Soul Fixin'

Is Kanye The Next Marvin Gaye?
As you may know, Kanye's forthcoming album, 808s & HEARTBREAK, is a far cry from previous releases. Kanye, who has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons lately, is flexing his vocal ability on 808s & HEARTBREAK. One of the best MC's in the game decided to give up on rapping for a minute. The blame lies squarely on T-Pain and the auto-tune craze. Leery fans like myself can listen to the album in its entirety for free on Yeezy's Myspace page. 808s & HEARTBREAK drops tomorrow, November 24.

Video Soul

"because i realized i got
me myself and I
that's all i got in the end"

Soul Fixin'

Slim Offers Up Some 'Good Lovin'

Slim's video for his second single featuring Ryan Leslie and Fabolous, 'Good Lovin', has hit the net. Unfortunately, 112 is no longer a group. Slim's solo debut, Love's Crazy, hit stores on Tuesday. The song and video fit the formula for your typical run of the mill commercial R&B. Needless to say, I'm no big fan of the song or video. On the other hand, you might enjoy it. Watch the clip and let us what you think.

Soul Fixin'

Common Unveils Website & Blog
Common has ventured into new territory, the Chi-Town MC has launched his own website and blog at ThinkCommon.com. A big step for a man who has never been a big fan of the internet. Common joins a laundry list of rappers and soulsters with a blog. Partner in rhyme and fellow blogger and Chi-Town native Kayne West may have been the motivating force. The appealing site has great potential, it includes a blog, tour information, press archives, music videos, and movie trailers. Check it out.

Video Soul

Soul Tracks

Yes, today's Soul Tracks selection comes from a rapper. Can rap music be considered soul music? It sure can. Some define soul music as the output of music from the 60's and 70's. Soul music is not only Aretha and Donny or Stax and Motown. Soul music is Jay-Z, The Clark Sisters, Cassandra Wilson, Talib Kweli, John Mayer, Teena Marie, Shirley Caesar, and Kanye West. Soul music is jazz, blues, gospel, hip-hop, and rock. Soul music is 'forever music.' Common breaks it down for us "music can be forever if you make it from the heart, if you make it from the soul and it’s good. And I look at the music of like Bob Marley or Marvin Gaye or Stevie Wonder or A Tribe Called Quest, that's forever music. And I’m continuing on the quest to make forever music." Common's 'So Far To Go' is definitely forever music. The track is significant for two reasons, one, it was produced by J Dilla, who passed away in 2006, and two, it features missing in action soul brother D'Angelo, who, let's keep our fingers crossed, is working on a new album. The track borrows the love making theme from the composition it samples, The Isley Brothers' 'Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time For Love).' Common isn't your average rapper. Common is a grown ass man who has lived a lifetime of experiences. It is the 'grown ass man' within Common that allows him to rhyme about sexual intercourse without being brash, raunchy, or explicit. The mind stimulating lyrics in 'So Far To Go' are thought provoking, intelligent, and sensual. It takes a few listens before you realize Common is actually rhyming about sex. Common is deep like that. Peep the poetry in motion "let me live inside you...what your mouth don’t say...baby your thighs do...I want us to arrive together...I love it when the weather...is wet and sticky."

Soul Fixin'

Ladies, Watch Out For 'T.O.N.Y'

Solange Knowles has been garnering a fair amount of buzz with her Motown and classic soul inspired album, Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams. The black and white video for her latest single 'T.O.N.Y' a/k/a "The Other Night Y???" is available for your viewing pleasure. A ultra swanky New York City block serves as the backdrop for Ms. Knowles melodrama. The video opens with Solange strutting down the block on her way home singing her disdain for 'T.O.N.Y.' Once she arrives at her humble abode, she takes a pregnancy test. The results leave her unborn child's father in a state of shock and confusion. All in all, the video is a great compliment to an interesting song.

