Review: Coko - A Coko Christmas
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Video: Jamie Foxx feat. T.I. - Just Like Me
Video: Ne-yo - Mad
It's almost Thanksgiving, and I'm thankful that Ne-yo keeps the hits coming. Here's Mad, the latest single from Year of the Gentleman - one of the hottest new R&B albums this year. It's a nice clip with a valuable lesson to be learned about the uncertainty of life and the power of one's words. Check it out...
New Joint: Joe Budden feat. The Game and Dominic - The Future
The Dream - Right Side of Ya Brain
Christina Milian - Us Against The World
So how does one go from the highly respected Def Jam Records to MySpace Records? Ask Christina Milian... Shortly after the release of her last album, So Amazin' Christina Milian was allegedly dropped from Def Jam due to the album's poor sales. In case you didn't know, Rihanna's hit single S.O.S. was originally intended for Christina who turned it down in an effort to have more creative control in her career, and who could blame her? But when Rihanna made the song a hit and Christina's album tanked, the writing was on the wall. Surprisingly though, So Amazin' was truly her best album (despite all the finger-pointing at Nick Cannon)! Three-and-a-half years later, she's on a new label and she's got a great sound for her debut single Us Against The World. I'm looking forward to hearing her new stuff and checking out the new album, but we'll have to wait til the Spring to hear it.
NEW Johnta Austin - Defensive
New J. Holiday - It's Yours
Review: Ludacris - Theater of the Mind
He’s six albums deep so by now, we know what to expect from Ludacris right? Some thumpin’ beats, a boatload of clever puns and humorous metaphors, a few panty-droppers, and some keep-it-real message songs. While this sixth album doesn’t experience any major deviations in content, the few cosmetic changes to its overall presentation are what make it worth the listen. Enter the Theater of the Mind, a craftily written compilation of short stories with cameos from today’s hip-hop elite and some
Ludacris is a modern-day storyteller and has an unmatched ability to build mental images through his lyrical wordplay and his vocal inflections. He calls up the homies on Call Up The Homies, featuring The Game and Willy Northpole as the main characters partying in different cities where circumstances call for some major reinforcements.
The overall highlight of this album is its ability to paint vivid pictures in the mind of the listener. I could easily imagine a music video for each of these tracks. Again, there’s nothing really new here in terms of content, but
Related Posts:
New Ludacris with Nas and Jay-Z: I Do It For Hip Hop
Ludacris feat. T-Pain: One More Drink
Undisputed (feat. Floyd Mayweather)
They Know What We Like
-Mack-
American Music Awards 08 - Performance Recap
Christina Aguilera opened the show with her sensational voice and about as many outfit changes as songs… She began with a few lines from Beautiful and then transitioned into an amped-up performance of Keeps Getting Better, where she was accompanied by her dancers. In my opinion, this is what the music video really should have looked like. She also took a stroll with her hits Genie In A Bottle, let the vocals rip on Dirty and brought it home with Aint No Other Man.
NKOTB – is it time to sit down yet?
Pink’s performance of her second single Sober was a highlight for me. It’s definitely one of the best songs on her album, and this performance was totally rocked out. Not to mention she looks amazing. Pink sure knows how to kick in the emotion when it’s time.
Miley Cyrus' performance of Fly On The Wall had great energy and the song is kinda catchy. Is she this decade’s Britney Spears?
Jonas Brothers - blaaaaaahhhhhh…
Ne-yo… white shoes tho? Feelin the horn arrangement and the dance routines were amazing but uh… I think he forgot that he was actually supposed to SING the words. If you’re going to dance that hard and forget to deliver the lyrics, join the rest of the “cool kids” that lip sync their live shows!
Leona Lewis took the stage with her perfect vocals and she looked great!! She is one of few artists I dare to say sings better live than on her album! Another highlight of the night for me.
Beyonce showed up gloveless for a performance of Sasha's current smash Single Ladies. Of course she looked amazing and had great energy, but that vanilla honey on the right was killing it. So I guess that answers my previous question: even without the glove, she still gives the love...
Fashionably, Rihanna rocked! She tried some new things with her vocals, to prove that she can actually sing, contrary to what a lot of folks seem to think. I really hope Rehab is the last single from this album.
I’m gonna try not to say anything bad about Kanye West. His performance of Heartless was cool, nothing amazing, but his vocals were quite off in a lot of places. Which brings me to my next point…What’s he gonna do when he goes on tour?? Oh and Kanye… from now on just take your award, say thank you, sit down and shut up. Thank you and you’re welcome… (Hey, I said I'd TRY!)
Sara McLachlan and Pink singing ‘Angel’ – That is one of the most beautiful songs ever written, and this duet was amazing. Really took me back to Pink’s Can’t Take Me Home album, her R&B flavored debut.
