0 Natalie Cole Rebounds from Unforgettable Crisis

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/27/2009

Tragedy, challenges, and tough times are no stranger to Grammy Award winner Natalie Cole. Her ups and downs have been well documented. The high visibility of her most recent crisis has magnified the consequences of some past behavior that she's now coping with. Here's a well written story by Meg Grant, Natalie Cole's New Life, that pulls back the curtain on a lifetime of misfortune, success, and survival. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Lisa Lisa Hits Em the Freestyle Way

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/22/2009

Lisa Velez, the 'Lisa Lisa' in Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, has been called the Queen of Freestyle. Bustin' moves belting out uptempo tunes is only half of her appeal. Lisa Lisa charms you with her bubbly vocal cheerfulness. Ballads live in her comfort zone too, as demonstrated in the ginger delivery of Lisa Lisa's classic slow jam "All Cried Out." Life 'N Love, released in July, 2009, is her latest album featuring 13 new tracks. Looking back into the 1980's, you don't have think very long to remember at least 6 vintage Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam hits: "Can You Feel The Beat" "I Wonder If I Take You Home" "Lost In Emotion" "All Cried Out" "Head To Toe" "Let The Beat Hit 'Em" The New York City native is on the road to reconnect with her friends and fans. Lisa Lisa has several dates with some familiar faces to party to the freestyle groove. Different acts will appear with her on different dates, including Stevie B., Shannon, Expose', and Rockwell. Friday, October 30, 2009, Arizona State Fair - Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, AZ Saturday, October 31, QC's 20/20, Montebello, CA Friday, November 6, Club KXX, Route 66 Casino, Albuquerque, NM Friday, November 13, Taj Majal, Atlantic City, NJ Saturday, December 19, Magic City Casino Amphitheater, Miami, FL Previous Post | Next Post

0 Brian McKnight Welcomes the Evolution of a Man

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/20/2009

Tuesday, October 27, 2009, is the official release date for Brian McKnight's highly anticipated Evolution of a Man, a new 14 track collection. Notable collaborations on this album include a couple of duets featuring Brian with Stevie Wonder, and Jill Scott. It's been just about one year since McKnight presented his successful holiday album, I'll Be Home for Christmas. Evolution of a Man touches varied material from ballads to reggae reflected on these tracks: "The Brian McKnight Show" "Just a Little Bit" "I Bet Cha Neva" "What I've Been Waiting 4" "When U R Loving Me" "Never Say Goodbye" "Stay Tuned" "Next 2 U" "I Miss U" "Always Be My Baby" "Baby It's U" "While" "Another You" "Not Alone" Previous Post | Next Post

0 Bootsy Collins, Teena Marie, Klymaxx, and ZAPP! get Unsung

• Website
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/15/2009

TV One will be profiling more vintage R&B talent on the 2nd season of their revealing documentary showcase: Unsung. To the lovers of classic soul, Bootsy Collins, Teena Marie, Klymaxx, and ZAPP! are successful performers with large fan bases. Unsung explores the premise that these artists peaked professionally at a level somewhat short of the massive impact of some bigger superstars, however, they deserve an investigative nod for their valuable contributions. Catch the new shows beginning Sunday, November 1, 2009, on TV One. Previous Post | Next Post

0 This Is It Is Not the Last of Michael Jackson Video

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/13/2009

Watch and listen to my thoughts about the new Michael Jackson song, "This Is It." There are more unreleased tracks in the Michael Jackson vault waiting to eventually surface. The Jacksons are featured on "This Is It" singing background vocals. You'll hear the track at the end of the movie Michael Jackson's This Is It, and it is featured on the companion 2 CD record. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Mariah Carey Crafts Foreigner Love Song Video

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/07/2009

With a voice as strong as ever, Mariah Carey revives a song from the past, and brings it up to the present, with this live performance of Foreigner's "I Want To Know What Love Is." The version on her new 2009 album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel is good, but not quite as electric as this live performance, proving that great performers are inspired by the energy radiating from their responsive audiences. Watch the video, then vote for the performance you like better, either Mariah Carey's "I Want To Know What Love Is," or Whitney Houston's "I Look To You." 2022 Update: Voting is over. Thank you! We've replaced the original MSN Mariah Carey live video that is no longer available with the one below that is equally as good. Enjoy! Previous Post | Next Post

0 Fraulein Whitney Houston German Fernsehen Video

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/06/2009

Music is the universal language, as Whitney Houston sings her latest song "I Look To You," on the German television program, Wetten Das, during her fall 2009 promotional tour in Deutschland. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Leon Huff is King of Philly Soul Keyboard

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/01/2009

Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff are usually identified as the signature writers, arrangers, and producers for their Philadelphia International Records empire. The hot piano riffs behind many of those Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass, Intruders, and O'Jays recordings come courtesy of keyboard king Leon Huff. When you are pumping out the hits for a stable of stars, you have little time remaining for your own solo projects. Incredibly, Leon Huff released only one solo album in 1980: Here To Create Music. This record was re-released in 2008 on CD by Sony BMG, Legacy, and Philadelphia International Records. Listen to 30 seconds of Leon Huff strutting his stuff on "I Ain't Jivin', I'm Jammin'," an excellent example of his sophisticated Philly musical fusion pulling together orchestration, funk, and sensational soul. Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Patti Austin Sings for Godfather Quincy Jones

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/29/2009

The 14th Annual Bermuda Music Festival takes place on Thursday, October 29 through Saturday, October 31, 2009. Erykah Badu, James Ingram, Wyclef Jean, John Legend, Michael McDonald, Kenny Rogers, Naturally Seven, and Patti Austin are scheduled to perform. Austin's godfather, Quincy Jones, will be there too to join the fun and introduce the artists. Patti performs on Friday, October 30. The Saturday night Halloween program will feature a special presentation of Michael Jackson's Thriller video. Previous Post | Next Post

0 The New Michael Jackson Song - This Is It

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/24/2009

On Tuesday, October 13, 2009, a brand new Michael Jackson song, "This Is It," will be released. An international debut of Jackson's double CD This Is It happens Monday, October 26. Finally, according to an official MichaelJackson.com release, north America gets the twin-disc This Is It on Tuesday, October 27th. Michael Jackson's This Is It, the movie, hits theaters for a two week only limited engagement on Wednesday, October 28th. Previous Post | Next Post