Is there a better feel good song than this? If there is, I'm not aware of it! Even though the song was recorded and released years before I was even born, I have an appreciation for vintage timeless music like this. The question is, what songs are coming out today that generations in the future can look back on like I can with this song? Hmmm......
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Classic Vibe: Bill Withers "Lovely Day" (1977)
Is there a better feel good song than this? If there is, I'm not aware of it! Even though the song was recorded and released years before I was even born, I have an appreciation for vintage timeless music like this. The question is, what songs are coming out today that generations in the future can look back on like I can with this song? Hmmm......
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
New Joint: Keyshia Cole "Love Somebody" featuring Leviti
Perhaps after giving birth to her first child last month, these new songs are a sign that she's ready to get her music career going again. Look for her new album in the late summer.
New Joint: Keyshia Cole "Only With You" (Produced by Darkchild)
Her fourth album which was originally supposed to be released on Valentine's Day and is apparently already finished will be released later this year.
New Joint: Dondria "You're The One" (So So Def Remix)
More stories are popping up like this ever day; artists being discovered on Youtube. That's how Jermaine discovered Dondria, and after flying her out to Atlanta to meet her, quickly signed her to his So So Def record label. Her current single gets the royal Jermaine Dupri So So Def Remix treatment as he has done so many times successfully before. Dondria is currently finishing up her debut album "Dondria vs. Phatfffat" which will be released June 22nd 2010.
New Joint: Eric Dawkins "Wanted" (Produced by The Underdogs) & Tank "Wanted"
As soon as I read that Eric Dawkins had recorded a song called "Wanted" produced by The Underdogs, I had a pretty good feeling that Tank had given away what was supposed to be his own first single on his album "Sex, Love & Pain II: The All Night Experience." I know Eric is a writer, but I honestly have to do some more reading to see what this is all about. I guess it's possible that Eric wrote this song for Tank, but since Tank is such a talented writer himself I know he does a lot of writing of his own. Can anyone shed some light? I have also included the Tank version to compare.
Free Mixtape Download: Bobby V. "60 Minutes"
This is a prelude to his upcoming album "Fly on the Wall" which I mentioned yesterday and will be out later this year. You may have heard a bunch of the songs on here already, but some are new. Enjoy!
Click Here to Download via Future of RnB
Upcoming Artist Spotlight: Lisa Banton "Make It Official"
A soulful voice with raw emotion is just one of the many ways to describe the amazing sound of Lisa Banton. Born in Toronto Canada, this singer/songwriter is setting the stage to make waves in the RNB world.
Growing up under the musical influence of her father, renowned gospel singer George Banton, it was only natural that she gravitated to the soul and feeling of RNB music. She began writing at the tender age of 10 and started carrying a pen and paper with her everywhere. By doing so, she honed her skills to write about not only her life but what went on around her and it’s been a testament to why her lyrics are so genuine. She went on to record many of her own songs in hopes of gaining exposure for not only her vocal talent but her incredible writing ability as well.
In an industry where the soul and conviction seems to be lost, Lisa is an artist that helps you believe that there’s still hope. Her approach is most often compared to RNB greats such as Mary J Blige and Faith Evans. Lisa is a product of what music used to be and what is needed in the present. Her music often hits the heart of her listeners and when asked about her life in music her response was quite refreshing “It’s been what I use to express what I’m feeling; whether it’s something I wrote myself or something I’ve heard. There’s a song for every moment and every feeling. Knowing and believing that helps me make music that any, if not everybody can relate to at one time or another”.
A lot of her local and national recognition has been due to her meaningful songs over more commercially known Hip-Hop instrumentals. On “How Many”, a song about unappreciated love, she explains how it feels to give it all and get nothing in return, done over Talib Kweli’s “The Blast”. On “Got One” Lisa introduces herself to the world and elusively defends her individuality on a Jay- Z inspired track entitled “Lost Ones”. Regardless of the topic, you can always tell she is singing from the heart.
