Yes, today is the purple one birthday today. It seems like this man never age a bit. He still looks the same as he did 1984. What is his secret??? Anyways, Prince is one of the most talented musicians that ever walked the face of this earth. He set the trend for the artists to express themselves however they feel. Can I tell you this man album collection is constantly growing. He is responsible for so many people careers such as Sheila E, Sheena Easton, and The time. Hopefully, I didn’t leave anyone out. The song I chose today was off his Emancipation album called “Somebody’s Somebody“. I like this song because it’s a slow jam cut about someone who is lonely and he just want to belong to someone for one night. Have you ever been in that situation before? Prince’s vocals over the track is really nice and I can’t forget the guitar solo at the end. On this day, I ask you to put your lighters up and sing along with me… PURPLE RAIN PURPLE RAIN PURPLE RAIN. Enjoy my pick for jam of the day!!!!
“Instead of brother turning on sister Sister turning on brother. Now how you gonna get it together being against one another? Shoot ups, live ups, all high Till your world is turned to stone. How you can you deal with the truth When reality’s all gone?” – Brother’s Gonna Work It Out/ Willie Hutch
I came to know Willie Hutch through my mother who was deeply involved in the 1970′s era. She loved a movie called “The Mack” which is about a pimp named Mack Julian *don’t quote me on that*. After listening to the soundtrack written by Hutch, I recognized Hutch’s distinctive blues like voice especially on my favorite song “I Choose You.” His voice reminds me of southern-home-cooking in big momma’s kitchen on a Sunday morning. It’s a shame he never received the proper notoriety as others. Let’s admit he was one of the driving forces behind Motown Records success. Hutch’s music still lives on through artists today sampling his music. We had artists reached into Hutch’s vault such as Mary J. Blige, Usher, Three Six Mafia, Ameriie, and J-Cole. We need to get to know the man behind some of the biggest hits which shaped an entire era.
He was born William McKinley Hutchinson on December 6, 1949 in Los Angeles, California but he was raised as a small child in Dallas, Texas. He really liked gospel, jazz and rhythm and blues. As a student at Booker T. Washington high school in Dallas, Hutch worked his craft by playing instruments. Later, he led a doo-wop group called the Ambassadors where there he wrote songs for the group. He joined another group called the Versatiles which later changed their name to the Fifth Dimension. The group had several singles pinned by Hutch from 1964-1967 and later became one of the most popular groups in America. Hutch signed with RCA in 1969.
Hutch is forever known in the music world for writing and producing some of the most memorable soundtracks during the blaxploitation era. He wrote songs for the movie soundtracks such as “The Mack” and “Foxy Brown”. In the 1970′s, he helped Motown producer Hal Davis to write the famous track for The Jackson called “I’ll be there.” In 1973, Hutch signed with Motown records released a couple of albums including Love Power which topped the Billboard top 40. He worked on tracks for the film The Last Dragon. Hutch returned to Dallas in the later years and rested from the music business. Willie Hutch passed away on September 19, 2005. He was 55 years old.
I can listen to Hutch music on any day; it’s just sad that great talent like this goes unrecognized. To this day , I still listen to “Brother is going to work it out” and gives me the motivation to push forward. I said this song should be President Obama’s theme song. Thanks Willie Hutch for the music to inspire a generation.
Goapele is the essential music neo-soul child that just eased on the scene. I first heard her when I was working at Macy’s, the song I heard was titled Closer. I recognized this was a unique artist with a different sound. Milk and Honey is a new track off her new album titled Break of Dawn. The track is produced by Bedrock and sound of it is very smooth. It’s one of those songs you can go riding around in your car while the sun sets. After hearing this song, I’m going to get the album today because I love this type of music that you can just groove to. If I could classify this song, I would say its a CHILLING ON LAWN WHILE DRINKING MY FAVORITE MOSCATO song.
