MY TOP 10: 90s/00s Pop/R&B Divo Music Video Jump-Offs – 9. D’Angelo “Brown Sugar”

So, it’s been a year since I started popolio.com and kicked it of with my first MY TOP 10 Countdown in September 2008.  Since popolio.com was jumping off, I kicked it off with MY TOP 10: 90s/00s Pop/R&B Diva Music Video Jump-Offs.  Well, this is the twelfth month, so I thought it would create nice symmetry if I presented the men as a bookend to that very first countdown before Year 2 officially begins.  This time around the Div-Os, or Divos, will get the spotlight.

This is the second of today’s three-fer video special.

9. D’Angelo “Brown Sugar”
D’Angelo is that brother who officially kicked off the neo-soul revolution of the 1990s.  Sure, there were pioneers doing it before him when it was nameless and the originators created the blueprints in the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, but this is what started the storm and laid the groundwork for his contemporaries and those who would come after.  “Brown Sugar” made enough noise to make D’Angelo’s presence known, but it was the second (and BONUS video here) video, “Lady,” from his debut aka Brown Sugar that took him over the top.

***BONUS*** D’Angelo “Lady”

 

 

popolio podcast: Interview with Wayna

freddie beat speaks with 2009 Grammy Nominee Wayna about her recent arrest (charge was dropped) in Houston, her 2009 Grammy and SXSW experiences,  President Obama, and more. 

Song snippets include “Billy Club” featuring Muhsinah, the Grammy-nominated “Lovin You (Music)” featuring Kokayi, and “Close 2 U” featuring Kenn Starr from Higher Ground. 

Listen to the popolio podcast now and check out her MySpace Page later.

 

sxsw show pic-olio: 3/18/09 Kendra Ross@Mohawk Patio — Austin

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go to the shows of all our SXSW pop quiz artists (that we featured 2 weeks ago) as I had originally intended, but I got to 3 out of 5.  So, if you ask me, that’s not too shabby.  I’ll be presenting these special sxsw show pic-olios daily and in the order that their pop quizzes were featured starting tonight.  First up is Kendra Ross, who was part of a soul showcase that included Wayna, another of our SXSW pop quiz artists.

Let me say, I did enjoy her show.  She has some good stuff.  I haven’t picked up her CD yet, but it is definitely on my to-pick-up list.  I recently read on her site that she does “grown folks’ music” or something to that effect.  Her stuff is definitely grown folks’ R&B.  If you’re ready to graduate from teeny-bopper pop/R&B  to some classy indie soul this is one artist that you need to check out.

 

Letter from the Editor

Tuesday, March 17, 2009 6:27 PM

To Whom It May Concern:

Two things are on my brain right at this moment — St. Patrick’s Day and SXSW.  So, Happy St. Patrick’s Day and for those in Austin for SXSW this week — Enjoy!

Right off the bat, we’ve had the most pop quizzes featured in March 2009 than any other month since popolio started in September 2008.  The reason being that in addition to our two March pop quiz artists, I also hosted a special SXSW Week (last week!) featuring a different SXSW Artist pop quiz daily.  That’s five (seven total) for those doing the math.  The last artist of the week is a 2009 Grammy Nominee as well.  Our first Grammy Nominated pop quiz Artist at that.  How exciting is that?

I tried to reach out to artists of different genres to have a nice variety and I think we achieved that.  R&B, Club, Folk, and Roots are all well-represented.  All their shows are tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18, 2009, except for Clarence Bucaro’s whose show is this Saturday, March 20, 2009.  I didn’t plan it that way.  It’s just coincidence that the artists that were most receptive to popolio have shows on the same day.  And the other March Artist pop quiz is still coming up and will close out the month.  So, watch for that one.  Check out their pop quizzes by clicking below (and go see these SXSW Artists’ shows!):

• Our first March 2009 pop quiz Artist:  Soce, The Elemental Wizard (Hip Hop/Rap/Pop)

And the SXSW Artists featured last week –

• Kendra Ross (R&B/Soul/Jazz)
• The Wong Boys (Club Rock)
• Rod Thomas (Folk/Pop; Not to be mistaken with Rob Thomas)
• Clarence Bucaro (Pop/Roots)
• Wayna (R&B/Soul/Hip Hop/Singer-Songwriter; 2009 Grammy Nomineee)

 

• Our second March 2009 pop quiz Artist is coming (check for it)

So, I think that’s the biggest news for March 2009 at popolio.  All our other features are to be continued.  I will be bringing a new MY TOP 10 at the end of the month.  Check for that.

