Too good to pass up, check them out!

Feedback is important to an artist, and to me as well — let’s me know that you dig what I’m sharing!

JHill: an artist that you may have seen onstage with Sy Smith, Alison Carney or out and about in DC doing his thing!  JHill is that dude (listen to him sing Donny’s song)

His EP was a freeload at one time, but now it has the whopping price tag of $5bucks.  When I tell you that the $5 is an undersell, I definitely mean it!

Acoustics from the HILL – EP

* * *

AAries: remember the two pretty girls who sang along with Musiq Soulchild back in the days and there always seemed to be some sort of promise that we would hear from them, in the form of their own album?  Well, thanks a bunch to SoulBounce, the news of their EP has spread far and wide!

Get this free load now before the number of dl’s causes their site to shut down again!

Covergirls by AAries

* * *

Nicholas Ryan Gant: The first time I heard the precious voice of this songbird, he was backing Ra-Re Valverde up in Harlem.  His range was absolutely crazy — and the twitter ID: Ghetto Falsetto is definitely fitting! Here’s a link to his album, Hittin Switches (a tribute to West Coast hip hop of the 90s) ~ a free load!

Hittin Switches

&

His 2011 release, Angst in A’cappella (another free load) is packed with joints that see Nick’s vocal acrobatics running rampant!

* * *

Eska: My days, years back on Myspace were spent exploring the corners of the earth in search of good music, and people who enjoyed much of the same.  I came away from that experience with lifelong friends and plenty of affiliations to fabulous music makers.  Now in the time of facebook, I am grateful for people like Ahmed Sirour because his passion for music is real!  He posted a link to Eska’s soundcloud page and I saw a familiar name that made me light up like a kid on Christmas.  Eska was one of those gifted musicians on myspace whose page I would get stuck on — just because what was coming out of her music player was just too damned hot.  Her voice and her style, all her own — simply captivating.

There are some free loads on her soundcloud page — check it out and then stay up on her latest (here)

* * *

JUST LISTEN

This one here is just for your listening pleasure:

Speaking of Ahmed Sirour, he and Cleveland Jones are creating musical magic!

~~> a smash in the making:

SENSITIVE

(turn your speakers up L O U D and 2 step to this one!)

* * *

Parting is such sweet sorrow, especially when it involves the goodness in life that music brings with it.  It is my hope that I have exposed you to some grooves that delight your ears in the same way mine are caressed (*wink*) — let me close with this month’s free load from my homebase, SoulTracks.  Tawana Lael‘s ‘Journey to Love’ is the Choice Track for the month of March.  (listen and provide feedback, if you care to)

until we meet again ~

I am going to make a few promises to myself

I promise to remember me before remembering to put the needs of others before my own

I am going to take time throughout the day to thank God and reconnect with my own spirituality

I am going to recharge my inner soul by taking a few moments to close my eyes and…

BREATHE (music will be in my ears )

And finally, this promise to self is NOT ‘just for today’

An evening of support to benefit one of New York’s hardest working INDIE SOUL supporters: Marko Nobles

If you’ve ever been a guest on his Rhythm and Soul radio show w/DJ King James or if you’ve ever graced the stage of  The Rendezvous which is held monthly at The Shrine in Harlem, then there is absolutely NO reason fathomable for you NOT to come out and show your love for this brother!

SATURDAY NIGHT: THE ANNUAL INDIE SOUL MIXER returns to its home, BILLIE’S BLACK

*word to the wise: get there early!*

(we’ve seen this event spill into the street)

GRATEFUL

While the whole ‘Inner Soul‘ concept prepares to take on a new overview, my good friend, DJ Smoove decided to show his love for ‘me’ supporting his mixes for the years I’ve known him.  He did it in such a way that took everything I was going through on that particular day and left me even more grateful for his friendship.

When I discovered my brother on myspace, back then — he was mixing indie soul music that I thought only I was up on! There was one mix and one top friend (y’all remember those, right?! that hooked me and cemented the friendship. He had a mix with Eric Roberson and V (aka VRoane). V was in his top friends area — and that sold me! Smoove and I have been comparing music libraries, encouraging one another — even when the other is not aware that one needs to be lifted, and just keeping one another filled with a smile.

Gospel house, especially a few of the songs that Smoove included … take me to a time and place when I hung out at this certain spot, not for its ambience, or lack thereof,  but the camaraderie and definitely the music the DJ would spin.  Good memories and great times!

