Brown Sugar

New Blog Coming Soon!

2010-07-24T15:13:00.002-04:00

This site will be no more. I'm working on another blog titled "Raise It Up!" with a friend of mine.

It will be very similar to Brown Sugar when it comes to the underground artists and getting their names out there more. The only difference is that my friend and myself will be blogging about more popular music as well. This way, we'll have a larger audience that will stumble upon these underground artists while they are looking for what they know. This mix will be interesting, but this way I will still be able to blog about the music I love and hopefully the blog will have more visitors.

Hopefully this time I'll be able to balance school and blogging and everything else. College begins this fall, but with two of us posting on RIU, things shouldn't be slow.

Stay tuned!

Save VH1 Soul!

2010-01-20T18:27:00.003-05:00

VH1 Soul, the only music channel on television that plays the greatest soul music, is on the verge of getting the axe. Every cable provider does not offer this channel, but those who have it and are fans of it cannot live without it.

If VH1 Soul was to be discontinued, what channel would soul-lover watch to get their fix? MTV Jams? MTV Hits? MTV? VH1? Fuse? Not a chance.

VH1 Soul has created many of their own original programs, i.e. the notable SoulStage. Jill Scott, Chrisette Michele, Erykah Badu, Wyclef Jean, and Raphael Saadiq have all been performers on the program, and without it, where else where we go to watch these artists' sets?

The fact is, people do not WANT to air this kind of music. Soul music isn't as popular as all of the other genres, so most channels have zero interest in airing it. If the artists who get their videos played on the channel were platinum-selling, multi-grammy winning artists, cancellation would not even be a thought. Good music? People can't take that. People don't need that. People don't want that.

But you know what, forget music with substance. Who needs to turn on their television and watch Sub-Soul and see underground soul artists (with great talent) do what they absolutely love to do? Who needs Soulphrodisiac where the best of the love songs are played? Who needs Soul School to watch the old soul and R&B videos from back in the day? Not I. Not VH1 Soul's fans either.

Let's get rid of VH1 Soul and keep MTV Jams! What a great idea, because everyone wants to see the latest videos from Waka Flocka and the like. Let's keep BET because, to put it simply, it is the best channel for black music. We get to see the most music of depth and substance on these channels, don't we? I don't care to see live sets from artists like Erykah Badu. I don't care to see my favorite R&B music videos from the 80's and 90's. Yes, getting rid of VH1 Soul is a fantastic idea.

However, if you disagree with me, you can sign THIS PETITION and follow @SaveVH1Soul on Twitter. They'll keep you updated with the entire situation. Share the links with a friend and tell your friend to share the links with a friend, and so on and so on.

Peace and love.

Have You Downloaded Brittany Bosco's Spectrum 2.0?

2009-09-02T19:04:00.003-04:00

The EP hit the net September 1st at midnight(EST). Many Brittany Bosco fans and supporters downloaded it straight away and those who haven't even heard of her gave it a listen. Spectrum 2.0 is a re-release of her first Spectrum EP. This time around, she has included a few new songs. Her musical style is far from usual. However, I've seen her being compared to the likes of Janelle Monae, Kissey Asplund, and Erykah Badu. If you're new to Bosco, download this EP. There isn't any theft here, it's all free. Major props to ConcreteLoop for the Artist Spotlight post on her.

Don't Miss Fertile Ground In D.C.!

2009-09-02T18:46:00.003-04:00

If you are a Fertile Ground and/or Natalie Stewart fan, don't miss your chance to see these artists live. On September 19th, these artists (along with Beny Blaq and Jason Reynolds) will be at The Arc Theater. Orchestra seating is $20 and box seating is $24.

Visit TSSS for more information. Mark your calenders, people.

SoulCulture Presents: Aaliyah Revisited.

2009-08-25T18:11:00.002-04:00

Eight years ago today, a true angel was taken away from this word. Every year on this day, Aaliyah fans take their time out to honor her. Whether it's listening to her music, watching her videos, or getting together for her, we do what we can. She will never be forgotten.

SoulCulture has put together this EP which includes great artists singing some of Baby Girl's classics. These artists include Tawiah, Sy Smith, Jesse Boykins III, and more. Cover/Tracklisting + download link below.

1. If Your Girl Only Knew (Syberized) – produced & performed by Sy Smith (Recorded & Engineered by: Grant Nicholas at Rumbo Studio C, Winnetka, CA)

2. Are You That Somebody – performed by Tawiah, produced by Jodi Milliner

3. I Care 4 U – produced & performed by Jesse Boykins III

4. It’s Whatever – produced by Black Einstein ft. Baby Sol

5. A Million Preludes – performed by Marsha Ambrosius

6. One In A Million – performed by Jonas

7. Rock The Boat – performed by Vula, produced by Jodi Milliner

8. ESP (A 4 Page Suite) – produced by AFTA-1 ft. Nikko Gray

Download.

Thanks to SoulCulture.

Video: Sy Smith- B-Side Love Affair.

2009-08-19T12:41:00.002-04:00

Below is the official video for Sy Smith's "B-Side Love Affair" from her album Conflict. Very nice video for one of my personal favorites on the album.

Make sure you're following Sy on Twitter. The woman is amazing. A 10 in my book.

Randomness: What Makes You A Good Artist?

2009-08-14T18:14:00.004-04:00

Many people, including myself, are always talking about good music and good artists. But what does that mean, exactly? In my opinion, it doesn't mean that there are good artists and bad artists. There are many things that make you a "good" artist. With that being said, I made a list of 10 things that I think make you a good artist. (with a couple of things added by my boy Vince)

Top ten things that make you a GOOD artist:

1. "Money Don't Mean a Thing."
A true artist makes music for the love. They're not worried about how much money they're going to make or how many album sales they get. They make music because they love it and because there are people out there that love it.

2. Staying True to Yourself.
You don't have to sell out if you want to be a good artist. What is selling out you ask? Conforming, basically. Hopping on a track with Drake being drowned out in auto-tune. That's what it is. If you make music the way you want to, you will get true fans. No shade towards Mary J. Blige by the way. Just do you.

3. Performing Your Tail Off.
This is very broad. If you love the music, you'd love to perform. Everytime you perform, you'll give it your all. It doesn't have to be at a major venue, it can just be at a small show. At either location, you perform with all of your might. And when it comes to performing, most artists' live performances are better and different each time. I don't know what it is...but an artist who can put on one heck of a show blow my mind.

4. Good Attitude.
Nobody likes a stuck-up artist or a hater. If you can acknowledge another artist's talent and greatness, you're amazing. The artists I follow on twitter are constantly showing love to eachother which makes me love them even more. You're all in this business together, no need for hate.

5. Meaningful Lyrics.
No one wants to hear anything about you "[insert expletive here] every girl in the world." We want something we can relate to. (And if you can relate to those lyrics...please click the "X" at the top right of your browser. Thank you.)

6. Don't Let The Industry Take You Over.
I'm not an artist, but from what I have seen and heard, the business is very stressful. Don't let them see you sweat, though. I know there are artists that can't seem to catch a break, but yet they don't quit and they stick it through. Good things come to those who wait. Don't lose yourself.

7. Love for the Fans.
When you make good music, you gain fans. Fans who love your music and who love you. That can ALL change when your fans meet you and you act like you don't care about them. You + Fans = You doing something right. We love interaction :)

8. Good Personality.
People love to see that their favorite artists love having a good time and to joke around. Also, we love it when you're nice. No need to take yourself too seriously. If you can't have fun while you're doing something you supposedly love, what's the use?

9. Define Your Music, Don't Let Your Music Define You.
Let that marinate.

10. Work Hard.
A good artist doesn't get "success" the easy way. Success doesn't necessarily deal with album sales or anything of the sort. I don't believe success can be handed to you on a plate. You have to get up of your bottom and go get it for yourself.

All of the artists I mention on this site are good artists. But maybe the word good isn't strong enough? Who knows. And again, these are just opinions. I may be leaving some things out, and if you have something else to add please do.

Video: YahZarah- The Tickler.

2009-08-14T17:35:00.003-04:00

YahZarah is the perfect reason for why people need to wake up. There's a whole different world out there. It's called good music. Discover it. Live it. Breathe it. Share it.

There is no word on a set release date for her upcoming project, The Ballad of Purple St. James, but keep your eyes open.

Video: Wayna- A New Scenery.

2009-08-14T17:23:00.003-04:00

Below is the video for Wayna's "A New Scenery" from her album Higher Ground. The song happens to be my favorite. The entire video was done by girls between the ages of 10 and 15. Not bad.

