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Soul Fixin'

Earth, Wind & Fire Prepare For New Album
One of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful bands of the 70's is preparing to soothe our eardrums with some well needed new music. Earth, Wind & Fire, who are currently on tour, plan to start recording a new album in October. The project, a follow up to 2004's Illumination, is set for a mid-2009 release and will include a CD of new material, a live CD, and a concert DVD.

The legendary groups intends on releasing the project exclusively through a major retailer such as Target or Wal- Mart.“Management has done this twice with (the Eagles and Journey, both via Wal-Mart) and they've expressed interest in doing this with Earth, Wind & Fire," Phillip Bailey says. "That's the new thing today, so we're taking a template out of that whole thing. We have a history and a catalog and everything, so you don't have to 'break' us. We're still viable. Now, they're able to make really good deals and make more money for (the acts), so it's a pretty good day for us old guys."

Soul Fixin'

June Is Black Music Month
Our beloved President, George W. Bush, has proclaimed June 2008 as Black Music Month. Who said George Bush doesn't like black people? In an official proclamation, President Bush said "throughout the course of American history, black musicians have used their great talents to share the richness of the African-American experience and to develop a uniquely American style of music enjoyed throughout the world. This month, we honor the pioneers of African-American music and today's contemporary artists who have enriched the lives of people everywhere."

In honor of Black Music Month, Public Soul Announcement takes a look back at some memorable album covers.

Soul Fixin'

Celebrating Black Music MonthI can still remember the day over 10 years ago when my mother purchased Aretha's Atlantic Records debut album, I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You. This was the album that made Aretha Franklin ARETHA. It would be days later before I decided to give it a listen. I immdediately fell in love with her voice, but when I heard the last track, a mind-blowing cover of Sam Cooke's 'A Change Is Gonna Come,'Aretha sent a chill through my body and gave me goosebumps. Aretha's voice is my Dr. Feelgood. Needless to say, I'm in love with ReRe. I'm happy to announce that in honor of Black Music Month, Aretha has written an essay for AOL Black Voices that speaks of the importance of Black Music Month. In her essay, which goes live June 15, Aretha discusses her thoughts on today's R&B, "At one point, I was very concerned when the hip-hoppers came in about the future of R&B," she writes, "But now with artists like Usher, Anthony Hamilton, Fantasia, Chris Brown, Raheem DeVaughn, Erykah Badu and artists like that let me know that R&B is in good hands, absolutely alive and well and mega-watt."

In addition to Aretha's essay, AOL Black Voices Black Music Month site includes:

• An exclusive online "Jam Session" with Mint Condition paying tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire.


• Female MC YoYo, current host of VH1's 'Miss Rap Supreme' will be the featured celebrity blogger on the "Supreme Journey" blog.


• Black Voice users will be able to vote for the best albums of all time and participate in online quizzes.
  
• Interactive profiles of individuals who have made significant contributions to black music.

Click here to check out AOL Black Voices Black Music Month site