J. Pure Digz Music

Video: Jill Scott - Hear My Call

2011-08-25T16:31:00.001-04:00

Such a simple, true, and poignant song and the video matches. More posts to come soon, guys... in the meantime, enjoy.

Random Musings: The Bruno Mars Dilemna

2010-09-27T11:22:00.004-04:00

Bruno Mars is on FIRE right now. Not only did he have a Billboard number one hit “Nothin’ On You” with rapper B.O.B., but he’s currently riding high at the number one spot with his own song “Just The Way You Are”, a sweet ode to his mesmerizing girl-next-door. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old up-and-comer has also been riding high with drugs apparently, as he was arrested on Sept. 19 for alleged cocaine possession. Now, is Bruno the first musician to do drugs? No, not by far. To be arrested for drugs? No, again not by far. In the last month, rapper T.I. and his wife Tiny were arrested for drug possession. Lady Gaga admitted in a magazine interview to doing cocaine on occasion (SHOCKER!). Amy Winehouse (whose voice is a treasure) seems to visit rehab more than Lindsay Lohan.

But in Bruno’s case, I am a bit biased. I am a songwriter at heart, and his songwriting skills are phenomenal. After hearing his song “Grenade”, I was completely sold on the guy. I’ve been eagerly anticipating his album and what else he may have in store, BUT after these allegations, what now? Do I still buy the album, and potentially support his drug habit? Or is it even that serious? Am I just supporting a good musician and his problems are his business?

Ongoing thought…

Random Findings: "Single Ladies" Cover by Sara Bareilles

2010-08-09T16:43:00.005-04:00

CLICK HERE to check out the "Love Song" singer put a rather unique spin on Beyonce's ladies' anthem. I love Sara's musicianship and think that she really gets songcraft, so I was pretty intrigued to hear this mash-up. She is currently promoting her sophomore album Kaleidescope Heart, due in stores Sept. 7th.

"Who's Got A Hit?": John Legend and Friends - Wake Up Everybody

2010-08-05T12:16:00.006-04:00

John Legend is an artist of a rare caliber amidst the modern music scene, and on his next project, The Wake Up Sessions, he has drafted another group of gifted music-men, The Roots, to co-produce. "Wake Up Everybody", the first offering from this project finds John and The Roots joined by esteemed hip-hop veteran Common and critically-acclaimed newcomer Melanie Fiona. All that to say, that's a lot of good people in one song (a remake of the Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes' classic) - so what do you guys think? Do John and crew have a hit?

Click HERE to visit John's webiste

(click on player at top right of the page to hear the song)

Random Musings: Can Kelly "Command" America to Dance?

2010-05-13T11:17:00.003-04:00

Former Destiny's Child first mate Kelly Rowland now wants to be your commander with the release of her new single "Commander". The dance-club-friendly track was produced by French DJ David Guetta, with whom Kelly had a huge international hit last year with "When Love Takes Over". But the U.S. is not known to be as heavy on dance music as other countries, especially those in Europe. Can Miss Kelly step out of the R&B shadow of Beyonce' and take over as America's "Queen of the Night"? Her record label might not be so sure, as an "urban" (read "black") mix of "Commander" is already being prepped. So what do you guys think? Is America ready?

Listen to "Commander" HERE

FIRST LISTEN: Songs from "Stage 2: The Journey"

2010-04-08T08:28:00.008-04:00

Yo yo yo! While the album is far from done, I wanted you guys to hear what I've been working on, as a "thank you" for being so supportive and patient. So... yeah... thank you and enjoy!

Random Musings: Who's "You're So Vain" Really About?

2010-02-26T14:16:00.005-05:00

So reportedly, Carly Simon's leaked out a first name of the allusive man that "You're So Vain" was written about back in the 1972. Don't know why I find this mystery so intriguing... I will now walk around singing this song all day, you know, like I'm walking onto a yacht. ;)

Find out who "You're So Vain" was actually about HERE.

Random Musings: Sade's New Album "Soldier of Love" In Stores Today!!

2010-02-09T13:10:00.005-05:00

Do yourself a favor, and go pick this album up ASAP.

REAL MUSIC IS NOT DEAD.

If you can't get to the store, or you're an mp3 kind of listener, Amazon.com has you covered.

Album review coming soon... make sure you guys listen too, so you can tell me what you thought about it. :)

Songwriter Spotlight: Claude Kelly

2010-02-04T13:21:00.002-05:00

Click HERE to check out a very cool bio/interview with the prolific writer behind such songs as Miley Cyrus's "Party In the USA", Kelly Clarkson's "My Life Would Suck Without You" and Chrisette Michele's "Blame It On Me." He's definitely one to watch!

Random Musings: Corrine Bailey Rae FIRST LISTEN and Interview

2010-01-20T09:52:00.008-05:00

Click here for a FIRST LISTEN of Corrine's new album The Sea.

AND

Click here to check out a pretty interesting interview Corrine did with Billboard Magazine.

Her long-awaited sophomore project hits stores in the US on Jan. 26th.

Random Musings: Ladies to Watch for in 2010...

2010-01-07T12:41:00.009-05:00

2010 will see the returns and debuts of some spectacular ladies of music. Here's who I'm checking for and why...

Tweet - Love Tweet

Release Date: TBA

Reason(s) To Anticipate: Tweet's honey-sweet vocal tone and sirenlike harmonies are icing on her musical cake of true-to-life lyrics and beautiful melodies.

Listen To: "Love Again" (first single)

Corrine Bailey Rae - The Sea

Release Date: Jan. 26, 2010

Reason(s) To Anticipate: After the surprising death of her husband in early '08, Corrine all but disappeared, leaving us listening to "Like A Star" on repeat and wondering if, when, or how she would re-emerge. Well, if the first single is any indication, the new Corrine is tried, tested, and has an even deeper musical story to share with us (not to mention longer hair).

Listen To: "I'd Do It All Again" (first single)

Richgirl

Release Date: TBA

Reason(s) To Anticipate: Super-producer Rich Harrison (Beyonce's "Crazy In Love", Amerie's "One Thing") presents to you En Vogue meets Destiny's Child with a touch of Spice Girls.

Watch: "He Ain't With Me Now (Tho)" (buzz single)

Sade - Soldier of Love
Release Date: Feb. 9, 2010
Reason(s) To Anticipate: Because she's one of the most distinctive voices of the past three decades backed by one of the best bands of the past three decades with hits that span, well... three decades!
Listen To: "Soldier of Love" (first single)

Toni Braxton - Pulse

Release Date: March 2, 2010

Reason(s) To Anticipate: Unlike some of our other 90's divas, Toni's husky contralto voice is still in fine form (as SHE is) and after listening to some of the material that has leaked, she's ready to show these new kids how you put together a REAL R&B album.

Watch: "Yesterday" feat. Trey Songz (first single)

The Queen Project

Release Date: TBA

Reason(s) To Anticipate: Three of the best voices in R&B/pop music unite for an album helmed by hit-maker Shep Crawford. Can't miss.

Watch: "True Colors" - Cyndi Lauper cover (live performance)

Random Musings: Lady Antebellum - Need You Now

2010-01-05T14:14:00.005-05:00

This song is storytelling at it's finest and catchiest. I see this being a pop crossover hit for these rising country stars, mark my words. Click here to listen to it and for some interesting reading I'm sure my songwriters can relate to, check out the story behind the song here.

5 Albums You Might Have Missed in 2009...

2009-12-29T09:41:00.011-05:00

The Script - The Script

Reason You Missed It: Because they're Irish! No really, I don't know. Their video for "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" got decent rotation on VH1 and MTV, but the song never seemed to catch at radio. American Idol winner Kris Allen even covered one of their songs "Live Like We're Dying" as his lead single.

