Aaliyah

 Hey check-out the great new single from Bigg Robb, after the success of the Macaroni Cheese Song I played a few weeks back he's remade the old Lattimore Brown classic "Let's Straighten It Out," and it's been given the Bigg Robb treatment!

Brandy had an amazing 2012, and to show some love to her starz, the R&B diva liberated a new, unreleased track, “How High.” The mid-tempo cut even features a verse from her rap alter-ego Bran’Nu. There will be more to come from her great album Two Eleven in the new year, so stay tuned. Follow the jump to stream and download “How High” now! Down

Birmingham's very own Jamelia showed off her general knowledge and helped to raise $35,200 (£22,000) for a charity during an appearance on a festive Tv quiz. The Superstar hitmaker joined actor Craig Charles, funnyman Dom Joly, and journalist Lorraine Kelly to pit her wits against a trivia expert on a celebrity special edition of The Chase. Jamelia outwitted her opponent to win $4,800 (£3,000) for the team's pot, and they went on to triumph overall, scooping $17,600 (£11,000) - which was doubled to $35,200 by the US show's producers. The money was donated to Text Santa, which helps to support British charities during the festive season.

Janet Jackson has reportedly got engaged. The 46-year-old singer accepted billionaire boyfriend Wissam Al Mana's proposal earlier this year and the smitten couple are set to tie the knot in a lavish ceremony in Qatar next year. According to Us Weekly magazine, Wissam, 37, gave Janet “a huge, expensive ring” but she keeps it locked up because “she's afraid it will get lost”. Wissam doesn't want any expense spared when it comes to the wedding - which will reportedly “cost millions” - and is flying all of Janet's friends and family in from America on private jets. Another source added: “He wants to get a top chef to create a custom menu.” Once the wedding is over, Janet - who has been dating Wissam for around two years - is keen to start trying for a family. The source said: “She wants kids. If she can't have them, she will adopt.” Janet has been married twice before, once to R&B singer James DeBarge and the other time to music video director Rene Elizondo.On to this weeks show........




 My playlist for Sunday 30-12-2012

Hour One
Barbara Mason - Me & Mr Jones

Donny Osmond - Breeze On By
George Benson - Breezin' [welcome bed]
Foster McElroy - Waiting On You
Intro - Come Inside
The Sounds Of Blackness - I Believe
Stephanie Mills - Keep Away Girls
Justin Timberlake - Until The End Of Time
Gwen Guthrie - Stop Holding Back
Earth, Wind & Fire - On Your Face
Curtis Mayfield - Baby It's You

Hour Two
'Three In-A-Row' - Aaliyah [Haughton]
1-Erica Kane/ 2-Street Thing/ 3-Come Over
Angie Stone - Do What U Gotta Do
Marques Houston - Wonderful
Jean Carne - Don't Let It Go To Your Head
The Chi-Lites - Running Around
Milton Wright - Keep It Up
Lou Ragland - Making Love
I-Level - In The Sands
Randy Brown - We Oughta Be Doing It

Aaliyah's Biography

Born Aaliyah Dana Haughton, 16 January 1979, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA, d. 25 August 2001, Marsh Harbour, Abaco Island, Bahamas, West Indies. Although she grew up in Detroit, Michigan, Aaliyah pronounced Ah-Lee-Yah ("highest, most exalted one" in Swahili), initially came to attention as part of the "new jill swing' movement in the mid-90s. Her early career was fostered by R. Kelly (although rumors of a personal relationship are still disputed), and 1994"s debut Age Ain't Nothing But A Number included the US Top 10 singles "Back & Forth" and "At Your Best (You Are Love)". She traveled to Kelly's home in Chicago for the sessions while she was still a student at the Detroit High School of the Performing Arts. She remained a "straight A's" student throughout the first stage of her recording career, persevering with her education despite commercial success.

