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.
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.
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.
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!
Sir Duke and Master Blaster (Jammin) (original: Stevie Wonder)
Love Train (original: The O’Jays)
Everything Is Everything (original: Lauryn Hill – guess we can consider this a classic huh?)
A DVD of the concert will be released. Check out footage of Tweet and Joy performing “It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World.”
The CD was released on October 24th. Many thanks to my loyal reader Soul UK for hooking me up. I’ll share the love by posting a few of my favorite songs. Since re-imagining classic soul songs seems to be the “thing” lately (Kenny Lattimore’sTimeless and Seal’sSoul are recent examples) I am learning to try and not compare them to the original.
“Sir Duke”
“A Song For You”
“Me and Mrs. Jones”
“Everything Is Everything”
Let me know what you think of what these artists did with these songs in the comments. Or are you over albums covering soul classics? I think you at the very least have to admit that this is an interesting blend of talent!
Last Wednesday, I was reminded that I never got around to compiling a list of my favorite underrated male soul singers after the female singer post got so much love. The Soul Bounce crew and I had dinner with Anthony David, a highly underrated soul singer whose music I’ve been enjoying since his debut solo album, Three Chords and The Truth was released four years ago. (Thanks to DJ YZO over at Industry Soul for making it happen).
After dinner, we headed up the street to see him perform songs from his latest release, Acey Ducey, which is in stores today. It’s a “best of” CD of sorts, compiling songs that appeared on his first two releases. Now he’s signed to India.Arie’s Soulbird label and I expect he will be getting down to the business of bringing us some new hotness very soon. Meanwhile, Soul Bounce got the exclusive on a new track to tide us over until then.
I have to say I’ve never met a cooler cat. Felt like I was hanging with one of my boys when he teased me about nursing my drink. I mean, I was trying to be on my best behavior and all. Under normal circumstances…
I’ve seen him live four or five times and I have to say he was at the top of his game with this performance. Not sure if he is more comfortable in intimate venues or if being newly signed to a major label has caused him to step his game up! However, I was torn between recording the whole show and wanting to get up there and rock with him and the band. Seriously.
Check him out:
Spittin Game
Krooked Cop
More of his concert video over on my You Tube channel, which is up to over 300 videos now! Ya’ll have no idea of the blood, sweat and tears I’ve put into that thing. Be sure to check it out and subscribe. I’m working on a page on this site that will have all the video listed and categorized. Stay tuned!
So did you enjoy those performances? Well here are some of his other soul brethren I think you should know that don’t be getting no airplay. Again, this list is by nomeans exhaustive. Like you did on the underrated female soul singers post, I need you to hip me to artists I may have overlooked.
I hope everyone plans to take in some great live soul music during Black Music Month (even though every month is Black music month for your girl – but whatever). I probably celebrated enough this last weekend to last me all month. It’s taken me all week to get myself back together. I’m officially in my thirties now. Just can’t do it like I used to.
As I mentioned in my ode to underrated Philly soul singers, I spent the weekend in The City of Brotherly Love partaking in Roots Picnic festivities. However, before I made it up there, I had to see my man Bilal in Baltimore where he opened their Jazzy Summer Night music series. I know this may shock and surprise some of you, but I have to say it was a less than stellar performance. I don’t blame him though. I imagine that 80% of the crowd didn’t even know who he was. It was a nice night out and it was free – that’s all they knew. They were giving him absolutely no energy. B, if you’re listening, cancel that appearance at the African American Heritage Festival. Bmore doesn’t appreciate you. Come on down the road to DC. We act like we know!
Early the next morning, me and my fellow music stan / road dawg headed up 95 North and barely had a moment to throw down on our rib dinner before we headed out to TLA for the Pre-Picnic Jam Session. Another nice Philly music venue. DC, get your shit together, please!
I was annoyed that I wasn’t posted up at the very front – because of course I should have that right at every show. However when we pulled up to the South Street venue and saw the line wrapped clear around the corner, I wondered if I would even make it inside before the show started. Finding parking in Philly is worse than DC. Luckily, once I did get in line, everything moved quickly and was very organized. Kudos to whoever chose this venue.
