Soul Fixin'

Badu Speaks Out

It seems like some folks have pissed Ms. Badu off. The internet savvy Erykah Badu had a few choice words for fans who criticized her for having multiple 'baby daddys' after news of her latest pregnancy hit the net, Erykah is expecting her third child from producer Jay Electronica. Relationships with Andre 3000 and The D.O.C resulted in two children. Disparaging remarks were left on message boards over at OkayPlayer. Ms. Badu left a few remarks of her own:

"How Dare You Disrespect the Queendom ... and my children and my intelligence. I've never been so disgusted in all of my life. There is no other place I used to enjoy more. I post no where else. You guys have taken an all time low, tho."

"I put much time and thought into having and raising my children. I've had the honors of having 2 home births and 2 wonderful partners by my side. Every relationship I have been in was because I loved the person dearly and was dedicated to us "exclusively" for a number of years. The fathers of my children are my brothers and friends."

...who are we to judge?

Under The Covers

Legend has it that 'I've Been Loving You Too Long' was composed in a Buffalo, NY hotel room occupied by soul legends Otis Redding and Jerry Butler. The two were hanging out after a gig when Butler sang pieces of a song he had been working on. With the help of Otis, 'I've Been Loving You Too Long' was born. It became Redding's first Top Forty hit and was featured on his third album, 1965's Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul. In the late 60's pop darling Dionne Warwick, who was the virtual embodiment of the Bacharach/David songbook, went down to Memphis and cut a soul album along with producer Chips Moman. Among other soul classics, Dionne recorded a tender version of 'I've Been Loving You Too Long' for the '69 album titled Soulful. In the liner notes Dionne writes "I hope you will enjoy experiencing with me the joy and excitement I felt in recording Rhythm and Blues — my way." Sit back and experience the apparent soul of Otis Redding and the hidden soul of Dionne Warwick.

Video Soul

"...I love it when she calls my phone
She even got her own ringtone
If that ain't love then I don't know what love is..."

Soul Tracks

Soul Tracks is the latest feature at Public Soul Announcement. Soul Tracks will feature recordings of my choice that have been relatively unheard by the masses. Donny Hathaway's 'Yesterday' has the distinct honor of being the first song featured on Soul Tracks.

These Songs For You, Live! includes select recordings of Donny Hathaway in all his glory at The Troubadour in Los Angeles and The Bitter End in New York City along with cuts from a '73 Carnegie Hall concert and a 1972 performance at UCLA. Donny's somber interpretation of The Beatles 'Yesterday' is included on this set. Press play and behold the soul of Donny Hathaway.

Soul Fixin'

Chapter 4: Labor Pains Listening Party

Take a look at this video of Syleena Johnson's listening party for her upcoming release. Syleena is due to release the fourth chapter in her trilogy of albums, Chapter 4: Labor Pains, on September 2.

Video Soul

"Somebody play on the guitar strings
Makes me think of my favorite songs
Reminds me of when I heard Aretha sing
Gladys, Tina and Chaka Khan
Can't go back to yesterday
But can we just put the thongs away..."

Sunday Soul

Saturday Soul

Betty Wright's Explosion[Okayplayer]
Perfect Combinations -- The Soul Duets[VIBE]
Smooth Soul Survivors [SoulTracks]
Q-Tip in Super Group with D'Angelo & Raphael Saadiq?? [The BoomBox]
Old School Friday: Hip Hop [Songs In The Key Of Life]
Snoop Dogg Goes Country [Billboard]

Soul Fixin'

BK Celebrates Hip-HopThe 4th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival kicks off today. The festivities start off with 'Brooklyn Keeps On Taking It' a free concert with live performances from independent and local artists such as Fresh Daily, Sputnik Brown, P. Casso and others.

Saturday brings way for 'Brooklyn Family Day' and the main concert hosted by Uncle Ralph McDaniels with live performances from KRS One, DJ Premier, Buckshot, Zaki Ibrahim--to name a few.

Tickets for the June 12th concert can be purchased here .

