0 Janet Jackson Jumps from Virgin Babe to Island Girl

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/16/2007

Janet Jackson has left Virgin Records to hopefully find new fortune with Island Def Jam. 2004's Damita Jo, and 2006's 20 Y.O. album releases were only marginally successful for Miss Jackson. Janet needs a fresh start in a new direction that honors her roots. Can this classic soul coquette conquer the charts again? Look for a possible late 2007, early 2008 new Janet Jackson release. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Tina Turner Turns it on One More Time

• Flashback
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/12/2007

The 7 continent 9 city 2007 Live Earth concerts proved once again that it takes more than good looks and charisma to turn on stadium sized crowds. You need the musical chops to "get over" with credibility in order to please audiences. When Tina Turner headlined at Wembley Stadium, (one of the Live Earth venues), 7 years ago, she proved why she was deserving of her 1991 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Tina is also in the Guinness Book of Records for drawing the biggest crowd by a solo performer: 180,000 fans at Rio de Janeiro's American Stadium in 1988. Who was the first woman ever to perform at the Palace of Versailles in France? Ms. Tina of course. Her 4 decade career is captured in a 90 minute 2000 performance called Tina Turner: One Last Time Live in Concert, recorded on the final night of a two night gig at London's Wembley Stadium in front of 80,000 fans. We're treated to a moving stage, electrifying pyrotechnics, and a Tina Turner performance that leaves the audience, dancing, singing, and shouting for more. This performance wrapped up Tina's Twenty Four Seven Millennium Tour 2000, and includes these songs: "I Want To Take You Higher" "Absolutely Nothing's Changed" "Fool In Love" "Acid Queen" "River Deep, Mountain High" "We Don't Need Another Hero" "Better Be Good To Me" "Private Dancer" "Let's Stay Together" "What's Love Got To Do With It" "When The Heartache Is Over" "Help" "Whatever You Need" "Sittin' On The Dock of The Bay" "Try a Little Tenderness" "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" "Addicted to Love" "Simply The Best" "Proud Mary" "Nutbush City Limits" "Twenty Four Seven" Over the next 12 months, you'll get a chance to check out this concert on television one more time on many PBS stations who will air Tina Turner's hot Wembley Stadium performance. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Stephanie Mills Steps Out with Classic Soul Style

• Concerts
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/08/2007

5 Stephanie Mills Favorites: "Never Knew Love Like This Before" "Whatcha Gonna Do with My Lovin'" "Deeper" "Sweet Sensation" "Feel the Fire" Hit music maker and former star of Broadway's The Wiz Stephanie Mills steps out on the following 8 dates to share with you some sunshine during the remainder of 2007: July 14, Nashville, TN July 15, Louisville, KY July 20, Alabama July 21, Oklahoma City, OK July 28, Washington DC - Constitution Hall (with The Whispers) August 4, Atlanta, GA September 28, New York City - B.B. King's October 27, New York - North Fork Theater, Long Island You'll catch some delightful moments when you catch up with Stephanie Mills. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Is there R&B/Soul in Live Earth?

• Commentary
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/05/2007

R&B/soul and hip-hop seem to be underrepresented this weekend in the 2007 global "concerts for a climate in crisis," Live Earth. The same observation was made in 2005 during Live 8, the 20th anniversary concert marking Live Aid, the 1985 benefit to raise awareness about African famine. Alicia Keys, Akon, Kanye West, and Ludacris are scheduled to appear at Giants Stadium in New Jersey, Saturday, July 7th. John Legend and Black Eyed Peas are on the bill in the United Kingdom at Wembley Stadium. Rihanna touches down in Japan to sing at Makuhari Messe, the concert venue in Tokyo. In South Africa, Angelique Kidjo, Joss Stone, and the Soweto Gospel Choir turn up the volume. 150 musicians across 7 continents in the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, China, Japan, Germany, and Australia are coming together during the 24 hours of Live Earth to encourage individuals to take action to solve the climate crisis. Here are the host cities: New York London Johannesburg Rio de Janeiro Shanghai Tokyo Sydney Hamburg Sirius Satellite Radio, XM Satellite Radio, and Worldspace (satellite radio) will broadcast coverage. During the 24 hour concert period, the main television network NBC, along with MSNBC, CNBC, Bravo, Sundance, Telemundo, UNI HD, and MUN2 will offer coverage. Sundance channel has the earliest coverage, starting at 4 am Eastern. Bravo will start their broadcast at 9 am Eastern. The other channels will offer some coverage during the day. NBC will anchor their coverage from 8 pm - 11 pm Eastern, Saturday night. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Keith Sweat Hotel Registers Fans with Applause