Reason You SHOULDN'T Miss It: Perhaps you can consider them Ireland's answer to Maroon 5, with a dash of The Fray and some reggae flourishes for decoration... you like Maroon 5, don't you? I thought you did. ;)

Noisettes - Wild Young Hearts

Reason You Missed It: Their music is a little hard to categorize. HOWEVER, the infectious tune "Don't Upset The Rhythm" has been featured in several commercials and TV shows, so "cha-ching" for them!

Reason You SHOULDN'T Miss It: This well-blended mix of soulful vocals, masterful lyrics (with some literary allusions for good measure), and excellent musicianship is probably one of the most unique and satisfying musical experiences you'll have all year.

Mayer Hawthorne - A Strange Arrangement

Reason You Missed It: The sound is too dated for today's Top 40 radio. That's not a bad thing... keep reading...

Reason You SHOULDN'T Miss It: From the barbershop quartet harmonies to the falsetto lead vocals to the catchy hooks, this album is a complete retro-throwback to the Motown era that works on every level. It sounds like a collection of your favorite songs you've never heard. You'll be singing along on first listen and wondering how.

Mandy Moore - Amanda Leigh

Reason You Missed It: Mandy hasn't really been a big pop draw since her "Candy" days, and now she's signed to a small indie label.

Reason You SHOULDN'T Miss It: Her time in the lowlights of the entertainment industry has allowed Mandy time to hone her music craft, and it seems she's found a fitting home in the singer/songwriter pop of the 1960s/70s.

LeToya- Lady Love

Reason You Missed It: Matthew Knowles... I mean, ahem, music industry "politics" kept LeToya from getting larger promotional exposure. Still, a number one debut on the Billboard R&B chart isn't bad at all.

Reason You SHOULDN'T Miss It: This girl is a fighter, otherwise you'd only know her as "one of those girls that left Destiny's Child." That fight led to her debut album, and here on her sophomore effort, LeToya raises the bar from "H-town Chick" to rising R&B/pop diva. Is the album perfect? No. Is it quality? YES. It's most likely the best mainstream R&B album you'll have heard in '09.

WHAT ALBUMS DO YOU THINK PEOPLE SLEPT ON IN '09??

Album Reviews: Rihanna, Shakira, Jay Sean and more...

2009-11-24T16:31:00.014-05:00

Rihanna - Rated R (J-Graded D+)

If the last album was a "good girl gone bad" then this album is "bad girl gone even worse." Now musically, this album is decent, full of top-notch production and even has a pretty consistent theme as far as sound goes... and there's my problem. The theme is dark. The lyrics are dark (and profanity-laced). The imagery is dark. Not that this album doesn't have its moments of beautiful honesty ("Stupid In Love" and "Fire Bomb" for example).

I'm just missing the light of the sun-kissed island girl we met with "Pon De Replay" or even the slightly edgier fun of "Umbrella". But this Rihanna... this chick is just acting out.

Shakira - She Wolf (J-Graded B-)

Shakira takes a bold step out of the latin-pop world into urban-pop market. Collaborations with Lil Wayne and Timbaland make it apparent that Shakira's inner la loba likes modern hip-hop/R&B. While it might seem like she's pandering to black folks, it's not that way at all. Shaki's witty lyrical content is still on full display, especially on songs like the titular track and "Men In This Town". This is well-crafted pop album that attempts to bring Shakira up to speed with what the other pop/R&B divas are doing, while not losing what makes her unique, and she succeeds.

Jay Sean - All Or Nothing (J-Graded D)

British-Indian R&B star Jay Sean has already conquered the music charts in various countries throughout Europe and Asia, and now he's set his sights on the U.S. market. Through a partnership with Cash Money Records (of all labels), he releases his Stateside debut All or Nothing. It's obvious from the material (and his image) that he's competing with the Usher's and Ne-Yo's of the world. Does he succeed? Not entirely. Yes, he has a smooth voice and cool moves, but the shallow and redundant lyrical content send this ride into Dullsville quickly. If it's all or nothing, Jay, I may have to opt for nothing... well, can I just download "Down"?

Boyz II Men - Love (J-Graded - B-)

Boyz II Men are the kings of harmony. Even minus their resident bass singer Michael McCrary, the other three members can sing the mess out of most any song. While the well-chosen range of songs spans genres and eras, the tendency to over-sing (Wanya, I'm talking to you) and unnecessarily rearrange takes the soul out of what could have been some nice moments. Overall, it's still a solid, romantic listen and worth picking up.

Lady Gaga - The Fame Monster (GUEST REVIEWED BY TWYLA M.)

Who hasn’t raised their eyebrow a few times at the antics of Lady Gaga? Sometimes she can make you very uncomfortable, very intrigued, and even a little scared, well a lot scared! But, outside of the blood packets and the super strange outfits is some real music. The 8 new songs that turned The Fame into The Fame Monster are worth a listen! The enchantment of having a Bad Romance with Alejandro is pretty sweet. From the sound of Dance in the Dark this may just be her next “radio joint” but her cannibalistic/ dominatrix tendencies come out a little in Teeth, be careful with this one around the kiddies. All in all an album for any road trip, sleeping is something you won’t do.

Twyla top picks: "Bad Romance", "Alejandro", "Telephone"

Twyla rated : B+

Random Musings: The Queen Project

2009-11-23T13:40:00.004-05:00

Tamia + Deborah Cox + Kelly Price = three "sangin' sistas" in one group = 'nuff said.

Check out their live performance of Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" here.

Album Reviews: Leona, John Mayer, and more...

2009-11-17T11:53:00.020-05:00

Hey you guys, today is a pretty good day for music (at least the music I listen to). Some of my favorite contemporary artists are releasing albums or have released albums recently, so I figured I'd give you guys a quick run-down of my reviews. Let me know what you thought about these sonic goodies!

Res - Black.Girls.Rock! (J-Graded - A)
It's been 8 years since Res burst on the scene with her video for "They-Say Vision" and changed my musical world with her unique blend of neo-soul, rock, hip-hop with some reggae vibes for good measure. Her sophomore album was recorded for Geffen Records, but never released... until now! You can't hold a true artist down, man! Not only has Res taken matters into her own hands, but she's made the album available as a FREE download on her website. So there's absolutely no reason why you can't go check it out. Trust me, you won't regret it. The mood is overall more chill than her debut. Acoustic guitars abound, and Res's raspy vocals have gained a more smooth, seasoned flavor. Yet, the grit and self-awareness that made her stand out on her debut are still in full force. If you're a fan from How I Do, or you've never heard of Res, take a listen. Again, it's FREE!

Leona Lewis - Echo (J-Graded: B+)

Leona is one of the contemporary voices to watch, with comparisons to Mariah, Whitney and even Toni. While she doesn't quite have the clout of any of the above divas, the "I'm just a girl who wants to sing pretty songs" approach is pretty endearing to me. With help from frequent collaborator Ryan Tedder (frontman of OneRepublic) and other notables, Leona has crafted a solid, cohesive pop album.

Norah Jones - The Fall (J-Graded C+)
Norah has been accused of being "boring" several times over, but for me, this is the first album of hers that I found to be a snoozer. Well... let me take that back... to be fair, I like this album much better than Norah's last effort Not Too Late, which I thought was a little too helter-skelter; however, I just couldn't get into this album that much. On the plus side, you can tell that Norah is experimenting with an edgier, more guitar-oriented sound. Also, the songs on the album grew much more enjoyable toward the end, and with collaborators like Ryan Adams and James Poyser, you CANNOT deny the musicianship on The Fall. I'll put it like this: After a moderately enjoyable first listen to this album, I just don't find myself inclined to give it a second listen.

