Kenny Thomas

John Legend & Jahiem soon back!

In the music news this week...R&B veterans John Legend and Jaheim are set for solid debuts on the coveted R&B album charts next week. Early sales projections show both of their albums will arrive within the top 10, with John Legend leading the way. According to trusted industry sources, Legend's album, "Love in the Future," is likely to debut with 50-55,000 copies sold. Led by the singles "Made To Love" and "All of Me," "Love in the Future" is Legend's fifth studio album and first to be released since "Wake Up" (2010). Following John Legend, Jaheim is poised for a solid bow with "Appreciation Day," which is his sixth studio album. Led by the single "Age Ain't A Factor," Jaheim's "Appreciation Day" is projected to arrive on the charts with 40 - 45,000 copies sold. Official chart figures will be released next week. (singersroom)

Donell Jones is also back with new album and creating a sense of longevity within the industry is a task that most artists usually fail at doing. With so many chances of being a one-hit-wonder or trying to keep up with the times going wrong, it’s easy to see how an artist – especially in the R&B genre – can fall off and never be mentioned again. Flashback to one of your favorite tracks from the ’90s – can you say that the artist is still relevant today? Luckily for us, we can. In 1996, R&B lovers everywhere were forced to ask “Who is this guy?” when R&B singer Donell Jones did more than justice to Stevie Wonder’s “Knocks Me Off My Feet.” Arguably one of the best remakes we would hear, it wasn’t until 1999 that the world really felt the wrath of Donell Jones when he dropped one of the more legendary albums of our generation, ‘Where I Wanna Be.’ The album, which went platinum, featured 13 tracks of pure heaven to your ears. Now, over a decade and 4 albums later, the veteran R&B crooner has released his latest LP and along with it, dropped his record label too. The album, Forever, hosts the sound that we’ve been missing from the impressive vocalist and proves that he has made his mark on ears forever. ThisIsRnB.com recently got the chance to chop it up with the singer to get the details on the new album, being an independent artist and much more. Visit site for interview (thisisr&b.com)

Juke Box Jury "I'll give it five!"

Sadly this week we lost vintage DJ David  Jacobs, CBE aged 87, he was a British broadcaster who gained prominence as presenter of the 1960s peak-time BBC Television show Juke Box Jury and Chairman of the BBC Radio 4 political forum, Any Questions? He broadcast, mostly for the BBC, as an announcer and presenter for over sixty-five years, only stepping down shortly before his death. Though not really an actor, his earlier radio work had included some acting of small parts and he also sometimes played himself or presenter characters in films, television and radio. He had joined with the BBC since 1944 when he did a Forces radio show.

Today's tracklisting, Sunday 8th September 2013



Hour One
Dionne Warwick - Move Me No Mountain
EWF - Guiding Light
Gerald Albright - Guiding Light (inst)
Patti Austin - That's Enough For Me
Tracy Hamlin - Take Me To Paris
Joe - Closer
Unknown Song [thanks due to Dome records]
Shirley Brown - After A Night Like TRhis
John Legend - Angel
Jaheim - Age Ain't A Factor
Rena Scott - Night Dancing
C. Robert Walker - Something Going On

Hour Two
'Three-Inna-Row' with Kenny Thomas
1 Coming Down From Love
2 Just Stay
3 Best of You

Jill Scott - A Long Walk (Jazzy Jeff remix)
Betty Wright - Keep Love New
Margi Coleman - [Marvin] How I Miss You
Joshie Jo Armstead - In The Right Place (nold rmx)
Jeniqua - Making Love
Lenny White - Didn't Know About Love
Elouise Whitiker - Fallin' In Love
Terri Wells - Just Like Dreamin'
Narada Michael Walden - I Should Have Loved Ya

Purple songs all 2013

Kenny Thomas's Biography:

Born London, England. Thomas was one of the most popular UK soul dance vocalists of the early 1990s. His biggest UK hit came in 1991 with "Thinking About Your Love" (number 4), while his debut album sold more than 600,000 copies in the UK alone. Other hit singles spawned by that debut included "Outstanding", "The Best Of You" and "Tender Love', and also resulted in a Brit Award nomination for Best British Male Vocalist and Best British Newcomer. The warm, relaxed dance grooves of that debut were replicated on a second album that continued Thomas" massive commercial success. Guest musicians this time round included the Young Disciples, Nu Colours and the Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra. This time some of the bonhomie of the original set was more restrained, with a slightly more mature lyrical vision reflecting more real-life experiences.

Discography:
Voices (Cooltempo 1991)****, Wait For Me (Cooltempo 1993)***.

Please remember to click the 'like' box to help promote all  Mr Merry's artists, plus if you would like us to email you with reminders of a new Blog, click that box too with your email details - Much love!

