Avery*Sunshine is Divine

I knew the minute I saw this sister's photo on iTunes with the short 'do she had something deep to say. Avery*Sunshine is a human artist. What I mean by that is, she is not pretending to have a flawless image. She presents herself as a woman who knows she is prone to making human mistakes and wanting life to go her way as we are all human and wish for ourselves at some time or another. That is why I am feeling "Ugly Part of Me," a song about knowing when you've said or done the wrong thing in your lover's presence but are human enough to admit your mistake and acknowledge the temporary absence of beauty in your being.

Another song I love and can relate to is "All in My Head," a song about knowing when the delusional state of your mind may be blocking reality in how you view your mate. And who can't relate to "Pinin' "? This is another reality check about that lover who got away that you can't get out your head. And finally, "Today," when things just don't go your way and you feel like you're about to break. (Love the chat with mommy at the end. It makes me smile every time I hear it. I miss you, ma!)

So while the lyrics may sound like mini-thunderstorms, the music, the voice, and these songs are pure Sunshine.

Preview "Avery*Sunshine" on iTunes

This "Godchild" is Pure Joy!!!

I love discovering artists who are original and not afraid to express their individuality in a musical climate that has created cookie cutter images that are just plain boring. That is why I hope EVERYONE who loves R&B, soul, or just good damn music will listen to "Godchild" by Joy Jones. Better yet, BUY JOY JONES' "GODCHILD" CD!

Ms. Jones, the cover alone is simply divine, but I was sold the minute I heard such rhythmic tracks like "Promised Land" and "This Joy." I love the lyrics throughout this project, so inspirational for the Black Woman divine. "Beautiful" and "Glass Boxes" are pure gems that honor the Black Woman's physique. And for those on personal spiritual journeys, I recommend indulging in the lyrical content of "Nomad," "Constellations," and "Over," the latter being a song about dealing with a loved one's transition. I thank you for putting this wonderful project on iTunes. It has become a favorite of mine, and I listen to it practically EVERY DAY because it is so uplifting. And thank you for stepping out of the box musically and giving music listeners like me a reason to write and know that there are artists out there breathing new life into the music industry.

Give me some feedback people and let me know if you agree that Joy Jones is wonderful discovery.

Preview "Godhchild" on ITunes

Toni, Toni, Toni!!!

I must admit, at first I wasn't feeling Toni Braxton's latest CD, "Pulse," but I was sold on "Make My Heart" from day one. And Bille Woodruff, you are the boy! That video is hot!!! It's nice to see some real choreography and video direction for a change. And Toni. Girl! You're sexy as ever in that black catsuit! (Meow!)

There is something amazing about the "Pulse" CD. In comparison to most music being produced today, this CD contains REAL SONGS WITH REAL LYRICS!!! This is truly a grown folks' CD. And a word of advice to any man (or woman) out there who wants to know how to truly love a woman, I say, LISTEN TO THE LYRICS ON THIS ALBUM AND YOU'LL LEARN!!! (And listen to Chante Moore's "Love the Woman" as back-up and you'll be a pro!)

Now the highlights on this CD are: "Make My Heart" (can you say, repeat?), "Why Won't You Love Me?," "Hero," "Wardrobe," "Hands Tied," and "Pulse," but hey, just play it all the way through, let Toni serenade you, and you'll be fine.

And damn you, iTunes for all of those hot exclusive tracks! "The Wave" is a killer, but you can't buy it separately, and I had to have a physical copy of the album so if anyone out there has that track, can you send it to me, please?

In the meantime, check out my favorite video of the moment. Ooh, Toni! Show these young girls what looking good looks like when you age like fine wine! YOU make my heart go bump, bump!

And thank you for bringing the short hair back! The shaved sides are divine!

Toni's "Make My Heart" Video

Auto-Tuned Out

Okay, back in the day when Roger Troutman and Zapp made classics like "More Bounce to the Ounce" and "Computer Love," Roger had a tube hanging out his mouth called a vocoder that gave his group a distinctive sound. Today, it's called "auto-tune," and frankly, I'm auto-tuned out.

It was cute for a minute with T-Pain, and worked on the a, a, a, a, a, alcohol jam with Jamie Foxx, but now it seems like EVERYBODY wants to be auto-tuned and do corny pop music and to me, it's starting to sound played out. I mean, Tyrese, what's up with you? Now YOU'VE gone pop and got auto-tuned when you have a soulful voice and can actually sing? Mary J., you don't need to be auto-tuned either. Give us another one of those "you're wrong!" songs and belt it from your diaphragm like you know how!

