MusicLifeMusic

The Voice Performance of the Week- Live Show 3

Tyler James- Sign Your Name

Many people may not be a fan of Tyler or think he is the best, but once you master the art of music you’ll understand why this week Tyler was on point!

Unlike many artists Tyler has mastered his tone and voice, his falsetto is on key and on point. The transitions are clean, cut and clear, unlike many other artists in the competition. Also his raspy husky voice doesn’t fault his falsetto but shes a great contrast between the two different tones.

I can see him go so far in this competition and in the industry! I have so much trust in him prior to the show and definitely after!

Hot New Artist

Purple Ferdinand- Beautiful Anomaly 

Purple Ferdinand is a 23 year old up and coming singer from London with something soooo different to bring to the UK music scene!

With her silky, sweet, soft voice and soulful/folk vibe with such a unique and sexy look playing with her petite ukkalele. MTV UK has called her “a twist between Ed Sheeran and Lianne Le Havas,” which is not far off but I’m sure she can easily be her own artist in her own lane!

Her début video and song Beautiful Anomaly is a great landing to showcase what she can do; write incredibly well and sing just as good!

She has been singing on Youtube for a while doing covers and original music gathering her fanbase and recently been touring doing live sessions. Hopefully she breaks through this year and does something great.

Throwback of the Day

Ms. Dynamite - It Takes More

It Takes More was the debut single from Ms D’s debut album A Little Deeper in 2002, the single reached Number 7 in the UK. 

The video interpreted the life the music industry lived at that time and what the negative consequences were of Hip Hop life. Usual to Ms D’s lyrics and actions she wanted to question the industry and provoke thought, very unique at that time from a female MC.

Despite the little success of the single and the album, Ms Dynamite’s music is still majorily relevant and so is her presence in the music industry.

Lauryn Hill Indigo2 Concert 14th April 2012 Review

Queuing for hours after a long journey to watch Ms Hill in London for the first time in God knows how many years!

Before she even came on her acapella backstage was on point! I haven’t heard her vocals live sound so clean in so many years! The performances I’d seen of her on Youtube sounded as if her voice had gone and was very weak, but it is obvious with the right rest and training she had come back in full swing! When she sang I Get Out the whole crowd went up in uproar, no-one knew what she was going to do next but we all just paid attention! 

Then when we finally saw her come on stage with her dress and mini afro the whole crowd just went on a madness and she started singing Killing Me Softly and everyone started vybzing! 

Song after song, tune after tune from Everything is Everything to To Zion and Lost Ones Ms Hill just killed it with everything she got! All the bad press she has received over the years have all been killed with that one whole act! 

Every classic from her The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was brought to the stage with a new twist; new backing track, new sound, new flare nothing was the same but changed to make the scene alive! 

One thing about the concert that upset me was that she didn’t do ant tracks from her Unplugged album, only a snippet! However she did promise that she will be back to London soon to perform that album *prays and fasts for that day*. Also she promised that she will be releasing some new songs in the near future.

People speculated as to whether she actually will, but it clear and present that she was in new spirits in her life, so hopefully it was something that was possible to happen in the near future.

I was very happy I went to this concert, seeing and hearing Ms Hill in the flesh was something I’ve always wanted to do and when I saw the opportunity I couldn’t miss out! People who didn’t go….meh you missed!

Ratings: 4/5

Tumblr World!!!

I am officially back to the scene of blogging! It has been a very long time and I know alot of people have been waiting around mind-boggling on what has been happening! University life has been taking control sadly and work work work has just been the main priority for such a long time. Stress!

But don’t fret! I have been keeping myself busy in the world of music! I (obviously) have been listening to music, be it Throwbacks, Classics, New Tunes, Fresh Videos, Hot New Artists and Albums! I’ve had the wonderful world of the internet, mainly Youtube, to keep me on point with new and old sound around! Also with the help of 2 friends in particular I have seen and heard alot of fresh new artists and producers around the block!

Over the past few months I have been listening to new Artists such as A.L; a new hot fresh UK female singer (more on her soon), Angel, Nujabes, Birdy and her new album, Syron, Kendrick Lamar, Burial, Purple Ferdinand, AlunaGeorge, Daley, Lianne La Havas, Disclosure, Frank Ocean, Miguel, James Blake and a hell of a lot more!!

In addition I went to a Lauryn Hill Concert…………Incredible….More on that later!

So I am back on this blogging thing and more posts to come! :D

New Video of the Day

Tyga - Rack City Remix ft Wale, Fabolous, Young Jeezy, Meek Mill & T.I

Coming off from the ground-breaking single Rack City, Tyga has released a remix to the track with various other rappers. Keeping the video simple and the beat the same the different rappers laid down their verses to the unstoppable song.

Even though no verse stood out or was amazing they all did their job in making the song even more of a club tune! Personally, T.I’s was of spitting his verse was the best for me, but all did well in making the song just that bit better.

Possibly with this new remix it will bring more notice to Tyga’s new album, which I’ve heard is very good! We’ll see!

Hot New Video & Song

Rebecca Ferguson- Too Good To Lose

Following the breakthrough success of her debut single Nothing Real But Love, Rebecca has come with a second single called Too Good To Lose.

This song displays the colourful and powerful vocals she displayed from X Factor and what gave her the recognition she deserved. On the show she was told she was boring but when she came with Show Me Love where she sang with a Dance track but still kept her classic vocals that was where her market appeared.

This song has such an inspirational and motivating track gaining influence from 90s Dance and Soul from songs like Unfinished Symphony but Rebecca made it look original with her look and sound! Hopefully she trains this skill and market that she has and makes it her spot. 