John Mayer - Battle Studies (J-Graded A-)

John Mayer follows up one of my favorite albums Continuum with the appropriately-titled Battle Studies. You would swear half these songs are about Jennifer Aniston or Jessica Simpson or some other starlet he's been connected with, but at the end of the day it doesn't matter. John is one heck of a musician, blending blues, soul, and light-rock into the (mostly) radio-ready stew that is this collection of 11 songs.

Carrie Underwood - Play On (J-Graded - B)

Carrie was not my favorite performer on American Idol, but since her victory she has blossomed into one of my favorite country-pop queens. Her musical stylings a la Martina McBride/Faith Hill are in tip top form on her recently-released third album. From the brassy "Cowboy Cassanova" to the heartwrenching "Mama's Song", Carrie comes across as very secure about her place in the musical world and the real world as well. Play on, Carrie, play on...

OneRepublic - Waking Up (J-Graded C+)

Now as much as I love this band, I wasn't floored by this album. HOWEVER, you can definitely sense their growth as musicians. They experiment with orchestration and compositions that segue from one song to another; toward the end they even escape from the radio-ready time length of 3 - 4 minutes, one song clocking in at 6:07 seconds. If you're a 1R fan, pick this one up. If you're just a casual listener, then preview the album and download (LEGALLY) what you like.

The Indie Files: Purchase Kimberly Nichole's Debut Album!

2009-09-11T08:02:00.005-04:00

Hey guys, do you remember Kimberly Nichole from a previous Indie Files spotlight? Well, her debut album "The Yellow Brick Journey" dropped last week, and I love it! Check out her web site HERE, where you can purchase your copy. Support indie music! :)

Random Musings: Why I Think RichGirl Has Next...

2009-07-22T09:56:00.007-04:00

Lyndriette, Brave, Seven and Audra make up the new girl group RichGirl. Here's five reasons I'm all about this group right now, and really believe they have what it takes to make a mark on the mainstream music scene.

1. They all fine! Just look at the "fashion" shot above. Yeah... wow. But a lot of girl groups can take good pictures... but still... man... ok... moving on to my next point...

2. They can all sing! It's been a while since there was a girl group where you would listen to the parts of the song to pick out who was singing where. Not to bash Electrik Red, but you can obviously tell only two of the girls "sing", and honestly it's not that impressive. But in this group, Seven and Lyn will take it to "chuch" and Audra and Brave give you those crisp, pretty vocals.

3. They're opening up for Beyonce. Yes, they are the opening act for Beyonce's "I Am" Tour. Lyndriette in particular is reminscent of an early Beyonce and the entire group recalls the magic of Destiny's Child, so it's safe to say that B's crowd might just appreciate these girls.

4. They've got a super-producer on their team. Rich Harrison is responsible for Beyonce's "Crazy In Love" and Amerie's "One Thing" among other hits... he knows how to craft catchy hits and how to make females sound good against his bombastic backdrops. First single "He Ain't With Me Now Tho" is evidence that Rich has tricks up his sleeve just for his girls.

5. They can harmonize! Okay, yes, I already said that they can sing individually, but a lot of great singers aren't so great at harmonizing. In the vein of En Vogue and, yeah, Destiny's Child, these girls will break it down for you a capella.

Random Musings: Whitney's Comeback Gets Official Release Date!

2009-06-05T10:06:00.008-04:00

Finally folks, after months of rumors and speculation,

Whitney Houston's comeback album has an official release date: September 1, 2009

(it's already up for pre-order on amazon.com).

Can't wait to hear some new music from one of American music's greatest voices.

The Indie Files: Kimberly Nichole

2009-06-02T23:31:00.015-04:00

In this edition, I'm chatting with dynamic "young soul" songtress Kimberly Nichole. During her time in Atlanta, I saw this young lady perform several times, and each time was amazing! Known for her show-stopping vocals and undeniable stage presence, Kimberly is now preparing for the release of her debut album. It seems Ms. Nichole is ready to take over the world... here are some of her thoughts:

1. Your upcoming album is entitled Kimberly Nichole and The Yellow Brick Journey. Did the imagery of The Wizard of Oz (or The Wiz) influence the sound of your album?

"Yes, the album title was inspired by one of my favorite movies The Wiz - the project encompasses songs about things you experience in life - similar to the journey Dorothy took in The Wiz - - courage, love, wisdom, confidence etc."

2. I see that you recently opened a Twitter page. How do you feel about the Twitter phenomenon? Does it help you in stay in touch with your fans?

"Twitter is cool - you know our generation is all about technology. You're definitely more exposed this day in age. Twitter, Facebook, Myspace allows you to stay connected to your fans and also gain new ones. Love it!"

3. Seattle, Atlanta, and now New York - all these cities you've called "home". How have those distinct environments influenced you as an artist?

"All of those cities have definitely contributed to the artist I've become. Seattle - is where I was born and raised and it basically established the foundation of me being an artist - growing up in a household that was dominated by Gospel and Soul music was a major influence but then the music of my City was that of grunge/rock - so that also influenced the artist I've become. Atlanta was essential to my development - it's where I feel I was groomed and got my feet wet in music - gained confidence in singing/performing. BUT New York released something completely different - the energy here is incredible - New York definitely has fueled in me something greater - a boldness. All those cities I love dearly and have definitely played a part in the artist I've become."

Check Kimberly Nichole's new single "Peace of Mind"

and then visit her on myspace to let her know what you think!

What I'm Listening To - June 2, 2009

2009-06-02T19:31:00.004-04:00

Eric Benet - Love of My Own

Madonna- Beautiful Stranger

Letoya - She Ain't Got

What I'm Listening To - May 29, 2009

2009-05-28T23:45:00.007-04:00

(click on the song titles to listen too!)

Gladys Knight and The Pips - Help Me Make It Through The Night

Brandy - One Thing

Highwater Rising - In My Head

The Indie Files: Marcus Caldwell

2009-05-27T19:07:00.005-04:00

In this edition, I threw a few questions out to one of my favorite funk-soul brothas, Marcus Caldwell aka MLC. He's been doing his thing on the Charlotte, NC scene for some time now, both as part of bands like Soulganic and even solo.

1) What/who inspires your funky sound?
"My sound comes from all sorts of areas. I have to say that artistically speaking, my 3 biggest influences are Prince, Jimi Hendrix, & Herbie Hancock. I am a conglomerate of the ones who came before me. The funky comes from Prince & cats like Sly Stone, Larry Graham, Parliament-Funkadelic. My blues & rock comes from Jimi; my jazz comes from Herbie.

Now, I am not a biter by any means, but, there are only so many sounds that the imperfect human mind can grasp, so we are all going to be a reflection - to a greater or lesser degree - of our influences. What makes me an artist as opposed to a guy who just regugitates sounds is how I blend my influences, how I channel those creative forces. When you hear my music, you will hear my influences, but that is not the dominant element. I was an artist & poet before I ever stole my brothers copy of Prince's Purple Rain album, or borrowed Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsy's album from a high school friend, or received a cassette of This is the Drum by Herbie Hancock from one of my junior high school students. These 3 just became the conduit for me to say to myself: You're not alone; others are doing it, too.

Now, Jimi is where I got the idea to combine my music with my poetry. His lyrics are so beautiful & poetically rendered. Just check out songs like "Little Wing" or "Castles Made of Sand". He was more concerned with creating something than with just writing songs. My idea to learn every aspect of the music inside out - from playing multiple instruments to studio engineering to promotion, etc. - came from Prince. Why rely on other musicians when you can do it yourself? I have to thank my parents so much for that. My dad always taught me that "one monkey don't stop no circus", so he encouraged me to be that one man wrecking machine. My mom always told me: "you don't need a band; you are the band."

