0 Ledisi Lifts Christmas Up with Musical Style

• Christmas
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 12/18/2008

Ledisi is woman who offers a new breath of fresh air in the competitive arena of song styling. You'll pick up just a hint of Anita Baker and Chaka Khan in her magnificent delivery. Ledisi is more of a torch singer with the pipes to prove it. Don't confuse her with the trendy light-weight pop princess divas of today. According to the official Ledisi website, her name, (pronounced led-duh-see, is adopted from the word that means "to bring forth" in the Yoruba language of Nigeria). You can read her long biography at length on her website, but our focus here is her holiday album, It's Christmas. Ledisi has put together a top notch feast of Yuletide favorites. The opening track, "I'll Go," showcases her impressive vocal prowess within a 2 minute 4 second snapshot. This album is contemporary and tasteful. I enjoyed all the tracks. The strength of It's Christmas is Ledisi's fantastic voice. She adds just enough vocal improvisation to the traditional tunes to keep them interesting. Frankly, I'm quite impressed with her sophistication of craft. This is just her 2nd album for the legendary Verve label. Ledisi has been tagged as an R&B/Jazz/Pop singer. She's versatile enough to handle a broad range of material. After 2 Grammy nominations, there's definitely a future award waiting for Ledisi. Ledisi: It's Christmas "I'll Go" "Children Go Where I Send Thee" "Give Love On Christmas Day" "Be There For Christmas" "This Christmas (Could Be The One)" "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" "It's Christmas" "What A Wonderful World" "Please Come Home For Christmas" "Silent Night" "Thank You" Previous Post | Next Post

0 The 10 Best Funky-Christmas Party Jams

• Christmas
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 12/15/2008

Here are my all time picks for the 10 best funky-Christmas party jams (as appraised in 2008). "Christmas in Hollis" - Run-D.M.C. "N - Yo - City" - Bootsy Collins "Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto" - James Brown "Christmas Rappin'" - Kurtis Blow "Little Drummer Boy" - Kofi "Joy To The World - Aretha Franklin " Winter Mix" - Gloria Gaynor "Nutcracker Suite (remix)" - Berlin Symphony Orchestra "Funky Christmas" - The Whispers "Happy Holidays" - Ohio Players bonus: "Here Comes Santa Claus" - Rupaul For the sonic volume, energy, and originality, Run-D.M.C. makes the top of the list. "Christmas In Hollis" is featured in the original 1988 movie, Die Hard. Bootsy Collins, James Brown, and Kurtis Blow all stretch out with a funky Yuletide beat. Kofi's entertaining reggae version of "The Little Drummer Boy" offers an edgy contrast traveling from a softer chorus to a driving percussion during different parts of his score. Aretha Franklin's version of "Joy To The World" is not exclusively funk, as it includes the high energy gymnastics of a soaring gospel choir. Gloria Gaynor offers "Winter Mix" to prove that exciting "house music" never goes out of style, even when reworking "Winter Wonderland," which is what she does on "Winter Mix." The remixed "Nutcracker Suite" by the Berlin Symphony Orchestra is crafty and clever. "Funky Christmas" from the Whispers dances along, old school style, with their trademark harmonically tight vocals. "Happy Holidays" from the Ohio Players has to be included in my list, even though this song barely propels itself up to a medium tempo beat. The Ohio Players managed to keep their unique style and identity on this nearly 8-minute track. While somewhat repetitive due to the length, the holiday message charms us into the spirit of the season. As a bonus, a shout out to Rupaul, who took Johnnie Taylor's "Disco Lady" melody, and turned it into a tongue-and-cheek party prance. This ain't cowboy Gene Autry singing here! Watch my exclusive 90 second video and count the number of friendly faces who have wonderful holiday songs to share with you! I make a quick appearance for a few seconds. Spoiler alert. Yes, I got Aretha to autograph her Christmas CD for me while she was on tour to promote it! Previous Post | Next Post

