Jazmine Sullivan comes to Genesee Theatre in Waukegan

Jazmine Sullivan was at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan this past weekend. I was out of town, so I couldn't make it to give a good review. I hear there were people that didn't even know she was coming to town, so i'm not sure if the house was packed or not. I did manage to get some reviews from a few people that went though. So check these out and hopefully I can get to the next big show at the Genesee.

Margie wrote:
The concert was nice. Not as packed as I thought it would be, but it was straight. Maybe if they had some acts that had more then 1 or 2 songs. BUT, Jasmine blew it up with her live band. She sounded greatttt! You know how some people get on stage and you are like wtf! She did an awesome job. I got to go backstage and she is a very sweet person also. So if I had to rate it on a scale of 1 - 10, I would give it a 7. The after parties sucked. Seem like nobody went to either one. I didn't even go. Ya'll should have thrown a party real talk. Peace, love & all that jazz.

Shanda wrote:
On a 5 star scale, I'd give her performance a 4. Her vocals were great..all songs sounded as good if not better than her recordings. The band was on point...back up singers and all. The only improvements I would have liked are: greater variety...her singing songs other than those on her album, some sort of interaction with the audience, and a longer performance..she only sang about 5 cuts. The other acts were decent too...Cash City, Rain, Ben One and Jeremih. Leon Rogers was FUNNY but a bit much for the kids. I guess if their mommas let em come see the 'birthday sex' dude all bets are off - lol.

Krystal wrote:
Jazmine Sullivan’s performance Saturday night at the Genesee Theatre solidified why this newcomer is a force to be reckoned with in the R&B/Soul arena. Performing songs from her debut album, “Fearless,” the Grammy-nominated artist was backed by a four-piece band and two back-up singers. After walking out onto a spotlited stage á la jazz cafe, Sullivan broke the performance’s ice with her second single, “Bust Your Windows” before venturing into the inspirational and encouraging “Dream Big.” In the tradition of a true entertainer, Sullivan connected intimately with her audience during “After the Hurricane,” telling of the projectile path her voice put her on at the age of three, which led to a record deal at age 15.

Sullivan’s signature honey-coated vocals were especially flavorful on her sing-a-long ballad, “Lions, Tigers & Bears,” where she reveals her vulnerability in love. The audience eagerly responded to her confession with a cell-phone vigil. It was during this song that Sullivan demonstrated why she is a top contender, effortlessly climbing up and down the vocal ladder reminiscent of Kim Burrell’s gospel-tinged riffs. The 1960’s-influenced “One Night Stand” and “Switch” provided a light-hearted alternative to her more serious selections, and Sullivan soulfully apologizes for an indiscretion of the heart on “In Love With Another Man.” With the way she uses her voice to bare her soul, her soon-to-be-ex has no choice but to accept her apology.

At this point Sullivan announces that this is her final song, only to be met with objection and the overwhelming demand for her signature anthem, the reggae-laced “Need You Bad.” Hearing a live version of “Need You Bad” makes you quickly realize that the radio simply does not do this song justice. The live, heavy thumping bass and the keyboards define the acoustics and flow through one’s body as the blazing electric guitar takes over toward the end of the song. With a sea of hands waving in the air, the audience is satisfied, yet still begging for more as we simply have not gotten enough of Ms. Jazmine.

Sullivan’s performance Saturday night was nothing short of extraordinary. She makes you forget that she is a relative newcomer. Sullivan’s confidence and the ability to connect with her audience disguises her as a seasoned veteran. Also a gifted songwriter, this soulful siren is a force to be reckoned with. If she remains “fearless” Jazmine Sullivan will definitely be around for a while.

If you went to the show too, please post your thoughts....

Jazmine Sullivan comes to Genesee Theatre in Waukegan

It's Been A Long Time....

It's been a long time since i've blogged. Been too lazy to write down my thoughts on new music or just music in general. I'm in Atlanta right now at Treesound Studios and being around all these creative people has given me a reason to blog. Been working with a dope new girl group that will be out soon. I've also been trying to focus on my own music alot more that I did last year. So I will be blogging more and letting my thoughts about music be known.

Peace

It's Been A Long Time....

New Jon B. Album - Helpless Romantic = Real R&B

To make a long story short.....Jon B's new cd, 'Helpless Romantic', is dope. Go get it. Jon B is one of the few artist out now that I will actually go to the store to buy a cd for. Gotta support dope independent artists.

Jon B. is one of the most underrated R&B artists of the last decade. Dude just doesn't make wack albums (cds) and this one is no different. He scares me at the beginning of the joint with a NeYo/Chris Brown sounding song (It's U), but then settles in to vintage Jon B. material. His last cd in 2004, 'Stronger Everyday', was very very slept on. This is Robin Thicke with more soul. I shouldn't say that cause really he was bangin' before Robin Thicke. So if u want a real r&b cd that can pretty much play all the way through, this is it. Glad to see Jon B. back. Peep the 80's cd cover.