Review: Little Dragon- Machine Dreams.

2009-08-14T16:56:00.003-04:00

The swedish group, Little Dragon, has been known for creating music with a futuristic/electronic sound. A sound that many are not used to, but once they take a listen to this group's music, they end up enjoying it. Their debut album, Little Dragon, opened people's ears with songs such as "Twice," "Test," and "No Love." Yukimi Nagano's vocals are unlike any other artist's. However, her unique voice seems to be a favorite among soul and hip-hop fans.

When information on a new album hit the web, Little Dragon's fans became eager. Most were curious as to how the group would top their debut album. Would they fail or would they succeed? Would the new album exceed expectations or would it just be a flop?

With this new album, Machine Dreams, fans will not lose their love for this group or their music, for that matter. The Little Dragon sound is very distinct and it is along the same lines as their first album. Yukimi Nagano's vocals over the electronic-style beats is a thing that an LD fan can never get tired of. Up-tempo songs like "Runabout" and "Looking Glass" will keep you listening. And as usual, there are a few slow-tempo songs, such as the song "Thunder Love." No matter what kind of song the group creates, they always seem to deliver.

To sum it up, if you were a Little Dragon fan before, I believe you will remain a Little Dragon fan. If you are new to the group, this album is a great beginning.

The album will officially be available August 31st. Support good music, people.

"Runabout"

"Looking Glass"

"Thunder Love"

Two Concerts in California: Amel Larrieux and Erykah Badu.

2009-08-14T16:22:00.004-04:00

If you live out in San Francisco or Oakland, you have the chance to see two great soul artists a few days apart in the beginning of September. I'll hate later. Details are below.

Ticket info for the Amel Larrieux concert can be found here.

Ticket info for the Erykah Badu (along with Mos Def & Jay Electronica) concert can be found here.

Download: Marsha Ambrosius Greatest Hits.

2009-08-14T16:12:00.003-04:00

Today on the lovely Twitterverse, Marsha Ambrosius posted a link to a download of her Greatest Hits mixtape. It includes a few songs she has been featured on and also songs she has written. Download link and full tracklisting below.

Download.
Props to HoneySoul for the pic.

Under Construction.

2009-08-03T16:31:00.004-04:00

Yes, again. Due to my lack of intelligence, I went clicking around without first saving the original template. All I wanted to do was SAVE the template, but I clicked the wrong section on blogger and saved one of the templates they have available. The original template that was on use is NOT on my computer at the moment, at least I can't find it right now. I'd say this is FML worthy.

In the meantime, I'm still going to post. Even though the layout is no longer up to par. Now I'll have to dedicate the rest of my day to creating a new one.

On a lighter note...have you listened the songs Kissey Asplund uploaded on her birthday? (July 23rd) She re-recorded these songs which she wrote at the age of 19. She was going to quit music but thankfully she did not. Download them below.

1. Jazzcool
2. My Way
Download.

On to tackle the layout...

Video: Goapele- Milk & Honey.

2009-08-03T14:23:00.003-04:00

We've seen the video stills she posted on her blog and a bootleg version of the video, but now the official video is here. Watch it below.

Keep your eyes and ears open for more news and music. She's putting some serious work into this new album people.

New Music from Little Dragon: "Feather."

2009-07-19T14:37:00.005-04:00

According to FACT magazine, this is indeed the first single from the group's sophomore album, Machine Dreams. Unfortunately, the program I use to rip audio is down, but it can be streamed on their myspace. I'll have it up ASAP.

(Album cover and tracklisting below, as well as the songs that have already surfaced)
*UPDATE*: Listen + download link below.

"Feather"

Download.

1. A New

2. Looking Glass

3. My Step

4. Feather

5. Thunder Love

6. Never Never

7. Runabout

8. Swimming

9. Blinking Pigs

10. Come Home

11. Fortune

The album will be available August 19th.

Look Out For Muhsinah's Oscillations: Square.

2009-07-19T14:00:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, I just realized that Oscillations: Triangle was never released. I was worried, so I googled what was up. I don't know the full story or if this is even the reason why it wasn't released, but the album was leaked mega early. Heartbreaking. The good news is, she's releasing Oscillations: Square. Info from her blog below.

Yes, what you’ve heard is true! Who? What? Where? When? There is indeed a new installment coming to web at midnight that will only be available directly from this website. Why? In a nutshell… 7/20 is The Golden Girl’s birthday and The Oscillations: Square is in a sense, her gift to the fans.

13 tracks that would surely be lost to time if not for this release. “Gems” if you will, polished to be shared. Hopefully this will hold you all over until The Oscillations:Triangle is complete. Stay tuned throughout the day for more details.

Melanie Fiona + The Illadelphonics Mixtape.

2009-07-11T23:13:00.004-04:00

She's slowly converting people into fans. The cover, tracklisting, and download link are below.

Download.

Thanks to 2dbz for the nice tags & link.

New Goapele: Milk & Honey.

2009-07-10T19:13:00.004-04:00

We've heard a snippet of it way back in April, well now the full version is FINALLY here. If you have always been a fan of her material, you'll remain loyal. This track is so soulful just like everything else she releases. She never fails to deliver. Like the song says, it's "Just like milk and honey, it feels so warm inside." I would say more about it, but I think your best bet is to listen. Get an eargasm below. Hopefully you'll put it on repeat.

"MILK & HONEY"

Download.

According to her site, we can expect a video soon.

Album Cover for Ledisi's "Turn Me Loose."

2009-07-09T21:36:00.005-04:00

The new album will be available everywhere August 18th so make sure you support her. Each week on the site of her online countdown, you will be able to listen to two new tracks. See the full album cover below.

The first single from her upcoming album, "Goin' Thru Changes" is available on iTunes now and the album is available for pre-order on Amazon.

If you can't stream the first single from the site, listen below.

"Goin' Thru Changes"

(I'm late getting on this song, but I've been away from the computer for almost 3 weeks now. Trying to get back into the groove slowly.)

Audio: Erykah Badu- I Wanna Be Where You Are

2009-06-29T22:33:00.002-04:00

Miss Badu got together with the legendary Roots crew recently. The result? A Jackson 5 cover with the vocals provided by Erykah. Listen/Download below. I hope to be posting a lot more covers by talented artists. Emphasis on that word.

"I Wanna Be Where You Are"

Video: Yahzarah Covers Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean."

2009-06-29T22:22:00.003-04:00

Below is the video of Yahzarah singing her own version of Michael's "Billie Jean" at the Soul Sista Summit. It's guaranteed to leave you speechless. (Better than anyone at the disgrace of a BET Awards could have done). R.I.P. Michael Jackson.

Audio: Maxwell's "Bad Habits."

2009-06-09T18:29:00.002-04:00

The song is the second single from his upcoming album, BLACKsummers'night. You can listen to the song after the jump. It's also available on iTunes. The album and the deluxe version are also available on iTunes for pre-order. The album will be here July 7th people!

"Bad Habits"

Laura Izibor Tour Dates.

2009-06-07T19:57:00.005-04:00

Laura Izibor will be stopping in a few cities in the U.S. in these upcoming weeks. Most likely for a little bit of promo for the release of her debut album, Let The Truth Be Told. It will officially be available in the U.S. June 16th so make sure you get it and support her. Check the dates below.

Jun 10 2009 8:00P
Pontiac Garage @ House of Blues Dallas, Texas

Jun 12 2009 8:00P
Vinyl Atlanta, Georgia

Jun 15 2009 8:00P
World Cafe Live Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Jun 16 2009 8:00P
Kennedy Center Millenium Stage Washington, Washington DC

Jun 17 2009 8:00P
S.O.B.�s New York, New York

Jun 20 2009 8:00P
CBS Saturday Morning Show New York, New York

Jun 20 2009 11:30P
Joe�s Pub Late Show New York, New York

Jun 22 2009 8:00P
House Of Blues Chicago, Illinois

Jun 23 2009 8:00P
Palm Beach Improv West Palm, Florida

Thanks go to OKP.

Conya Doss + Sy Smith + Maya Azucena at Soul Sista Serenade.

2009-06-07T19:43:00.005-04:00

The flier says it all. This is another show you don't want to miss. If you're one of the lucky ones attending, record lots of videos. And to be honest, I'm not familiar with the name Maya Azucena. I did a little research on YouTube and found several great performances. Check out one below. (she's one to keep your eyes on).

Update.