Check out this mix because I can almost guarantee that the steps you take while listening to ‘Grateful‘ will fill your spirit, boost your level of creativity and set you in the right direction!

PEACE

&

BLESSINGS

This coming weekend, it won’t matter if the bitter cold chooses not to stay away from New York City!  The heat that we anticipate to come out from the cavernous pit, better known as the BB King‘s Blues Club and Grill will be enough to fend off any sign of brutal cold.  This is Valentine’s weekend ~ a weekend that should be filled with nothing but LOVE…

I highly recommend this show for all lovers ~ anyone wanting to be in love ~ those searching for a mate (just might find one) and those whose hearts have been so tainted might even find themselves open, at the end of the evening to new love possibilities. (smile)

Rahsaan Patterson has not taken to that same stage in quite some time ~ and his NYC performances are legendary.  He’s known to take the crowd on a trip through each of his previous releases and deliver some of the new material that is rumored to drop shortly.  Abby Dobson is a beautiful young lady, with a voice that can capture you with its lull effect.  Her range is spectacular, and her delivery is so potent that the expression on her face is often priceless.

This is a show that you should make EVERY effort not to miss…

For ticket info (click here)

After tapping into my circle of loving advisors & the person whose opinion of me matters most: my mommy (smile), I am happy to report that I’m off my hump!  So, although my JETS suffered a devastating loss that cost them a spot in this year’s SuperBowl … I will survive! *wink*

A couple of things I think you should know about me if you are going to ride with me through this future journey to my Inner Soul…

1) Football season is my favorite time of the year!

2) Keep all hateful comments about the NY JETS to a whisper ~ in my presence or on my space!

3) I’ve been a fan of the NY JETS since I was in elementary school and Janice Kee became my BFF (& her father adopted me, RIP Big Al)!

4) My favorite living musicians are: Mint Condition, Rahsaan Patterson, John P. Kee (get his latest album: The Legacy Project ~ to die for!), Fred Hammond, Will Downing and Stevie Wonder. Any of them could easily talk me off of the ledge!

5) My musical heroes that have departed this life are: Billie Holiday, Phyllis Hyman, Noel Pointer and Donny Hathaway.

6) I have a special place in my heart for horns and strings! The music of Mike Phillips (horn), Mike Ward (strings), Noel Pointer (strings), Lorenzo LaRoc ~ can calm a storm in my life at any time!

7) My gospel elite: Richard Smallwood, GMayes & N.E. (my god brother), Hezekiah Walker & LFC, Marvin Winans, James Hall (Worship & Praise … before the Citadel), Norman Hutchins, Tonex (before BSlade), JMoss and … Fred & John ~ can turn a rainy day, sunshiny bright in my life and give me unparalleled hope!

Notice that I seem to have a thing for male vocalists? I’ve never been able to put a finger on why that is ~ but a sista singer has to work me over like my favorite female vocalists: Kelly Price, Monica Blaire and Lalah Hathaway.

If I don’t rave about it (whatever ‘it’ may be), then I’m really not feeling it! That’s just me … the me that folks have come to respect … this is one critic that can’t pretend, whether you are a friend or foe. If I love it, I’ll be sure to share just why you ought to love it too.

(I’ve heard your feedback about the new collab with Kelly Price & Stokely [2 blog posts back] and I still love it! Later for y’all skeptics lol)

On that note … Be sure to take a moment to cast your vote in the SoulTracks poll for the Greatest Slow Jams of All Time. Check out some of the features while you’re on the site: new music reviews, new video selections, news and entertainment updates, artist bios, free song download, monthly album preview and so much more. Y’all be good, stay tuned and get those ears ready for loads of new music!

Major Shout Out to Eric Roberson and the global united ERF’lings (I’m one!   Eric recently taped the Mo’ Nique show, which airs tomorrow (Monday, January 31st @ 11:00pm on BET)

One final note. I’m kicking this year off with a … major announcement! Sounds strange to me as I type it, but I have new love.  It is true, there is someone new on the scene to hear my woes, guide me through the muck, to kiss my cheek and bring me a smile.  I’m feeling blessed and I thank God for answering silent prayers.

#amen

Stay tuned for The – Inner – Soul overhaul…

In the coming days, New York and New Jersey will be laced with two shows that will feature several of the hottest female singers on the scene today.

SOBs
NEW YORK CITY
THURSDAY NIGHT

INDIE SOUL SISTAH TOUR

On one stage; On one evening: Jean Baylor / ChinahBlac / Carol Riddick / Helen Bruner / Terry Jones will bring unimagined beauty and vocals that are sure to blow the roof off the mutha!

