Old School Fridays - "Without Love, It Ain't Much"

I forgot how infectious Sheila's E. breakout hit was. She and Prince... they could make some jams.

Sy Smith does Teena Marie proud

I’m not a fan of covers, especially when it comes to my favorite artists. So when I saw that Sy Smith released a cover of my beloved Teena Marie’s “Lovergirl”, I was ready to launch into an anti-twitter campaign. Good that I stopped to listen to the track, because it’s pretty good.

Sy’s “Teena (Lovergirl Syberized)” is less of a cover and more of an “inspired homage” to Teena’s biggest hit. With some impressive production by Mark de Clive-Lowe (aka MdCL), the track sounds nothing like the original. I love that Sy starts the song with “When the push comes to shove…” (Teena’s outro on the original) instead of the well-known “Coffee, tea, or me, baby…”.

The chorus has a nice groove; it’s much more mellow that the original. Overall, a great track from an underrated artist. Check it out below, and get it for free here.

The Best Music You've Never Heard: Sheila E's "Hold Me"

I finally got around to watching TV1’s Unsung episode featuring Sheila E. I’m ever happier that they included the ballad “Hold Me”. Shelia’s a great percussionist, but she can sing as well. “Hold Me” is a great vehicle that showcases her vocal ability. 

Now if only someone would release the extended version (with a longer intro and a sexy outro).

Old School Fridays - So I'm Driving This Truck Down 95

Our boy Pharrell did his thing at the Oscars last week (teaming with Sheila E to add a little "pep" to the house music)... made me think of "Provider" (of the cross-genre In Search Of).

My Favorite Albums: Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star

Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star is a simple title to a very complex album. I wrote about the technical excellence of Black Star’s introductory (and so far, only) release a few years ago; I want to revisit the album – this time from a personal viewpoint.

I first heard Black Star in the summer of 1999. I was between my senior and “super senior” years in college and was interning in New York (working on Long Island, living in Brooklyn). It was a special time in my life; I was evaluating my next steps through all prisms (social, spiritual, economic) and was making key decisions about the direction I wanted to take.

Old School Fridays - Birds Never Look Into The Sun Before The Day Is Done

I've been listening to a lot of Euro-emo-r&b-pop music this week... so it feels right to close out the week with Terence Trent D'arby's "Sigh Your Name".

Robin Hannibal makes "Amends"

Robin Hannibal (of both Quadron and Boom Clap Bachelors) released Bobby late last year. Though I'm a huge Robin Hannibal fan, I was unmoved by the LP. Only one track jumped out at me: the catchy "Amends". Though it's no "Day" or "Skynd Dig Langsomt", it's holds its own.


Video after the bounce.

Quadron's "Day" makes no sense... but that's ok

I don't get this video... I really don't. But that's ok, because when it sounds this good, the video doesn't have to make sense. If you haven't gotten your hands on Quadron's self-titled release, then get it... quickly.

I'm Looking Forward to Hearing... Robert Glasper Experiment's Black Radio

It feels like forever since the first track's from the Robert Glasper Experiment's Black Radio started dropping. So far, we've officially been teased with tracks by Erykah Badu ("Afro Blue") and Musiq and Chrisette Michele ("Ah Yeah").

Those are both great tracks, but mine favorite (so far) has been "Move Love", a collaboration with King (see below to listen).

And for those that like hip-hop, Glasper has a few MCs on the album as well - most notably Yasin Bey (fka Mos Def) and Lupe Fiasco. Tuesday, February 28th can't get here fast enough.

Old School Fridays - Whitney's "I Have Nothing"