2009-06-07T19:25:00.002-04:00

Forgive me for the lack of posts recently. These past few weeks have been very hectic. But as I look around, I see that I haven't missed a lot of news. The most uplifting news I've read has been the news about Sade.

Anyway, I am finally out of school and now it's time for me to get some relaxation in for a little while. With that being said, I will only post mind-blowing information in these next few weeks. I won't have much free time this summer like I did last summer so I can't promise that I'll update that often. If anyone is interested in contributing, e-mail me at VibesAndStuff425@yahoo.com.

And check out this interview with Laura Izibor on SoulCulture tv.

Hopefully the U.S. release of her debut album will be the start of a good summer for soul music.

Maxwell's BLACKsummers'night Album Cover.

2009-05-21T17:39:00.004-04:00

The album will be available July 7th. :)

Anthony David- "4evermore."

2009-05-20T19:51:00.005-04:00

Anthony David released this new song via twitter today. The song features Algebra Blessett and The Foreign Exchange's/Little Brother's Phonte. The three of them make a great team. Listen to the song below.

"4evermore"

Download.

Twitter has officially become the place for promo. MySpace who?

Erykah Badu Update.

2009-05-20T18:54:00.004-04:00

This is the last time I'm writing a post like this. Yes...another let down. New Amerykah Part II: Return of the Ankh will NOT be released in August. The fall months are looking more likely. But even though there will not be an album in August, word is there will be a single out. Keep your ears open for that.

In other news, she will be doing a lot of shows in the states and in Europe. On May 29th, she will be in Hawaii with Goapele so if you're down there, make sure you check them out. Other dates are listed on erykah-badu.com.

Next post on Erykah I make will have some solid news. Either that or a new song enclosed.

Zap Mama's Recreation In Stores Next Tuesday.

2009-05-20T18:28:00.004-04:00

Zap Mama's seventh album, yes SEVENTH album, will be released next Tuesday, May 26th. Check out two new songs after the jump. Also, check out Bama Love Soul's review of the album.

"The Way You Are" (featuring Bilal)

"Drifting"

Pre-order the album over at Amazon.

New Music From Raheem DeVaughn.

2009-05-20T17:33:00.003-04:00

A new song, "A Wing and A Prayer" has surfaced. The song, featuring rapper Bun B of the group UGK, is not one to raise eyebrows at. In other Raheem news, he will be releasing a free mixtape, The Art of Noise. It will be available June 15th. Listen to the song below.

"A Wing and a Prayer"

After hearing this song, one can only wonder what direction he'll be going in for his next album. No telling if this song will make the cut for the new album or if it will just be on the upcoming mixtape.

Thanks go to OKP.

New Teedra Moses Album in August?

2009-05-20T15:30:00.003-04:00

Teedra Moses is an extremely talented R&B singer who delivered a flawless debut album, Complex Simplicity, in 2004. A new album was supposed to be released many years ago, but unfortunately one hasn't been released because of problems with her label. However, her fans have been kept satisfied with a few mixtapes, the most recent one being Young Hustla Vol. III- Lionhearted.

Now we have some solid news on the new album. Recently, Teedra Moses sat down with SoulCulture and gave some information about the problems with the label, the new album, and more. Watch it below.

You can expect another Teedra/Raphael collabo.

Choklate: To Whom It May Concern.

2009-05-20T15:22:00.005-04:00

When hearing the name Choklate, I automatically think of the word brilliant. After listening to her self-titled debut album just last year, I instantly became a fan. The album was such a perfect soul creation and I didn't think she could release anything better than that album. Yet again, I was proven wrong.

The new album, To Whom it May Concern, is just as good, if not better than her debut. She brings the same soul and voice on this album that she brought on her previous one. However, don't mistake the term "same" for something negative. I find it very respectful that she didn't try to change anything drastically and go try to receive some mainstream love. If you are a fan of Choklate and love her music, you will be very satisfied with the album.

The album is now available on Amazon and in stores. Make sure you get a copy. Two, even.

Below are a few favorites from the album.

"6.8 Billion"

"The Blues"

"No Answer"

Jazmine Sullivan- Jump Off.

2009-05-18T18:50:00.005-04:00

"Jump Off" is one song that didn't make Ms. Sullivan's debut album, Fearless. It was produced by PPP's Waajeed and features Coultrain. It's a shame how it was left off the album because there's a nice vibe coming from it. Listen below.

"Jump Off"

Thanks to FreshSelects. Also, according to FS, there are other Waajeed-produced tracks that didn't make the album. Hopefully they will all end up surfacing.

Don't Sleep: Laura Izibor- Let The Truth Be Told.

2009-05-12T21:54:00.002-04:00

This is a reminder that the album is now available for purchase in Ireland. The release date in the UK is May 18th, and the release date in the United States is June 16th.

After listening to the album straight through, I have to say that it is worth the purchase. Laura Izibor shows that she has longivity. She doesn't bring the same sound to the table that most other artists do. It bothers me how she's not getting the promo or the attention she deserves. Must be a U.S. thing? Who knows, but it really grinds my gears.

It's been a busy week but hopefully I can make some time to write up a review. But in the meantime, listen to a couple of new tracks from the album below.

"What Would You Do"

"Perfect World"

New Music from YahZarah.

2009-05-10T16:11:00.005-04:00

Ms. Purple St. James has been working on her new album for some time now. The Ballad of Purple St. James currently has a release date of June 24th. Ever since the release of her album BlackStar, I've been head-over-heels for her. YahZarah brings something new to soul music. Something you just can't get enough of.

Last year, she released an EP entitled The Prelude which consisted of songs that were very different than those on Blackstar. Other than the two albums, YahZarah has created music with The Foreign Exchange, Apple Juice Kid, Camp Lo, and Raheem DeVaughn. Everytime I hear her voice on a song, it lifts my mood. She never disappoints.

Not too long ago, a few new songs surfaced. Hopefully they'll be on her upcoming album. "The Tickler" and "Radio" have two completely different sounds . The former going more in the reggae direction and the latter going in a more upbeat, hip-hop/soul direction. Listen to both below.

"The Tickler"

"Radio"

You can never go wrong with new YahZarah.

New Amerykah Part II Release Date?

2009-05-10T15:50:00.004-04:00

Remember when Erykah Badu released New Amerykah Part I: 4th World War? Remember when she said she would be releasing several albums a few months apart? Remember when Part II was supposed to come out in July of '08? Remember when Part II was supposed to come out in November of '08? Remember when Part II was supposed to come out in February '09? Remember when you just forgot all about it? Well, start thinking about it again.

According to Rap-Up, New Amerykah Part II: Return of the Ankh now has a release date of August 18th. Hopefully this is the official date that WILL not change and hopefully she'll release a single in these upcoming months. If Part I was mind-blowing, one could only imagine how Part II will be.

Important Update!

2009-05-02T23:53:00.002-04:00

So remember me saying way back when that I was going to get a domain. Well I finally got one. Before I continue, I need to shout out my boy Vince for it and for the help on the new layout. Now we're not doing anything major over here, we're still in the bootleg stages but it feels so GOOD to have blogspot out of the URL. But here's the thing....

It's going to take 3 days until everything is working normal. In other words, if you still type in soulmusic4u.blogspot.com, it will not revert to brownsugarblog.com just yet. If you have this blog linked on your blog/site, change the link to brownsugarblog.com. If you still leave it how it was originally, it will revert when the 3 days is up. Also, I'm not going to add any posts until everything is in working order. Check the twitter for any updates.

It's going on 9 months since I've created this blog and I just want to thank everyone out there who continues to visit it (even with the lack of posts) and everyone who added a link to it on their site. I appreciate it all. And thanks again Vince!

Video: Maxwell- Pretty Wings.

2009-04-28T19:27:00.002-04:00

The video hit the net pretty fast [SM] considering it just premiered no longer than 30 minutes ago. The song and video have been highly anticipated for the longest while. I mean...it's been eight years! Fall in love below:

Black Summers' Night takes your breath away July 7th!

Word On The Street Is..

2009-04-27T15:49:00.002-04:00

..Maxwell will be premiering his video for "Pretty Wings" TOMORROW on BET's 106 and Park. I haven't read this on any official site so just be on the look out. If it doesn't happen, you can always check out the premiere on Musze.com. The song will also be available for digital download tomorrow.

Sneak Peak of Goapele's "Milk + Honey."

2009-04-27T15:11:00.006-04:00

As we all know, Goapele is working on her third album. Her first two albums, Even Closer and Change It All, were the definition of melodic beauty and perfection. Her latest album, Change It All was released in 2005 so after a while her fans were eager to hear some new material.

