“Pulse” opens with what I would consider classic Toni Braxton: the track “Yesterday”, which highlights Toni’s smooth, buttery vocals conveying feelings about a former lover. The alternate version of “Yesterday” with Trey Songz was more widely known than the version with Toni by herself, but Toni’s so powerful as a solo artist, that she handles the track perfectly alone.
Gerald Levert, Sheri Riley and Usher
When we celebrate the great contributions of music artists, we always like to give a narrative picture from those who knew them well. In our tribute of the late, great Gerald Levert, we brought a dear friend of the Grown Folks Music family, Mrs. Sheri Riley. For those not familiar with Sheri’s name, you definitely know her work. She is the founder and president of the successful entertainment consulting company, Glue, Inc., former marketing executive with Atlantic and LaFace Records and the marketing hand behind artists like TLC, Donell Jones, Usher, Toni Braxton, OutKast and of course Mr. Gerald Levert. From her story, we hope you will thoroughly enjoy this interview and gain more insight into this R&B legend. Also, catch some of Sheri’s exclusive pics with Gerald, Sean and Eddie Levert, Isaac Hayes, Phyllis Hyman, Don Cornelius and many more!
I get where Toni Braxton was trying to go with this tune. It’s a melodic, love song that kicks into overdrive and becomes a dance jam, but perhaps this version would have been better as the remix, because that’s what it sounds like to me. Maybe it’s because Toni is known as a songstress and we love her for her ballads–that I wanted to hear the ballad first and then the dance remix. And maybe that’s why she went in this direction instead… I expected a ballad and she wanted to do the unexpected.
As for the video; Billie Woodruff has produced several videos for Toni Braxton in the past like “Un-Break My Heart” and “You’re Makin’ Me High”, but this video doesn’t seem to look as good or as cohesive as others they’ve done together. But, Toni is as gorgeous as ever and the fact that she took this independent step with her music instead of waiting for some dude in a suit to approve of her creative vision is admirable and grown.
More questions than simply criticism… I’ve had a few thoughts that I wanted to write down re: two of my favorite vocalists who both began their respective careers in the early 90′s. You can check out the new music from Toni Braxton below and then Ce Ce Peniston right after that. Then let’s chat.
To Checkout “Celebrate” from Ce Ce go here. (more…)
“Love Shoulda Brought You Home Last Night” was written by Babyface, Daryl Simmons and Bo Watson for the soundtrack to the motion picture Boomerang. The writing team intended for Anita Baker to record the song, but she declined and suggested that the young lady who sang the demo record it. That young lady was Toni Braxton and the rest, as the saying goes, is history. “Love Shoulda Brought You Home Last Night” was a top-five hit on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and also appears on Toni Braxton’s self-titled debut album.
Another fun, classic 90′s, Christmas album (if you can find it). This one featured TLC w/ a very fresh and fun rendition of “Sleigh Ride”, A Few Good Men with “Silver Bells”, Usher with “This Christmas” and even the introduction of Outkast with “Player’s Ball”.
Today we bring you Ms. Toni Braxton, and her lovely version of Mel Torme’s all time classic, “The Christmas Song”.
I can remember telling someone how much I liked this cd, and the person actually said to me, “Toni has something new out”?
Kids, that is the crux of our “Rewind Review” feature: focusing on great music that you may have missed amongst the shuffle.
Around the time this cd was released, Toni did a reality special with VH1. During the special, she expressed her frustration with her record label at the time over their refusal to promote the album due to the fact that- get this- she was pregnant. Of course we know that there is no way that a pregnant woman can travel to talk shows and music video shows and promote an album. Everyone knows that pregnant women are unable to sing until after 6 months after they have given birth.
Now, back reality. (more…)
Walking into the laid back atmosphere of Atlanta’s new hotspot, Frank Ski’s Restaurant & Lounge, I was greeted by a menu that ranged from a fantastic cedar planked salmon to a heavenly red velvet cupcake by Cami Cakes. Happy to oblige myself in this wonderful selection of deliciousness, I had to admit I was pretty curious to see what sisters Toni, Tamar, Towanda, Traci, Trina, and Mama Evelyn Braxton were cooking up for the upcoming season premiere of the Braxton Family Values Thursday, November 10th at 9pm est. Would things fall apart for Trina and her husband? Would Tamar have a long awaited “come to Jesus” moment? I journeyed to the private dinner with the Braxtons to catch a sneak peek of the first episode and get their take of what to expect this season. Here’s a recap from the dinner and Q&A session with the animated family.
A special note for you gossip instigators. Toni’s absence was due to filming in LA. No diva-tude was involved! (more…)