After breaking her partnership with Kelly, Aaliyah released 1996's superior follow-up, One In A Million, on which she worked with hotshot producer Timbaland. Soundtrack work followed, with contributions to Anastasia ("Journey To The Past") and Dr. Dolittle ("Are You That Somebody?"). Aaliyah also began filming on her screen debut in Andrzej Bartkowiak's Romeo Must Die. "Try Again", taken from the movie soundtrack, went to the top of the US singles chart in June 2000. The following year's self-titled third album demonstrated a new maturity and confidence, with Aaliyah publicly bidding farewell to her teenage years and fashioning a bold new sound with collaborator Timbaland.

Tragedy struck in August 2001 when, after filming a video in the Bahamas, Aaliyah and various members of her record company attempted to fly home. The small light aircraft crashed killing Aaliyah and her entourage. Her third album posthumously climbed to the number 1 position in America, while in the UK "More Than A Woman" reached the top of the singles chart in January 2002.

 A final sad note to 2012 

The last ten days of December have been the most shocking for a quite a few years with singer loses of; Linda Howard (group: High Inergy) 17th, Terry Huff 19th, Jimmy McCrackin 20th, Marva Whitney 22nd. and now Fontella Bass 26th. All gave us much musical pleasure - RIP

PS - Happy New Year to all my listeners

Brian McKnight

  Beyonce & John Legend demand end to Gun Crime
In the wake of last weeks unimaginable tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, many of Hollywood’s biggest stars united to convey and speak up for the cause to end all the horrific gun related killings.

Beyonce and John Legend joined many famous faces such as Jamie Foxx, Chris Rock, Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Steve Carell and Ellen Degeneres in the black-and-white clip, to help spread a powerful and personal message for the ‘Demand a Plan’ campaign against gun violence.

“Demand a plan…for the children of Sandy Hook,” says Bey. Watch the powerful clip and join the cause here.

The emerging group LakeShore, who was founded by Grammy-nominated songstress and ‘R&B Divas’ reality star Syleena Johnson, has released a video for their rendition of the Christmas classic, “Noel.” Group members, Malone, Sandy Redd, and Tommie B. are currently in the studio recording, as well as on the road preparing fans on what is to come in 2013. Watch video. (credit: thisisr&b.com)

Extra tragic this week with the death of soul singer Marva Whitney she was 68. (b. Marva Ann Manning, Kansas, Missouri, U.S.A./d. 22nd December 2012, Kansas, Missouri, U.S.A.) Probably best known as one of the series of fine singers enlisted to the ranks of James Brown’s performing entourage, she was also best remembered for her solo funk anthem ‘It's My Thing (You Can't Tell Me Who to Sock It To)’. Some of her songs, including ‘Unwind Yourself’ have been sampled by many deejays and rappers. The track was featured on the DJ Mark the 45 King, 1987 track ‘The 900 Number'. It was also sampled by DJ Chad Jackson, DJ Kool, Sway and Mac Miller. (credit: soultracking)

A 'Mr. Merry' Christmas to all my listeners,  now please enjoy this weeks music....




Playist for Sunday 23-12-12

Hour One
Aretha Franklin - How Long I've Been Waiting
Natalie Cole - When I Fall In Love
Euge Groove - Just My Imagination [hello bed]
Curtis Mayfield/Linda Clifford - Love Sweet Sensation
Eric Benet - Don't Let Go

15 year-old Dylan Jenet Collins

Dylan Jenet Collins - Could It be
Anita Baker - Angel
Anthony David - Body Language
Mike Winans - You Deserve A Break
The Sounds Of Blackness - He Took Away All My Pain
Shirley Jones - Do You Get Enough Love
The O'Jays - Loving You

Hour Two
'Three Ina-row:' Brian McKnight
1- If It Was Cool 2 - The Only One For Me 3 - On The Down Low
The Manhattans - Crazy
Charlie Wilson - There Goe's My Baby
Maze feat: Frankie Beverly - While I'm Alone
Alure - Enjoy Yourself
Bigg Robb - The Macaroni Cheese Song
Darwin Hobbs - Everyday
Maze feat: Frankie Beverly - We Are One