In the later half of 2008, we heard the song "Don't Be Shy" and 90% of us were extremely anxious to hear more. Then we heard the song "Chocolate" which was only used in a Verizon commercial but was great to hear nonetheless. Now ladies and gentlemen, we have a snippet of a new song entitled "Milk + Honey" which will be on the album. The snippet is not in HQ, but it's enough to get me excited for the full version AND the album (which will also be entitled Milk + Honey). Hopefully you all feel the same way. Listen below.

Video: Sy Smith- Fly Away With Me.

2009-04-27T15:03:00.002-04:00

Below is the third video from Sy Smith's album, Conflict. The song happens to be my favorite on the album so it's good to see a video for it. Thanks Tom Paulman for the heads up.

Tour Date Info.

2009-04-23T17:48:00.004-04:00

If you thought John was done touring, you're wrong. The singer has added a few more U.S. dates for the summer. This time around, he'll be joined by India.Arie. The dates are below:

Tuesday, July 14 - Portsmouth, VA (Happy birthday to me!)
Wednesday, July 15 - Charlottesville, VA
Monday, July 20 - Toledo, OH
Monday, August 10 - Constellation Brands Performing Arts Center
Wednesday, August 12 - Red Bank, New Jersey
Friday, August 28 - Woodinville, WA
Saturday, August 29 - Goldendale, WA

Also, Anthony Hamilton will continue to tour. This time around, he'll be joined by Chrisette Michele and Musiq Soulchild. Dates below[HS]:
May 28: Houston, TX - Reliant Arena
May 29: Dallas, TX - Nokia Live Grand Prairie
May 30: Southaven, MS - DeSoto Center
May 31: St Louis, MO - Fox Theatre
June 4: Los Angeles, CA - Nokia Live Theatre
June 6: Oakland, CA - Paramount Theatre
June 11: Columbus, OH - Palace Theatre
June 12: Detroit, MI - Opera House
June 13: Chicago, IL - Arie Crown Theatre
June 16: Newark, NJ - New Jersey Performing Arts
June 18: New York, NY - WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden
June 19: Washington, D.C. - DAR Constitution Hall
June 21: Baltimore, MD - Pier Six Pavilion
June 25: Atlanta, GA - Fox Theatre
June 26: Augusta, GA - Bell Auditorium
June 27: Birmingham, AL - BJCC Concert Hall
June 28: Charlotte, NC - Ovens Auditorium

Video: The Foreign Exchange- Take Off The Blues.

2009-04-21T15:05:00.003-04:00

Below is the second video from the album, Leave It All Behind. Their fans have been patiently waiting for this video to be released ever since they were teased with photos from the shoot. Check out the video below. (Hint: We kind of get a two for one special)

Don't Miss It: Chrisette Michele on Vh1 Soulstage.

2009-04-16T16:19:00.005-04:00

The 30-minute set on Vh1 Soul's SoulStage, which was taped earlier this week, will premiere Tuesday, April 28th at 10PM (EST) on Vh1 Soul and will premiere at midnight on Vh1.

Chrisette Michele is not a stranger to Vh1's SoulStage. Last year, she performed alongside The Roots for their track "Rising Up" and she also performed "Be Ok"(below). Now it's time for her to shine on her own and there isn't any doubt that she will. Chrisette always puts so much soul and energy into her live performances so her SoulStage will be fan-tas-tic. Make yourself a reminder to watch it!

And I'm going to try to make this my last post about Chrisette until the album review. I'm also trying not to listen to any more new tracks until the album is released. I doubt that will work out...both of them.
Album: May 5th. SoulStage: April 28th.

Obvious thanks to Concreteloop for the photo.

Yahzarah Interview With T.I.R.M.

2009-04-14T20:21:00.003-04:00

In the interview, Yahzarah talks about her musical influences, her first record, "Purple St. James," and her upcoming album (which should be coming in MAY), and a lot more. Check it out on T.I.R.M..

Video: Laura Izibor- Don't Stay.

2009-04-14T18:45:00.001-04:00

Below is the video for her second single off of her debut album, Let The Truth be Told. The album will be available in the U.S. June 16th!

Zap Mama Releases Seventh Album in May.

2009-04-12T19:07:00.004-04:00

How this flew under my radar, I don't know. The album hits stores May 26th.

If I think back to my emergence from my 1st album, and the first
compositions 'Plekete' and 'Misike'... this was the seed of my sound, my discovery in the land of music.

I travelled all over the world. I've heard so many kinds of music!!

Inspired by sounds of different cultures, I feel satisfied now that my 7th
album ReCreation is done.

As a human being I've always kept the same goal:
Explore the rhythms of different cultures, tell stories about all
kinds of human emotions; follow the sign, across good and bad; and try to
keep on track!

It's the 7th one. Is this a sign? I look back. Whether you believe it or
not, feel it or not, there's always good and bad.

I have faith in what I did on this new album!

It was a real ReCreation.

Truth, joy, happiness, and love received and inspired by other cultures,
people, audiences, fans, arts, streets, kids, old, poor, rich, the
population of the world, philosophy, laughter, sadness, VIBRATIONS in and
between us.

This is how and where I had found inspiration.

And I will continue because I seek the core of truth in every being.

Please accept this bouquet of colorful sounds

MAKE this album YOURS

Marie
SOURCE.

Let's take it back a little:

Release dates after release dates after release dates...I can't complain.

Maxwell's "Black Summers' Night" Release Date.

2009-04-12T17:24:00.003-04:00

You got it. The tweet read around the world: "'Black'summers'night: JULY SEVENTH TWO THOUSAND NINE!" Okay, I'm being dramatic with the tweet read around the world part (considering I just realized I wasn't following him). Luckily I visited HoneySoul today or else I would have been completely out of the loop.

May 5th! June 16th! July 7th! Let's go!

Chrisette Michele Shoots Video For Second Single, "What You Do."

2009-04-12T17:01:00.004-04:00

This past weekend, Chrisette shot the video for her next single, "What You Do." She really knows how to tease her fans because we've only heard the snippet of the song. I guess the full version of "Notebook" was released to tease us even more. Check out a couple of the photos from the shoot below. (Thanks go to Rap-Up).

Also, here's a YouTube video from our girl. Epiphany in stores May 5th!

Laura Izibor's "Let The Truth Be Told" Release Dates.

2009-04-12T16:46:00.004-04:00

Laura Izibor has been a name you all have seen around here a lot lately. Her songs "Shine" and "Mmm" have been featured in several movies and television shows and her single "From My Heart To Yours" has generated quite a buzz around her name. With all of that being said, her debut, Let The Truth Be Told, now has release dates. In Ireland and the UK the album will be released MAY 15th and in the United States, it will be release JUNE 16th. You can pre-order the album here or just pick it up when it's released!

New Music From Amel Larrieux.

2009-04-08T17:25:00.003-04:00

Yes, yes. The title says it all. "Don't Let Me Down" will be available for download April 14th. In the meantime, you can head over to her MySpace and listen to the snippet and dance remix. A new Amel album would be very nice for the summertime in my opinion.

Listen To Chrisette Michele's "Epiphany" Sampler.

2009-04-08T17:18:00.004-04:00

Below you can listen to the sampler from her sophomore album Epiphany. It includes the full version of "Epiphany" along with the full version of another song entitled "Notebook"(which I'm assuming will be the second single). I'm not too sure how I'm going to feel about this album based on the snippets, but we shall see.

Lauryn Hill to Perform at Montreux Music Festival.

2009-04-02T19:33:00.002-04:00

Grammy Award-winning singer Lauryn Hill has been confirmed for this year's Montreux Jazz Festival !

Hill, set to make her first appearance in some time, will be joined by Herbie Hancock, the Black Eyed Peas and B.B. King during the annual fest, known as one of Europe's most prestigious summer music events.

"It's a festival like no other. You don't have to buy a ticket to take advantage, there are lots of free events from noon to five in the morning," founder Claude Nobs told Reuters Thursday.

The 43rd annual Montreux Jazz Festival will take place July 3 - 18.

For more information and to purchase tickets please visit montreuxjazz.com
SOURCE

Now don't get your hopes up, fans. This is Lauryn Hill we're talking about. I'm not saying that to "diss" her in any way, shape, or form, but COME ON. As a big stan of Ms. Hill's, I would love for her to make a return. It would be amazing if she started releasing more material and started doing more shows, but the odds of all of that happening is basically slim to none. If she does end up performing at the festival, European fans are going to be in for a show. If not...oh well.

