Soul 11 Music: November 2014

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Live Video of the Day: "Pretend/2 On" (Tinashe)

Tinashe had a breakout performance on BET's telecast of The Soul Train Awards 2014 where she performed her current single "Pretend" as well as her breakout hit single "2 On," which helped put her on the map.

Singing live and offering some intricate dance routines, Tinashe really is proving to be one of the breakout artists of 2014 and I really hope people get into her as she has been slept on in my book. With that said, peep her solid set from The Soul Train Awards below and Enjoy!

"Get Down on It" - Kool & the Gang

Writers: James "J.T." Taylor, Ronald Bell, Kool & the Gang
Producer: Eumir Deodato
Record Label: De-Lite Records
Released in 1981 from Something Special
Peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100

Amazing Cover: "If Only You Knew" (Keke Wyatt)

Nobody in my book can hold a candle to Mama Patti and while a lot have tried to cover her work in the past, few have been able to match the veracity and power that comes with a LaBelle classic.

With that said, Keke Wyatt covered the Patti standard "If Only You Knew" on her 2001 Geffen debut release Soul Sista and while she keeps it cool for much of the song and is clearly singing in her head voice for the majority of the song, her tone and range are pure beauties on this tribute cover and you can take a listen to it below!

Maxwell's "...Til the Cops Come Knockin'" is definitely a fan favorite for the crooner and below you will find a smooth breakdown of Maxwell and his band performing a solid rendition of "...Til the Cops Come Knockin'."

While I am not familiar when/where this was recorded, if I was to guess, this might be part of the international bonus track of "...Til the Cops Come Knockin'," that was released in 1997 from his MTV Unplugged album. Either way it ends up, listen below to this solid live audio and Enjoy!

Back in 2007, Chrisette Michele released her debut album I Am and her debut single from the Island Def Jam set was the power ballad "If I Had My Way." Written and produced by Chrisette, Kevin Randolph and David Lee Stewart, "If I Have My Way" was a perfect introduction to the soulful songstress who's had a solid career these past seven years.

Peaking at #24 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, the song would earn her her first Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, her only one in this category. With that said, take a second listen below to "If I Have My Way" and Enjoy!

Live Video of the Day: "If You Really Love Me" (Stevie Wonder)

Musical legend and genius Stevie Wonder performed during 2010's Glastonbury Festival and one of the numerous standout performances during his set was his banter filled "If You Really Love Me."

Crooning out his iconic classic upbeat jam "If You Really Love Me," I dare you not to groove out to the legendary Stevie Wonder as he gets it going from the UK crowd. Therefore, catch the soulful and at times comical performance from Stevie below and Enjoy!

"Isn't She Lovely?" - Stevie Wonder

Writer: Stevie Wonder
Producer: Stevie Wonder
Record Label: Tamla
Featured on 1976's "Songs in the Key of Life"
Never officially released as a single though it peaked at #23" on the Adult Contemporary Charts

Amazing Cover: "A Song For You" (Whitney Houston)

With the release of Whitney Houston's live album a few weeks ago, I have been jamming out to Jersey's own for the last few weeks and wanted to revisit Whitney's sublime cover of this classic hit once again.

Though Leon Russell originated the song and Donny Hathaway in my book has the definitive version of "A Song For You," it's Whitney Houston's live cover of the song that really gets at the core of the song for me.

Lifted from her HBO Welcome Home Heroes special back in 1991, Houston lets into the song like no one else can and shows off why in her prime she was known as simply The Voice. Watch her phenomenal performance below and Enjoy!

After Kanye released his groundbreaking LP 808 & Heartbreaks, a lot of singer decided to cover his melodic tune minus the auto-tune that West decided to utilize stylistically for the project. During this time, Melanie Fiona was building her then burgeoning career and even toured with Kanye as an opening act for the European leg of his Glow in the Dark Tour.

With that said, after establishing herself in 2009 with her debut album The Bridge and her #1 hit single "It Kills Me," Melanie would often cover Kanye's "Heartless" from 808 & Heartbreaks during her set and below you will find a sublime live audio capture of one of Melanie's performances of it. Listen below to her sublime interpretation of "Heartless" and Enjoy!

I don't know about you, but Vh1's TLC biopic CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story really had me digging back in my music library and of course TLC's huge hit "Waterfalls" was at the top of my TLC playlist that I made to revisit their sublime discography.

