I don't know why, but I've been playing the hell out of the this song for at least week. But then again I've always loved soulful stacked harmonies and a good synth line lol. Get into some old school below:
Showing posts with label old school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label old school. Show all posts
Monday, January 17, 2011
Random: "I'm In Love" By Evelyn Champagne King
I don't know why, but I've been playing the hell out of the this song for at least week. But then again I've always loved soulful stacked harmonies and a good synth line lol. Get into some old school below:
Monday, March 23, 2009
Throwback Mix: 90's Dance Music
Remember when the lines between hip hop, R&B and dance music weren't so rigid? A rap track could have house, trip hop or drum and bass elements and still be considered hip hop. An R&B song could have a little techno in the mix and no one would raise a ruckus. While that's still somewhat true (Kanye's "Stronger," Busta's "Touch It," which both sample Daft Punk, Rihanna, Fergie and Nelly Furtado have mixed some genres together), folks just ain't mixin' and matchin' like they were in the nineties. I guess I'm in a nostalgic mood lol, so enjoy these dance tracks.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Classic Album Battle: What's The 411 Vs. My Life
Oh yeah, I went there. Most Mary J. fans(including myself) and general R&B lovers alike consider What's The 411? and My Life to be her best music. However, which one is better?
Let's start with What's The 411? the album that begat Mary's career and her reign as The Queen of Hip Hop Soul. But first, a little history. When Mary's debut dropped in '92, it signaled a new direction in female R&B, in both sound and image.
What's The 411?
Let's start with What's The 411? the album that begat Mary's career and her reign as The Queen of Hip Hop Soul. But first, a little history. When Mary's debut dropped in '92, it signaled a new direction in female R&B, in both sound and image.
At the time the top songstresses (Whitney, Mariah, En Vogue, Anita, Patti) made slick, polished R&B and wore glamorous evening gowns onstage. Mary on the other hand, rocked combat boots, baseball caps, jerseys and a nose ring (check out the "Reminisce" video if you don't believe:).
And her music, while smooth and soulful, also had the grittiness and hard edge a generation raised on hip hop had come to expect from their music. True there were other artists who had blended hip hop and R&B before her (Nehneh Cherry and TLC come to mind) but without a doubt Blige made the most impact.
For me the first album, while featuring undeniable classics such as "Real Love," "Reminisce," "You Remind Me," "Love No Limit," and a cover of Chaka Khan and Rufus' "Sweet Thing," is a little uneven. While album tracks like "I Don't Wanna Do Anything Else" and "My Love" are great, the other songs-"Changes I've Been Going Through" and "Slow Down," while fine, just don't grab me.
To me, this is Mary's masterpiece. Maybe it was because she was going through some thangs at the time(which we know all too well about now) or because she had more of a hand in the songwriting process, but My Life is arguably one of the best R&B albums ever. Both the music, which this time features a less obvious hip hop influence but is still beat heavy, and lyrics fit together.
Every song works together to create a seamless stream of music, from the remakes of "Mary Jane (All Night Long)" and "I'm Goin' Down" to the Barry White sampling "You Bring Me Joy" and "Be Happy." The title track, which samples Roy Ayer's "Sunshine" just touches some deep place inside me whenever I hear it. Some people complained that Puffy and Mary relied a little too much on the samples, but to me they give the whole album a cohesivenesss that What's The 411? lacked.
The track placement of the album is also fits its themes of love, longing and drama. While the album starts off on kind of an upbeat party vibe with "All Night Long" and "You Bring Me Joy" it slowly spirals down into Mary's depression and heartbreak with "My Life," "You Gotta Believe," "Never Wanna Live Without You," "I'm Goin' Down" before ending in wishful melancholy with "Be Happy."
And her music, while smooth and soulful, also had the grittiness and hard edge a generation raised on hip hop had come to expect from their music. True there were other artists who had blended hip hop and R&B before her (Nehneh Cherry and TLC come to mind) but without a doubt Blige made the most impact.
For me the first album, while featuring undeniable classics such as "Real Love," "Reminisce," "You Remind Me," "Love No Limit," and a cover of Chaka Khan and Rufus' "Sweet Thing," is a little uneven. While album tracks like "I Don't Wanna Do Anything Else" and "My Love" are great, the other songs-"Changes I've Been Going Through" and "Slow Down," while fine, just don't grab me.