Randomness....

2009-04-02T19:06:00.004-04:00

Since there hasn't been anything released in a while, here are a few albums that I have been listening to constantly. These albums have been giving me some much needed satisfaction. If you haven't listened to any of these albums, I recommend that you do.

Laura Izibor- Live From Crawdaddy, Dublin EP.

Fertile Ground- Seasons Change.

OP Swamp 81- Peau Noire, Masques Blancs.

Minnie Riperton- Perfect Angel.

Yesterday's New Quintet- Angels Without Edges.

But what's been going on in the soul world? Well, Choklate is releasing her next album, To Whom It May Concern, in May. She also has a few new songs out. [SoulBounce]

Maxwell is teasing the heck out of his fans with new photos from the video for "Pretty Wings," which is the upcoming single from the release of Black Summer's Night. [HoneySoul]

Chrisette Michele's "Epiphany" gets remixed. [2dopeboyz]

Goapele covers "At Last" at Yoshi's. She also performed some new material from her new album (there isn't video/audio for any of those yet). [DiabloMag]

"The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" Premieres Tonight.

2009-03-29T16:22:00.002-04:00

The new HBO series (starring our girl Jill Scott) premieres tonight at 8:00 PM EST. Make sure you watch it, set your DVRs, your TiVos, etc. Watch a trailer for the series here.

Don't Miss It: India.Arie & Laura Izibor On Tour.

2009-03-22T18:55:00.006-04:00

Yes, you read the title correctly. This Spring, India.Arie will be embarking on her "Soul Bird" tour with up-and-coming Irish soul singer, Laura Izibor, as her guest. Both women are incredibly talented so this is one show you will want to attend. Visit India.Arie's or Laura Izibor's official site for the dates and ticket information.

If you are STILL unfamiliar with Laura Izibor, (even after posts about her on here, SoulBounce, Songs in the Key of Life, and more) you must visit her MySpace or simply YouTube some of her performances. There isn't a release date for her album at this point in time, but it's should be released in the first half of this year.

Randomness + Update...

2009-03-18T18:37:00.004-04:00

There are three kinds of artists- those whose songs sound amazing on the CD and bad live, those whose songs sounds bad on the CD and sound amazing live, and those whose songs sound amazing on the CD and even more amazing live. My favorite has to be the third and with that being said, part of this post is dedicated to Erykah "On & On" Badu.[1]

Erykah, Erykah, Erykah. As a big Badu fan, I have to say that there is nothing like ripping the plastic off an album, busting the case open, popping the CD into a stereo, and listening to her beautiful music. All of her songs are incredible and I always find myself thinking, "I know she's going to perform the *heck* out of this song live." She has so much energy in her live performances so it's nearly impossible for you to hate her music. I mean, who could? Now we're all familiar with her song "Appletree" from Baduizm. You know, track number three? The smooth, neo-soul tune that comes after "On & On"? That one. Now if you have heard it, you would never expect her to perform that song the way she does. Check out one of the performances from last year's Vortex tour of the song below:

Great right? *wishes she was there* She performs with soooo much soul. The soul many artists seem to lack. And the thing very admirable about her is the fact that she makes music because she loves it. She performs because she loves it. Not for the money and not for other's approval. On everyone's Bucket List, there should be Attend an Erykah Badu show listed. In the top 20 at least! Watch this performance of Danger below(Worldwide Underground is just wonderful live...from what I see on YOUTUBE, unfortunately):

Okay, let me cut to the chase. I. Need. New. Amerykah. Part. Two. Not just because I want something new from Miss Badu, but because I need something NEW.

*SWITCH* You may have noticed that there have not been many posts lately and I apologize. The artists I want to post about here aren't that active at this point in time, leaving this blog a ghost town and me very unsatisfied...and a lot of others I'm sure. To keep myself and others occupied, I will be probably be posting about artists and their live performances and other random things until something MAJOR happens *cough part II*. Sorry for the lack of posts once again.

I also need to post a treat. I keep saying this, but look out for Fertile Ground's Seasons Change. Matter of fact, look out for it tomorrow. Stick around!

Oh, in other news, Chrisette Michele is going to go "Radio" on us on Epiphany. "You'll hear more bass heavy stuff and club bangers." Great.

You know, it hasn't been long since I joined Twitter but I'm already addicted. I don't understand. It's like cocaine.

End randomness here.

Video: Chrisette Michele- Epiphany.

2009-03-11T21:17:00.003-04:00

Below is the video for her first single from her upcoming release. I would share my thoughts on the video, but it'd be completely biased. I cannot explain how much I ove this woman, so I'll just say that it's a good video and she looks amazing. Watch for yourself! Thanks to herfection.

*Picks jaw up from the floor* Album hits stores May 19th!

Video: Giovanca- Joyride (Live Noorderslag 09).

2009-03-11T19:30:00.003-04:00

I don't know what that is or where it occurred. Her voice sounds beautiful which is why I'm posting it. Don't you just love it when artists' live performances sound just as good or even better than the studio versions? Inspiration for the next randomness post..hm..

You can listen to her whole set here. It's kind of long, but it's worth the listen.

Artist Spotlight: Nneka.

2009-03-11T18:20:00.004-04:00

Nneka Egbuna was born in Nigeria in a town called Wari. While she was living there, she sang for her school's choir. At the age of nineteen, she moved to Germany where she pursued music. Nneka's life in Nigeria and Germany contributes to her unique music style and voice. In the year 2006, Nneka released her first album entitled Victim of Truth. The album is quite diverse and includes up-tempo songs such as "Changes." It also includes slow-tempo songs, such as the song "Confession."

Nneka released her second album, No Longer At Ease, in 2008. Like her first album, this album is very diverse in style. The song "Heartbeat" was the first single from the album and allowed her to receive a little more recognition. If you ever need a song to give you that certain feeling, this is one to listen to. The song is her most played song on last.fm and the video is her video with the highest amount of views. She says that the song is not about a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship like everyone believes it is, but it's much deeper than that. It is about Western culture's influence on Africans. "Evaded, eliminated, erased, interrogated/Our tradition, our love for our fellow countrymen/our property, our resources - our pride." Check out the video below:

And also, the video for her latest single,"Kangpe," was released a couple of weeks ago.

Don't forget the name and make sure you listen to her albums. Unfortunately, I don't think hard copies are available in the states so you may need to get it shipped or just order a digital copy from iTunes. Now excuse me while I put No Longer At Ease back in heavy rotation.

Chrisette Michele Update.

2009-03-08T17:32:00.003-04:00

Here is the album cover for her sophomore album, Epiphany. The album was initially slated to be released at the end of March, but it currently has a release date of May 19th. Thanks go to Rap-Up.

Also, follow our girl on Twitter. And me, too

Prince to Release a Three-Disc Album.

2009-03-04T17:38:00.003-05:00

Legendary singer Prince announced a partnership with Target Monday (March 2) to release his new album of music recorded without the backing of a major label.

According to Reuters, the album will be a three-disc set, two being original studio albums called LOtUSFLOW3R and MPLSoUND, and a third disc titled Elixer by his latest protege, singer Bria Valente.

The full set will retail for $11.98 at Target.

Prince is the latest artist to partner with the retail chain, following albums released exclusively through the store from rock band AC/DC, Guns N Roses, Bruce Springsteen, and Christina Aguilera.

In recent months, Prince has sought to showcase his latest material, premiering songs for a Los Angeles radio station and on the Internet, reports Reuters.

This isn't the first time Prince has strayed away from the norm, releasing music in ways other than through a major label. In 2007, his album Planet Earth was with British newspaper The Mail on Sunday.

SOURCE

....what??

Videos: Jazmine Sullivan & Musiq.

2009-03-04T17:30:00.004-05:00

Check out the video for Jazmine Sullivan's latest single, "Dream Big" below.

And here's the video for Musiq's latest single, "Sobeautiful." The stills were posted a week or so ago and the video premiered yesterday. When I first heard this song, it instantly became one of my favorites from the man. The one thing I love about this video: it's not overdone.

Musiq Soulchild - "sobeautiful"

He has officially redeemed himself.

Attention All Eric Roberson Fans.

2009-03-04T17:23:00.003-05:00

Eric Roberson will be releasing a new album in June entitled Music Fan First and he wants YOU...yes YOU to help him out with the album artwork. Here's what you have to do:

"-Take a picture of yourself wearing headphones, rocking a mic or an instrument…or simply dancing to your favorite song!