0 Odetta Creates A Unique Christmas Concert

• Christmas
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 12/11/2008

In 2005, Odetta, the singer of folk based African American traditional songs, released an immaculately recorded live album. Gonna Let It Shine, A Concert for the Holidays is a stellar collection of spirituals celebrating Christmas. If you love gospel, praise, and traditional spirituals, Odetta delivers a definitive 16 song collection of favorites. The clarity of the live sound is phenomenal. Gonna Let It Shine, A Concert for the Holidays was recorded in front of a festive audience on the campus of Fordham University in New York City. Throughout both the ballads and uptempo tracks, Odetta respectfully transmits an inspirational message propelled by the power of faith and the glory of Christmas. Gonna Let It Shine, A Concert for the Holidays, is a completely different Christmas album. It comes from the classically trained, civil rights savvy, legendary vocalist from Birmingham, Alabama, the late Odetta (who passed away on December 2, 2008). "Intro" "This Little Light of Mine" (with the Holmes Brothers) "Rise Up Shepherd" "Mary Had A Baby" "What Month Was Jesus Born In?" "Shout For Joy" "Virgin Mary Had One Son" "Down By The Riverside" (with the Holmes Brothers) "Poor Little Jesus" "Freedom Trilogy" "Somebody Talking 'Bout Jesus" "Keep On Movin' It On" "O Jerusalem" "If Anybody Asks You" "Midnight Special" bonus: "This Little Light of Mine" (unedited - with the Holmes Brothers) Previous Post | Next Post

0 Grammy Award Sunday Salutes 7 Soulful Honorees

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 12/09/2008

The 2008 Grammy Award nominees have been announced. 110 awards will be presented including 7 for R&B - soul. Here are 5 of the 7 R&B categories: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: "Me, Myself And I," Beyonce' "Heaven Sent," Keyshia Cole "Spotlight," Jennifer Hudson "Superwoman," Alicia Keys "Need U Bad," Jazmine Sullivan Best Male R&B Vocal Performance: "You're The Only One," Eric Bene't "Take You Down," Chris Brown "Miss Independent," Ne-Yo "Can't Help But Wait," Trey Songz "Here I Stand," Usher Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: "A Change Is Gonna Come," Wayne Brady "You've Got The Love I Need," Al Green Featuring Anthony Hamilton "Baby I Know," Linda Jones with Helen Bruner & Terry Jones "Love That Girl," Raphael Saadiq "In Love With Another Man," Jazmine Sullivan Best Contemporary R&B Album: Growing Pains, Mary J. Blige Back Of My Lac', J. Holiday First Love, Karina Year Of The Gentleman, Ne-Yo Fearless, Jazmine Sullivan Best R&B Album: Love & Life, Eric Bene't Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA, Boyz II Men Lay It Down, Al Green Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Hudson The Way I See It, Raphael Saadiq For the Best R&B Album category, all of them are quite good. Look for a 3-way toss-up between Al Green, Jennifer Hudson, and ex Tony! Toni! Tone'! guy Raphael Saadiq. The 51st Annual Grammy Awards will be presented on "Grammy Sunday," February 8, 2009, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California (broadcast live on CBS from 8 - 11:30 p.m Eastern). Previous Post | Next Post

0 Gloria Gaynor Will Survive with New Christmas Cheer

• Christmas
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 12/03/2008

The pleasant, appealing voice of Gloria Gaynor has been reactivated for Gloria Gaynor's Christmas Presence. You may have missed this holiday treat, originally released in 2007, but still new for 2008. Dismiss your Gloria Gaynor preconceptions and join her sleigh ride for this Yuletide out-of-the-box potpourri of holiday hits. Christmas songs may shine not always because of the singer, but because of the infinite creative arrangements these songs are given. Gloria combines both assets to serve up yet another take on these seasonal favorites. I was expecting hard core R&B as the dominant vibe. The actual sound is lighter but still contemporary. A touch of jazz here, a touch of pop there, and a dash soul to boot. Gloria Gaynor's Christmas Presence has it all. She projects a warm voice that soothes and comforts without the panache of shouting. All the tracks are enjoyable, but I especially rate highly "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," along with the mellow "Christmas Blue," the playful "Frosty The Snowman," and the funky bonus bouncer "Winter Mix." Gloria Gaynor has brought her distinct personality to this collection by recording a very mass appeal Christmas record. You can fire up this CD for the office party or holiday gathering with the confidence that the hip factor is strong enough to please almost everyone. Christmas Presence is not perfect, but it offers a different dimension of the "I Will Survive" diva. It's contemporary, polished, and main stream, without being cheesy. Gloria deserves the credit for trying something different. "Happy Time of Year" "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" "All I Want Is You For Christmas" "Christmas Blue" "Frosty The Snowman" "Do You Hear What I Hear?" "Joy To The World" "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" "Let It Snow!" "O Holy Night" "Little Town of Bethlehem" "Winter Wonderland" "The Christmas Song" "Joy Came To The World" "Christmas Prayer" "Winter Mix (Radio)" bonus track "Winter Mix (Dance)" bonus track Previous Post | Next Post