With a forthcoming release “Mirror Mirror Vol.1”, collaborations with artists locally and abroad as well as upcoming show performances, she seems to be busy and primed for a successful career. Lisa Banton is ready for the future.
To listen to music from Lisa Banton visit www.myspace.com/lisabanton22
For Bookings or Information contact: lisabantonmusic@gmail.com
Upcoming Artist Spotlight: Simon Pereira "O" (Omarion Cover)
If you missed the first feature I did on Simon, check it out here. Now, here is his rendition of Omarion's Hit "O." Also, here is the bio I put together for him the first time around so you can get to know him a little better.
I have to be honest, when I discover a young new talent who not only appreciates the essence of neo-soul music but is talented enough to sing it at a high level, I get excited. Meet Simon Pereira, a 22 year old who was born and raised in West London. For someone this age, he is way ahead of his time, sporting an eclectic list of influences that include: Billie Holiday, Erykah Badu, Maxwell, Jazmine Sullivan and Donny Hathaway. Although music has always first his first and one true love, he never seriously considered this a career option until five months ago. To get things started, he launched his own youtube channel at that time and already has nearly 700 followers; a testament to his abilities. Here is one of his more popular youtube clips featuring him covering Maxwell's recent single "Pretty Wings." Take a listen for yourself and introduce yourself to this upcoming soulful talent.
Click Here To Visit His Youtube Channel
Click Here To Visit His Twitter Page
Classic Vibe: Steive B "Spring Love (Come Back to Me)" (1988)
Let's do something a little different today. In the midst of the Freestyle music explosion of the late 80's and early 90's, Stevie B was one of the biggest names and was huge in the dance clubs. Although this is far from r&b music, he did release an album in 2009 of contemporary r&b music; 20 years after his debut. In 2007, he remixed "Spring Love" with Pitbull to create an updated version of the song.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
New Joint: Atozzio "Change of Heart"
Atozzio has been in the industry for years, doing a lot of writing for other artists behind the scenes. It's about time I gave him some shine. From his Myspace page:
The power of the pen creates the greatest string of words and phrases for any writer to weave together. The melodic rhythms words generate have the ability to touch hearts, souls and minds alike. To write is a gift and Jacksonville, Florida native Atozzio has such a talent. As a youth, his mother told him that his unique name meant "great king." When he later learned this wasn't the case, he created his own meaning reflective of his passion and purpose. With his debut album on Warner Bros. Records, Atozzio looks to express through lyric and song what he has embraced his name to represent and himself to be, "a breath of fresh air. I am the savior of music."
Lost Soul: iMX "Pillow"
Let's face it, there's no denying that Marques Houston WAS this whole group. Love them or hate Immature/iMX, as they grew up the group actually had some nice r&b joints. "Pillow" is one of them, which appeared on their fifth and final studio album which was self titled.
New Joint: Marques Houston "She's Lovin" (Snippet)
Ugh, Marques is really frustrating me doing songs like this.
Classic Vibe: Slum Village "Tainted" featuring Dwele (2002)
I remember seeing this video for the first time back in the day and thinking 'Man who is that soulful cat singing and playing piano in the video?' Turns out it was Dwele who would soon make a name for himself the following year with his debut single "Hold On." I always liked this song and thought Slum Village is cool, but sometimes it's fun to look back years later to see where some artists got their start on the main stream.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Lost Soul: Dwele "Let Your Hair Down"
So many choices to highlight from Dwele's debut album, but here's one that stood out to me. It's pretty shocking that "Subject" peaked at 108 on the Billboard charts since it was such a brilliant debut. Yet another example that record sales in most cases are not a representation of talent and quality music.
New Joint: Bobby V. "Let's Get It"
I know I haven't shown Bobby V. much love in the past on this site, but I have to give him his due every now and then, the man can sing a bit. In fact, I was feeling a bunch of the songs he had on his 2007 "Special Occasion" album. My problem with him, which I also have with many other artists is, when he tries to sound too commercial and use gimmicks I can't get into it. He's currently preparing his fourth solo album "Fly on the Wall" which will be released on his personal label "Blu Kollar Dreams."
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