And music industry, stop having everybody do the same thing! Let the real singers sing. Let those who can't, dance. And can we please let auto-tune be a thing of the past?

Just a thought. If anyone agrees or disagrees, please let me know.

20 House Music Classics

Does anyone miss House music as much as I do? Well if you do, let's reminisce together over some of those memorable tunes that kept us on the dance floor, that we couldn't get out of our heads, and that had some of the catchiest lyrics, albeit only a few words that may have been looped throughout the song. Here is my list of 20 House music classics. Note, House music, not Dance music or Techno music. DJ, mix these up at the club and see if anyone sits down! And again, no repeated artist, and this list is not in any particular order.

1. "Whores in This House" - Frank Ski (1992)
2. "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)" (Red Bone Club Mix) - Crystal Waters (1991)
3. "Supermodel" (Tribal Mix) - RuPaul (1993)
4. "French Kiss" (The Songbird Sings Long Vocal Mix) - Lil' Louis & The World (1989)
5. "Work That Motherfucker" - Steve Poindexter (1989)
6. "The Bomb" (Radio Edit) - The Bucketheads (1995)
7. "Zulu" (Change Mix) - Circle Children (1994)
8. "House of Love (In My House)" (The Raise Your House Mix) - Smooth Touch (1994)
9. "Strings of Life" (Piano Mix) - Rhythim is Rhythim (1990)
10. "Witch Doktor" (Dark Ages Mix) - Armand Van Helden (1994)
11. "Throb" - Janet Jackson (1993)
12. "Let the Rhythm Pump" - Doug Lazy (1989)
13. "I'm Beautiful Dammitt!" (Club Mix) - Uncanny Alliance (1993)
14. "Didn't I Know (Divas to the Dance Floor... Please) (D.C. vs. Tom e's Original Dub)- E.G. Fullalove (1994)
15. "Beautiful People" (C.J.'s Club Mix) - Barbara Tucker (1994)
16. "Doo Doo Dub" - Luke **(Sorry! Not sure of the year!)
17. "Hot" (Danny's Runaway Mix) - Willie Ninja (1995)
18. "Percolator" - Cajmere (1997)
19. "Get Up!" (Parade Mix) - Byron Stingily (1997)
20. "Speculation" - Colonel Abrams (1986)

The Best Jazz Albums

Now, I would be remiss if I didn't do a list of the 10 best jazz albums, in my opinion of course. We live in such a pop and hip-hop world that this often forgotten genre doesn't get the props it deserves anymore. I want to keep it alive, the true jazz, that is, because like R&B artists, jazz has gone pop and many people believe that Kenny G is jazz. (And sorry people, Najee is not jazz either.) So, in no particular order, here is my list of the 10 best jazz albums of all-time. I hope it helps you expand your music collection.

1. "Journey in Satchidananda" - Alice Coltrane (1970)
2. "A Love Supreme" - John Coltrane (1964)
3. "Porgy and Bess" - Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong (1958)
4. "Jazz in Film" - Terence Blanchard (1999)
5. "Let Freedom Ring!" - Denys Baptiste (2003)
6. "A New Perspective" - Donald Byrd (1963)
7. "Speak No Evil" - Wayne Shorter (1964)
8. "Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus" - Charlie Mingus (1963)
9. "Good Night, and Good Luck" (Soundtrack) - Dianne Reeves (2005)
10. "Miles Ahead" - Miles Davis (1957)

The Best of Contemporary Soul

Now I couldn't do a Top 12 soul list without listing 10 of the best Contemporary Soul albums, could I? Now by Contemporary Soul, I'm talking about anything recorded in the 90s to present, and soul, to me, was personified in the 70s, thus the reason for artists of that decade comprising the previous list. So, I'm sticking to 10, and once again, not in any particular order and will not repeat, and am considering the albums I feel you can listen to without skipping a track. I hope you agree.

1. "Who is Jill Scott?: Words and Sounds Vol. 1" - Jill Scott (2000)
2. "Worldwide Underground" - Erykah Badu (2003)
3. "Free" - Chico Debarge (2003)
4. "Self Portrait" - Lalah Hathaway (2008)
5. "Signs of Life" - Dionne Farris (2007)
6. "Flo'Ology"- Floetry (2005)
7. "Voodoo" - D'angelo (2000)
8. "Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite" - Maxwell (1996)
9. "Love the Woman" - Chante Moore (2008)
10. "Eric Roberson Presents: The Vault - Vol. 1.5" - Eric Roberson (2004)