Everybody is a rapper these days. But there are few people who love rapping like Donwill. The Cincinnati-native and member of the group Tanya Morgan is constantly churning out quality music (emphasis on quality) either through Tanya Morgan, his group Illwill or on his own.
One of my favorite movies of all time is the movie High Fidelity. A film about a middle aged record store owner (played by John Cusack), his record store geek friends, and his miscues in relationships. An undisputed classic film for music geeks such as myself.
For his latest project, Donwill has become Don Cusack and has chosen to take us on a musical journey inspired by the film.
However for all his rapping...the best part of the album may just be the song where Donwill doesn't say a word.Songstress Ragen Fykes steps to the microphone with this calm, soothing track to close out an excellent project.
The Makings Of You: Curtis Mayfield, Gladys Knight and Lauryn Hill
"These are the makings of YOU..."
Curtis Mayfield is probably the most underrated artist in the history of soul music.
His music was poignant and honest....but not as accessible as the Stevie Wonders and Marvin Gayes, which is why his name rarely comes up among the all-time greats. But when it came to vivid urban reflections and piercing social commentary, they all took their cues from Mr. Mayfield. Aside from that, when you break it all down, he was simply an extraordinary writer...
And upon thinking about why I never consistently post in my music blog. I was inspired to post one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded in this history of the earth...
And here are 3 versions to choose from.
Can't go wrong with any of them...
"Almost impossible to do...Describing the makings of you"
Add a little sugar, honey suckle and... A great big expression of happiness Boy, you couldn't miss...
With a dozen roses Such would astound you The joy of children laughing around you These are the makings of you And it's true, the makings of you
The righteous way to go Little one would know Or believe if I told them so You're second to none The love of all mankind Should reflect some sign Of these words I'm trying to recite They are close, but not quite Almost impossible to do Decribing the makings of you
The world was introduced to Janelle Monae thru Big Boi of Outkast. Specifically thru his Purple Ribbon We Got Purp Vol. 2 Project. Later we heard her on the criminally overlooked Idlewild album from Outkast.
Outkast - "Call The Law"
Those however were only a small glimpse into what this pint sized musical dynamo had in store for the world.
In a word...she is weird
Her legend continues to grow...as well as the cult following of fans who flock to her live shows. I have been going to concerts for year. Rap, Rock, R&B...what have you. I do not exaggerated when I say that I have never been to a wilder more exciting performance than Janelle Monae. She is litterally all over the place. Imagine that her clothes were on fire during the show plus she had to use the bathroom REALLY REALLY REALLY bad and that might give you some idea of what her show is like. Jumping, screaming, rolling on the floor, throwing water on the crowd, dancing with people IN the crowd. I hear David Banner is the hip hop equivalent (which I wholeheartedly believe)...but I have yet to experience Mr. Crump in person.
The fact that her project is essentially an EP with only 7 songs and only 5 of them real genuine songs, does hold it back a bit. But the project stands tall and is an unforgettable listen. I mean...Bone Thugs-N-HarmonyCreep On Ah Come Up was an EP...
Sometimes less is more....
Which is certainly the case with this 5 foot wonder.
So it didn't take long for me to realize that I had waaay more than 10 favorite albums that I was attempting to write about.
So unless I use some new fangled math....something has got to give.
Some may or may not know that Al Green is my favorite male sainger (yes...sainger) of all time. No need to go into his list of hits. His credentials are undeniable. As is seen here by this year BET Awards where he was given the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award.
A few years back Al, after a long absence from secular/mainstream music (minus a few comebacks here and there), signed on to the legendary label Blue Note Records and in 2003 Al Green was back. He released I Can't Stop and in 2005 Everything's OK
While both were met with excitement and appreciation, most concluded that "something" was missing. One of these individuals was Questlove, famed drummer of The Roots. He was worked on projects by everyone from D'Angelo, Common, Erykah Badu. Blue Note gave him the green light and Quest rounded up the team, included fellow Soulquarian James Poyser, Mighty Clouds of Joy guitarist Chalmers "Spanky" Alford (who passed shortly before the album was released, the Dap-Kings Horns and famed Larry Gold on strings
Questlove's mission...to create an album with the classic Al Green 70's sound, that works in a modern music setting. And the results were impressive, to say the least. The musical arrangements are lush. Al glides effortlessly over the tracks and doesn't sound like a 62 year old man or anything close to it. A few of the lyrics are lacking at time, but rumor has it that Al basically freestyled most of the album. They started playing and he started singing. Which I find amazing.
Appearances from Anthony Hamilton, John Legend, and Corrine Bailey Rae don't seem forced or out of place like can often be the case when musical legends team up with new schoolers (*ahem* Charlie Wilson and R. Kelly).
Anthony Hamiltion's appearance on "You Got The Love I Need" provides the high point of the album as Al and Anthony, both masters at the gritty southern sound...do some Grade-A romancing with some nasty bass guitar work as the driving force.
"Lay It Down....Let It Go...Fall In Love"
Al Green - "You Got The Love I Need" feat Anthony Hamilton