Lemar

Eddie & Drew

One of last year's most intriguing soul projects was DREW SCHULTZ'S 'Back Ro Class' album. Schultz – long-time drummer with the 4 Tops road band – put the album together with some of the remaining members of the Motown Funk Brothers session team and the music was a joyous celebration of classic uptown soul. More importantly a portion of the royalties went to worthy music projects in Detroit schools. On September 1st Drew will be following up the album by releasing a brand new single – 'Take It Slow' which features legendary guitarist EDDIE WILLIS – a key member of the Funk Brothers who's played on hits by Marvin Gaye, The Miracles, The Temptations, 4 Tops, Mary Wells and just about any other Motown artist you can name. The song's been specially written by Drew and features DELBERT NELSON on lead vocals. Nelson is a permanent member of the Funk Brothers touring team and the song is a great slice of old school soul. Once again half of all the profits from the single will go to music initiatives in Detroit's public schools.   (souandjazandfunk.com)

Super R&B group TGT has debuted strong on the Billboard charts with their anticipated album, "Three Kings."  Consisting of Tyrese, Ginuwine and Tank, successful solo acts combined to create a super group, TGT not only did well, but earned the largest sales week for any member since May 2007. "Super R&B trio TGT starts at No. 3 with "Three Kings," moving 76,000," Billboard reported Wednesday, recognizing this week's best selling debuts on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart. In addition to the Billboard 200, the "I Need" and "Sex Never Felt Better" group debuted strong on the R&B Albums Chart and Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums tallies, where "Three Kings" arrived at no.1. "Combined, the three members of TGT have notched nine previous top 10 albums on their own. Ginuwine has claimed four top 10s, while Tyrese and Tank have tallied two and three, respectively," reports Billboard. "Three Kings" is available now. (singersroom.com)

Sundays trackisting 1st September 2013

Hour One

Alicia Keys & Maxwell - Fire We Make
Curtis Mayfield - New World Order
Lytie - Still Here [welcome bed]
Ledisi - Stay Together
Etta James - At Last
Lauryn Hill - Can't Take My Eyes Of You
Eric Benet - Don't Let Go
Chevelle Franklyn - Spirit Filled
Joe Leavey/Julie Morris - We Go Up

Hour Two
'Three-Ina-Row': Lemar
1 50/50
2 Better Than This
3 Anniversary

R.Kelly - Spendin' Money
Dwele - Know Your Name
Chaka Khan - Everywhere
Luther Vandross - My Sensitivity/Better Love
Mary J Blige - Before I Go
The Manhattans - Crazy
Michael Jackson - Baby Be Mine
Mr. Dalvin - Get Mine

Lemar's Biography:

Lemar Obika (born 4 April 1978), professionally known simply as Lemar, is an English R&B singer–songwriter and record producer. Lemar has had a run of chart success in the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia. He rose to fame after finishing in third place on the first series of British talent show Fame Academy, which was won by songwriter David Sneddon.

Since then, Lemar has had seven top ten UK singles and sold over two million albums. He is seen as one of the most successful artists to come out of a reality TV show. Lemar has also won two Brit Awards and three MOBO Awards to date and released his fifth studio album in 2012.

Montell Jordan

Apart from the "Shattered Scours," lol, this weekend do enjoy your freedom from the work place. 

There's a Sports and Leisure Day taking place at Handworth Park, today, also The Fusion Festival  in Cofton Park, near the Lickey Hills, South Birmingham features Ne-Yo on Sunday Evening. Jerry Dammers who was partly responsible for the release of Nelson Mandela and performed in the Coventry Band the Special AKA is appearing as a DJ at the Hare & Hounds Pub in Kings Heath also on Sunday Night. Mr. Merry will be DJ'ing at Monteague Wine Bar with Kevin J, Gilly Irie on the R&B side of things plus much more. Please check with all venues to confirm times and dates are correct before travelin!
 

Handsworth Park till 9.pm

 

The annual Official Launch of Birmingham Black History Month at The Drum in partnership with Birmingham City Council seeks to celebrate achievements, contributions and struggles of African, Asian and Caribbean people within the context of their diversity and heritage. This year’s launch programme commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of Dr Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. On August 28 1963 Dr King addressed over 250,000 Civil Rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during “The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom”. 

The speech was a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement and is regarded as the most iconic American speech of the 20th century by a 1999 poll of scholars of public address.The Drum wishes to acknowledge this epoch defining moment by taking part in a global celebration coordinated by The King Centre in Atlanta, Georgia. To help culminate the 50th

Anniversary of The March on Washington and Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech with “Let Freedom Ring” bell-ringing events at 3pm (GMT) on Wednesday August 28 2013, a half-century to the minute after Dr King delivered his historic address.