*  *  *

KEY CLUB
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY
SATURDAY NIGHT

KELLY PRICE

It’s early 2011 and Kelly Price‘s highly anticipated release, ‘Kelly‘ will hopefully hit the streets as tweeted this week on March 29th. I gushed a few days ago about her single, Not My Daddy with Mint Condition’s, Stokley Williams.  I spoke about attending the live taping of her previous cd This Is Who I Am — and how disappointed I was that the promised accompanying dvd of that performance was never released.  Now, there’s news that Kelly will be at the Key Club in downtown Newark, premiering a few of her songs from the new release.

As we look toward a new week, it is absolutely wonderful to kick it off with a piece of music that totally excites me!  Two of my favorite songbirds, Kelly Price and Stokley Williams teamed up on a song entitled, Not My Daddy that will be part of Kelly’s eagerly anticipated forthcoming release, Kelly. I owe an enormous amount of gratitude to Singersroom for pointing the spotlight on this cut.

This pairing is really special to me because I became completely enamored with Kelly Price, vocally a few years ago.  She had a live taping of what was to be released on dvd for her album, This Is Who I Am at Zion Cathedral C.O.G.I.C. in Freeport, NY (Long Island).  Watching Kelly perform live, alongside Richard Smallwood, Donnie McClurkin, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Joe Ligon was phenomenal.  Throughout the evening, Kelly ministered between songs, shared her testimony, changed outfits and was simply breathtaking. In the audience were Ron Grant, Melonie Daniels, James Hall and Chrisette Michele.  Unfortunately, the dvd was never released.

Mint Condition, hands down is the best band in existence today.  As the lead vocalist of the band, Stokley Williams stands out, as most leads do, but there’s more to him than just his vocal contributions.  His stage presence, random instrument solos and scat acrobatics are always filled with unparalleled vigor that are guaranteed to draw the crowd.  Anyone who knows me fully understands that Mint Condition will forever hold a special place in my heart.  When they perform in New York, if it can be prevented, I try not to miss a show.

Check out Not My Daddy (and let me know what you think):

The sting left behind by a sudden and unexpected death, sometimes never seems to fade. However, when the individual is an entertainer and leaves a tremendous body of work as their legacy for us to treasure, the pain is slightly decreased. Such is the case with the recent passing of Teena Marie aka Lady T aka Vanilla Child. We knew it would be only a matter of time before the podcaster familia went to their respective corners to pull together the best mixes of music ‘The Ivory Queen of Soul’ left behind for us to cherish.

Two of my favorite folk under the podcasting umbrella: TGrundy, the mastermind behind R.I.B.S., not the messy delicacy that once walked on four hoofs, but a delicacy of music medleys, nonetheless; and the brother who has identified himself as EJ Flavors in the world of social mediums joined forces to bring Lady T to us in the form of five dynamic mixes. (tracklistings posted below)

For me, these offerings hit the spot because each of my favorite Teena Marie (& Rick James) songs were included — I hope you’ll feel the same!

EJ Flavors Playlists #1 -#3

Teena: Uptempo

1 – Square Biz (It Must Be Magic )

2 – It Must Be Magic (It Must Be Magic )

3 – I’m a Sucker for Your Love  with Rick James (Wild and Peaceful)

4 – I Need Your Lovin’ (Irons In The Fire)

5 – 365 (It Must Be Magic )

6 – Behind The Groove (Lady T)

7 – Don’t Look Back (Wild and Peaceful)

8 – Chains (Irons In The Fire)

9 – The Ballad Of Cradle Rob & Me (It Must Be Magic )

10 – Revolution (It Must Be Magic )

11 – Work It (Naked To The World)

12 – Lovergirl (Starchild)

13 – Surrealistic Pillow (Naked To The World)

Teena: Downtempo, Volume 1

14 – Portuguese Love (It Must Be Magic )

15 – Fire and Desire W/Rick James (Street Songs)

16 – Casanova Brown (Robbery)

17 – If I Were A Bell (Ivory)

18 – Wishing On A Star (New York Undercover: A Night At Natalie’s)

19 – Happy w/ Rick James (Throwin’ Down)

20 – Too Many Colors (Lady T)

21 – Irons In The Fire (Irons In The Fire)

22 – Young Love (Irons In The Fire)

23 – Aladdin’s Lamp (Lady T)

