A true vocalist, Joss Stone delivers as only Joss Stone can. Her new album "Colour Me Free!" is nothing short of a masterpiece. Joss pours her soul out through the lyrics on all 12 tracks. There hasn't been a sound like hers for decades. She backs up soul and blues with emotion a trait that can be compared with no present day artist. With help from Jeff Beck & Sheila E, Raphael Saadiq, Nas, David Sanborn and Jamie Hartman Joss will have you dreaming in black and white- with a splash of Colour.
“Personal” is soft and sensual delight from the British Sensation that is Craig David. This is one of David’s sexiest tracks. It is 5 plus minutes describing just how personal he would like to get. The steamy lyrics blend perfectly with the sultry tune. This is a perfect ballad for setting the mood with your sweetheart. Dim the lights, light candles and get “personal” with each other.
Open your mind, body, and soul to the versatile sounds of The Elements. The Myspace music page of TdotCoke features 8 songs displaying the group’s variety. Vibe with them on “Here and Now” go to church with them on “In God We Trust” and wild out with them on “Parental Advisory”. It’s clear these artists are not amateurs. Their sophisticated lyrics will be a contributing factor to their future success and their captivating beats will remain with audiences long after they have left the stage. “ Throw the look up in the sky” for Mike and Kevin Sampson, Marcus Thomas, Michael Brian Conner and Timothy Cokely. They are the future of Hip Hop.
The rumor is R.Kelly made this album, decided it wasn’t enough to put him back on top, and then leaked it to the Internet. R&B junkie that I am of course I had to take a listen; its safe to say The King is Back. 12 Play 4th Quarter, as it has been titled on the Internet is a cuddle in the tub with your lover album for sure, perfect mix of sex, seduction, stories and a classic Kell’s step. If this is the prequel to his new album “Untitled” set to come out October 13, 2009 there will be a lot of babies born in July.
So yesterday I stumbled across “Heaven Must Be Like This” by the Ohio Players. If you are a music junkie- and particularity an R&B junkie like I am you will understand where I’m coming from. After listening to it on repeat for the whole day this song has made it to a long list of songs to be played at either my wedding or on my honeymoon. When I picked up the CD I was really getting it for songs like “Love Rollercoaster” and “Fire” to keep me awake while driving. Imagine the unexpected surprise when this track came. I will go ahead and label this a classic. I urge you to listen and be carried away by the melody.
Trey, Trey, Trey… Mr. Songz has done it again! I raved about his mixtape “Anticipation” and I’m back to do the same for his third album “Ready.” Its clear Trigga is going for the R&B throne, an easy mission when even interludes get the fire started. Every track is a banger if I had to choose a favorite it would be Black Roses, Songz’ voice wraps around the beat to the point you get lost in the lyrics- On a break up song! What? Another 5 star for the Prince of VA.
Where did Trey Songz come from with his “Anticipation” mix-tape? He has always had significant standing in the R&B community; this mix-tape could replace R. Kelly as the king of R&B! “Anticipation” can easily be compared with “12 Play” “TP-2” and “Diary of a Mad Band” and come out on top. With twelve dripping wet tracks that could get a dessert in the mood, Trey’s voice is a seductive as it has ever been. A shocking and pleasant surprise it’s clear we will be hearing a lot more from the (self-proclaimed) Prince of VA. Trey Songz has an album coming out in September 2009, if it’s anything like “Anticipation” it will be a chart-topper for months!
With the release of his latest album “Signature” Joe lays you down and teaches you just what Rhythm and Blues really is. This CD sings to the mind, heart, soul, and most seductively to the body. All eleven tracks are simply irresistible. This album includes a rendition of the iconic Marvin Gaye’s “Come Get to This.” Joe’s voice and energy flow through composition like water in a stream giving it new flavor while keeping its classic soul. A must have for any R&B fanatic and a definite gem in the catalog of Joe LP’s.
After waiting 8 years since the release of “Now” who could knock us off our feet and out of our pants in just 37 minutes? The 2009 release of “BLACKsummers’night” marks the return of soul, instruments, falsetto and most essentially the return of Maxwell. He is one of few artists today who can deliver! Maxwell can have you on a hammock at night if you hate mosquitoes and have you lighting up cigarettes if you don’t smoke. What a breath of fresh air this album this, Maxwell we don’t know where you’ve been but welcome back. “BLACKsummers’night” is easily the best album of the year.
On the 2009 BET Awards R&B Singer/Songwriter Ne-Yo invited some of his favorite singers to come on stage and perform. When the music started for “I Want Her” and Keith Sweat skipped on stage New Jack Swing was resurrected. Keith Sweat’s performance was followed by, The Fathers of New Jack Swing, Guy performing “I like” and BBD (Bell Biv DeVoe) who performed their hit “Poison.” The movement of the crowd itself demonstrates the power of music. The energy level jumped from 100 to 300 just by the drop of a beat. A short intermission of dancing brought you back to simpler times of the late 80’s and early 90’s when New Jack Swing reigned, by the time Ne-Yo joined the stage with BBD and he crooned “It’s driving me out of my mind, that girl is poison.” There is no question as to who starts the party or rocks the stage- then, now, and forever.
