0 Remixes Drive Thriller 25 for Michael Jackson

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 02/13/2008

Can Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas put some pop into Thriller 25 with a resuscitated remix of "The Girl Is Mine?" Will Kanye West find love with his "Billie Jean" remix for M.J.? Michael Jackson's Thriller 25 CD is here with videos, remixes, and zombie artwork galore. Your browser does not support the audio element. You be the judge. Listen to 25 seconds each of the new "Billie Jean" and "The Girl Is Mine" remixes. Previous Post | Next Post

0 10 Glamorous and Gritty Grammy Highlights

• Commentary
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 02/11/2008

The 50th Annual Grammy Award telecast was a surprising winner. Great music performances overshadowed the disbursement of awards. There was so much eye-candy going on during many of the performances that you could mistake the jamming for a Hollywood musical. In order, here are my 10 Glamorous and Gritty Grammy Highlights: Beyonce' & Tina Turner's tag-team performance of "Proud Mary." Rihanna & Morris Day (pictured above) along with the Time delivering a seemingly well-rehearsed showstopper. Aretha Franklin's gospel tribute along with a cast of "thousands." Kanye West's acceptance speech for Best Rap Album. He refused to take the hook and get off the stage as he saluted the memory of his late mother. The "Rhapsody in Blue" jazz/classical tribute to George Gershwin featuring Herbie Hancock. Alicia Keys singing duet with a digitally recreated Frank Sinatra video. Good tape editing on Frank to pull this off! Amy Winehouse's mystical comments live from London for winning Record of the Year for "Rehab." George Lopez urging Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama to select "a Mexican" running mate for vice president. Herbie Hancock winning the Grammy for Album of the Year...River: The Joni Letters. A real surprise. Mary J. Blige sticking out her rear end (and never facing the camera) while pimping for Chevrolet in the best commercial of the evening. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Grammys Sing for 50 Golden Moments this Sunday

• Commentary
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 02/06/2008

Do you have the patience? Do you have the stamina for another gut wrenching marathon of garbled gab, glittering bling, boring back stories, and haphazard harmonies from stars who may or may not have ever sung with each other? This is the promise of the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, this Sunday, February 10th, from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. CBS Television is promising an 8 pm - 11:30 pm Eastern show, but look for the live event to run over in it's time slot, as usual. Some of the planned artist collaborations look frightening. Many are quite a stretch. However, look for the Grammys to go all out for their 50th anniversary show. A soulful highlight may be Rihanna teaming up with a reunited 'the' Time for a special 50th anniversary segment. The music industry is in turmoil because of the expectation by a new generation of fans that tunes should be free. Look for the performers to put their best game face on in an attempt to drive casual and passionate viewers alike to create some buzz about the 50th Anniversary Grammy beat...and to seek out the music. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Billy Ocean Navigates Rough Water for New Musical Shores

• Biography
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 02/05/2008

Billy Ocean has recorded a new song "Chained," for the forthcoming Wilburforce 200 album A Change is Gonna Come, due for a February 25th release. Billy recently performed at the 2008 Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues festival on January 26th, in Montego Bay. This show also featured a controversial appearance by Diana Ross. Billy Ocean is the biggest selling British black artist of all time. During a 30+ year career, he has sold in excess of 30 million singles and albums worldwide. Most of his success came in the 1980's. Billy, birth name: Leslie Sebastian Charles, was born on January 21, 1950, in Fyzabad on the Caribbean Island of Trinidad. In 1958 his family immigrated to England in search of work, settling in the East End of London. His first single was released under his own name Les Charles in 1971. In 1975, adopting the name Billy Ocean, he signed a production deal that resulted in little commercial success. Billy's first album, Billy Ocean, was released in 1976 and contained four singles that generated increasing attention in the UK. After another 1979 release, an additional record on CBS, and much touring in the early 1980's, Ocean finally exploded in September 1984, renaming the single "European Queen" and re-releasing it as "Caribbean Queen." "Caribbean Queen" would sell a million copies on the international stage and win a Grammy Award. A 3rd version of the song called "African Queen" was recorded for the African music market cresting on their charts for 10 weeks. In 1985, Ocean toured America for the very first time, including a gig at JFK stadium in Philadelphia as part of Live Aid on July 13th. 1986 brought more success with "When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going" and "Love Zone." Billy spent most of 1987 recording his next album. One song from the record, "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car," caused some controversy when it was released as a single in 1988. Despite reaching # 3 in the U.K., British radio nearly banned the song because a national newspaper implied that "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car" referenced child molestation. Billy explained that while growing up as a teenager none of his friends drove cars, most of them rode scooters, so a song called "Get outta my dreams, get onto my scooter" just wouldn't have worked. After years of hard work and well-earned success, Billy decided to take time away from the music business and devote himself to his family. A "Greatest Hits" collection was released in September 1989, becoming Ocean's biggest selling UK album going platinum. By 1993 the music scene had changed and Billy's next studio album had changed with it. "Time To Move On" was recorded in Chicago with R. Kelly, who had been a long time admirer. A new image accompanied the album with a younger looking Billy Ocean sporting dreadlocks following his conversion to the Rastafarian religion. In September 1998 Jive Records issued Love Is For Ever, a 24 track double album covering much more of Billy's back catalogue. Ocean continued to stay out of the limelight for the next few years, performing once at the South Africa Freedom Day concert on Sunday, April 29th, 2001. The Freedom Day concert held in London's Trafalgar Square honored the 7th anniversary of South Africa's free elections. Billy Ocean continues to live in England and enjoys spending time with his family, gardening at his home in Berkshire and performing around the globe with the Ebony Steel Orchestra. Visit Billy Ocean's official web site for more Billy Ocean lore. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Erykah Badu's Classic Soul Shape Shifter

