Cut: "Hooked On Your Love" (Aretha Franklin)

Back in 1976, Aretha Franklin released Sparkle, the official soundtrack to the Warner Brothers motion picture that featured the instrumental tracks and backing vocals from the film versions, with Franklin's voice taking the place of the original lead vocalists.

Written and produced entirely by Curtis Mayfield, the song that everyone most remember's from Franklin's breakout 70s album is "Something He Can Feel," which was a #1 hit on the Hot Soul Singles and a top 30 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. While "Something He Can Feel" is such a classic song, Curtis Mayfield's score had a lot more cuts to offer including "Hooked On Your Love."

With that said, take a listen to Franklin's rendition of "Hooked On Your Love" below and Enjoy!

Rare Performance: "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" (Aretha Franklin)

The official soundtrack for the remake of Sparkle reignited interest in the original soundtrack and while the vocals to the remake in my opinion do not match the Queen of Soul's from the original Curtis Mayfield compositions, the women of the 2012 remake put together a solid and phenomenal effort in their own right.

Either way you feel, Ms. Franklin in my book has the top rendition followed closely behind by the funky divas of En Vogue. With that said, peep this rare performance of "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" below from the Queen of Soul, Ms. Aretha Franklin and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Move On Up" (Lion Babe)

Back during ESPN's coverage of the NFL draft, the Disney owned network used Lion Babe's cover of Curtis Mayfield's iconic "Move On Up" when the broadcast cut to and from a commercials. With that said, now the rising group have released the official audio of their remake of "Move On Up" for our consumption.

Flipping the classic soulful jam with a modern twist, Lion Babe's cover might not be everyone's cup of tea but it's an interesting take on such a classic joint. Take a listen below to Lion Babe's cover of "Move On Up" and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Look Into Your Heart" (Whitney Houston)

Back in 1994 Warner Borthers Records released a tribute album to Curtis Mayfield entitled A Tribute To Curtis Mayfield and on the album, Whitney Houston recorded a phenomenal take on Mayfield's classic "Look Into Your Heart," which was originally lifted from the Sparkle soundtrack.

With that said, while Whitney co-stared in the remake of Sparkle, she didn't get the chance to re-rerecorded it for this latest reincarnation of Sparkle. Therefore, take a listen to Whitney's sublime take of "Look Into Your Heart" below as we continue to remember The Voice.

Song of the Day: "Move On Up" (Curtis Mayfield)

"Move On Up" - Curtis Mayfield

• Writer: Curtis Mayfield 
• Producer: Curtis Mayfield
• Record Label: Curtom
• Released in 1970 from Curtis
• Peaked at #12 on the UK Singles Chart

Cut: "We the People Who Are Darker Than Blue" (Curtis Mayfield)

Been jamming to some Curtis Mayfield lately and wanted to revisit one of the classic cuts from the legendary Mayfield's vast discography that epitomizes soul music in my book.

Back in September of 1970, Curtis Mayfield released his self-titled debut album Curtis and while it is best remembered for joints such as "Move on Up," and "(Don't Worry) If There's a Hell Below, We're All Going to Go," one of those cuts from the album is his raw joint "We the People Who Are Darker Than Blue."  With that said, take a listen below to this stirring gem and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Look Into Your Heart" (Whitney Houston)

Back in 1994 Warner Borthers Records released a tribute album to Curtis Mayfield entitled A Tribute To Curtis Mayfield and on the album, Whitney Houston recorded a phenomenal take on Mayfield's classic "Look Into Your Heart," which was originally lifted from the Sparkle soundtrack.

With that said, while Whitney co-stared in the remake of Sparkle, she didn't get the chance to re-rerecorded it for this latest reincarnation of Sparkle. Therefore, take a listen to Whitney's sublime take of "Look Into Your Heart" below as we continue to remember The Voice.

Cut: "Hooked On Your Love" (Aretha Franklin)

Back in 1976, Aretha Franklin released Sparkle, the official soundtrack to the Warner Brothers motion picture that featured the instrumental tracks and backing vocals from the film versions, with Franklin's voice taking the place of the original lead vocalists.

Written and produced entirely by Curtis Mayfield, the song that everyone most remember's from Franklin's breakout 70s album is "Something He Can Feel," which was a #1 hit on the Hot Soul Singles and a top 30 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. While "Something He Can Feel" is such a classic song, Curtis Mayfield's score had a lot more cuts to offer including "Hooked On Your Love."

With that said, take a listen to Franklin's rendition of "Hooked On Your Love" below and Enjoy!

Rare Performance: "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" (Aretha Franklin)

The official soundtrack for the remake of Sparkle reignited interest in the original soundtrack and while the vocals to the remake in my opinion do not match the Queen of Soul's from the original Curtis Mayfield compositions, the women of the 2012 remake put together a solid and phenomenal effort in their own right.

Either way you feel, Ms. Franklin in my book has the top rendition followed closely behind by the funky divas of En Vogue. With that said, peep this rare performance of "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" below from the Queen of Soul, Ms. Aretha Franklin and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Move On Up" (Lion Babe)

Back during ESPN's coverage of the NFL draft, the Disney owned network used Lion Babe's cover of Curtis Mayfield's iconic "Move On Up" when the broadcast cut to and from a commercials. With that said, now the rising group have released the official audio of their remake of "Move On Up" for our consumption.