The Drum has organised this historic event in partnership with members from across thelocal community including local church leaders, mosques, University of Birmingham, Punch Records, and groups from Hall Green District Arts Champions Scheme to attend the bell ringing ceremony. The service led by the Reverend Canon Pitt will take place on Wednesday 28th August at Holy Trinity Church, Trinity Rd, Birchfield, B6 6AG and commence at 2.30pm, promptly. The event will demonstrate the enduring spirit and legacy of Dr King’s speech within the context of Birmingham’s diverse communities and the universal campaign for equality and social justice. It is also a befitting occasion at which the participating partners will highlight their programme of event and activities for Black History 2013. It will finish with a short performance by specially commissioned artists interpreting the speech and its impact on their lives.  (Thanks to Bro' Pilot for info.)

The Drum | 144 Potters Lane | Aston | Birmingham | B6 4UU Box Office: 0121 333 2400
info@the-drum.org.uk      www.the-drum.org.uk

Tracklisting for Sunday 25th. August 2013



Hour One
The Independents - Baby I'll Be Missing You

William Brothers - I'll Still Be here
The Staples - Love me, x 3
Leon - Don't Stop
Gina Foster - B-Side Of Love
K. Michelle - A Mothers Prayer
Charlie Wilson - There Goes My baby
Ms Monique - Mr. Do Right
Rosie Gaines - Good Times
Maysa [Leeke] - Pouring Rain
The Impressions - People Get ready

Hour Two
'Three-Inna-row': Montell Jordan
1 You Must have Been
2 What's On Tonight
3 Somthin' 4 Da Honeyz

Kenny Thomas - Turn It Up
The Jones Girls - Win You Back
Juicy - Sugar Free
Carrie Lucas - Hello Stanger
Teena Marie - Square Bizz
Unknown - Candy Rain On My Window Payne?
Siana - Get On The Floor
Dreg - Traitor

Montell Jordon Biography:

Born 3 December 1968, Los Angeles, California, USA. Montell Jordan made a huge impact in both the US and UK charts in 1995 with the runaway success of his Def Jam Records' single "This Is How We Do It". Utilising a sample from Slick Rick, this celebration of life in South Central, Los Angeles, struck a chord with both hip-hop fans and modern R&B audiences. Within weeks of release it entered the US R&B Top 10 and then the pop charts, preceding a debut album of the same title. This included several BornBorn King samples and a guest rap from Coolio on the excellent "Payback". The lyrics also diverged somewhat from typical Californian swing subjects - "Daddy's Home" addressing the importance of black fatherhood in the ghettos. He attributes his development in an otherwise hostile environment to the rare presence of both a father and mother as he grew up. Rather than running with the gangs in the "South Central 'hood", Jordan attended both church and school regularly, eventually graduating from Pepperdine University in Malibu with a degree in Organisational Communication. However, his growing interest in music eventually diverted him from a projected career in law. Jordan has built on the success of This Is How We Do It with a series of stylish urban R&B collections. The title track to Let's Ride, featuring No Limit Records stars Master P and Silkk The Shocker, reached US number 6 in April 1998. The follow-up, "I Can Do That", broke into the Top 20 in September. Jordan returned to the charts in November 1999 with Get It On ... Tonite, the title track of which became a Top 5 single the following March.

Discography:
This Is How We Do It (Def Jam 1995)***, More (Def Jam 1996)**, Let's Ride (Def Jam 1998)***, Get It On ... Tonite (Def Soul 1999)***, Montell Jordan (Def Soul 2002)***.

Maxwell

K Mchelle's first Abum

 In the news this week...K. Michelle is set to make a big splash on the coveted Billboard charts, including the Billboard 200 and R&B/Hip Hop Album charts. Based on first day sales totals, the "V.S.O.P" singer and "Love & Hip Hop" star's debut album is projected to move between 65,000 and 70,000 copies, giving her a solid and impressive debut. Led by the single "V.S.O.P.," K. Michelle's "Rebellious Soul" comes after years of mixtape and single releases, a failed record deal and a visible come up of sorts via her appearance and affiliation with the hit VH1 reality series "Love & Hip Hop Atlanta."  The album has been well promoted as well, with K. Michelle making very good use of her platform on "Love & Hip Hop Atlanta" and connection with VH1, utilizing VH1.com to talk about the album and perform songs in a series of videos. Official sales figures and chart positions will be revealed next week."Rebellious Soul" is available in stores and digital retailers now. (singersroom)

Will Preston has formed quite a following over the years with his smooth brand of soul, but it's been a few years since we've heard new music from him on record. He has ended that drought with his new album #reacquainted, and he's coming out of the box with a romantic, soulful ballad called "Candy Coated Raindrops" that's climbing charts around the world. It's our newest First Listen and a nice way to get reacquainted with this talented singer. Check out "Candy Coated Raindrops" below and tell us what you think! (soultracks)

The Hollywood Reporter has reported that Robin Thicke, whose #1 hit "Blurred Lines" bears more than a passing resemblance to Marvin Gaye's 1977 smash "Got To Give It Up," is per-emptively suing the deceased singer's estate, as Thicke attempts to avoid claims of copyright violation with regard to the song, apparently being leveled by the Gaye camp. The lawsuit states:

"Plaintiffs, who have the utmost respect for and admiration of Marvin Gaye, Funkadelic and their musical legacies, reluctantly file this action in the face of multiple adverse claims from alleged successors in interest to those artists. Defendants continue to insist that plaintiffs' massively successful composition, 'Blurred Lines,' copies 'their' compositions."

The case should be an interesting discussion of where "inspiration" by a previous song may cross over into misappropriation without attribution. There is no doubt that "Blurred Lines," including the party sounds and the beat, is heavily influenced by "Got to Give It Up," but is it enough that Gaye should be credited as a co-writer?

This weeks playlist for Sunday 18th. August 2013


Hour One
Gene Dunlap - Before You Break My Heart
Anita Baker - Angel
Gabor Szabo - Breazin'
Shirley Brown -I Caught You With Your Pants Down
Jon B - Isn't It Scary
Joe - More & More
Charlie Wilson - I Still Have You
Al Green - What A Wonderful Thing Love Is
Margi Coleman - I Need
Tim Owens - Smile
Sylvia Striplin - You Can't Turn Away
Gweneth Paltrow/Babyface - Just My Imagination

Hour Two
'Three-Inna-Row': Maxwell
1 Ever-wanting You, To Want You To Want
2 Pretty Wings
3 Dance With Me

Curtis Hairston - Chilin' Out
Winans/Phase 2 - It's Alright (Send Me)
Leroy Hutson - Lovers Holiday
Candy Brown - Since I Found You
Plush - We Got The Love
Gary Bartz - Music Is My Sanctuary
Coke Escovedo - Runaway
Zhane - Request Line

Maxwell's Biography:

Born 23 May 1973, Brooklyn, New York, USA. Of mixed West Indian and Puerto Rican parentage, soul singer Maxwell (his middle name) had to suffer the ignominy of his record company sitting on his debut album for a year, ignoring his traditional soul style in favour of the hip-hop-influenced singers dominating the R&B charts. Finally released in April 1996, Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite was a concept album about monogamy that eschewed male braggadocio to explore old-fashioned, romantic love. Featuring a collaboration with Leon Ware, co-writer of Marvin Gaye's I Want You, the album proved to be an unexpected critical and commercial success. Maxwell was voted Best R&B Artist by Rolling Stone magazine, and Urban Hang Suite was nominated for a Grammy. At the 11th Annual Soul Train Awards in March 1997, Maxwell won both Best Male R&B/Soul Album and Single (for "Ascension"), and Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist. The same month, Urban Hang Suite went platinum. Maxwell collaborated with guitarist Stuart Matthewman again for the 1998 follow-up, Embrya, slowing the pace down to create a wonderfully sensual and dreamlike record. The album debuted at US number 3 in July. The following year Maxwell enjoyed a huge US hit single with "Fortunate", taken from the soundtrack of Life. His third album, Now, provided the singer with his first US chart-topper in August 2001.

Discography:
Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite (Columbia 1996)****, Embrya (Columbia 1998)****, Now (Columbia 2001)***.

Next

First off, sorry that there was no Show last Sunday, or all week for that matter on Newstyle radio. It was due to equipment theft from the Station. The police are looking into the matter. Although the FM signal is now back the power and frequency is effectively low.

In the R&B news this week... superstar Chris Brown suffered from a seizure in the studio early Friday morning. According to their rep the L.A. City Fire Dept. rushed to a Hollywood recording studio early this morning, after getting a 911 call that Chris Brown had a seizure.

Chris Brown

UPDATE: Brown’s rep confirms he suffered a non-epileptic seizure. According to a statement the seizure was caused from intense fatigue and emotional stress… According to their source the call came from Record Plant recording studios in Hollywood at 1:09 AM. When EMTs arrived, they were told Chris refused treatment and also refused to be transported to the hospital. They have not received official confirmation if it was indeed a seizure, but they’ve learnt Chris did suffer from seizures as a child.

UPDATE: Chris Brown’s rep confirms that he suffered a non-epileptic (NES) seizure. “His doctor tended to him this afternoon and attributes the NES to intense fatigue and extreme emotional stress, both due to the continued onslaught of unfounded legal matters and the non-stop negativity,” Nicole Perna said in statement.
His girlfriend Karrueche Tran alluded to his health scare, tweeting, “Prayers all day … a lot on my mind today .. I need a hug.” Brown returned to Twitter on Saturday morning. “They won’t love u until u r a memory…” he wrote. His fans also wished for a speedy recovery, making “Pray for Chris Brown” a trending topic on Twitter. (R&B News)

George Duke dies a just few days after he releases a new album!  'Dreamweaver', we received the devastating news that George had died on Monday 5th August at St John's Hospital, California. No cause of death was given. George Duke, who was born in San Rafael, California in January 1946, enjoyed a long, varied, distinguished and garlanded career. Like many jazz and soul artists, Duke began his musical odyssey in the local Baptist church though he also underwent a formal musical education too – graduating from the San Francisco Conservatory in 1967.  From then on he worked with a litany of jazz greats – Al Jarreau, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Jean-Luc Ponty, Cannonball Adderley, Dizzy Gillespie and Stanley Clarke amongst them. Working with people like Billy Cobham he also pioneered experimental jazz fusion and he even worked with Frank Zappa.