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 02/03/2008

Dallas, Texas, native Erykah Badu's latest video, "Honey," contains a buffet of several vintage classic soul album covers and more, but that's not all... Watch the entire video below to see Erykah morph into some of your R&B favorites. Be on the lookout for: De La Soul - 3 Feet High and Rising Diana Ross - Blue Earth Wind & Fire - Head to the Sky Eric B. & Rakim - Paid in Full Funkadelic - Maggot Brain Grace Jones - Nightclubbing LaBelle - Chameleon Minnie Riperton - Perfect Angel Nas - Illmatic Ohio Players - Honey Olivia Newton-John - Physical Rufus - Rufus featuring Chaka Khan The Beatles - Let It Be Her new album, New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War) hits stores Tuesday, February 26th, 2008. Unpredictable Erykah has a lot going on, so check her out! Previous Post | Next Post

0 Musical Men Missing from NAACP Image Award Nominations

• Commentary
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/30/2008

Mary J. Blige, Beyonce', Alicia Keys, and Jill Scott lead the nominees in the female music category for the 39th Annual NAACP Image Awards. The awards honor projects and individuals that promote diversity in the arts, television, music, literature and motion pictures. "Stand Up and Be Counted" is the theme of this year's show. In the music category, is the NAACP missing the boat among younger male artists? Or, in the age of hip hop, is there a reason that the modern R&B genre is being dominated women? Only Prince is represented in the Outstanding Male Artist category. You can watch the NAACP Image Awards live on Valentine's Day, Thursday, February 14, 2008, 8:00-10:00 pm Eastern on Fox. Here are the nominees in the Recording Category: Outstanding New Artist: Corbin Blue - Walt Disney Records J. Holiday - Capitol Sean Kingston - Sony Outstanding Male Artist: Prince - Columbia Records Outstanding Female Artist: Alicia Keys - J Records Beyonce' - Columbia Records Jill Scott - Hidden Beach Recordings Mary J. Blige - Geffen Outstanding Duo or Group: Stephen Marley & Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley Outstanding Jazz Artist: Kirk Whalum - Rendezvouz Entertainment Patti Austin - Rendezvouz Entertainment Outstanding Gospel Artist - (Traditional or Contemporary): Marvin Winans - Pure Springs /EMI Gospel Sounds of Blackness - Sounds of Blackness Records Outstanding World Music Album: Angelique Kidjo - "Djin Djin"- Razor & Tie Various Artist - "Putumayo Presents: World Hits" - Putumayo Outstanding Music Video: "Beautiful Liar" - Beyonce' - Columbia Records "Just Fine" - Mary J. Blige - Geffen "Like You'll Never See Me Again" - Alicia Keys - J Records Outstanding Song: "Beautiful Flower" - India.Arie - Universal Republic "Just Fine" - Mary J. Blige - Geffen "Like You'll Never See Me Again" - Alicia Keys - J Records "Umbrella" - Rihanna feat. Jay-Z - Island Def Jam Outstanding Album: Alicia Keys - "As I Am" - J Records Mary J. Blige - "Growing Pains" - Geffen Previous Post | Next Post

