- Pretty Wings
MAXWELL: BLACKsummers' night
First in a trilogy, and finally arriving on July 7th is Maxwell’s long-awaited (if eight years isn’t long enough) album BLACKsummers’ Night! The first single “Pretty Wings” has received so much enthusiastic buzz that if it’s any indication of what the album is going to be like, I can’t wait any longer. It definitely adds to the rumor that we can expect more vintage Maxwell. And that’s a good thing.
Deserveumore
Musiq Soulchild: OnMyRadio
There’s no mistaking Musiq Soulchild for anyone else. This R&B artist bares his soul, wears his heart on his sleeve, each and every time he creates his lush, layered melodies and poetic, earnest lyrics. If you like Maxwell, you may dig this dude, too. If not, well give him a listen anyway.
Walk Away
Maysa: Metamorphosis
Has there been a Maysa album that I haven't yet listed on my Soundtrack sidebar? I don't think so. This is her seventh release, which again is in her classic jazz/contemporary jazz/R&B/soul style that she is famous for, but is certainly not predictable or boring in any way. "My vision for this album," Maysa notes, "was to change the music a little bit to be in line with the way I feel spiritually and emotionally. On a couple of my previous albums I was playing it a little too safe. I'm not afraid to express myself now!"
Get Away
Liv Warfield: Embrace Me
Funny how I still keep rediscovering tunes and albums I once used to listen to over and over again. This is one of them. Portland-based Warfield's debut album, "Embrace Me," which was released in 2006, is "all about acceptance and not being afraid to spread your wings to soar to the next level." Oftentimes compared to Sade, Warfield's voice has a sultry fullness that lends well to her songs that blend R&B and neo-soul. I'm hoping she gets the general recognition that she deserves -- and which has seemed to elude her still. To listen, click on her site here.
Rockin' You Eternally
Jazzanova: Of All the Things
Ever since it became possible for me to buy only tunes I love, I've been buying fewer cds. But this one I HAD to have in hand -- it's the kind I can listen to from beginning to end and not sense a dull moment. Each blends into the next without sounding repetitive; in fact just the opposite occurs. "Our music can take listeners on a journey," says Alexander Barck, one of the six members of this German Berlin-based DJ/producer collective. And just like coming back from a journey, this made me wish it could never end.
Lovin' You
DIANNE REEVES: When You Know
This song has been covered over and over again -- and I've probably heard them all. And although no one can sing it quite like Minnie Riperton can, Dianne Reeves finally gives it the justice it deserves -- jazzed up and more uptempo, and evocative of the kind of love you want to sing to the sky about. Listen by clicking on the orange BOX above.
There is a Light That Never Goes Out
THE SMITHS: The Queen Is Dead
I mentioned somewhere in my Facebook page recently that this mid-80s tune is one of my all-time favorite love songs -- and people thought I was kidding. OK, so the most obviously romantic stanza might start with "And if a double-decker bus crashes into us. To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die." But anyone who has ever felt alone and misunderstood, but was comforted by knowing that someone felt like home, then you'd understand why I was completely serious.
The Step and the Walk
THE DUKE SPIRIT: Neptune
If anyone's been paying attention to my recent Last.fm playlist it would be obvious this album's been on constant rotation on my iTunes. I love its '60s rock vibe, killer guitars, pounding drums and especially lead singer Leila Moss' cool, confident vocals. The first time I heard Moss reminded me of the first time I heard Debbie Harry over the radio -- it was like listening to an enticing sneer.
Just Like Heaven
KATIE MELUA: Piece by Piece
This late-80s song by British alt-rock band The Cure always made me melt with its tenderness. When I heard singer/songwriter Katie Melua's 2005 version I was a soppy mess on the floor. When she sings: ""Show me how you do that trick, the one that makes me scream" (h)e said. "The one that makes me laugh" (he) said. And threw (his) arms around my neck. "Show me how you do it and I promise you I promise that I'll run away with you.
I'll run away with you." You believe she will. Gladly.
Y Control
YEAH YEAH YEAHS: Fever to Tell
This tune is more than five years old, yet when it plays on my iPod while I'm running on the treadmill I'm in constant danger of falling off due to intense head bobbing. When Karen O sings, I want to be her: she's just too cool.
