me.”

Just like a true Bull. And let the truth be told, she doesn’t need anybody. She can stand alone. Quite well.

Mark your calendars for April 28th. Complete set is over on the You Tube channel.

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

13 Friday Feb 2009

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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!

Old School Friday: New Edition Members

06 Friday Feb 2009

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by vivrant thang on old school friday

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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!

Gearing Up for the Grammys: The DC Edition

05 Thursday Feb 2009

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by virvrant thang on dc grammy noms

wayna

This is cross-posted over on my Urban Thought Collective column. Thought I would share it here too, particularly for links to the podcasts at the bottom.

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Are you ready for the Grammy Awards this coming Sunday? Are some of your favorite artists and songs nominated?

We are particularly excited here in DC as there are a couple of underrated local artists among the nominees and I’m shining the spotlight on them this week.

Wayna is an Ethiopian-born singer/songwriter artist who released her first album, Moments of Clarity, in 2004. She has opened for artists like Common, Fantasia, Amerie, Bobby Valentino, Jaguar Wright, Kindred, and Chuck Brown. Wayna honed her sweet soulful sound by studying the music of the greats like Billie Holiday, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway and Minnie Riperton. It was a cover of Riperton’s “Lovin You” on her sophomore release, Higher Ground, which has garnered a Grammy Nomination for Best Alternative/Urban Performance.

Check out Wayna’s performance of “Lovin You” at a show here in DC last year.

Another of my favorite songs from Higher Ground is “Close 2 U” Check out the performance at the same show.

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On the album version of “Lovin You,” Wayna is joined by fellow DC hip hop artist, Kokayi who also produced the track. Kokayi has been grinding in the business professionally since 1994 and has performed with and produced for numerous artists. He has also toured extensively around the globe, as far away as the Middle East. He is truly a multi-talented emcee who plays piano and drums, freestyles, sings, writes poetry, and creates visual art.

Although I have lived in the DC area for eleven years, I only had the opportunity to see him perform live for the first time last year when he opened for KRS-One. Koyaki is one of the true emcees that make me remember the days I used to love h.e.r.

Check out Kokayi performing a couple of tracks from his lastest album, Mass Instructions.

The Lick

DCB (DC Baby)

I’m sure most of you are familiar with the third artist from DC who is nominated in the Best R&B Song category for “Customer” off of his sophomore album, Love Behind the Melody. Raheem Devaughn has some stiff competition from artists like Jazmine Sullivan, Neyo, Keyshia Cole, and Jennifer Hudson. We’re pulling hard for our native son.

This doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of the talent we are fortunate to have right here in DC. I’ll be spotlighting more of these artists here in future columns. Meantime, please support current and future projects by Wayna, Kokayi and Raheem Devaughn. If they should come to your area, be sure to see them live.

I also have to mention that there are many other underrated male and female artists nominated in various categories. I have been checking hard for Janelle Monae, Maiysha, Anthony David, and Sam Sparro and I’m glad to see they got some recognition. View the complete list of nominations here and watch for those categories on Sunday. Whether they win or not, you will certainly be hearing more about them here.

I appreciate the support you’ve shown the music thus far so I wanted to share a treat. Some of my favorite podcasters were asked to put together mixes featuring Grammy nominated artists in various genres. Visit each of their sites and download the free mixes. While you’re there, check out some of their previous mixes which you can also download for free. It’s one of the primary ways I discover new artists.

Friday Favecast: Soul Grammy Podcast

Macedonia’s Radio BSOTS: Grammys on Shuffle (electronic world mixes)

Flowink: Hip Hop Grammy Podcast

Fresh’s Sunday Soundtrack: Jazz Grammy Nominees

Be sure to tune into the Grammys Sunday at 8pm EST/PST on CBS.

photo credits: diana stephen