Brian McKnight biography

Born 5 June 1969, Buffalo, New York, USA. The younger brother of Claude V. McKnight of a cappella gospel outfit Take 6, R&B singer Brian McKnight began his musical career in and around Buffalo, performing self-written material with his own band. Attracting the attention of Mercury Records, he recorded a self-titled debut set which reached the Top 20 of the US R&B album chart, although its sales returns were modest. "Love Is", a duet with Vanessa Williams taken from the television series Beverly Hills, 90210, crossed over to the pop charts, reaching number 3 in May 1993. Another single, "One Last Cry", climbed to number 13 later in the year. His second effort, I Remember You, sold more than half a million copies and included five Top 20 R&B singles. With his reputation and image established, Mercury decided to pull out all the stops for his third album, the immaculately produced Anytime.

Involved in its creation were star names such as Sean "Puffy" Combs (production), Ma$e (rapping) and Mary J. Blige and Diane Warren (songwriting). The first single to be taken from the album, the US number 17 hit "You Should Be Mine (Don't Waste Your Time)", featured Ma$e, in an attempt to convert sections of the hip-hop audience to McKnight's work and expand his growing fanbase. However, the single was hardly representative of the mature R&B and romantic balladry that comprised much of the album's contents, which is where McKnight's true talent lies. Anytime was rewarded with a US Top 20 chart placing. McKnight switched to Motown Records for the Christmas album, Bethlehem. The highly successful Back At One followed. The title track spent several weeks at number 2 on the US Hot 100 chart.

Merry Christmas

Whitney Houston

Toni's Ill

Toni Braxton, who has battled the autoimmune disease Lupus for several years, has been hospitalized in Los Angeles. Braxton tweeted last night (December 7) "Hey guys, I'm in the hospital for health issues related to Lupus & Blood clots, I will be home soon...Thanks for all the love & support!

Meanwhile with the fast pace success of Tamar Braxton’s new single “Love and War” the songstress is showing no signs of slowing down. The still-untitled project will be released on February 12, 2013. Tamar’s “Love and War” debuted at No. 57 on the Hot 100 & No. 12 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, as well as No. 1 on Heatseekers Songs.

Yesterday Tamar Braxton visited with CBS ‘The Couch’ and gave a stellar performance.

Cassie's gift

Cassie 'The Unreleased Classics' Trilogy Mix Release From Cassie's team....

Velvet Night is a collection of dark, seductive songs, a mixtape of minimalist R&B showcasing Cassie’s sultry, sexy vocals gliding over the music, creating a spellbinding effect Dope & Diamonds is a collection of dark electro songs. Cassie’s icy-cool, detached vocals are immersed in stabbing synths, ice cream beats, heavy bass & tribal-jungle inspired production. Supermodel is a pure pop collection of starburst synths, bubblegum beats, cotton-candy production. Her versatile voice shines belting ballads & chanting club anthems in this diverse mix.

Download all 3 albums here : http://cassiecollective.tumblr.com/

Kem contributes to the holiday season with the new music video for “A Christmas Song For You.” The heartfelt Xmas ballad is from his recently released holiday album What Christmas Means on Motown. Get in the loving holiday spirit and watch the video below…

This weeks Playlist:

Hour One
The Isley Bros. - Between The Sheets
Millie Jackson - I Need To Be Myself
Mongo Santamaria - Groovin' [welcome bed] *
Nikita Germaine - All Over Me All Over You
The Jones Girls - I Just Love The Man*
By All Means - I'd Rather Be Lonely
Alexander O'Neal - Look At us Now
Teddy Pendrgrass - The Whole Town's Laughing At Me
Brenda Russell - A Little Bit Of Love
Will Downing - Love We Share
CeCe Rogers - I Think I Love You

Hour Two
Whitney Houston (Three inna Row)
1 - Why Does It Hurt So Bad
2 - To Give Good Love
3 -  Exhale (Shoop Shoop)
Diana Ross - It's My House
Sisters Sledge - Easy To Love
Tashan - Save The Family
Audrey Wheeler - If You Need Someone
Rosie Gaines - Good Times
Zhane' - Request Line
Jean Terrell - How Can You (Live Without Love)
Aretha Franklin - You Got All The Aces

* The recording of this weeks show was lost, so a back-up has been used with some small hic-ups!

