Soul Tracks

Anita Baker. The 'Queen of The Quiet Storm.' Once again, Anita is making headlines in the music world, the sultry songstress is set to start recording new material for an upcoming album. In the meantime, let's take a trip back to 1986. Anita Baker's debut album, Songstress, failed to put Anita Baker on the map. Anita's sophomore album, Rapture, became a smash hit. Refined, sensual, soothing and stylish, Rapture catapulted Anita Baker to the forefront of the R&B scene and she became a mainstay on 'The Quiet Storm.' Included on Rapture is 'Been So Long' a gentle song that is as sultry and seductive as the voice behind it.

Soul Fixin'

sharon jones & the dap-kings.
Retro-soul group Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings made a recent appearance on The Colbert Report to perform 'She Ain't A Child No More.' The band recently released I Learned The Hard Way, courtesy of Daptone Records, an old-school Brooklyn based soul music label. Stephen Colbert introduced Sharon & company by stating, "Children of America, one of the most important dynamic voices in the nation, Miss Sharon Jones." Hit play & enjoy.

www.colbertnation.com

Soul Tracks

1973's The Payback stands as one of James Brown's greatest albums. It was also quite ambitious, James Brown & crew made an 8 track album that extends to nearly 73 minutes, unearthing new possibilities within the James Brown sound. Included on the '73 release is one of my favorite Brown tracks, 'Doing The Best I Can.' The aforementioned track & 'Forever Suffering' included far less of James' trademark funk and a lot more soul, straight-up gut-bucket soul. 'Doing The Best I Can' is so revealing that it comes across as autobiographical. James begs, pleads, and attempts to make amends, "just a man doing the best he can." It's hard not to sympathize with Mr. Brown and it's nearly impossible not to think back on failed relationships. Pure brilliance.

Soul Fixin'

keep on pushin'.
The music of the late Curtis Mayfield cuts deep. Mayfield vocal ability may pale in comparison to other soul brothers of the 60's & 70's but there was always a message in his music. Mayfield's poignant and politically astute messages can make one shout, scream, rebel, and/or cry. More importantly, the music of Curtis Mayfield made so many individuals proud to be Black. Earlier this year, The Black Rock Coalition Orchestra paid tribute to the civil rights songbook of Curtis Mayfield. Performers included Sophia Ramos, Dean Bowman, Maya Azucena, Gordon Chambers, V. Jeffrey Smith of The Family Stand and others. Check out a few highlights from that spectacular January night.

Soul Tracks

A simple yet infectious love song. Two distinct voices, a guitar and a handful of finger snaps. And I love every bit of this acoustic duet featuring Erykah Badu and Stephen Marley. There story is all too familiar, we've heard it countless times, lovers who just can't seem to resist each other. The organic pairing of Badu and Marley breath new life into a never-ending theme. You can't help but to fall into a trance and reminisce over past and present lovers. Good music has that effect on its' listeners. 'In Love With You' is without a doubt one of the greatest love songs of the modern R&B era.

Soul Tracks

While diggin' through the crates I came across the Eddie Kendricks' gem 'Intimate Friends.' The tune was included on his 1977 Motown release Slick. Alicia Keys unearthed the track when she sampled it for her ode to everlasting love, 'Unbreakable.' Kendricks, an original member of the Temptations, launched his solo career in 1971 with the aptly titled album All By Myself. Eddie released eight more albums for the Motown imprint Tamla before moving on to Arista and Atlantic Records. Slick marked the end of Kendrick's association with Motown. Detroit native and noted songwriter Gary Glenn composed the track 'Intimate Friends,' a song that is just as smooth, sexy, and passionate as the subject matter. The groove is rich and alluring, creating the ideal setting for Kendricks' charming falsetto.

Soul Fixin'

paying homage to roy ayers.

Soul Tracks

The year was 1973, The O'Jays latest release, Ships Ahoy, was a combination of social consciousness & love. Ships Ahoy contains a lesser-known O'Jays ballad, 'You Got Your Hooks In Me.' Written by songwriter Bunny Sigler, 'You Got Your Hooks In Me' ranks alongside popular O'Jay ballads such as 'Stairway To Heaven,' 'Brandy,' 'Forever Mine,' and 'Let Me Make Love To You.' Words cannot begin to describe this song. It immediately grabs and holds you captive for five minutes and thirty four seconds. Sit back and allow The O'Jays to sing to you. You won't be disappointed.

Soul Fixin'

straight-up soul.
I've always admired Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings from a distance and I've yet to dig deep into their music. Needless to say, I came across their music video for the track 'I Learned The Hard Way' the other day & now I'm hooked. The sound is a sweet combination of the Muscle Shoals sound & Stax sound, straight up classic soul music. The video is pretty cool too. Check it out.

Soul Fixin'

summer madness.
Here's the perfect mixtape, full of Classic R&B tracks, for the coming months and warm weather courtesy of Darien Victor Birks aka flwrpt.

