0 Rhythm & Blues Foundation Hosts Pioneer Awards Party

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/04/2008

Dionne Warwick, Jerry Butler, and Bonnie Raitt will co-host the Rhythm & Blues Foundation's 20th Anniversary Pioneer Awards gala in Philadelphia, Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.       Chaka Khan will be honored with the Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award.     Bill Withers, Teena Marie, and singer-songwriter Sugar Pie DeSanto will receive the Foundation's Individual Artist Award.         The Whispers and Kool & the Gang will receive the Foundation's Group Artists Award.       Motown's fabulous musicians, the Funk Brothers, will receive the Foundation's Sidemen Award.     Donny Hathaway will posthumously receive a Legacy Award in recognition of his classic soul excellence from the 1970s.       Al Bell, former president of Stax Records and Motown Records, will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Leadership Award. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Natalie Cole: Still Unforgettable

• Songs
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/02/2008

On Tuesday, September 9, 2008, Natalie Cole is set to release Still Unforgettable, a new collection of songs she's compiled from "the great American song book." Natalie recorded Unforgettable...with Love in 1991 featuring the title track duet with her late father, Nat King Cole. The album Unforgettable...with Love sold over 14 million copies. Still Unforgettable promises 14 more memorable melodies from the world of pop standards, including one more duet with her late father: "Walkin' My Baby Back Home." Other CD highlights: "The Best Is Yet To Come" "Until The Real Thing Comes Along" "It's All Right With Me" "Nice N' Easy" "Something's Gotta Give" "But Beautiful" Still Unforgettable will be distributed by Rhino/WEA on the DMI label. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Timmy Thomas and Steve Winwood Roll Together

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/28/2008

Timmy Thomas had a terrific classic soul hit, his biggest, "Why Can't We Live Together," back in 1973. The optimistic song speaks of hope, harmony, and a more peaceful world. In 2003, Steve Winwood captured the essence of the original song and added some lively organ on his CD, About Time. Both versions offer gritty organ solos showcasing the virtuosity of Thomas and Winwood on their keyboards. Thomas wrote the song. His full length original is 4 minutes, 40 seconds. Winwood clocks in at 6 minutes, 39 seconds. Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to both Thomas and Winwood in this short, 48 second Classic Soul R&B Music Jam Blog mix by yours truly. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Jimmy Castor, Flying Saucers, & Convention 72'

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/25/2008

If you look closely inside of the pimpmobile included in the cover art of our featured LP, you can spot some tricky characters on their way to the political conventions back in 1972. Producer Dickie Goodman was one of the original creators of the "Flying Saucer," a record that told a storyline using sections of current hits to answer questions from a narrator. Just like the people who claimed to see real ones, "Flying Saucers" were popular in the 1950's, then disappeared in the 1960's. They made a short return in the 1970's. "Convention 72'" below is from the vinyl album, The Original Flying Saucers, on IX Chain Records. The Original Flying Saucers album features: "Watergrate" "Superfly meets Shaft" "Convention 72'" "Flying Saucer Part 1" "Flying Saucer Part 2" "The Touchables" "Flying Saucer The Second" "Ben Crazy" "On Trial" "Santa & The Satellite Part 1" "Santa & The Satellite Part 2" I'm waiting for flying saucers to make their big new millennium return! Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to 60 seconds of the original 5 minute "Convention 72," featuring quite a bit of The Jimmy Castor Bunch and a pinch of Joe Tex! Previous Post | Next Post

0 Female Stars Sing a Song for Cancer Research

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/21/2008

Producers Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and Antonio "L.A." Reid have come up with a 2008 concept to rival 1985's "We Are The World," the song that benefited African famine relief. 15 female stars have agreed to record "Just Stand Up," scheduled to hit airwaves and computers on September 2, 2008. Sales at retail locations and iTunes downloads will benefit cancer research. So which hot female "femme fantastics" representing the new school have jumped on board to harmonize together on "Just Stand Up?" Here's the scorecard: Mariah Carey Beyonce' Mary J. Blige Rihanna Ashanti Fergie Melissa Etheridge Sheryl Crow Ciara Keyshia Cole Leona Lewis LeAnn Rimes Carrie Underwood Miley Cyrus Natasha Bedingfield Should be a collector's item for individual fans of each lady. Hopefully, big bucks will be raised from the sale of "Just Stand Up" to benefit a very worthy cause. Previous Post | Next Post

