MusicLifeMusic

#februarychallenge #favouritesong #day6 I didn’t know whether it meant right now of of all time… So I chose one of each! Sound of Blackness - Optimistic is one of my favourite songs of all time! It’s the essence of #black #R&B #90s #music. The vocals, message, ministry and passion is just everything in this song! I remember growing up listening to this and when I got older I didn’t know the song title/artist so couldn’t find it, until after 15yrs I found it! I almost cried, no lie! I don’t listen to it often because I want to keep the nostalgic love for it! Whilst with @iamshakka - Sooner or Later this song is too sick! The vocals, lyrics, beat and elements are just everything! “If you breathe through my lungs you’d understand my passion” is such a powerful line! The influence of R&B, indie, oriental, funk is so epic and original! Big things!

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

When it comes to listening to music what do you think or like listen out for the most??

Be it the live instruments, harmonies, artists vocals or range, synth beats, lyrics, breaks, drops or dynamics.

For me it will have to be the harmonies of the vocals. What makes a song for me are the harmonies that the artists puts in, the more harmonies the better!! The more of a clash the more artistic and dynamic. The more subtle the sweeter, the more original the more love!

Some of the greatest for me will have to be Beyonce, Boyz II Men, Ne-Yo, Mariah Carey, Brandy, BSLADE, Durand ‘Alcoholharmony’ Bernarr, Kirk Franklin! For me they do fantastic harmonies ranging from the bass to sopranos which I adore and just give me life!

If you want I could show you some clips of their amazing artistic thoughts!

What are yours??

Watch-Out Wednesday

Spector

Spector are a new 5 piece Indie/Pop band from East London starting out strong in 2011 and planning on continuing in 2012. They pushed forward by gaining recognition by the BBC Sound of 2012 and gaining a spot on the list and hopefully with support and fans they’ll make a movement in this new year.

Their sound is not placed in one box, mixing with Indie, Electronic, Pop and more area. They’ve started touring by themselves as well as supporting acts for Florence & the Machines. With tracks such as Never Fade Away, What You Wanted and Grey Shirt & Tie they’ve started themselves up for good success. 

What is you most favourite musical era?

Whether you were born or not.

Be it:

90’s R&B

50’s Blues 

90’s Dance

00’s Indie/Rock

70’s Disco

60’s Rock and Roll

80’s Pop

60’s Motown

Any day or time!

Any I’ve missed out?

Underratesd Artist of the Day

J. Holiday

From when he came onto the music scene in 2007 with his smash hit ‘Bed’ penned by The Dream, J Holiday looked like the kind of artist who would bring real R&B back into the music industry with his amazing range, great skill and nice tone. He came in with a bang and his ‘Bed’ single went to No.1 on the US Billboard Hot R&B Songs, which was a great start.

From both albums, ‘Back of my La’ and ‘Round 2’, J Holiday has shown great talent through vocals, songs, lyrics, production and emotion from songs like ‘Thug Commandments’ ‘Suffocate’ ‘Pimp In Me’ ‘Fall’ ‘Fly’ ‘Run Into My Arms’ and many more. All showing that he has the real talent to go far not falling back on stage presence, looks or videos.

Despite not having rave reviews and great feedback, people who have set the time to listen to J Holiday can’t deny his talent and his amazing voice. Hopefully if he does come back into the industry people will take him seriously.

Here are a list of his best songs (personally):

Pimp In Me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ojMUJfUCDg

Fly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNp2MfFlJY0

Run Into My Arms: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRE3q1XIDsM

Sing 2 You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCVNP8EubhE

Throwback of the Day

R Kelly- Ignition

Twitter was flying about with this song title as one of the greatest R&B Classics! And it is!!

From when it came out in 2002 till today it moves people with the beat, lyrics and great party video!

R Kelly has made some wicked tunes over his career just crowning him King of R&B

Throwback of the Day

Brandy- Full Moon

Brandy is a vocal boss!!! Her range, tone, accents, skill and art is so on point I’m wondering where her crown is! 

This song was one of Brandy’s best vocals performances, mainly because of the backing vocals and the harmonies. She also illustrated well her lower alto notes throughout of the song and her ear for harmonies!

Pop Throwback of the Day

N Sync- Tearing Up My Heart

Boyband of the 90s! Rocking song, banging performance, N Sync were a force!

Loved this tune when I was young and just thought I should relive it with everyone today!!

First 10 Songs On My iPod Shuffle

1) Nelly- Just A Dream- This song is very catchy, very up to date, but so not Nelly! This is just Pop’n’B not Hip Hop but he made a good song right here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6O2ncUKvlg&ob=av2e

2) Usher- Hey Daddy- A good song from this mediorce album. A good midtempo dance track with a nice video to go alongside it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD8mxge6kek&ob=av2n

3) Kelly Rowland- Stole- Best Kelly song to date! The era when Kelly was doing amazing things with her music! She has evolved but I do miss this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o01uU7OdnQ&ob=av2e

4) Black Eyed Peas- Alive- A ok song from the ok album, just basic computer works. BEP need to revamp their work! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWeUyYzHLPk

5) P Money- P is a Rascal- P Money is a Grime legend! This is such a track! He’s doing well and i know hes going to do better!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaeN-IxCkS8

6) Amerie- Losing U- This was from a good Amerie album, not even one of the best songs but still a great track! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MggA_JMNHjM

7) @BSlade- Sunday- BSlade is a legend! If only I could find a track!

8) Beyonce- Radio- Best Sasha Fierce on the album! Love this track!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64AMyOlkgPU

9) Jordin Sparks- Emergency- Never heard it before but loved the harmonies at the start! Good song! Great voice! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV6k7lM-GA4

10) Jasmine Sullivan- One Night Stand- Love this album and good song! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6ZPi9yOnuQ

Throwback of the Day

Mark Morrison- Return Of The Mack

Wooooiii everyone knows this is a tune! CLASSIC!! From back in the day when music was worth paying for and listening to!

This is another of the set of songs that I remember from my childhood that is vivid in my memory!

Classic song and classic video! Forever will be the best, not this Mann guy…who!!

Throwback of the Day

Artful Dodger ft Robert Craig & Craig David- Woman Trouble

Watcha know about Garage! I’ve always been an avid fan of Garage music from God knows when! The beats, the mix, the vocals, everything is just too much to handle!

I love Artful Dodger for making it more commercially aware in the charts with alot of their hits! He is just one my friend reminded me of yesterday! Just one of their great hits!

*goes off to do the maddest skank*

Throwback of the Day

Faith Evans- Again

Faith Evans has such a outstanding voice, full of soul, emotion, power and groove! No matter what she sings, be it from the early 90s to now! 

This song, for me, has got to be one of her best singles to date (even though I love every single on Something About Faith). The story, the vocals and backing harmonies are just on point! 

Faith has really done some big things, happy for her success!

Throwback of the Day

3 Of A Kind- Baby Cakes

Back in the days of 2004 Garage music was strongly recognisable in the music industry and different genres of UK music was doing well in the charts and Baby Cakes was one of the songs that I loved back then and still today! I even bought the complimation CD that this was apart of because Garage music was the one!

Still a fan of Garage music till today!