And the interludes, which were kind of unique when the album was released (Lawd knows only Janet was doing it at the time, lol) haven't really stood the test of time, and I find myself skipping them just to get to music. In my view they really don't tie the songs together, but feel like an intrusion.
My Life
To me, this is Mary's masterpiece. Maybe it was because she was going through some thangs at the time(which we know all too well about now) or because she had more of a hand in the songwriting process, but My Life is arguably one of the best R&B albums ever. Both the music, which this time features a less obvious hip hop influence but is still beat heavy, and lyrics fit together.
Every song works together to create a seamless stream of music, from the remakes of "Mary Jane (All Night Long)" and "I'm Goin' Down" to the Barry White sampling "You Bring Me Joy" and "Be Happy." The title track, which samples Roy Ayer's "Sunshine" just touches some deep place inside me whenever I hear it. Some people complained that Puffy and Mary relied a little too much on the samples, but to me they give the whole album a cohesivenesss that What's The 411? lacked.
The track placement of the album is also fits its themes of love, longing and drama. While the album starts off on kind of an upbeat party vibe with "All Night Long" and "You Bring Me Joy" it slowly spirals down into Mary's depression and heartbreak with "My Life," "You Gotta Believe," "Never Wanna Live Without You," "I'm Goin' Down" before ending in wishful melancholy with "Be Happy."
I can play this whole album through without wanting to skip a single track. Even the interludes don't interrupt the flow, but just take you deeper into Mary's world. Almost 15 years after its release, it still slaughters almost every R&B album out right now. I love both albums, but if I had to choose between them, I'd pick My Life. So which do you think is better?
Get into videos from both albums below:
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Throwback Mix: Female Rappers
*Sigh* Where have all the female emcees gone? While there are a few still kickin' around-Trina, Lil' Mama, Jean Grae and Jackie-O come to mind-the visibility of female rappers is nowhere near where it was in the 80's and 90's. Hopefully in the '09 the major players will release new albums (Missy, Eve,) stay out of jail (Lil' Kim, Foxy Brown) or comeback with a vengeance (Latifah, Salt-N-Pepa)
Queen Latifah : Unity
Uploaded by BLACKMUSICS
Queen Latifah : Unity
Uploaded by BLACKMUSICS
Monday, December 22, 2008
Flashback: Old School Whitney
Every gay man remembers his first diva. The first female artist he sang along to on the radio, the one whose dance routines you memorized and the one you would defend to the death, no matter how much she may have fallen off. For me that person was ol' Nippy herself: Whitney Houston. Whether it was singing "Run To You" in the shower or imitating her jazz hand gestures ('cause you know Whit wasn't much of a dancer) in the mirror, I was big fan.
At this point it's hard to tell if she'll EVER come back. Her album's supposedly been "in the works" for over a year, if that song she did with Akon is any indication, it won't be the music her fans are hoping for. Now I'm not one of those who thinks Whitney's gonna come back sounding like it's 1991. Age and drugs have obviously had an affect. But doing a song with Akon. Whitney, gwarl, just don't.
One of my favorite bloggers, Clay Cane, hilariously sums up what it would take for full Whitney revival:
Also, Whitney needs to go on the Mama Oprah Show, not Diane Sawyer, Larry King, or Babs Walters — it has got to be Mama. Sit on America's favorite couch, grab Mama Oprah's hand, adjust the wig and let the tears storm! Let it all out, "I was an addict!”, "I was smoking crack!”, “Bobby Brown beat me!", “I should’ve been at the Legends Ball!” Whitney can lay her head in Mama Oprah’s bosom as she tells us the gritty stories of rolling around in a drug-induced comma, smelling like Malt Liquor and Bobby Brown's third sexual partner of the night.
Now, if Whitney really wants to rock-in the five million album sales range she will let out violent, racking sobs and say, “I was a neglectful mother.” Sit Bobbi Kristina on Oprah’s coach (hell, they did it for that awful Diane Sawyer interview!) and have Bobbi tell her story.If Whitney wants to go diamond (ten million plus) in the last segment there should be a reunion with her own mother, Cissy Houston. Mama Oprah will have a tear in her left eye as she says, "I was trying to reach you through prayer. But, now, you telling your story will save so many lives. Bravo Whit-ney Houstoooooooooon!"