The energy was high from the moment the first act to took the stage and remained that way – as there was little to no delay between artists. More kudos on that format. Artists of note that performed were Tu Phace, Dice Raw, Santogold, Janelle Monae, The Randy Watson Experience featuring Bilal, and of course the legendary Roots.
One of the things that attracted me to these two events was the diverse music styles represented in the lineup – which drew an equally eclectic crowd. Ya’ll know I’m soul music head all day but I also know I’m missing out on some good stuff that might fall outside that box. Nothing wrong with rocking out sometimes. My wild curly mop actually lends itself to that genre quite well.
That night I particularly fell in love with Santogold aka “Ms. Jaleesa Vincent.” Her music is described as punk rock or ska – which I never saw myself taking an interest in. Apparently I was late to the party because the crowd couldn’t get enough of her. She was originally supposed to perform at the Picnic the next day but had to bow out due to a scheduling conflict. I am so glad I caught the jam session or I would have surely missed out.
Here are two of my favorites from her:
Unstoppable
Creator
Janelle Monae has been on my radar for a while but I never really gave her a listen. When I heard she signed with Bad Boy, my side eye exploded. Not quite sure what will happen to her there but I will say that I love her voice and her live performance will certainly hold your attention.
Violet Stars
You should already be familiar with The Randy Watson Experience. A very high (on life that is) Bilal joined them for a couple of songs, including “Everything In It’s Right Place.”
The Roots were…well, the legendary Roots. They do what they do and they always deliver. Black Thought can do no wrong in my book. He has my vote hands down for the dopest MC out right now (make sure you cast yours too!).
You Got Me
Rocking out to Jungle Boogie / Band Solos
The next morning, someone had definitely turned the oven on outside. The venue didn’t allow folks to bring in chairs or much of anything besides a bottle of water. We had complained about that all the way up the road so I was resigned to it just toughing it out and hanging in there as best I could. Turns out I also had to go it alone as my road dawg had a mishap and eventually ended up in the ER (long story).
Fortunately we were staying about a mile up the road but the heat made it seem like 20 miles. I slowly made my way down Purgatory Lane and arrived just as The Roots were taking the stage for the first time. Their sets were interspersed throughout the lineup which included Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Esperanza Spalding, J*DaVeY, The Cool Kids, and Gnarls Barkley. Diplo and Deerhoff also performed but I didn’t check them out. It was also nice to see DC artist Muhsinah performing on the smaller stage as well. Lots of different sounds represented – which of course drew a very large, diverse crowd.
As hot as it was, the energy stayed high. These were some serious music lovers I was hanging with. I was surprised at how people largely stayed pretty congenial throughout the day. Personally, the sun was whooping my ass and the angry black woman came out in full effect. I would have been much more pleasant had I been able to sit my tail down and chill with some decent food and libations – like I did on Sunday at the Capital Jazz Fest (check for a review of that in an upcoming post). Hopefully the feedback we gave on OKayPlayer will translate into a different venue for next year. While I did enjoy being out on the water, I felt not a hint of summer breeze to make me feel fine.
Let’s get to the music.
You already know how much I heart Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings. It was my second time seeing them and as usual Sharon was one sanging, entertaining ball of energy – even in the heat! I love the way Quest introduced them by saying they were around long before Amy Wino and her Back to Black album were even thought about. And I would bet the farm that they will be around long after Amy is gone.
Esperanza Spalding is a name you should watch out for. Little woman with a big bass – and a big fro. I loved the way she connected with the crowd and jazz lovers should definitely be digging her sound.
Check out Body and Soul
I’ve been feeling J*DaVeY for a minute and have been (im)patiently waiting for them to bless DC with another live set or two. They finally stopped off here for a what I hear was a hot show before heading up to the Picnic. One of the best descriptions of their music I’ve seen has been “punk funk.”
The duo is being heralded as a cross between Prince and the B-52s, with traces of funk, surf, and soul fused together into its own unique recipe. Read more.
Prince and the B-52s?! That’s saying a lot! Keep your eye on this duo ya’ll. This is real music.
Slooow
Fast Auto
Just a little taste of what I experienced this weekend. I’m still uploading video, which is part of the reason I’ve been away so long. It’s tiring work. There’s other videos from this show on my YouTube channel and I’ll be uploading more daily. So be sure to subscribe so you won’t miss out.