2 Evelyn Champagne King Toasts New Open Book CD

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/19/2008

Evelyn "Champagne" King has released her first new album in 15 years, Open Book. In a press release describing her new collection of songs, Evelyn dedicates her effort noting "this one is for my fans." The song Open Book is a ballad Evelyn describes as "slightly autobiographical." Making waves and getting club action right now is "The Dance," the first release from the CD. Evelyn is scheduled to debut the album at The House of Blues in Los Angeles, Tuesday, August 19, 2008. Evelyn "Champagne" King's top 5 classic soul gems: "Shame" "Love Come Down" "I'm In Love" "I Don't Know If It's Right" "Back To Love" Previous Post | Next Post

0 50 Ways To Love Michael Jackson

• Commentary
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/14/2008

If 50 is the new 40, then the decade defying young at heart Michael Jackson has a lot to celebrate during many fun filled years to come. The media certified tabloid musical giant, lovingly crowned, "The King of Pop," turns 50 years old on August 29, 2008. Jacko joins Madonna, who also turns 50 on August 16, 2008, as another new AARP recruit (formerly American Association of Retired Persons). Barring any health issues, I believe that Michael Jackson will eventually make a notable comeback. In honor of his 50th birthday, here is my endearing timeline list of 50 Ways to Love Michael Jackson: 1958 - Michael Jackson is born (August 29th) 1968 - The Jackson 5 are signed by Motown Records 1969 - Motown releases Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5 album 1970 - "I Want You Back" - Jackson 5 #1 song in January 1970 - "ABC" - Jackson 5 #1 in April 1970 - "The Love You Save" - Jackson 5 #1 in June 1970 - "I'll Be There" - Jackson 5 #1 in October 1971 - "Never Can Say Goodbye" - Jackson 5 #1 in May 1972 - "Got To Be There," MJ's first solo album is released 1972 - "Ben" becomes a hit single and album. (Rat power movie theme)! 1972 - MJ scores with the top 2 hit "Rockin' Robin'," a remake of the 1958 Bobby Day smash 1974 - "Dancing Machine" - Jackson 5 #1 in May 1976 - The Jacksons release The Jacksons on Epic Records produced by Philadelphia's Gamble & Huff 1977 - MJ begins preparing for his role in the movie The Wiz 1978 - The Jacksons release the critically acclaimed Destiny album 1979 - MJ releases Off The Wall produced by Quincy Jones 1980 - MJ scores a #1 song with "Rock With You" 1982 - MJ duets with Paul McCartney on Thriller with "The Girl Is Mine" 1982 - MJ writes and produces "Muscles," a top 10 Diana Ross hit 1983 - The Jackson 5 reunite for Motown's 25th Anniversary show in Los Angeles featuring a moonwalking MJ 1983 - Thriller conquers the charts 1983 - MJ duets with Paul McCartney for "Say Say Say," spending 6 weeks at #1 1984 - MJ wins 7 American Music Awards 1984 - MJ wins 3 MTV Music Video Awards 1984 - MJ receives 2nd degree burns on the set of a Pepsi commercial 1984 - MJ sings "State of Shock" with Mick Jagger on the Jacksons album Victory 1985 - MJ buys the publishing company owning the rights to 250 Beatles songs for $47.5 million 1985 - MJ and Lionel Richie write "We Are The World" and record the song with 43 stars to benefit USA for Africa's efforts for famine relief 1986 - MJ gets wacky with Bubbles the chimpanzee, Crusher, his 300 pound snake, and cocoons in a hyperbaric breathing chamber for shots of hyped oxygen 1987 - MJ's "Bad" tops the charts (R&B and pop) 1987 - MJ reaches #1 (pop & R&B) in Britain with the Siedah Garrett duet, "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" 1988 - MJ buys Sycamore Ranch in California - the future Neverland Ranch 1988 - "Man In The Mirror" become a #1 song 1990 - MJ wins the Entertainer of the Decade Award from the America Cinema Awards Foundation 1991 - MJ signs what is called a billion-dollar entertainment deal with Sony Music 1991 - The Dangerous album is released 1992 - MJ is interviewed by Ebony Magazine 1992 - The Jacksons: An American Dream debuts on national television dramatizing the story of the famous Gary, Indiana family 1993 - MJ performs during halftime at Super Bowl XXVII (27) 1994 - MJ retains attorney Johnny Cochran and settles a 1993 child molestation charge out of court for a reported $20 million dollars 1995 - MJ and sister Janet Jackson sound off on the song "Scream" 1995 - MJ and wife Lisa Marie Presley call it quits 1995 - HIStory: Past, Present, and Future , Book 1 MJ's double album of past hits creates some buzz and becomes a #1 best seller 1996 - MJ marries Debbie Rowe 2001 - Invincible CD is released 2006 - MJ escapes to the island of Bahrain, off the coast of Saudi Arabia, to rebuild his career 2007 - MJ is interviewed by Ebony magazine 2008 - 25th anniversary version of Thriller is released 2008 - MJ's plastic surgeon checks into a California psychiatric hospital 2008 - Rumors fly that MJ will make a comeback at a Las Vegas casino hotel Previous Post | Next Post

