Robert Glasper Experiment ft. Jill Scott: Calls

The official announcement has been made days ago, and the Robert Glasper Experiment is set to release their follow-up, Black Radio 2 on October 29th, which will have all new original material, with the exception of one cover tune to close out the album. So far, a leak of "Calls" featuring Jill Scott is posted on the Blue Note Records Soundcloud page and it already has fans anticipating the release date. For those here in the Houston area, RGE will be doing a FREE SHOW on August 16th at Miller Outdoor Theatre. For more info, click HERE.


TRACKLIST:

1. Baby Tonight (Black Radio Intro)

2. I Stand Alone featuring Common and Patrick Stump

3. What Are We Doing featuring Brandy

4. Calls featuring Jill Scott

5. No Worries featuring Dwele

6. Trust featuring Marsha Ambrosius

7. Yet To Find featuring Anthony Hamilton

8. You Own Me featuring Faith Evans

9. Let It Ride featuring Norah Jones

10. Persevere featuring Snoop Dogg and Lupe Fiasco

11. Somebody Else featuring Emeli Sandé

12. Jesus Children of America featuring Lalah Hathaway and Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Anu~Sun ft. Augi & Robert Glasper - Off The Wall

For those about to take your lunch break, central time of course, here's a mid-day melody for you from New York City based songwriter and drummer Anu~Sun, who is the godson of Jazz legend Lionel Hampton. Anu recreates Michael Jackson's classic "Off The Wall" by altering the timing and the adding of Rhodes type chords to give it more of an abstract jazzy feel. Accentuating the track are the vocals of Augi and Robert Glasper tapping the black and whites.

For fans of Robert Glasper, Grammy Award winning collective The Robert Glasper Experiment will be doing a free show at Houston's Miller Outdoor Theatre on August 16th.

Farewell to Bobby "Blue" Bland

On yesterday we lost another one of our soul and blues legends, Bobby "Blue" Bland (January 27, 1930 – June 23, 2013), also known as the "Lion of the Blues" and "Sinatra of the Blues", after battling a lengthy illness. It's reported that he was surrounded by family and friends when he passed away at his home. Bland was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1981, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997.

Bland had a string of consistent hits throughout the 1960's, having charted 23 Top Ten hits on the Billboard R&B Charts. One of my top favorites from him that was a strong R&B hit in the 1970's was "Aint' No Love (In The Heart of the City)", from the album The Dreamer (1974). Other hits on the "chitlin' circuit" were "I Pity The Fool", "Let The Good Times Roll", with B.B. King, "St. James Infirmary", "Members Only" and other "juke joint" favorites.

Amel Larrieux: Afraid

What has been passing along through the grapevine for so long has finally come to fruition. Amel Larrieux precedes her forthcoming album with her first single, "Afraid", produced by her husband Laru Larrieux. Ice Cream Everyday comes out on August 27th on Blisslife Records after a 6 year hiatus. Get ready music fans to tear up dance floors this summer with this sizzler.

Happy Birthday: Linda Clifford

Today we wish Mrs. Linda Clifford a very happy 65th birthday. One dynamic artist who seems to be a very lovely person and usually has encouraging words to say when she makes appearances on Facebook. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Mrs. Clifford started as a Jazz singer, later transitioning to Soul, Rhythm & Blues and House music, scoring several hits during the 1970's and 1980's.

Right now, we're going to go back to 1978. The label is Curtom Records headed by the legendary Curtis Mayfield. The album is If My Friends Could See Me Now, the title cut being her first number one hit on the Billboard charts, which is a dance cover of the tune taken from the Broadway play Sweet Charity. The leads done by Mrs. Clifford are explosive, as with the instrumentation, which includes Mayfield on guitar. The extra sweetness added are the background vocals of another group of legends known as The Jones Girls.

We wish continuous good health, plenty of good fortune and look forward to many more years of hearing Mrs. Linda Clifford make sweet music.