24 – I’m Gonna Have My Cake (And Eat It Too) (Wild and Peaceful)

25 – Yes Indeed! (It Must Be Magic )

26 – Opus III (Does Anybody Care) (It Must Be Magic )

27 – Ooo Wee  w/Kurupt (Sapphire)

28 – Baby I Love You (Congo Square)

29 – Baby I’m Your Fiend (La Dona)

Teena: Downtempo, Volume II

30 – Out on a Limb (Starchild)

31 – Dear Lover (Robbery)

32 – Ooo La La La (Extended Mix) (Naked To The World)

33 – Deja Vu (We’ve Been Here Before) (It Must Be Magic )

34 – Naked To The World (Naked To The World)

35 – Sunny Skies (Emerald City)

36 – Stop The World (Robbery)

37 – Can It Be Love (Lady T)

38 – Now That I Have You (Lady T)

39 – Where’s California (It Must Be Magic )

40 – You Blow Me Away (Sapphire)

41 – Parking Music (Passion Play)

42 – A.P.B. (Sapphire)

43 – Can’t Last A Day w/ Faith Evans (Congo Square)

*EJ Flavors link*

R.I.B.S. Playlists #4 & #5

Playlist 4: (song – artist)

1. I Am Love (ft Teena Marie) – Pamela Williams
2. Somebody Just Like You (ft Gerald Albright) – Teena Marie
3. Lover’s Lane (ft Howard Hewett) – Teena Marie
4. Soul Mates (ft Teena Marie) – Q.T. Hush
5. When It’s Late (ft Teena Marie) – Gooch
6. Life Is So Hard (ft Teena Marie)  -Eve
7. Shorty Down – Teena Marie
8. Ain’t A Damn Thang Changed – L.A. Nash
9. Lead Me On – Teena Marie
10. Bad Boy – Teena Marie
11. The Ballad Of Cradle Rob & Me – Teena Marie
12. Main Squeeze (ft Lenny Kravitz) – Teena Marie
13. Cruise Control (ft Smokey Robinson) – Teena Marie
14. Can’t Last A Day (ft Faith Evans) – Teena Marie
15. Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite) – Pamela Williams
16. Soldier (ft Shirley Murdock) – Teena Marie
17. Congo Square (ft George Duke) – Teena Marie

Playlist 5: (song – artist)

1. Gigolette (ft Teena Marie) – Ozone
2. Baby, Do You Feel Me? (ft Teena Marie) – Danny Tenaglia
3. Body Work (ft Teena Marie) – Yo-Yo
4. Sweet On You (ft Yo-Yo) – Teena Marie
5. I Got You (ft Rick James) – Teena Marie
6. Ladies Choice (Feat. Queen And Gail Gotti) – Teena Marie
7. Cum On Over (ft Teena Marie) – Domino
8. God Has Created (ft Smokey Robinson) – Teena Marie
9. Hypnotized (Prelude) – Teena Marie
10. Hypnotized – Teena Marie
11. Dear Lover – Teena Marie
12. Sudan (ft Teena Marie) – George Duke
13. Simmer Down (ft Lady Levi) – Teena Marie
14. The Pressure (ft MC Lyte) – Teena Marie
15. Black Cool – Teena Marie
16. I’m Still In Love – Teena Marie
17. My Dear Mr. Gaye – Teena Marie
18. Latin Lullaby (ft Teena Marie) – Pamela Williams

*R.I.B.S. link*

In addition, sweet Sy Smith and Mark de Clive-Lowe team up to revamp Teena Marie’s ‘Lovergirl‘ with their own special twist.  (check out the SoulTracks news piece ~ here)

Sidebar: EJ’s OSW (Old School Wednesday) segments have reunited me with songs that impacted me in a certain way along my journey to today. Be sure to subscribe because when he has the time to put them together, trust and believe me when I warn you that you WILL NOT want to miss any episode!

There is a strong possibility that you either may not have ever met the deceased entertainer, or might have only shared a chance encounter, resulting in posing for a photo, securing an autograph or shaking hands.  Regardless of how brief the encounter may have been, their presence in whatever form throughout the years in our lives, led us to  feel connected to them.

2010 saw the passing of many significant entertainers, most recently, singer Teena Marie. There is an ongoing outpouring of love all around the internet for Teena Marie. My hope is that the magnitude of respect and adoration serves as a flicker of comfort for her daughter.

