Love Is The Answer

I heard this song in a car commercial and found out it was an Aloe Blacc tune. The song is entitled Love Is The Answer off of Blacc's soon to be released second album, Lift Your Spirit. If you don't know Aloe Blacc then please enjoy this introduction. It's a groove heavy song that will have you snapping your fingers or bopping your head.

The song starts off with the bass line that rides dominantly throughout the song. The mid tempo pace is set with the hand claps that take the place of a snare drum. The splash of horns is a very cool ingredient to an already tasty tune. Aloe's voice rides smoothly over the track with ease and the female backing vocals is a nice counterbalance to his.

For a second, at the bridge Aloe brings to mind Stevie Wonder's iconic voice. Whether done on purpose or not, it was a nice nod to the master. The video tells one heartbreaking story between two brothers that speaks volumes about the plight of young Black men. If you enjoy this song by Aloe Blacc then you should check out the first single from Lift entitled The Man. Enjoy!  

Microphone Fiend

Today is the birthday of one of my all time favorite MC's, one of the best to ever flow over a beat, Rakim Allah aka the God MC. I grew up on his music and in my opinion Rakim was hands down the best ever. Ask any hip hop head and they may tell you the same or at least put him in their top three. I am posting one of my favorites by The God, Microphone Fiend off his 1988 album Follow The Leader in honor of his born day.

Happy birthday Rakim and many more. Keep flowing.

Giving You The Best That I Got

Today is the birthday of one of the most mesmerizing voices to ever lay vocals over music. Today is the birthday of the wonderfully talented Anita Baker. She turns 56 years old and I thought the best way to wish her a happy birthday was by posting my favorite song of hers. Giving You The Best That I Got is from her multiplatinum, multi Grammy award winning, and multi Soul Train award winning album of the same name.

Released in 2009, Giving You The Best That I Got yielded Anita Baker's highest chart topping song in the U.S. Best That I Got reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. This song will always be my favorite by her because not only is it a well written song but because she shows off the many ranges of her velvet voice.

Happy Birthday Ms. Baker and may you see many, many more.

Cinema (Skrillex Remix)

This song always puts the hitch in my giddy up whenever I need a kick in the pants to get moving. It's a serious banger and strictly for the BIG BOY SPEAKERS! The song is Cinema by Benny Benassi remixed by Skrillex. Now, if you are not a fan of dubstep then I suggest you not hit play on the attached video below, and if you are...you're welcome :)

There's really nothing left to say but enjoy!

Forging a New Light

The second this song hits my ears my energy levels rise. This piece by Danny Cocke entitled Forging a New Light always seems to put some serious pep in my step. This song is off Danny's 2012 release Verge of Total Chaos and I never get tired of hearing it. I am a big fan of what's known as "trailer music" or "epic music" and Danny Cocke has put some amazing stuff together in the genre, especially this song.

Forging starts off nice and light with some foreboding darkness with the strings and the voices, then suddenly the piece picks up steam and a rhythm. The percussion soon joins in along with the voices and it seems to be headed toward a crescendo only to fall away at the 1:18 mark. The respite is over quickly though as the song comes back stronger and more alive with horns adding to the body of the piece. The horns along with the voices and the strings bring this song to a crashing finale, punctuated by the nice fade to silence.

I haven't heard this piece attached to any trailer as of yet, which is surprising. However should I get the chance to be a part of a movie in any way, say for instance I write a book that gets made into a movie, I am suggesting this track for the trailer. It's THAT good. And if you like this then definitely check out Sinister Intent (which was the trailer music for Elysium) and The Guardians by him. Enjoy!

Kiss of Life

Today is the birthday of one of the most celebrated and loved singers to ever grace a stage, Helen Folasade Adu aka Sade turned 55 today. She has fans far and wide all over this world and her music has never ceased to entertain as well as provoke thought and one of my favorite songs by her is the beautiful Kiss of Life off of her 1992 release love deluxe album.

Thank you for Sade for blessing us with your beautiful voice. Happy Birthday, enjoy your day and may many, many more come your way.

After Hours

Yo Ronny, I swear when I heard you passed I didn't believe it. I actually had to look it up and read it for myself. I can't believe you're gone. Who is going to chill me out now? No one did that like you did it. As a tribute to you, I am posting your first hit After Hours off your 1992 debut album The Antidote.

Thank you for blessing us with your talent. You will forever be missed man. May you rest in eternal peace. Just 51, you left us too soon Ronny, too soon man.