Alicia Keys performed Superwoman with some help from Queen Latifah and Kathleen Bennett (presumably a professional opera singer). Good look with bringin out the Queen and diversifying her performance, but I think the opera may have been a bit much. I see what she was trying to do and I appreciate it, but it was a bit much all at once.
-Mack-
Review: Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak
808’s & Heartbreak just may be the definitive album of Kanye’s career – sentimental, confused, and strong yet vulnerable. This is Kanye’s most personal, introspective and most reflective album to date. He raised eyebrows when he sang the album’s introductory single Love Lockdown at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, and raised them again when it was revealed that the entire album would be sung with the assistance of the Auto-Tune device. Contrary to the popular school of thought, it works quite well on this project as the themes and overall sound of the entire album are structured around the device creating a balance that gives his music that signature Kanye characteristic – boldness. In the wake of his mother’s tragic death, his breakup from his ex-fiancée, and a string of media stunts, Kanye bears his soul through his music – the result could be considered Kanye’s magnum opus.
As for my top picks: the production on Robocop is among the best on the album; it incorporates synthesized harmonies and hydraulic robotic sound clips to accompany West’s fed-up-with-your-shit lyrics. Streetlights is one of the more vulnerable records, and really gives insight to the sad undertones of the rest of the album. The elements of his human emotion are on display all throughout this album. You can hear his frustration on Welcome To Heartbreak, his resilience on Amazing featuring Young Jeezy, and his rage on See You In My Nightmares with Lil Wayne. On no other track is West’s pain felt more than my personal favorite: Coldest Winter, written for his mother, the late Dr. Donda West. The syncopated tribal beats from the 808 beneath his piercing vocals; this song was born in heartbreak: “Memories made in the coldest winter, Goodbye my friend; I won’t ever love again…” The album closes with Pinocchio Story, a live freestyle from Kanye’s concert in
After giving this album a few listens, I dare to say this is the best album of Kanye’s career, and definitely one of the better releases of the year. Although he claims he “just wants to be a real boy” this album shows us that he already is, and that his celebrity status doesn’t exempt him from the heartaches we all face. This album is not only recommended, it’s a must-have. This is an appropriate follow-up to Graduation, because that’s usually where real life begins…
Related Posts:
Video: Kanye West - Heartless
-Mack-
Sound-Savvy Drop: 808 refers to the TR-808, an early model drum machine, largely used in the creation of demo recordings.
Soundbyte: Brandy - After The Flood
I saw the official tracklisting for Human and this song didn't look like it's on there, but I sure as hell hope it's a bonus track or something, cause I CAN'T STOP PLAYIN IT!!! Oh man... she kills on this joint (not literally of course, ya know that whole accident thing is over) , which is more evidence that the return of B-Rocka is about to be somethin serious!! The song is called After The Flood and I just can't stop playin it... it means a lot in a lot of different areas of life... lemme know what you think...
Video: Keri Hilson feat. Lil Wayne - Turnin' Me On
Can I get a handclap for sexiness? Sexy videos are apparently a trend when it comes to Keri Hilson, and she keeps that energy flowing with the third single from her pushed-back-yet-again debut album In A Perfect World. Ladies, this one is mostly for you, there's enough tats and bare chests to make your cold winter's night just a little bit warmer along with some elements of this video that are reminiscent of the Soldier clip from Destiny Fulfilled. Polow lays the beat, Wayne rips his verse, and Keri... well, she makes it hot! Look for the album at the top of 2009.
Video: Solange - T.O.N.Y.
Video: Slim feat. Ryan Leslie and Fabolous - Good Lovin'
Album Review: Brian McKnight - I'll Be Home For Christmas
Brian McKnight is an R&B superstar with a voice that can warm the heart of any Scrooge. With the release of his second Christmas album, I'll Be Home For Christmas, he takes a more traditional approach to deliver his season’s greetings. This is in contrast to
One of my favorites is his cover of a song that he co-wrote with Wanya Morris for Boyz II Men on their 1993 Christmas Interpretations album. The song is called Who Would Have Thought, and it’s all about the unlikely event of falling in love on Christmas day. Other favorites include Angels We Have Heard on High with Josh Groban and Let It Snow with his two sons (who were also featured on the
Production-wise, everything is very traditional, from the stringed melody of Silent Night, to the smooth piano intro on I’ll Be Home for Christmas. I highly recommend this album for anyone who loves good Christmas music, especially the traditional music of the season; now all you need is some mistletoe and someone to help you trim that tree…
-Mack-
Album Review: Musiq Soulchild - A Philly Soul Christmas
Well, it’s that time of the year folks, and Christmas music is certain to be ringing in every mall and store from here to the North Pole and beyond very soon if it isn’t already. A Philly Soul Christmas is Musiq Soulchild’s offering for the season, an EP of 7 traditional Christmas carols delivered with some jazzy, neo-soul flavor. I’ll get straight to the point: this is a prime example of “just because you can sing, doesn’t mean you can sing everything”.