Jack Freeman: Nobody

I gotta give mad props to my homie Jack Freeman for this soulful joint with a slight blues feel to it. Imagining what it was like during the heyday of the Houston music scene in the 3rd Ward and 5th Ward areas, the vibe of "Nobody" seems to have been inspired by the sounds of that era, yet has a modern twist. With a helping hand from Chris Rockaway on production, Jack takes the credit as the writer and co-producer of this great tune. I look forward to more Houston artists taking this cue to do more good music. ENJOY!

Happy Birthday: Gil Scott-Heron & Marvin Gaye

Gil Scott-Heron
(April 1, 1949 – May 27, 2011)

Gil Scott-Heron is another artist who ranks in my top favorites for his compositions in poetry, Jazz, Soul and other genres. He helped to wake up people stateside and abroad, addressing social and political issues in his music and poetry. Many Hip-Hop enthusiasts consider him to be a key person in the development of the culture.

Soul On Ice! {Episode#5:Gil Scott Heron} 4/6/11 by Thedynamitedavesoul on Mixcloud

Marvin Gaye
(April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984)

Marvin Gaye, his smooth vocal style and the introduction of concept albums has helped changed the face of Soul music. Starting out as a session drummer for Motown records, he went on to release his own solo projects to become one of the most revered artists in American music.

Soul On Ice! {Episode#6:Marvin Gaye tribute}4/6/11 by Thedynamitedavesoul on Mixcloud

Jessie Ware: Running

So, I went to the bathroom mirror to slap myself, them wash my face to wake up from being asleep, wondering why I had never came across or heard of this beautiful lady by the name of Jessie Ware before? "Running" was the first single from Ware's debut album Devotion that dropped February 24, 2012 as a digital download. The drum loop in this tune is based off Prince's "Ballad of Dorothy Parker" from his Sign of the Times LP. Take the same action that I am by purchasing the album. Sounds too good to miss, if even "late".

Tracy Cruz: Joyful Rain [Official Video]

I'm here to bring a little more west coast sunshine from singer-songwriter Tracy Cruz, although I know the title says "Joyful Rain". This is the second official video from her Universoul Symphony, that you NEED to get as part of your music collection, if you don't have it. Trust me, the album is amazing. The man tickling the ivories is another gifted talent by the name of Allen Ross, who also produced and edited the video. Go HERE to get your copy of Universoul Symphony today!

Lucy Pearl: Dance Tonight (Soulpersona Remix)

Soulpersona just never lets up, and I don't expect him to. One of his latest handcrafted remixes is of "Dance Tonight" from Lucy Pearl's self-titled debut and only album. All instruments and production was done by Soulpersona. Visit his Soundcloud page for more mind blowing releases and remixes.

Friday Flashback: Earth, Wind & Fire

To kick off the month of September, you know I had to start things off for Friday Flashback with an old school classic by Earth, Wind & Fire (also known as "The Elements"), one of the greatest rhythm & blues bands that put a lot of soul into their music.

Elle Gomes: Acoustic Movement

I can't cease to stop mentioning how wonderful it is to have young adults release music that has substance now-a-days when the market is flooded with a lot of cookie cutter nonsense that has no lyrical value. "Beantown" has the rights to brag about singer-songwriter Elle Gomes, who currently is a student at Berklee College of Music majoring in songwriting. After listening to the Acoustic Movement EP she released on August 1st, and the fact that she is of Cape Verdean descent, it sounds to me that her style is influenced by the late great Cesaria Evora.

"Gravity" is the single she is pushing, but I was more drawn to "Artificial Love (Not Anymore)", which she is expressive of how she seeks to find real love. Her rich vocals and arrangements are proven to show she has reason to have graced stages with the likes of Lalah Hathaway, George Clinton, Regina Carter and other notable entertainers. Surprisingly, she's offering listeners the chance to get this great piece of work for free. Just make sure you all help give a boost to her career by purchasing later projects. Let's keep her around for awhile.

Happy Birthday: Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston
(August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012)
It has only been a few months since we have lost one of our beloved who's voice and spirit shattered boundaries. In honor of Whitney, I took the liberty of re-posting this memo a good friend of mine posted on Facebook today. ENJOY!

Remembering "Nippy"...Happy Birthday Girl!
by Deborah Hatter-Grant

Happy Birthday, "Nippy"! This picture is how I will always remember you...a breathtakingly beautiful young girl, with snap and pizzazz, sassy and smart, with a "mega-watt" smile, fashion model cheekbones, and a voice that mesmerized. I remember standing at my kitchen sink, late on a Thursday night, with my hands immersed up to my elbows in hot, sudsy water, finishing up the day's dishes...sometime in early 1985, when both my girls were still little. I was tired...a single mom, going to school and working, just standing there listening to the music while I washed the pots and pans, as was my nightly ritual...my "alone time"...daydreaming, when a voice that I did not recognize came over the airwaves. A female voice...with a pureness, a power, and an absolute sweetness in the yearning, that I had never heard before.

I rushed to dry my hands, and turn up the volume on the radio...sat down at the kitchen table just to listen. I remember thinking to myself, "oh my goodness...who is THAT?" All of us "wanna be" singers, and "coulda, woulda, shoulda been" singers, (especially those of us who have had some musical training, and after years of "ear training", I still had "perfect pitch" in those days), know the real deal when we hear it...and I immediately knew that you were something different...something special. There was a "hunger" in your delivery...it was almost palpable to me, as I listened. It made me want to hear more...and more and more. In spite of your vocal power, there was a subtlety underneath, that allowed us to hear something just a little different every time we heard you sing...another little "spin"...even if we had heard you sing the song a million times, we could discover something entirely new in your interpretation. Like a good book, or a fine wine, a stunning piece of poetry, or an amazing work of visual art...it was something intangible that just made one want to go deeper, and deeper, and deeper into the beauty that you created with your music.

And wow...did you ever deliver MORE! Over the years, you shared your gifts and your talents, your triumphs and your tragedies, and your music became a part of all of our lives. The "Body Guard" soundtrack became a ritual lullaby in 1994, for my then 2 yr old son, who sat glued to the couch with wide-eyed wonder, listening to you sing. No one could touch that CD player while he was listening to you...all hell and havoc were sure to break out, if anyone had the audacity to turn off "his" Whitney. Your "I'm Your Baby Tonight" CD was a late night favorite for me and my husband, dancing in the kitchen, not long after we married...and of course, "The Preacher's Wife" soundtrack was ALWAYS in the CD player...even when it wasn't Christmastime. Years later, your work on the "Just Whitney" album, was my constant companion in the car, when I was moving alone to a small town, to try and start my life over after the untimely death of my husband. Girl, I was singing "Try It On My Own", from that CD, right along with you...slinging "snot" and crying the whole time...LOL! Felt like we were just two good girlfriends, commiserating, and trying to make it to the other side of some very harsh realities in our lives.

You lived your life in front of us...the good, the bad, and the ugly, and sometimes we didn't know how to handle that...we like to think that our heroes and "she-roes" are superhuman...we don't like it when our icons and idols show us their very human qualities...their frailties. But I understand frailty...and imperfection, and doubt...and loss. I admired you just as much for your humanity, for your struggles, and for your courage to "keep getting up" and trying again, as I admired you for your iconic gifts and unbelievable successes. Sometimes I think that had we loved you better, given you more acceptance to be "just Whitney"...you might still be with us. That rare and magical vocal talent of yours is something that will never be heard again, and we all miss it. But I think that what I miss most, are those very "leonine" qualities of yours...the ones that shone through, no matter the situation. Your love of family, (your "pride"), your trust and belief in your Higher Power, your magnanimous personality, your regal elegance and grace...your love. Yes...we truly miss you, Miss Whitney...the last true superstar! Can't wait to see your last turn on the big screen in the new upcoming movie, "Sparkle"...it will surely be bittersweet for those of us who love you. Happy Birthday, girl...rest in the beauty, and power, and sweet, sweet, peace that you so richly deserve!

Friday Flashback: KLYMAXX

This week we take you back to rock with the Los Angeles based all girl band KLYMAXX who made the "Men All Pause" while having a "Meeting In The Ladies Room". "I Miss You" was their biggest single that had a 29 week long run on the Billboard Top 10 charts in 1985, helping to boost their Meeting In The Ladies Room album to gold status.

