This is a blog used to help promote DJ Kool Emdee and dedicated to GOOD music and those
who love good music, be it old or new school. Any music or links posted are for SAMPLE PURPOSES ONLY. We wish that you would support all artists by purchasing their bodies of work.
For all those celebrating Valentine's Day here stateside, here is a compilation of ballads I put together last year to help make things a little more cozy. Sit back, relax, and let the music be your guide. Don't forget, this is not limited to just one day.
It was the summer of the year 2000 when singer-songwriter, actress, and poet Jill Scott released her debut album Who Is Jill Scott?: Words & Sounds Vol.1 on Hidden Beach Recordings. Although "Gettin' In The Way", "A Long Walk", and "He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat)" were chart topping favorites that got her nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 2001, 2002, and 2003, the favorite for me was her song titled "It's Love" that had that Washington D.C. Go-Go feel to it.
We here at The Record Realm wish Miss Scott a very happy birthday and look forward to many more years of her creativity and acting. Cheers!
Many, many respects to Maya Angelou who made age 85 today. Widely known for her poetry and speeches, she has also had acting parts in movies and television shows, and authored several books. Maya Angelou has won an extensive list of awards and honors, to include a Lifetime Achievement Award, Pulitzer Prize, Presidential Medal of Freedom, Tony Award, NAACP Image Award, Mother Teresa Award and the National Medal of Arts.
Muddy Waters (April 4, 1913 – April 30, 1983), born McKinley Morganfield in Issaquena County, Mississippi, was given the name "Muddy" by his grandmother, because he liked to play in the muddy water in a nearby creek, but later changed it to "Muddy Waters". Waters is known as the "father modern of Chicago blues" from providing tunes that took him from being a local favorite to boosting him to national recognition. His reign over the Chicago scene also provided a proving ground to other local musicians who went on to have successful solo careers.
By having a good-natured rivalry with former band member Howlin' Wolf, Waters scored hits with the songs "Mannish Boy" and "Sugar Sweet" in 1955, followed by "Trouble No More," "Forty Days & Forty Nights" and "Don't Go No Farther" in 1956.
Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter, actress and poet Jill Scott makes 41 today. Scott started reciting poetry in Philadelphia and was eventually discovered by Amir "Questlove" Thompson of The Roots. He asked her to join them in the studio where she helped pen the single "You Got Me", that featured Erykah Badu and won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by Duo or Group in 2000. The Roots debuted her as an artist during one of their live shows as the original artist and composer of the tune.
Scott was first signed to Hidden Beach Recordings and released Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 (2000), Experience: Jill Scott 826+ (2001) and Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2 (2004). The latter winning a Grammy in 2005 for Best Urban/Alternative R&B Performance for "Cross My Mind". The Collaborations (2007) served as pre-cursor for her next studio album, The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3 (2007). She would eventually leave the label and released The Light of the Sun (2011) on her own imprint, Blues Babe Records, which is distributed by Warner Records.
If you pay close attention to the background in this video, you will see that Jill pays tribute to fellow artists Muddy Waters and Marvin Gaye, born under the ARIES zodiac sign.
A new remix compilation series from Hidden Beach entitled CRATES: REMIX FUNDAMENTALS will come rushing out the starting gate on June 26th featuring remixed and re-grooved classic Soul tunes from Jill Scott for their first volume. DJ Jazzy Jeff who worked directly with Scott to add his "Touch of Jazz" by producing her multi-platinum debut, has his redux of "A Long Walk", along with veteran House producer Ron Trent helping to pay homage to Minnie Ripperton with his remix of "Spring Summer Feeling". Producers Teddy Vee and B-Sharp, along with a few others contribute on the music end for this project.
While listening to Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite yesterday and reminiscing about friends of the past, some of whom aren't with us anymore, and my days of spinning at gigs where the vibes were tremendously good, I decided to put together this mix of smooth grooves to help bring people closer, hence the title. Something that's well needed these days, especially when we are so divided in many ways. Hope this helps. ENJOY!
01. Maxwell - Lonely's The Only Company
02. The Isley Brothers - Footsteps In The Dark
03. Barry White - Playing Your Game, Baby
04. Total - Kissing You
05. Xscape - Just Kickin' It
06. Tony, Toni, Tone' - It Never Rains
07. Jodeci - Come & Talk To Me (Remix)
08. Patrice Rushen - You Remind Me
09. Mary J. Blige - Be Happy
10. DJ Jazzy Jeff ft. China Blacc - Touch Me With Your Hands
11. Bilal ft. Mos Def - Reminisce
12. Jill Scott - Slowly, Surely
13. Whitney Houston - One of Those Days
14. Zhane' - Vibe
15. Wajeed & The Jazz Katz ft. Marvin Gaye - I Want U
16. Erykah Badu - Window Seat
I'm really excited about "Jilly From Philly" who's set to release her next studio album, The Light of the Sun real soon. She teams up with southern soul brother Anthony Hamilton on her latest single titled "So In Love". This is an incredible collaboration of talented singers helping to give rise again to soulful R&B that has an 80's feel to the track. Enjoy!
By the way, today is Jill Scott's birthday, so treat her well by purchasing her cover version of Bill Withers' classic "Lovely Day" via JillScott.com and receive a bonus mixtape with your order.