Soul Fixin'

The Way I See It The soul world is anxiously anticipating the release of Raphael Saadiq's vintage soul inspired album. Public Soul Announcement has kept you up to date with the latest news on the album. Here is the latest, the album will be released this fall, September 16th to be exact. The Way I See It is Saadiq's first release since 04's Ray Ray. The Delfonics, Al Green, The Stylistics, The Four Tops, and Sam Cooke are cited as inspiration for the project. “Once I got into this, I got almost stuck ‘in character,’ the character of the old school singers I listened to. But I’m happy and excited it’s done. I put in a lot of work and I feel like I achieved something really great” says Saadiq.

According to BillboardThe Way I See It features a duet with Joss Stone titled "Just One Kiss" and "Big Easy," inspired by Hurricane Katrina.

Public Soul Announcement featured two songs off the album, if you missed it click here.

Soul Fixin'

Nas & The Wall Street Journal
In anticipation of the release of his new album, Nas sat down with the Wall Street Journal's Adviser. Readers of the WSJ aren't your typical rap fans but you can't blame a man for trying to reach a broader audience. Nas touches on his new album, jazz music and even Bob Dylan.

You're one of just a handful of people who've had a long career in hip-hop. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Hopefully I'll still be doing what I'm doing. When I watch Billy Joel, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, I see myself headed down their path. These guys have been around for decades and they still love it. I would look to them. Hip-hop is still young but we're going to see it grow older. We're going to be going to Snoop Dogg concerts in the meadow.

On the album you address race, politics and other big themes. What do you hope listeners will take away from it?
At the end of the day you should be able to go pick up a Lil Wayne album and a Nas album and not get the same thing on both. Rap should be like other music where it's not all the same content. I'm just giving people a different thing.

Your father, Olu Dara, is a jazz musician. What have you borrowed from jazz?
Jazz has a feeling to it that pushes me. I can hear the tempo and I can hear flows that I want to produce. It gives me direction for what I want to do with my words.

For the entire interview,click here.

Soul Fixin'

One On One with Chaka

Chaka Khan sits down with TV One founder Cathy Hughes and dicusses her "roller coaster career; son's legal drama and more." The hour long show, "TV One On One," airs Sunday, July 13 at 10pm on TV One.

Speaking of tough times and life altering events, Chaka says "I’ve grown. I am in present time [now] at all times. And not afraid. More fearless because I am trusting in my higher powers. I still get my usual butterflies, but I think what we’re referring to here is just a fear of feeling, a fear of feeling any pain; a fear of experiencing anything unpleasant. Fear of life. I didn’t want to experience it, and so I hibernated and medicated."

Chaka also opens up about the 2004 shooting of a family friend at her home by her son Damien, who was acquitted of charges in 2006. “I got shaken out of that with the ordeal with my son. But I took that as an opportunity…I was being spoken to in a profound way. It was definitely a lesson – a life lesson and a message. I had to be there. I had to sit up and show up [at the trial] every morning. But it’s not just that. I had to carry the Holy Spirit with me everywhere I went and stay in a constant state of prayer and surrender to God. That’s when I really learned what it means when people so flippantly say, ‘Give it to God.’”

Chaka Khan is joined by longtime friend Betty Wright during the last segments of the show and the two reminisce about the early days of their careers.

Video Soul

Mavis lets us know "A House Is Not A Home."

Soul Fixin'

Mavis Staples Records Live Album

69 year soul legend Mavis Staples, today happens to be her 69th birthday, recorded a live album back in June at Chicago's Hideout. Most of the songs from the session were taken from her critically acclaimed album We'll Never Turn Back, an ode to the Civil Rights Movement. Staples, along with a three-piece band and a trio of background singers, opened with "For What It's Worth" and went through a bundle of songs akin to the turbulent Civil Rights Movement including "Eyes On The Prize," "Wade In The Water," "This Little Light of Mine," "Why Am I Treated So Bad?," "We Shall Not Be Moved" --to name a few.

TimeOut Chicago writer Scott Smith summed up his thoughts on the live recording, "there are few living musicians who can lay claim to being America’s conscience, even fewer who continue to make vital music. On Monday night at The Hideout, Mavis Staples proved she’s still capable of both. But far more than merely being capable, the 69-year-old Staples showed she can light a fire, agitate for change or re-energize the American songbook."

The live album is expected to be available by Christmas.

Soul Fixin'

In the above video, Raphael Saadiq gives a tour of his studio and opens up about his highly anticipated upcoming vintage soul release.