As far as jazz, Herbie Hancock's view of transparency in music affected me greatly. Here is a man known initially as a jazz pianist who then embraced the electronic world & all forms of music (hip-hop, rock, soul, funk, & folk) & integrated them into a jazz format. He really expanded my scope & view of what jazz is. Then, you've got my other influences like Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, & the great Thelonious Monk, to whom I owe an unspoken debt regarding my piano playing."

2) Why do you find performing live to be so fulfilling?
"It is the unmistakable energy that exists in the live setting: between the musician(s) & the audience. I have the theory that music should be recorded live or live in the studio. It just feels different. When I get access to a band live, it is very hard for me to listen to the studio versions for a long time afterwards. When I perform live, I connect with people on a very personal & artistic level. You have a captive audience & how can you do anything but give them your all?

This is why I call my live shows "experiences". I am always looking for ways to make the experience more complete. I want people to leave there knowing that they just experienced something very special. It takes real talent to get on stage & perform well & have the crowd dig it. It takes an artist to bring the show to you & make you feel like you were part of something greater - not just a good show, but an experience. The experience stays with you long after
the cats who put on good shows have gone to bed."

3) What music are you currently listening to?
"I have been digging quite a bit lately: Prince - Lotusflow3r, Esperanza Spalding - Esperanza, Cream - Disraeli Gears, Jason Pure - Seasons, my current bass player, Ramon Convia del Monte's album Invisible Light, & some new & old ML Caldwell stuff that may or may not ever get to be consumed by the general public. I am anxiously awaiting the new albums from Jason Pure, Soulganic, & Maxwell, though!

I would like to say thank J. Pure Digz Music for the opportunity to speak with you. You represent a wonderfully talented artist & I count it an honor to be a part of the J. Pure universe."

Thanks MLC! Please check him out at www.mlcaldwell.com!

What I'm Listening To - May 27, 2009

2009-05-27T08:14:00.001-04:00

(click on the song titles to listen too!)

Maxwell - Pretty Wings

Mandy Moore - Merrimack River

The Script - The Man Who Can't Be Moved

Random Musings: Wayman Tisdale (1964 - 2009)

2009-05-15T15:58:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to acknowledge the passing of jazz great Wayman Tisdale.

My condolences go out to his family.

For more info, click here.

Video Throwback: Aaron Hall - I Miss You

2009-05-12T22:40:00.003-04:00

Okay, real talk, this video used to make me cry. Why she had to die, man??? LOL... take a trip back to the 90s with me, y'all! Universal Records won't let me embed the video, so just click on the album cover to your left to view the video.

Random Musings: Vivian Green Returns!

2009-05-08T16:31:00.005-04:00

Thanks to Wikipedia, I dug up this gem of a press release... nice Friday news - Vivian Green has a new 3-album record deal!

For those of you who don't remember Viv, take a trip down Memory Lane (or "Nice To Meet You" Lane, whatever) by clicking here: "Emotional Rollercoaster"

Album Review: Chrisette Michele - Epiphany

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

Chrisette did it! No sophomore slump here! The creative synergy of executive producer (and Def Jam label-mate) Ne-yo and Ms. Michele has created Epiphany, an album which is every bit as confident and alluring as the cover. On most songs, Chrisette's voice glides simply and beautifully through melodies, building toward the jazzy riffs that she is known for. This type of controlled delivery works very well for the wide range of musical sounds that the album's producers (such as Chuck Harmony and Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins) provide. Lyrically, this album showcases a mature, young lady who knows just what she wants. If a wider fanbase and overdue acknowledgment are among the things she wants, then Epiphany will definitely get it for her.

Standouts include:

Notebook - young, girlish love finds a soulful voice on this ballad... "x's and o's beside your name"... cute.
Blame It On Me - here, Chrisette exudes the strength and willpower that is needed to make a clean break from a bad relationship.
Another One - this song finds Chrisette in sassy pop territory... top 40 radio, maybe?
On My Own - dedicated to her father, this song could apply to anyone who has consistently been there... the time comes when you have to stand on your own
Mr. Right - Lauryn Hill, maybe? Love the doo-wop feel of this one... and I'm sure the ladies will identify with the feeling.

J-Graded: A+

Album Review: Keri Hilson - In A Perfect World...

2009-03-22T23:28:00.004-04:00

It's been over two years in the making, but singer/songwriter extraordinaire Keri Hilson's debut album is finally seeing the light of day. "In A Perfect World..." is it's title, and in a perfect world, Timbaland would have been just a little more involved with this project. But everybody knows that Tim's attention wanes when the money's not there. Still, it seems that Polow Da Don (with help from others like Danja and Cory Bold) has really taken the reigns and helped bring Keri's dream to fruition. The comparisons to other songstresses are bound to come, but Keri's debut is a worthy one, and proves that she's here to stake her claim in the industry, not just as a celebrated songwriter, but as one of your favorite artists.

Standouts include:

Turnin' Me On - Keri's most successful single to date makes excellent use of a guest feature from Lil Wayne, and really showcases her hit-songwriting prowess
Knocks You Down - On Keri's next single, she shines with girl-next-door charm in her voice; however, Ne-yo's feature is only adequate, and Kanye seems to just ramble some nonsense
Intuition - feels like one of those good, old school Timbaland tracks, and Keri rides it well, with some Tweet-like harmonies thrown in for good measure.
Tell Him The Truth - slow-burner... took some time to grow on me, but this song is another very solid one
Alienated - By far, this is the album's most interesting song, with a some creative lyrics and some fine Timbaland-like production from superproducer-in-training Cory Bold

J-Graded: B- ... get your copy on March 24th and tell me what you think!

Random Musings: The Dream and Christina Milian

2009-03-22T22:40:00.003-04:00

So, for the last few months, speculation in the blogosphere has run rampant that singer/actress Christina Milian and singer/songwriter/producer Terius "The Dream" Nash are a couple. They've been spotted at basketball games sitting courtside, side-by-side, and they've been seemingly inseparable, making all kinds of promotional appearances together. All of this was explained away by the fact that Milian is the newest signee on Radio Killa Records (The Dream's label). However, just this weekend, pics have surfaced showing the two enjoying a kiss during a weekend getaway. Now while celebrity couples come and go and I normally don't really care beyond finding them funny, this couple demonstrates what seems to be becoming a new reality for the music industry.

Some would suggest that Milian is, to be PC about it, having sex in exchange for production from Nash and his hitmaking partner Tricky Stewart. That may be the case (another famous Christina was suspected of doing the same with producer Scott Storch for her breakout second album Stripped), and if so, there's one very sad music industry reality. But that has honestly been going on for years, and frankly demonstrates the moral decay of society as a whole. What is new is how "celebrity status" is playing an increasinly pivotal part in the success of one's music career - the music doesn't make an artist famous anymore, but that artist's fame can make their music career viable. Now, this is not always the case (consider Paris Hilton... oh, poor Paris). But this is obviously what's happening with C-Mili and The Dream. The Dream has publicly said that he would like to do a joint project with Kanye West, but Kanye told him that he needed to increase his celebrity stature. Insert hot chick - but not just any hot chick - the musical underdog with the looks of superstar, Christina Milian. After having been dropped by Def Jam only weeks after the release of her second album, this is arguably her last chance to win over the fickle American audience. So what does she need, but to increase her celebrity status. Insert tacky blonde hair (lol). Seems silly, but her hair got Usher talking about it in a video that gained national media attention. And so now begins the whole are they/aren't they speculation, which can be a boon to any celeb's career.

