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(Re)Visit Metropolis

 

With the recent Bad Boy release of Janelle Monae's Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition) zooming to the top of the iTunes R&B Album list, it seems a bit more possible for us to relax into their uncomfortable pairing. Somewhat. Okay, not really at all. The prospect of the other three EPs actually rounding out the suite under the fickle watch of Diddy warrants more that just apprehension that she'll be unceremoniously dropped before the remainder of her long-promised Metropolis albums.

Worrying aside, the success of Cindi Mayweather is something I've hoped for since first hearing the synthesized calliope and strings introduction to the song "Metropolis" off of her first album, The Audition (released way back in 2003).  It's a strong reminder of the magnetism of her style, and that she has left us pining for her futuristic alter-world for years now. Let's hope that the dedication to her vision continues assures her label that she is does not, and will never, deserve the Cheri Dennis treatment.

Ro  |  08/15/2008 at 2:10 PM  |  Comments (2)  |  Permalink

Mary J. Blige Amongst People's Most Beautiful Ones

 

People's annual list of the 100 Most Beautiful will be hitting newsstands soon but the online version of the mag is giving a sneak peak at some of this year's pretty faces. Imagine my surprise when I saw that Mary J. Blige was included in the mix.

Mary's cute game has stepped up tremendously since she stomped onto the scene in black combat boots, athletic jerseys, and the early '90s flygirl hair and makeup styles of the day. She has blossomed into a gorgeous grown woman after overcoming addiction, abusive relationships and all-around drama. The down-to-earth diva is finally at peace, which is the most beautiful thing of all.

And since we're on the subject of MJB being a gorgeous MVP, there's no better time than the present to dig up this gem from her catalog. Mary J.'s "Beautiful" was one of the few stellar moments on the uneven How Stella Got Her Groove Back soundtrack. Clocking in at over six minutes, this track is a mid-tempo love song that's as soothing as a long hug. 

Mary J. Blige: "Beautiful"

Butta  |  05/01/2008 at 4:45 PM  |  Comments (3)  |  Permalink

When Jermaine Remixed Chante

 

Is this thing on? Is Polow Da Don so much like Jermaine Dupri that it's completely believable Chante Moore would allow him to paste a lost 2Pac verse on her new album? Maybe. But maybe not! While Polow and JD both cater to the gutterbutt, chickenhead contingent, JD's resumé is not to be questioned. After all, this is the man that brought us Xscape. Nearly everything he does with Mariah and Usher is amazing. And, hello, he does have a bit to do with the careers of Trina Broussard and Anthony Hamilton, regardless of how things turned out. So, I'm willing to submit that as Hip Hop and mainstream as JD is, he'll never be and never was as reprehensible as Polow Da Don.

With that said, here's the first piece of crap JD produced for Chante.

Chante Moore ft. JD & R.O.C: "Chante's Got a Man" (SoSo Def Remix)

nOvaMatic  |  04/03/2008 at 4:35 PM  |  Comments (5)  |  Permalink

When Roy Davis Jr. and Peven Everett Took House To Church With 'Gabriel'

 

Since SoulBounce is housing it up this week, I'd be remiss if I didn't dig into the crates and pull out another of my favorite house cuts of all time, "Gabriel" by DJ Roy Davis Jr. featuring Peven Everett on vocals. 

"Gabriel" dropped in 1998, and it was my introduction to both Davis and Everett. The music is sick, but it's the lyrics that really drew me in. The song is about the Archangel Gabriel, you see, and it's practically a hymn if you listen closely.      

I first heard the track thanks to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater when it was used in a production entitled Grace, created in 1999 for the company by choreographer Ronald K. Brown of Evidence Dance Company. Those who've seen Grace performed by Ailey or Evidence know how dope this piece is, and the thumping groove of "Gabriel" took it to another level. 

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to let Roy and Peven take me to church.

Roy Davis Jr. feat. Peven Everett: "Gabriel"

Butta  |  03/27/2008 at 6:57 PM  |  Comments (3)  |  Permalink

'When Love Calls,' Eric Roberson Answers

 

I have been dying to feature this song in a Diggin' in the Crates, and the time has finally come. On the heels of getting Behind the Groove with Eric Roberson, I went into his archives and plucked this gem out of his collection of aural goodies.

"When Love Calls" is a song that can be found on Erro's rare, out-of-print release, The Vault 1.0. The song was pulled from the subsequent release of The Vault 1.5 because the track ended up being used on a Norman Brown album with another song written to it. Produced by James Poyser and the late J Dilla, fans of Left already know that this is the same production team who blessed "Pretty Girl." On both songs, Poyser killed the keys, Dilla did the damn thing on drums and Erro handled his business on vocals.  

According to Eric, "When Love Calls" was the very first song that he wrote about his fiancee, Shawn. Altogether now: Awwwwwwww. And I'm gonna let y'all in on a little secret. The first time I saw Erro in concert in October 2006 at The Black Cat in Washington, DC, he sang this song with Sol Edler on backup vocals, and it was officially a wrap. That precise moment was when I fell in love with this man's live performance, and I've been caught up in the rapture ever since.