Musiq has a very monotone voice and a rather limited range which works well for his neo-soul style music. But traditional Christmas carols require a lot more than a limited range. His songs kinda take the joy out of the Christmas carols for me because his voice sounds so bland. Production-wise though, this has some great stuff. In fact, if he were to release just the instrumentals from this release, I’d cop it and rock it at my holiday party. I’d give him a C for effort, but a D- on the overall attempt. The best song to me was O Come All Ye Faithful, his voice moves a lot lighter and easier over the piano-led melody. This is actually one of the best renditions of that song that I’ve heard from any contemporary artist. His version of Deck The Halls comes in a smooth second place, but I could honestly do without the rest.
I’m sure his new album On My Radio will be much better when it’s released on 12.9.08 so I’ll be checkin for that. But if you’re on the hunt for new sounds of the season, I don’t recommend this one…
-Mack-
Album Review: Slim of 112 - Love's Crazy
Album: Love's Crazy
Release Date: 11.18.08
It can be a nail biting experience when one of your favorite music groups disbands and members start taking the solo route. I’ve always been a proponent of that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” theorem. That said I had several reasons to be a little nervous about Slim’s debut solo album. Let’s keep it real: Slim worked well in the group because Mike, Daron and Q all added some balance to Slim’s gratuitous high pitched rifts that could get a little irksome at times (hey, I said keep it real!). Together, 112 balanced each other to create some sweet harmonies, the likes of which are rarely attempted anymore. But when I listened to Love’s Crazy, it wasn’t as bad as I expected it to be; it’s actually a decent project. With collaborations from Fabolous, Faith Evans, Big Boi, and Ryan Leslie, Slim’s proving that you can count 112 down, but it’s still too soon to count them out.
Yung Joc contributes his laidback swagger to the lead single So Fly, which blazed the airwaves this summer. Good Lovin’ is the album’s second single produced by Ryan Leslie who also appears on the hook, while Fabolous delivers a few bars to make this a possible hit record. Other highlights on the album include the romance ballad Sweet Baby and the Faith Evans duet So Gone. The latter opens with a guitar solo that’s reminiscent of Slash’s runs in TLC’s Red Light Special. Treat your carnal side to Bedtime Stories, an elaborately detailed sexual escapade that’s sure to entice the ladies. Big Boi steps in to close the album out on the title track, a thumping ATL-signature jam and another highlight of the album.
While this album overcomes some mountains, it dives into some valleys also. Heels On is one track that doesn’t quite deliver. It features Yung Berg (there’s one reason) and Deezo, and crosses that fine line between sensual and just plain corny without much assistance from the two featured rappers. Leave U Alone is Slim’s attempt at a dance record but contains the element I most feared when listening to this project – the return of the whiny wailing voice that we all hoped would sit this one out.
This album isn’t groundbreaking nor would I consider it one of the best releases this year, but it does hold its own. There’s more good tracks than bad, and we hear more of Slim’s natural range throughout the disc, a departure from his higher register which tends to be a staple throughout 112’s albums. Call me nostalgic, but I would have loved to hear a song on this album that reunites Slim with the remaining members of 112 to gratify fans left wondering about the group’s fate. Great production, great collabs, now if only we could get those guys on another album together…
Related Post:
112: In Parts
-Mack-
Video: Jadakiss feat. Ne-yo - By My Side
New Video: Mya - Paradise
Video-Avant-BREAK YA BACK
David Cook - Light On
New Music from 50 Cent: 'Get Up!'
New Ludacris with Nas AND Jay-Z: I Do It For Hip-Hop
Rihanna's Fashionable New Video: Rehab
TIYMLI: Katy Perry - Hot N' Cold
Introducing: BRUTHA
Nowadays we're inundated with reality shows about the rise to fame and popularity, the rags to riches themes and the keep-it-a-little-too-real family dramas. Nonetheless, a friend told me about the new show Brothers to Brutha, which will premeire on BET on 11.18. and I felt the need to pass it along to my Sound-Savvy fam. It chronicles the story of 5 actual brothers who have formed the R&B quintet aptly titled "Brutha". They've been signed to Island Def Jam by Jermaine Dupri and are set to release their debut album on December 23. Just hearing these fellas sing a capella gives me chills. I got a feeling they will succeed where other family based groups like B5 have failed because they all have talent - each one can sing quite well, but they realize they're stronger together than any one of them could be in a solo venture. They've started an a capella movement, which I find simply amazing; groups just don't do a capella anymore, because a lot of them just can't. Check out their first single, and then watch this video clip of them singing Love Lockdown... they might be the new hotness!