Soul Fixin'

Seal Misses The Mark With Latest Vid

Seal is definitely worthy of borrowing James Brown's moniker, 'The Hardest Working Man in Show Business.' The British singer has just released his fourth video for his album Soul, a tribute to soul music. The latest video is for his lackluster cover of Ann Peebles 1973 signature tune 'I Can't Stand The Rain.' The video doesn't fare much better, it's difficult to distinguish it from his previous video. Once again, Seal is shifting around a dark, decrepit room singing his heart out. The presence of Seal's band proves to be the sole difference. It may be time for Seal to slow down and get creative.

Soul Fixin'

What Singers Top Your Greatest List?

As you may know, Rolling Stone magazined has complied a list of the '100 Greatest Singers' of the rock era. The iconic magazine dedicated to music recruited a gang of singers, editors, producers and music-industry insiders, which included Clive Davis, Alicia Keys, Etta James, B.B King & Mavis Staples - to name a few, to compile the list of 100 Greatest Singers. Aretha Franklin came out on top. Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, John Lennon, Marvin Gaye, Bob Dylan, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder and James Brown all pulled in enough votes to occupy space in the Top 10. The complete list can be viewed here. The message boards over at Rolling Stone are full of dissatisfied critics questioning the mag's picks. Below is a copy of Solomon Burke's handwritten ballot. Burke's ballot included some interesting picks, accommodating the likes of Beyonce, India.Arie, Irma Thomas and Christina Aguilera. Let's assume Rolling Stone sent you a ballot. What singers would top your list? No need to undertake the tedious task of listing 20 singers, drop your top 10 picks in the comments section.

Soul Fixin'

Gym Class Heroes & Estelle 'Guilty As Charged'

Much like Q-Tip, alternative indie/hip hop band Gym Class Heroes has borrowed a page from the Beatsie Boys. The Beatsie Boys video 'Sabotage' serves as inspiration for the groups latest video for 'Guilty As Charged,' along with karate and blaxploitation flicks from the 70's. Gym Class Heroes frontman Travis McCoy takes on the role of the fictitious Lucius Black and guest vocalist Estelle portrays fictional character Foxy Nefertiti in the action packed video. Check it out.

Soul Fixin'

The Making & Magic Of Motown
The latest issue of Vanity Fair celebrates the legacy of Motown Records. The famed label is the showpiece of the mag's annual music issue. Writer Lisa Robinson explores the history of the revolutionary label through the words of Berry Gordy, Stevie Wonder, Smokie Robinson, Suzanne de Passe and other members of the Motown family. The legends of Motown discuss everything from the rumors and scandals to the Dreamgirls controversy to the Jackson 5 to Florence Ballard and Gordy's relationship with Diana Ross. Famed photographer Annie Leibovitz rounded up Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy, Lionel Richie, Martha Reeves, and other Motown alum for a historic portfolio. Lisa's article, 'It Happened In Hitsville, and Leibovitz portfolio, 'The Monarchs Of Motown' are available on Vanity Fair's website.

{Image Courtesy of Vanity Fair}

Video Soul

"in a time of need, I want to thank you for respecting me
in a time of worry, I want to thank you for calming my troubles
oh, I thank you baby
thank you honey, for loving a common man like me"

Soul Fixin'

Big Daddy Kane's 20th Anniversary
It's been 20 long years since Big Daddy Kane blessed us with his solo debut, Long Live The Kane, a standout album from the golden age of hip hop. Last week the hip hop legend celebrated 20 years in the game at B.B Kings in NYC. Kane took to the legendary stage with a live band and duo of DJ's and performed a memorable set reminiscent of a classic performance at the Palladium. Check out the video clip courtesy of Miss Info.