Tracks / Maze featuring Frankie Beverly – Before I Let Go / Stevie Wonder – Black Man / Michael Jackson – Rock With You / Jean Carn – Was That All It Was / GQ – Disco Nights / Bernard Wright – Just Chillin’ Out / Luther Vandross – Never Too Much / Patrice Rushen – You Remind Me / O’Bryan – Doin’ Alright / Diana Ross – Telephone / Mary Jane Girls – All Night Long / Keni Burke – Risin’ To The Top / Chaka Kahn – I Know You, I Live You / Stevie Wonder – Do I Do / The Jacksons – Can You Feel It / Loose Ends – Hangin’ On A String / Don Blackman – Heart’s Desire / Janet Jackson – Pleasure Principle / Bobby Brown – Don’t Be Cruel / New Edition – If It Isn’t Love / Al B Sure – Nite and Day / Bernard Wright – Who Do You Love? / The System – Don’t Disturb This Groove / Guy – Groove Me / CeCe Peniston – Walk On / Jade – Don’t Walk Away / Soul II Soul – Back To Life / PM Dawn – Set Adrift On Memory Bliss / Michael Jackson – PYT (Demo) / Fatback Band – Groovy Kind Of Day

download.

Soul Fixin'

the way he sees it.
A simple search through YouTube can uncover many gems, from long forgotten Soul Train performances to obscure videos like the one below. Soul man Raphael Saadiq and guitarist Rob Bacon make an appearance on radio station NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts. The dapper singer played an acoustic medley of songs, "Love That Girl," "100 Yard Dash," and "Sure Hope You Mean It," from his 2008 solo set The Way I See It. Sit back, relax & enjoy the show.

A Conscious Mind

the death of a icon.
A leader & trailblazer, Dr. Dorothy Height died yesterday. She was 98.

Dorothy Height, Largely Unsung Giant of the Civil Rights Era [New York Times]

Soul Fixin'

remembering luther.
Tonight across the country, radio formats titled 'The Quiet Storm' are paying tribute to one of its' main ambassadors, Luther Ronzoni Vandross. A premiere balladeer. Today, April 20, happens to be Luther's birthday, he would have been a year shy of 60. It's been nearly 5 years since the world lost Luther. The music of Luther means so much to so many including myself. My early musical memories begin with the music of Luther. My grandmother loved herself "some Lutha.'" One of my many wishes is that both Luther and my grandmother were still alive, how wonderful it would be if I could accompany my grandmother to a Luther concert.
A student of the likes of Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Cissy Houston & The Supremes, Luther was pure genius. When Luther wrapped his silky, smooth vocals around a song it became magical. The proof is in the pudding. Listen to 'Here And Now' or 'Since I Lost My Baby' or 'If Only For One Night.' Luther's rendition of 'A House Is Not A Home' is nothing short of perfection. Luther stole Dionne's song and she knew it and loved it. Peep the video below.

Soul Fixin'

go see badu on a stage near you.

tour dates

Rapper's Delight

r.i.p guru.
Legendary rapper Guru passed away today from complications from cancer.
CNN MTV

Soul Fixin'

more mixtapes.
I came across a few other mixtapes over at Devil's Pie. Be aware that both collections are live mixes. Enjoy!

download

download

Soul Fixin'

fistful of tears.
Maxwell's return has been nothing short of incredible. Brilliant performances, an incredible album & amazing music videos. Maxwell's latest video for 'Fistful of Tears' fails to dissatisfy. Simple yet effective. The vintage feel makes it all the better. Hit play & enjoy.

Soul Fixin'

mixtape madness.
While surfing the net today I came across a couple of amazing mixtapes on an amazing website, Devil's Pie to be exact. The fact that the mixtapes were created last year is irrelevant, the music of Maxwell & Aretha is timeless. Wouldn't you agree? Cali's own DJ un.d.fine is responsible for the Maxwell mix, recorded back in June of '09. DJ O-Dub of SOUL SIDES is the genius behind the Aretha mix.

download

download

Soul Fixin'

celebrating motown.
If you happen to be in the L.A area on 4.21.10 check out Devil's Pie Motown Tribute @ the Verdugo Bar featuring DJ EXPO & house DJ's Phatrick & Roza.

Soul Fixin'

The Truth About Her Hair
Contrary to a report at Media TakeOut, soultress Chrisette Michele is not bald. However, the singer has cut a good majority of her hair off and it looks great. Chrisette discussed her motivation in an interview with afrobella.

"My hair and I had a really bad argument. She was being sprayed with alcohol and burnt with irons... She was being over processed and yanked and pulled by weave strings and suffocated by glue. She told me if I didn't straighten up and fly right that she was leaving. I was out on tour, and day after day of this torturous regimen I began to feel like I was hurting myself. I wasn't being fair to my body. I was ingesting and supporting harsh products and literally ruining myself beginning with my hair. I told my band and tour family that when we all landed home in 6 weeks I would apologize to myself and begin a new relationship with myself beginning with my hair...."