Unclouded By Ambition

Day 14 of 29 Days: Whitney Houston, "I'm Every Woman" (1992)

2012-02-14T14:48:00.000-05:00

Still from "I'm Every Woman" video (Arista Records) (1992) At age 15, Whitney Houston sang backing vocals on the 1978 version of Chaka Khan's "I'm Every Woman." Almost 15 years later, in 1993, the artist covered the 10-time Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter's classic R&B/disco/dance hit. Written by talented songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson, Valerie Simpson appears in the video, as

New Album Releases: February 14, 2012

2012-02-14T14:47:00.000-05:00

New music releases for today February 14, 2012: Bonobo, BLACK SANDS REMIXED (downtempo/breakbeat) Jon B, COMFORTABLE SWAGG (soul/R&B) J Paul Getto, REPRESENT EP (disco house) The Phenomenal Hand Clap Band, FORM & CONTROL (pop/soul) Raheem DeVaughn, DESTINATION LOVELAND MIXTAPE (R&B/hip hop)

Jamie Lidell, a beach + beatboxing = "Jamie Beachbox"

2012-02-13T17:27:00.000-05:00

If you're a fan of eccentric London soul singer Jamie Lidell, you know that his creative use of instruments and objects in his music and live shows are never-ending. Here, he's on the beach with a digital recorder, headphones and flip-flops in what he calls "Jamie beachbox." Love this guy! Word has it, Lidell's preparing for new music this year! Jamie Beachbox from Jamie Lidell on

Warp Records Release - Brooklyn group Battles "White Electric" (Shabazz Palaces Remix)

2012-02-13T17:08:00.000-05:00

Brooklyn is forever more delivering alternative sounds. Battles is a BK band on the Warp label that's been around since 2004. Now dropping their Dross Glop 2 EP, a four-part, 12-inch series of remixes featuring The Alchemist, Kode9 and alternative rap duo Shabazz Palaces, the glitchy hip hop mix is fast-becoming SP's signature vibe. The 12" vinyl is out Feb. 21st.

Day 13 of 29 Days: Whitney Houston, I'M YOUR BABY TONIGHT (1990)

2012-02-13T10:41:00.001-05:00

"I'm Your Baby Tonight" (Arista) (1990) Written by Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, "I'm Your Baby Tonight" was the title track from Whitney Houston's fourth album, which was released October 1990. L.A. and Babyface wrote the powerful ballad "Miracle" also from the LP. Other faves include "All The Man That I Need" and the sassy "My Name Is Not Susan."

ADELE on 60 Minutes

2012-02-13T10:01:00.001-05:00

Grammy-winner Adele on 60 Minutes; interviewed by CNN's Anderson Cooper. AO60M by YardieGoals

Day 12 of 29 Days: Whitney Houston, WHITNEY (1987)

2012-02-12T22:25:00.002-05:00

Whitney (Arista) (1987) Legendary pop diva, mother, artist and actor Whitney Houston provided a varied palette of musical offerings for her legion of fans. Whether singing rhythm and blues, soul, pop, club, dance, a ballad or gospel music, the late Grammy Award-winning singer delivered Whitney, her second LP, in 1987. Though I've been focusing on albums between 1988 and 1994 for my

Event Review: The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 - “Black Power As Seen By Swedes”

2012-02-12T18:20:00.000-05:00

In a large white-walled room at the downtown location of the Houston Public Library, on Saturday (Feb. 11), a screening of the Sundance Select feature The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 was shown to an audience of 20, as part of their African American History Month events. With light refreshments provided and a scenic view of the city in front of us, the documentary gave a refreshing account of

#RIP Whitney Houston, singer, songwriter, record producer, Grammy Award-winning artist, actor and former model (1963-2012)

2012-02-11T21:50:00.000-05:00

Enough can not be said about the loss of one of the greatest voices of all time. I will always love you, Whitney. May your soul rest in peace. photo credit: coolspotters.com

Day 11 of 29 Days: Milli Vanilli, GIRL YOU KNOW IT'S TRUE (1989)

2012-02-11T12:04:00.000-05:00

Girl You Know It's True (Arista) (1989) Fab Marvan and Rob Pilatus, better known as Milli Vanilli, the Euro-pop dance duo, who was caught in the act of lip-synching on the 1990 broadcast of the Grammy's. Before the duo's Best New Artist award was stripped away in late 1990, Rob and Fab had garnered millions of record sales, tour dates and various television appearances for their pop LP Girl

Friday Night at the Movies w/ 2011 SXSW Feature: THUNDER SOUL

2012-02-10T22:34:00.002-05:00

Photo credit: Stones Throw Records Thunder Soul tells the incredibly true story of Houston’s own Kashmere High School Stage Band, who reunites 35-years later to pay tribute to their 92-year old band teacher Conrad “Prof” Johnson, who empowered them during the 1970's to strive for excellence as he turned them into a world-class funk and soul ensemble. Jamie Foxx narrates as Mark

New Visuals: Bonobo "Eyesdown" feat. Andreya Triana [Machinedrum Remix]

2012-02-10T13:15:00.004-05:00

Black Sands Remixed, Ninja Tune (2012) Taken from the forthcoming Black Sands REMIXED, Bonobo's "Eyesdown" featuring Andreya Triana has been re-imagined by fellow experimentalist Machinedrum. The video is animated by Anthony Schepperd. The track comes from the Londoner's fourth LP 2010's Black Sands, of which I reviewed a few months after its March release. The album also became one of my

