Archive » August 2008
This page contains 179 entries posted in August 2008
Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs
Looking Back On the Top 100 Soul/R&B Countdown
I'm so glad we've had this time together....And so marks the final days of our Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs countdown. Some of you are probably curious about the list's methodology, and I'm here to tell you. We didn't just rank these songs based on general purpose. The songs weren't ranked to create controversy or to cater. They were ranked based on mutual enjoyment.
Nine people, including SB's editors, submitted a list of 50 of their favorite songs. The list was intuitive and relied on the first 100 we could think of. They were explicitly requested to include songs that they love, not songs that were just popular, historically significant, award-winning or platinum-selling. No one's personal list was ranked and no one saw each other's list.
All nine lists were combined into a master-list. Only the songs that appeared multiple times made the final cut. Ties were broken by the SB staff.
The higher a song ranked, the more lists it appeared on. This explains several things, like...
First Spin
Marsha Ambrosius & Sterling Simms Try to Get You 'Open'
Although we've given her some tough love before, we totally heart Marsha Ambrosius here at SoulBounce. She possesses one of the more unique and interesting voices in modern Soul music today and while we mourn the loss of Floetry we celebrate that she is carving out her own niche. She's laced tracks from a host of rhymers including Talib Kweli, Styles P and Busta Rhymes while we wait for her solo project to come together, from which we've already heard a few potential leaks to tide us over. But not only does Marsha shine on her solo cuts, she impresses when teaming up with Sterling Simms of the KnightWritaz. Simms has a deal with Def Jam and you may (or may not) recognize him as the singer from Jay-Z's "Dig A Hole." The pair are frequent collaborators in the studio, and they've recorded a few songs that have surfaced on the net in the past few months. The latest is "Open Me Up," which finds Marsha singing about her love being on lock down, but Sterling wants to try his key. A singer and a locksmith? Nice.
Marsha and Sterling may not be Marvin and Tammi, but they're no Cephus and Reesie either. They have good chemistry, and their voices blend together well. I wouldn't be mad to hear more duets from these two at all. Then again, I wouldn't be mad to hear more (good) duets period.
Marsha Ambrosius feat. Sterling Simms: "Open Me Up"
First Spin, Rap Snacks
KRS-ONE Announces the Arrival of the Million DJ March!
Earlier this month, we hipped you to the fact that the Million DJ March would be headed to Washington, DC. Well, that time has come, with the group invading the nation's capital this weekend, and while we know that it will be a "million" in title only, there's sure to be a large contingent of the nation's beat breakers. Which makes sense, the group gathering to stand up for their work on Labor Day weekend. Of course that means--after their business is taken care of--parties! And since we're talking about the music industry, a theme song as well. None other than the blastmaster KRS-One has laid down a track for the event, urging all "real DJs to stand up for ourselves," letting them know it's "time for some action" and that the "revolution will start here." Take a listen below and get yourself hyped up for the weekend. And to all the DJs descending upon the DMV: Stand up! [H/T: 2DB] KRS-One: "Million DJ March"
Soul Fashioned
Yes You Can With This Tribe-Inspired Obama Tee!
The Obama campaign has definitely brought politics and Hip Hop together, for better or for worse. But the most outstanding example of this lies within this dope t-shirt from Always Urban. The shirt's design takes a cue from A Tribe Called Quest's Midnight Marauders cover, and the proceeds from the shirt's sales go to support voter registration. We're thinking the idea of supporting real Hip Hop and a real presidential candidate simultaneously is quite boss. And before you activate the side-eye on the color choice, umm, the mens' tee comes in black! Those are the choices. Deal. Props to Jay Smooth for the tip! [AU]
A Soulful Noise, Media Watch
Robin Thicke is Ready for 'Something Else,' and So Are We
Robin Thicke gets a lot of attention here at SoulBounce, and with good reason. He is one of those artists helping to expand the common perception of who a soul musician is and what contemporary soul music should sound like. Recently Rap-Up.com posted a preview of the album art for his forthcoming album Something Else, and almost simultaneously a Billboard interview was posted in which Thicke's being labeled a "blue-eyed soul" singer is brought up again. We have to ask: How big of an issue is his whiteness, really?
A Soulful Noise
Conya's for Obama!
