10/31/10

WHAT'S OLD IS NEW & WHAT'S TRIED IS TRUE!

WITHERS 2nd CD "NO REGRETS"
My baby (don't tell her husband Damon I called her that) Elisabeth Withers full length, "No Regrets" is on the market and it shouldn't be missed. "No Regrets," is more than a title for Withers, it was a life transformation. After her first CD she spend so much time on the road that her little daughter didn't recognize Elisabeth when she came off the road. Elisabeth stayed away from the microphone to get her real life back with, no regrets!

It seemed that the time off also afforded time for the right producers to get on board with Elisabeth Withers. This album is, overall, stronger than her first. There are songs on this that stand out like the uplifting "Dream," which has a modern day Gladys Knight sound to it. "I Believe" and another track which is hidden deep in the CD is "Alright" with their mid-tempo swing give the album great texture.
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"LYRICS" FROM DONELL JONES
My Gemini brother Donell Jones is back after a long hiatus with a new album titled "Lyrics." D Jones, has put his Chicago swing on this new piece. Radio was playing the first single "Love Like This" for a long time, but the album jumps off with the song "The World Is Yours" which signals the rebirth of Hip-Hop and R&B. It's more R&B with a fun Hip-Hop beat highlighting Donell's cool, tenor control of the microphone.

Donell is a performer who seems to be always on the grind. He even invited his mother to grace the CD, giving Mr. Jones instruction to give it to them, Chicago style! Listen to the song "Your Place," it's the song that a lot of the crooners would love to have recorded. Donell Jones did most of the writing on the album, with help on one song from industry veteran Mike City. Ladies, Donell didn't forget you, he has those ballads like "Backdoor" that should make your toes curl.
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THERE IS "SOMETHING ABOUT
FAITH"
Let's talk about growth and development of an artist. Let's talk about trust and confidence in music. Let's talk about faith! There is "Something About Faith," the CD and there is something about Faith Evans that separates her from a lot of the other female singers in R&B music. This lady, like our other two performers this week, has been around and paid her dues. We've heard the obvious but did you know that this Newark, New Jersey native, started singing at the age of two and won a full-ride scholarship to Fordham University? She left school to sing and write music which she did for Al B. Sure, Hi-Five, Mary J. Blige and more.

The album "Something About Faith" has a wide range of songs that have potential to make this a break-out for her. The cross-over sounding "Already Gone", and the smooth duet with Snoop Dogg "The Way You Move" which was the first single set the scene for this complete CD. Some other guests on the album are Raekwon (of the Wu-Tang Clan), N.J. homegirl Kelly Price on an inspirational song called "Troubled World" and the sexy Keyshia Cole on "Can't Stay Away." This is Faith Evan's fifth album (sixth if you count her Christmas album) and although she's always been steady her work is getting stronger! 

10/22/10

I NEED YOU TO THINK BACK AND REMEMBER!


STEVIE
PAUL SIMON
 We had a discussion at my 9 to 5x5; If there was a Music Poet Laureate named for America, who would it be? Really, we have had some great song writers who have touched the depths of our souls, made us think and inspired us to do! In our office round table many names came about, Stevie Wonder, Tupac, Carole King, Paul Simon, Lennon & McCartney and R.Kelly just to name a few.    
CAROLE KING
R. KELLY


I took it upon myself to pose this question on my twitter page (KNOWWAX@twitter.com) to see if there was one constant voice but I was hit with another cadre of names  from Curtis Mayfield to Bob Marley to "Weird" Al Yankovich (who the Hell submitted his name?) Well, here's your chance. If you haven't already think back to a lyricist who you believe speaks for the masses??? I would appreciate your feedback here!

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WAYMAN,
JEFF LORBER & KNOWWAX
THE FONK RECORD
Wayman Tisdale's latest posthumous work, "The Fonk Record" is now in circulation although it's not on iTunes yet. The first single features George Duke and is called "Let's Ride." There is also a cut featuring George Clinton and another song with the late Ali Woodson (of the Temptation's fame) on lead vocals. My jam on the record though, is buried deep in the CD, in fact it's the last cut, and it is called "Wayman's Gotta Do It!" Gotta Do It, features a funk-box vocal and I promise you it will make the stiffest necks wobble! Trust a brother, this song will move the Big Tiz's fonk needle to 100%!

10/16/10

STUFF I LISTENED TO & REALLY HEARD!

I found myself in a jazzy state of mind this week. I am sure, being the musical -- that you are, you've experienced George Duke's "Déjà Vu" album. This collection of work is one of Duke's best in years! Yes, I know many people enjoyed "Dukey Treat's", his last album in 2008. In my opinion it gets no better that this one. Sit back, get yourself in the right state of mind and then take a listen to this link to "A Melody!" There are a lot of other strong songs on the CD ranging from Jazzy Funk to Smooth Love, you'll re-live it over and over again.  ____________________________
"LUST, LOVE & LIES"