When Words Are Just Words
INCOGNITO: Tales from the Beach
This is not your typical "tropical paradise" beach type of music, as the album title might suggest. Here's how Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick explains his inspiration for the group's most recent release: '""When I was a kid, my first taste of music came from the beaches of Mauritius," he says. "I spent a lot of time listening to the hotel bands, or the bands playing around the bonfires and cookouts. It's a small island, so there were beaches everywhere. I was always watching live musicians play. So for inspiration for this album, I went back to various beaches around the world - in Italy, Indonesia and elsewhere - and just let the music flow." And it sure does here, in Incognito's groovy blend of retro soul, funk, jazz, and dance. As always, the vocal power here amazes. Not only does Maysa grace us with her presence on four tracks, but Joy Rose, Tony Momrelle, and Imaani remind us why Incognito continues to remain such a powerful, inspirational force after all these years.
- All Good Things
THE WEEPIES: Hideaway
The Weepies, comprised of husband-and-wife Deb Talan and Steve Tannen, have been quite busy since their debut album came out in 2006 -- creating, playing, working with other artists, touring and getting married. I'm a fan of this folk duo's honest, touching music and lyrics, which can talk about pain and longing without dragging you down. When I first heard the song "All Good Things" it sounded familiar and I quickly realized I'd heard the Mandy Moore version first; I then discovered they had worked on her album. No diss to Mandy, but I like this version much, much better. I have a feeling you would, too.
- Your Song
LOVE PSYCHEDELICO: This Is Love Psychedelico
This is Love Psychedelico's (or more affectionately known to fans as Delico) first release outside of Asia -- and it's about time. The duo -- singer Kumi and guitarist Naoki -- formed the band about a decade ago and have been singing about love and peace ever since. Their music, a blend of '60s British Invasion and classic '70s rock, combined with mad Japanese-English lyrics, is cool, catchy, and highly infectious. I can't seem to get enough of them. To listen, click here.
- Breathe
LALAH HATHAWAY: Self Portrait
This is Lalah Hath- away's fifth album, but only the third that I've heard. From what I can hear for myself, this is her best yet. So many of the tracks here are strong and can stand alone -- in fact, rather than download each and every one, I went ahead and bought the entire CD. Nowadays, I do that only when I believe in the entire package, not just some of its parts. Donny's little girl must be making her dad proud: she may have inherited his velvet voice, but she has a style all her own -- and she only gets better, trust me on this. The first track "Let Go" has been attracting lots of positive buzz, but I can't stop listening to the next song, "Breathe." It makes me do just that.
- Pump
The B-52s: Funplex
Has it really been 16 years since their last studio album (and almost 30 years since I was both stunned and seduced by "Rock Lobster")? I love the B-52s so much that I was almost equally thrilled and scared to hear they were coming out with a new album this Spring. Thrilled for obvious reasons; scared because I didn't know if they could still be relevant (they are in their '50s, after all). But as soon "Pump" burst out blazing, I knew they were back. As Strickland says: "It's loud, sexy rock and roll for your pleasure zones, with the beat pumped up to hot pink." Just the way I like it.
Speak Your Heart
LIZZ WRIGHT: The Orchard
Finally, finally it's here. Late last year I heard a full-length version of this single on -- of all places -- Facebook, and was dismayed to discover I had to wait for several months until the album was released. I've been a fan of Wright from the moment I first heard her voice; she has a way of tugging your heart that both lifts it and breaks it at the same time.
- La La Means I Love You
PHIL PERRY: The Classic Love Songs
This is such a great tune that it's been covered and sampled time and time again -- unfortunately, not always well. I love this cover by Phil Perry; it keeps the essence of what I love most about this song but adds enough of a spin to keep it fresh. To listen, scroll down to the orange BOX.
Just A Little Lovin'
SHELBY LYNNE: Just A Little Lovin'
This album isn't being released until early February next 2008 but I can't wait. Anyone who has spent enough time with me at a karaoke joint knows how much I love Dusty Springfield...and especially this song (as a kid I belted it out along to Streisand's version). For now you can hear snippets here. Included in the 10-track cd are my all-time favorites: Just a Little Lovin', Anyone Who Had a Heart, I Only Want To Be With You, and The Look of Love.
- Gone Girl
TONY RICH: The Tony Rich Project: Pictures
I remember about 10 years ago I just couldn't get away from "Nobody Knows," an R&B ballad that was receiving phenomenal airplay. I simply assumed it was yet another Babyface hit and didn't think twice about it. Then last year this cd, Tony Rich's 4th album, came out and I was wondering why hadn't heard of this artist before? Maybe it's because I got him confused with Babyface (who was Rich's mentor at LaFace), that's why! So I'm wondering now if this might explain why this multi-talented artist (he writes, sings, plays the instruments!) has flown under the radar for so long. The next time, I'll be paying closer attention.