Let Plies "Put It on Ya"
Seal - A Change is Gonna Come
Review: Q-Tip - The Renaissance
They tried to tell me he wasn’t hip-hop no more. They said “He’s out of touch” and “he ain’t wit it no more”. “Who does he think he is?” they said, followed by “Better yet, who do you think he is?” Well, he’s Q-Tip, and he is hip-hop. Remember everything you liked about Tribe? How they could make you scratch your head while shakin your derriere? How they gave birth to concepts and grooves at the same time? On The Renaissance, Q-Tip brings you back to the happy medium between consciousnesses and partying. It’s another dose of electric relaxation, folks.
The Renaissance is Q-Tip’s first album in years but he’s still got that musical methodology of the groove. From the lead single Gettin Up it’s apparent that the time away from the mic didn’t slight his flow at all. The album opens with the piano-led Johnny Is Dead, which also includes more of Raphael Saadiq weathers a stormy relationship on We Fight/We Love, which chronicles a stormy relationship. Other cameos include Amanda Diva on the vibrant Manwomanboogie, D’Angelo on Believe, and Norah Jones on the feel-good Life is Better. Other highlights I’d recommend are You and Dance On Glass, one of the most true-to-form cuts on the album.
I often consider Q-Tip the predecessor to today’s more lyrically advanced artists, namely Lupe Fiasco. His eclectic grooves, lyrical genius and overall musical ability put him in a category rarely touched by today’s mainstream artists – but then again, Q-Tip has never really been a main stream swimmer. He’s a niche artist, and he found his following – or rather they found him years ago. It’s sad that we had to wait so long for this album, but The Renaissance is here.
-Mack-
The Dream - Let Me See The Booty
SHOW UR BAD SIDE!!!!
Album Review...DAVID ARCHULETA
Album: Self-Titled David Archuleta
Release Date: 11.11.08
Releasing his first studio album, entitled David Archuleta, I must say this young man has made his mark in the industry. He was born to be a balladeer. With opening track Crush, a track very relative to all, sets the tone for the remainder of the album. He speaks of that special someone that captivates his entire mental cavity. We've all been there.
Despite his age, he sings as if he's experienced all that life has to offer. I've found myself listening to this album on repeat for the mere fact, I think I'm dreaming. Its an easy listen & it tells one story after another without the listener losing interest.
Without totally letting the cat out the bag, I highly recommend listening to this young man. I guarantee it wont be a disappointment. David, if you somehow catch wind of this, keep up the great work. Your fan here on Sound-Savvy is routing for ya!
Mindstream Topic: BATTLE OF THE SEXES!
Zodiac Love
You can chat about this and other topics on the Sound-Savvy Forums, designed as a way for you to have friendly debates and network. Sign up for an account, and let us know who should win the battle of the sexes.
Bobby Valentino - Another Life
New Music from Case - Lovely
LOVELY
Sasha Fierce or Sasha Fraud?
BUN B- YOU'RE EVERYTHING
FORUM TOPIC: Who Had The Better Album?
It's Beyonce... No, That's SASHA!
Christina Aguilera - Keeps Gettin' Better
It's hard to believe it's been a decade since the genie was let out of the bottle and we found out What A Girl Wants. In that time, Christina Aguilera has released 3 regular studio albums (the last of which was a double disc) and arguably one of the best Christmas albums of the pop generation. She's locked lips with Madonna, won numerous awards, and has stolen many a show with her huge vocal performances. In case you're guilty of under-appreciating the talent of Mrs. Aguilera, take note: here's 5 reasons why you need to cop Keeps Gettin' Better - A Decade of Hits in stores 11.11.08.
5. Quality over Quantity - She's been in the game just as long as fellow Mickey Mouseketeer Britney Spears, but has only released half as many albums while Britney has received twice the notoriety. However, Christina's 3 albums have produced twice as many #1 hits atop the Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart. Plus she's just a better singer...
4. That's how many #1 Singles she has on the Billboard 100 list... really makes you wonder about all the hype behind Britney now, huh?
3. The Voice - There aren't many women that can sing a Whitney Houston song in a tribute to Whitney herself and make it sound just as good, if not better than the original. Oh please, don't take my word for it, see for yourself...
2. Versatility - She's worked with them all, from Diddy to Alicia Keys, to Herbie Hancock, each masters in their own style of music. With each collaboration she's opened herself to a new audience and embraced new styles. Have you heard A Song For You?
1. She keeps getting better - As evidenced by her new single, Christina is a master at re-inventing herself in both style and in sound. The other new song, Dynamite has a very futuristic dance-style beat which is presumably the direction for Christina's next project. This greatest hits compilation is simply a reminder, in preparation for her 4th album, which is as yet untitled but slated for a summer 2009 release. Yeah, you might wanna get this joint....
Related Post:
Christina Aguilera - Keeps Gettin' Better