0 Isaac Hayes, Bernie Mac, & Samuel L. Jackson Get Soul Men Movie Focus

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/12/2008

Here's the late Bernie Mac, along with Samuel L. Jackson, in a scene from Soul Men, a new music flick in the movie pipeline also featuring Isaac Hayes. With both Mac and Hayes now deceased, I wonder if Dimension Films will stick to the scheduled USA release date this Fall of November 14, 2008? Soul Men has a familiar story. Take the sometimes strained relationship between 2 fictional legendary R&B male icons (think Sam & Dave), borrow a reunion theme from both Blues Brothers movies, and you have the core plot. Our soul men, Mac and Jackson, decide to reunite at the Apollo Theater after going their separate ways for almost 20 years. John Legend also has a prominent role in Soul Men. With the deaths of both Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac within days of each other, I'm sure there will be additional interest when Soul Men finally gets released. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Isaac Hayes Remembered

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/11/2008

Living up to his bigger than life image, here's "Black Moses," Isaac Hayes, with Millie Jackson on the cover of their 1979 album, Royal Rappin's. Check out an even steamier Hayes - Jackson photo from the flip side of the album. Isaac Hayes passed away Sunday, August 10, 2008, at age 65. He was really the biggest post Otis Redding Stax Records star who changed the face of soul music with extended free-flowing mixes of some of pop's biggest hits. "By The Time I Get To Phoenix," and "Walk on By" are just 2 examples of Hayes' progressive "deal changing" approach to the status quo of R&B songs that generally stuck to the formula of three minutes or less in the early 1970's (to make a hit). "The Theme From Shaft" made him a mega star, but Isaac Hayes was instrumental in writing and arranging songs for other artists long before the world of movies and John Shaft. 6 Isaac Hayes Hits that you don't want to miss: "Theme From Shaft" "Do Your Thing" "Walk On By" "Never Can Say Goodbye" "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" "Joy" Previous Post | Next Post

0 Patti LaBelle Saluted by UNCF

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/07/2008

The Spotlight will shine on Patti LaBelle during a taping of the 30th annual An Evening of Stars event, formerly The Lou Rawls Parade of Stars, Saturday, September 13th, 2008 at Hollywood's Kodiak Theater in Los Angeles. You'll be able to see this star studded event broadcast nationwide during January, 2009. Patti will receive UNCF's (United Negro College Fund's) prestigious Award of Excellence. Previous honorees include Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Steve Wonder, Quincy Jones, and Lou Rawls. You can win a free poster autographed by Patti LaBelle visualizing the event by going to UNCF's 30th anniversary event page for all the details. Update: link removed after the event date. Previous Post | Next Post