Soul Fixin'

wake up everybody!

In case you don't already know, John Legend & The Roots have collaborated on a 60's & 70's soul inspired project. Wake Up, set to be released September 21, features 11 covers of soul's social & political anthems such as 'Wholly Holy' & 'Little Ghetto Boy.' Unfortunately, these songs are still relevant and in need of a new audience. Big up to John & The Roots crew for making it happen. Check out the video below, a live studio performance of Baby Huey and the Babysitters' 'Hard Times.'

Soul Fixin'

Get In Tune With Tony Williams

The soulful voice behind many Kanye West hits is emerging from the shadows with his debut mixtape, Finding Dakota Grey. The 27 track mixtape gets my stamp of approval. Without a doubt, you should download it immediately.

Soul Fixin'

Soundtrack For A Revolution
Acclaimed actor Danny Glover is behind a new startling documentary. Soundtrack For a Revolution examines the songs of the powerful Civil Rights Movement. Artists such as John Legend, Angie Stone & Joss Stone infuse new life into the battle cries of the Civil Rights Movement. Included are dramatic images, archival footage & interviews with the likes of Harry Belafonte, Andrew Young & Congressman John Lewis. Check out the official website for upcoming screenings. In the meantime, enjoy the trailer below.

Video Soul

"can we wait just a minute
turn that TV off for a minute
now, politics and talking shit aint really none of my business"

Soul Fixin'

Watch John Legend's Latest Video

John Legend has practically fallen off my radar. The new sound displayed on his recent release, Evolver, isn't my cup of tea. I'm longing for the soul of his brilliant debut, Get Lifted. Needless to say, J. Legend has dropped a video for his second single, 'Everybody Knows.' New York City serves as the backdrop and various couples from all walks of life make cameos throughout the video. Legend leaves a lot to be desired. Check it out and judge for yourself.

Saturday Soul

A First Hand Account of Maxwell's Return To NYC [VIBE]
Alaskan Blacks Speak Out On Palin [Chicago Defender]
The Fight Continues...Aretha Responds To Tina Turner [USA Today]
Introducing Leigh Jones & Taiwah [Songs In The Key of Life]
Young, Black, and Republican...Say What? [Hip Hop Republican]
John Legend & Brandy Create New Music Together [SoulBounce]
50 Cent's Directorial Debut...Oh Lawd!!! [Rolling Stone]
Rolling Stone Delivers The Truth About Sarah Palin [Rolling Stone]
Al Green Performing 'Good Times on Soul Train...Classic Sh*t [YouTube]
Maxwell Returns to NYC [YouTube]

Soul Fixin'

John Legend & Raphael Saadiq Will Tour Together
What do John Legend and Raphael Saadiq have in common? Not only are the two superb musicians and singers but the duo will be hitting the road together this fall. That's right, John Legend & Raphael Saadiq. It doesn't get much better than that. The 14-date trek kicks off November 19 in Minneapolis, weeks after the release of Legend's Evolver, due October 28. The soul brothers will be singing their way through Chicago, Boston, Philly, Charlotte, Detroit and other cities before wrapping things up in Durham, North Carolina. Hit up Billboard for the complete itinerary. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.

Saturday Soul

Conversation with Raphael Saadiq [OkayPlayer]
Rare Photos of Michael Jackson [Rolling Stone]
Soul Bounce Is Down To # 1 [Soul Bounce]
Remembering Bernie Mac [VIBE]
Aretha & Her Man [C+D]
Common Drops A New Video [Soul Bounce]
WILL.I.AM & John Legend at the DNC [VIBE]
Hurricane Katrina: 3 Years Later [Black Voices]

Soul Fixin'

Obama's Big Night In the words of Betty Wright "tonight is the night." 45 years ago, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his 'I Have A Dream' speech at the March on Washington. 1963 was also marked by the assassination of Medgar Evers and the bombing of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham that resulted in the deaths of four little girls. 45 years later, black man, Barack Obama, will deliver the most important speech of his political career as he formally accepts the Democratic nomination. A historical moment indeed. Obama will stand before 75,000 people at Invesco Field in Denver, Colorado. Hopefully, this Presidential hopeful will offer us more than a mere dream. Obama must deliver a plan to solve the numerous problems facing this nation.

