New Music: Tisha Campbell-Martin, “Steel Here”

Many of you may know Tisha Campbell-Martin as the successful and patient wife, “Gina Walters-Payne” from the hit sitcom, Martin.  Well, I’m sure we all forgot that Ms. Campbell-Martin is also a multi-talented singer and dancer.  She is a triple threat, which is hard to come by in today’s entertainment industry.  Tisha Campbell-Martin is now returning to her music chops and sharing her new single, “Steel Here” . From the sound of the music and the visuals, we are glad she is back!

Campbell-Martin’s, “Steel Here” is a song about resiliency and overcoming the many obstacles that she has experienced in her life’s journey.  The song has a powerful message that all can apply to their own lives and reflect that through it all they are still standing.

Love this song and this video!  Tisha sounds great and it’s so good to see she can still move with the best of them (i.e Janet Jackson).

Check out the video below and share your thoughts!

New Video: Miloh Smith, “Pretty Dirty” featuring OG Maco

Hi Soulsters!  I came across this song a couple of months ago on MTV Jams and I am so hooked.  This is on repeat here and I just wanted to share it with you all! Miloh Smith’s, “Pretty Dirty”, has a cool vibe and the video takes you on an ethereal journey along with the track. Miloh’s vocals are one with the track as it blends soul with a touch of hip hop. Love this!

Miloh Smith is an indie artist out of Atlanta, GA. You can check out her official website below. Let her know how you feel about “Pretty Dirty”. Are you feelin’ it?

Miloh Smith Official Website

New Music: PJ Morton, “Claustrophobic”

Hi Soulsters!  We wanted bring you the latest single from singer/songwriter and Maroon 5 member, PJ Morton, “Claustrophobic“. We haven’t heard much from Mr. Morton, since his wonderful 2013 release,”New Orleans“, so it is so great to hear from him again. Morton’s “Claustrophobic” is him expressing disdain for being put in a box musically. The music industry definitely has the ability to stifle any creativity an artist has and I’m sure many artists can relate to this song. What PJ Morton is singing about is one of the reasons why the music industry and radio is dead. So much of the music on the radio is uninspired and has no depth. It’s just filler with no soul to it.  This song is powerful and it gives voice to those just wanting to be creative and have it be accepted as it is.  PJ Morton has always been a gifted and soulful songwriter and “Claustrophobic”  showcases that effortlessly.

Check out “Claustrophobic” below and share your thoughts!

National Record Store Day at Moods Music

Hey Soulsters! I had such a wonderful time this weekend connecting with fellow music lovers at Moods Music in Atlanta, GA in celebration of National Record Store Day. I wrote about this event last year (see here) and it has become the event that I look forward to the most. Not only do you get to hear and discover talented independent music artists, but you also get to support your local record store and give back to them what they have put into the community.

Moods Music owner, Darryl Harris is definitely loved by the community and his love of music and people permeates the walls of his store.  Everyone that attended was there in high spirits and the vibe was filled with so much love.  We were all there to support the store, the music and the artists.  That is what it is all about, people.  Can you tell I had a great time?

Here are some of the highlights from this year’s Record Store Day below:

Miranda Nicole, “Melanin Blues”

Maleke O’Ney

Rhonda Thomas, “When You Know You Know”

Carmen Rodgers and Anthony David, “Charge”

Anthony David, “Let Me In” and “Smoke One”

Moods Music is located at 1131 Euclid Avenue, NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
(404) 653-0724 http://www.moodsmusic.net

New Video: Janelle Monae, “Yoga”

Hi Soulsters! Check out the video for Janelle Monae’s new single, “Yoga”. Now, she’s singing about my favorite thing to do, so I will give her a pass on that. The song carries the “ATL sound”…which I’m not too crazy about but I love her artistry. It looks like she is going in a more mainstream direction. What do you think of this?

Quote of the Day

“I say, play your own way. Don’t play what the public wants. You play what you want and let the public pick up on what you’re doing–even if it does take them fifteen, twenty years”.

~ Thelonious Monk, Jazz Pianist and Composer

Joonie, “Contrast”

What do you get when you come across an artist that has the sound of 70’s, 80s, and 90s R&B Soul with beautiful melodies and smooth vocals?  You get an artist named Joonie with a masterpiece of a sophomore album called, “Contrast”.

Calvin “Joonie” Gary, Jr. is a singer, songwriter, musician, arranger, and producer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He is also a multi-instrumentalist who plays most of the instruments on his latest album.

“Contrast” is the ultimate love album.  Songs like “Wish Her The Best (Delilah, Part 2)”, “No Tears” are songs about ending a relationship, however, they are written with such love and care that you can’t help but feel good when listening to them.   If someone were to leave you, you would want them to think and feel this way about you at the end of it all.  Joonie is such a gifted songwriter that he places the listener right in the midst of what he is singing about. “For You”, “Far Away”, “Official” and “Life’s Better” are a few of the many standouts of the album.

The vocal arrangements, instrumentation and production on “Contrast” are tight and effortless. This album has such a lovely sound and vibe to it that you can’t help but reminisce about the songs of the old days. Songs that actually have song structure and nuances that are missing in today’s music. Joonie is a true artist along the lines of Prince in that he produces, writes and arranges his own music. You should really check this album out and spread the word! This music deserves to be heard. Check out the music below and let us know what you think!

“Contrast” is available on iTunes and on his official website here and here.

Music Video: “For You” by Joonie

“Far Away” by Joonie

Quote of the Day

“It’s a pity that if someone who has a really profoundly potent art to share chooses not to or doesn’t fit into this very thin slice of what’s desirable and marketable, chances are the public will never get a chance to hear what they’re doing”.

~Esperanza Spalding, Jazz bassist, Cellist and Singer

Old School Saturday: Groove Theory, “Tell Me”

Happy Saturday Soulsters! Now this is a fabulous blast from the past. Groove Theory  consisted of singer, producer, Bryce Wilson and singer/songwriter, Amel Larrieux. This album changed the game as far as hearing something different from the “new jack swing” sound that was slowing moving out at that time. So much soul and melody, this album was a welcome breath of fresh air in R&B music.

“Tell Me” was their first single and introduced us to their smooth sound and Larrieux’s lovely and soulful vocals.  Larrieux went on to a successful solo career and has released five independent projects.  She is considered Neo Soul royalty among her fans that have been following her since her Groove Theory days.  Reminisce on this classic and check out the video below.  Enjoy!

Quote of the Day

“As musicians and artists, it’s important we have an environment – and I guess when I say environment, I really mean the industry, that really nurtures these gifts. Oftentimes, the machine can overlook the need to take care of the people who produce the sounds that have a lot to do with the health and well-being of society.”

~ Lauryn Hill, Singer, Songwriter, Rapper, Producer