With that said, "Waterfalls" was released back in 1995 from the group's highly successful sophomore album CrazySexyCool and would go onto become their second #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was so huge that it was certified five-times platinum and was the ranked #19 on the Billboard Hot 100's songs of the decade chart for the 1990s. Revisit TLC's sublime joint "Waterfalls" below and Enjoy!

Yesterday morning during the early hours of Friday, Frank Ocean emerged from his creative cloud to release a new joint in the form of "memrise."

Clocking in at just under 2 minutes, it is unclear if this will be included on his highly anticipated sophomore album, or if Frank just felt like giving his fans something during the holiday season as it's been a minute since we've heard from him.

Either way it turns up, "memrise" is a solid new joint from the GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter and warrants a listen below!

Live Video of the Day: "Count On Me" (CeCe Winans & Yolanda Adams)

Two years ago, CBS aired the GRAMMY's Salute to Whitney Houston: We Will Always Love You and the clear standout performance of the night was the Yolanda Adams and CeCe Winans duet on CeCe's original duet with the late Ms. Whitney Houston on "Count On Me."

With that said, watch CeCe Winans and Yolanda Adams share the stage while performing a memorable rendition of "Count On Me" below as we give thanks to our family and friends during this Thanksgiving weekend.

"Stars" - Kindred The Family Soul

Writers and Producers Fatin Dantzler, Vidal Davis, Aja Graydon, Andre Harris
Record Label: Hidden Beach
Released in 2004 from Surrender to Love
Peaked at #101 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart

Cut: "One Of These Mornings" (Moby ft. Patti LaBelle)

Came across this joint earlier today on a playlist and though I would bring it back for another cut listen. Back in 2006, the Miami Vice Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released accompanying the film adaptation of the hit TV show.

With that said, one of the standout joints from the soundtrack has to be the Moby and Patti LaBelle collaboration which finds Ms. LaBelle's vocals front and center surrounded by some impressive instrumentation from Moby. With that said, take a listen after the jump to their joint "One Of These Mornings" from the Miami Vice soundtrack and Enjoy!

Back in 2001, Jill Scott recorded her first live album entitled Experience Jill Scott 826+. Recorded during her Washington DC concert of her Words and Sounds Tour, Scott's first live album is one of the best live records in my opinion to be released in the last 25 years hands down.

With that said, during Jill's set from Experience Jill Scott 826+, the then rising songstress performed riveting live renditions of works lifted from her debut album Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds, Vol. 1 and one of the highlights from her LP has to be "Do You Remember" in my opinion.

Therefore, take a listen below to Jill's live rendition of "Do You Remember" as we celebrate her birthday and Enjoy!

Back in 2009, Mateo was signed to Myspace Records and released a sublime slow jam entitled "Get To Know Me." Now fast-forward five years later and the famed rising crooner has signed with Interscope Records and is working on his highly anticipated major label debut LP.

With that said, I thought it would be appropriate to take it back to "Get To Know Me," which was the first joint that introduced me to Mateo. Therefore take a second listen to his breakout joint "Get To Know Me" below and Enjoy!

When Luther Vandross passed away on July 1st, 2005, the singing world was struck as the best male R&B vocalist ever (in my opinion and Clive Davis' as well) to grace the microphone was taken from us musch to soon.

With that said, Fantasia and Anthony Hamilton offered up a stirring rendition of the Luther Vandross classic "'Til My Baby Comes Home" during Clive Davis' annual Pre-Grammy celebration back in 2006 in honor of the late and great Luther Vandross.

Therefore watch it all go down below as Fantasia and Anthony do their thing on this near gospel turned performance of "'Til My Baby Comes Home" and Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "Be Thankful for What You Got" (William DeVaughn)

"Be Thankful For What You've Got" - William DeVaughn

Writer and Producer: William DeVaughn
Record Label: Roxbury Records
Released in 1974 from Be Thankful For What You've Got
Peaked at #1 on the U.S. R&B charts and #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Live Audio: "You'll Never Walk Alone" (Patti LaBelle)

Back in 1984, Patti LaBelle took to the stage of the Apollo Theater to perform a spine-tingling rendition of the classic "You'll Never Walk Alone" in honor of the famed theater's 50th anniversary and grand "reopening."

Below, you will find the live audio of her performance which in my opinion is in her top 5 vocal performance of all-time that I have heard thus far. Either way you feel, take a listen to the Phoenix of Philadelphia do what she does best and Enjoy!

Back in 2006 Amel Larrieux dropped "Weary" as the first single from her album Morning. Featuring some solid lyrical content and phenomenal vocals, "Weary" became a minor chart hit for Amel.