Short Whitney Houston Biography

Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born into a musical family on 9 August 1963, in Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of gospel star Cissy Houston, cousin of singing star Dionne Warwick and goddaughter of soul legend Aretha Franklin.

She began singing in the choir at her church, The New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, as a young child and by the age of 15 was singing backing vocals professionally with her mother on Chaka Khan's 1978 hit, 'I'm Every Woman'. She went on to provide backing vocals for Lou Rawls, Jermaine Jackson and her own mother and worked briefly as a model, appearing on the cover of 'Seventeen' magazine in 1981.

She began working as a featured vocalist for the New York-based funk band Material and it was the quality of her vocal work with them that attracted the attention of the major record labels, including Arista with whom she signed in 1983 and where she stayed for the rest of her career.

Her debut album, 'Whitney Houston', was released in 1985 and became the biggest-selling album by a debut artist. Several hit singles, including 'Saving All My Love For You', 'How Will I Know', 'You Give Good Love', and 'The Greatest Love of All', were released from the album, setting her up for a Beatles-beating seven consecutive US number ones. The album itself sold 3 million copies in its first year in the US and went on to sell 25 million worldwide, winning her the first of her six Grammies.

The 1987 follow-up album, 'Whitney', which included the hits 'Where Do Broken Hearts Go' and 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody', built on her success but it was the 1992 film The Bodyguard (1992) that sealed her place as one of the best-selling artists of all time. While the movie itself and her performance in it were not highly praised, the soundtrack album and her cover of the Dolly Parton song 'I Will Always Love You' topped the singles and albums charts for months and sold 44 million copies around the world.

Daughter Bobbi Kristina

That same year she married ex-New Edition singer Bobby Brown with whom she had her only child, their daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown in March 1993. It was about this time that her much documented drug use began and by 1996 she was a daily user.

Her 1998 album, 'My Love Is Your Love' was well reviewed but the drug abuse began to affect her reputation and press reports at the time said that she was becoming difficult to work with, if she turned up at all. She was dropped from a performance at The 72nd Annual Academy Awards (2000) (TV) because she was "out of it" at rehearsals. Her weight fluctuated wildly - she was so thin at a 'Michael Jackson' tribute in 2001 that rumors circulated the next day that she had died - and her voice began to fail her. She was twice admitted to rehab and declared herself drug-free in 2010 but returned to rehab in May 2011.

Her 2009 comeback album 'I Look To You' was positively received and sold well, but promotional performances were still marred by her weakened voice. Her final acting performance was in Sparkle (2012/I) (a remake of the 1976 movie, Sparkle (1976)), released after her death.

She was found dead in a Beverly Hills hotel room on 11 February 2012.(imdb)

Gwen McCrae

Jamie Fox

Welcome, in the R&B news this week...Jamie Foxx made his return to Saturday Night Live last night as the guest host for a second time. The multi-talented star opened the show with a “How Black Is That” monologue impersonating President Barack Obama’s dance moves, and was joined by 2 Chainz for a impromptu musical performance.

During the show Jamie played a karate dojo owner in the J-Pop Christmas skit, the host of ‘Bitch Game Show,’ impersonated Terry Perry playing himself and Madena in ‘Alex Cross 2,’ a rapping Ding Dong in the wake of the Hostess bankruptcy, a court officer in a Maine civil case and a former porn star.

The late Teena Marie had a voice that was truly one of a kind and the new single “Luv Letter” proves that her legacy will always live on. This is the first single from her upcoming posthumous album, ‘Beautiful’, due January 15, 2013.