Eric Roberson: "When Love Calls"


[Photo: Butta]

Butta  |  03/20/2008 at 5:00 PM  |  Comments (5)  |  Permalink

'Fall In Love' With Sanchez

 

This week's Diggin' in the Crates takes us to the beautiful island paradise of Jamaica, ancestral home to your SoulBounce sistren, ill Mami and myself. Last week iMami made mention of international artists putting their spin on American songs, and that brought to mind a Jamaican singer who built his career on reggae remakes of popular R&B and pop hits.

Sanchez, government name Kevin Jackson, released his first single in 1987, bringing the island vibe to the Chris De Burgh ballad "Lady In Red." Subsequent remakes followed of songs by everyone from Toni Braxton to Ready For the World to Brian McKnight with mixed results. Some worked, some didn't. But it was his retooling of the Shai tune "If I Ever Fall In Love" that impressed many and landed on the inaugural Reggae Gold compilation in '93. Unlike some of his mediocre offerings, Sanchez's "Fall In Love" was a delightful complement the original, and you could slow wine to it.

Nowadays the reggae crooner sings both soul and gospel music and still performs in the states and Caribbean. Until his next remake pops up on my radar, I'm going to practice rollin' it to this oldie but goodie. Come down, Selecta!

Sanchez: "Fall In Love"


Sanchez [Official] [MySpace]

Butta  |  03/13/2008 at 5:00 PM  |  Comments (6)  |  Permalink

Billy Lawrence Wants You To 'Come On'

 

It's Friday, the final day of a very special week of diggin' in the crates. So far, we've unearthed some soundtrack gems from Tammy Lucas (Juice), Caron Wheeler (Mo' Money) and Mona Lisa (Don't Be A Menace...).

Today's artist is Billy Lawrence, who's been in the music industry since 1992. It wasn't, however, until her appearance on the 1996 Set It Off motion picture soundtrack with the cut "Come On" that she truly hit her groove.

The song is classic R&B, with a thumping bassline that pleasingly contrasts Billy's silky soprano. MC Lyte makes an appearance as well, putting the track over the top with her wicked wordplay.

Lawrence, who got her start as a background singer for Jamaican artist Jimmy Cliff, signed with EastWest Records in 1994 and recorded her first LP, One Might Say. After a few singles were released ("Happiness", "Boyfriend"), Billy continued to pay the bills by writing songs for various artists including Mary J. Blige and En Vogue, and singing background for a who's who of the rap community, including Ma$e, Rampage, Chubb Rock and Nas.

Her second album, Paradise, was released in 1997, with "Come On" as the first single. Since then, she's worked on projects for TLC (wrote four songs on Fanmail), Allure (background vocals), Blaque (wrote "Bring It All to Me"), Jennifer Lopez (wrote and sang background vocals on two J. Lo albums) and Mandy Moore.

According to Wikipedia, Billy is chillin' these days, raising a family and giving vocal lessons as a part-time gig. All of that is cool, but if she ever got the itch to record again, all I'd say is this to Ms. Lawrence: Come on.

Billy Lawrence feat. MC Lyte: "Come On"


Billy Lawrence [Wiki]

Harlem  |  03/07/2008 at 3:00 PM  |  Comments (1)  |  Permalink

Can't Be Wasting Mona Lisa's Time

 

This has been a fun week of diggin' in the crates, searching for those soul sistas that have blessed soundtracks over the years, yet have never quite got the same love once they branched out onto solo discs. And while you'd probably be able to pick both Tammy Lucas and Caron Wheeler out of a lineup under the right circumstances, I'm not sure the same could be said for today's artist, Mona Lisa.

If you recall, the then 16-year-old from Yonkers, NY, first graced us with her presence on the 1996 Don't Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood motion picture soundtrack (and yes, my fingers are tired just from typing that) with the song "Can't Be Wasting My Time,"  credibly navigating the hip-hop beats that also featured a cameo by my Queens home-skillets, the Lost Boyz.

In fact, the higher-ups thought so highly of the track, it served as the lead single even with a roster full of all-stars, including The Isley Brothers ("Let's Lay Together"), Joe ("All the Things (Your Man Won't Do)"), R. Kelly ("Tempo Slow") and the Lost Boyz again ("Renee"), lying in wait. Good times.

Sadly, after such an impressive introduction to the world, Mona's solo sales didn't take off with the release of her debut, 11/20/79 (her birth date), or the single "You Said." A second LP, Gettin' It On, was recorded but never released. Last year, she signed with indie label Ontourage Entertainment. And according to her MySpace page (yeah, she's my friend ... what?!?!?), she's back, in Mona's words, "ready to give my fans what they want."  Which is good because, as you know, anything else would be wasting her time. And ours.

Now let's jam, '90s-style.

Mona Lisa feat. Lost Boyz: "Can't Be Wasting My Time"


The Original Mona Lisa [MySpace]

Harlem  |  03/06/2008 at 3:00 PM  |  Comments (5)  |  Permalink

Diggin' In The Crates: La Charanga '76

 

Those of you familiar with international music know that there is just something about American pop music that makes so deserving of it being remade to a better beat. Tracy Chapman's "Sorry," nicely redone by reggae artist Shelly Thunder, is a good example of this. As far as Latin music goes, La Charanga '76, consisting of Cuban brothers Hansel and Raul, made some of the best covers of disco classics ever made. Peep their covers of Chic's "My Forbidden Lover" as well as McFadden and Whitehead's "Aint No Stoppin' Us Now" and decide for yourself. 

ill Mami  |  03/05/2008 at 2:00 PM  |  Leave a Comment  |  Permalink