All these facts put together seem to indicate that this whole "relationship" is at least in part a clever publicity stunt... we'll see if it works...

The J-50: My Top 50 Songs of All Time [Songs 1->10]

2008-12-05T11:28:00.001-05:00

10) Alison Kraus – Baby, Now That I’ve Found You - After I first heard this song, I spent almost over a year trying to figure out who sang it. Such simple, earnest lyrics delivered by such a magnificent voice. Alison really brings the heartbreak to this song, which is actually a remake of a funky tune by '60s group The Foundations.

9) Van Hunt - Daredevil, baby - "You don't know anything till you open up your heart and find that you can't stop bleeding." Take the risk to love, Van Hunt encourages, even if you may fall.

8) Alison Kraus - Get Me Through December - Yep, Alison makes the top ten twice. Her voice is just that good. This collaboration with fiddle player Natalie McMaster is breathtaking. "Get me through December, " Alison sings, "so I can start again."

7) Five For Fighting - Superman (It's Not Easy) - At times, we feel like the superhero in our own little world. That's not always easy. This song addresses that, making an extended metaphor of the "real" Superman. Very creative, John Ondrasik, very creative.

6) John Legend - Show Me - "Show Me" is the prayer of a person distressed by world conditions, and while I might not necessarily agree with the perspective entirely, I really sympathize with it because it's very honest. This song presents a totally different side of one of my favorite artists, and sounds like nothing else he's done before or since. To be real, this is the best Jeff Buckley song Jeff Buckley never did, which takes us to the real deal...

5) Jeff Buckley - Everybody Here Wants You - If you have not heard this song, please treat yourself to a listen! The smooth vocal pacing and soulful guitar licks support lyrics that are sexy without being overtly sexual. Jeff's voice and musical vision were so rare. It's sad that he's not with us today to continue to share them.

4) Coldplay - Fix You - We all have been hurt. We all have scars for various reasons. Wouldn't it be nice to have someone love you so much that they want to help you heal? That's how Chris Martin feels about his wife Gwyneth Paltrow. He wrote this song for her shortly after her father died. The simple chorus makes for great "stadium rock" (picture people singing along and holding up lighters) and the emotional sentiment is pretty endearing.

3) Kelly Clarkson - Sober - This may not have been one of her bigger hits, but it's her best song hands down. The lyrics and raw emotion in Kelly's voice ring true whether a person is walking away from a relationship or an addiction.

2) Incognito - Shade of Blue - This song is the epitome of smooth. It wraps you up in its mood, and leaves you with an unforgettable impression.

1) Robin Thicke - U Center Me - Here we have it - my favorite song of all time. Although, it wasn't released on Robin's sophomore album The Evolution of Robin Thicke (for which it was recorded), it's undoubtedly one of his best works. The piano melody at the top of the song let's you know you're about to hear something special. The slow driving taps or percussion move the song forward and keep you engaged. The words speak of a love that came like a rescue (yes, he's talking about his wife Paula Patton... she's so purrrty).

And that's the J-50... so what did you think? Leave a comment!

The J-50: My Top 50 Songs of All Time [Songs 20->11]

2008-12-04T08:02:00.002-05:00

20) Kiley Dean – Escape - Kiley's smooth, soulful tone floats with ease over rhythmic guitar and lingering piano. The lyrics ring pretty true, too.

19) Dixie Chicks - Top of The World - Country songs have some of the best storytelling in music, period, and this song is a really good example. The dissatisfaction of the main character is almost palpable. The Chicks' harmonies are oh so sweet here, as well.

18) Natalie Imbruglia - Wrong Impression - This song is infectious. I can't help but feel happy and in love (with music!) when I hear it.

17) OneRepublic - All We Are (unreleased version) - This is the very first version of the song that now appears on the band's debut album Dreaming Out Loud. I played this song non-stop when I first heard it. The emotion was so real, and the chorus so memorable. I'm very happy that 1R is getting their chance to shine.

16) Britney Spears - I'm A Slave 4 U - The Neptunes and B. Spears at the peak of her pop glory created a musical "moment" right here... yeah, so what, I love this song. What?

15) The Cardigans - Celia Inside - Okay, this songs bouncy, '60's lounge vibe and Nina's sugary sweet vocals are perfection, but also misleading. The main character of the song wishes that his would-be-lover (who doesn't return his affections) was dead. Wow, is it that crucial? Lots of pescadas in the sea, dude.

14) Mary J. Blige - Be Without You - Talk about musical synergy, this is a prime example. Brian Michael Cox (producer) + Johnta Austin (songwriter) + MJB (Queen of Hip Hop Soul) = monster hit. Again, when I begin to lose faith in modern R&B, songs like this come along.

13) Dave Matthews Band - Crush - This song's vibe perfectly evokes its lyrics. And yep, it's almost 8 minutes long. How cool is that!

12) Eric Clapton - Pilgrim - "I was a pilgrim for your love," Eric sings. Clapton trades in his bluesy rock edge, for a more somber, R&B-tinged flavor on this one, and it works.

11) Boyz II Men - On Bended Knee - Ha! Yeah, that's the excitement I feel when I hear my boys Nathan, Shawn, Michael and Wanya harmonize like nobody's business. Need to apologize to your lady? Here's the perfect song to help you (unless of course, you were just dead wrong, then, uh, the good Lord help you).

We're almost there! You'll know my top ten favorite songs of all time tomorrow ... now leave a comment!

The J-50: My Top 50 Songs of All Time [Songs 30->21]

2008-12-03T08:28:00.002-05:00

30) Christopher Cross - Sailing - Here's another classic that will be continue to be played on radio for years to come because it's just a really good song. Try to deny it, I dare you.

29) Lionel Richie - Climbing - Hmm, two "-ing" songs back to back. Not intentional... anyhow, Lionel Richie is one of the industry's most respected artists/songwriters. On this song, he also tries his hand at composing, to epic effect.

28) Phyllis Hyman - Meet Me On The Moon - Phyllis's voice was a great instrument that, unfortunately, went largely unrecognized. This song is one of her later masterpieces, released not long before her untimely death.

27) Damien Rice - Cannonball - "It's not hard to fall when you float like a cannonball." Yeah, love can be hard to get over...

26) Chrisette Michele - Love Is You - Two of modern R&B's true talents, John Legend and Chrisette Michele, produced a fine piece of work with this ballad. An example of great musical synergy.

25) Phil Collins - Everyday - With an unforgettable melody and simple, earnest lyrics, Phil Collins makes "baby, please stay" feel so genuine.

24) Train - Drops of Jupiter - Some nifty lyrical "footwork", dramatic strings, and the urgent vocals of lead singer Pat Monahan make this one of those songs that just can't be improved upon.

23) India.Arie - Beautiful - Anyone who has ever taken a big risk or made a big change in order to better themselves can find their feelings echoed in this song. I'm definitely one of those people...

22) Coldplay - Sparks - "Did I drive you away? I know what you'll say..." Yeah, this song hooks you into its melancholy from the opening guitar strums. Another one that could not possibly be improved.

21) India.Arie – Ready For Love - It seems that the timing for love doesn't always work out right. In this song, India's ready, but love hasn't found her. One listen and you can tell that this came from nowhere else but her heart... how can you not feel it?

We're over half-way there! See you tomorrow for songs 20 through 11... what do you think so far?

The J-50: My Top 50 Songs of All Time [Songs 40->31]

2008-12-02T08:46:00.000-05:00

40) Billy Joel – And So It Goes - A musical chameleon and master of storytelling, Billy Joel is undoubtedly one of the greats. This particular song is simple, yet powerful... just words and a piano (you'll notice several of those on this list).