In memory of Dr, King's historic 'I Have A Dream' speech, the DNC will offer a tribute to the civil rights leader that will include Rep. John Lewis, Rev. Bernice King and Martin Luther King III.

Jennifer Hudson has been handpicked by Obama to serenade the crowd with her rendition of the national anthem. The convention will end on a soulful note, Obama family favorite Stevie Wonder, John Legend, and Will.i.am are scheduled to close the show.

Soul Tracks

Gospel music is the bedrock of American music. The influence of gospel on modern music is undeniable. Soul and R&B are direct descendants of the sacred musical form. Somewhere in between the sacred and secular exist John Legend's 'It Don't Have To Change.' The Ohio native received his musical training in the church. Legend's gospel upbringing overflow on the reflective 'It Don't Have To Change' from his debut project Get Lifted. The gospel tinged song invokes memories of a family gathered around an organ singing the songs of Zion. John's family, The Stephens clan, join the soul singer on the track. The Stephens' may not sing the praises of the Lord but they do reflect on the joys and pains of family life. Any song that has the ability to remind me of my grandmother and family gets a soul clap from me. 'It Don't Have To Change' does just that.

Soul Fixin'

John Legend's DNC Performance

John Legend took his message of hope and change to the main stage of the Democratic National Convention last night. Legend, along with the Agape International Choir sang 'If You're Out There,' a call to action anthem from his upcoming release Evolver. The song is available for download on Obama's official website. Evolver,Legend's first studio album since 2006's Once Again, includes tracks with guest Kanye West, Estelle, Andre 3000 and others.

Soul Fixin'

John Legends Opens DNC
I'm sure many of us will be tuning in to see Barack and Michelle Obama at the Democratic National Convention. Be on the look out for John Legend as well. The five time Grammy Award winning soul singer will premiere his new song, 'If You're Out There,' during a historic set opening the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Reflecting the themes of hope and change, 'If You're Out There' calls upon us to make a difference, "we're the generation/we can't afford to wait/the future started yesterday and we're already late." The song will be available online following Legend's performance. Legend's performance and the DNC can be seen tonight at 8 on TV One. Michelle Obama, Jesse Jackson Jr., Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg and others will be speaking at the convention tonight.

Payin' Homage

At any family function, you can rest assured someone is gonna throw on Al Green's classic 'Let's Stay Together.' Slowly, but surely, everyone is up snappin' their fingers and doing a little two step. For three minutes all your worries are a thing of the past as Al Green's seductive falsetto complimented with whispers and animated cries seep through the speakers. As the song draws to an end, someone is always overcome with emotion because Al Green has that effect on people. For over thirty years Al Green has sung us through the good or bad, and happy or sad. We've cried, contemplated relationships, made love and even found salvation in the music of Al Green. Upon the release of a new album, Lay It Down, it is only right that I pay homage to Al Green. Born Albert Greene in 1946, Al Green found fame with Memphis producer Willie Mitchell. Songs such as 'Let's Stay Together,' 'Tired of Being Alone,' and 'I'm Still In Love With You' turned Al Green into a soul sensation. As the 70's came to an end, Al Green was injured while performing on stage. He saw that as a sign from God to stop recording secular music. Eventually, Al would return to his musical roots and begin pastoring his own church in Memphis. Without a doubt, Al Green was born to sing the gospel. Success continued to follow Al Green as he recorded top gospel hits and received numerous Grammy Awards. Since 1985, Al has recorded 4 secular albums, Lay It Down is his latest release. The critically acclaimed album was released in May and includes production by ?uestlove of the Roots and features John Legend, Corrine Bailey-Rae, and Anthony Hamilton. Lay It Down, is considered by many to be one of the best albums of the year. Take a listen to two tracks, the smooth 'Stay With Me' featuring John Legend and the Green-Bailey Rae duet 'Take Your Time,' a sweet sentimental song of pure surrender.

Soul Fixin'

A Legend Sings For A King


I came across this video today and decided to share it with you. The video was included on The History Channel documentary 'KING,' a stirring look at the life and legacy of Martin Luther King. The clip takes a look at John Legend in the studio as he breathes new life into U2's 'Pride(In The Name of Love),' an ode to the lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King. Various clips of Dr. King and unforgettable moments of the Civil Rights Movement appear throughout the video.