-Now you can be as creative with it as you want, but make sure the picture shares the sentiment that you are a music fan!

-Email the picture to me at MusicFanFirst@gmail.com by March 20th."

That's it. If you don't know, now you know. Oh, and speaking of Eric Roberson, check out his blog for his upcoming tour dates and updates.

New Music From Amel Larrieux and Muhsinah.

2009-03-04T17:12:00.003-05:00

Well let's start with Amel Larrieux's new song, "Orange Glow." You can listen to a snippet of it over on her MySpace page. If you want to purchase the single, it is now available. Her incredible voice is one that I and many others have been missing lately.(Another one to cross off the list).

And here's a new track from the lovely Muhsinah entitled "From Here." Very nice. She is one artist who can never disappoint her fans. Oscillations: Triangle drops later this month. Make sure you purchase a copy.

Thanks to SoulBounce and FreshSelects.

Raphael Saadiq Tour Dates.

2009-02-22T19:06:00.004-05:00

The dates for Saadiq's upcoming 2009 Winter Tour have been announced. It kicks off at the House of Blues in San Diego, California and ends in Atlanta, Georgia. Go to TicketMaster for ticket info.

02/28/09 San Diego, CA HOUSE OF BLUES
03/02/09 West Hollywood, CA HOUSE OF BLUES - Los Angeles
03/03/09 San Francisco, CA THE FILLMORE
03/05/09 Seattle, WA Showbox at the Market
03/06/09 Portland, OR WONDER BALLROOM
03/07/09 Vancouver, Canada RICHARDS ON RICHARDS
03/10/09 Denver, CO Bluebird Theater
03/11/09 Kansas City, MO Voodoo Lounge
03/12/09 Chicago, IL PARK WEST
03/13/09 Minneapolis, MN FINE LINE MUSIC CAFE
03/15/09 E. Lansing, MI City Theatre
03/16/09 Toronto, Canada Phoenix Concert Theatre
03/17/09 Montreal, Canada CABARET DU MUSEE JUSTE POUR RIRE
03/19/09 Boston, MA PARADISE ROCK CLUB
03/20/09 Philadelphia, PA THEATRE OF LIVING ARTS
03/21/09 New York, NY THE FILLMORE NYC
03/23/09 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live!
03/24/09 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
03/26/09 CHARLOTTE, NC WACHOVIA ATRIUM
03/28/09 Atlanta, GA THE VARIETY PLAYHOUSE

From his official site.

Tawiah Live at Big Chill Bar.

2009-02-22T18:23:00.004-05:00

Watch a few videos from her show at the end of January. With less than a hundred views, they need some major love. She performs every single one of her songs so well and she has a lot of energy. A full-length album is much needed (if you have not checked out her EP In Jodi's Bedroom, you're missing out. Check it out on iTunes).

"Another One"

"Every Step"

"Watch Out"

For the rest of the videos, click HERE.

Please, come to the states.

Adele- Live From Soho.

2009-02-22T17:57:00.004-05:00

This was released on iTunes a few weeks ago, but I didn't want to post about it until I heard it. It's insane how Adele's voice in her live performances sounds exactly how it sounds in the studio versions. Now that is talent. If only people could get past her appearance and focus on her voice. Anyway, if you are a huge Adele fan like I am, you will enjoy this. Click the album cover to purchase it from iTunes. And since we are talking about Adele here, check out this video of her singing with the beautiful, multi-talented Alicia Keys at the Black Ball back in November. They perform "Hometown Glory" and Alicia's favorite, "Make You Feel My Love." I don't know how or why I'm just now seeing this:

Don't Miss Estelle On Tour.

2009-02-22T17:32:00.004-05:00

Estelle will be doing a few shows at the end of this month and next month, as well. She will be joined by the talented Solange. Also, Suai will be their opening act. This sounds like a great show. Visit HERE for the dates.

John Legend Writes to NY Post.

2009-02-22T17:12:00.004-05:00

We have all seen that sketch in the New York Post and most of us have been outraged by it. John Legend included. Read his letter below:

I’m trying to understand what possible motivation you may have had for publishing that vile cartoon depicting the shooting of the chimpanzee that went crazy. I guess you thought it would be funny to suggest that whomever was responsible for writing the Economic Recovery legislation must have the intelligence and judgment of a deranged, violent chimpanzee, and should be shot to protect the larger community. Really? Did it occur to you that this suggestion would imply a connection between President Barack Obama and the deranged chimpanzee? Did it occur to you that our President has been receiving death threats since early in his candidacy? Did it occur to you that blacks have historically been compared to various apes as a way of racist insult and mockery? Did you intend to invoke these painful themes when you printed the cartoon?

If that’s not what you intended, then it was stupid and willfully ignorant of you not to connect these easily connectable dots. If it is what you intended, then you obviously wanted to be grossly provocative, racist and offensive to the sensibilities of most reasonable Americans. Either way, you should not have printed this cartoon, and the fact that you did is truly reprehensible. I can’t imagine what possible justification you have for this. I’ve read your lame statement in response to the outrage you provoked. Shame on you for dodging the real issue and then using the letter as an opportunity to attack Rev. Sharpton. This is not about Rev. Sharpton. It’s about the cartoon being blatantly racist and offensive.

I believe in freedom of speech, and you have every right to print what you want. But freedom of speech still comes with responsibilities and consequences. You are responsible for printing this cartoon, and I hope you experience some real consequences for it. I’m personally boycotting your paper and won’t do any interviews with any of your reporters, and I encourage all of my colleagues in the entertainment business to do so as well. I implore your advertisers to seriously reconsider their business relationships with you as well.

You should print an apology in your paper acknowledging that this cartoon was ignorant, offensive and racist and should not have been printed.

I’m well aware of our country’s history of racism and violence, but I truly believe we are better than this filth. As we attempt to rise above our difficult past and look toward a better future, we don’t need the New York Post to resurrect the images of Jim Crow to deride the new administration and put black folks in our place. Please feel free to criticize and honestly evaluate our new President, but do so without the incendiary images and rhetoric.

Sincerely,
John Legend

Chrisette Michele: Interview + "Epiphany" Single Cover.

2009-02-14T20:49:00.004-05:00

In the interview, she talks about the story behind "Epiphany" and what her upcoming album will be like . It's going to be completely different than I Am so prepare yourselves. New album hits stores March 31st! And you will never guess who she wants to do a collaboration with. Check out the interview below:

"Epiphany" single cover!

Video: Laura Izibor- Shine.

2009-02-11T20:00:00.004-05:00

Flew under the radar: Laura Izibor released this video for her single, "Shine," which was featured in the movie The Nanny Diaries in 2007. In the video, she takes us through different eras in music. I don't really want to spoil the video so watch for yourself HERE. . The single will officially be released (in the UK) March 2nd, 2009.

I don't know what's going on with embedding it...and it not being on YouTube.

In other Laura Izibor news, she will be joining John Legend on tour in the UK. Tour dates below:
Feb 28 2009 KB Halle Copenhagen Copenhagen, Hovedstaden
Mar 1 2009 Sentrum Scene Oslo
Mar 2 2009 Annexet Stockholm
Mar 4 2009 Heineken Music Hall Amsterdam
Mar 5 2009 Heineken Music Hall Amsterdam
Mar 6 2009 Ancienne Belgique
Mar 7 2009 Zenith Paris
Mar 9 2009 Brixton Academy London

Let The Truth Be Told will be released in May!

India.Arie- Testimony Vol. 2, Love & Politics In Stores Now.

2009-02-10T16:33:00.001-05:00

You all know the deal. Purchase it on Amazon or iTunes.

I have not heard the album yet but I know it's been getting great reviews so far.

Get To Know: Ntjamrosie.

2009-02-04T19:12:00.002-05:00

Ntjamrosie is a soul/jazz artist from Southern Cameroon. When she was a young child, she moved to the Netherlands. As she got older, she became influenced by soul and R&B music and started to sing. However, she never had the intention of singing professionally. As time passed, she realized that music was indeed her passion. When she got older, she studied at the World Music Academy of the Rotterdam Conservatoire and majored in singing. There she absorbed various music styles such as bosa novas, boleros, and jazz. These sounds are very apparent in her sound which has been labeled "Bulu Soul." (Bulu is the dialect in Cameroon). On her album, Atouba, she sings in this dialect as well as English and French. The album was released last year. Purchase it from iTunes.

Also, watch her live concert HERE.