39) Stevie Wonder – Overjoyed - Stevie Wonder has inspired a generation of musical artists (i.e. India.Arie, Glenn Lewis, Musiq, Robin Thicke) with his musical vision. The softer side of that vision is on full display here, and sugar-sweet love rarely sounds this good.

38) Glenn Lewis – Fall Again - This song was written by Robin Thicke and Walter Afanasieff and was originally recorded by Michael Jackson for his "Invincible" album (Michael's version was later released on a boxed set). Glenn's vocals are much more believable and fit the lush, romantic mood this song creates.

37) John Mayer – Stop This Train - Life as we know it is like a one-way train, and you can't get off. This song finds John Mayer acknowledging that fact, all the while wishing that the warm moments could last just a little longer. Can you blame the guy?

36) The Police – Every Breath You Take - There's a reason why this song is still played on radio today - it's GREAT. A cynical person may see the lyrics as almost stalker-ish, but they truly represent love and dedication, and that's pretty timeless.

35) Sade – No Ordinary Love - "I gave you all the love I've got, I gave you all that I could give"... who hasn't felt that? Who hasn't felt this song?

34) Chaka Khan - Love Me Still - Chaka Khan was the '70s queen of hollering, but on this Bruce Hornsby-written ballad, she sings and emotes like I didn't even know she could. This song will stick with you once you hear it.

33) Alanis Morisette - Uninvited - From its opening of haunting piano keys, you know that this song is something special. Dark, yet expansive, Alanis brings some of her best vocal and lyrical talent to this ballad of love unrequited, or, "uninvited".

32) Brandy – When You Touch Me - Today, fans and music industry professionals alike will tell you that Brandy is a trendsetter when it comes to vocal arrangements. This song showcases some of that post "Full Moon" era arranging, while also giving old-school, "Never Say Never" Brandy a chance to just sing.

31) Damien Rice - Amie - There are boring, cliched love songs, and then there are songs like this, that are poetic and sound like a familiar, timeless melody that you've never heard before. Listen to the song, and that might make more sense. :p

See you tomorrow for songs 30 through 21... now leave a comment!

The J-50: My Top 50 Songs of All Time [Songs 50->41]

2008-12-01T08:11:00.000-05:00

So, welcome to the J-50! This is my countdown of the songs that mean the most to me, have shaped my musical perspectives, and set the soundtrack for my life. So, let's jump in...

50) You Don't Have To Let Go - Jessica Simpson - Believe it or not, "J. Simp" makes the list with this song. She apparently (co-)wrote it for her father when she married Nick Lachey, but even without knowing that, the song takes on a lot of meaning for any loved one that has sacrificed a lot.

49) Keri Noble - Falling -This song is a beautiful, simple piano ballad that captures the moment one takes the risk to fall in love. Keri is an excellent songwriter.

48) Case - Missing You - Every time I begin to lose my faith in modern R&B, well-written, well-executed songs like this come along to restore it.

47) Lizz Wright – Vocalise/The End of The Line - Lizz Wright is a master vocalist, evocative like no other. Any cover song she does takes on new life, and this is especially the case with this Nina Simone classic.

46) Heatwave – Always and Forever - R&B classic. Songs like this will never go out of style.

45) Dido – White Flag - Dido's musical moods range from melancholy to almost exuberant, but her voice maintains a cool, sweet delivery throughout. The sweeping strings and memorable chorus of this song make it one of my favorites among her catalogue.

44) Jon B. feat Babyface – Someone To Love - Before Robin Thicke found his audience, Jon B. was the 90s poster child for "blue-eyed soul" here in the U.S. (Remy Shand held that title in Canada). Put him together with the preeminent songwriter of the 90s, and you have an instant hit, instant classic.

43) Eric Clapton – Change The World - Eric Clapton and Babyface... what! 'Nuff said.

42) Luther Vandross – So Amazing - Ain't nothin' like some "Loofa"! Rumors about his personal life aside, Mr. Vandross was definitely a great male vocalist, and he could sing love songs like no other. This is him at his best.

41) Ben Harper - Forever - Our world tends to view love as a fleeting thing, and often music reflects that. This acoustic gem is an excellent exception.

See you tomorrow for songs 40 through 31... now leave a comment!

Album Reviews: Ne-Yo, Jazmine, Jennifer and more...

2008-10-03T12:22:00.011-04:00

Yeah, I've been on a CD buying kick lately, and haven't had time to review them for you guys... until now. Here's some quick snapshots of what I'm listening to:

Chanté Moore - Love The Woman
One of the best (and most underrated) voices in R&B returns with her first solo album in some time. This album falters only when Chanté leaves the more classic material in favor of more contemporary radio fare.

Standouts:
"It Ain't Supposed To Be This Way"/"Give Me Time"/"Love Action"/"Guess Who I Saw Today"

J-Graded: B

Ne-Yo - Year of The Gentlemen
Music's preeminent songwriter stakes his claim as an artist with his third outing. It's very enjoyable, but not necessarily very memorable.

Standouts:
"Closer"/"Mad"/"Fade Into The Background"/"Part of The List"

J-Graded: C+

Jazmine Sullivan - Fearless

Only 21, but already a music industry veteran, Jazmine's voice is amazing, and her songwriting abilites are also strong. The subject matter is not as varied as the distinct textures of the songs, but time and more growth could make this young woman one of the greats.

Standouts:
"Bust Your Windows"/"Lions, Tigers and Bears"/"After The Hurricane"/"Dream Big"/"Fear"

J-Graded: B+

Jennifer Hudson - Jennifer Hudson

Overall, a mediocre debut from a formidable talent. Yet, there are still strong songs to be found, which may be enough to keep her in radio's "spotlight".

Standouts:
"Spotlight"/"Giving Myself"/"My Heart"/"I'm His Only Woman"

J-Graded: C

Kenny Lattimore - Timeless
Now separated (musically) from his wife, Kenny Lattimore uses his vocal instrument to tackle a diverse collection of covers.

Standouts:
"Everybody Here Wants You"/"You Are My Starship"/"And I Love Her"/"Undeniably"

J-Graded: A

The Pussycat Dolls - Doll Domination
Nicole + 4 are back with her... I mean their sophomore effort, and it's a pretty solid one. Funny how Nicole couldn't go solo though... I guess she does need her backup dancers after all.

Standouts:
"When I Grow Up"/"I Hate This Part"/"Elevator"/"I'm Done"

J-Graded: C+

Solange - Sol-Angel and The Hadley St. Dreams
Beyonce's little sister finds refuge from her sister's ubiquitous shadow in the musical stylings of the 60s. This sound also lends itself well to her sometimes cryptic lyrics.

Standouts:
"T.O.N.Y."/"Sandcastle Disco"/"I Told You So"/"Cosmic Journey" feat. Bilal

J-Graded: A-

Album Review: Karina - First Love

2008-08-22T10:10:00.006-04:00

Some of you may remember that I mentioned Karina a while back in one of the very first "Who's Got A Hit?" posts. Well, here she is with her debut album First Love, and I must say, she definitely has a hit with this one. Executive producer L.A. Reid (with assist from Tricky Stewart and The-Dream) really shows off his musical expertise at combining good songs and creative teams into one cohesive body of work. First Love successfully bridges the gap between trendy radio-fare and more classic songs that would stir nostalgia if heard, say, 10 years down the road. Will you be listening to Karina 10 years down the road? I'd like to think so...

Stand-outs include:

"90's Baby" - produced by Warren "Oak" Felder, one of the craziest, most underrated producers in the game. This joint is high energy, fun, and age-appropriate. A great opening track.