My musical mood didn't wander far when I took the wrapper off my buddy
Will Downing's album "Lust, Love & Lies (An Audio Novel)", not to be confused with Michael Baisden's old show title "Love, Lust & Lies". This CD is, sort of, a Tyler Perry play on disc. We meet Will Rollins (Downing) as he meets the LUST OF HIS LIFE, Dee Washington. The couple hooks up, fall in love, then bore of their partner, break up and like a true (positive ?) brother Will, is on to the next one! All the songs are tied to the story of LUST followed by LOVE and the LIES that happen in life. This is the Will Downing CD we've been waiting for. It has a couple of robust singles but the album cuts run DEEP on this one!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFUb8R-PsRA Will Downing - Tell Me 
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"EVERYTHING IS EVERYTHING"
I am positive that for any lover of the arts, you can't get too over-medicated with good product, so I'd like to put one more piece of meat on your musical plate. Kirk Whalum has taken his craft in many directions. He's done jazz both straight-ahead and smooth, gospel and now he has taken the Donny Hathaway songbook and made it a mainly instrumental masterpiece! The album is entitled "Everything Is Everything" (a saying that Donny made popular way before Lauryn Hill or Michael Baisden). The back story to the making of this album is powerful. This work was much more than selecting a iconic artist and replicating his music. If you get a chance listen to the reason why! 
The making of "Everything Is Everything"








10/12/10

WHAT'S ON YOUR ENTERTAINMENT PLATE THIS WEEK?


The weather was beautiful this weekend for the Taste of Georgetown. Also on the agenda for this past weekend was Konshens Kommunity Day Back to School fundraiser. It was the first time out for the fundraiser, in hopes to become and annual event.
 
This coming week promises to be full of entertainment and music for many of us especially if you live in the Washington, DC area. Even though I've been told that I know how to find "trouble," I've got a listing of some of the "fun" you might want to find for yourself!
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The Washington Wizards open their 2010 season at home with a preseason game on Tuesday, October, 12th against the Atlanta Hawks and Thursday, October 14th versus the Milwaukee Bucks. insidehoops The 2010 season should be a fun one. The biggest question might be; How long will it be until Gilbert Arenas either acts "normal" or get traded? The Great Wall of Chinatown, John Wall, looks like he's the real deal! 


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On Wednesday WHW Web is holding a "Sushi Social" being held at Jordan's 8 Restaurant. It promises to be "an evening of elegance, excellence and purpose." Jordan Cappolla, owner of Jordan's 8 will receive the "DC's Top Spot" crystal award for serving the finest sushi in the District. WHW Web is partnering with WEAVE (Women Empowered Against Violence) to raise awareness for domestic abuse victims. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Staffers from WEAVE will be in house to share information about their organization and its services. whwweb.com Tickets are $20

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Bohemian Caverns will be the hot-spot on Thursday night when Angela Johnson takes the stage. Angela is a singer, songwriter and producer of numeroius CD's worth buying! She has done some great work on her latest album called "Its' Personal" Come down and enjoy this Queen of the Musical Underground. 


  

10/5/10

MUSIC IS IN THE AIR! IT'S TIME FOR THE FALL CONCERTS!

KNOWWAX, Xina Eiland (Blogalicious) Eric Benet
Last week was just a sign of things to come in the next month or so. I was able to hang out with a few good friends of mine who are doing big things. I stopped by the sold-out Birchmere Concert Hall in Alexandria, Virginia and took in Eric Benet's show. Eric was in rare voice, clearer and stronger than I've heard him in some time. By the reaction of the packed house I think that Mr. Benet is back on top as one of the leading male vocalists in adult urban music of this generation. Eric did a few songs from his new album "Lost In Time" and the feedback was very positive. The new album will arrive in early November. "Lost In Time" is an album that was done in the fashion of recordings from the early eighties, right down to the recording process which gives the songs a warmth that is missing in most music today. Make sure you pay close attention to the Birchmere's concert calendar for the upcoming months. You will notice that there are a lot of great shows coming to the area via the Birchmere booking agency including Najee, Gerald Albright and my man Citizen Cope (If you don't know about him, ask somebody that's cool!)


Ledisi
Speaking of cool, on Saturday evening Ledisi was in concert at the beautiful Strathmore Music  Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Ledisi, always a DC favorite, had the music hall swinging as she did songs from "Lost & Found" "Turn Me Loose" and of course "Soulsinger" her debut work from some years ago! The crowd enjoyed the performance and her voice is perfect in the Strathmore. This venue was crafted for a pure voice like Ledisi's. If you are a fan of women that have God given talent, and just flat out sing, I am sure you've already been to a Ledisi show. If you haven't all I can say is; "Is you crazy?"


Karen Clark Sheard
Blessed is what I am each Sunday I can attend the First Baptist Church of Glenarden. This past Sunday I (and everyone else in the sanctuary) were doubly blessed because Karen Clark Sheard graced the alter. Ms. Sheard rocked "Bomb In Gilead" and when Pastor Jenkins mentioned one of his theme songs, that Karen and her sisters recorded, she jumped out of her seat and did her thing again. I have always known Karen and all of the other Clark Sisters had strong voices, but she did things with her vocals that I haven't heard at any concert... anywhere! If you're not aware the Detroit based Clark Sisters, beyond being a Grammy Award winning Gospel group, they also backed-up Anita Baker both in concert and on her recordings for many years.


Out new this week is the single "10 Seconds" from Jazmine Sullivan. It's another one of those "my man done did me wrong" songs. This is not one of Jazmine's best singles but it might hit a special cord with many of the scorn women of the world. Listen for it on radio soon. 


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