Rebbie Jackson

In the news this week ... Eric Benet is giving the world a photogenic view into his personal life.
The R&B veteran shares his beautiful family in a new portrait, which was shot as a Valentine’s Day surprise to his wife, Manuela Testolini. The gorgeous photo includes Benet, Manuela, and their three daughters Amoura Luna (born July 2014; left), Lucia Bella (3 years old; middle), and India Benet (23 years old; right). "I'm so thankful to be surrounded by such smart, fearless females like my beautiful wife and daughters,” Benet told Us Weekly. “Each day, they enlighten me, challenge me and make me a better person, husband, father, and friend." Lovely! (singersroom)

Well done to the Notebenders Big Band (local Birmingham group, that Mr, Merry supports) the good news they beat 40 pus bands, and have now won Jazzlines: Free Gig Band Of the Year 2014. The group was set up by the late jazz musician Andy Hamilton and is still supported by his Trust that celebrated 10 years of age in 2014 - well done to them!

The Jazz trumpeter, Clark Terry, died yesterday (22-2-15). Clark was 94. Clark died surrounded by his family, students and friends. Earlier this month, Clark entered hospice care for treatment concerning his advanced diabetes. Clark had played with some of the great jazz musicians of the last century, including the likes of Charlie Barnett, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Quincy Jones. 

Kenneth ‘Wally’ Kelley, the last surviving founding member of the Manhattans, has died. Kenneth was 72. Kenneth passed away, only 2 months after the passing's of two other group members, Winfred ‘Blue’ Lovett (9th December 2014) and Edward ‘Sonny’ Bivins (3rd December 2014).

Sunday's Playlist 22-02-2015

from Brighton?

Dina Carroll - So Close
Sam Salter - Your Face
Gerald Albright - Bermuda Nights
Millie Jackson - I Need To Be By Myself
Bobby Glover - It's My Turn
Vivian Green - Sweet Memory
Algebra Blessett - U Do It For Me
Phyliss Hyman - Under Your Spell
Lou Rawls - You'll Never Find..
Dangerfield Newbies - Heaven Sent
Black Grass/Okou - So Many Ways
Victor Haynes - Feel

Rebbie Jackson x3
1 Always Wanting Something
2 Sweetest Dreams
3 Friendship Song

Ned Deheny - To Prove My Love
Joe - Future Teller
Charlie Wilson - Unforgettable
Mica Paris - I Should've Known Better
Billy Paul - Bring The Family Back
Light Of The World - London Town
Linda Clifford - I Can't Let This Good Thing Get Away
Oliver Cheatham - Saturday Night

Rebbie Jackson's Biography:

Maureen Reillette "Rebbie" Brown (née Jackson; born May 29, 1950) is an American singer professionally known as Rebbie Jackson /ˈriːbi. Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, she is the eldest child of the Jackson family of musicians. She first performed on stage with her siblings during shows in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in 1974, before subsequently appearing in the television series The Jacksons. Her sister La Toya was born on Jackson's 6th birthday. At age 34, Jackson released her debut album Centipede (1984). The album featured songs written by Smokey Robinson, Prince, and Jackson's younger brother Michael, whose contribution (the title track "Centipede") became Rebbie's most successful single release. By the end of the 1980s, the singer had released two more albums in quick succession: Reaction (1986) and R U Tuff Enuff (1988).

Following a 10-year hiatus in her musical career, Jackson returned with the 1998 album Yours Faithfully. The production of the album, her last to date, was a collaboration with artists and producers such as Men of Vizion's Spanky Williams, Keith Thomas, and Eliot Kennedy. It also featured contributions from her children. In 2011, Rebbie embarked on the "Pick Up the Phone Tour," which is dedicated to teens who have committed suicide all over the U.S. (wiki-15)

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Charlie Wilson

In the news  ... Soulful songstress Ledisi is one of the most underrated talents in R&B music today. Most recently she can be seen acting as Gospel great Mahalia Jackson in the film Selma, where she sings “Take My Hand, Precious Lord.” In 2014 she released her sixth studio album The Truth, and this month she will kick off her “Intimate Truth Tour” on February 27 in Los Angeles. In promotion of the tour and her new The Intimate Truth EP (released in January which reworked songs from her last album), the singer has premiered an acoustic in-studio performance visual of her song “Rock With You.” The video, directed by Ron T. Young, shows how Ledisi is in full control when she’s recording. She tells Billboard that the clip “shows who I am as a live performer and how I record in the studio without direction from a producer.” Like all the R&B greats, she has a strong rapport with her band. Ledisi and Young wanted to “capture the essence of how it feels when musicians and artists interact in the studio.”  ThisIsR&B