Enjoy our SXSW content; all of our March 2009 content; and to all those music fans, artists, and industry people alike in Austin for SXSW this week welcome to Austin and have a blast.

6:53PM

Sincerely,                                                                                                                                                                        Freddie Rodriguez aka freddie beat
popolio creator/editor

 

Kendra Ross pop quiz — SXSW Artist

Kendra Ross, who resides in Brooklyn, is a new R&B star on the horizon.  Her debut album was released in 2007 and she is still touring behind it.  Though fairly new on her path as a solo artist, she’s no ingenue to the hip hop/R&B game having previously worked with some known talents such as Talib Kweli, Kanye West, and Faith Evans.  Her next stop is SXSW next Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at The Mohawk Patio (912 Red River Street) at 9:00 PM.  Check the SXSW site here for more 411.  And check her answer to Number 14.  Welcome to Austin, Kendra!

March 9, 2009

Name:   Kendra Ross
Genre:   R&B/Soul/Jazz
Latest Release:  New Voice (Self-Released)
Release Date:   July 10, 2007

This, That, or the Other
1. Underground OR Mainstream? Underground
2. Maintain Artistic Integrity and Vision OR Make a lot of Money? (or both)??? BOTH!
3. Studio or Stage? STAGE!
4. Spirituality OR Hedonism? We like a balance between the sacred and the profane but SPIRITUALITY!
5. Make Love, Have Sex, OR %$*!? I’m a girlie girl so let’s go with the first one!

Fill in the Blank
6. Music is my husband.
7. I’m musically inspired by everyday life…
8. My favorite old school joint is 4fun!:  “Turn Off The Lights” by The World Class Wreckin’ Cru (which included a fancier, prettier Dr. Dre!).
9. If I was a super hero I’d be Wonder Woman.
10. Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll should change to Yoga, Acai, and Live Instruments.

Short Answer
11. I make music because:  Every time I write a new song, I learn more about myself.  If it is a good one, every time I sing it I get something different out of it.  And it’s fun!
12. I want my fans to:  Grow with me.  Also, to remember the first time they ever bought a piece of music and think about how that made them feel…then put my record on.
13. If I could share one thing about myself it would be:  I’ve got sooooooooo much more music inside of me that I feel like my head is going to explode…so…STAY TUNED….
14. Wild Card I can’t wait to get to Austin and do my show!  I’ve wanted to come to SXSW for 4ever!
15. I want my musical legacy to be:  She meant every word she sang, got better and better at her craft, and really went for it on stage.

Enjoy the track, “I’m So Okay,” from her debut album New Voice.  Go to her official site for more.

 Kendra Ross’ favorite old school joint!

Editor’s Note:  Kendra Ross chose a challenging old school joint.  I couldn’t find anything official out there in the way of a music video.  Maybe, there wasn’t one.  So, this was the best option.

 

Play it Forward: Dave Bianchi — Baby Disco

From the haunting piano and strings in the album’s introduction, you know that this will be the start of a good musical journey.  And through the following 12 tracks, Dave Bianchi uses grand production and intimate, even tender vocals to melodically weave the stories of dissatisfaction, disaffection, and discovery.  With each storytelling, it’s clear to me that this is already one of my top CDs of 2009.  If you like your alternative rock with elements of jazz and melancholy dub, no doubt it will be one of your favorites of this year, too.

Dave Bianchi
“People Are Strange” (mp3)
from Baby Disco
(Whatabout Music)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

 

Clay Pendergrass pop quiz — Dallas

Of the 5 months that we’ve been doing pop quizzes at popolio, this is the most creative interpretation by an artist, period.  Clay Pendergrass answered his pop quiz as an artistic collage that he entitled  MusicAsColorPage.  Maybe future pop quiz artists should take note.  Not saying I’m challenging you all.  Just sayin’, though.

ßClick here to experience it in its sublime entirety.  For Clay Pendergrass’ latest singles and favorite old school video scroll down.



Please note, I’ve transcribed it below.  For all intents and purposes the collage is the pop quiz.  There are all kinds of extra fun delights in the form of  text and imagery that I didn’t capture in the transcription that you’ll miss out on if you don’t check it out.

