Beldina: Ocean (B. Bravo Remix)

For this Monday night late night chill, you have to take your hats off and pay respect to B. Bravo for his remix of Belinda's "Ocean" track, where he combines the sounds of old school R&B and current musical styling. The smooth vocals coming from Belinda gliding over the track reminds me of a sunny spring day. Her sense of style and appearance are eye catching. And by the homage she pays to the vocal greats, she's next in line among the ranks of Grace Jones, Eartha Kitt, and Diana Ross.

Be sure to purchase her Intermission EP OUT NOW on iTunes, and have this remix on the house. Enjoy!

Friday Flashback: Dennis Brown: Rainbow Country

For our first Friday Flashback of 2015, we go back to the sounds of Dennis Brown, the "Crown Prince of Reggae", and his rendition of Bob Marley's classic tune, "Rainbow Country" which he covered in 1995, and was released on the Saxon Records imprint located in the UK, with in house production by Musclehead. This version was a big hit from my days of spinning at Houston's own Club Karabana. Personally, I live this cover better than the original. It most definitely got the royal treatment.

ill-esha: Only Fair (Freddy Todd Remix)

Get your hump day bounce going with this Freddy Todd remix of ill-esha's "Only Fair" that he's been previewing at a few of his shows. Now it's available for purchase via iTunes and Beatport. Some of you may be familiar with ill-esha with her unique style of singing while she does her glitch-hop and dubstep DJ sets.

Jo Goldie: Follow Me

Welcome, once again to electric relaxation, through the sounds of Philadelphia based singer/songwriter Jo Goldie on her new track "Follow Me", produced by Pawcut, who's based in Germany. I'm really digging the silky soul vocals graced upon this smooth jazzy track. Hopefully this will be released soon so I can spin this at some of my sets. Check out their pages and show continued support. Enjoy!

Broken Quote: Foreshadowing Sunlight

My good friend Broken Quote, who's a multi-instrumentalist here in Houston has uploaded a new track to Youtube a few days ago. I have to say that I really dig this cut. Be on the lookout for this to appear in one of my upcoming podcasts. ENJOY!

Bella Soul: Castle In The Sky (Weegee Edit)

Recently on Soundcloud, I started following London based DJ Bella Soul who has been spinning tunes for 9 years and more recently she has picked up the microphone to start singing. In no way am I being insulting, but I must say she can use a little vocal coaching (not voice lessons people) to help improve on what she's doing. I like the direction she's taking and would love to hear more from her in the future. Give her a follow as well to see what she has in store for the future. For now, glue your ears to "Castle In The Sky (Weegee Edit)".

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.

Diggs Duke: Mass Exodus

I'm planning on dedicating the next couple of days to call it "weekend soul". To kick things off, here are the incredible sounds of the one man orchestra known as Diggs Duke with his brand new EP entitled Mass Exodus. For those who have a good ear, you can hear as many influences to his sound as the number of instruments he's playing. Seems to me that with every release he drops, it all keeps getting better and better. Support to keep good music alive by purchasing his works. No disappointments here.

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!

Chester Gregory: High Love (Freddie Joachim Remix)

Chester Gregory is a multi-award winning Broadway actor, singer and musician who originally hails from Gary, Indiana. Freddie Joachim put his magic hands to work to remix Gregory's "High Love" track from his In Search of High Love album from 2008. Those familiar with Joachim already know the time with this remix. ENJOY!



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Happy Birthday: Rain Fingerhut

A very happy birthday to Rain Fingerhut, a lovely folk artist who writes and plays guitar that moved here to Houston from California a few months ago. Although i've only seen her about three times, she seems to have a really good attitude. Cheers to you on your celebration of life.

Happy Birthday: Dezaray Dawn

Happy birthday to Dezaray Dawn, an Atlanta beauty who sings, is a songwriter and produces some of her own material. You have heard both her voice and production in several mixes that I have done and live DJ sets. She an indie favorite of mine who I keep in heavy rotation. She often gives some of her music for the love and appreciation of fans, however, like any other artist, the lights need to be kept on so they can continue to do what they do. Hit her up and send well wishes.

