I know, you’ve heard it all before. It’s true every single time. That’s just the life I live.
It started on Thursday night with Teedra Moses and Muhsinah. Fresh from her show in NYC, Teedra came on down to DC for two nights to show love to the place that always gives that love right back to her ten-fold.
After Muhsinah performed about six songs to warm up the crowd, Teedra took the stage in a figure-flattering, butter-colored wrap dress. She opened her set with one of my favorites, “You’ll Never Find.”
The more she moved and grooved, the wrap dress did what they do unless pinned – unwrap!
Code 10, Woman down, tittays out.
The show must go on and Teedra handled it like a real G. She simply stepped to the side and handled her business while performing the title track from her album, “Complex Simplicity.”
The wardrobe malfunction made us love her even more.
Unlike last time she was in DC, she performed a full set, hitting most of the crowd favorites. I’m glad she got the memo cause I would have been more than happy to call her out again – in a loving way of course.
Just like last year, there’s no word on when we’ll get an official album release. Meanwhile, we’ll have to continue to enjoy her mixtape, Young Hustla Vol II: Live from the Jungle and her live performances.
Here are a couple of videos I captured of her set. You know the drill. The full set is over on the You Tube channel. I’m sure you all know that though since you’re subscribed. Right? Muhsinah’s entire set is there as well.
New music from the album (whenever that will be!)
Cover of the Gap Band’s “Yearning for Your Love”
I had occasion to meet her briefly after the show and take pictures but they turned out terribly so I won’t embarrass myself by posting them. However, in that brief time, she was as warm and sweet as she comes across on stage.
Whatever she puts out, please support it. I just wish she would go the independent route and put her own stuff out. Her base is strong and would definitely cop it. They are yearning for it. Let’s hope she delivers…and soon!
Stay turned for a review of the next night’s show…Omar!
I mentioned that I took a brief trip down to Atlanta in part to get away and also to see Julie Dexter and Heston in concert. Ya’ll know that I travel up and down the East Coast in a New York minute for a show. Besides, airfares have been fairly reasonable lately and I’m blessed to have people down there I could crash with.
I have been hungry for some new music from Julie every since her appearance on one of my favorite tracks of 2008, “How Sweet Life Is” with Angela Johnson. Angela appears on a track on Heston’s album. It’s one big happy musical family! I saw Julie in concert once a couple of summers ago when she was here for the African American Heritage Festival in Baltimore. That was before I became an amateur videographer. I would look at my “blog godmother” Butta of Soul Bounce like she was nuts when she would be rushing up to get video at these shows. Here I am almost 700 videos later and I actually feel slightly uncomfortable at a show if I’m unable to record. For some reason, I don’t remember much about Julie’s set that day but her music has always spoken to me and I was anxious to see her again live.
Heston is an artist that has always been on my radar since his album, Storyteller got such rave reviews over at Soul Tracks. When I mentioned on Twitter, that I was considering the show, I got major encouragement to head on down and check him out. Doesn’t take much to convince me!
The music gods were smiling on me because I managed to get into this show for free.99. However, it was certainly a show worth paying for and I did support the artists with album purchases.
Julie, who many call the Queen of UK Soul, has now made a home in the Atlanta area and it shows. I’m not sure whether it was the comfort of performing in front of a home crowd or the fact that she was recording a live DVD (The Julie Dexter Collection out this year), but it’s an understatement to say that from the moment she took the stage, she showed up and showed out. She performed a full set of about fifteen songs, a good blend of old material, cover tracks and a new piece from her album that will be out sometime this year. You can find the whole set over on my You Tube channel.
Julie had some heavy hitters in the Atlanta music scene sitting in on her set such as Phil Davis, Joel Powell, Russell Gunn, Kebbi Williams, and Brandon Thomas. As I learned with seeing Jazmine Sullivan in concert this summer, if the band ain’t on point, it throws the whole set off. Julie is a seasoned artist and I know she would have nothing but the best joining her on stage.
As you watch some of the videos, you may recognize Lil John Roberts, who most of us outside the Atlanta area know as the future Mr. Jill Scott. However, his musical genius is well-known in the peach state.
Julie opened her set by killing a medley of Beyonce’s “Deja Vu” and Michael Jackson’s “Off the Wall.”
One of my favorite performances of the night by far, “Black Girls Rule the World”
HOT afrobeat styling of her classic “Choices”
“What Do I Do” – showcasing her background singers, Alex Lattimoreand Rhonda Thomas both of whom I said need their own albums. Turns out that Rhonda does in fact have an album out and she’s opening up for Omar and Eric Roberson over the next few weeks. Check her out.
By the time Heston took the stage, the hour was growing late but the energy was still high. This was my first time hearing his music and from the first few notes, he had found a fan in me. I immediately was drawn in by his sound and his performance style. He performed a set of about eight songs including tracks from his debut self-titled album (which I have to get my hands on) and Storyteller as well as a couple of Bob Marley covers. He flows from soul to reggae quite smoothly.
Check out a few of my favorite performances from the night.
“If” from his debut album is a definite party starter. It was all I could do not to get up and dance with the couple who were getting down in front of the stage.
The heart-wrenching “No Way, No How”
I was excited to hear that he is releasing a new album this year called Warm Human, Cold World. Take a listen to the title track.
I still have a few more videos from his set to upload. I know each and everyone of you are subscribed to the You Tube channel so you shouldn’t miss out. Julie joined him onstage for a Bob Marley cover that you will definitely want to see. They make beautiful music together.
If you’ve enjoyed the video, please support these artists’ past and future projects. They perform often in the Atlanta area so you can be sure to catch them there if you’re from around those parts.
I know posting has been scarce around here lately. Between being under the weather, over the weather, over the Internets (and the people that infest it) and just generally dealing with a case of the blahs, I haven’t been in much of a writing mood. However, my plans to take time and get away often over the next few months are underway. So that’s helping some.
What’s also helping, as it always does, is how musically delicious March and April is shaping up to be. New music in my ear and great live performances are sure to put some spring in my step. I’m particularly excited that Omar is going to be in the States and I plan to get my dance on with wild abandon.
Speaking of UK soul and shaking that thang on the dance floor , last week I was blessed to check out uber musician and producer Mark de Clive-Lowe accompanied by the smooth vocals of Vanessa Freeman (of Reel People) as they neared the finish line of their world tour. I previously heard of Mark and own The Politick, his collaborative album with Bembé Segué. However, I must admit I didn’t fully appreciate this man’s talent and certainly had no idea what I what I was in store for that night. I blame this guy for slacking a bit on his stannery. He didn’t beat me in the head enough. I’ve since forgiven him though.
I don’t know how you would categorize Mark’s music. I’ve seen it called broken beat. Soulful house. Nu jazz. Spacefunk. 21st century soul. Nu house. Cosmic hip-hop. How about plain old GOOD shit. Some flava that needs to be in your ear.
But I can show you more than I can tell you.
Check out some of my video from of his set – which he is now using on his blog and his Myspace page.
In case you’re couldn’t tell, he is creating the beats right there. I don’t know about you but I am in awe of his artistry – what he was creating right there on stage. As I watched his every movement, I know how people who were fortunate to watch Dilla make music must have felt. I thought about how his ability to be able to use all of those instruments, sometimes simultaneously, to create that incredible sound is the result of God-given talent and hard work. He started playing the piano at age four and look at him now. It really inspired me to keep pushing and doing what I love.
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.
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.
SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE 