Still Anderson East doesn’t rip-off the sound of the afore mentioned artists. On his major label debut “Delilah” he proves to the listener that he is the real deal. An artist and album filled with funk, soul, doo-woop, and country ballads, yes country ballads! And it sounds and feels authentic from start to the end. Out of your speakers pours music that blurs out the line between the genres. There’s even a raw blaxploitation feel here and there with wah-wah guitar and horn stabs. He can be funky as hell in one song and sounds heartbroken to tears the next! Add a soulful female choir to lift a handful of the songs and you got just the right vibes.
It’s impressing how easy Anderson East switch between raw soul and country inspired ballads. His voice is the impressing and essential tool on the album. The the albums production is beautiful done by Dave Cobb.
If we should sum up the sound of Anderson East to one genre it’s got to be progressive soul. A genre with stylistic orgins in Rhythm & Blues, Funk, Doo Wop and soul. Spice it up with some country and Americana and you´ve got the sound of “Delilah”. A record you just can’t quit listening to!
This is pure beauty, the song and video to Jarryd James single “Do you remember”. Take note of the lush production, the smooth falsetto. This is a musical talent worth following an checking out!
Here´s a taster – the musicvideo “Do You Remember” by Jarryd James!
To be honest, I´ll be mighty surprised if you don´t remeber that name after hearing and seeing this beautiful track and it´s video!
“Boogie Child” is so damn funky you could mistake it for being a Sly Stone song. The vocals, the horn stabs, so groovy and funky as hell. Could it be more perfect?
Get your funky pants and groove on, just like those nut cases in this home-made video!
Pop and disco legends Bee Gees did never sounded so funky. “Boogie Child”, is taken from their 1976 album “Children Of The World” album. The song was never a huge hit, but peaked in at #12 in the US. It was released as their third single off the album who spawned the more familiar falsetto sung #1 disco hit “You Should Be Dancing”, second single was the ballad “Love So Right” and the last and fourth single off the album was the title song off “Children Of The World”
The greatest comeback of 2014
It took D’angelo 14 years of silence, between “Voodoo” released 2000 and his latest release “Black Messiah”, rush releases in December 2014, actually it almost passed us by. The album was rush released without any huge PR campaign, no big boards, no social media leaks. It´s just here in yer face, right here – right now – and it´s a helluva great comeback – a classic album from day one!
It´s the first to be credited to D’angelo And The Vanguards. His new band, and what a band!
“Black Messiah” sounds like a continuation of “Voodoo” taken 14 years into the future, without loosing it’s inspiration from the big ones from the past. “Black Messiah” shows the path into the future of nu-neo-soul. This is DEEP SOUL!
As earlier releases by D’angelo the shadow of Prince is found all over the album, but on the “Black Messiah” album we also get a large slice of George Clintons psyched out space funk. Guitars ripped off Ernie Isley of the Isley Brothers and Eddie Hazel, even Jimi Hendrix here and there. The funk of Sly Stone, the political soul of Marvin Gaye and the political lyrics and falsetto of Curtis Mayfield. And we’re not forgetting Prince, because this album has also a track, just like “Voodoo”, that is more Prince than Prince has been the last years. «Another Life» is this years «Untitled (How Does It Feel)» both tracks is some of the best tracks Prince has never written, the track you have to double-check the liner notes twice a day!
D’angelos third album is embracing a huge handful of genres but is without doubt a soul album that’s instant funky, dry like the deserts of Sahara and sweat like a long hot summers night at the same time, groovy as hell, smooth like butter, juicy jazzy, latin and sitar flirting rock and gospel bomb; Sometimes all at the same time!
The return of D’angelo
D’Angelo has had some tough years, his much written a about weight problem, his problem with coping with his own success and his almost fatal car crash while on drugs, that almost killed him!
Musically Frank Ocean has almost been there on the fantastsit “Orange”, Beyonce has dipped her toes in the same eksperimental water with her self titled latest album, Miguel almost made it, Prince and his 3rd Eye Girl has tried, and revitalised the sound of Prince! But It’s cool to see how D’angelo collects all the loose threads from the aforementioned to create his third album. With “Black Messiah” does D’andelog dare to show his music colleagues how real soul should be done in 2014. The album and sound of “Black Messiah” will be a blueprint for how soul should sound in the future, without loosing it’s roots in the past!
The albums mighty production sounds 50% improvised and 50% produced. Everything sounds right. It’s a living proof that there is still place for the sound of D’angelo in a world were we questions the future of the album – and physical formats. This is album music, as album music should be released and listened to – at a whole, as a story, as a part of history – from first track – untill the finnished last track!
With their deep soul album «Black Messisah» shows D’angelo And The Vanguards that they live up to the album’s title as a saviour of soul music and that the long wait was worth it!
All of a sudden 14 years didn´t sound so long time ago. What perfect way to end the year!
Who would have thought a 8 year old kid could touch a 40 year old man tears.