@dezaray_dawn

Santigold: The Keepers (Official Video)

Santigold takes us back to the future with her second video "The Keepers" off her Master of My Make-Believe album which came out this past April. Sounds like she got much inspiration for this tune a la "Little Red Corvette", by none other than his royal badness Prince. I personally would like to take the time to thank her for a moment of reflection to a time in my life that I really enjoyed.

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.

Stacy Epps + Astronote: Rakotep

BLACK MUSIC MONTH 2012


Atlanta based singer Stacy Epps, a superwoman who does everything, has been in the lab focusing on a new project with French producer Astronote, which is a self titled album they call Rakotep that's coming soon. After listening to the "2" singles uploaded to their Bandcamp page, I don't have the slightest doubt the whole project is breathtaking. ENJOY!

Dobet Gnahoré: Na Afriki

BLACK MUSIC MONTH 2012



Since today is the final day of the Houston performances of the FELA! On Broadway U.S. tour, I decided to post the sounds of Dobet Gnahoré, a World Music Awards nominee and an incredible artist from Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), a country in west Africa that I visited many years ago. In 2007, she released her Na Afriki sophomore album to receive some excellent reviews. Personally, I would place her among the ranks of Bhusi Mhlongo, Angelique Kidjo, Miriam Makeba and other great African women singers. She will be coming stateside on October 30th at B.B. King's Blues Club in New York City after a few shows in Europe. If you're in the area, you might want to check out her energy packed show. Awaken your spirit with "Pillage", a song that had the same affect on me. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday: Josephine Baker

BLACK MUSIC MONTH 2012

JOSEPHINE BAKER
(June 3, 1906 – April 12, 1975)

Josephine Baker, a multi-talented lady of class and elegance, nicknamed the "Bronze Venus", the "Black Pearl", and the "Créole Goddess", was the fist black woman to star in a motion picture, to integrate an American concert hall and to become an international entertainer. A social and political activist who put forth efforts to aide in the civil rights movement, as well as becoming a spy for France during World War II. For her services to gain intelligence from opposing forces, Baker was awarded the Croix de Guerre, the Rosette de la Résistance, and was made a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur by General Charles de Gaulle.

Friday Flashback: Joe Simon

Since my mother's birthday was a few days ago, I though I would make this week's Friday Flashback in her honor by posting her favorite tune by Joe Simon titled "Get Down, Get Down (Get On The Floor)". I remember fondly back in 1975 to see her walking in the front door with a bag of records and seeing that green and white 45 rpm with Spring Records on the label. I don't recall the rest of the tunes that were in that bag, but this one was way too easy to remember because of her love for this particular song that remained in heavy rotation in our house for quite some time.

Happy Birthday: Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Jane Fitzgerald
(April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996)
Ella Fitzgerald known by her fans as "The Queen of Jazz", "Lady Ella" and the "First Lady of Song", is by far my most favorite singer of all time. A complete singer who is the singer's singer, having a vocal range that spans more than three octaves. The following quote sums it up nearly perfectly for me as to how I view this vocal great.

Author and music critic Will Friedwald noted;

"Unlike any other singer you could name, Fitzgerald has the most amazing asset in the very sound of her voice: it's easily one of the most beautiful and sonically perfect sounds known to man. Even if she couldn't do anything with it, the instrument that Fitzgerald starts with is dulcet and pure and breathtakingly beautiful. As Henry Pleasants has observed, she has a wider range than most opera singers, and many of the latter, including Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, are among her biggest fans. And the intonation that goes with the voice is, to put it conservatively, God-like. Fitzgerald simply exists in tune, and she hits every note that there is without the slightest trace of effort. Other singers tend to sound like they're trying to reach up to a note - Fitzgerald always sounds like she's already there. If anything, she's descending from her heavenly perch and swooping down to whatever pitch she wants."

Ella Fitzgerald Official Website

Nyoka Ny-D: Magical Fruit (Official Video)

Singer-songwriter, producer and emcee Nyoka Ny-D has finally finished production for the official video of her addicting title cut "Magical Fruit" that's available NOW at NyokaNyD.com. Show your love and support, and give her a shout out on Twitter. ENJOY!

Twitter:RebelNyD