Sometimes the casual nature of Twitter relays information that is too hard to process. Today I learned of yet another soul legend that passed away, this time the "Godfather of Go-Go," Chuck Brown. While this news was not especially shocking since he was reported to have been battling with pneumonia, I was still filled with sadness in knowing that a pioneer in the distinctly DMV art form has gone on to glory.
With summertime getting closer by the minute, everyone's becoming a bit more body and image concious (it is beach body season, after all). One person who's got the health of all American's on her mind all year round, however, is First Lady Michelle Obama. Women's Health recently picked the FLOTUS' brain about her workout playlist, and quite a few of her selections are, in fact, quite Bounce-Worthy indeed. When getting her sweat on, it seems that Mrs. O likes to burn calories to the likes of Stevie Wonder ("Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)"), Beyoncé ("Move Your Body" and "I Was Here"), Janelle Monáe ("Tightrope"), Michael Jackson ("Unbreakable"), Ledisi ("Thank You") and Jennifer Lopez ("Get Right"). But most surprisingly (or maybe not surprisingly at all) she also tossed some old-school hip hop on the list as well with Mr. "Treat 'Em Right" himself, Chubb Rock. Let me find out that the first lady gets her workout on like Rosie Perez in the opening credits of Do The Right Thing (which is the only way you can truly get down to "Treat 'Em Right"). Of course, these aren't the only folks that made her list. Check after the bounce for the full list and be sure to stay a bit and discuss what songs get you motivated in the gym.
Drake claims that Hennessey and enemies are one hell of a mixture, but "Henny & Gingerale" may have a different effect on a party. (Maybe this is what really Common meant when he referred to Aubrey as "Canada Dry"?) Midwest singer Mayer Hawthorne aims to prove this very fact in the visual for his new single. There is definitely something undeniably classic about the Stones Throw crooner's sound. He manages to pen vintage records with a quirky self awareness that separates him from your typical throwback act. Watch as Hawthorne entertains five girls to every guy in what could easily pass for a cognac commercial. After showing up to a Chromeo show late and missing his entire set, I won't be making the same mistake on this round of tours. How Do You Do? is in stores now.
Call me old-fashioned, but I want to be sweet-talked in a song, not bludgeoned with crass lyrics about what you'll do if I let you do what you do. Kenny Lattimore has returned with a new classic to remind us what that's like. "Find A Way" takes us back to a time when it was popular to romance, and love was cultivated, not pushed, pulled or squeezed before it was ready to harvest. The lyrics are smart and the beat slightly knocks. The song is more refreshing than your favorite ice cold beverage at the end of a long day. Lattimore's voice has always stood out to me because of its smooth texture and his ability to make it crest and wane with perfect timing. He's been underrated for so long and may have released one too many cover songs in the past, but with the launch of his new label, SincereSoul Records, he will hopefully have the artistic freedom and control needed to push his career to the next level. His new album, Back 2 Cool, is scheduled to be released on June 19th. I, for one, cannot wait. This is definitely the way you "find a way" to win my heart.
Caretta Bell's Love's Eye View, turned the Houston native into somewhat of a local, underground sensation when it was released back in 2008. I was lucky enough to pick up a copy after chatting to Caretta on Myspace (remember that?), but it seems that the release got somewhat overlooked by soul/R&B audiences a little further afield, which was a shame as it was a stunning debut. Some four years later Caretta is following up the album with a new album this summer, preceded by the first single "Growing Painz" produced by Red Astaire (aka Freddie Cruger). The track and its video, which you can peep below, show Caretta dealing with some of life's hardships -- a cheating man, record label re-buffs -- but coming out the other side all the stronger for it. I cannot wait to get my hands on the full release.
Since 112's last album, 2005's Pleasure and Pain, member Quinnes "Q" Parker has been on his grind, hell bent on making sure the world knew he had talent outside of the group. He has given us plenty of eye candy with his line of fitness calendars and stayed active on YouTube releasing "QVersion" videos -- Q's renditions of popular R&B songs. Finally, he's graduating from homemade YouTube videos and has given "Show You How," the first single from his upcoming solo debut, The MANual, a proper video treatment. Singer Olivia and Willie Taylor of Day26 star in the visual as a couple on the outs. Olivia gets 'bout it and introduces her hand to Willie's forehead before kicking him out of their apartment. It doesn't take long for Q, who is moving into the building and witnesses the breakup, to sweep in and show Olivia "what real love's all about." With so many false starts and 112 reunion rumors, it looks like Parker will finally get his chance to shine. Watch below to see how Q shows and proves.
Whether you're a die-hard regular or a casual visitor to SoulBounce, we've created the 2012 SoulBouncer Survey that we'd like for each and every one of you to fill out. We want to hear from you as we seek ways to improve our programming and bring more exciting and relevant content to our audience. In addition, this survey will also give us some insight into who you are as well. The survey will take about 5-10 minutes of your time to fill out and it is completely secure and anonymous. All SoulBouncers who successfully complete the survey will receive a link to be entered to win a snazzy new SoulBounce t-shirt when they're ready for prime time. So please bounce on over to Survey Monkey and kindly fill out the survey. Thanks in advance for your time!
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I don't know exactly how to put this so I'm gonna come right out and say it: I am a shamefully bad singer. And when I say bad, I mean downright criminal. Not only do I struggle with holding any type of pitch, but I tend to belt out the notes that I shouldn't even think about attempting. The thing is, I don't believe that I'm alone in this. In fact, I know that I'm not alone in this considering the partners in crime that I've acquired along the way. (After Whitney Houston passed, my spouse and I decided to remind our neighbors where they could find the greatest love of all).
Rock of Ages, the surprise Broadway hit, has been made into a feature film coming to theaters this summer. Among the stars featured in the movie, including Tom Cruise, Russell Brand and Catherine Zeta-Jones, is our own Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige. Mary will play Justice Chartier, the proprietor of a Hollywood strip club. So it's only fitting that she sings Journey's "Any Way You Want It" to introduce the film's young ingenue to the glamorous side of the seedy business. Though I've got my hesitations about Mary as an actress (I still think she should be nowhere near the Nina Simone project that she's been attached to for years now), I must admit that this performance is pretty darn fun. Fun enough to actually get me in a theater to see it? Maybe. But for those of you who are completely into it, Rock of Ages will hit theatres on June 15th, with its soundtrack arriving in stores June 5th.
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