New Jon B. Album - Helpless Romantic = Real R&B

I Can No Longer Front On T-Pain's Skills

Okay, I can no longer front on T-Pain's skills. After hearing his latest single, "Chopped & Screwed", I give up on saying dude is wack. He may not be able to sing without the lil vocorder effect but dude makes good songs, PERIOD. He makes feel good songs with good melodies and he's creative. He also makes songs that ppl can relate to.

"I'm in Love With a Stripper" - We know kats that have fell in love with strippers. LOL.
"Bartender" - Just go to a club and see how many kats try to holla at the bartenders.
"Buy U a Drank" - Self explanatory.

He also makes other ppls wack songs sound half decent when he is featured and he has everybody from Lil Wayne to Kanye West copying his style with the vocorder. He is basically doing what R. Kelly used to do when he was the man in R&B. I finally relented after hearing this "Chopped & Screwed" joint. This is one of the most creative R&B songs i have ever heard. EVER! If u know what chopped & screwed is, this song is borderline genius and the melody is dope. So, i must admit that I may be buying T-Pain's new cd when it comes out. Sorry...

T-Pain - Chopped & Screwed

I Can No Longer Front On T-Pain's Skills

Underrated Producer Series: Jay Dee aka J. Dilla [R.I.P.]

Jay Dee aka J. Dilla is one of my favorite producers of all time. Matter of fact, he's a lot of producer's favorite producer. Dilla was a real talented and soulful kat with a musical ear like no other. He died in 2006 and was seemingly more popular after he died. When I first heard Slum Village's "Climax", I was hooked. I went on a research mission to find everything Jay Dee ever produced. If u like neo soul music or anything similar this is the man that helped usher in that sound, in my opinion. Nobody was using claps in R&B like he was except maybe Roger & Zapp. Just take a listen to early Slum Village, Pharcyde, and the music from the production team The Ummah. For example, Janet Jackson's "Got Til' It's Gone" sounded like nothing else when it dropped in 1997. That's early neo soul. Dilla did the music but was not credited for that song. Soon many artists such as Erykah Badu, Musiq and Jill Scott were following suit. He later produced songs on Erykah's "Mama's Gun" cd.

He produced the majority of Common's "Like Water For Chocolate" cd, which is still my favorite Common cd. U can't even front on "The Light" from that cd. Also, remember how Q-Tip's "Vivrant Thing" used to bang in the clubs when it dropped. That was J. Dilla. He was a very versatile producer. Most producer's that are into Jay Dee's music know how intricate many of his productions were. They may sound simple, but they weren't simple to make. He made sampling an art. Jay Dee changed alot of kats whole approach to beatmaking. It's just ashame he didn't get his just due while he was still alive. Check out Dilla's discography here and 2 of my favorite Jay Dee productions below.

Slum Village - Climax


J Dilla - Won't Do
(Released after his death - That's his brother playing him in the video)
Peep how he sampled and chopped up The Isley Brother's "Footsteps in The Dark"

Underrated Producer Series: Jay Dee aka J. Dilla [R.I.P.]

Underrated Producer Series: Organized Noize

So I was listening to Goodie Mob's first cd, Soul Food, and thinking how dope the production was on that cd. The production on the cd as well as the production on Outkast's entire first joint, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, was done by the Organized Noize production team. These are 2 classic albums in my opinion. Not to mention the work they did on all the other Outkast and Goodie Mob cds. With that being said, Organized Noize will be the first producers in my Underrated Producer Series.

Organized Noize are maybe the most underrated producers in hip-hop. They were definitely the most underrated of the 90's. Made up of Rico Wade, Ray Murray and Sleepy Brown, these kats put Atlanta hip-hop on the map and they did it without sounding like anyone else. They did it with hard beats and lush live instrumentation. They had that dirty south soul thing going on. I'm sure anyone that was listening to hip-hop in 1994-1995 remembers how Outkast came in and changed the game. They had their own lane and their own style. The same goes for Goodie Mob. Organized Noize also produced TLC's biggest hit, Waterfalls.

You can check out the rest of Organized Noize discography here.

Goodie Mob - Cell Therapy
produced by Organized Noize (1995)

TLC - Waterfalls
produced by Organized Noize (1995)

Underrated Producer Series: Organized Noize

Faith Evans Talks About the Fights, Affairs and 2Pac in Her New Book: Keep the Faith: A Memoir

Sorry for the delayed posting. I just got done reading Faith Evans' Memoir. The book is a good read. If you're a Faith Evans, Biggie, 90's r&b or Puffy fan..this is an interesting read. Faith seems pretty honest in the book and tells alot about her life and Biggie's life. I was shocked at some of the things she admitted to doing. She gets into her altercations with Lil Kim, her abortions and her relationships with 2Pac, Missy Elliot and Mary J. Blige. Definitely a good read for fans of Faith Evans.