“Yes, I am alone. Yes, I’m on my own but for the first time in my life I’m going to carry on. Yes, I’m going to ache but I will not break. Some things I can choose and baby I refuse to be lonely” — Phyllis Hyman
Introduction : The Lady of a Legendary Voice
Anyone who has had the experience to hear Phyllis Hyman’s music either on a record or in person at her concerts knows that Phyllis’s voice was uniquely special and like no other. She was a beautiful woman who sang with so much pain it almost made you want to shed a tear. Every one of her songs read into the windows of your soul. Unlike some of the songstresses today, Phyllis personally lived her lyrics and single-handedly made the songs her own. Sadly, Phyllis had demons of her own to battle in life and we lost her a mere 17 years ago. A voice we came to know and love suddenly was gone forever. We are left with the sweet memories of her songs and scattered pictures of her smile and style. What really saddens me is that a lot of people don’t know about Phyllis Hyman. Once you hear her music, it would be hard for you to forget a woman with a legendary voice.
Early years of Phyllis Hyman
If you recently heard Monica’s song, Until It’s Gone then you heard Phyllis’s voice in the background. The song is sampled by one of Phyllis’s songs titled I don’t want to lose you. Producer Missy Elliot said in an interview that she had to reach into a crate and pull out a goodie for the track. She chose Phyllis Hyman because she admired Phyllis’s voice.
Phyllis Hyman was born on July 6, 1949 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the oldest out of seven children in her family. Throughout high school, Hyman worked her craft and entered into the music program. After high school, she joined a band called For The People then she joined the band called the P/H factor. Shortly after high school, Hyman moved to New York and performed in the club scene regularly. During one of her shows, Norman Connors, R&B crooner of the song You are my starship, saw Hyman and asked her to sing on his album. In 1977, Hyman released her first album titled Phyllis Hyman on Buddah Records which later was renamed as Arista Records. The album included tracks such as Loving you, Losing You, No One Can Love You More, and I Don’t Want To Lose You. She released one more record under Buddah called Sing a Songwhich includes The Answer Is You and Be Careful (How You Treat My Love). Once, Arista Records took over under the leadership of record mogul Clive Davis, he wanted to broaden Hyman’s sound beyond R&B. Davis paired Hyman with songwriter Barry Manilow to produce the track Somewhere In My Lifetime for the same titled album. Hyman decided to take charge of her career and performed on Broadway. She started in the play called Sophisticated Ladies a tribute to Duke Ellington. Her decision to do broadway did not sit well with the record company. She released a couple more albums with Arista before the company dropped her. These albums were Goddess of Love, Somewhere In My Lifetime, You Know How To Love Me and Can We Fall In Love Again.
Redefining Phyllis Hyman
Phyllis Hyman was searching for a label and she found one. Hyman signed with PIR ( Philadelphia International Records) under the leadership of the legendary songwriters Leon Huff and Kenny Gamble. Gamble and Huff are known in the music industry in producing hits and making stars like Teddy Pendergrass, O’Jays and even the Jacksons. Now signed with PIR, Hyman emerged with a new look and sound. She began to wear stylish crowns(hats) with the plunging neck line outfits. Hyman released her first album with PIR titled Living All Alone. The title track struck a chord with women everywhere. It became one of Hyman’s signature ballads. Hyman made the song her own as her vocals caressed the smooth jazz-like melody. Hyman was on an upward swing appearing on shows and in movies. She appeared in Spike Lee’s School Dayz. Hyman was draped in all black with diamonds as she sung the classic ballad “Be One.” The next album that was released was titled Prime of My Life. It had two top 10 R&B his such as Don’t Want To Change The World and Living In Confusion. The album was certified gold in 1992.
The Uphill Battle Behind Closed Doors
Hyman was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder which is a mental illness that causes extreme mood swings. She was on medication briefly to treat the mental illness but got off it. Some of her close associates describe Hyman as difficult to work with at times. She had financial problems in the late 90′s which led her to become addicted to food, drugs and alcohol. She battled with these addictions in result caused her fluctuating weight gain and was lost in the public eye. Hyman openly admitted to not having a healthy personal life and tried to maintain a good relationship but was unsuccessful. She tried to handle these problems as much as she could. Until one faithful day , the pain became too much to bear.