"The Videos That Should've Been Posted But Were Not Posted" Post.

2009-02-04T18:48:00.004-05:00

The title says it all.

Wayna- My Love.

Raphael Saadiq- 100 Yard Dash.

India.Arie & Musiq- Chocolate High.

Jazmine Sullivan- Lions, Tigers & Bears.

Fin.

Randomness....

2009-02-04T18:27:00.004-05:00

Remember that randomness post I made a few months ago? The one where I made a list of albums I need to hear new material from. Well a lot of things have changed since I made that post..therefore I have to add on to it..or simply update it. Old text in black, new in red.

Goapele: The world has not been blessed with an album of hers since '05. I don't know about you all, but I'm starting to have withdrawals. "Don't Be Shy" is a great song, I nearly had a heart attack when I first heard it, but I'm in need of a new album! Hopefully one is coming soon, maybe next year?
Well, well, well. I was kind of right. She's been working hard on an upcoming project so we just might get a new album this year. This deserves a smile.

India.Arie: It's been two years since her last album. Call me greedy, but I need more songs. I know that she's doing her thing on Broadway though, so that's good. Maybe she'll record another song afterward. All I need is one song, just ONE new song and I'll be satisfied.
I must be psychic or something. She IS coming out with Testimony Vol. 2 later this month and she just recently released a video for her single, "Chocolate High" with Musiq. This deserves a smile as well.

Chrisette Michele: I Am is beautiful...just beautiful. Like I said for India.Arie, all I need is ONE song and I'll be satisfied. Even if she only sang one word in a collabo, I'd be satisfied.
Wish fulfilled! We now have her new single "Epiphany," plus an album coming in March. Also, she was featured on The Game's L.A.X.. Three for three.

D'Angelo: *sighs* I miss his voice. He's supposedly making a return next year and I can't wait.
Eh.

Erykah Badu: I know it's only been a few months since her last album, but I can't wait for NA Part II. Go ahead and call me greedy again.
Well, Miss Badu just delivered one of her "projects." One down, one more to go. *cough* Part II. But take your time. I'm just really hyped for part II and a new single. Call me a stan, if you will.

Heather Headley: She's supposed to be making a gospel album, so I'm looking out for that.
Gospel album was released. Great material. Gospel is very fitting for her. This deserves a smile.

Amel Larrieux: I wonder if there's a new album in the making...
Eh x2.

Corinne Bailey Rae: I know she's going through a lot right now considering her husband passed away. I'm not expecting anything to come out this year, but I just hope she's going to record a new album. No rush.
Eh and a sigh.

Four out of eight.

Besides these artists, I need to hear material from Maxwell, Muhsinah, Laura Izibor, Me'Shell Ndegéocello, and Fertile Ground. What a greedy fan I am.

And completely off topic: I finally got "hip" and created a twitter account. *Sigh* ECJ was already "hip."

Essence Music Festival 2009.

2009-02-04T18:09:00.005-05:00

The 15th Anniversary of the Essence Music Festival will be celebrated this summer in New Orleans. The event will take place July 3rd- July 5th. Each night, there will be amazing performances from several talented performers. This year's lineup includes MAXWELL, Eric Benet, Jazmine Sullivan, Janelle Monae, Raphael Saadiq, Zap Mama, Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi, John Legend, Solange, and more. For more information, visit the official site.

Congratulations Erykah Badu.

2009-02-01T16:32:00.006-05:00

Erykah gave birth to her second daughter and third child this afternoon. Congratulations for bringing another life into this world. We hope all is well. Take your time before getting back in that studio ;).

Update: Their new daughter has been named Mars Merkaba.

Merkaba, also spelled Merkabah, is the divine light vehicle allegedly used by ascended masters to connect with and reach those in tune with the higher realms. "Mer" means Light. "Ka" means Spirit. "Ba" means Body. Mer-Ka-Ba means the spirit/body surrounded by counter-rotating fields of light, (wheels within wheels), spirals of energy as in DNA, which transports spirit/body from one dimension to another.
More information HERE.

Musiq's "Sobeautiful" Video Stills.

2009-02-01T14:02:00.004-05:00

Musiq is already filming the video for his third single, "Sobeautiful." Thank God this was chosen as the next single. Just as the title says, it's beautiful. It's definitely one of the many standouts on the album. If you haven't yet purchased, OnMyRadio, what are you waiting for?

Swiped from his MySpace. Check there daily for more information on the video and more photos.

Justin Nozuka Tour Dates.

2009-02-01T13:53:00.004-05:00

Justin Nozuka will be going on tour this February/March and he will be accompanied by Missy Higgins. The United Sates tour dates are below:

02.17.2009 New York, NY
02.19.2009 Houston, TX
02.20.2009 Austin, TX
02.21.2009 Dallas, TX
02.24.2009 Saint Petersburg, FL
02.25.2009 Fort Lauderdale, FL
02.26.2009 Lake Buena Vista, FL
02.27.2009 Atlanta, GA
02.28.2009 Greenville, SC
03.02.2009 Washington, DC
03.03.2009 Annapolis, MD
03.05.2009 Philadelphia, PA
03.06.2009 New York, NY
03.07.2009 Boston, MA
03.08.2009 Troy, NY
03.10.2009 Cleveland, OH
03.11.2009 Royal Oak, MI
03.13.2009 Chicago, IL
03.14.2009 Milwaukee, WI
03.15.2009 Minneapolis, MN
03.17.2009 Omaha, NE
03.18.2009 Kansas City, MO
03.20.2009 Tucson, AZ
03.21.2009 Los Angeles, CA
03.23.2009 San Francisco, CA
03.26.2009 Solana Beach, CA
03.27.2009 San Pedro, CA
03.28.2009 San Pedro, CA
03.29.2009 San Pedro, CA
03.30.2009 San Pedro, CA
03.31.2009 San Pedro, CA

For ticket info, go to TicketMaster.

New Chrisette- "Epiphany"

2009-01-26T19:42:00.004-05:00

Ms. Chrisette Michele FINALLY blesses us with a new track. It was added to her MySpace page today and I believe it's going to be the first single from her upcoming album. I've attempted to rip it, but it's probably not the best quality. Download it HERE or just go over to her MySpace. *passes out from excitement*

Update: This is indeed her first single. It was written by Ne-Yo and will be on her upcoming album, which will be released March 31st.

Video: Chrisette Michele- You Are My Friend.

2009-01-25T17:52:00.003-05:00

This passed weekend, Chrisette Michele sang "You Are My Friend" on UNCF's Evening of Stars A Tribute to Patti LaBelle. A flawless rendition, in my opinion. Check it out.

D'Angelo to Collaborate With Prince + Tour.

2009-01-21T18:19:00.002-05:00

D'Angelo is expected to collaborate with Prince on his long-awaited first new album since 2000, reportedly titled "James River" and due this summer from J Records.

In a statement, the R&B star's manager, Lindsay Guion, says D'Angelo will also team with Gnarls Barkley's Cee-Lo Green. Collaborations with Raphael Saadiq, Mark Ronson and Roy Hargrove are already in the bag,

In addition, D'Angelo will play his first shows in years this summer, beginning in Europe and then taking in the United States. Cities and dates have yet to be announced.

In recent years, D'Angelo has endured a serious car accident and drug-related arrests, and in lieu of new music of his own, he's made sporadic guest appearances on albums by Common, Snoop Dogg, Q-Tip and J Dilla.

"He's able to smile again and he's ready to connect [with fans]," Guion told Billboard last summer. "He's coming back. And he looks great, by the way."

SOURCE.

Video: John Legend- Everybody Knows.

2009-01-19T21:15:00.002-05:00

Well, the wait is finally over. The video for John Legend's second single "Everybody Knows" (from his third LP Evolver) is finally here. Although it isn't one of my favorites from the album, it's a nice song and a nice choice for a single. In the video, John paces the streets of New York and you see short scenes of different couples' relationships and...well, watch for yourself.

And looking back at the review I had written, I see that it was a little harsh. The album has grown on me..but it's still not a Get Lifted.

Oh, the struggles I had to go through to figure out how to embed this video.

Video: Dwele- How I Deal.

2009-01-19T14:59:00.003-05:00

While he didn't have anything better to do, Dwele recorded this song and shot a video for it at his home. By himself. Hopefully he gets bored more often.

Happy MLK Day.

A Goapele Post.

2009-01-18T18:33:00.005-05:00

No, there isn't any news on an album and no, there hasn't been a new song released. I'm making this post for promo. Visit her official site & follow her on twitter. Tell your friends. Tell your friends to tell their friends. Tell your friends' friends to tell their friends...etc.