I'm also including an unreleased Faith Evans track before she had a label deal with Badboy. An early 90's joint. Shout out to my man Ike Lee III for the track. He and Kiyamma Griffin produced this joint.

Faith Evans - Pleasures

Faith Evans Talks About the Fights, Affairs and 2Pac in Her New Book: Keep the Faith: A Memoir

**Brandy's New Song and Video "Right Here (Departed)"

Brandy is back. Now Brandy is one of the better vocalist that we have today, but I don't like this song. Rodney Jerkins could've gave her something better than this watered down pop joint. What's with these artists going straight for the pop-tart charts now. I know the reason why, but dang. Just because it works for Ne-yo and Rihanna doesn't mean it will work for u. I thought Brandy was about to come back fresh. She disappointed me with this one. I'll still buy the cd cause i'm a Brandy fan, but it has to be better than this.

**Brandy's New Song and Video "Right Here (Departed)"

Jameisha Trice recording in my basement "The Vision Lab"

I've been going thru some old video clips that I have. I found one that we recorded a few years of ago of Chicago artist, Jameisha Trice recording a song we did together. Jameisha Trice is a very talented singer and songwriter. "I Say I" is the first song we recorded with Jameisha and it turned out to be a great song. It played on radio stations across the country and was on several mixtapes throughout the US and the UK. Check out the full version of the song as well as the video clip.

Jameisha Trice - "I Say I" produced by Zeyl10 and DJ Dread

Jameisha Trice recording in my basement "The Vision Lab"

Who Did It Better?? - The Jacksons vs. Troop - "All I Do Is Think Of You"

From time to time I will be comparing songs that more than 1 artist has recorded. For this first one i will be comparing one of the dopest slow joints of all time (in my opinion). Alot people don't know that The Jacksons and a young teenage Michael Jackson originally recorded "All I Do Is Think Of You". It was on their 1975 Moving Violation album, their final album with Motown. Troop smashed the song too on their second album, Attitude, in 1989. Young Michael is very dope on the song. I think Troop added a little bit more to the song but sang it almost identical to the original. I really don't know who's version is better. I like both. You be the judge.

The Jacksons - All I Do Is Think Of You (1975)


Troop - All I Do Is Think Of You (1989)

Who Did It Better?? - The Jacksons vs. Troop - "All I Do Is Think Of You"

*Jazmine Sullivan Has Next!

A friend of mine sent me an advance from this artist named Jazmine Sullivan awhile back. I don't know if it's her new cd coming out or just some old songs that she's done. Regardless, ole girl has skills. Her songs are very soulful. She's not cookie cutter like some of these other female artists that all sound alike. Come to find out she's been in the industry for awhile and she's only 21 now. Her new single, Need U Bad, is pretty fresh. It had to grow on me though. Now, if only she could take Missy off the beginning of it...

*Jazmine Sullivan Has Next!

**New Video - Musiq Soulchild "Radio"

Here's Musiq Soulchild's new video "Radio" from his new album, On My Radio, coming out in November. Personally I don't like this joint. When i first heard it, I thought it was a joke. On BET's Access Granted, Musiq explained that he listens to all types of music and u shouldn't put artists in a box. Do u think this song will scare Musiq's core fan base off? It's definitely not what his fans are used to. Peep the video.

Props to Concreteloop

**New Video - Musiq Soulchild "Radio"

*New* Joe - "Why Just Be Friends"

Joe now going by his full name, Joe Thomas, has a new album called New Man coming next month. Joe is now an independent artist after 10 years on Jive Records. Read how Joe says R. Kelly tried to sabotage his career while on Jive.
Check out the new video for his new single, "Why Just Be Friends", below. I like this joint. Claudia Jordan is the leading lady in the video.

*New* Joe - "Why Just Be Friends"

The DeBarge Family - In Church!

Here's video of one of my favorite groups singing at Noel Jones' church. I know this was in 2007, but it's good to see they are doing well after all the tragedies in their family (from drug use to untimely deaths). It is especially good to see that they are in church. El DeBarge is definitely a talented kat and as a family they made great music in the 80's.

They'll be performing at the Country Club Hills Theater on Friday, August 29th with the SOS Band. Singing in the video is El DeBarge on the keyboard with James, who was married to Janet Jackson, coming on later.

Video - Debarge Family with Noel Jones

After the video check out one of my favorite DeBarge joints, Stay With Me, and the song that Biggie got the One More Chance sample from. The sample was jacked at the end of the song.

DeBarge - Stay With Me

The DeBarge Family - In Church!

New Eric Benet Video "You're The Only One"

Fresh new Eric Benet joint. Shoutout to kats still doing real R&B music. Did y'all know he was from Milwaukee? This video was filmed in his old neighborhood.

source:Soulbounce

New Eric Benet Video "You're The Only One"