February 6, 2009

Name:  Clay Pendergrass
Genre:  Pop/Rock/Soul
Forthcoming Release:  moRning elephanT EP (Self-Released)
Release Date:  April 2009

This, That, or the Other
1. Underground OR Mainstream? Understream
2. Maintain Artistic Integrity and Vision OR Make a lot of Money? (or both)??? A line has two sides/the grass is always greener
3. Studio or Stage? Yes & think of the radio
4. Spirituality OR Hedonism? Spiritonism
5. Make Love, Have Sex, OR %$*!? ♥ 2 ♥ (Heart to Heart)

Fill in the Blank
6. Music is my unpredictable passion action.
7. I’m musically inspired by the search in progress.
8. My favorite old school joint is “Body and Soul” by Coleman Hawkins.
9. If I was a super hero I’d be Willie Nelson.
10. Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll states the problem in words as clearly as possible.

Short Answer
11. Music is my unacceptable color. I make music:  as a release.
12. I want my fans to:  Listen.
13. I want my musical legacy to be:  biodegradable.
14. If I could share one thing about myself it would be:  The most important thing is the thing most easily forgotten.
15. Wild Card!  Editor’s Note:  I take his whole pop quiz to be Clay Pendergrass’ Wild Card.

Here’s two MP3s from two different Clay Pendergrass projects and they’re both available at CD Baby.com.  The first track is from his moRning elephanT project and it’s called “People.”

 

The second is from the East Dallas Mix Tape, and it’s called, “On Repeat.”

Clay Pendergrass’ favorite old school joint!

 

MY TOP 10: Hot Tracks from 2008 – 9. Jennie Laws “Heavenly”

Photo courtesy of FreeFoto.com

Jennie Laws “Heavenly”

Jennie Laws is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Canada who we’ve featured here on popolio and Mandrake.FM.  Her recently released EP, Introducing Jennie Laws, is a high recommendation to any of our readers here who enjoy r&b, pop, and contemporary jazz. 

In this one track, “Heavenly,” her vocal and production is reminiscent of classic Deniece Williams, as well as contemporaries Amel Larrieux and Alicia Keys and yet one listen to this EP lets you know she’s coming with her own style.  For our U.S. popolio readers, watch the writing credits and charts for this woman.  Believe that!

Check out more of Jennie Laws on her website and buy the disc at CD Baby (which features an extra track not found on the digital downloads!). Digitally, you can get the project at iTunes and eMusic.

 

MY TOP 10: Hot Tracks from 2008 — 10. Two Banks of Four “Wake Me 5:30″

Photo courtesy of FreeFoto.com

Two Banks of Four “Wake Me 5:30″

The English duo, Two Banks of Four, has been weaving electronics and jazz in recorded form since 1998.  Although their latest work, Junkyard Gods, was a slow sell for me initially, this track caught my ear immediately and continues to be a favorite from this CD.

Valerie Etienne’s pristine vocal makes you feel like someone is actually waking you up before dawn to gain the clarity for the day. 

For more Two Banks of Four music visit Last.FM for streamable tracks and buy/download links

 

MY TOP 10: Videos/Songs You Wouldn’t Think I Would Like — 8. Esthero “We R In Need Of A Musical ReVoLuTion”

8. Esthero “We R In Need Of A Musical ReVoLuTion”

A few years ago, I bought Esthero’s Wikked Lil’ Grrrls album.  Before that, I had heard the name and knew I had heard her songs somewhere, but I didn’t remember the names of the songs or the songs themselves.  Her presence became known to me prior to my picking up Wikked Lil’ Grrrls, when I purchased Left Eye’s import-only solo effort, Supernova, and she was one of the stand-out collaborators on it.

That underground, not quite urban, not quite alternative chick with sweet pipes, street cred for miles, and who was everyone’s choice for a collabo from the underground to the mainstream, made her presence known with this jazz-infused 2005 album.

Number 8 stood out as a refreshing and rebellious anti-pop pop anthem.  Check the Ashanti and Britney call-outs.  She speaks out against MTV and radio playing the same artists and music over and over.  She even took a stand on the R. Kelly controversy or so it seems to me.  The album is nice and the title track got good promotional mileage including being used for Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives promos.  

“We R In Need Of A Musical ReVoLuTion” is my favorite track on the album, but “Wikked Lil’ Grrrls” is really good, too, so I’ll continue the pattern I’ve established with this MY TOP 10 of 2 videos a day.  Enjoy!

Jimmy Kimmel Live performance of “Wikked Lil’ Grrrls.”