John Legend

Ohhh this is crazy. Quentin Tarantino’s much-anticipated film Django Unchained will hit theaters on Christmas Day, while the soundtrack will be available December 18. One of the many featured cuts is this new offering from John Legend and Paul Epworth (Adele “Rolling in the Deep”), entitled “Who Did That To You.” The R&B singer-songwriter really takes the story to heart on the sinister track, looking to avenge the woman he loves.

“Quentin Tarantino’s movies have such a specific sound to them, where the music plays such an important role,” said Legend. “When I first learned that Quentin was making ‘Django Unchained,’ a film set in the South two years before the Civil War, I felt a strong connection to the story, and I knew that I wanted to write a song for it.”

Dee Harvey

“The scene where the song plays is such a powerful moment in the film, a moment of redemption,” Legend continues, “and we wrote a triumphant and heroic song that underscores Django’s mission.” John is currently finalizing his new album Love in the Future, which is due out next year. (thisisr&b.com)

Finally again some sad news this week, this guy, soul singer born Dee Harvey, 1965, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. has died on the 1st. December 2012, California, U.S.A. The former Motown recording artist Dee Harvey has died at age 47. He was suffering from an undisclosed illness. At Motown, Dee recorded the self-penned ballad hit ‘Leave Well Enough Alone’ in 1991.

On to this weeks show that's including Andy Hamilton's Notebenders live & a Courtney Pine interview....

Playlist for 9th. December 2012

The New Album

Hour One

Keni Stevens - You

Quincy Jones/John Legend - Tomorrow

Courtney Pine at Andy Hamilton's Tribute Show

The Notebenders - Mas Que Nada

Gwen Paltrow/Babyface - Just My Imagination

Angie Stone - Do What U Gotta Do

The Notebenders - The Nearness Of You (bed)

Bilal - Soul Sista

S.W.V. - If Only You Knew

The Notebenders - Blue Bossa (bed)

Betty Wright/Joss Stone Whisper In The Wind

The Notebenders

Hour Two 
'Three-inna-row' Gwen McCrae
1 Maybe I'll Find Somebody New
2 I Can Only Think Of You
3 For Your Love

Lamont Dozier - You Make Me A Believer
A Few Good Men - Tonight
Mary J. Blige - Before I Let Go
Maze feat: Frankie Beverly -  Before I Let Go
Teddy Pendergrass - Joy
Dwele - Frankly My Dear
Rahsaan Patterson - I'll Go
Luther Vandross - My Sensitivities

Gwen McCrae

Gwen McCrae Bio

Born 21 December 1943, Pensacola, Florida, USA. The wife of George McCrae, Gwen made her mark in the mid-70s with a delightful series of southern-style soul numbers produced by Steve Alaimo and Clarence Reid for Henry Stone's Miami-based TK operation. She first found success with a remarkable remake of the old Bobby Bland gospel blues, "Lead Me On" (R&B number 32, 1970). The record was recorded for TK Records, but leased to Columbia Records. The following year, now on TK's subsidiary label Cat, she followed with an equally remarkable remake of the Ed Townsend oldie, "For Your Love" (R&B number 17). McCrae had her only pop hit with "Rockin' Chair" in 1975, when the number 1 R&B hit crossed over to reach the US Top 10. "Love Insurance" (R&B number 16) was a respectable follow-up in 1975.

TK collapsed in 1980, and McCrae moved to New Jersey, and while there signed with Atlantic Records, after which she entered the charts with "Funky Sensation" (number 22 R&B) in 1981. McCrae's last US chart record was in 1984, but in the UK she had a hit with "All This Love That I'm Giving' (number 63, 1988), an old single taken from 1979"s Melody Of Life. Her status on the UK's northern soul scene led to a new recording contract with the Homegrown label, who released McCrae's Girlfriend's Boyfriend in 1996. Further recordings followed for the revived Goldwax Records label in the USA, and in 2004 McCrae released her first gospel album.