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/02/2007

Keith Sweat has recently released Sweat Hotel, an all live-track collection. Quite a few Sweat favorites are featured on this 15 song CD. When "New Jack Swing" was hot, Keith Sweat was right there with it in the late 1980's, and early 1990's. Sweat Hotel offers Keith at his best teaming up with a strong supporting cast of musicians and vocalists on these tracks... "I Want Her" "Something Just Ain't Right" "Don't Stop Your Love" "I'll Give All My Love To You" - (with Monica) "Lose Control" - (with Silk) "Freak Me" - (with Silk) "Make It Last Forever" - (with Jackie McGhee) "Right And A Wrong Way" "How Deep Is Your Love" "Let's Chill" - (with Charlie Wilson) "Get Up On It" - (with Kut Klose) "Twisted" - (with Kut Klose) " (There You Go) Telling Me No Again" - (with Akon) "Just Got Paid" - (with Charlie Wilson/Teddy Riley/Silk/Johnny Kemp/Kut Klose/Jackie McGhee) "Nobody" - (with Athena Cage) Previous Post | Next Post

0 Diana Ross Challenges Gen X'ers on the 2007 BET Awards

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/28/2007

Not only did Diana Ross throw out a peace offering olive branch to former Supreme Mary Wilson, but the "boss" used her microphone during the Tuesday, June 26, 2007 BET Awards to suggest to younger artists that long careers are possible without relying on gimmicky vulgar language. Ms. Ross also suggested to the hip hop crowd that it is possible to be classy, contemporary, and cool without diving into the salacious behavior used in many videos/live performances. The lifetime achievement award presented to Diana Ross was one of the 4 big highlights of the BET Awards. In the Ms. Ross tribute, Stevie Wonder performed "Upside Down," Chaka Khan sang "I'm Comin' Out," and Erykah Badu styled and profiled on "Love Hangover." Gerald Levert and James Brown received posthumous tributes. Public Enemy and Bootsy Collins performed a medley of James Brown hits. Jennifer Holliday & Jennifer Hudson opened the show with a blockbuster semi-duet performance of "And I am Telling You" from Dreamgirls. In 3 hours plus, America heard a year's worth of howling from "charm school" headmaster Mo'Nique, the evening's host. Enough said. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Respect Yourself - The Stax Records Story comes to PBS

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/28/2007

Between 1959 - 1975, Stax became one of the most important classic soul record labels in history. The top 4 classic R&B labels include Motown, Philadelphia International, Atlantic, and Stax. 2007, the 50th anniversary of Stax, has seen a flurry of activities reminding us of the important Stax label contributions. First there was the release of the excellent double CD Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration. June 22nd in Memphis, Tennessee, legendary artists from the label got together to benefit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Now, PBS will air Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story, beginning on Wednesday, August 1. Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Booker T. & the MGs, Richard Pryor, and Jesse Jackson all appeared on the Stax label. You won't want to miss this historic TV special. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Save Internet Radio

• Commentary
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/26/2007

We'll join thousands of webcasters today, (Tuesday, June 26, 2007), for approximately 24 hours, to raise awareness in support of the SaveNetRadio.org coalition. Our two online music streams Powerhouse Radio and FabFourSoul will benefit from this mobilization when the U.S. Congress takes action to avert an impending July 15, 2007 crisis: the end of online radio for thousands of webcasters. I completely support the Save Net Radio movement, and since you're a fan of online classic soul, you should too. Today's action is an extremely important political statement. Find out how you can help by visiting SaveNetRadio.org. Thank you! Previous Post | Next Post

0 Diana Ross Tribute and James Brown Salute Headline the BET Awards

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/26/2007

The Hollywood spotlight shines on the 2007 BET Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Tuesday evening, June 26. Look for Diana Ross to receive a lifetime achievement award. You'll also see posthumous classic soul tributes to both James Brown and Gerald Levert . Actor Don Cheadle will receive a humanitarian achievement award. The BET Awards always have some of the best musical performances. This year should be no different. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Destiny's Child Kelly Rowland Ready as Ms. Kelly

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/20/2007

Can Kelly Rowland catch a break? The Destiny's Child member finally releases her highly anticipated Ms. Kelly album in stores and online Tuesday, July 3, 2007. Ms. Kelly has been delayed several times over the past year, probably to avoid head-to-head competition with DC kindred spirit Beyonce's B'Day. It's ironic that Ms. Kelly drops just 3 days before Beyonce' kicks off her Summer tour in New Orleans. Kelly will be featured in a mini-concert appearance on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live, Wednesday, June 27, at 12:05 am Eastern. Lucky fans of the "by invitation only" event have been advised "not to wear white, light blue, beige, or logos" because according to the TV producers, this apparel doesn't come across well on camera. Look for Sony Music to give Ms. Kelly a big push. Previous Post | Next Post