Soul Fixin'

Q-Tip's 'Renaissance Rap'
Days after releasing his first album since 1999's Amplified, Q- Tip has released another video for the masses. Borrowing a page from the Beatsie Boy's video for 'Sabotage,' Q- Tip and director Rick Cordero created a video for 'Renaissance Rap.' New York City serves as the backdrop for Tip's saga, in which he plays a game of cat and mouse with a group of secret agents. While Q-Tip's latest video won't help usher in a period of renaissance in hip-hop videos, it is worth watching. Take a look and let Public Soul Announcement know what you think.

Soul Fixin'

Thicke's 'Sweetest Love' Video

After raising a few eyebrows by claiming VIBE magazine has a strict policy against having white artists on the cover, Robin Thicke has released a video for his latest single 'Sweetest Love,' the perfect compliment to the sexy slow jam. The low definition black and white video alternate between two scenes, the blue eyed soul crooner singing at the piano and the bedroom featuring a scantily clad Jessica White. The ultra sexy bedroom scenes are made to resemble home a made movie. Needless to say, Thicke and his lady end up making the sweetest love.

Soul Fixin'

'Don't Ever Wonder' In Atlanta

As we all know Maxwell is out on the road doing his thing. The Maxwell Live '08 tour kicked off last month in South Africa and made stops in cities such as Detroit, Oakland, Houston, Boston, and San Diego. Maxwell will wrap things up next week in NY. Tickets are still available for his upcoming shows in Camden, NJ, Baltimore and NYC. If ticket prices are out of reach and you couldn't afford to miss another mortgage payment to see Maxwell's comeback tour, check out the clip below. Maxwell, performing at Atlanta's Civic Center, sings 'Don't Ever Wonder.'

Video Soul

"I'm lost without you
can't help myself
how does it feel?
to know that I love ya baby"

Soul Fixin'

The Sacred Soul Of Al Green
While surfing the net, I came across the video below. This is something you need to see. Recorded in July, this video shows Al Green singing 'How Can You Mend A Broken Heart.' 36 years after recording the Bee Gee's song for his 1972 critically-acclaimed album Let's Stay Together, Al Green is still the ambassador of love's pain and pleasure. Somewhere in between the sacred and secular exist the music of Al Green.

Soul Fixin'

Get Ready For BETJ Awards Show
BET's sister network BETJ, the place to discover real singers and musicians creating alternative soul & mature hip hop, will bring viewers its first ever awards show, The BET J Virtual Awards, slated to premiere on BET J on Tuesday, November 25 at 8:30 p.m. The ceremony, co-hosted by Nia Long, Chris Spencer and Claudia Jordan, will include appearances by Terrance Howard, SWV, En Vogue and Musiq with performances by Chrisette Michelle, The Roots, Robin Thicke, Erykah Badu, and Raheem DeVaughn - to name a few. Categories include Best Underground Artist, Soul Approved, and Live Performer of The Year. Erykah Badu & Alicia Keys lead the pack of nominees that includes Gnarls Barkley, Angie Stone, Jill Scott, Mary Mary, Estelle and others. Check out the BETJ Virtual Awards website to peep the complete list of nominees, watch a few videos and peek at a few flicks.

Soul Fixin'

LaBelle Is On Tour
After reuniting to record their first album in 32 years, LaBelle is hitting the road to bring their one of kind brand of funk, rock & soul to a city near you. The tour, LaBelle's first tour since 1977, kicks off next month at New York's famed Apollo Theater and makes stops in cities such as Detroit, Los Angeles, and Chicago - to name a few. The comeback album, Back To Now, the group's first album since 1976's Chamelon, is in stores now and includes production from Lenny Kravitz and Philly soul architects Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff.

December 2008
19 - New York, NY - Apollo Theater

January 2009
10 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
17 - Atlantic City, NJ - Taj Mahal
18 - Detroit, MI - Fox Theatre
29 - Los Angeles, CA - Nokia Theatre
30 - Oakland, CA - Paramount Theatre

February 2009
13 - Washington, DC - Constitution Hall
14 - Atlanta, GA - Civic Center