Archive » March 2008

This page contains 179 entries posted in March 2008

Monday March 31

Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

#100: Mary J. Blige 'Be With You'

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Although I have certain suspicions as to how this song ended up on our Top 100 Soul/R&B songs countdown (mainly having to do with the song's title, easily confused with a certain single from The Breakthrough) I have no complaints. Kicking the list off with this Mary J. Blige track is boss, since it's my favorite from the My Life album. It's one of the few that doesn't rely on a familiar classic in lyrics or instrumentation. Chucky Thompson dives in with a completely original composition, establishing that swaggering, post-New Jack, Hip Hop Soul sound that within recent years has given way to something decidedly more Pop and manufactured. The Lauryn Hill remix that followed breathed even more life into the track, extending the course of My Life and whetting our appetites for a remix album that would never come.


Mary J. Blige: "Be With You"


nOvaMatic  |  03/31/2008 at 5:00 PM  |  Comments (7)  |  Permalink

Monday March 31

Admin Announcements, Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs

The SoulBounce Top 100 Soul And R&B Songs Countdown Begins Today

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A few weeks ago SoulBounce announced that we would be counting down our favorite Soul/R&B songs, and today is the day when we will begin! After some top-secret discussions and serious number crunching we've narrowed down the choices from your SoulBounce Editors and a select panel of Bouncers to bring to you the SoulBounce Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs. 

Come back to SoulBounce everyday to see, hear and feel our countdown until we reveal our shocking number one song on our first birthday in August.
 

Butta  |  03/31/2008 at 4:30 PM  |  Leave a Comment  |  Permalink

Monday March 31

First Spin

'Pretty Please' Love Estelle and Cee-Lo

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There's bad news and good news for Estelle. The bad news is that her highly anticipated U.S. debut, Shine, has hit the net in its entirety a month before its official release. The good news is that she has one banger after the other on this CD. One such song that has me pressing 'Repeat One' on my iTunes is her track with Cee-Lo, "Pretty Please (Love Me)."  Mr. Green produced the hot joint and also sings on the record with Estelle. I'm loving the '60s throwback sound that everyone is trying to replicate these days, and it really works here. Cool Jerk to this one.

Estelle feat. Cee-Lo: "Pretty Please (Love Me)"


Butta  |  03/31/2008 at 3:50 PM  |  Comments (12)  |  Permalink

Monday March 31

Video SoulBounce

Will.I.Am Is A 'Heartbreaker'

Despite lackluster sales upon its release and reports of an impending re-release to salvage his rep, Will.I.Am is still pushing singles from his first solo disc, Songs About Girls. "Heartbreaker" is next up and a video has just hit the net with Will getting his pop and lock on, dancing constellations, and featuring Cheryl Cole on the hook. I guess Fergie was busy, and thank goodness because the Girls Aloud singer is definitely easier on the eyes and ears.


Butta  |  03/31/2008 at 3:01 PM  |  Comments (1)  |  Permalink

Monday March 31

Rap Snacks

Del The Funky Homosapien Is Getting A Little Too Old For This Ish

DelThaFunkyHomosapien.jpg Heads have been nodding to Del The Funky Homosapien's new Eleventh Hour, but at a recent concert, it was noted that the rap funkster may need to slow things down a bit. A recent review of his show at NYC's Highline Ballroom brought to light Del's lyrical inabilities when faced with the power of the Patrón. Billboard noted that "...despite delivering some hooks with guttural believability, his tongue tripped all over cuts like 'Phony Phranchise' and his freestyles fell flat on his audience, who grew visibly agitated. 'I doin' this for you!' he'd crow proudly at the end of each freestyle." This all occurred after Del announced upon taking the stage "I'm a lil' lit!" with a near-empty bottle of Patrón tequila. Wow. Sounds like someone may not be ready for his close-up.

[H/T: BB]

ill Mami  |  03/31/2008 at 2:30 PM  |  Leave a Comment  |  Permalink

Monday March 31

Soul On Film

More 'Cadilliac Records' Casting News

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Cadillac Records, the upcoming movie about famed Chess Records, will be adding another modern-day musician to portray another legendary artist on its roster. Many side eyes were a-twiching after news was announced that Beyoncé would be playing Etta James, and Miss Etta even had her say about it. But now it has been revealed that Mos Def has been slated to fill the shoes of Chuck Berry. My side eye relaxed a bit after noting some similarities between the two in appearance. Luckily, Mos has no statutory rape cases or else the similarities would be a little to unsettling. Additionally, master thespian and undervalued actor Jeffrey Wright will be portraying the role of Muddy Waters. Now, this movie sounds much more probable to be viewed in theatres than the Notorious B.I.G. straight-to-DVD biography.  

[H/T: AHH]

ill Mami  |  03/31/2008 at 1:30 PM  |  Comments (1)  |  Permalink

Monday March 31

Rap Snacks

Nas ♥ Jay Electronica

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Ever since being featured on URB magazine's last cover with boo Erykah Badu, tongues have been wagging about Jay Electronica. One rapper particularly feeling Jay these days is Nas, whose forthcoming album Nigger still has no confirmed release date. Anyone remember wife Kelis standing by her man on the free promotion tip? In any case, Nas was able to confirm, however, that Jay will be featured on the new album. When interviewed for an upcoming issue in URB, Nas was decribed as being "smitten" with Jay. Awwww! In an interview with URB magazine, Nas waxed poetic about Jay saying, "...it's rare that you see someone that's not asking for a handout, that's not looking for a lookout... He's onto his own thing and that is everything to him." Aside from bigging up Jay Electronica, Nas also spoke on rappers in the game who complain too much about getting their just due from the other rappers and recording companies, but whose music cannot stand on its own. No names were mentioned, but there would be way too many to mention even if he did. We can't wait for any music from this project to be "leaked."