Our good friend Bill Randle has announced that he has made an interview with Curtis Mayfield's Son, Curtis III at Mickey Nold's Studio 37, here in Birmingham and will be running it exclusivly on his radio Blog site: www.thescienceofscoul.com from Midnight on Tuesday 13th. August, already Curtis is saying it was one of the best interviews he has ever done! Many celebrities and former musicians of Mayfield have left tribute messages to be included with the Blog. Curtis or C3 as he is known, released an EP album in 2007, can found at cdBaby.com

Sunday's playlist for August 11th. 2013



Hour One
Johnny Gill - There You Go
Norman Connors - I Am Your Melody
Kim Waters - Step In The Name Of Love
Marvin Gaye - Come Live With me Angel
[Re:Jazz] - Tears
Ann Nesby - - Pressure Makes Diamonds
Jon B - They Don' Know
Soul II Soul - Missing You
Phil Perry - Say Yes
Stephanie Mills - Keep Away Girls

Hour Two
'Three-Inna-Row'  Next
1 I Still Love You
2 When We Kiss
3 Cozy

Don-E - Unbreakable
Jr. Giscombe - Morning Will Come
The Jones Girls - Nights Over Egypt
Betty Wright - Share My Love
Shirley Jones - Do You Ge Enough Love
The Gap Band - Keep Holding On
Sunfire - Young, Free & Single

Next Biography:

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA-based hip-hop/R&B fusioneers Next were formed in 1992 by brothers T-Low (Born Terrance Brown, 7 June 1974, USA) and Tweety (Born Raphael Brown, 28 January 1976, USA) alongside friend R.L. (Born Robert Lavelle Huggar, 2 April 1977, USA). T-Low's godmother Ann Nesby took the outfit in hand, training and managing them during their first years. They secured their first breakthrough in 1994 when a home-town show was watched by Prof. T and Lance of Low Key? They brought the group to Jimmy Jam And Terry Lewis' Flyte Tyme Studio in Minneapolis. The resulting demo tape caught the attention of Kay Gee (Naughty By Nature), who saw Next as the perfect act to spearhead his new Arista Records-financed label, Divine Mill. The completed album featured collaborations with Naughty By Nature and Adina Howard, among others. A degree of critical carping ensued over the innuendo-saturated lyrics on display. Despite this, the trio saw the first single to be taken from the album, "Butta Love", become a million-seller, peaking at number 16 in December 1997. The trio subsequently appeared on television shows including Soul Train, Ricki Lake and Vibe as their popularity soared. The follow-up, "Too Close", topped the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1998 as they joined Mary J. Blige and Usher on tour and gained rave reviews for their polished live performances (particularly their dancing talents). "I Still Love You" climbed to US number 14 in October. The success was unexpected, and the band took their time over the follow-up.

Discography:
Rated Next (Divine Mill/Arista 1997)****, Welcome II Nextasy (Arista 2000)***, The Next Episode (J 2002)***.

Off Air

We've been following Nigerian born, Los Angeles based singer-songwriter Douye for a few years as she's been winning fans around the world with her brand of smoky, jazzy soul. And one of crowning moments from her upcoming sophomore album, So Much Love, comes in the form of her jubilant title track tribute to the late Nigerian Afrobeat legend and international icon Fela Kuti, “So Much Love.” After reflecting on bearing witness to Fela’s rousing live performances at his legendary venue The Shrine throughout her childhood, Douyé decided that a tribute to Fela was in order for her new project. On the track she uses Baba Ken Okulolo, a bassist who played in Fela’s band back in Nigeria. (soultracks)



We first discovered Carolyn Malachi back in 2010 when she issued the cool disc, Lions, Tigers & Squares, and we've been waiting every since for more. Well, we're pleased to say the wait is over. Carolyn has a new album called Gold and a new song and video that shows what she's got going - and it's all good. Here's what Carolyn has to say about it:
ALL RIGHT" was inspired by my grandparents. Their unconditional love is the stuff of legends. Also, this strong a nod to strong women who make everything "ALL RIGHT," each day, in spite of the odds. Life is a balancing act, and love is a strategic partnership. Both require balance to thrive. "ALL RIGHT" restores balance to both forces." - Carolyn Malachi

We couldn't have said it better. Check out "All Right" below! This track is free at Amazon.co.uk (soutracks)

Our good friend Bill Randle has announced that he has made an interview with Curtis Mayfield's Son, Curtis III at Mickey Nold's Studio 37, here in Birmingham and will be running it soon on his Blog site: www.thescienceofscoul.com more information for you when it is ready to be published, but it is sure to be interesting to here the Curtis story from the inside as it was. Curtis has an album out at CDBaby.com