0 Dionne Warwick Tracks The Cat to Philly

• Songs
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 12/01/2008

The recent 4 CD 2008 release, Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia, captured just about everyone who has recorded in the City of Brotherly Love. On these ambitious projects, you can't include everybody. Dionne Warwick's 1975 album Track of The Cat, produced, arranged, and conducted by Thom Bell with Philadelphia International Record's house band MFSB, is just one example of another artist who could have been better represented in the anthology with her own solo work. A moderate commercial success, Track of The Cat, released by Warner Brothers, included "Once You Hit The Road," a single from the album that got some radio airplay. Delfonics and Stylistics Producer Thom Bell's classical training was a big influence in the production of the masterpiece title cut for Dionne. Linda Creed and Thom Bell wrote the song lyrics to accompany the mesmerizing "cat" melody. "Track of The Cat" allows the strength of Dionne Warwick's vocal subtleties to shine while strings, French horns, and an immaculate arrangement keep the medium tempo vamp flowing forward with a memorable bass line. This is a song to love. The entire album was recorded in Philly with MFSB. It would have been nice to include Dionne Warwick's "Track of The Cat" on Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia. Dionne is represented on the collection by her duet with the Spinners: "Then Came You," yet another Thom Bell gem. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Bama The Village Poet's Forgotten Thanksgiving Treat

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 11/23/2008

On a recent Thanksgiving, a Classic Soul R&B Music Jam blog reader commented about Bama The Village Poet: "Thank you for that nourishing morsel of the Bama, and it is sad that this great piece of work has been largely forgotten." Discover more about Bama The Village Poet. Watch my brand new 3 minute 59 second video featuring Bama's classic soul composition, "Thanksgiving," (as he reads his own words). Updated version courtesy of Quikthinking.com Previous Post | Next Post

0 Brian McKnight Comes Home for Christmas

• Christmas
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 11/20/2008

Brian McKnight fans, Rejoice! B.M. has just released his 2008 holiday chestnut, I'll Be Home For Christmas, his 11th album. Brian cheerfully reports at BMcKnight.com that "Christmas has always held a very special place in my life and my heart." "When it arrives, it brings with it memories of the past and the promise of a future of memories with friends and family all over the world." 5 of the 12 tracks on I'll Be Home For Christmas feature duets with Vince Gill, Josh Groban, Nikolas McKnight, Noel Schajris, and Take 6. "The Christmas Song" kicks of the collection. McKnight gives the spunky arrangement his best - keeping the vocal range in his trademark higher register. When it comes to inflecting passion into his actual singing sound, McKnight has always been a vocalist who shines in the understatement. You won't mistake his articulated sonic discipline to the flashy nature of a Luther Vandross or Marvin Gaye. McKnight has built a solid following over the years. He now slots himself into mature R&B territory that young guns Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Akon, and Usher can't quite occupy yet. As for the other tracks on this new release, cut 2 "Silver Bells" chimes to McKnight's clear, measured resonance. In a departure, "Christmas You and Me" teams Brian with Vince Gill. This track, grounded in R&B, has contemporary country music overtones, and succeeds nicely in the way Lionel Richie's 1986 "Deep River Woman" duet with Alabama did. "Let It Snow," also featuring Nikolas McKnight, is bright, frothy, and bubbly with an ample supply of strings to delight the light hearted. "It's the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" packs a powerful jazzy punch. It's the best uptempo track of the collection. Overall, the mood is mellow on the I'll Be Home For Christmas album. The CD has a 'quiet storm' tone, with enough energy in the uptempo songs to provide good balance. Piano builds the foundation of the classy instrumentation. These songs are well arranged. Even if you are not a Brian McKnight fan, you probably will be pleased with this charming Christmas CD. Spread the news: "Brian McKnight Comes Home for Christmas!" I'll Be Home For Christmas: "The Christmas Song" "Silver Bells" "Let It Snow" (featuring Nikolas McKnight & Brian McKnight Jr.) "Christmas You And Me" (featuring Vince Gill) "I'll Be Home For Christmas" "Silent Night"(featuring Noel Schajris) "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" "Adeste Fideles" "Who Would Have Thought" "Angels We Have Heard On High" (featuring Josh Groban) "Christmas Medley" "Bless This House" (featuring Take 6) Previous Post | Next Post

