0 Earth, Wind & Fire - Chicago

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/19/2015

Earth, Wind & Fire together with Chicago Saturday, August 15, 2015 on the Heart and Soul tour in Camden, NJ segue from "September" into Chicago's "Free." Enjoy 18 seconds of both groups playing together! Previous Post | Next Post

0 How Students Remix Classic Soul

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/21/2015

Drexel University in Philadelphia is known for teaching technology. A fortunate group of students taking Uncovering the Philly Groove course at Drexel are embracing tech to remix a bunch of unreleased City of Brotherly Love tracks never heard by the public. Watch the video and learn how the students add different elements to the old classic soul songs mixing up something fresh. If the embedded video doesn't play, you can follow the direct link below to the story on 6abc Philadelphia. Students at Drexel University get to remix old R&B, soul songs Previous Post | Next Post

0 Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Retreat

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/19/2013

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. Listen to "Retreat!" from the new album: Give The People What They Want. I'm not crazy about the animation but the song is strong enough to grab and hold you. Previous Post | Next Post

0 President Obama sings Sweet Home Chicago

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 03/21/2012

President Obama sings "Sweet Home Chicago." Enjoy! Previous Post | Next Post

0 Ohio Players Album Covers

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/28/2011

Pain, Pleasure, and Ecstasy. Album titles with cover art guaranteed to attract even more attention than the funky music inside of the exotic grooves. Take a Powerhouse Radio slide show trip with the "Fire" and "Skin Tight" Ohio Players from Dayton, Ohio. Both the album covers, and the players, have a special message for you. Watch and listen. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Michael Jackson's Solo Timeline

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/24/2011

Here's a video flashback looking at the major albums released by Michael Jackson. June 25, 2011, is the 2nd anniversary of his death. The index of his picture book, Michael Jackson: The Man In The Mirror, 1958 - 2009, lists over 60 MJ solo singles released Between 1968 - 2003. His very first single was "Let Me Carry Your School Books" in 1968, followed by "Got To Be There" in 1971. Watch and listen to this 2 minute video tribute we enjoyed producing. Previous Post | Next Post

0 20 Years of Mary J. Blige

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/14/2011

Why watch the calendar until 2012! It's been almost 20 years we've enjoyed Mary J. Blige. Watch and listen to our special tribute. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Janet Jackson is all True for You

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/24/2011

Inadequate self-esteem resulting from unjustified anxiety. That's the big take-away from Janet Jackson's 2011 self-help - autobiography: True You. As Janet describes it, "fear and uncertainty lead to feeling bad about myself." Along with writer David Ritz, Janet informally details important life transitions that helped her bridge the growth gap between youth and maturity. You won't find a discography of her music in the appendix. You won't find a list of all of her awards. What True You successfully reveals is how the youngest of the famous Jackson siblings finally found independence from certain ingrained family values that ultimately allowed her to break free into a new image, body, career, and love comfort zone. True You is surprisingly different from the expected 'tell all' tone of other bios, written by music celebrities, who usually attract readers by sharing seedy tabloid tales. I like how Janet strategically incorporates some powerful fan letters into her own story to illuminate universal themes of struggle, hurt, pain, and loss. This book is dedicated to her late brother, Michael. Janet talks vibrantly about their special close relationship. Down to earth details document siblings who are not hung-up on their celebrity. Janet relates fond memories about her youngest years with 'Mike.' Michael would repeatedly drive the two to different Los Angeles fast food restaurants, buy lots of goodies, and then go to areas in the city populated by the homeless to distribute the food. Food fables dominate True You. Janet's battle of the bulge are well documented, including her 2008 drop from 180 to 120 pounds. A lifetime of eating and yo-yo dieting are the outcomes of Janet's sensitive personality as she would react to teasing, criticism, and professional demands by turning to food. I enjoyed the Afterword "It's Not a Diet," written by her nutritionist David Allen, who in analyzing their long-term interactions stresses that changes in lifestyle, balanced meals, and adequate sleep were crucial in order for Janet to reach her goals. "True You" closes with nearly 80 pages of recipes designed by Janet Jackson and cooked for her by Chef Andre. Some of the suggestions detail the preparation of "Veggie Baked Eggs," (kid friendly) "Baked Oven Fries," and "Honey Yogurt with Peaches and Toasted Almond Parfait." Janet ends her self help - autobiography story with these words of guidance: "Proper nutrition" "Restorative sleep" "Wholesome foods" "Self-care, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually." Bravo Janet. Sunshine with plenty of warmth beams through True You. Nasty! ----- 2022 Update! We wrote and published the original review you've just read on May 24, 2011. With the January, 2022 release of the Janet Jackson documentary on Lifetime and A&E television we produced the book review as a new video! Enjoy. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Raphael Saadiq is Stone Rollin' Soul

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 03/23/2011

Former Tony! Toni! Tone! talent Raphael Saadiq continues to take retro soul forward with Stone Rollin', a new album scheduled for release Tuesday, May 10, 2011. Saadiq is a contemporary evangelist for 70's soul style. He champions the cause with a track record of solid releases that stay true to his classic soul sensibility. Raphael, AKA Raphael Wiggins, hails from Oakland, California. He toured with Prince and Sheila E. briefly in the 1980's, before forming Tony! Toni! Tone! at the end of the decade. Stone Rollin' is Saadiq's 5th solo album. Put aside some time and watch Raphael Saadiq live in concert, performing at the 2011 SXSW (South by Southwest) festival. Recording courtesy of NPR at NPR.org. Previous Post | Next Post

0 El DeBarge gets a Second Chance

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/18/2010

What has El DeBarge been doing for the past 16 years? A trifecta of occasionally making some music, experiencing some rough times, and rediscovering the magic of songwriting. In 2008, he teamed up with George Clinton and his Gangsters of Love. Best known as the lead voice for "Rhythm of the Night," "Who's Holding Donna Now," and other group hits with DeBarge, El's solo career has charted reasonable success. He's scheduled to release Second Chance, a new album of songs on Tuesday, September 28, 2010. The already released title cut is charming, featuring El DeBarge's high register vocal trademark. Watching the video, I'm reminded of Lionel Richie, as "Second Chance" pushes El DeBarge squarely into soulful adult contemporary territory. Watch the video and see if you like the song. Previous Post | Next Post