This weeks playlist for Sunday 4th August 2013
Sorry - Off Air this week

Catch Mr Merry & Friends on 25th August at the above venue - click to enlarge

Dru Hill

In this weeks news....K. Michelle keeps the buzz surrounding her forthcoming debut album going by releasing a 5-tracks sampler. The set includes the touching low self-esteem record “I Don’t Like Me,” the single mother anthem "Can't Raise A Man," and "Damn," a record about the sorrows of love. The sampler sees K. Michelle swimming in the soul of R&B as she fuses her experiences with heartfelt records. Look out for Rebellious Soul on August 13. (singersroom)

First there was Stevie Wonder, then there was Mary Mary, now Eddie Levert has joined the "boycott Florida" bandwagon in the wake of the Stand Your Ground law, a mandate on the books which helped the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of unarmed teen Trayvon Martin.  “I, Eddie Levert will not play Florida until they change their gun laws,” Levert revealed on Twitter. “I’m going to join Mr. Stevie Wonder in his boycott of Florida.”The number of performers who refuse to perform in the Sunshine State is growing. Do you think it will it be effective in changing the lawbooks? (singersroom)

Raheem DeVaughn has released a song called ‘Trigga Man’ featuring Styles P in honor of the slain Trayvon Martin. The song finds DeVaughn singing from the perspective of Martin on the fateful night he met his killer. Singing as Trayvon DeVaughn speaks directly to George Zimmerman, or as he calls him, “Trigga Man.” The song is about the hopes and aspirations a teenage boy had before losing his life prematurely. Styles P tackles systemic racism from a broader picture in his verse. The song ends with a news clip detailing the story behind the shooting death of seventeen-year old Jordan Davis, who was shot and killed by Michael Dunn in Jacksonville a few months ago despite being unarmed. The message is simple yet powerful: the shooting death of Trayvon Martin was not an isolated incident and should not be treated as such. Listen to the song below. (boombox)

This weeks Playlist, Sunday 28th July 2013



Hour One
Brandy - Missing You
Al Green - God Blessed Our Love
Gerald Albright - Burmuda Nights (inst)
Stevie Wonder - Ngiculela - es una Historia
Chookie Booker - Games
Maysa [Leak] - Sophisticated Lover
Woody Cunningham - Intermate Connection
Anthony David - Body Language
Joe Leavey feat: Julie Morris - We Go Up
Howard Johnson - I'm Taking A Chance
Big Robb - Cacaroni And Cheese Song
Dylan Janet Collins - Could It Be

Hour Two
'Three-Inna-Row:' Dru Hill
1 She Said
2 Whatever You Want
3 Old Love

Candy Bowman - Since I Found You
Garfield Flemming - Don't Send Me Away
Charme - Georgy Porgy
Case & Joe - Faded Pictures
Sianai - Get Up On The Floor
Lot - Ain't Got Time
Alex Latimore - Rising To The Top
Sylvia Tella - Special Way
Sister Sledge - Thinking Of You (DMC mix)

Dru Hill Biography:

Dru Hill is an American singing group, most popular during the late 1990s, whose repertoire included R&B, soul, and gospel music. Founded in Baltimore, Maryland, and active since 1992, Dru Hill recorded seven Top 40 hits, and is best known for the R&B #1 hits "In My Bed", "Never Make a Promise", and "How Deep Is Your Love". Tamir "Nokio" Ruffin was the group's founder; his bandmates included lead singer Mark "Sisqó" Andrews, Larry "Jazz" Anthony, and James "Woody Rock" Green. Signing to Island Records through Haqq Islam's University Records imprint, the group released two successful albums, Dru Hill and Enter the Dru, before separating for a period from late 1999 to 2002, during which time Sisqó and Woody released solo albums. While Woody's Soul Music LP was a moderate success in the gospel music industry, Sisqó's debut album, Unleash the Dragon, and its hit single, "Thong Song", were major pop successes, and established Sisqó as a household name outside of Dru Hill. His second album, Return of Dragon, wasn't much of a success. He is currently working on his third album, Last Dragon. In 2002, by then part of the Def Soul record label, the group reunited and added fifth member Rufus "Scola" Waller to the lineup for their third album, Dru World Order. The album was a huge disappointment which forced the group to be released from Def Jam and go on a second hiatus. In 2010, the group signed to Kedar Entertainment Group and released their fourth album, InDRUpendence Day, with new member Tao, after Woody left for the second time.(wiki)

Floetry

 

Dionne Warwick Joins Boycott of States w/ Stand Your Ground Laws

Earlier this week we reported that Stevie Wonder had decided to boycott Florida and other states that have “Stand Your Ground” laws on the books.
Now, Dionne Warwick has joined Stevie. Warwick’s statement of support reads in part:

i am certain most if not all of you have been bombarded with CNN and the news of the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman trial and i must say i was stunned at the verdict of NOT GUILTY……..it took a while for this to settle in my brain since Zimmerman admitted killing this youngster………my very dear friend Stevie Wonder has decided to keep his incredible talent from those states that carry the “Stand Your Ground” law here in the United States (30) of them and i am going to join him as i feel as seriously concerned as he does that we have to start caring more about each other and conversing with regard to the values we ALL should share with regards to our lives and the well being of each other………….it’s really a shame that we feel the need to have to carry a weapon to feel safe around each other………….i will miss those states that have supported my career for these past 50 years but i feel absolutely compelled to show solidarity with Stevie showing him he is not alone in feeling the way he does.