In no particular order, here are some of the losses that heaven gained this year:

Musician, Teena Marie

Teena Marie [Mary Christine Brockert] (March 5, 1956 – December 26, 2010), her sudden death has stunned the music world, and beyond.

Civil rights leader Dr. Benjamin Hooks

Benjamin L. Hooks, a civil rights leader who was also a lawyer and an ordained Baptist minister who joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and led the NAACP for 15 years.

Actress/Singer/Activist Lena Horne

Lena Mary Calhoun Horne (June 30, 1917 – May 9, 2010) was a singer, actress, civil rights activist, dancer — whose breathtaking beauty made her the object of many mens’ desires.

Singer/Songwriter Teddy Pendergrass

Theodore “Teddy” Pendergrass (March 26, 1950 – January 13, 2010) was an R&B/soul singer and songwriter, who first rose to fame as lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and later launched a successful solo career.

Rapper Guru

Keith Edward Elam aka GURU (Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal)(July 17, 1961 – April 19, 2010), was an emcee and member of the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, along with DJ Premier.

NBA Player, Manute Bol

Manute Bol (October 16, 1962 – June 19, 2010) played on several NBA teams in the 80s & 90s and was also an activist who contributed to several causes in Sudan.

Dick Griffey, Founder of SOLAR Records

Richard Gilbert “Dick” Griffey (November 16, 1938 – September 24, 2010) was an American record producer and promoter who founded SOLAR Records (Sound of Los Angeles Records). SOLAR Records was once home to artists like Shalamar, The Whispers, Lakeside, LA Reid and Babyface.

Musician, James Moody

Musician, James Moody (March 26, 1925 – December 9, 2010) was best known for his hit Moody’s Mood for Love.

Margaret Taylor-Burroughs

Margaret Taylor-Burroughs (November 11, 1917 – November 21, 2010) was a prominent African American artist and writer and a co-founder of the DuSable Museum of African American History.

NBA Player, Quintin Dailey

Quintin “Q” Dailey (January 22, 1961 – November 8, 2010) was a professional basketball player who spent 10 years in the NBA, playing for the Chicago Bulls, LA Clippers and Seattle SuperSonics.

Musician, Gregory Isaacs

Gregory Anthony Isaacs (15 July 1951 – 25 October 2010) was a Jamaican reggae artist whose hit, Night Nurse is one of the most popular reggae songs in history. (thanks KH!).

Solomon Burke, King of Rock and Soul

Solomon Burke (March 21, 1940 – October 10, 2010) was a singer, songwriter and mortician.  He was also the archbishop of the United House of Prayer For All People (and the father of 21, grandfather of 90).

Singer, Albertina Walker

Albertina Walker (August 29, 1929 – October 8, 2010) was proclaimed ‘The Queen of Gospel Music’ and sang with Mahalia Jackson as a teenager.  She formed the group, The Caravans which included members like Shirley Caesar, James Cleveland and Dorothy Norwood, to name a few.

News Correspondent, Harold Dow

Harold Dow (September 28, 1947 – August 21, 2010) was a journalist and news correspondent who worked for CBS News as an investigative reporter.

Musician, Robert Wilson

Robert Wilson (December 21, 1956 – August 15, 2010) was one third of the group of Wilson Brothers, best known as The Gap Band.  He was known as the Godfather of Bass Guitar.

Singer, Walter Hawkins

Walter Hawkins (May 18, 1949 – July 11, 2010) was an renowned gospel singer and pastor.

Musician, Garry Shider

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Garry Shider (July 24, 1953 – June 16, 2010) was a guitarist, who was the musical director of the P-Funk All-Stars.

Musician, Marvin Isley

Marvin Isley (August 18, 1953 – June 6, 2010)^, the youngest member of the family music group was a bass guitarist.

Singer, Ali-Ollie Woodson

Ali-Ollie Woodson (September 12, 1951 – May 30, 2010) , sang lead with the Temptations in the late 80s through the 90s, had a solo career and appeared in a few movies, television shows and stage plays.

Activist/Historian, Dorothy Height

Dorothy Irene Height (March 24, 1912 – April 20, 2010) was the president of the National Council of Negro Women for more than 40 years, as well as a civil rights activist.  Dr. Height spoke out during the civil rights movement, alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. about the injustices against African Americans.

Singer, Ron Banks

Ron Banks (May 10, 1951 – March 4, 2010), founder of the group, The Dramatics.

Actor, Gary Coleman

Gary Coleman (February 8, 1968 – May 28, 2010)