Flipping the classic soulful jam with a modern twist, Lion Babe's cover might not be everyone's cup of tea but it's an interesting take on such a classic joint. Take a listen below to Lion Babe's cover of "Move On Up" and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Look Into Your Heart" (Whitney Houston)

Back in 1994 Warner Borthers Records released a tribute album to Curtis Mayfield entitled A Tribute To Curtis Mayfield and on the album, Whitney Houston recorded a phenomenal take on Mayfield's classic "Look Into Your Heart," which was originally lifted from the Sparkle soundtrack.

With that said, while Whitney co-stared in the remake of Sparkle, she didn't get the chance to re-rerecorded it for this latest reincarnation of Sparkle. Therefore, take a listen to Whitney's sublime take of "Look Into Your Heart" below as we continue to remember The Voice.

Song of the Day: "Move On Up" (Curtis Mayfield)

"Move On Up" - Curtis Mayfield

• Writer: Curtis Mayfield 
• Producer: Curtis Mayfield
• Record Label: Curtom
• Released in 1970 from Curtis
• Peaked at #12 on the UK Singles Chart

Live Audio: "The Makings of You" (Lauryn Hill)

On February 22nd, 2000, Lauryn Hill performed a sublime cover of the Curtis Mayfield classic "The Makings of You." Lifted from the Curtis Mayfield Memorial Concert in Los Angeles, Hill and the band find the perfect balance of staying true to the original while at the same time making it their own.

With that said, take a listen below to Lauryn Hill's amazing cover of "The Makings of You" and hopefully this new year will bring us some new music from Ms. Hill in the form of the highly anticipated followup to her groundbreaking The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill LP.

Song of the Day: "Move On Up" (Curtis Mayfield)

"Move On Up" - Curtis Mayfield

• Writer: Curtis Mayfield 
• Producer: Curtis Mayfield
• Record Label: Curtom
• Released in 1970 from Curtis
• Peaked at #12 on the UK Singles Chart

Rare Performance: "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" (Aretha Franklin)

The official soundtrack for the remake of Sparkle reignited interest in the original soundtrack and while the vocals to the remake in my opinion do not match the Queen of Soul's from the original Curtis Mayfield compositions, the women of the 2012 remake put together a solid and phenomenal effort in their own right.

Either way you feel, Ms. Franklin in my book has the top rendition followed closely behind by the funky divas of En Vogue. With that said, peep this rare performance of "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" below from the Queen of Soul, Ms. Aretha Franklin and Enjoy!

Cut: "Hooked On Your Love" (Aretha Franklin)

Back in 1976, Aretha Franklin released Sparkle, the official soundtrack to the Warner Brothers motion picture that featured the instrumental tracks and backing vocals from the film versions, with Franklin's voice taking the place of the original lead vocalists.

Written and produced entirely by Curtis Mayfield, the song that everyone most remember's from Franklin's breakout 70s album is "Something He Can Feel," which was a #1 hit on the Hot Soul Singles and a top 30 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. While "Something He Can Feel" is such a classic song, Curtis Mayfield's score had a lot more cuts to offer including "Hooked On Your Love."

With that said, take a listen to Franklin's rendition of "Hooked On Your Love" below and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Look Into Your Heart" (Whitney Houston)

Back in 1994 Warner Borthers Records released a tribute album to Curtis Mayfield entitled A Tribute To Curtis Mayfield and on the album, Whitney Houston recorded a phenomenal take on Mayfield's classic "Look Into Your Heart," which was originally lifted from the Sparkle soundtrack.

With that said, while Whitney co-stared in the remake of Sparkle, she didn't get the chance to re-rerecorded it for this latest reincarnation of Sparkle. Therefore, take a listen to Whitney's sublime take of "Look Into Your Heart" below as we continue to remember The Voice.

Live Video of the Day: "Pusherman" (Curtis Mayfield)

While the title track from Curtis Mayfield's Superfly is the joint that is probably most remembered from this iconic LP, "Pusherman" is a close second, and is probably my favorite from the LP.

With that said, peep Curtis and his band performing this classic joint live from back in the 80s below as we continue to honor the musical legacy and soundscape that Curtis Mayfield has left for us all to enjoy!

Live Audio: "The Makings of You" (Lauryn Hill)

On February 22nd, 2000, Lauryn Hill performed a sublime cover of the Curtis Mayfield classic "The Makings of You." Lifted from the Curtis Mayfield Memorial Concert in Los Angeles, Hill and the band find the perfect balance of staying true to the original while at the same time making it their own.

With that said, take a listen below to Lauryn Hill's amazing cover of "The Makings of You" and hopefully this new year will bring us some new music from Ms. Hill in the form of the highly anticipated followup to her groundbreaking The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill LP.

Song of the Day: "Keep On Keeping On" (Curtis Mayfield)

"Keep On Keeping On" - Curtis Mayfield

• Writer: Curtis Mayfield
• Producer: Curtis Mayfield
• Record Label: Curtom
• Featured on 1971's Roots