Nothing excites me more than seeing iconic artists reinventing themselves and cultivating their relevance through the medium of music and technology!! When I heard about Billboard Magazine’s Star Tribute issue coming together with the 60th birthday of the ten-time GRAMMY® Award winning songstress, Chaka Khan, I couldn’t contain myself. Now you may ask, “what’s the big fuss?” Well, this issue is more than just a simple spread. It is the first issue published by Billboard Magazine that features “Augment Reality” through Printergize, a new and creative way of linking traditional print media with ones online marketing efforts. With this app you simply scan the target object and watch the content take on a life of its own. The awesome thing about this innovation is its utilization of mobile technology that engages the audience in a unique fashion.

Also, this mobile app will go directly to www.chakakhan.com, where fans will see Chaka introduce her 100 Days of Chaka campaign, which marks the 100 days from her birthday (March 23) to the anniversary of the release of her first recorded album with Rufus, Rufus (July 1, 1973) 40 years ago. This app will also highlight a timeline that will commemorate a series of historic moments in Chaka’s career, mixed with celebratory current events. The 100 Days of Chaka culminates with the release of The iKhan Project: Alive! The Commemorative Edition, in stores July 2nd. This CD and DVD project will be recorded the same way Chaka recorded her first album. “I want to experience the magic I felt 40 years ago when I recorded my first record,” says Chaka. “The thrill of recording with all the musicians in one room, the interaction with the producer and the spontaneous moments of the experience.”

So don’t miss out on this great mix of innovation and music engagement from Chaka Khan. The Billboard Magazine Star Tribute issue is now out on newsstands! Go check it out!

If satin had a sound, this would be it. Chrisette Michele AMAZES on this track. Lately the use of samples in music have signified laziness and a lack of creativity on the part of some of these artists, but this is definitely NOT the case here. The O’Jays’ “Stairway to Heaven” track was already certified smooth many years ago and Chrisette Michele breaks her vocals down, builds them back up and flips them over to it– seemingly with no effort. “A Couple of Forevers” is right up there with the excellence that Luther Vandross gave us when he covered a song. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

“Sometimes you gotta lose to win again…” Check out “Lose to Win”, the new single and video from Fantasia. There is something about the “I’ve been hurt, but I’ll be alright” theme that works for Fantasia. On “Lose to Win”, Fantasia puts her powerful vocals over the classic Commodores track and creates another empowerment anthem for the ladies.

Really, really diggin’ Latasha Lee & The Blackties. Ms. Lee has that throwback, soulful vocal tone that artists such as Adele and Amy Winehouse have brought back to the airwaves in recent years. Lee sites the late, great Etta James as one of her musical role models and you can hear the influence, still there is youthfulness in her voice that will allow her to connect to today’s radio audience with the right material. But, if Ms. Lee never goes the “radio friendly” route, then that’s alright because the style she’s working with fits her (and us) just fine. Looking forward to more from this artist. Check out her cover of Johnny Ace’s “Pledging My Love” below.

Get to know Latasha Lee on Facebook

Legacy Recordings is honoring the High Priestess of Soul, Nina Simone as the label’s February Artist of the Month and has released a new video of memorable performances moments of her singing her hit “To Be Free”.

Nina Simone, who would’ve turned 80 on February 21, was a strong and vocal civil rights advocate who carried the message of universal rights and personal empowerment, freedom, equality and dignity throughout her career. Whether it was political or emotional or personal, she never failed to tell the truth through her music.

Find out more about the celebration of Nina Simone and her legacy at www.legacyrecordings.com.

Check out Steve Wexler and Top Shelf February 7 at DROM NYC! Tickets are $13 in advance and $17 at the door. For reservations call (212) 777-1157

Turning out unique arrangements of everything from Marvin Gaye to Beyonce, this 12-piece band is powered by original arrangements of familiar favorites. Steve Wexler and the Top Shelf features a powerhouse, four-piece horn section whose members have performed with The Temptations, The Fifth Dimension, Ray Charles, and The Tonight Show Orchestra. The horns are backed by a virtuoso rhythm section whose members have performed with John Lennon, Al Green, Audra McDonald, Jackson Browne, Carly Simon, Larry Harlow, Maria Schneider, and Bruce Springsteen. If those accolades weren’t enough, the vocalists for Top Shelf have worked with Aretha Franklin, John Legend, LL Cool J, Sting, Michael Jackson, and many others. Combine these band members with superior material and arrangements and the result is truly “Top Shelf”.

The Bar-Kays are back, and y’all know this track is right up our alley. The title says it all. Enjoy the video for “Grown Folks” by The Bar-Kays. Produced by Jazze Pha.

Download “Grown Folks” at  iTunes

A Christmas /New Years Gift From ‘Santai Entertainment’ & ‘Soptimus Prime’!