Waiting For The Last Tear To Fall: Phyllis Final Act
Phyllis Hyman recorded her final album in 1995 titled I Refuse To Be Lonely. On this album Hyman co-wrote some of the songs detailing the pain she was feeling at the time. She recently lost her mother and grandmother thus expressed in the song This Too Shall Pass Away. On June 30, 1995 , Hyman was scheduled to perform at the Apollo Theater along with The Whispers. Unfortunately, she did not make it to the performance but was found unconscious in her hotel room. They rushed Hyman to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead. Phyllis Hyman was 45 years old and it happened the week before her 46th birthday. She died of an apparent suicide by combination of pills. Those close to her knew that Phyllis wanted to take her own life. Her last album was released after her death.
Phyllis….what she means to me
I knew about Phyllis through my older sister. I remember looking at Video Soul with Donnie Simpson when he announced her death. Afterwards, I began to listen to her music and getting to know the talented artist that she is. When I listened to her final album, I was hooked to her music. Every song I listened to seem like it closely related to every thing I felt or experienced in my life. She was a very talented woman with a voice that was timeless. It pains me that the love from her fans could not sustain Hyman here on earth. I’m deeply saddened to know that the music business just swept her under the rug. Phyllis’s songs touch on every level of emotion dealing with heartbreak and love experienced in any woman’s life. She had moaning and tearing sound in her voice because she had cried before. So what can we learn from this tragedy? We can learn how to encourage those who are battling with their own demons. Don’t ignore them. Embrace them with love and support. I think if Phyllis were alive today, she would have received the due credit for her hard work and she would have found true happiness. I miss her. I sometimes reflect what could have been. It saddens me that the world may never know how talented and beautiful the incomparable Phyllis Hyman really is.
Morris Day and The Time was the Minneapolis funk band that produced a string of classic hits that makes up want to get it up every time. This has been to me one of the tightest bands out here. They had nothing but superstars on their team. Morris Day the eloquent fashion icon on lead, the funky drummer Jellybean Johnson, Jimmy Jam the hit maker to the stars on keyboards, Monte Moir on keyboards, and lastly another hit maker to the stars Terry Lewis on bass. They were the brain child of the music icon Prince and they toured with him before breaking out on their own. They were in one of my favorite movies of all time Purple Rain where they performed “The Bird and Jungle Love“ . They band continued performing after Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis became the hit making producers to the biggest stars in music. I’m happy to know that the original Time with Jam and Lewis are touring today. In fact, they performed last year at the Essence Music Festival. There are more songs I like such as Cool, Gigolos Get Lonely Too, Jerk Out, Oak Tree, and my fake number I gave out 777-9311 . The two songs that are featured today need no introduction once you hear the beat , you will be off your feet. If you know to do The Bird, don’t be afraid to get up off your seat!!!