Day 10 of 29 Days: Al B. Sure, IN EFFECT MODE (1988)

2012-02-10T13:13:00.001-05:00

In Effect Mode (Warner Brothers) (1988) Back in '88 Albert Brown’s falsetto and hit tune “Nite and Day” pushed the East Coast-native into every young girl’s fantasy (and probably some grown ass women too). "Nite and Day" stayed on the pop and urban charts for weeks, as did follow-up single “Off On Your Own (Girl).” Produced by Teddy Riley and former Uptown label head Andre Harrell (Heavy

Day 9 of 29 Days: The Good Girls, ALL FOR YOUR LOVE (1989)

2012-02-09T13:35:00.002-05:00

All For Your Love (Motown) (1989) According to allmusic.com, The Good Girls were "Motown’s 90’s version of The Supremes." Alas, with far less success. The LA-based trio consisted of Shireen Crutchfield, Joyce Tolbert and DeMonica Santiago. The were cut from the same cloth as The Boys; talented singers with an R&B chart-topper (“Your Sweetness”) but not much else. However, they did score

Jay-Z & Kanye West's "Ni**as In Paris"

2012-02-09T13:30:00.001-05:00

Official video for the Jay-Z/Kanye West Watch The Throne hit "Ni**as In Paris."

New Video: Seductive Madness from Brooklyn's Sarah White - "Limitless"

2012-02-08T22:14:00.001-05:00

Space Madness (Cultura Love) (2011) Having worked with the likes of King Britt, Ursula Rucker, Jose James and a host of others, Minneapolis-bred, Brooklyn-based artist Sarah White is bringing the seductive visuals for her latest single "Limitless." The hypnotic electro-soul number comes from the songbird's most recent project Space Madness--a tasty selection of electronic fusion for the

New Video: Chiddy Bang "Ray Charles," second single from upcoming LP "Breakfast"

2012-02-08T15:56:00.001-05:00

On the cusp of their debut full-length Breakfast (in stores February 28), Philly duo Chiddy Bang (Chidera Anamege and Noah Beresin, otherwise called Chiddy and Xaphoon Jones) continues to share their lighthearted brand of hip hop in their latest video "Ray Charles."

Bob Marley Music Doc Hits Theatres April 20

2012-02-08T14:57:00.002-05:00

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Day 8 of 29 Days: Hi-Five "I Like The Way (Kissing Game)" (1990)

2012-02-08T11:05:00.000-05:00

"I Like The Way (The Kissing Game)", self-titled debut (Jive) (1990) Though I never owned the Teddy Riley-produced debut from Waco, Texas, R&B group Hi-Five, you would've never known it as much as I played that damn song. In addition to "The Kissing Game," the platinum-selling album garnered hits like "I Just Can't Handle It" and the kiddie ballad "I Can't Wait Another Minute" (another

Happy Birthday J Dilla + "Thank You Jay Dee, Act 2" [Stones Throw podcast]

2012-02-07T15:10:00.000-05:00

Donuts [Double Vinyl Reissue] (Stones Throw) (2011) Via Stones Throw Records, here's a sweet mix celebrating the music of late hip-hop producer James Yancey, AKA J Dilla, really a legend in his own right. In honor of his contributions to hip hop, check the Dilla website for several events going on throughout the country. In Brooklyn, Donuts are Forever 6 goes down at Brooklyn Bowl on

OKP Exclusive Video: Erykah Badu Performing "On & On" in Madrid, Spain

2012-02-07T13:25:00.001-05:00

Okayplayer provided this exclusive Red Bull Music Academy footage of neo-soul goddess Erykah Badu performing "On & On" at Circo Price in Madrid, Spain. Singing, scatting, rapping and otherwise killing it, Badu shows why she remains relevant 15 years after her classic Baduizm LP (which was released February 11, 1997). Visit OKP for more details about the performance, a behind-the-scenes

Day 7 of 29 Days: Dino "24/7" (1989)

2012-02-07T11:59:00.001-05:00

24/7 (Island) (1989) Dino Esposito, better known as R&B singer Dino, had another hit "I Like It" back in 1989 but it was "24/7" that was a smash; the soulful tune was probably the reason the album eventually entered the Billboard 200 charts the same year. I became a fan partly because he was connected to New Kids On The Block, but Magic 102 in my hometown of Houston, TX, use to play "24/7"

New Releases: February 7, 2012

2012-02-07T11:06:00.002-05:00

New music releases for today: February 7, 2012 Goldfrapp, THE SINGLES (electro/dance) Lisa Shaw, HONEY EP (deep house/soulful house) [releases Feb. 9 via Traxsource] Jon B, "ONLY ONE" [single release] (R&B) of Montreal, PARALYTIC STALKS (alternative rock) Neon Hitch, "F*CK U BETTA" [single release] (electro/pop/dance) Roberta Flack, LET IT BE ROBERTA [Beatles cover album] Santigold, "BIG MOUTH"

Happy Birthday, Robert Nesta

2012-02-06T22:29:00.000-05:00

photo credit: rapfix.mtv.com

New Video: Miguel "Adorn" from upcoming EP ART DEALER CHIC, VOL 1

2012-02-06T14:22:00.000-05:00

Art Dealer Chic, Vol. 1 (2012) From his upcoming EP Art Dealer Chic, Vol. 1 (online Feb 27), pop crooner Miguel gives us the sensual ballad "Adorn." Though I loved the songwriter's 2010 debut All I Want Is You, I find that I'm a bigger fan when he creates bedroom jams like this one. [Okayplayer]