Take Everything In
ANGIE STONE: The Art of Love & War
This is on the list of my personal top Soul/R&B releases of 2007 -- mostly old-school and laid back but always underlined with a smooth groove to keep things interesting. I've been a fan of Angie Stone's from the beginning, but I'm pretty sure this is my favorite of her albums so far. Scroll down to the orange BOX to listen.
Angel
CHAKA KHAN: Funk This
C'mon now, it's Chaka Khan. What else do I have to say?
- All I
JILL SCOTT: The Real Thing: Words And Sounds Vol. 3
Can there ever be a bad Jill Scott album? We've yet to find out. For sure, this isn't everyone's cup of tea -- but for those who like her type of brew, sit beside me, kick back, and listen. She was going through a divorce when she was recording this and it shows: even the sensual "All I" is about trying to add fire to a relationship whose embers seem to be dying out.
I Remember
KEYSHIA COLE: Just Like You
I haven't felt the searing pang of heartbreak in so long that it's easy to think I never did. Until I hear this song -- and then I remember just what it was like to still love someone but have to let go. Sucks. This album doesn't however; I'm no music expert but I predict by next year we'll be hearing about Keyshia Cole more than we ever have.
Fire and Rain
Babyface: Playlist
(Wrong album cover) Who knew Babyface loved the music of James Taylor and Bread? I never would have guessed, for sure, even if I'm a fan of the music of all three. Babyface's upcoming album mostly covers various well-loved hits of classic singer/songwriters such as Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Jim Croce, and Dan Fogelberg but includes original material. After listening to his version of Taylor's "Fire and Rain" (one of my all-time favorite songs, by the way), I can't wait for its September 18th release. Scroll down to the orange BOX to listen.
So Amazing
VARIOUS ARTISTS: Forever, for Always, for Luther II (Dig)
My husband and I were listening to this song on the radio, same way we had many times before. All of a sudden I say in my reverie: "This is such a good version." And he turns to me and asks, "What? This is the original!" And we go back and forth and argue over whether Luther Vandross or Patti Austin originally recorded this song. Of course, I insist it's Luther -- and I'm right. Still, I can't blame the guy for thinking he was right instead: when an artist covers a song and makes it truly his or her own, then it sounds just as good as if it were the original. No one can out-Luther Luther, but Patti sure can hold her own.
Best of Me
CHRISETTE MICHELE: I Am
I've been listening to this album for about a month now and I've got to say my appreciation for it only grows with every spin. Chrisette Michele's musical roots are apparent: jazz, soul, pop, and gospel. If she sounds like a seasoned pro at the age of 24, it's because she's already been performing for 20 years. Her huge talent is a knock-out: she was said to have given goosebumps to Antonio “LA” Reid, Chairman and CEO of Island Def Jam Music Group during her audition. I think she could do the same for you; she certainly did so for me. To listen, scroll down to the orange BOX and click.
Sophia
NERINA PALLOT: Fires
Singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot is well-known and popular in the UK (where she's from) although she's remained under the radar here in the US (at least from what I can tell, since I haven't been listening to the radio). I've only come across her music fairly recently, but what I've heard so far only makes me want to hear more. Tiny in stature but HUGE in talent (she writes her songs, plays the piano and guitar, and her voice can at times make me hold my breath), I predict she'll be a household name in this side of the world by the time I learn how to pronounce her last name correctly (it's pal-loh, supposedly). Scroll down to the box below to listen.
Younger Than Springtime
AMEL LARRIEUX: Lovely Standards
My father owned a copy of the South Pacific movie soundtrack and as a little girl I used to play it when he wasn't around, before I ever got to watch the film. This was my favorite song in the entire record, and so when I realized that Amel Larrieux (one of my favorite singers, ever) covered it in her latest album, I knew I had to listen to it right away. Her arrangement bears little resemblance to the original -- it's now jazzed up and low-key -- and it's testament to the sheer genius of Rogers & Hammerstein that in any form, this tune always manages to send chills up my spine. Though this is perhaps my least favorite Larrieux album, she still can do no wrong in my book. To listen, scroll down and click on the song inside the box.
Dreaming of One
TRINA BROUSSARD: The Same Girl
I first heard her name and voice on the terrific Love Jones soundtrack, which came out 10 years ago. It took many years before I encountered both again, this time when she released her solo album in 2004. Her milky-smooth voice easily transitions between jazz and R&B, and to me is like a cool sip of water on an oppressively dry, hot day. Check out her music here or click in SHARE box below to hear her sweet paean to finding that one true love. If I hadn't done so, she'd make me feel it was just a matter of time.