Playwright Invites All to Express Their Feelings About Trayvon Martin and Emmett Till

-- Janet Langhart Cohen Would Like You to Join Her to Express Your Reflections On Racism To Honor Trayvon Martin and Emmett Till, Two Teenage Boys Who Were Taken Too Soon -- .
 

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Washington, DC (July 17, 2013) -- At no time has the memory of Emmett Till been so relevant, on the heels of the Trayvon Martin murder trial. Emmett Till, a 14 year old Black boy, was brutally murdered in Money, Mississippi in 1955 for whistling at a white woman. His murder galvanized the modern Civil Rights movement. Had he lived, Emmett Till would be 72 on July 25.

Janet Langhart Cohen, playwright of "Anne and Emmett," an imaginary conversation between Anne Frank and Emmett Till, would like people to join her in remembering them both by sharing a message of reflection on their deaths, the state of Civil Rights and how the movement has changed or progressed in the last 50 years. Janet's message is "Emmett Till is not forgotten; the struggle continues with memories of Trayvon Martin." "Little has changed in over half a century," said Cohen, "Sadly, many people cannot see beyond the color of a person's skin and judgment is passed accordingly. All we can hope for is peaceful and galvanizing change using words instead of hands or weapons. I hope that the Martin case is a lesson, not a reason for people to be destructive or take up arms." (blacknews.com)

The Late Angel A

An Angel A Tribute Dance page has been launched on PCRL's web site, thanks to Mr Merry. It features Rankin' Bev, Lady Destiny (Female Connection), Daddy Guanty, Crazy G (Chic Squad), Daddy GT & Mikel Brown (Wassifa Sound) & Mr Merry himself (Luv Injection) Listen to four hours of musical tributes to the life of the late Angela Lewin, replayed nearly ten years after her parting.  www.pcrlfm.co.uk

 
Playlist for Sunday 21st July 2013



Hour One

'Marley done in  Bossa'

Beyonce & R.Kelly - Have Your Way
Kenny G - If I Ain't Got You
Rhythm - Skippin
Aretha Franklin - If She Don't want Your Lovin'
R.Kelly - Your Body's Callin'
Joe - Baby
Jaheim - Looking For Love
Cee-Lo Green - My Kinda People (album vers)
Angie Stone - No More Rain (In This Cloud)
Justin Timerlake - That Girl
Randy Crawford - Endlessly
Amazonics - Redemption Song
Ituana - Waiting In Vain

Hour Two
Thee-Inna-Row: Floetry
1 Hello 2 Coser 3 Butterflies (remix)

The Chil-Lites - Heavenly Body
Esher Philips - S.O.S
Billy Paul - Bring The Family Back
Dusty Springfiled - Am I The Same Girl
The Jacksons - Heartbreak Hotel
Loose Ends - Gonna Make You Mine
Mc Llyte - It's All Yours
Windjammer - Tossin' & Turning

First album

Floetry's Biography:

Floetry was an English R&B duo comprising Marsha Ambrosius ("the Songstress") and Natalie Stewart ("the Floacist"). The group recorded two studio albums, one live album, and sold over 1,500,000 records worldwide. Formed in 1999, Floetry started on the performance poetry stage. In 2002, the duo released their first album entitled, Floetic. The album sold over 864,000 copies in the United States. The album spawned the singles "Floetic", the top ten song "Say Yes", and "Getting Late". Following their success, Floetry released their live album Floacism, featuring the single Wanna B Where U R (Thisizzaluvsong). In 2005, Floetry released their second album Flo'Ology. Two singles were released from this album, "SupaStar" and "Lay Down". Ambrosius left the group in 2007. (wiki)

Joe

Tina Turner musical has heart & Soul. It's the classic rags to riches tale  encompassing rivers deep and  mountains high, grand passions  and terrible heartache, all set to  some of the most powerful music  of the late 20th century. So perhaps the only surprise is why  the life story of singing superstar Tina  Turner, and her Svengali-like husband  Ike, hasn’t made it on to a stage before  now.  “We talked about it a long time ago,”  admits John Miller, co-writer of Soul  Sister which is heading for Liverpool  next month after a successful run in the  West End. “But we decided that it  wasn’t really appropriate to try and do a  stage show while Tina Turner herself  was still touring or performing.”  And it seemed Tina didn’t want to  give up the spotlight.  But then five years ago she did her  50th anniversary  and last tour, and after  that John and fellow writer Pete Brooks  swung into action to create the show  which charts the 73-year-old star’s life  from its beginnings as Anna Mae  Bullock in Nutbush, Tennessee, to  global Queen of Rock. More: Liverpool Echo.