Happy Birthday: Cheryl Cooley

Cheryl Cooley is blessed to be here for another year to celebrate life. Cooley is an original member and "axe murderer"(that's guitarist folks, because she kills it) of the all girl band KLYMAXX that rose to prominence with their hits "Meeting In The Ladies Room", "I Miss You", "The Men All Pause" and other classics. We wish you the best on this day and hope you have many happy returns.

DJ Applejac: Summer Madness v.1

BLACK MUSIC MONTH 2012

A little earlier DJ Applejac hit me up on Facebook to let me know he had a new mix uploaded online. What a way to close out Black Music Month 2012 with this dope mix by DJ Applejac courtesy of Soul Bounce. Thing is, you have to visit Soul Bounce to listen to the stream and to download Applejac's Summer Madness v.1. By the way, Applejac also contributed a tune to the Tall Black Guy presents: Tempo Dreams compilation. Don't forget to order your copy.

Happy Birthday: Bowlegged Lou

Feliz Cumpleaños to Bow-Legged Lou (Lucien George Jr.) of the legendary singer, production and songwriting team of brothers and cousins called Full Force. He's also an actor and comedian who plays practical jokes on his peers. Film credits include; Krush Groove, House Party(1 & 2) and Who's The Man?. He's helped to pen hits for artists such as James Brown, Patti LaBelle, U.T.F.O., Samantha Fox, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, The Black Eyed Peas and a host of others.

Happy Birthday: Linda Clifford

Happy 67th to veteran singer/songwriter Linda Clifford, former Miss New York State who started her singing career by fronting a trio in Jazz music before switching to Rhythm and Blues. She also has credit as an actress from playing minor roles in two major motion pictures. Unsatisfied with the roles, Clifford decided to concentrate more on her music. As of this year, her music career has spanned 40 years and took her on recording journeys through Disco and House music.

1973 brought about being signed to Paramount Records and releasing her first single "(It's Gonna Be) A Long Long Winter" which was a minor hit. Her moving to Curtom Records, headed by Curtis Mayfield, broadened her success by recording hit tunes such as; a dance cover of "(It's Gonna Be) A Long Long Winter", "Runaway Love", "Bridge over Troubled Water", "Red Light" (from The Right Combination duet album with Curtis Mayfield), "Shoot Your Best Shot" and "Don't Come Crying to Me".

After being switched to Capitol Records in 1980, she released I'll Keep on Loving You in 1982, that contained the original version of "All The Man That I Need", a collaboration with Luther Vandross. The same tune would be covered first by Sister Sledge, then Whitney Houston and finally by Vandross.

Rappers 2Pac/Tupac Shakur ("All Eyes On Me") and Nas ("Street Dreams") have sampled her "Never Gonna Stop" tune for their Hip-Hop records.

Sydnee Jane & The Jane-ettes: Cosmic Divas Invade New York City

The day is here and we count down the final hours to see Houston's own Sydnee Jane & The Jane-ettes perform today live at 5pm (CST) on 106 & Park on BET. Recently, these ladies performed in the Wild Out Wednesday Houston competition for indie talent and reached the finals, which will be aired today on the show. What's needed is for you to cast your vote via text message or online. Be sure to check your local cable provider listings to find out what channel the show airs on and watch the performance to get instructions on how to vote. LET'S HELP THEM WIN!

For further information, including media inquiries and booking:
(832)384-JANE[5263] or www.sydneejane.com

Follow them on Twitter to show your support:
@SydneeJane
@JustSoAmbitious
@TaylorRaeChelle
ItsJanesWorld

Lenny Williams: Still In The Game

BLACK MUSIC MONTH 2012



Legendary singer Lenny Williams shows that he's not going anywhere soon and is in for the long haul, making the statement that he's Still In The Game. Currently, his new single "Still" is in the spotlight and he shows that he hasn't lost his vocal abilities since his days with Tower of Power, and a solo career that brought forth the classic "Cause I Love You" ballad. Click on his name to go to his website and to purchase the new single. ENJOY!