White women in the audience will bawl!Black women will shake their fists at an angry sky at Bobby Brown!Women across the world will love her!Drag queens will pull out their vintage Whitney wigs!Record sales will skyrocket!This is the only way I believe Whitney could have a comeback. Otherwise, we will get a string of plastic interviews, weak vocal performances, a boring album and nail in the coffin of Whitney’s career. Clive, are you reading?
No much matter how much Bobby, blunts or baggies of coke (show me the receipts lol:) may have damaged her voice/reputation, Whitney Houston was/is one of the most amazing vocalists in pop music history. Here are some reminders in case you forgot:
Yeah I know she looks like a big string bean lol, but Whitney tears this song up.
At this point it's hard to tell if she'll EVER come back. Her album's supposedly been "in the works" for over a year, if that song she did with Akon is any indication, it won't be the music her fans are hoping for. Now I'm not one of those who thinks Whitney's gonna come back sounding like it's 1991. Age and drugs have obviously had an affect. But doing a song with Akon. Whitney, gwarl, just don't.
One of my favorite bloggers, Clay Cane, hilariously sums up what it would take for full Whitney revival:
Also, Whitney needs to go on the Mama Oprah Show, not Diane Sawyer, Larry King, or Babs Walters — it has got to be Mama. Sit on America's favorite couch, grab Mama Oprah's hand, adjust the wig and let the tears storm! Let it all out, "I was an addict!”, "I was smoking crack!”, “Bobby Brown beat me!", “I should’ve been at the Legends Ball!” Whitney can lay her head in Mama Oprah’s bosom as she tells us the gritty stories of rolling around in a drug-induced comma, smelling like Malt Liquor and Bobby Brown's third sexual partner of the night.
Now, if Whitney really wants to rock-in the five million album sales range she will let out violent, racking sobs and say, “I was a neglectful mother.” Sit Bobbi Kristina on Oprah’s coach (hell, they did it for that awful Diane Sawyer interview!) and have Bobbi tell her story.If Whitney wants to go diamond (ten million plus) in the last segment there should be a reunion with her own mother, Cissy Houston. Mama Oprah will have a tear in her left eye as she says, "I was trying to reach you through prayer. But, now, you telling your story will save so many lives. Bravo Whit-ney Houstoooooooooon!"
White women in the audience will bawl!Black women will shake their fists at an angry sky at Bobby Brown!Women across the world will love her!Drag queens will pull out their vintage Whitney wigs!Record sales will skyrocket!This is the only way I believe Whitney could have a comeback. Otherwise, we will get a string of plastic interviews, weak vocal performances, a boring album and nail in the coffin of Whitney’s career. Clive, are you reading?
No much matter how much Bobby, blunts or baggies of coke (show me the receipts lol:) may have damaged her voice/reputation, Whitney Houston was/is one of the most amazing vocalists in pop music history. Here are some reminders in case you forgot:
Yeah I know she looks like a big string bean lol, but Whitney tears this song up.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Where Have All The R&B Groups Gone?
Weak." "Forever My Lady." "End of the Road." "Diggin On You." "Don't Let Go." "Understanding." "Don't Leave Me Girl." I'm sure you already know the songs I'm talking about, the groups that sung them, and are singing silently(or loudly) in your head songs you heard thousands of times. As far as I'm concerned, the 90's was the last golden age of the R&B supergroup. Yeah Jagged Edge has made some memborable tunes in the 2000s, but they haven't come close to achieving the popularity and influence that SWV, Jodeci, Boys II Men and TLC had in their heyday. Unlike girl groups (Pussy Cat Dolls: fun dance/pop but not a lot of depth) and guy groups (Pretty Ricky: over-the-top sexuality that borders on bad porn parody) of today, 90's R&B groups had it all. They could dress, dance, and be entertaining, but they could also SANG (LIVE!) and bring an emotional depth to their songs that went beyond the tired girl/boy-you-so-fly-let's-get-drunk-and-slab-tonight-I-don't-love-them-hoes subject matter. See if these clips jog your memory and make you want to start rockin' blue jean jackets and do the bankhead bounce!
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