I’m in a sentimental mood today folks so I decided to do a slow jam. Since, this is African-American Music Appreciation Month I decided to reach into my vault and pull out a goodie. I was surprised to find this cut in fact I didn’t even know about this. No Matter What You Do is a duet performed by Al B. Sure and Diana Ross. I’m shocked that they even did a song together. Oh Well …. This song is from Al B. Sure’s album Private Times and the Whole 9. Sure and Ross voices gave a really sexy feel to song. This is good slow-tempo sexy song where background music is smooth sailing on a musical stream. It is a ballad which relaxes the mind, body and soul. If I could classify this song, I would call this song a CUDDLE WITH YOUR BOO BY THE FIREPLACE song
I am a music head and will admit it proudly. I used to have to boom box with really big batteries and carried it around my neighborhood like Radio Raheem. If you go to my mom’s house, you will several upon several cassette tapes which I called them my mixtapes. Yes, I used to hang posters on my wall so many that you didn’t know if there was paint. Of course, I watch shows like Video Soul, Rap City, Yo MTV Raps, Video Box and my favorite Midnight Love. Also, I did steal some of my cousin’s cds from Columbia House. I am certified music head. Music to me is an outlet to express your feelings and ideas. Just listening to song will express how I felt about a particular situation. This month is very special to me. It is Black Music Month or renamed by President Barack Obama as African-American Music Appreciation month. This month is when we take the time to honor musicians young and old ; who paved the way that our music is heard across the color lines. What I miss is the Good Ol’ Days where music meant something. We had girl and boy groups that really can blow. I miss buying an album whereas the whole album was good. I miss going to a concert where the artist sound the same as they did on the album. I miss when rappers used to really freestyle. What happened to essence to music now? Has became a soulless, cash making money scheme? Nowadays, I don’t really listen to radio now because they are playing the same songs by the same artists. What happened to the Quiet Storm segment?
Now, my daughter has to look up to as far as music is Mindless Behavior and Nikki Minaj. That’s not right. We should school the young generation on what is really music. Let them hear some classic cuts and some songs that had been sampled *cough Kanye* . I urge you this African-American Music Appreciation Month is to take this music to back to roots. I want you to educate your children on the pioneers of the music business that made a way for those who are on top now. All I want is the Good Ol’ Days when music was uplifting and very special.
To kick off African American Music Appreciaton month with what I call a banger. Easy Lover with Philip Bailey and Phil Collins The song is off Philip Bailey‘s solo album Chinese Wall. What cannot say about this song besides it’s awesomesauce. Bailey and Collins voices are a beautiful blend in this song. The drums and guitar solos are on point. Especially, hard core drums in the backgrounds keep the track coasting on a musical stream. If I could classify this song, I would say this song is I WOULD LOVE TO SING ALOUD WHEN I HEAR IT song. All I have to say is just listen!!!!!!!!
On Saturday, February 11, 2012 I was leaving my sister’s house when I received an Associated Press notification on my iPhone. At first, I had ignored because I have gotten tired of hearing who won what state. Finally, I decided to look at the notification and got the shock of my night. AP reported, Whitney Houston died at the age of 48. I was appalled and full of emotion. It seemed like a bad dream just like when Michael Jackson died. Of course there where people who automatically claimed she died of the addiction to drugs especially cocaine. Meanwhile, her ex-husband, Bobby Brown, was performing across my state line in Mississippi with his group New Edition. Every media outlet was trying to get Bobby’s reaction to his ex-wife death. Brown was shaken by his wife’s death but like a soldier he continued to performed. At the end of his set, he pointed to the sky and said, “I Love You.” All across the social media world, fans poured their hearts out about Whitney. This could not come at worse time because the Grammys was the following day. Whitney was found dead in her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. She was getting ready to do some projects and attend Clive Davis‘s annual Grammy party. Clive Davis still had the party downstairs while Houston life-less body laid upstairs. The thought of them having party made me sick to my stomach. I thought how heartless but that’s the music industry they only care about the publicity and the dollar bill. Since, the death of Whitney , the public focused their attention on the cause of death, the family, and the comeback that could have been. There is one fact that is undeniable she is the voice that inspired a whole new generation and can never be replaced…EVER!!!!
The Comeback
As her mentor, Clive Davis, stated at the funeral Whitney was poised for another comeback. She finished the production on the remake of the movie Sparkle with co-star Jordin Sparks . While filming the movie, many of her co-stars described Whitney as looking healthy and sounding like herself. She recorded a track along with Jordin Sparks for the movie called Celebrate. It is written by the R&B legend R. Kelly. The movie is due to come out in August 2012. I can’t wait to see it. There were a lot of things coming up for Whitney Houston before her untimely death. Simon Cowell was going to consider her as a judge for the X-factor which I think she would have done a lot better than Brittney(no shade) just my opinion. The day of her death, she was due to film an imformerical and to be interviewed by the producers of Behind the Music. All the fans were awaiting for the old full force Whitney Houston to come back and awe us once again. All we are left with is her music, legacy and what could have been.
