Yeah it’s me again you know how I always start trouble I mean new series around here. Well as we look at the calendar we can see that we’re 25 years out from that seminal year of 1988 (yes I’m dating myself as a proud member of graduating class of double ocho). My senior year of high school the production duo of L.A.& Face were heating up. They had a hot joint out the previous Summer on their label mates The Whispers, The Deele was riding the crest of two bangers, and the duo took on some outside work with none other than Pebbles.

As I mentioned on twitter just a few minutes ago in regards to Jam & Lewis, I will make the same statement re: L.A. & Face: These folks didn’t need gimmicks, reality shows, clothing lines, calendars, sodas, water, hat, coats or breakfast muffins. They let the music speak for itself, because when it’s all said and done, when the temporal phase of celebrity fades we will still have the music. The music is all that matters.

So join us throughout this year as we focus on what was happening with the music in culture not so long ago

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

If you’re like me and have a thing for funk with a touch of chili sauce, you will definitely like this right here! Here is the new single from acclaimed bass player Ethan Farmer called “Watch” from his upcoming album “Wine & Strings”. In case you’re scratching your head and wondering where you’ve heard “E-Bassman’s” nasty groove, he has worked with Patti Labelle, Babyface, Keri Hilson, Christina Aguilera and the queen of nasty, Janet Jackson. Tell us how you feelin’ this joint!

“Why Does It Hurt So Bad” was written by Babyface and Whitney Houston recorded it for the soundtrack to the movie Waiting To Exhale which she also starred in. Please enjoy this live performance of the song at the 1996 MTV Movie Awards. She simply sits on a stool, breaks the song down and builds it back up.

“Exhale (Shoop, Shoop)” is one of those tracks that you find yourself mindlessly singing along to even after just one listen. I dare you to listen to the track without a few “shoop, shoop” string of words escaping your lips. The extremely catchy Babyface produced single reached #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B/Hip Hop charts.

“Exhale (Shoop, Shoop)” is available as both a mp3 single and as part of the “Waiting to Exhale” soundtrack.

Frankie Beverly

Summer Music Festival

Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly with special guests Tank, Babyface, The O’Jays and Patti LaBelle

July 19, 2012

Chastain Amphitheatre, Atlanta, GA

Grown Folks Music was living up to its name at the Summer Music Festival in Atlanta, GA. How you ask? Well it just doesn’t get any more “grown” than hanging out at a Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly show. The legendary band and recipient of the 2012 BET Lifetime Achievement Award treated us to all the jams like “We Are One”, “Can’t Get Over You” “While I’m Alone” and more– providing the crowd with maximum ”grown folk” entertainment. And of course, Mr. Beverly, and many in the crowd, were wearing the signature white attire.

Also on the show was Tank, who opened the show with a medley of his songs and who later joined Babyface on stage, along with a surprise guest: Babyface’s brother Kevon Edmonds. Babyface also performed a medley of his hits along with hits he’s written over the years for other artists; namely Bobby Brown, After 7 and Boyz II Men.

The mighty, mighty, O’Jays took the stage and although they have been in the business a long time… they don’t show any signs of slowing down. No sitting on stools for these mature gentleman: they had choreographed dancing to compliment jams like ‘Back Stabbers”, “Love Train” and “Used ta Be My Girl”.

Ms. Patti LaBelle began her show with a video montage that made the crowd anticipate her entrance, but when she appeared on stage, she was very subdued and not very animated. She didn’t move about the stage and there was no “flapping of wings” or kicking off shoes… she just stood and sang. It was her background singers and music director who brought the energy to the stage. Nevertheless. Ms. Patti’s voice is still very pure and clear. At the end of her show she performed “You Are My Friend” accompanied by a local choir and a video featuring her family members and friends, many who were famous, and some who have passed away.

Headlining of course was Maze who brought the show home and put the cherry on top of a sweet evening of entertainment. Catch the Summer Music Festival when comes it comes near your city if you haven’t already, ’cause it’s never a bad time at when real artists like these are performing.

Check out these equally wonderful R&B songs from the ’90s called “Someone To Love”.

Jon B. featuring Babyface (1995)

Mint Condition: “Someone to Love” (1993)

Smooth, sexy, timeless…”there u go”… Not much more needs to be said about this jam.  A hit for Johnny Gill off the #winning soundtrack for the movie Boomerang–this song is an R&B slow jam at its finest.