Thanks trvl4lifegirl for informing me that someone uploaded the video of Brian McKnight performing If Only You Knew at An Evening of Stars: A Tribute to Patti Labelle. The video has now been updated on 6inchvinyl and you can watch it on the original post.
By chance I turned to An Evening of Stars: A Tribute to Patti Labelle this evening and I was immediately hooked. There were numerous performances including those by Fantasia, Wayne Brady, LeToya, and Yolanda Adams but undeniably, my most favorite performance was Brian McKnight’s rendition of If Only You Knew. It is remarkable that Patti has been singing for 40+ years and has had notable success with countless singles. Patti Labelle is the depiction of who a female artist should aspire to emulate. Not only is she a fabulous singer with natural talent but she is a mentor to numerous individuals as they call her ‘Momma Patti’ and she has always given back to her community. I’m glad that Patti continues to leave her mark on the world and people have realized her contributions while she is still alive versus people typically recognizing one’s influence on the world after they pass away. Today we will celebrate the life and accomplishments of Patti Labelle and we wish her continued success. Say her name: Patti! Patti!
With the new year starting, I envisioned myself writing more. I have to stay focused to write and I think writing about all the music that I encounter on a daily basic will help! I’ve had a bunch of series but it’s time to implement a weekly profile of an influential historical artist or group that includes a song as some form of information that can be learned by all. By historical I do not mean early 90s! Yet, I will focus on artists from the 50s-70s that created what I consider “real music” and through their singing laid a foundation for others to follow.
I heard a song earlier today and it made me start singing oooooo oooooo ooo ooo oo and I couldn’t think what song it was for me to save my life. That didn’t last too long! I sang that melody about 6 more times to realize that was the beginning of Baby I Need Your Lovin’. In my mind, I reminisced about groups similar to the Four Tops that harmonized, incorporated synchronized dance moves, and wore matching suits = the perfect formula for a Motown act! I’ve always loved the Four Tops because of the group’s baritone voice as a lead and I will always have favorite songs performed by the group because their production include sounds from a real band instead of a keyboard that todays artists use. I love this song below, Reach Out (I’ll Be There) because of the powerful lyrics and its dark sound with the incorporation of the flute – hey! I played in highschool; but this is also the Four Tops biggest hit!
When I read that the Universal Music Group retained the rights to all of the Four Tops albums after 1963, I immediately knew that would be my one interesting fact. 45 years has passed and these group members do not own a single right to the music they created, except for the album Indestructible. This group’s contract made me realize the significance of ownership based upon the emphasis of time. As many hits as the Four Tops have had, I wonder what the fine print of Motown contracts consisted of. I would have loved to live in the Motor Town during this era!
by 50 Cent: I have a lot of new ideas for the direction of where I want to take 6inchvinyl in 2009. As time progresses you will see new information daily that spans all aspects of music, from those who make the music behind the scenes to what’s the hottest song from a movie in Japan, while also continuing with the original purpose of the blog – to provide a destination to hear unreleased and/or newly released tracks. I began my work day, like I normally do, with listening to the newest mixtapes. The first mixtape I listened to had an intro of If I Can’t by 50 Cent featuring Jay-Z. Now I wasn’t feeling Jay on the track, but the original is a track on one of my favorite albums, Get Rich or Die Trying, and undeniably 50’s best work. I have not really listened to any of 50 Cent’s latest work as his most recent singles are not comparable to his first singles released and I knew it would be difficult to create another great album such as Get Rich or Die Trying. While this track never gained popularity as a viable single, it is marked in my book as a good riding, pre-club song that is guaranteed to get you hype! Be prepared to turn your dial to increase the volume while bobbing your head.
by Jay-Z: The weather is HORRIBLE outside and I had to practically drive through a flood to arrive at work. I began to think about seasons with better weather and of course Summer was the first that came to mind. Summer thoughts led to Dear Summer - yea I know I have sporadic thoughts – but this is my jam! A couple of summers ago, between this track and Feelin’ It, these tracks were played in heavy rotation. It’s the mix of the old 70s background, Jay’s fire lyrics, and no featured artist that makes this an all time classic. The song was never released on an album and a few mixtapes had it in their line up, truly defining it as an underground masterpiece. These are just a few lines from the opening:
Dear summer, I know you gon’ miss me
For we been together like Nike Airs and crisp tees
S dots with polo fleeces
Purple label shit with the logo secret
Gimme couple years, shit I might just sneak in
A couple words and like Peaches and Herb
We’ll be reunited and it feels so hood
Have the whole world saying “How you still so good?”
Like always, I looked on YouTube for the song so you can listen with visual appeal. For some reason, YouTube only had the instrumentals. I guess Jay had the videos taken down, which is wiggity wiggity whack! As the alternative, I have the track below so you can hear…It’s the best I can do 
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 Boyz II Men: Today, I was checking my source for new releases, and NOTHING looked as though it would be appealing to my ears. Although, I did see this new song called 100% by Boyz II Men and it has been rumored that the group will release a new album in 2009. I listened to the track and it doesn’t really sound like them, but the guys have gotten older so their sound may have changed. Doesn’t seem that likely, but you never really know. Motown Philly was their first single and surprisingly it was produced by Dallas Austin. This successful R&B male vocal group has won four Grammys and has had 5 #1 R&B hits! It is guaranteed that if Boyz II Men releases a new single, the track will be a hit!
I absolutely LOVE The Cosby Show! It has to be one of my top 3 favorite shows, if not my favorite. Thinking of beginning jazz influences, The Cosby Show educated me on music alone! Cliff was always listening to a renowned selection of artists including The Count Basie Orchestra, James Brown, Koko Taylor, and Stevie Wonder. Ray Charles happens to be the singer of the song Night Time is the Right Time featured on my favorite episode…
Jazzy Jeff has inspired me to start a new series called ‘Old School Flava In Ya Ear.’ I plan on featuring old and some new school jamz that laid the foundation for movements in music. These are songs that will always be remembered, songs that can stand alone and also be a representation of the artist. Of course, I will start with Craig Mack’s Flava In Ya Ear.