Faith Evans

Braxton

Welcome back...... In the news this week: Toni Braxton talks bankruptcy  Playboy & Heath. If you caught Toni Braxton’s feature on Vh1′s ‘Behind the Music’ you are well familiar with her rocky past. While building her career back to prominence the R&B diva was featured on ABC News’ 20/20 Friday night, for an interview about her career and personal life. 

Toni shared more details about her addiction to fine house-wares, feelings about doing Playboy, her health, and on a positive note, European touring gigs and new music.

Brian McKnight finally returns with new music, following the whole crazy adult song situation, with a new single titled, “Sweeter.” A smooth, simple love song, backed by a string-heavy production.

Bilal has been quietly working on new music, as usual, and today the soulful crooner reveals, “Too High.” A buzz single off his forthcoming mixtape, “The Retrospection,” which drops December 5th. ‘The Retrospection’ serves as the precursor for Bilal’s upcoming third album A Love Surreal, which is set for release February 12. 

Bobby V

Bobby V conducted another interview for the web, well they just put it up this week, but the boy went a lil crazy. Showing his comedic personality like never before. Maybe too much coffee in the am? Whatever the case he explains why his album is titled “Dusk Till Dawn,” how he chose to do a duet titled “Put It In” with K. Michelle, has he ever done it in a hourly motel and most importantly why he loves his mothers spaghetti. (r&bnews.com)

Finally sad news, guitarist Mickey Baker died this week, he played on sessions with The Drifters, Ray Charles, Ivory Joe Hunter, Ruth Brown, Big Joe Turner, Louis Jordan, and Coleman Hawkins. He then teamed up with Sylvia Robinson (later 'Pillow Talk' and Sugarhill Records in the 70's) He was 87.

Enough news onto this weeks show.....njoy!

Track listing for Sunday 2nd. December 2012

Hour One

01 - Ray, Goodman & Brown - Mood For Love

02 - Donna Allen - Renew The Love

03 - Gerald Albright - Trying To Find Away (sax bed)

04 - Stephen Bishop - On And On

05 - The Emotions - Eternally

06 - Aretha Franklin - Something He Can Feel

07 - Jermaine Jackson - You Like Me Don't You/ There's No Better Way

09 - Michael Franks - Love Duet

10 - Anita Baker - Sometimes

11 - Jazz Samba Project - Waiting In Vain

Hour Two

        'Three-in-a-row'

12 - Faith Evans - Life Will Pass You By/ Ain't Nobody/  I Love You

15 - Gerald Albright (same as above sax bed)

16 - Richard 'Dimples' Fields - Jazzy Lady

17 - Junior Giscombe - Morning Will Come

18 - Chante Moore - Love Takes Over

19 - The Gap Band - Keep Holding On

20 - Curtis Hairston - Chillin' Out

21 - R.J's Latest Arrival - Please Stay

22 - Juicy - Sugar Free

23 - Roberta Gilliam - All I Want Is My Baby

Faith Evans Bio

Born 10 June 1973, Lakeland, Florida, USA. Married to hardcore rapper the Notorious B.I.G., urban R&B singer Faith Evans originally rose to prominence by singing background vocals and co-writing songs for Mary J. Blige, Color Me Badd and Tony Thompson.

She broke through as a solo artist in the mid-90s with the release of her winning debut single, "You Used To Love Me". Mixing slightly lisped rap sections with soulful singing of her predominantly romantic concerns, her self-titled debut album followed expertly in the tradition of Blige, with a wide cast of producers and collaborators. 

Without ever demonstrating the originality to separate her from a host of "new jill swing' peers, Faith was sufficiently contemporaneous and lavishly executed to arouse interest throughout the R&B community. It peaked at number 2 on the Billboard R&B album chart, and number 22 on the Top 200. Following Notorious B.I.G."s murder in March 1997, Evans appeared on the international number 1 tribute single "I'll Be Missing You" by Sean "Puffy" Combs. 

Her own minor hit "Love Like This" (US number 7/UK number 24) was built around a sample from Chic's "Chic Cheer", and premiered the US Top 10 album Keep The Faith.