Such a good song!

New Track of the Day

Sam Sparro- The Shallow End

After many years away from the music industry Sam Sparro has begun his return to the scene with a brand new album on the way titled ‘Return to Paradise’ and the lead single off the album is The Shallow End.

The Shallow End has unique sound and blend of Funk and Soul but modernised to make it radio and young ear friendly! His vocals are still solid, even stronger and advanced from his Black & Gold days. The harmonies in the pre-chorus are outrageous, with his bass voice overlooked when they are on point. 

Hopefully on this return he gains similar and more praise from his debut because talent like this cannot be overlooked.

Spiritual Sunday

Jessica Reedy- Moving Forward

After coming runner-up on Sunday Best Season 2 Jessica spent her time after recording her debut album which is titled From The Heart.

Jessica’s rendition of Moving Forward is rich with her jazzy vocals and artistic runs with the full and powerful tone running through it! She kept to her roots of Jazz and Soul infused with Gospel and this song has really illustrated her love for her inspiration; God and Music. Her harmonies are clean and strong showing her artistic ear and how she can make things sound original and her own, taking a known song and putting her own twist.

Love this!

Last night, 11/2/2012, legendary R&B/Soul singer Whitney Houston was found dead in her hotel room. After a string of success over two decades Whitney Houston has reached out to many, taught several, touched and inspired millions.

Throughout her career Whitney has been able to accomplish 4 No.1 albums, selling 170 million albums and singles worldwide and many of her albums being certified platinum many times over.

Despite her downfall with drug abuse and her well spoken about marriage with Bobby Brown, Whitney’s music transgressed boundaries over the globe with her voice being exceptional, emotive, powerful and beautiful. Her music has shown the genuine and raw talent she possess and how music it has touched millions over the years. 

She has inspired many vocalists such as Brandy, Mariah Carey, Christina Agularia, Robin Thicke, Destiny’s Child, Jennifer Hudson and many more. With her voice and passion you know that she will continue to touch others in the future.

Tonight at the Grammy’s Jennifer Hudson and Chaka Khan will honour her legacy and passing by performing a few of her hits. Will be an emotional event. Despite the sudden loss of Whitney, one should celebrate her life through her music and work over the many years she has worked, performed and given.

Chose your favourite Whitney song and blast it!

Rest In Peace Whitney Houston.

(Source: thelavalizard.com)

Live Performance of the Day

Whitney Houston - The Star Spangled Banner 27/1/1991

Even though this wasn’t an original song by Whitney this has got to be one of the best covers in general, by Whitney and of the song.

The control is essentially the most excellent part of this performance, from the easy start to the powerful, emotive and moving power in the middle to the end. No other singer has been able to do such ever since, in the same way or even in their own. From chest, to upper chest, to the transition into falsetto, Whitney was able to do it all effortlessly! 

The range was incredible and one of a kind in this performance, Whitney was definitely able to fill that stadium (without the micro) because of the power and range she displayed in this!

Somehow she was able to do it so effortlessly smiling, swaying and moving yet the vocals were perfectly on point with no fault. I don’t think your favourite could even dream!

Throwback of the Day

Whitney Houston- My Love Is Your Love

My Love Is Your Love was the 4th single from Whitney Houston’s 4th studio album My Love Is Your Love in 1998. This song sold 3 Millions singles worldwide and reached the top 10 in several countries, No. 2 in the UK and No. 4 in the US.

With the fusion of reggae beats from Wyclef Jean and R&B vocals from Whitney and Bobbi Houston, the song was popular because of the easy lyrics to understand making it easy to relate to ones life. The lyrics were simple and specific making the message was so strong that I’m sure it moved millions across the word, to stay strong with yourself and the ones you love. 

Undoubtedly, Houston’s vocals transgressed boundaries to peoples hearts making this song one of her best and most memorable to date. With a laid back and easy feel video it has and will forever be a popular song by the legend!

Spiritual Sunday & Soundtrack of the Day

Whitney Houston- I Love The Lord

From the film The Preacher’s Wife released in 1996 a romantic comedy Christmas film, which Whitney won the 1997 NAACCP Award for Outstanding Actress and it was also nominated for other awards that year.

I love this song because of the simplistic yet emotive lyrics, Whitney’s control, range and emotion with the Gospel Choir in the background, whilst Houston stood firm and consistent throughout the song.

From the first word you could see the words Whitney was singing, especially with the powerful word ‘Every’ to the transition from chest and falsetto voice. Never over-sung but done perfectly to give forth the perfect message to Christ.

Right now my Gospel Choir is doing this very song and hopefully we will be able to do it justice.

Live Performance of the Day

J- Cole- Cant Get Enough- Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

J Cole performed his current lead single Can’t Get Enough on Jimmy Fallen’s show a few days. This single has done reasonably well in the charts recently and maybe this performance will help boost it up and broaden his audience.

You can really feel his energy and passion in this performance with the right backing from The Roots, his flow was on point and swag in the right place.

Last year was a good year for Cole and I think he’s still on point this year and ready to carry on!

New Sound 

Favourite Flava- Stacy

Favourite Flava is a Swedish band coming with a nice blend of R&B, Soul, Electro, Pop. Formed in 2009 they’ve gaining great reviews from their home country Sweden and overseas in the UK as well.

Seems that this year will be the start of good commercial viewing with the release of their singles ‘Waterfall’ and ‘VII’. I love this laid back fusion of different genres on one track, with the lead singers nice range and smooth tones.