Greatest Love
MUSIQ SOULCHILD: Luvanmusiq
Multi-awarded Philly-bred musician Musiq Soulchild (who used to be known as Talib Johnson then Musiq Soulchild then just Musiq and then back again) has been hot in the R&B/Neo soul scene since 2000 but considers his latest album his way of reintroducing himself. "I've been away for a little while," he says. "The industry's changed and so have I - personally, mentally, psychologically. I look at my previous three albums as grade school, middle school, and high school. Now with this new album, "LUVANMUSIQ," its like I'm going off to college."All I can say is that if college now sounds like this, then it's never sounded so good. Check out his music here.
On & On
ANTHONY DAVID: The Red Clay Chronicles
Here's a guy who says he can mess around with the piano and guitar but can't play either one too well, who didn't realize he could sing until later on (it's often said he sounds like Bill Withers), but who could write music (which he often did for others). Anthony David's first album was released in 2004 but somehow he didn't cross my radar until earlier this year -- and I consider myself fortunate that he did at all. Another product of the Atlanta music scene, he hung around with India.Arie when even she didn't even know she could sing. And just like the whole world now knows she can, one listen to this man's voice lets you know he sure can, too.
A Girl Called Eddy
A GIRL CALLED EDDY: The Long Goodbye
How can I not love an album whose singer, Erin Moran, has the voice of a falling angel and whose music references Burt Bacharach and the Carpenters, as well as other great singer/songwriters? This came out in 2004 but lately I've been listening to it over and over again. Every word is genuine, every note true -- you know that when you listen to her sing, she's telling you about her life. (PS: And as far as this song goes, you -- yes you -- you know who you are. This is for you.)
That was kind of...disturbing.
Posted by: Cathy | October 16, 2006 at 07:47 AM
Cut-and-pasted from one of my earliest blog entries on the same subject:
"I sometimes think how tragic it is for some people whose sole right-to-exist is their outer beauty. They can get what they want and people will forgive them for anything just because theyre beautiful on the outside. It's a powerful force. But what happens later? What happens when their skin dries up, when their faces get wrinkly, when their boobs shrivel and sag, when their asses droop? What then? Outer beauty is a great gift. It is a gift because it isnt earned. But at the same time, it's a great responsibilty, a terrible burden, if its owner puts a high premium on it. But it's not all their fault that they put such a high premium on it. We reinforce it. We let them get away with things that we normally won't let other people with less pulchritude get away with. Most of it's our fault.
"I dont know why God made some people more beautiful than others. It wouldve been easier if he made us all look the same. No freebies. One has to earn his own way based on merit and not based on looks. Unpleasant personalities would then have been eliminated from the gene pool long ago since we wouldnt have outer beauty to cloud our judgement on who we want to boink. Ask yourself: If people all looked alike, and they based their attraction on personality, would someone want to boink me? If the answer is no, you have a lot of work to do."
Posted by: Jeg | October 17, 2006 at 12:58 AM
In our competitive society,how you look DOES matter.As I've grown younger (este older pala,lol) I have become more confident(Thanks to dove!haha)
I think people spent too much time trying to please others.Oh what a waste!!It is afterall, a matter of attitude that makes all the difference;)
Posted by: cheH | October 18, 2006 at 12:41 AM
Hi Cathy - Yes, it was, wasn't it?
Jeg and cheH - There's no doubt looks matter in our society, there have been numerous scientific studies that prove attractive people get better breaks than the rest. But what really bothers me is that the standards are becoming more unrealistic. For instance, I was being a couch potato this past Sunday and decided to notice the number of botox'd foreheads, puffy collagen-infused lips, and pulled faces onscreen...and I couldn't stop counting! Then I watched a variety show on TFC and saw a singer/actress my age -- she looked so different, she had so much work done these past few years and even more just recently. But what distracted me most were her lips, which looked like overly-stuffed pillows. I started thinking: what makes us do this to ourselves? We're so afraid of aging that we're willing to look distorted.