Under The Covers

A verse within the song " For The Love Of You Pts. 1 & 2" describes the soulful ballad perfectly, "smoother than a gentle breeze/flowin' through my mind with ease/soft as can be..." The smooth sensual vocals of Ronald Isley make it a bedroom classic. "Day will make a way for night/All we'll need is candlelight/And a song/ Soft and long..." What better song to have than "For The Love Of You"? The song, originally a poem, was written by Rudolph Isley for his wife Elaine. Rudolph gave the song to his brothers who re-wrote the entire song. The original recording of the song was accidentally erased forcing Ronald Isley to record a second version. A Top Ten R&B hit, the song was included on the 1975 release The Heat Is On, the group's first No. 1 pop album. Joss Stone's debut album The Soul Sessions, a bevy of cover versions of 60's and 70's soul songs, included an amazing reading of "For The Love Of You.." Produced by soul legend Betty Wright, The Soul Sessions included soul musicians Benny Lattimore, Timmy Thomas, Little Beaver and The Roots. Stone transforms "For The Love Of You..." into a slow burning 7 minute epic, reminiscent of Isaac Hayes' take on "Walk On By."

Video Soul

Etta's got a hold on me...

Soul Fixin'

Ray Ray Gives Us Some 60's Soul
If one man is capable of capturing the sound and soul of the 60's its Raphael Saadiq. The former Tony! Toni! Tone! front man is busy putting the finishing touches on a 60's inspired soul album. Check out two tracks from his forthcoming album, "I Like It" featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica and "Love That Girl." These two songs sound like they were stolen from the Motown vaults.

Payin' Homage

Who doesn't love Teena Marie? The love affair began back in '79 with her Rick James produced debut Wild and Peaceful. In the beginning we all assumed Teena was a black girl singing for Motown, we were all shocked when we found out she was a white girl from California. No blue-eyed soul singer could sing a song like Teena Marie. Black or white, Teena Marie is one of music's greatest voices. Teena Marie (born Mary Christine Brockert) grew up in the West Los Angeles neighborhood of Oakwood, nicknamed 'Venice Harlem.' In hopes of scoring a recording contract with Motown, Mary changed her name to Teena Marie. 'Lady T' would eventually join the Motown family in '76 as a backup singer. Within a short period of time, she hooked up with Rick James and Wild and Peaceful was born. Teena hit the charts with the Rick James duet "I'm Just A Sucker For Your Love" and the beautiful "Deja Vu (I've Been Here Before)." The singer/songwriter/musician/producer went on to produce two hit albums, Lady T and Irons In The Fire. 1981's It Must Be Magic was her best selling album on Motown and produced the mega hit "Square Biz" and "Portuguese Love." That same year Rick James and Teena Marie made magic with the duet "Fire and Desire", a song considered to be the greatest duet in the history of R&B. Teena would eventually leave Motown and sign to Epic Records. Upon her departure from Motown, Teena Marie sued the label. As a result, The Brockert Initiative, better known as 'The Teena Marie Law', was passed, it set a precedent for artists seeking control of the careers by limiting the length of recording contracts.

The second phase of her career at Epic included the release of albums Robbery, Starchild, Emerald City, Naked To The World, and Ivory and hit songs "Fix It," "Lovergirl," "Out On A Limb," "Ooo La La La" and "If I Were A Bell." Upon taking a 10 year hiatus from the music biz, Teena released Passion Play, on her own independent label. The self proclaimed 'Queen of Ivory Soul' made a comeback in 2004 on the hip hop label Cash Money Records with the release La Dona, the highest charting album of her career. "Still In Love" and a duet with the late Gerald Levert, "A Rose By Any Other Name" proved to be hit songs. "Still In Love" garnered Teena a 2005 Grammy nomination for Best R&B Female Vocal Performance. In 2006, Teena Marie released Sapphire, she scored a hit with "Ooh Wee." Teena Marie recorded with her musical idol Smokey Robinson on the tracks "God Has Created" and "Cruise Control." Teena has since parted ways with Cash Money and rumor has it she is working a on new release described as "personal and spiritual."

Video Soul

Patti LaBelle gives new meaning to Bob Dylan's "Forever Young."