Hopefully the next Goapele post made will have a new song. *coughs*
I'm just messing around...

Video: Sabrina Starke- Foolish.

2009-01-18T18:18:00.003-05:00

Here is the singer's second single from her debut album, Yellow Brick Road.

And if you haven't checked her album yet, you need to ASAP.

Adele's US Spring '09 Tour.

2009-01-18T16:59:00.003-05:00

The British singer/songwriter will be on tour at the top of this year and she'll be hitting a few major U.S. cities. Go HERE for ticket info and dates.

Hopefully next time she'll come a few more cities/states. Like..Virginia, perhaps?

OP Swamp 81.

2009-01-16T18:46:00.004-05:00

Too good for words. Don't ask questions, just listen. =)

iTunes, Myspace.

A Recommendation: Exile- Radio.

2009-01-15T19:59:00.003-05:00

The name Exile should ring a bell with some of you underground hip-hop fans. Does Blu & Exile's Below The Heavens ring a bell? The producer has been making major moves since the release of that album in '07 and even before. Now he drops an instrumental album entitled Radio. This album does not include any rhymes from Blu nor any singing from Muhsinah. It's simply an album full of incredible, electronic, and jazzy beats. This is a very solid album and it will be in heavy rotation for a while. It may go down as a classic one of these days. Support Exile and purchase this album. Check it out on iTunes.

New Raheem DeVaughn- Bulletproof.

2009-01-15T18:16:00.004-05:00

Here's a new track from Mr. DeVaughn. 5starhiphop mentioned that it sounded very Marvin Gaye-esque, and I was thinking the exact same thing. Even with a rap from Ludacris, it screams Marvin. It's a great song, but a version without Luda wouldn't be so bad though. Download it HERE.

Inauguration Performances.

2009-01-14T21:00:00.004-05:00

Many, many, many artists are getting together and performing in celebration of Barack Obama's inauguration. Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial on January 18th includes performances by artists such as John Legend, Stevie Wonder, Heather Headley, Mary J. Blige, Beyonce, and more. The show will be broadcasted LIVE on HBO at 2:30 PM (EST). The Encore will air at 7PM. Also on the 18th, there will be an inaugural ball, Dreams From My Father American Scholars Inaugural Ball, in D.C. at the Four Seasons. Expect performances by Alicia Keys and more. (More info here).

Things are a bit confusing at the moment. There may be more than one ball going on?

Ne-Yo, Jazmine Sullivan, & Musiq Embark On Tour.

2009-01-11T21:37:00.004-05:00

To promote their '08 releases (Year of the Gentleman, Fearless, & Onmyradio), the three R&B artists will be going on tour together early this year. The first show is February 5th in Vegas. Check out the rest of the dates below:

Jill Scott Pregnant: Confirmed.

2009-01-10T12:37:00.001-05:00

Jill Scott is pregnant with her first child, the R&B singer and actress revealed to reporters at the Television Critics Association conference in Los Angeles on Friday.

Promoting her new HBO series The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, based on the popular novels by Alexander McCall Smith, Scott said she discovered that she was pregnant just before leaving for Botswana where she filmed the show.

"The first trimester I spent in Botswana," said the star, who is due April 25. "That was one of the biggest challenges of my life. First trimester! You're sick every morning. It was seven hours time difference, the heat, the bugs, the 14 hour days."

Still, the actress, who is engaged to drummer Lil' John Roberts, says she's glad she went through with the plans to film. "My doctors gave me a clean bill of health and said you can do this, so I did it."

Scott, 36, is a three-time Grammy Award winner and star of the 2007 Tyler Perry film Why Did I Get Married?

SOURCE.

Congratulations, Jilly.

Message From Badu.

2009-01-10T12:18:00.005-05:00

Erykah Badu posted this bulletin on MySpace today:

... any day now my new project arrives .

nope - not new amerykah pt 2 but new baby !! (shout out to mothers to be )
i can hardly move my hips are sooo stiff ...( i look like a duck w/ long legs)
meanwhile im still working away on pt 2 .
( mind blowin)
later than i anticipated , however , but frsh all the same .

these days i live in headphones while poppin b vitamins and rubbing my belly down with shae butter ( plump and ripe) .

im a damned perfectionist and my method is kinda weird
s0 the lable just throws their hands up at me and banks on somethin else
lol. ( peace to sylvia rhone ).

so any way , im back in the badudio , ill pause for my home birth which is just in the next room so i promise it wont take too long . lol.
(valerian and chamomile are my best friends )
been spending my days on twitter throwing out random thoughts as FATBELLYBELLA. plenty of twitty milk to go round ...

i give thanks today for your love , energy , respect and feedback .

on behalf of my entire family from Edith funker , nedda stella ( band), soul quarians ,jay tronic, controlfreaq records , canabinoids, b.l.i.n.d.
, THE scientists ,and of course NAYROCK
"HAPPY NEW YOU .
"

IF YOU BELIEVE IT IT'S YOURS . TRUST .

all my love ,
ebi breezy
aka fat belly bella aka loretta brown aka analogue girl aka annie
aka manuela mexico aka baduizm pka e. badu.....

love and light !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

p.s.
im gone still do 2 mo videos for pt 1
which 2 should they be ?
i was thinkin the healer and souldier...eh.

So I guess the rumored release date of February 17th is not true. We can all wait patiently right? The birth of a new life is way more important than a new album...

Get To Know: Inobe

2009-01-07T09:51:00.003-05:00

One thing that I love about this genre of music is the depth of the artists. With each note, song and album they reveal so much of themselves to the world. That takes courage, and confidence. The reason I say all this, is Inobe (her name Eboni backwards), is a perfect example. She has a very real and tangible personality that comes through her music. I hate to try to describe artists, because they all are unique, but Inobe exudes a simple organic passion for music. You are not going to get complicated songs that are over produced. What you do get is a relaxed melody with a firm soothing voice. She currently has two albums, "I Am Inobe" released in 2003, and "Spiritual Soul" released in 2006. Sample her music below, and take some time to Get To Know Inobe. Enjoy.

Click album cover to download.

MySpace/Offical Website

In Concert: Lalah Hathaway

2009-01-05T10:14:00.005-05:00

With the number of events popping up in Dallas, it looks like it's becoming the spot for Soul music concerts. Lalah Hathaway will be performing Saturday February 21st @ 7:30pm, @ Dallas Convention Center Theater Complex. It's the Heart Of Jazz concert series, but the Black Academy of Arts and Letters. If your able, check it out.

Get To Know: Sabrina Starke

2009-01-05T09:38:00.006-05:00

Sabrina Starke is a Dutch Soul artist from Rotterdam, Netherlands. She started making her moves into the industry when she joined a Raggae band. In 2005 she decided to move on with her solo career. She has a very unique mixture of Jazz, Soul, R&B and a dash of Folk. She recently recorded her debut album "Yellow Brick Road" in California with Dutch producers, Chris Kooreman and Edo Plasschaert. The album was released in the Netherlands October 1st. Her first single "Do for Love" was an instant hit in the Netherlands. Listening to the album, I see vivid and also subdued flashes of various styles. This defeintly doesn't have the sound of a debut album. It has a very cohesive feel, that is also polished, but not overtly.

MySpace

iTunes

Get To Know: Leigh Jones.

2009-01-01T23:23:00.003-05:00

"The little white girl with the big soulful voice" was what she was referred to in her past. Leigh Jones, a singer/songwriter, was born and raised in North Hollywood. She is a graduate of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and was taught how to sing by her father (who sang backup for artists like Frank Sinatra and Natalie Cole).

Her debut album, Music In My Soul, was released September 9th, 2008 off of Peak Records. The blend of jazz, soul, and blues is a very refreshing sound to hear. You can hear influence from A few of stand out tracks from the album include "Have It Your Way," "Sick of Fools," and "Who What Why." Her voice is definitely one of an old soul.

Unfortunately, I heard this album too late to include it in my top albums list but this is an album you must listen to at least once. You may just put it on repeat after that. Check it out on iTunes or Amazon. (Read that review on iTunes. Perfection).

Late pass needed. I've seen her name around a couple of times, yet I never looked into her. I have to thank someone from last.fm for introducing me to her. You know who you are...

Video for her single "Free Fall":

Emily King Performance In DC.

2009-01-01T19:25:00.002-05:00

This is one you probably don't want to miss. The flier says it all.