Powerhouse Radio Blog

by Kingsley H. Smith
06/11/2009

Teena Marie checked in on Tuesday, June 9, 2009, with Congo Square, her latest release. The tracks are slow to mid-tempo, and include some interesting collaborations with several guest performers. After scanning through several reviews of this album it's clear that die-hard Teena Marie fans really like what they are hearing. A more honest analysis reveals the lack of a really outstanding track to attract her more casual fans back into the fold. Read the following excerpted official Teena Marie biography and listen to 20 seconds of the title track featuring George Duke below. Here's the Official Teena Marie Story: "For nearly three decades, pint - sized, soul stirring songstress Teena Marie has undeniably been a force to be reckoned with in the nearly thirty years of her professional performing career. The accomplished singer, songwriter, producer and arranger has managed to consistently capture the hearts and spirits of millions of fans with her music. Nominated for a Grammy Award four times, Mary Christine Brockert had a strong African American influence from her godmother. Blessed with the gift of music at a young age, the Santa Monica, California native was raised on Motown music. Singing Harry Belafonte by age two, Ms. Marie's self-professed "Gift from God" would become fine-tuned as the years progressed. Signed to her dream label at age 19, Teena Marie's magic would be further developed under the tutelage of the legendary, Rick James. Her 1979 debut Wild And Peaceful, produced by James, garnered a #8 R&B single with "I'm A Sucker For Your Love." In 1980, her second and third albums, Lady T and Irons in the Fire were released, producing the hit classics "Behind The Groove" and "I Need Your Loving." In this period, Teena Marie took creative control of producing, writing and arranging her material. In 1981 Ms. Marie released the platinum selling It Must Be Magic, featuring the up-tempo "Square Biz" and slow jam "Portuguese Love." In 1982, Motown sued Teena Marie for breach of contract after she informed the label that she no longer wanted to perform. Subsequently, Ms. Marie filed a countersuit against Motown and won. The countersuit resulted in the landmark artists' rights initiative known as "The Brockert Initiative," - Ms. Marie's last name - placing strict limitations on the length of artist/company contracts. This historical entertainment mandate states that no recording company can contractually bind an artist while refusing to release his/her product. After winning the lawsuit, Teena Marie signed to Epic Records (1983), and went on to record five more albums throughout the late eighties and early nineties, including Starchild and the hit single "Lovergirl" and Naked to the World which features the smash hit "Ooo La La La." Teena independently released Passion Play on her own Sarai Records in 1994, but it wasn't until ten years later that she would resurface to again share her voice and talent with the world. As the sole artist signed to Cash Money Classics, the subsidiary of New Orleans rap entity Cash Money Records, Teena released La Do'a in 2004, which yielded the Grammy nominated #1 hit "Still In Love." Sapphire was her next release. The sudden passing of Teena Marie's mentor and friend Rick James in 2005 served as the backdrop to the creation of Sapphire. Their often tumultuous, always fertile relationship served as inspiration once again, for Ms. Marie's, as she put pen to paper and recalled the indescribable experience of working with such a creative force of nature as Rick James. "I really couldn't deal with my pain and I think that God intervened. Actually, I felt like Rick was with me writing. Some nights I would just sit up in the bed like he tapped me on the shoulder 'Get up and write this song.' It was a blessing that I had that album to write because I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have that creative outlet." "Congo Square" Your browser does not support the audio element. Teena Marie Congo Square: "The Pressure" - (featuring MC Lyte) "Can't Last a Day" - (featuring Faith Evans) "Baby I Love You" "Ear Candy 101" "Lover's Lane" - (featuring Howard Hewett) "Marry Me" "You Baby" "Milk N' Honey" - (featuring Rose Lebeau) "What U Got 4 Me" "Rovleta's Jass" "Congo Square" - (featuring George Duke) "Harlem Blues" "Black Cook" "Ms. Coretta" "Soldier" - (featuring Shirley Murdock) "The Rose N' Thorn" Previous Post | Next Post

0 Countdown to the 2009 Essence Music Festival

News
by Kingsley H. Smith
06/06/2009

More music, more voices, and more culture will be jammed into the 15th anniversary of the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, July 3 - 5, 2009, than ever before. The celebration promises to delivery a bayou full of music, motivation, and merry-making. Beyonce', Teena Marie, Al Green, Anita Baker, Salt-N-Pepa, and John Legend lead the evening performance schedule. Dozens of other acts are also on the bill. Daytime events include a big tribute to Bishop T.D. Jakes. 270,000 people attended in 2008. Over 200,000 attended in 2007. Previous Post | Next Post

0 A Look Back at Koko Taylor

Biography
by Kingsley H. Smith
06/04/2009

I was lucky enough to work at an R&B radio station in the 1970's that allowed us (the dj's) to play Koko Taylor right along side of the Temptations and Aretha Franklin. The somewhat eclectic mix helped me to develop a reverence and appreciation for the blues masters, who by the mid 1960's had long since slipped off of the popular music charts. NPR Music on their All Songs Considered blog has a Look Back at blues legend Koko Taylor, including videos and bio. She passed away on June 3, 2009, at the age of 80. In the Blues Brothers 2000 movie, Koko Taylor performs in the grand finale as one of The Louisiana Gator Boys. Previous Post | Next Post