John Legend's upcoming project hits the net and stores October 28. Evolver, Legend's first studio album since 2006's Once Again, includes tracks with guest Kanye West, Estelle, Andre 3000 and others.

Soul Fixin'

New Music from John Legend
Has John Legend lost his soul in the hopes of going mainstream? John Legend describes the sound of his upcoming album as "a little more uptempo and pop sounding." The first single, "Green Light" featuring Andre 3000, off his upcoming album lacks that soulful John Legend sound. I was quite anxious to hear something new from John Legend, "Green Light" isn't what I was hoping for, I hope it isn't a sign of things to come. Take a listen for yourself.

Video Soul

Above is the latest video from Chrisette Michele. "Love Is You", produced by John Legend, is the latest single from her debut album I Am.

Soul Fixin'

Legend Looking Forward to Third Release

Two albums deep into the game, John Legend is in the studio working on a third album, which is slated to be released in September. Legend describes the as-yet untitled album as more mainstream and radio friendly than his sophomore album, Once Again. "The last record was mellower, the production this time is a little more up-tempo and more pop sounding.." Legend's debut album, Get Lifted, has sold 2.1 million copies, while Once Again went platinum. Speaking of the decline in sales, Legend says “Once Again was difficult for people to digest because it wasn't any one radio format,it was between formats and there wasn't an obvious place for everything to fit. I’ve been successful without a huge radio hit up until now so I don’t think about the radio when I make songs. Artistically, Once Again was a great album, better than Get Lifted. I had a bigger tour on the second album and it set me up to be an artist that's around for a long time so I just have to capitalize on that.” John is embarking on a new direction in the marketing of his music. In hopes of coming up with new and unique promotional strategies, John has met with several advertising agencies.“I want to go beyond what the label machine always does and think of some cool ideas,” said Legend. “Labels get into a creative rut. I want an ad firm that launches other products to use their knowledge to launch my music. It'd be cool to get ideas from a firm that can still reach my marketplace. We're taking proposals now so as soon as we decide on one we can decide the launch date and direction.”

Soul Fixin'

New Music DropSelf Potrait Lalah Hathaway

The Declaration Ashanti

Live From Philadelphia John Legend

Live In Orlando The Funk Brothers

Jeanius Jean Grae & 9th Wonder

The Stax Story Various Artists

Poet II Bobby Womack (reissue)

Dynamic Duo Jimmy Smith & West Montgomery

Southern Nights Allen Toussaint

Our Kind Of Soul Hall & Oates

And Justus For All Little Brother

Straight Outta Compton 20th Anniversary Edition NWA

Greatest Hits Pimp C

Soul Fixin'

AL GREEN LAYS IT DOWN
The Rev. Al Green, has recorded an album with production by James Poyser and ?uestlove of the Roots. John Legend, Anthony Hamilton, and Corrine Bailey Rae make guest appearances. Rolling Stone magazine describes the Green-Rae duet as "the supreme booty call music movement." Interesting...Al Green...Corrine Bailey Rae...booty call doesn't come to mind..but anyway.. The Dap-Horn Kings, guitarist Chalmers “Spanky” Alford (Mighty Clouds of Joy, Joss Stone) and bassist Adam Blackstone (Jill Scott, DJ Jazzy Jeff) also contributed to the project. Lay It Down began during a session at the Electric Lady Studio in Greenwich Village. "That was such a session. We sketched out eight songs and really started the project....Everybody contributed and that's why it feels so good. There were no big 'I's and little 'you's' in there. All of us dreamed it up together." said Al Green. Lay It Down draws on the high spirited funky sound created by Green and Memphis producer Willie Mitchell with a modern twist. The critically acclaimed album will be in stores May 27.

powered by ODEO

Soul Fixin'

BET HONORS
If you thought you were too cool to watch BET Honors, BET's new award show, you missed out on a good show. BET Honors honored Alicia Keys, Richard Parsons, Dr.Cornel West, Tyra Banks, Maxine Waters and Janice Bryant Howroyd. Raheem DaVaughn, Jill Scott, Stevie Wonder, Ne-Yo, John Legend and Gladys Knight performed. Stevie, John Legend, and Gladys gave an AMAZING performance. I couldn't find future air dates, I'm sure BET will air the show 1,000 times so be on the look out!!! You can also check out The BET Honors website and watch the entire show online.