Norwegian Angelina Jordan does the Sonny Bono and Cher classic made famous by Nancy Sinatra “Bang Bang (Shot Me Down)” in the Kill Bill movie. There is a old soul in this young girl. She does her edit of the song with ease and a coolnes one must admire
This is one of the best versions I´ve ever heard of this song ever. May she win the whole competition of the popular TV-show?
Former Madrugada vocalist Sivert Høyems new single is out and it’s a epic soul/gospel/rock ballad called “Handsome Savior”
The song starts off as a slow ballad, with a naked hammon organ and Sivert Høyems fantastic vocal performance which sounds like equal parts Michael Stipe (former R.E.M.) and Nick Cave. It slowly builds. Drums, guitar, and gospel inspired backing vocals kicks in.
Sivert Høyem has one of Norways strongest, greatest and most carateristic voices. A voice that carries any song he performs.
I you like the way Coldplays “Fix You”, R.E.Ms “Drive” or Blur´s “Tender” builds up to became this epic gospel inspired rock monster you gonna love “Handsome Savior”! It´s a future epic-rock-classic!
I know we´re only a month info the new year, but the subject of this post is the truth; Prince is back to show the world why he is more relevant than ever in 2014, And he does it with a coolness and style no one can match!
The shocking coolness of Prince
Seems like we can´t get enough of Prince these days, and he´s wherever we turn; His guest spot on comedy hit comedy show New Girl was amazing, and proves his coolness, his humor and a warm superstar! In the show he showed off his table-tennis skills, his humanity – and gave a taster of a forthcoming track. He even let Zooey Dechanel aka Jess of New Girl sing with him on the live show he held in his own home in the comedy show. Prince perform this son in his highly recognizable speeded-up Camille voice!
Last but not least he has grown back his coolest afro since the late 70s / early 80s, and is this sporting black leather clad rock style that fits his new image.
If Prince told us he had been incarnated by the soul of Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone we would belive him!
The re-rise of Prince
Prince seems to have found his zen, and seems happier and more confident with himself than he has done in many years. He´s still his amazing self, the rare and most unique artist of the world alive. Prince is a living legend and an icon that is more relevant than ever. Gone is his fight with record companies, he has found the back to the funk again, and dare to take more chances than he has ever done before. He is productive, and his agenda and to-do-list seems to be filled up for years to come! His latest concerts gets top star reviews all over the press.
To steal a quote used about soul and funk legend James Brown; Prince is the hardest working man in showbiz today!
How would YOU react if Prince stood before you?
Prince is back, also online
2014 (and 2013) is the year Prince made a massive U-turn and returned to using social media and the internet again. First through his 3dreyegirl twitter profile, at first by teasing snippets of his new all girl band 3dreyegirl. He has again opened the official Prince website again, http://3rdeyegirl.com. Did you know: Prince was one of the first to sell his music solely through the internet, through his NPG Music store, and during his hiatus with Warner, he recorded and sold several albums only through his own webpage. These days he has opened for it again and has released several new songs on his new webpage. You´ll also find video clips that can be bought video clips and live-streams through his page. You´ll even find his new songs on iTunes! Do a search for Prince and check it out!
Heres a small choice of artist highly inspired by Prince.
You can hear most of them in this Princespiration Spotify playlist.
-The-Dream look at the titles of his “LoveHate” album and the production, –
-Trey Songs “Yo Side of The Bed” sampling Prince
-Maya Vik, her debut Château Faux-Coupe” album is full of Prince-flirting songs
-Romanthony (from Daft Punk “One More Time”) recorded a solo album “R.Hide in Plain Site” that is a pure unashamed tribute to Prince – just look at the song titles and listen to the sound and voice of the late Romanthony —Beyonce & Jay-Z “97 Bonnie & Clyde” included resung parts of “If I Was Your Girlfriend”,
-D’angelo “Untitled” makes you doublecheck the sleevenotes…twice! —
-Pleasure, norwegian musician/producer (Fred Ball) “Pleasure 2”, is full of Prince sound-a-like songs, pure rip-offs
-Daley – the falcetto and nasal funky voice
-Paulo Nutini the last part of “Million Faces” could have been his Purpleness
-Justin Timberlake on the tracks “Until The End Of Time” and “(Another Song) All over again”
-Justin Bieber loves the color purple
-Frank Ocean his voice, production his artistic life. “Crack Rock” samples the same Jimi Hendrix sample as Prince uses on “Tick, Tick Bang”
-Lady Gaga her androgynous image
-R.Kelly the explicit songs
-Britney Spears “Lace & Leather” is quite like “Kiss” and “I´m A Slave For You” is a rip-off of Vanity 6 “Nasty Girl”
-Ryan Adams “Touch, Feel Loose” and “Hotel Chelsea Nights” (same song different lyrics) is a pure rip-off of “Purple Rain”
-Thee Madkatt Courtship is a massive Princefan – and his “Alone In The Dark” was compared to the “Purple Rain” album in its song structure
-Felix Da Housecat off Thee Madkatt Courtshop has the most fun track on here, and its pure tribute to Prince, in the song “We All Wanna Be Prince”
So even if you don’t know it and recognize it – the influence of Prince is everywhere and has never gone away!