1 Al B. Sure comes Home for Honey

News
by Kingsley H. Smith
06/02/2009

When Al B. Sure entered a Sony Music sponsored song contest in the 1980's, luck with talent attracted the ear of judge Quincy Jones, who picked Al B. to receive the top honor from among 50 finalists. With some grooming, Sure eventually went on to release the successful 1988 hit In Effect Mode, featuring his anthem "Nite and Day." On Tuesday, June 23, 2009, Al B. Sure leaps ahead 21 years to release Honey, I'm Home, a brand new album featuring 10 original songs. 2022 Update: Sadly his love blog referenced below is gone, but you can keep up with Al B. Sure on his official website. Laura Krier in southern Spain has a great new audio conversation with "Mr. Nite and Day." You can hear it by visiting the official Al B. Sure love blog and clicking on the "interview with Laura Krier" link. During the interview, Al B. has a great tip for up and coming artists. Sure says, in effect, forget about the technology, it's all about the song. Previous Post | Next Post

0 AWB - Hall and Oates Box Set Bonanzas

News
by Kingsley H. Smith
05/29/2009

New box sets paired with massive vintage catalogue reissues just keep on comin' for many seasoned legacy artists. The complete Average White Band catalogue of 12 albums released from 1973 to 1982 are now recast as four 2-CD slip-cased sets on Edsel Records, under the supervision of original AWB band members Alan Gorrie, Hamish Stuart and Onnie McIntyre. Listen to my classic AWB interview from 1974 with Malcolm Duncan and Hamish Stuart from the band. The group was in New York City appearing at the Bottom Line Club. Our conversation was recorded at NYU's radio station in the Washington Square Loeb Student Center in downtown Manhattan. Straight From Philadelphia is another new box set from Daryl Hall & John Oates scheduled for a June 2, 2009 release. For a pretty hefty price, fans will be able to relive "Sara Smile," She's Gone," and their other soulful sounds. Learn more on their official websites as Hall and Oates and AWB roll on. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. stay Sweet

Website
by Kingsley H. Smith
05/28/2009

From her hosting stint with the TV show Solid Gold, to their solo hits, to their life with the 5th Dimension, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. are great examples of how far talent can take you. The official McCoo and Davis website proudly proclaims how the couple is "celebrating a lifetime of entertainment, distinction, and a legacy of giving." You don't have to be a star to be in their show. Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. will be appearing in Las Vegas July 3 - July 5, 2009, at the Suncoast Hotel. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Sam Cooke Summertime

Flashback
by Kingsley H. Smith
05/27/2009

Here's Sam Cooke in a lighter studio moment from way back in 1962. The photo is on the back of the vinyl release The Best of Sam Cooke. Producers Hugo & Luigi proclaim on the album jacket "he lives in the top ten," and Sam Cooke did, with these memorable favorites included in this collection: "You Send Me" "Only Sixteen" " Everybody Loves To Cha Cha Cha" "For Sentimental Reasons" "Wonderful World" "Summertime" "Chain Gang" "Cupid" "Twistin' The Night Away" "Sad Mood" "Having A Party" "Bring It On Home To Me" Discover much more about Sam Cooke in the PowerhouseRadio.com Archive. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Jody Watley Declares New International Independence

Website
by Kingsley H. Smith
05/18/2009

Long after her fun-filled days with Shalamar, vocalist Jody Watley continued to release new songs via the independent music circuit. She's just expanded her reach, by signing an international marketing agreement with London based ADA-Global, who will distribute her Avitone Records independent back catalogue from 1995 to the present. Check out my 2006 update on Jody Watley's The Makeover album, which is scheduled to be revised and re-released soon as the first Avitone-ADA project. Jody has planned these upcoming mini-tour concert dates: Thursday, July 30, 2009, The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA, 8 pm Friday, July 31, B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, Times Square, New York, NY, 8 pm Sunday, August 2, Halstead Market Days Festival, Chicago, IL, 8:30 pm Follow Jody Watley: On Music, Pop Culture, and Life by reading her motivating blog updates. You can also learn more at the official Jody Watley website. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Soul Men Mac and Jackson Spread Boogie Flu

Audio
by Kingsley H. Smith
05/14/2009

Now out on DVD, Soul Men, the 2008 movie, with the late Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson, (pictured here with the late Isaac Hayes), is a raunchy, entertaining, musical laugh fest. Surprise, surprise, these Hollywood guys not only have the gift of gab, but they can bust a classic soul vocal move! Here's what I call a genre buster..."Boogie Ain't Nuttin' (But Gettin' Down)," a track featured in both the movie, and on the Original Soul Men Soundtrack. Listen to my 60 second remix of "Boogie Ain't Nuttin' (But Gettin' Down)" performed by Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson. Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Diana Ross Rolls into Foxwoods Country

News
by Kingsley H. Smith
05/12/2009

A now somewhat rare Diana Ross concert appearance is always a treat. Mashantucket, Connecticut, Motown legions will be thrilled to check out Ms. Ross, live, Saturday, May 16, 2009, for an 8 pm show at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods. Previous Post | Next Post