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...."

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'

Amazing Grace On The Big Screen
It is with great pleasure that I present the trailer for the upcoming Amazing Grace documentary. Amazing Grace, as in Sister Aretha's landmark 1972 album Amazing Grace. In case you didn't know talk of bringing the long-dormant documentary to the big screen has been discussed for years. Back in '72 Atlantic Record's Jerry Wexler enlisted Sidney Pollack to shoot the two day performance at Los Angeles' New Temple Missionary Baptist Church. For those of us raised in the church, gospel music was nothing new but Aretha's Amazing Grace was nothing short of amazing. In the presence of her father, Rev. C.L Franklin, and her gospel mentors Rev. James Cleveland and Clara Ward, Aretha took all her troubles to Jesus and in the process took us on a scared musical journey of uninhibited conviction and sobering confessional intensity. A release date has yet to be announced, click play and enjoy.

Rapper's Delight

Nas & Damian Marley Reunite
Lately, Nas has been making headlines for reasons other than his music. Now, the Queens bred rapper is making news for his upcoming collaboration album, Distant Relatives, with Damian Marley. The rap/reggae duo's first single 'As We Enter' will be available on iTunes 2/23. Peep the video below and take a behind the scenes look as Nas & Damian discuss the joint project.

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.

Soul Fixin'

It's been an extremely long time. For a long period of time, I'd lost the desire to contribute to Public Soul Announcement. However my love, respect and admiration for soul music hasn't diminished. Needless to say, I'M BACK!!!