Are Beyonce and Jay Z Planning to Work With Ed Sheeran on Duet Album? While attending the recent Grammy Awards, hit producer Detail told Billboard, "me, Beyonce and Jay Z are actually doing something together this year." Confirming the possible album, he closed with, "My imaginary mind, I will work to say it's true." Although the power couple has yet to confirm the duet project, all signs are pointing to a solid answer. The latest clue came on Tuesday (Feb. 10), following Beyonce and Ed Sheeran’s surprise duet performance during the taping of ‘Stevie Wonder: Songs In The Key Of Life – An All-Star GRAMMY Salute,’ on February 10th. After the show, the UK singer, songwriter, and musician joined Beyonce and Jay Z for dinner. Now, we’re not mind readers, but with this kind of synergy, music had to be one of the topics of discussion. (singersroom)



Playlist for Sunday 15-02-2015




?
?
Euge Groove - Just My Imagination
Allen Stone - Is This Love
R Kelly - Step In The Name Of love
Luther Vandross - Think About You
Calvin Richardson - There Goes My Baby
                               - Home in A Minute
Anthony David - Body Language
Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud
D'Angelo - Higher

Charlie Wilson x3 (bio. on previous tribute page)
1 Just Like Summertime
2 Show You 3 Unforgeable (+Shaggy)

Eric Roberson - Been In Love
Tracy Carter - Everyday
Groove Assn - Old Skool Magic
Rhythm n' Jazz - Just In Case
Ledisi - My Sensitivity
Michael Cooper - Steppin To A Love Song
Aretha Franklin - Wonderful
Maze - Before I Let Go
Rashaan Patterson - Gam
Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On (remix)

L.J. Reynolds

Dionne Warwick rushed to hospital ... It’s been a difficult 2015 for the family of the late Whitney Houston. Just one week prior to the singer’s daughter being found unconscious in a bathtub, her cousin Dionne Warwick had a bad fall in the shower, TMZ reports. According to the celebrity website, the accident occurred on Jan. 24 in Warwick’s New Jersey home — 911 was called at 10:19AM. The 911 call for Bobbi Kristina came seven days after, at 10:25AM, making the similarities in both cases eerie. The 74-year-old songwriter was taken to a nearby hospital, and immediately had surgery on her ankle. She was released two weeks after. If Warwick’s accident wasn’t enough for her to handle, she also has to deal with Bobbi Kristina’s tragic situation. According to HollywoodLife.com, the ‘Walk on By’ singer is taking it very hard. “Dionne is inconsolable over this situation and she has been on her knees for days, begging for Bobbi Kristina to pull through,” revealed a source of the website. “She has gone through this before with Whitney and it nearly killed her. To think Bobbi Kristina won’t make it through will rip poor Dionne to shreds.” more at boombox

Vintage soul singer/songwriter Don Covay has died. (b. Donald Randolph, 24th March 1938, Orangeburg, South Carolina, U.S.A/ d. 30th January 2015, Franklin Square, New York, U.S.A).
Don's passing has been confirmed by his daughter. He had suffered a stroke. Don was 76. Don is best remembered for his self penned hits 'See Saw', 'Mercy, Mercy' and 'Sookie Sookie', whilst, as a songwriter for others, he penned 'Chain Of Fools' for Aretha Franklin.  In the 1990's, Don suffered a stroke, however, he recovered to release the album 'Adlib' in 2000. (soulwalking)

Playlist for Sunday 8-2-2015


Hour One

Randy Crawford - Holding Back The Years
Curtis Mayfield - Hey Baby (give it to me)
Rone- Iff - Halle, Halle
Omar ft. Angie Stone - Be Thankful
Syleena Johnson ft. Willie Taylor - No Beginner
Dayton - Promise
Camila Marcelle - Anyway
April Hill - The Search
Diana Ross - Reach Out And Touch Somebody
Portia Monique - Smile
Keni burke - Hang Tight
Sir Charles Jones - Independent

Hour Two
LJ Reynolods x3
1 Ain't No Woman Like My Baby
2 Say You Will

3 I Love Doing What Makes You Happy

Dante' - 7 Days A Week
Kindred The Family Soul - As Of Yet
Whispers - Cruisin'
Barry White - Let The Music
Terri Wells - Just Like Dreamin'
Luther Vandross - Better Love
Next - Lookin' For Love
Fried - Sugar Water Days
Don-E - You're Special




L.J. Reynold's biography:

Vocalist L.J. Reynolds hovered on the edge of stardom in the '80s, but never made the major single or album he needed to explode as a solo artist. Reynolds had some good singles in the early '60s, when he was recording for Tri-Spin as Larry "Chubby" Reynolds. He moved to Mainstream in 1969, then was lead vocalist for The Relations in 1970. After cutting singles for several small independents and landing one Law-ton single in the R&B Top 30 ("Let One Hurt Do" in 1971), Reynolds replaced William Howard in The Dramatics in 1973, remaining with them until 1980. He then signed a solo deal with Capitol, and his LPs were frequently well received, but never sold very well. Only the song "Touch Down" among his many Capitol releases ever reached the R&B Top 30. Reynolds rejoined The Dramatics in 1986. Since the recent death of Ron Banks, LJ is now the lead singer with the surviving Dramatics group in 2015.