His name is Prince:
Prince is one of the most talented musicians we have today past and present; He is one of the greatest guitarist ever, and he plays every instrument on his records (mostly), produces, sings, writes songs in every genre there is; Funk, pop, rock, jazz, soul, hard-rock, classical.
Prince has never disappeared and has never lost it, even is some media thinks he is no longer relevant or interesting as an artist and musician. Ok, so there is some records that hasn´t sold as much as his 80s years, – and there has off course been some weak albums, but you can play any of his records from his career, and always find some songs that still stands out – that is still relevant and fresh-sounding.
Actually, I give you a request:
Send me as a comment on this blog post the title of any Prince album, and I’ll give you a list of the best songs off that album!
The Mojo Magazines summit of Prince
Mojo Magazine has summed up 20 things that prove the majesty of Prince – and why he is more relevant than ever!
The music magazine will soon be releasing the only interview with Prince so far this year – and he is planning to release two records this year, one Prince album and one 3rdEyeGirl album!
Prince is finally ready to show the world that 2014 is his year. Prince rises again and is ready to show the world who´s the King!
There is so many fantastic white soul voices out there and this is a new one for me. Makes me think of late great Curtis Mayfield. Funky and soulful – make me want more and more!
Sometimes all you need is a piano – and a voice. And in this case the voice belong to K. Michelle.
On her brand new mixtapes “The Hold Over” on the first track she lets the piano and her fantastic voice carry the song “Million Hearts” – alone. If i should draw a line to another song I choose to call the song her “…And I Am Telling You (I´m Not Going)”. Second song “Pain Killa” is K. Michelle talking from her heart. Straight forward, explicit lyrics. As it is! Third song “Wish I Could Be Her” is more rhythmic – strong song, beats, great lyric.
If the music lovers, bloggers and music business in the world is awake, they will take note of the name K. Michelle at once, because 2013 seems to be the year she will have her major breakthrough! At the end of 2012 I´d discovered the fabelous K. Michelle mixtapes, planned to do a blogpost about her – but sadly this blogpost have been delayed time after time. Now it´s finally here!
To make a short introduction first; This is K. Michelle
Of K. Michelles four mixtapes, my favourite is “0 F..ks Given” (“Zero Fucks Given”) – a future classic, actually I´m temptet to call it her “Nostalgia Ultra”. Here she lets her voice and flow really shine through. The lyrics are really strong and in-yer-face. In songs like “U Gonna Learn Today” she lets the lyrics circle around a rough lifestyle and hard background, of life as a stripper and single mom, she really rips her soul out – and in the songs lyrics begs for respect for working her ass off and really doing what she can to have the best life for her self and her little family. The lyrics, as on many of her songs, have explicit lyrics. This is stories from the heart and the streets!
The lyrics to the song “U Gonna Learn Today” is so strong, that i want to quote it here as-is:
“U Gonna Learn Today”
Well since y’all here with me today, (K. Michelle)
I might as well keep it one hundred nowThey say I drink too much, curse too much,
I can be a little rough, but in God I trust.
Hypocrites so quick to judge,
I’m loving all my fans, Y’all be showing me love.He say this, she saying more,
Yeah, I was a stripper, but I ain’t no whore.
Don’t make me forget what I’m here for,
Keep your record deal, I don’t want it no more.’Cause you don’t know what it’s like to not kiss your son goodnight.
I got my foot in my door, but everyday’s a fight.If this record make you feel some type away
It might be a bullet shot out your way
‘Cause I’m a throw shade when I get paid
All I can say is you gonna learn today.
Hey, you gonna learn today.The dude behind the desk wasn’t impressed
But no disrespect, they be cutting him checks.
Ooh, better watch what I say,
Record ex, throw you back, they don’t play.I have been around the world, slept with some girls,
Smoked a little weed, but they don’t define me.
Ooh, this is my life, who are you to tell me what’s wrong and what’s right?’Cause you don’t know what is like to not kiss your son goodnight,
I got my foot in the door, but every day’s a fight.If this record make you feel some type away
It might be a bullet shot out your way
‘Cause I’m a throw shade when I get paid
All I can say is you gonna learn today.
Hey, you gonna learn today.You know, people tend to talk the most
About things that they know the least about.
My name’s always in somebody’s mouth
They like to talk a lot of shit about me, you know what I’m saying?
But I’m just grateful, I don’t do it for them,
I do it for the women, I do it for my family
And I do it for the love of the game and of music,
Know what I’m saying?
I think you all owe me some respect
I don’t forget.
More than you ever learn in all of your lifetime,
You know what I’m saying?
So if you wanna know about me, you come see me and ask about me.
So if you ain’t know now you know.
And for all y’all that keep throwing that hate
You can just kiss my ass.
She spits the words out, wrench her soul – and begs you to listen to her message!When it comes to K. Michelle you really should NOT give a f… but instead really listen to her strong message – and show her the massive respect she deserves!
Read and Hear 