R&B newcomer, Netta Brielle, has released her introductory mixtape, ‘Will You Go With Me?.’ The mixtape pays homage to the music and artists who played an important role in shaping who Netta has grown to be as an artist, while also giving listeners a taste of what they can expect from her forthcoming debut album. The Bay Area bred singer/songwriter has been hard at work on the LP, which will be released on El Seven/Atlantic Records. Last week, Netta premiered the music video for her buzz single, “More To A Kiss.”  (R&B News)

It's a World Youth Record for Yanique Thompson, who produced a magical 12.94 in the girls 100m hurdles to win Jamaica's first gold medal at the IAAF World Youth Championships inside the RSC Olympiyskiy, in a day of mixed results for the Jamaicans: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=46394

Shortly before the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan still live on the 100 currently detained at Guantanamo Bey political prisoners on hunger strike in the United States. About 40 of them are currently being force-fed. After the military instructions for this practice were published on the Internet, was now Yasiin Bey, better known as Mos Def, endure for a sex education film of the human rights organization Reprieve this procedure under the conditions noted there about yourself. The result is a very intense, almost 4-minute video, which probably might seem disturbing for one or the other viewers and to shake his goal over the still predominant in Guantanamo prison conditions, do not miss this clip (Florian Fuchs/Guardian)

This weeks Playlist Sunday 14th. July 2013

Hour One

Jon B - Cocoa Brown
Whitney Houston - Exhale (Shoop, Shoop)
Boney James - Wait For Love [Welcome]
Harold Melvin - You Know How To Make Me..
Soul Papers feat:Coco - One Love
Omar - There's Nothing Like This (remake)
Joe Leavy - I Heart You
Maze & F.Beverley - Call On Me
Al Green feat: Devatee Could This Be Love
Donnell Jones - Forever (new 45)
Betty Wright/Roots/Jos Stone - Whisper..

Hour Two
Three-Inna-R'ow': Joe [Thomas]
1 Baby
2 Sexy

3 Mary Jane

Jill Scott & A Hamilton - So Is Love
Nicola Renee - Strawberry
Kenny Thomas - Turn It Up
Lisa Stansfield - Never, Never..
                   .. Gonna Give You Up
Brian Culbertson ft K Latimore - Another Love
Siani - Get Up On The Floor
Jean Carn - Don't Let It Go To You Head
Johnny Watson - Don't Wanna Be A Lone-ranger

Joe's Biography:

Joseph Lewis Thomas (born July 5, 1972), usually credited simply as Joe, is an American R&B singer and record producer. Joe is a native of Morris, Georgia and later moved to Opelika, Alabama.

He signed to Polygram/Mercury and in 1993 released his album debut, "Everything." This album produced a minor hit for him and he was subsequently released from his contract. Joe then signed to Jive Records for his 1997 album, "All That I Am." This proved to be his breakthrough album, reaching #13 on the. Billboard 200 album charts and number 4 on the R&B charts. The hit singles from this album included the Top 5 R&B/Top 20 pop hit "All the Things Your Man Won't Do", the Top 5 R&B/Top 40 pop hit "Don't Wanna Be a Player", produced by Rodney Jerkins, and "The Love Scene". "All That I Am" eventually went platinum in the US.

In April 2000, Joe released his third album, "My Name Is Joe," which became his most successful album to date, reaching the top of the R&B album charts and #2 on the Billboard 200, eventually selling more than three million copies. The single "Stutter", was #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks charts. The "Better Days" album was released in 2001, reaching #32 on the Billboard 200 and #4 on the R&B chart. It featured two singles, "Lets Stay Home Tonight", which reached #18 on the US R&B chart, and "What If A Woman".

Joe recruited high profile guests for the "And Then ..." album released in late 2003. "And Then ..." reached #26 on the US album charts and #4 on the R&B charts. Joe's sixth album, "Ain't Nothin' Like Me," was produced by Tim & Bob, The Underdogs, Cool & Dre, Bryan-Michael Cox, and Sean Garrett. The album featured guest appearances by Nas, Fabolous, Papoose, Young Buck and Tony Yayo; and was released on April 24, 2007.

Joe released his highly anticipated album "Joe Thomas, New Man", independently on September 23, 2008. The album debuted at number 8 on the billboard charts on the week of 29/9/08. 56,733 copies were sold in the first week. His second independent album, titled "Signature," was released on July 14, 2009 in Japan and the US. The album debuted #7 on the Billboard 200, #2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and #1 on the Independent Albums chart. (starpulse)