It was also really cool to run into one of my readers who I originally met at Bilal’s last DC performance. What they say about birds of a feather?
At the end of the day, as dramatic as the weekend was and despite the fact that I had to leave before Gnarls Barkley or I would have faded to black right there in front of the stage, I can say I was at the first ever Roots Picnic – as I’m sure they plan to make this an annual event. How cool is that!
When people think about the Philly soul scene, the usual suspects that immediately come to mind are Jill Scott and Musiq Soulchild. Think a little harder and you may come up with Kindred or Vivian Green. Absolutely nothing wrong with that because as you should already know I stan for Jill (preparing to buy tickets to see her for the second time this year and I CANNOT wait) and I’ll always love Musiq. They essentially put the Philly neosoul scene on the map. I just want to shine the spotlight on some other artists that deserve some recognition as well.
As I did in the last post, I have to start this off by talking about the man that has written for, produced, and performed with a lot of these artists I’m spotlighting.
I’ll be attending a jam session in Philly this weekend with The Randy Watson Experience featuring Bilal. Here’s their interpretation of “Can’t Hide Love” and Radiohead’s “Morning Soul.”
Hailing from the South Side of Philly, Carol started out backing artists like Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Anthony Hamilton, Jill Scott, and Kindred. Once you listen to her sound, you’ll see why she couldn’t possibly stay in the background. I saw her live at Zanzibar Blue (RIP) a couple of years ago and she blew me away – a young Anita Baker in the making. Her album, Moments Like This, was released in 2006. She worked with James Poyser on some of the tracks.
Vikter is a singer, songwriter, producer, and plays multiple instruments. He’s released several albums and appeared on tracks by artists like Erykah Badu, Me’Shell Ndegeocello, Incognito, Esthero, and Eric Benet.
I love Jaguar’s style. Straight, no chaser. Highly underrated. I own both of her albums and would love to see her perform live. She has worked with artists like The Roots, Bilal, and Jay-Z.
Ashley is a Philly-born singer and songwriter. Her band formed in 2003 and they mostly perform locally. l had the pleasure of catching her acoustic set here in DC last year. Her stage presence is soothing, yet captivating. She reminds me of Dionne Ferris or Me’Shell Ndegeocello – especially with the way she handles that guitar. You can tell when she performs that it’s truly for the love of the music. I hope to see an album from her sometime in the near future.
With a fro like that, you know he got soulllll! He calls his music a mixture of soul, pop, R&B, and funk. He’s a self-taught artist who has been singing since childhood. His mother was embarrassed to take him out because he would often randomly break into song. His song of choice? “Me So Horny!” His musical selection has evolved a bit since then. He released his first self-titled album last year and has collaborated with the likes of Wyclef Jean and Lupe Fiasco.
I been hearing rumblings about the next coming of Lauryn Hill for a while now but never really investigated further. It wasn’t until I heard “Need You Bad” on Soul Bounce that I sat up and took notice. Evidently, I am late. Ain’t nothing neo about this soul singer. She sang on Showtime at the Apollo at the tender age of 11 and performed with Stevie Wonder at 13. She appeared on a couple of tracks on Fantasia’s album, Free, and wrote a couple of songs on Christina Milian’s album. This 20-year-old singer and songwriter is indeed one to watch. Look out for the album on J records sometime this year.
“I Am” with Kindred
Cover of “What’s Going On”
A true stan would never end this post without mentioning her favorite Philadelphia soul singer. None other than my man Bilal. He should be no stranger to my faithful readers. But for those that happen in here that may have never heard of him, I’ll let the music speak for itself.
Here are a couple of videos from the last show I attended. I’m thrilled to say I’ll be seeing him perform later today in Baltimore and then again on Friday at a jam session with The Randy Watson Experience. With President Obama finally delivering that knockout blow to Billary, can this historic week get any better?
“White Turns To Grey” from the never released “Love for Sale”
A NICE version of “Soul Sista”
Did I miss any underrated Philly soul singers that you think deserve some shine? Shout them out in the comments.
No suggested Valentine’s Day playlist this year unfortunately. But that one still works – trust me!