Kevin McCord

In the news...Bobbi Kristina Brown, the daughter of R&B crooner Bobby Brown and late singer Whitney Houston, was discovered unresponsive in a bathtub in her Georgia home Saturday morning, according to reports. Bobbi was found by her husband, Nick Gordon, and a friend, who performed CPR until police and rescue arrived at the home, north of Atlanta, at 10:25 a.m. and performed "life-saving measures." She was taken to the nearby North Fulton Hospital after being resuscitated. The incident is under investigation. The horrific moment comes two weeks before the third anniversary of Whitney Houston's death, who, on Feb. 11, 2012, was found in a bathtub in a Beverly Hills, California hotel. Our prayers go out to the Houston and Brown family during this difficult time. Boombox

Jagged Edge's Kyle Norman Arrested For Choking Fiancée; Making Her Swallow Engagement Ring. A few days ago, Jagged Edge released their second single “Love Come Down,” but not much love is going down in the Norman household. Member Kyle Norman was arrested this morning (Jan. 29) on aggravated assault charges against his fiancée. Police were called to his home and found his fiancée with a large knot on her forehead, a cut on her nose, and a blood clot in her eye. She said they got into a physical altercation when she tried to confront him about drinking too much. According to CBS 46 Atlanta, the fiancée claimed Norman allegedly choked her with a scarf, punched her, and shoved her engagement ring down her throat…Yikes… Police reports state that Norman allegedly then broke her cell phone and took her car keys so she couldn’t call for help or leave. The fiancée said she then complied with Norman so he could leave her alone. She then grabbed his cell phone and ran out the house to call the authorities. She then went to a neighbor’s house for refuge. More at Singersroom


Playlist for  Sunday 01-01-2015





JS + Ron Isley - Handle Your Business
Johnny Gill - There You Go
Rone-Iff - Halle - Halle
Eric Darious - Can't Get Enough Of Your Love
Ann Nesby - In The Spirit (rmx)
Angie Stone - Pissed Off
Classy Silhouette - You Don't Love Me
Total Contrast - Sunshine
Johnny Gill - This Ones For Me & You
Luther Ingram - Ain't That Loving You

Kevin McCord x 3 1/2
1 Right Now 2 Never Say 3 Play Your Cards

Foxxy - Madamosielle
Jacksons - Blues Away
Ullanda McCullough - Getting Ready For Love
Tyrese - Nobody Else
Justin Timberlake - Worthy Of
Inhale, Exhale/J. Rawis - Venus Malone
Jill Scott - Gimme
George Benson - Love x Love (rmx)

Kevin McCord's Biography:

Soul Partners feat: Al Hudson

Kevin McCord musician, songwriter, record producer, you can say jack of all trades. McCord born and raised in Detroit, one of 14 children from a great lady, Mrs. Daisy O Earnest. He started his career at the early age of 12 playing bongo and evolved into playing the bass guitar. He just might be on some of our music collection, to drop a few names, Gladys Knight, Jermaine Jackson, Alicia Myers, Oliver Cheatham, Blues Legend Little Milton and One Way. McCord has performed on many concert dates with Lionel Ritchie, Barry White, Chaka Khan and Ruffis, Cameo, Zapp, Luther Vandross and many more.

Now as founder and CEO of My Soul Records, he is one of America’s strongest songwriters and Producer for the past 3 decades. He has written more than 100 songs with 40 chart making hits. Kevin McCord’s music today has more than 100 songs with 40 chart making hits. Kevin McCord’s music today has been an integral part of the Rhythm and Blues scene and is used currently by contemporary and hip-hop artist and rappers.

McCord is one of the founding members of the renowned R&B singing group One Way, featuring Al Hudson, formerly known as the Soul Partners. McCord has produced or co-produced and written some of the One Way’s most memorable hits, such as “Mr. Groove”, “Lady You Are”, “Something In The Past” just to name a few. McCord has also written and produced for former MCA Universal artist Alicia Myers (“I Want To Thank You”, “If You Play Your Cards Right” and “Say , Say, Say, You Get The Best From Me”), as well as Oliver Cheatham, formerly on MCA Universal (“Get Down Saturday Night”, a huge success in the UK which has been remade by several artist over the course of years).