Originally published 10/10/10 but because every Friday here is Jodeci Friday I thought it was due for a repost.

Certain songs you can mark the very minute that you heard them and the response you felt immediately. For me that is definitely the case with the Jodeci classic “Forever My Lady”.

In the late summer of 1991 I happened to have the television tuned into BET B.V.(Before Viacom) but I had stepped out of the room for a few minutes to do something and while I was making my way back I caught the last minute or so of the video (from Devante Swing’s keyboard solo out). Sonically struck I could only mutter to myself “What was that?” Whenever I stop and ponder in that manner I’m hooked because the inquisitive side of me is kicking into action. (more…)

I’ve always held Tony Rich in the highest regard as a singer/songwriter. To me he has this impeccable talent to convey these rich textures of emotion and make you feel like he’s writing from your personal journal. A perfect testament to this virtue is Tony Rich’s NEW single, Fade Away. This song, told from a man’s perspective, displays the melancholy and mixed emotions that can often happen within a break up. Hearing this song leaves my heart anxious to hear his upcoming album, Speak Me due to release this summer. Matter of fact, you can get “a taste” of the upcoming album, pre-order your autographed copy and instantly download Fade Away by going to The Tony Rich Project now on Hidden Beach Records!

Over the past several weeks my morning routine has been to awake and catch an episode of Soul Train. I’m roughly the age of Soul Train so those episodes in the early days of the show (mainly before 1974) I don’t have much of a recollection of if any. When I began this new routine, the re-airings happened to be in the mid-80′s which is an era of the show that I know very, very well. But somehow… somehow at certain parts of the show I felt that I had amnesia. Literally. Yes, I knew (most of) the acts, a majority of the songs, but there were some songs and groups that just were not memorable at all. To be blunt, they weren’t memorable because they weren’t very good which is the impetus for this blog title.

Birth of A Music, A Movement[Repeat] All musical movements have their initial gestation period, usually as a response to or outgrowth of another movement, then a period of insurgency where it grapples the dominant musical force, then it becomes the musical force moving the culture, followed by a period of sophistication and widespread adaptation followed by a decline whereby it takes up residence in the museum as opposed to the street. In this country in particular every single genre of music that you can name began as folk music, music of the folks in the street as it were long before it became co-opted and a commodity. At this point I would like to pause and point out that I’m not necessarily deeming that all commercialization of music is bad, quite to the contrary artists have to eat, I’m merely pointing out that the vibrancy of a musical movement is usually at its apex when the suits arrive, because they are always late to the party.

I Hear Ya!

Even though I was born in the 70′s I didn’t get my ears until the 80′s and those ears probably weren’t refined until sometime in the 90′s. Growing up I heard a lot of music but I don’t know how much I really listened to. Now, of course we can revisit everything and this Soul Train ritual has been great in that respect. Having made it through the 80′s episodes and 90′s episodes I must say that at a point in the mid-90′s some of the shows became unbearable to watch, partly due to Don Cornelius taking a back seat on his hosting duties and some of the train-wreck “celebrity” hosts, but the main reason: the music. Sure, there were exceptions (an episode where Mint Condition was featured comes to mind) but for every one or two tunes that were featured the rest left you scratching your head as to why this song or group gained any notoriety? Then you realize it was because of the times, just like a KJ/MJ debate you have to consider the times. (more…)

Great news music lovers, the underrated and greatly missed sexy chanteuse Chanté Moore is back! Fresh off the heels of the announcement that she will be part of the upcoming cast of R&B Diva’s: LA, she has also signed with Shanachie Entertainment. With that, you can expect new music in April 2013. For more details, check out the press release below:

Singer and songwriter Chanté Moore’s voice, stunning beauty and unerring artistic vision have afforded the Gold-selling R&B singer to enjoy an illustrious two-decade career that is rare in this business. “I have been blessed and honored to do what I love for a living for as long as I have,” confides the dynamic songbird. “My fans who have continued with me on my journey have become a part of me and the music.” Moore’s genuine connection with her audience has been forged through her intimate and personal songwriting. Chanté’s effortless combination of R&B soaked in gospel roots, soul accents kissed with a touch of jazz and grace with fire, coalesce on her Shanachie Entertainment debut, Moore Is More (April 23, 2013). Chanté wrote or co-wrote most of the songs featured on the new CD. “My heart is overwhelmed with excitement and joy in life and in my music! I have more to give my fans, more then meets the eye, more of the same and more then what you expect.”