Add the soulful voice of recording artist Conya Doss to the growing throngs of entertainers who are standing up for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. Last night, while trolling the nets (ironically, right after Mr. Obama's acceptance speech), I came across a new song on the artist's MySpace page entitled, "Obama for Change." The track is a mixture of Ms. Doss's vocals and what seems like a street interview conducted with citizens both young and old, asking why they want to Barack the Vote. One young lady, no doubt proud of her "originality," spoke up and said: "Listen to his name. Barack Obama will stop the drama!" Well, there ya go. Keep that hope alive. The track is directly on the heels of Conya's album Still..., which dropped earlier this year. No word yet on whether "Change" will be an official single. Until then, you can Barack it below.Conya Doss: "Obama for Change"
The Interwebs
On Michael Jackson's 50th, AOL Keeps it Classy
"What does Michael Jackson make you think of?" AOL's PopEater polls it's readers, "His music, his plastic surgery, the scandals, or other?" Well, it appears they aren't really giving them a fair choice, as they have a photo gallery chronicling his "50 Faces in 50 Years." Good heavens! Not that I'm a stan for MJ (I reserve that behavior for Janet, who's about one can of Jesus Juice away from being just as loco), but could his plastic surgery be an easier mark? The topic isn't so unavoidable that there can't be discussions about everything else. Maybe I'm being a little too generous and self-righteous today. To their credit, they didn't say he looked like the ghost of Joan Crawford, which is admirable. However, it would be nice if, on the man's birthday, everyone could say something positive about Michael Jackson. Then tomorrow we can go back to calling him the lovechild of Mickey Mouse and Casper. [PE]
Morning Soul, Yes We Can!
Morning Soul: All For You
- Have you voted for SoulBounce in the 2008 Black Weblog Awards yet? [BWA]
- Aretha Franklin wore her Easter's finest to the US Open. [C+D]
- At an RIAA-sponsored party during the DNC, Kanye West and Jamie Foxx performed "Gold Digger" in Barack Obama's honor. I can think of so many other songs that would've been more appropriate. [BB]
- You have until Sunday, August 31st to vote for SoulBounce in the 2008 Black Weblog Awards for Best Blog Design and Best Music Blog. [BWA]
- More ugly details have surfaced about Suge Knight attacking his girlfriend. [SSU]
- What's this we hear about Mos Def getting gully with a photographer? [RWS]
- Only Michael Jackson can rock a sports coat and pajama bottoms in public. Then again, no he can't. [YBF]
- Can SoulBounce pull off a victory in the 2008 Black Weblog Awards? YES WE CAN! (With your votes, of course.) [BWA]
Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs
#2: Prince 'Adore'
Prince's "Adore" was never released officially as a single, yet like so many of our Top Soul/R&B Songs, it nevertheless staked a place in our worlds and continues to hold a special place in our hearts. "Adore" was the first song that myself and my then high school boyfriend claimed as our own. Likely, countless numbers of you did as well. And why not? "Adore" is a slow jam that all slow jams wish they could grow up to be. It's pleading without sounding pathetic. It's overwhelming without sounding uncomfortable. It's self-deprecating while maintaining its dignity.
From the moment the first bar is played, the tone is instantly set by a man singing a note that sounds as though it's coming from a place that, while we may able to relate, we will never be able to know the depth of the love he shares between himself and someone he so deeply adores. A note that is coming from a man whose face is likely contorted from sheer joy. And while this same man may attempt to bring on some comic relief by declaring that "You can smash up my ride/Well, maybe not the ride," in the end you're left with a beautiful tale of a man telling his beloved that he will "be your eyes so you can see." And if that's not adoration in all of its possible incarnations, then we don't know what is.
"Adore" is a song that will remain in the annals of soul fame simply because it sets out to do exactly what a soulful song should: it brings you to a place that enables your soul's presence be felt. A true soul song is a cathartic and holy experience. It shortens the distance between yourself and the Creator. It's even better than peering at a blue sky on a cloudless day. And this is exactly what "Adore" delivers, every time it is played. And the lyrics...oh, the lyrics! Ecclesiastical to say the least...
From the moment the first bar is played, the tone is instantly set by a man singing a note that sounds as though it's coming from a place that, while we may able to relate, we will never be able to know the depth of the love he shares between himself and someone he so deeply adores. A note that is coming from a man whose face is likely contorted from sheer joy. And while this same man may attempt to bring on some comic relief by declaring that "You can smash up my ride/Well, maybe not the ride," in the end you're left with a beautiful tale of a man telling his beloved that he will "be your eyes so you can see." And if that's not adoration in all of its possible incarnations, then we don't know what is.
"Adore" is a song that will remain in the annals of soul fame simply because it sets out to do exactly what a soulful song should: it brings you to a place that enables your soul's presence be felt. A true soul song is a cathartic and holy experience. It shortens the distance between yourself and the Creator. It's even better than peering at a blue sky on a cloudless day. And this is exactly what "Adore" delivers, every time it is played. And the lyrics...oh, the lyrics! Ecclesiastical to say the least...
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