Houston Family & Bobbi Kristina
When I received the news about her death, my mind immediately thought about her mother and daughter. They were the loves of her life. They meant everything to her. Bobbi Kristina took her mother’s death the hardest out of everyone. She was hospitalized twice for stress and anxiety. After Whitney’s death , Cissy has not spoken to press about her daughter’s death. She will appear on the reality show this fall which will air on the Lifetime network. The press shifted their attention on Bobbi Kristina and what she is doing. There have been reports about her leaving from the funeral to allegedly go get high. I don’t believe that. The most recent report is she walked off the set of Tyler Perry‘s show For Better For Worse. Perry immediately came to her defense and stated she did not leave but stayed throughout the entire taping. Also, Perry urged the press to leave Bobbi Kristina alone and let her live her life. I agree with Perry about the media attacking Bobbi Kristina. She is young woman going through the lost of the only person she loved and looked up to. Don’t talk about her but pray for her.
Something about Pat Houston that makes you go hmmmmmm…….
There is something about Pat Houston that don’t sit well in my spirit *as the old folks would say*. It is my honest opinion. Pat is Whitney’s sister-in-law and manager and she was with her the night before her death. In Oprah’s interview, she gave an account on what happened the night they were out in the club. Apparently, she and Whitney were enjoying themselves in a LA club when they were confronted by a X-Factor contestant, which was later identified as Stacey Francis. Francis kept following them around as a result they became irritated and left the scene. She said some things in the interview that really had me suspicious. What really disturb me was how she reacted at the time when Whitney was found dead. Pat kept saying she walked very slow and didn’t run. I’m like that is weird. Why would you react the way you did unless you knew something. Then, she ordered her brother, Whitney’s bodyguard, to stop resuscitation on her. It made wonder why would she do that. Did she know something else pertaining to Whitney’s death? Could this have been prevented? Pat will appear on the reality show but I will keep a close eye on her. In fact, I’ll keep my good eye on her because something in water ain’t right.
The Men In Her Life…. Bobby and Ray J
Immediately, people in the media said that Bobby Brown was the reason for Whitney’s demise. Brown was labeled as the bad boy of R&B. From his conflicts with his band mates and police , he was known as a drug addict and a uncontrolable man. Brown in a recent interview with Matt Lauer said he is not to blame and he loves Whitney. Brown has since cleaned up and prepared to make a comeback. I have to say Bobby did look very good now days. Now, all he has to do is rebuild his image and gain the public’s trust again. In spite of the negativity that surrounds Bobby Brown, he is still to me the tender roni and humping around Bobby. Let’s talk about Brandy’s brother oops I mean Ray J. Before Whitney’s death, they were dating. I found it odd since the sex tape and reality shows failed. I thought to myself……. why in all hell is he with her? They seem to me the extreme odd couple. Before they were dating, Ray J was irrelevant. Name the last good Ray J song you heard………… Don’t worry I’ll wait. After Whitney’s death there where Twitter rumors about him becoming a preacher. I’ll believe that when it happens. Pat did say she was looking for love in all wrong places when she referred to Ray J. In the end, Ray J needs to lay low and work on reviving his career . Most of all stop riding Whitney’s coat-tail.
In conclusion, Whitney’s death did leave the music business shaken. Her music has heavily influenced some of the major pop divas today. Through her passing, we must learn how to not judge someone battling with a problem or addiction. The person is not their problem so stop labeling them by that. He or she is still a human being that bleeds, cries and rejoices. Whitney Houston was the voice made your soul quiver on every note. I’m glad she is singing in the heavenly choir in front of the Greatest Love Of All.