"Can't Find The Words" - a nice breezy ballad. It was a free single of the week a while back on iTunes, and I could definitely see it as a radio single somewhere down the road.
"Slow Motion" - talented producer/writer/pianist Gordon Chambers lends his skills to this effortlessly beautiful ballad. Karina shines vocally here. This is actually the first song I ever heard from Karina, and I was immediately taken.
"The Love We Got" - this song just feels good, like love or something... fits the subject well.

Visit Karina here: http://www.meetkarina.net/

Who's Got A Hit?: "Just Stand Up" Charity Single

2008-08-22T08:03:00.006-04:00

"Just Stand Up" is a charity single to benefit cancer research. It was produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface (classic combo), and marks their first collab in 20 years! It features some of today's hottest female stars like Mariah, Rihanna, Beyonce', Mary J., Fergie, Leona Lewis, etc. Take a first listen by clicking here, and be sure to tune in to the big three networks (ABC, NBC, CBS) Friday, Sept. 5th to catch a live performance. The single will be available exclusively on iTunes starting Sept. 2nd.

J. Pure In The Media: Vertical Fix Interview

2008-08-21T14:45:00.002-04:00

Hey guys, check out the interview I did with Lisa from VerticalFix.com. Once you have read, feel free to leave me some feedback here. I would love to know what you guys think. It's my first interview, so be kind... or not. :p

"Pure Truth" article @ Vertical Fix.com

In The Studio: Popcorn is studio food!

2008-07-30T01:13:00.001-04:00

Here's some random conversation and popcorn-eating with Bari AKA Coach B and Apparicio (and myself behind the camera). We were working on a song called "Out of My System" with Ty Anthony (spotted briefly in the booth in this video). Check it out... we so productive, man!

After The Show: The Urban Grind (Atlanta, GA) - 7/26/2008

2008-07-29T22:54:00.004-04:00

Thanks to Leaf for inviting me out to the latest installation of Leaf Cool Eclectic. The Urban Grind is an AWESOME spot... a bit smaller than the event's previous home, Mocha Match, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in coziness and atmosphere.

**Lesson(s) Learned: I like Marietta Street. That side of Atlanta has nice lofts and shops. I could live over there. LOL

Who's Got A Hit?: Whitney's BACK!

2008-07-27T00:53:00.005-04:00

LISTEN TO "Like I Never Left" feat. Akon

Everybody knows Whitney Houston's been in and out of the studio since coming in and out and back in then finally out for good (we hope) of rehab. So it's nice to hear this collaboration with Akon surface. Judging from his work with Leona Lewis and other similarly-voiced singers, the producer is definitely a fan of 80s Whitney. I don't think this song is a return to the glory days, but any signs that one of the top divas is coming back to take her throne (and taking control of her life) is good news to me. So, does Nippy have a hit?

After The Show: McDonough Street Market (Decatur, GA) - 7/20/2008

2008-07-20T19:22:00.003-04:00

Thanks to Jacquelyn from 3 Piece (and my new friend Mitzi who paints amazing portraits of your dog) for inviting me out to perform at the McDonough Street Market (and to Mike D. for the heads up). Oh yeah, good lookin' out, B.A.! It was a nice chill atmosphere. People ate their ice cream, browsed the vendors' wares, and enjoyed some smooth sounds from Brandon and me. Good stuff.

**Lesson(s) Learned: Go with the flow. Sometimes you have to adjust your energy level (and overall game plan) according to the atmosphere, and that's cool. But still have fun with it.

Who's Got A Hit?: Timbaland's Peeps

2008-07-16T20:22:00.004-04:00

Timbaland's everywhere and working with everybody these days (can you say "CHECK!"?), and with good reason - the man is musically gifted, some would say genius at what he does. Another musician who's sick with it is Brandy, who worked with Timbaland on her underrated album Afrodisiac. Depsite having some very public issues over the last year or so, Brandy is gearing up to make her glorious return to the music world, and new material from her has been leaking like a faucet. Among those "drips" is the Underdogs-produced cut entitled "List".

Former Audioslave and Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell may seem like an unlikely partner for Timbo, but believe it or not, Tim is said to have helmed the entire upcoming album from the gruff-voiced rocker and Chris says it's some of his best work ever. Sample below the new song "Long Gone" that Chris premiered on The Ryan Seacrest show, and judge for yourself.

Lastly, we have former Timbaland artist Kiley Dean. While not currently signed to a major label, she has become one of R&B/pop-music-lovers' favorite underdogs, and with talent like hers, she is bound to win. After briefly signing to (and then parting ways with) Music World Entertainment (Matthew Knowles' label), some new material surfaced from Kiley, including the emotional "Convince Me". Kiley also recently popped up on the Timbaland-produced "Elevator" by Flo Rida (she's doing the backgrounds on the hook), so maybe she and Tim are rekindling the magic they achieved on what was to be her debut album Simple Girl.

Who's got a hit?

Brandy - "List"

Chris Cornell (from Ryan Seacrest Show) - "Long Gone"

Kiley Dean - "Convince Me"

Video Throwback: Mariah Carey ft. Bone Thugs - Breakdown

2008-07-11T11:39:00.007-04:00

Takin' it back to 1998 for this one. For those that don't know, Mariah Carey has been one of my favorite artists for a minute. You can't deny that voice if you wanted to. That being said, I'm not so thrilled about her putting out bodies of work like say... "Touch My Body"? Not such a good look. So I had to go back to MC's turning point album Butterfly, where she first solidly planted her feet in the R&B/hip-hop community. One of the stand-outs was her collabo with Krayzie Bone and Wish Bone from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. It's an all-around great song, and was ahead of it's time with the "rap-singing" style that's so prevalent on radio today. Click on the picture to the peep the video (Sony BMG wouldn't let me embed it... sorry).

In The Studio: With Dain And Deonna

2008-06-16T19:21:00.004-04:00

J. Pure, Deonna Martin and Dain Harris -6/11/08

Bet you wanna know what we were doing in the studio... bet I'm gonna tell you. LOL

Deonna Martin and I have been co-writing together ("Partners In Scribe!") for some time now. One of our products, a song entitled "Where Would I Be", can be heard on her debut album Beauty Mark. More recently, we finished writing a soulful ballad called "Looking For Her" and we really wanted Dain Harris to bring his energy to the song's demo. He was gracious enough to oblige us, and there you have it! But really, there was great energy in the room during this session. We some talented folks, mayne. :)

Oh yeah, check out Dain's CD (a dual project with guitarist Brandon Thomas) For The Moment/A Soul Acoustic.

Who's Got A Hit?: The Pond-Crossers of 2008

2008-06-04T01:14:00.005-04:00

So, on the heels of the success of Amy Winehouse and more recently Leona Lewis, 2008 is seeing its share of soulful ladies from the U.K. ready to takeover Stateside. First, we have 20-year-old Adele. Already certified platinum in the U.K., her debut CD entitled19 is slated to drop on June 10th. I really dig the first single "Chasing Pavements"... her voice is very nuanced, pretty and gritty at the same time. Plus the video is quite interesting... the concept of chasing pavements gets a very literal interpretation. Next up is Estelle, and let me tell you, if you're late jumping on her bandwagon, hitch a ride, man! She's been compared to Lauryn Hill (possibly because she dabbles in reggae, rhyming, and singing on her album Shine) amongst others, but she's uniquely (and outspokenly) herself. Check out the first single "American Boy" featuring Kanye West and tell me John Legend wasn't right for signing her to his Homeschool Records label. Lastly, there's Duffy, who has the top-selling album in the U.K. so far this year. Her brand of blue-eyed soul has garnered comparisons to Dusty Springfield and, of course, Amy Winehouse. I'm not such a big fan of her first single "Mercy" (although VH1 sure is), but her second single "Warwick Avenue" is much more my speed. So, who's got a hit?