Though in my opinion it should've been shown more love then it was, "Weary" is a perfect second listen song as I am sure the majority of you are familiar with Amel in some form and have probably hear this joint on the fly. With that said, listen below and Enjoy!

Mary J. Blige's highly anticipated forthcoming album The London Sessions is slated for release next week here in the States and earlier this week, Mary took part in Capitol Records' in-studio performance series entitled 1 Mic, 1 Take.

Electing to perform her new joint "Therapy," which was written by Sam Smith, Mary commands the studio and the microphone with her powerhouse pipes. Watch Mary's sublime performance of "Therapy" below and Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud" (James Brown)

"Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud" - James Brown

Writers: James Brown and Alfred Ellis
Producer: James Brown
Record Label: King
Released in 1968 from Say It Loud—I'm Black and I'm Proud
Peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles

Remix: "Fill Me In (Sango Remix)" (Craig David)

I've still been jamming out to "Fill Me In (Sango Remix)" for a few years now and thought I would bring it back for those who missed it the first go around and can still cop the free download.

Craig David's breakout debut album Born To Do It featured his classic first hit single "Fill Me In" and while it's been over twelve years since "Fill Me In" was first release, a solid remix of his classic joint has hit the net in the form of "Fill Me In (Sango Remix)."

With that said, take a listen after the jump to "Fill Me In (Sango Remix)" and if you like what you hear, cop the free download while supplies last!

This past holiday season, Ledisi offered up the best rendition of of the Whitney Houston iconic #1 classic hit "All The Man That I Need" sans The Voice's in my humble opinion.

Possessing one of the best voices in music history in my opinion and clearly one of the best voices in the game right now, Ledisi's powerhouse vocals and her dedication to training and studying throughout her career continue to offer once in a lifetime performances and moments that I continue to enjoy.

If you don't get to shouting and/or putting your hand up when watching Ledisi's sublime performance of "All The Man That I Need," then you might want to make an appointment with a cardiologist and fast because something is wrong with you.

Either way you feel, watch Ledisi's praise-inducing rendition of "All The Man That I Need" below and Enjoy!

As we continue to protest the injustices of our legal and police systems here in America, I thought it would be appropriate to revisit one of the songs I always listen to in my time of need.

Back in 1972, Aretha Franklin released her career defining live gospel album Amazing Grace. Recorded at her New Bethel Baptist Church, Franklin let into numerous spirited renditions of Gospel hymns though her rendition of the title track"Amazing Grace" proves to be the definitive version of this famous hymn.

With that said take a listen after the jump to her phenomenal vocal performance of "Amazing Grace" and Enjoy!

Back in 2001, India.Arie released her second single "Brown Skin" from her debut album Acoustic Soul and the Carlos "6 July" Broady produced joint heated up the airwaves during the fall and subsequent winter months of 2002.

Featuring a 'grown and sexy' message accompanied with India's sublime vocals and some seductive instrumentation, "Brown Sugar" is still in rotation at radio stations and on my own personal playlists over a decade later.With that said, take a second listen to India's thumping "Brown Skin" below and Enjoy!

As tensions continue to rise not just Ferguson, but throughout the country and world, I thought it would be appropriate to revisit this classic cut from Syl Johnson.

Back in 1970, Syl Johnson released his sophomore album Is it Because I'm Black? and the title track would go onto because one of his biggest hits to date. Peaking at #11 on the Best Selling Soul Singles,

Johnson wrote the title track in response to the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and it still resonates loud and clear today. With that said, Syl Johnson's legacy still lives on through this powerful cut and you can take a listen to "Is it Because I'm Black?" below!

Live Audio: "Young, Gifted, and Black" (Donny Hathaway)

Donny Hathaway's take on the classic "Young, Gifted, and Black" is the stuff of legends and thankfully Hathaway recorded this phenomenal version during the recording of his live album at The Troubador here in West Hollywood.

With that said, take a listen to Hathaway's powerful rendition of the iconic "Young, Gifted, and Black" below and Enjoy!

"I Am Light" - India.Arie

Writer: India Arie Simpson
Producer: India Arie Simpson
Featured on 2013's SongVersation

Mixtape: "#ByeFelicia" (Jordin Sparks)

It's been a minute since Jordin Sparks' 2009 sophomore album Battlefield and after a few start and stop dates for her anticipated third album, Jordin has finally released some new music in the form of her mixtape #ByeFelicia.

Featuring 2 Chainz on "Double Tap," the nine track mixtape shows off a more mature Jordin as she has done plenty of living since her last official music statement in 2009. While there is no word on when her third album will be released, this is a nice offering until she offers her highly anticipated third album.