With seven albums, twenty charting singles and collaborations with everyone from Prince, R. Kelly, Boys II Men and El Debarge to The Isley Brothers, Babyface and Raphael Saadiq, singer Chanté Moore was destined to sing. In fact, in French, her name literally means “to sing.” The Grammy nominated, American Music Award and NAACP Award-winning singer’s distinctive vocals have been featured in films like Waiting To Exhale, Beverly Hills Cop III, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Romeo Must Die and Big Momma’s House. No stranger to the silver screen or stage, Ms. Moore has starred in theatrical productions alongside such lauded talent as Loretta Divine and Tisha Campbell-Martin, as well as fellow vocal powerhouses Vickie Winans and Dave Hollister. Moore will star in the highly anticipated TV One reality show spinoff, R&B Diva’s: L.A., slated to premiere June 9, 2013. The show will follow the lives and careers of Moore as well as Kelly Price, Lil’ Mo, Claudette Ortiz, Michel’le and Dawn Robinson. Like fellow songbirds Minnie Ripperton, Deniece Williams and Mariah Carey, chanteuse Chanté Moore shares the rare distinction of possessing a spectacularly soaring range. Shanachie Entertainment VP of A&R, Danny Weiss, “I’m super-enthusiastic about working with Chanté now, not only because she is such a brilliant vocalist, but also because she is entering into an exciting new phase in her life both personally and artistically. Moore Is More will manifest that growth and excitement.”
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Grown Folks Music caught up with Jon B. to talk about his new project–The B Sides Collection– available today.  He also talked about his new label– Vibezelect, the excitement of controlling his artisty, who he’d like to work with (it might surprise you) and whether he paved the way for Justin Timberlake and Robin Thicke. Enjoy.

Keep up with Jon B. around the web…

Jon B. Official Site
Jon B. Facebook Page
Jon B. on Twitter

Glenn Jones is back with the new single “Everyday”!  Check it out and let us know what you think. Reconnect with Glenn Jones on Twitter. Get “Everyday” at  iTunes.

Music World Entertainment/Columbia Records/Legacy Recordings will release Destiny’s Child – Love Songs, a new career-spanning collection of the most sensual and romantic recordings from the best-selling vocal group, on Tuesday, January 29, 2013.

Comprised mainly of romantic gems recorded between 1997 and 2004, Love Songs features “Nuclear,” the first new Destiny’s Child recording since 2004. Produced by Pharrell Williams (who cowrote the track with DC’s Michelle Williams, James Fauntleroy and Lonny Bereal), “Nuclear” features vocal production by Beyoncé and Lonny Bereal.

The romantically-themed Love Songs is the second Destiny’s Child compilation to be released through Legacy Recordings. The first, Playlist – The Very Best of Destiny’s Child, is the most successful in the label’s popular “Playlist” series. Released in October 2012, celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the group’s #1 debut single from 1997, the 14-track career-spanning “playlist” includes all five of the group’s Billboard #1 pop and #1 R&B hits. As noted in Billboard.biz (November 30, 2012), “The highest ranking ‘Playlist’ album is Destiny’s Child’s Playlist: The Very Best of Destiny’s Child….”
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Let me get this out of the way up front.  Rahsaan Patterson is my favorite male solo artist, and he has held that position for several years now.  Any male solo artist who is even thinking about taking that slot should purchase “After Hours” and study the art of making high quality Grown Folks Music.  Note to aspiring male artists reading this: After the purchase of “After Hours” you still have a longgggggg way to go buddy, but purchase “After Hours” anyway.

“The Only One for Me” properly opens the disc by setting the tone, letting you know that the cd will be grown, sexy and fun all at the same time.

“I Always Find Myself” is in one word….funky. I don’t use the word funky loosely, either. You can almost visualize Rahsaan and the background singers standing at microphones while onlookers bop their heads hard to the beat.

“So Hot” lets you know that Rahsaan is not just the master of slow jams. He will also provide the opening track to ask that person you’ve been checking out across the room for a dance.

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