Adele - Chasing Pavements

Estelle feat. Kanye West - American Boy

Duffy - Warwick Avenue

Album Review: Usher - Here I Stand

2008-05-28T22:03:00.007-04:00

This is what it sounds like when R&B wants to grow up. Or maybe this is what it sounds like when an entertainer desires to attain to higher artistry. Either way, Usher's Here I Stand was up for much scrutiny following the record-breaking success of his last album, the 8 times platinum Confessions, and the recent melodrama surrounding him and his family. However, all of that is autobiographically brought to the table on Here I Stand, with mixed results, but overall the point is clear: Usher is striving hard to do right by his new wife and son. Fans, say goodbye to the ab-bearing, pant-dropping bed-hopper... he is no more (at least, according to the B. Cox-produced "Before I Met You", that is).

Standouts here include...

the lead single "Love In This Club" - Don't care if Polow took it from Garage Band. It's still a banger, if not an unsanitary one.
"Trading Places" - Usher (with help from The-Dream and Trickey Stewart) gets his Prince on. That's all I'm saying.
second single "Moving Mountains" - one of Ush's best vocal performances on this album
"What's Your Name" feat. Will.I.Am - Will spitting an entire rhyme with almost no real words... impressive. Usher's vocal arrangements on this track... also impressive. Combination = impressive song, good collabo.
"Lifetime"- Produced by Usher's lil bro J-Lack, this is one of the better "I love Tameka" tracks.

Unfortunately, fall-flats include...

"Best Thing" feat. Jay-Z - a misnomer indeed. Jay opens up with his usual tight flow, then Ush drops the ball with a sappy verse and a hook with no... well, hook. Niiice beat, though.
"Appetite" - Maaan, I really wanted to like this one. It combines one of my favorite producers, Danjahandz, with one of my favorite writing teams, The Clutch. Result? A less-than-stellar "I love Tameka, but it's really hard to stay faithful" track.

Who's Got A Hit?: The Ladies of Summer - Updated

2008-05-27T14:32:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the new blog! Now these three ladies may be familiar to a lot of you for different reasons, and they will all be hitting us with new music and upcoming albums this summer/fall. Keri Hilson (songwriter extraordinaire and Usher's "Love In This Club" video love interest) releases her official first single "Energy". Miss Effie White herself, Jennifer Hudson, finally surfaces with a new song (reportedly penned by Ne-Yo) entiteld "Spotlight". And last but not least, Destiny's Child's seeming underdog, Michelle Williams, makes a transition from contemporary gospel to Euro-pop-R&B with her new album Unexpected and her lead single "We Break The Dawn". Personally, I dig all three of these tracks (that's why I posted 'em, yo). Keri seems to have finally found a proper first single, one that plays to her genre-crossing writer's instincts while still allowing her to ride the beat like only an ATLien can. J-Hud also succeeds in straddling a fine line - she sounds beautiful and authentically soulful without screaming "I played Effie... you ARE gonna love meeeee!". Michelle apparently could care less about lines, and I like that... we need to dance sometimes, you know? But 'nuff of my yappin'... what do you guys think? Who's got a hit?

Keri Hilson - Energy (now in full!)

Jennifer Hudson - Spotlight

Michelle Williams - We Break The Dawn

The Indie Files: Chaz Mason

2008-05-23T22:13:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Indie Files, a special section profiling the best in independent music. What makes independent artists (like myself) so different from the Chris Browns and Carrie Underwoods of the world? Well, indie artists are usually not backed by some large corporation like most major label arists are; for most of us, we are self-financed (we pay for EVERYTHING ourselves). Now, what's the benefit? TOTAL CREATIVE CONTROL. Our art can be pure and unadulterated, and we reap the fruits of our labor immediately - no middle man between us and the people.

Now, let me address this before we begin... I'm sure there's someone saying "Why is he profiling other independent artists?" Well, cuz I wanna! Haha... and because these are the folks I listen to. Plus, this is my blog... you'll hear and see and read all of my musical exploits as time goes by.

That being said, I want to introduce you guys to Chaz Mason. This talented cat is no stranger to the music industry, taking tips and sharing the stage with his mom, gospel singer Babbie Mason, from an early age. Now he's ready to make his own mark on the music-listening world with his upcoming project entitled "Soul Evolution". Here's what he had to say when I threw a couple of questions at him:

What do you want listeners to take away from your album (Soul Evolution)?
"I hope listeners, first and foremost, feel the overall authentic creation of music. I want them to feel the intricate melodies intertwined with the rhythm of the drums and percussion. They should be able to identify with the lyrics and stories because essentially we all deal with the same things in life. I hope that it moves them in ways they've been longing to move. I hope it helps them achieve a place (in music) that is both familiar and new."

Why is music so inspiring to you?
"I think thats kinda hard to explain. Or maybe just simple. For me, music is innate. I kinda feel like I don't have a choice. I know I was put here to do music, so music doesn't really inspire me. Music just makes sense. Life inspires me. Everyday life and the lessons I learn are what inspires me. God inspires me. My fans inspire me. And those that are better than me inspire me."

Listen to Chaz Mason - "The Groove"

Befriend Chaz on MySpace to keep up with his latest events and offerings!

Who's Got A Hit?: The Veterans

2008-05-22T22:58:00.006-04:00

So this summer, we've also got a few industry veterans hitting us with newness. Saying goodbye to Def Jam after 12 albums (his upcoming 13th aptly titled Exit 13), LL Cool J re-introduces himself with the Lil Mo-assisted "I Cry". Sounds like he took a page from Ja-Rule's how-to-make-a-hit book, but hey, if Ja ain't usin' it... Miss Janet (also a Def Jam signee) is trying to put some more fire into the sales of her latest release Discipline. Third single "Luv" is definitely one of the hit tracks from a decent, but not spectacular album, so I'm happy to hear that this Darkchild-produced joint will be hitting radio very soon. Last, but certainly not least, one of my favorite bands, Coldplay, are crossing the pond again to talk over the world! "Violet Hill", the first single off of Viva La Vida (releasing June 17th), was available as a free download on the band's website, so I'm sure they won't mind me posting it for you guys to listen to. ;)
So, who's got a hit?

LL Cool J feat. Lil Mo - I Cry

Janet - Luv

Coldplay - Violet Hill

Who's Got A Hit?: The Ladies of Summer - Part 2

2008-05-20T14:58:00.001-04:00

Had to do a second part to this because I forgot two of my favorites. After being at the center of a major label bidding war, 16-year-old prodigy Karina is Def Jam's newest princess and with good reason- she's been playing piano since age three and names music legend Quincy Jones among her fans. Think Alicia Keys meets Tiffany Evans and you've almost got the picture, but check the first single "16 @ War" (produced by Tricky Stewart and The-Dream) to get a better view of what this young musician's bringing. And last, but certainly not least, is Philadelphia's own Jazmine Sullivan. Originally signed to Jive Records several years ago, she hit a roadblock when the label couldn't figure out how to market her remarkably mature voice to a young audience (Jaz is only 20!). After taking time to develop her sound and writing skills (remember Christina Millian's "Say I"?), she has now re-emerged under super-guru Clive Davis and his J Records label. The first single from her highly anticipated debut album is Missy Elliott-produced "Need U Bad". I get a serious Lauryn Hill vibe from this one, and if you don't know, that's a good thing. Just search her name on YouTube and you'll know she's got the vocal goods to back that comparison up. So... who's got a hit?

Karina - 16 @ War

Jazmine Sullivan - Need U Bad