With that said, take a listen to it below and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Young, Gifted and Black" (Aretha Franklin)

There is something about the Queen of Soul, Ms. Aretha Franklin's rendition of "Young, Gifted and Black" that really does it for me even above the brilliant original by Nina Simone.

As we all figure out next steps after Darren Wilson was not indicted for killing Mike Brown in Ferguson, I thought this would be an appropriate cover to revisit.

Lifted from her LP Young, Gifted and Black, the title-track to this project offers up a gospel infused rendition that only Ms. Franklin could bring and for her unearthly interpretation, Ms. Franklin was awarded the Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1973.

With that said, take a listen after the jump to her amazing cover of "Young, Gifted and Black" and Enjoy!

"Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)"was the third and final single lifted from Marvin Gaye's 1971 landmark album, What's Going On. Written by Gaye and James Nyx, the song depicted the ghettos of inner-city America as it discussed how the bleak economic situation would lead to someone wanting to holler and throw ones hands up. The song was recorded in a mellow funk style with Gaye playing piano. Several of the Funk Brothers also contributed, including Eddie "Bongo" Brown, and bassist Bob Babbitt.

The song helped Gaye make history by being one of the few artists to have three or more Top 10 songs off Billboard's Pop Singles chart peaking at #9 and one of the first to have three consecutive #1 hits on Billboard's R&B Singles chart where it stayed for two weeks. Although not certified by the RIAA at that time, all three releases from the What's Going On album gained Gold status by selling over 1,000,000 copies in the United States.

In its unedited version as it appears on the album, the final minute of the song (and of the LP) is a reprise to the theme of "What's Going On", the album's first song, then segues into a dark ending. This final minute was cut off of the single version, as well as other sections of the song so the single edit runs under three minutes--this edit appears on subsequent reissues of the LP.

With that said, take a second listen to my favorite song from Gaye's discography and one of my top 5 favorite songs of all time and Enjoy!

Last night after the verdict came down to not indict Darren Wilson for killing Mike Brown in Ferguson, MO, I wanted to tune out for a moment and decided to go see Beyond The Lights.

With that said, during the film, I was struck by the usage of Amel Larrieux's "Don't Let Me Down" during the film, both for its poignant usage in the film, but also what it means in a larger context with Ferguson and America's justice system.

As we continue to gather our thoughts, emotions. and actions regarding this situation, take a listen below to Amel Larrieux's "Don't Let Me Down."

Song of the Day: "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" (Nina Simone)

"To Be Young, Gifted and Black" - Nina Simone

Writer: Weldon Irvine
Composer: Nina Simone
Producer: Stroud Productions
Record Label: RCA Records
Released in 1970 from Black Gold
Peaked at #8 on the Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles chart

Second Listen: "1+1" (Beyoncé)

Back in 2011, Beyoncé released her fourth studio album 4 and while it would become one of her most critically acclaimed albums, Beyoncé was unable to fully promote and roll out the album accordingly due to a leak that seemed to of pushed up the release of the project.

Despite minor hiccups, 4 would become Beyoncé's fourth consecutive studio album to debut atop the Billboard charts here in the States and offer some of Beyoncé's best vocal work to date in my opinion, including her riveting ballad "1+1," which was lifted as a promotional single from the project.

Going onto peak at number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, "1+1" was written and produced by The-Dream, Tricky Stewart and Beyoncé and is one of my favorite joints in her ever-growing discography. With that said, take a second listen below to "1+1" and Enjoy!

With the release of her eighth album Incomparable, Faith Evans released a Scandal themed video for her new joint "Fragile," which features a familiar sample from The Mamas & the Papas' classic "California Dreamin'."

Directed by Derek Blanks, Faith portrays the First Lady of the United States while Pooch Hall co-stars as the President and her unfaithful husband. With that said, take a few minutes below to peep Faith's latest music video for "Fragile" and if you like what you hear and see, go out and support Faith by picking up a copy of her new album Incomparable.

I am so mad that I was unable to get a ticket to see Jazmine Sullivan when she came to The Roxy here in Los Angeles earlier this month because after watching her performance videos from the Gramercy Theatre, it's clear that she offered a phenomenal set filled with classic hits from Jazmine as well as new joints that will be on her highly anticipated third album Reality Show.

With that said, one of those such new joints is her powerhouse ballad "Mona Lisa (Masterpiece)," which she has performed a few times and really showcases off both the power of her pen as well as her sublime vocals that really are anointed.

