by P.M. Dawn: I have been ghost on my blog for a few weeks now. That is only because my writing efforts have been spent elsewhere. I am writing a book and I have created a very tight deadline to complete this masterpiece of mine. While writing, I listen to music for inspiration and get my mind in the mood to parallel the greatness that needs to be typed. Since my book is on relationships, love, and the previous lack thereof, I choose to listen to slow passionate songs. Today’s post reflects a song that I listened to last night. This is also one of my favorite songs. If you listen to this song and think it sounds familiar. You are correct! This track is off the Boomerang soundtrack and always makes me get teary-eyed when I watch the movie. It is played towards the end of the movie when Eddie Murphy’s character, Marcus, sees an advertisement on the side of the city bus created by Halle Berry’s character, Angela. The movie then illustrates two students whom Angela was a mentor for as they go visit her, on behalf of Marcus, to win her back. So sweet! Clearly, in my mind this song provides an emotion tie beyond the words sung -as most great songs try to accomplish.
by Tony Toni Tone: I remember this song playing one particular morning when my mom dropped my cousin off at high school, dropped my sister off at middle school, and then dropped me off at elementary school. I don’t think anything special happened that morning, but I definitely remember this song playing. Weird that was 15+ years ago… I won’t tell anybody, but after looking at this “video” I don’t think I have ever seen Boyz in the Hood in its entirety. We’ll keep that on the low! I like this song as it has a classic, mature, soulful sound. These harmonies are great and make me really miss R&B male groups. When will these groups stop hiding and appear to produce some first-class hits?
by Janet Jackson: I was barely walking when this song was released 18 years ago. I’m glad that I was exposed to the song through my parent’s collection of numerous Jackson albums. This song is beautiful and Janet’s harmonies are amazing. I love the way she sings “All my life I’ve waited To see your smile again…” Something about the way her voice blends with the instrumentals is incredible. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis used to produce some major hits with Janet back in the day! This song is a classic that needs to be played on the vinyl that it was released on! Tracks like Bust it Baby that sampled this beat can only try, never finding success, in re-creating the sound that is true melodic R&B.
by Cherelle & Alexander O’Neal: It’s Saturday and I’m talking to My Love right now, so it is only right that I listen to this song. This song popped into my head earlier as I was taking a shower and while singing I had a thought. It has been a while since I had one of these thoughts, but this is a good one! Groundbreaking Thought: We very seldom have an R&B duet that includes a male and a female. Twenty years ago there were duets such as Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway, Rick James & Teena Marie, and Diana Ross & Lionel Richie. If Alicia Keys and John Legend were to make a song together the track would be a guaranteed hit. Similarly, if Jill Scott and Musiq Soulchild sang a song together, the track would be a classic! It is such a shame that duets are not prevalent anymore. Then I realized, if “artists” now aren’t 100% by themselves, you definitely can not bring whack people calling themselves “artists” together to make musical history. I wonder if times will ever change…
by D’Angelo: This classic, smooth track is an unforgettable one! The R&B community has a void that needs to be filled with artists similar to D’Angelo. Back in the mid 90s, this brother would sing from his heart and make music he enjoyed. Today rather, individuals make what they think is music from the heart but are instead mainstream “hits” that were produced to make money. It is rumored that D’Angelo will release an album in 2009. Let’s hope this rumor is true and his return can include a movement towards what I believe is good music! Below are the lyrics to the bridge. I KNOW I can’t be the only one who had trouble deciphering these words years ago!
Is it just that you’re the finest little thing that I ever saw
Or is my imagination runnin’ too far
Or is it that my eyes are tellin’ me something you could never see
Somethin’ like me being with you and you being with me
by The Isley Brothers: Currently, I’m in a real peaceful mood. I feel as though obstacles are placed in your life for you to overcome and then learn from. With that being said, I have been listening to oldies for the past day or two. One of my favorite mixes comes from the Isley Brothers channel I have set up on Pandora. This song came in the rotation and so many thoughts came into my head. This song is filled with love, passion, adoration, and lust. Not to mention Ernie Isley is a beast on the guitar! I love The Isley Brothers and other musical legends from this era. I always feel like I’m and old soul. I should have been born in the 70s!
by Art of Noise: Currently, my brain is stuck on classic, unforgettable songs. This song has been sampled so many times from a range of artists such as Bone Thugs N Harmony to Lloyd to Ashanti. Back in the day there used to be songs that had intros playing so long at the beginning of a song you would think it was an instrumental! Some songs barely had words and were more powerful than those with words. Don’t quite know what I’m talking about? I am positive this song will answer all of your questions…
by Eric Benét: I’ve been in the mood to listen to Eric Benét since last night when I discovered his new single. Femininity was the song that introduced me to and made me a fan of Eric Benét 10+ years ago. There isn’t really much to say to describe this song as the lyrics, vocals, and harmonic flow speak for themselves…
by L.T.D.: It’s strange that I woke up singing this song this morning…or maybe it is not strange! I haven’t heard this song in months! Most people have probably never heard this song, but all of L.T.D.’s singles were in heavy rotation in my home when I was a child. I can not believe this song is more than 30 years old and it still carries it’s original appeal.
A lot of times, the music I listen to depends on how I feel at that time. I’ve been in a neo-soul groove for a while now. There are also days when I just want to listen to classic oldies or new love songs that have a different feel. I’m such an old soul, and as a result I’m creating a new set called ‘Music For Love’ that will celebrate timeless love songs and new ones that will hopefully one day have the same impact. Of course, I’ll start with Mario’s Music For Love.
I haven’t heard this song in months! Most people have probably never heard this song, but all of L.T.D.’s singles were in heavy rotation in my home when I was a child. I can not believe this song is more than 30 years old and it still carries it’s original appeal.