[H/T: HHDX via URB] 

ill Mami  |  03/31/2008 at 12:30 PM  |  Comments (3)  |  Permalink

Monday March 31

Relax in Paradise

Sean Levert (1969-2008)

[Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images]

 

Son of O'Jays Lead Singer Reportedly Found Dead [CST]

nOvaMatic  |  03/31/2008 at 12:08 PM  |  Comments (9)  |  Permalink

Monday March 31

A Soulful Noise

Winehouse's New Material: Bleak, Depressing, Suicidal, Possibly Genius

amy_winehouse_lialg.jpgSomewhere along the way, we forgot Amy Winehouse was an artist. It could have a lot to do with those things I said I personally wouldn't mention. How refreshing is it to actually hear a report centered around her music rather than her drugs or her drinks or her jailed husband or her skin? Reports are already coming in and the consensus on the content and sound of her new music is that it's kind of a downer. Sources tell The Sun "It is very, very dark but she produces some of her best music when she's in pain -- and the past few months have been hell for her." This is the case with a host of R&B/Soul singers; pain is the foundation of Blues. Hopefully the catharsis of putting this new music out into the world will stem any opportunity or temptation to create more drama. One can only hope. [SUN]

nOvaMatic  |  03/31/2008 at 11:42 AM  |  Leave a Comment  |  Permalink

Monday March 31

A Soulful Noise

Case Not So Much Closed

case-indigo-blue.jpgIt's been a minute since we heard from Case Woodard, the man once regarded as sort of a male Mary J. but with that certain thing missing that could've placed him firmly in the upper echelons where he belonged. Back in 2006, it was reported that Case was releasing his next project under Indigo Blue Music Group, a label he formed with his manager Blue Williams. Details of Case's forthcoming The Rose Experience finally emerge in this interview with Baller Status. Case describes his sound as Soul and New Jack with a touch of Hip Hop, meaning his style hasn't changed one bit since his underrated debut. As one of the first Def Soul artists, he embodied the look and sound of the imprint that eventually went on to include Dru Hill, Kelly Price and Musiq. Case is currently featured on "Face to Face" a duet with SWV's Coko from the Meets the Browns soundtrack. [BS]

nOvaMatic  |  03/31/2008 at 11:00 AM  |  Comments (2)  |  Permalink

Monday March 31

Morning Soul

Morning Soul: Missing Soul II Soul



  • Pray for Amy Winehouse, y'all. [AHM]
  • So who's going to see Mariah Carey play an aspiring country singer who wears braids in her next movie, Tennessee? [BV] 
  • Michelle Williams got serious style upgrade. [CL]
  • Estelle is still sitting pretty on top of the UK singles chart. [TGJ]

Butta  |  03/31/2008 at 10:00 AM  |  Comments (2)  |  Permalink

Saturday March 29

Looking Back

Wrapping This Week's Soul Candy

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nOvaMatic  |  03/29/2008 at 1:06 PM  |  Comments (1)  |  Permalink

Friday March 28

Bounce Over There

Mainstream of Consciousness

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  • Beyonce excuses the leak of her latest work-in-progress while shamelessly plugging the work of Kelly, Michelle and Solange. Only, we know that's not her talking. [CL]
  • Half a Man Half a Dollar 50 Cent, who once upon a time said Bush was doing a great job, cannot decide between Clinton and Obama. Unlike DMX, at least he knows who's running, Also, he reasons that Curtis bricked because it was chock full of hit records! [MTV, HHDX]
  • Remy Ma, who could face 25 years in prison for assault and weapons charges, might class things up by marrying Papoose during her bid. Yup, still have no idea who/what "Papoose" is. [HHDX]
  • Dimension picks up Ice Cube's script for Janky Promoters, which is sure to be followed by Jankier Promoters, Next Janky, Janky After Next and Not Another Janky Movie. [SOHH]
  • Jail hasn't stopped Mobb Deep's Prodigy from blogging in ALL CAPS and totally forsaking the concept of proper punctuation. [VIBE]

nOvaMatic  |  03/28/2008 at 7:26 PM  |  Leave a Comment  |  Permalink

Friday March 28

A Soulful Noise

Dru Hill Finds Its Member. Let's Call Him 'TayTay'

dru-hill.jpgLast night Dru Hill held a search for a new fourth member to replace recently called-upon-by-God Woody Rock. Although we suspected there would be an American Idol-like format to the audition (complete with Sisqo clapping his palms and declaring "You look great and you tapped into your upper register"), we had no idea they would decide upon a new vocalist in the same night. According to the Baltimore City Paper, the new fourth member of Dru Hill is "Tayo", who brought the house down with "Lately" (presumably the Stevie cut performed by Jodeci which, incidentally, makes it perfect for a Dru Hill audition) and some impressive vocal acrobatics during "Tell Me." The kicker? Sisqo already knows dude. I suppose congratulations are still in order? [BCP via Idolator]

nOvaMatic  |  03/28/2008 at 6:21 PM  |  Comments (5)  |  Permalink

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