Watch Jazmine Sullivan's aw inspiring performance of "Mona Lisa (Masterpiece)" below from her performance last week from the Gramercy Theatre in New York City and hopefully we will hear some release date news about her highly anticipated third album Reality Show soon.

Who knew Ariana Grande was releasing a new joint in honor of the Christmas holiday, but after rocking the 2014 American Music Awards earlier tonight with two of the night's best performances, Ariana released her original joint "Santa Tell Me" to iTunes.

With that said, a video for "Santa Tell Me" has already been shot and Ariana will be performing the song at during A Very Grammy Christmas, which is slated to air on December 5.

While this is not Ms. Grande's first foray into holiday music as she released the four-song EP Christmas Kisses last year that included the Wham! evergreen classic "Last Christmas," "Santa Tell Me" has its own ring to it and could very well become a holiday standard if you ask me.

Take a listen below to "Santa Tell Me" below and if you like what you hear, go out and support Ariana by purchasing your copy of her Christmas single.

At midnight, K. Michelle released a new joint from her forthcoming sophomore album Anybody Wanna Buy A Hear? in the form of "Going Under."

While it was unknown by fans that another new joint was going to get lifted from K. Michelle's forthcoming December 9th album, "Going Under" is a pleasant surprise K and the chorus riffs on a familiar melody that I am sure you will recognize instantly upon your first listen.

With that said, take a listen below to K. Michelle's mid-tempo joint "Going Under" below and lookout for her sophomore album Anybody Wanna Buy A Heart? when it's released December 9th, just in time for the holidays!

Live Video of the Day: "Bang Bang" (Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj)

Earlier tonight during ABC's telecast of the 2014 American Music Awards, Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj reunited for the first time since the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards to perform their smash hit single "Bang Bang."

While the trio have performed the single separately and sometimes in a duo since their eyeopening performance of it at the VMAs, it was refreshing to see them on stage again together performing one of the biggest songs of 2014.

With that said, watch Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande and Jessie J work it out on the AMAs stage below and Enjoy!

Earlier tonight, Ariana Grande offered a medley of her top ten hits from her sophomore album My Everything and during the medley, Ariana slowed down "Problem" and "Break Free" into some beautiful jazz standards that truly showcase her voce.

After slowing it down, Ariana moved into her current top ten Billboard Hot 100 hit, the mid-tempo "Love Me Harder" with the assistance of The Weeknd.

Easily offering up the best performance of the night, hopefully Grammy voters take note as Ariana's shutout from the AMAs hopefully won't spill over as she is really one of the best voices to debut in the pst five years.

Peep Ariana's flawless performance of her medley of hits, "Problem," "Break Free," and "Love Me Harder" from the 2014 American Music Awards below and Enjoy!

"I Have Nothing" - Whitney Houston

Writers: David Foster & Linda Thompson
Producer: David Foster
Record Label: Arista
Released in 1993 from The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack
Peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100

Second Listen: "Suitcase" (Emeli Sandé)

While Emeli Sandé is currently hard at work on her forthcoming sophomore album which will follow her breakthrough debut Our Version of Events, I thought it would be nice to revisit one of my favorite joints from the set "Suitcase."

For some reason "Suitcase" came into my mind earlier today while I was watching some TV and I immediately revisited this sublime joint from Emeli. While it never received the single's treatment, it really is one of my top five favorite joints from Our Version of Events and hopefully will receive more attention as her career continues.

With that said, take a first or second listen below to "Suitcase" and Enjoy!

Back in 2001, Jill Scott released her live double album Experience: Jill Scott 826+ and while the set is best known for her live renditions and the single "Gimme," my favorite joint from the bonus studio LP has to be her 4Hero assisted joint "Gotta Get Up (Another Day)."

While the song was never released as a single and Ms. Scott has not performed it live to my knowledge, the song has such a necessary meaning and a dope beat to accompany it. With that said, take a listen to "Gotta Get Up (Another Day)" below and Enjoy!

During the promotion of Christina Aguilera's 2010 film debut Burlesque, the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter stopped by The Tonight Show with Jay Leno where she performed a sublime rendition of the ballad "Bound To You."

Lifted from the film's soundtrack, "Bound To You" is a sublime joint in Christina's repertoire that warrants further exploration in my opinion. With that said, take a listen below to her sublime live acoustic performance of "Bound To You" and Enjoy!

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Friday, November 28, 2014

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Monday, November 24, 2014

Sunday, November 23, 2014