3 Motown Hits & Misses: High Inergy, Dynamic Superiors, & Willie Hutch

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/28/2008

In the late 1970's, after Motown headed to Hollywood, motor city magic just wasn't the same in the city of Angels. Rick James and Smokey Robinson were still cashing in with hits, but for another group of artists, times were tough. Motown has signed plenty of groups through the years who have had only marginal success, if any. Pasadena California's High Inergy, is one girl group who never quite broke through. From their 1977 album Turnin' On, "You Can't Turn Me Off (In the Middle of Turning Me On)," showed much promise. A Sister Sledge type act, High Inergy just didn't receive the high profile producers, or the right promotion. Personnel changes also hindered their growth. Washington D.C.'s Dynamic Superiors are another Motown group who ended up on the "B" list. Motown tried hard to showcase this act. Dynamic Superiors recorded 5 albums for the label between 1975 - 1978. 1976's Give & Take, produced by Brian Holland for Holland-Dozier-Holland Productions, included spirited material along with covers of "Nowhere To Run" and Stevie wonder's "All In Love Is Fair." Much of the Dynamic Superior's uptempo music was awash in a sea of generic disco rhythm. This didn't help differentiate them from similar sounding acts. Willie Hutch excelled as a producer and writer of many hits for a variety of artists including the 5th Dimension. He produced early Motown releases by Michael Jackson and Smokey Robinson. One song Hutch is best remembered for as a solo artist comes from the soundtrack of the 1973 movie The Mack. "Brother's Gonna Work It Out" is a classic soul marvel, in the best tradition of "Shaft," "Superfly," and Bobby Womack's "Across 110th Street" (recently featured in American Gangster). Hutch's Havin' A House Party was released by Motown in 1977. He was an average talent as a performer, and an exceptional talent as a producer. Bonus: Listen to a 1 minute and 45 second montage of High Inergy, the Dynamic Superiors, and Willie Hutch. I also add some audio details to the tracks!  Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, & Diana Ross on January 24th

• Flashback
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/23/2008

Here are some memorable moments credited to January 24th: 2004 - Janet Jackson & Justin Timberlake perform the "wardrobe malfunction" halftime act at Super Bowl 38 in Jacksonville, Florida. 1987 - Luther Vandross has the number 1 R&B song, "Stop To Love." 1982 - Diana Ross sings the national anthem at Super Bowl 16 in Pontiac, Michigan. 1970 - The Chairmen of the Board have their first and biggest hit, "Give Me Just a Little More Time" (#8 R&B, #3 pop). Previous Post | Next Post

0 Who had the most Popular Digital Single in 2007?

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/22/2008

Rihanna had the most popular digital single in 2007. Her hit "Umbrella," sold more than 2 million downloads for the pop - R&B artist, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. 9-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys' third studio album, As I Am, has sold more than 2 million copies. As I Am, released in November, 2007, was certified Gold, Platinum and double Platinum in just one month. Alicia has sold more than 13 million albums since her 2001 debut Songs in A Minor. 18-year old Virginia native Chris Brown, the young hip hop - R&B sensation, has also been awarded a 2007 Gold and Platinum record for his album Exclusive. Senegalese-American hip hop artist Akon has scored digital single Gold and Platinum certification for three 2007 releases: "Smack That," "I Wanna Love You," and "Don't Matter." For the calendar year 2007, the RIAA awarded 276 albums, 106 digital single, and 165 Master Ringtone awards for gold and platinum sales. Gold means 500,000 units sold. Platinum tops one million copies. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Michael Jackson's Thriller 25 Seeks Love on Valentine's Day

• Commentary
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/17/2008

The 25th anniversary edition of Thriller is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, February 12, 2008. Will Michael Jackson find love right before Valentine's Day? When the 25th anniversary edition of Superfly was released in November, 1997, Curtis Mayfield fans hit the jackpot. The 2 CD set included all of the original songs from 1972, plus a bonus CD featuring a long Curtis Mayfield interview, some Curtis Mayfield radio public service announcements, plus new alternative mixes of most of the original songs. Will Thriller 25 live up to this standard? You can argue that both Superfly and Thriller are important albums in the history of classic soul. Both were innovative, commercially successful, and huge crossover hits. With sister Janet Jackson scheduled to release her own new album in February, will Thriller 25 receive any interest after so many previous Michael Jackson greatest hits collections? There will be 3 versions of Thriller 25 according to Sony BMG Music: A CD + Bonus DVD with the classic album cover featuring the debut of the Moonwalk from the Motown 25 celebration and a 20 page booklet. A CD + Bonus DVD with a newly designed "zombie" album cover featuring the debut of the Moonwalk from the Motown 25 celebration and a 20 page booklet. A hardbound case + book deluxe edition with a 48 page booklet as well as the CD + Bonus DVD. I don't see anything so compelling that would encourage me to grab a copy of Thriller 25 based upon these 3 descriptions. It's really all about the music, not collectable CD covers. Thriller 25, The World's Biggest Selling Album of all Time is plastered on the CD cover. Have you forgotten? We'll see if Michael and Janet can reenergize sagging careers with their February 2008 releases. Previous Post | Next Post