0 8 Super Songs for 2008

• Commentary
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 11/18/2008

Classic soul is more than just music that was produced during a period of time that's passed us by, it's a style that lives now through contemporary performances by today's artists. Some of the "now" artists were around during the golden years too. The point is, you don't have to look far to find a lot of people who have planted the R&B flag on their own 2008 turf. The following 8 songs ranked in order all do an excellent job of blending great singing, good arrangements, quality lyrics, and old school street cred to bubble up our list as the best of the past year (November, 2007 - November, 2008). "Roll Out" - LaBelle. This is not even the best song from their new album, Back To Now, however, "Roll Out" is a classic. Mostly Patti LaBelle, less Sarah Dash & Nona Hendryx, and perhaps too much Miss Patti on the vocoder (an electronic device that makes the human voice sound like a robot with perfect pitch). Featuring Wyclef Jean joining in and repeating the hook, "Roll Out" - it's one of the best songs of the year. Terrific pop music. "Teenage Love Affair" - Alicia Keys. A song about the youthful pleasures of raging hormones. This tune has a sixties rhythm that bounces along to the sweet and innocent charm of a fun-filled girl meets boy story. "I Am A Fire" - Donna Summer. It's tough when you are treated strictly as a nostalgia act. "I'm A Fire " is as good as the best Donna Summer back in her heyday. When a zillion dj's compete for who can come up with the best remix of a song as they did with this one, people get confused. The album version is the best. Hot, hot, hot. "Superwoman" - Alicia Keys. Poor Alicia Keys, can't she get any more respect? Even though this song turned up on TV to promote the 2008 summer Olympics, it's a nice anthem for the ladies in our lives who are our unsung heroes. B+ for "Superwoman." "Disrespectful" - Chaka Khan and Mary J. Blige. Not for Grandma. "Disrespectful rocks with Kahn and Blige pushing the soul energy to a climactic eruption. On Chaka's Funk This CD. "Stay Down" - Mary J. Blige. It's heavy on the melody and dramatic build, somewhat light on the lyrics, but satisfying in the delivery. When you can include a reference to The Jeffersons (George & Louise), in your song, you can do no wrong. Mary J. has crossed over to respectville. "100 Days, 100 Nights" - Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings. It's a humorous riot reading people's written thoughts as they debate whether this group is "real" soul. Sharon Jones deserves much credit for putting her singing career into overdrive with her biggest break coming after the age of 40. She's the real deal. Focus on her voice. "Just Stand Up" - Beyonce', Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Fergie, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Natasha Bedingfield, Miley Cyrus, Leona Lewis, Carrie Underwood, Keyshia Cole, LeAnn Rimes, Ashanti, & Ciara. People can't seem to stomach too much of these "We Are The World" type benefit collaborations (with the proceeds of sales going to charity). This one spotlighted the cause of cancer research. The ladies get into it, but at times you strain to identify who is singing (unless you have seen the video). Yes it's commercial, and yes it sounds like some other stuff, but it's a worthy medium to uptempo effort, and an entertaining one too. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Soul Men Soft at Box Office

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 11/13/2008

With an opening weekend gross of just over 5 million dollars, 5th place finisher Soul Men got socked by High School Musical 3: Senior Year, and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa during the November 7 - 9, 2008 weekend. Don't despair, because even though the reviews have been mixed, the performance of Bernie Mac has been universally applauded. In Mac's final film role, he plays a classic soul man who is called to the stage one more time for a reunion at the Apollo Theater in New York City. The CD movie soundtrack has some great performances. Take a look through the track list, and you'll recognize a few songs that are very familiar. Rufus Thomas, Isaac Hayes, Booker T & the MG's, and Sam & Dave recorded some of the original versions back in the day. Here are all of the songs included in the CD soundtrack of Soul Men: "Soul Men" - Anthony Hamilton "I'm Your Puppet" - Bernie Mac, John Legend, & Samuel L. Jackson "Private Number" - Chris Pierce, Leela James "Water" - Me'Shell NdegeOcello "Never Can Say Goodbye" (Soul Men Redux) - Isaac Hayes "Boogie Ain't Nuthin' (But Gettin' Down)" - Bernie Mac, Samuel L. Jackson "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" - Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings "Memphis Train" - Ryan Shaw "Comfort Me" - Sharon Leal "You Don't Know What You Mean (To A Lover Like Me)" - The Sugarman 3 - (featuring Lee Fields) "I've Never Found a Girl (To Love Me Like You Do)" - Eddie Floyd "Do Your Thing" - Bernie Mac, Samuel L. Jackson, & Sharon Leal Previous Post | Next Post