Posted by: Gigi | October 18, 2006 at 07:07 PM
what a fantastic ad! i'm glad dove is bravely going into an area where other beauty products currently dare not tread...i really, really hope they get their message across to as many women and men (and a host of impressionable young girls and boys) as possible...
in one of my "past lives" before i came to the u.s., i worked in the online department at one of the biggest publishing groups in the philippines, and there i saw a glimpse of the "beauty enhancements" done to cover girls and celebs - from the make-up brush to the photoshop 'airbrush'. paradoxically, it was there that i both learned to how to "enhance" my own look and at the same time become more accepting of my own body. i guess seeing all those models and artistas in their imperfect bare skin before they were all done up gave me a semi-epiphany about the 'relativeness' of beauty. :-) i just hope that seeing the dove ad will give other people a similar lightbulb moment.
Posted by: petite | October 18, 2006 at 07:23 PM
i have seen this ad from a friend's email and I thought not anyone could go through that physical and electronic makeover and appear really model like stunning at the end! There are people who have "that" basic facial and bone structure perfect for make over stuff like this. And there are also girls who are naturally beautiful but when they put on some makeup they don't end up stunning at all.
But then I agree to giving more importance to character and personality - as this aspects give physical beauty a deeper dimension.
Re: Sofia Loren, Candice Bergen, etc.
Posted by: jase | October 19, 2006 at 12:02 AM
but, but, but the mass media aside
some girls really are smoking hot. as in Whoa.
it's a fleeting sort of beauty, but it's real beauty too
Posted by: Attic Finch | October 19, 2006 at 05:59 AM
DOVE has really done good this year. Kudos to them!
Posted by: dexie | October 20, 2006 at 11:42 AM
the wonders of beauty stylists and photoshop never fails to amaze. of course for some it's not entirely impossible to aim for that type of a look, but i would imagine that involves some amount of effort and suffering.
i'd rather be relaxed and natural in my imperfect state anytime :)
Posted by: poppycock | October 20, 2006 at 05:31 PM
I also have seen this video from an email sent to me. It's amazing how we put more and more value on physical beauty and sometimes forget that what is really essential is invisible to the eye ( borrowing the words from St. Exupery).
Posted by: duke | October 21, 2006 at 02:56 AM
Hi Petite - I have a friend who is a makeup artist and she does a lot of high-profile fashion work (runway, fashion shoots, etc.). She once told me how stunned she was to discover that so many of these absolutely gorgeous models are so insecure because every single inch of their faces and bodies are always being scrutinized/criticized and compared to that of their competition. I remember thinking -- what's the point of being so beautiful if you allow yourself to feel so inadequate? But they're also so, so young; not many of them have built up the emotional armor they need to preserve their sense of self, I suppose.
Hi Jase - Oh for sure, it would be impossible to stick -- let's say me -- in front of a camera, get me spackled and coiffed and then have my image manipulated by a computer and have me end up looking like Giselle. Not even close! But when you get someone like her in front of a camera and then give her more curves or stretch out her limbs, etc...and then present it as reality, then it becomes easy to see why so many women feel they can't ever measure up.
Hi Attic Finch - Beauty is beauty, but only some kinds last forever. :)
Hello Dexie! Yes, I agree. I tell myself that no matter what, it's still marketing -- but it shows that some marketing efforts are better (and more positive/empowering) than others.
Hi Poppycock - Oh me too! I couldn't imagine what it would feel like to have people constantly picking me apart saying things like, "Oh her face is too round" or "her nose is crooked," etc. And for those who are subjected to that kind of scrutiny I hope they realize that the people criticizing them are no more perfect than they are (and are frequently much less :) ). I'm not exactly thrilled when I look into the mirror every morning -- but I quickly get over it and get on with my day.
Hi Duke - I'm certain that no one ever fell in love with me because of my face and/or body. Maybe someone liked my eyes or my smile (okay, perhaps even my boobs, hehe) but my packaging was never my main selling point. But the thing is I'm completely happy about that -- because if that's all I had to rely on, then I'd be a neurotic mess by now. :)
Posted by: Gigi | October 21, 2006 at 12:38 PM
It's also up to media to educate people about the distorted perception of beauty! It's also one's responsibility to look good or at least be presentable but not going too far with those medical procedures. Why not spend the money for these expensive procedures for a good cause instead? There are a lot of people in some countries esp children dying from famine and disease!!! They couldn't care less what you look like. But they could only see and feel that there are people like you who have a big heart that really pours out love and care. So for people who are so vain, try not to be too selfish, after all, we can't take our physical appearance in the next life! :)
Posted by: lilly ann | October 21, 2006 at 10:31 PM
Hi Lilly Ann - I guess what it comes down to is we should all find what we love about ourselves and celebrate that -- and hopefully what that is is something that only gets better with time. Thanks for stopping by!
Posted by: Gigi | October 25, 2006 at 09:42 PM