What’s in my Earbuds: Ladies First

I’m on a ladies kick, not a bad thing right?

what I’m listening to right now:

Melanie Fiona’s The Bridge. Its finally out! I mentioned her awhile back as someone to check for on That New New post. I downloaded the mixtape she put out over the summer with  Questlove, but it was way more talking than music so it kinda disappointed me. But because of that project I knew that I liked the song “Ay Yo”, and of course my faves are “Give it to Me Right” and “It Kills Me”. Other favorites include “Monday Morning”, “Teach Him”, and “Bang Bang”.  The music has an older vibe especially with the beats, and she has an awesome voice, so if you haven’t checked her out already please do. Her debut is selling  VERY cheap on iTunes, and its worth the purchase.

I’ve also been diggin Letoya Luckett’s Lady Love. I really liked her first solo project and took me awhile to get into this one, but I’m finally there.  I didn’t like the last single “She Ain’t Got” for some reason–don’t really like the melody of it and it reminded me too much of “She Don’t” from her first joint, which I LOVED–but a lot more desperate sounding. lol The single out now is “Regret”, featuring Ludacris, and I actually couldve done without him on the song. its a decent song though. “Not Anymore” was her lead single for this project and it was one of those songs that kinda grows on you. Now the songs that I really liked are “I Need A U”(absolute fave!), “Over”, “Matter” and “Drained”. I’m not even really sure how I feel about Letoya’s voice but the songs are light and the music is good.

and most recently, I got put on to this mixtape by a new artist named Shalonda called Just Go. I read about it on Soulbounce and the author Ms. Huny told me via twitter that  I would dig it and she’s right. My favorites are Fever, Misty, and BlessLockDown. Click on the link above to read more about it. Its a very short joint, great vocals over hot current hip hop beats, and its just a really fresh sound.  You can find it here.

so I’m keeping these in rotation probably for the rest of the weekend and maybe a few others. I guess I’ll go hit the streets to see what the new “club bangers” are since I don’t really know because I rarely “club”. I’m sure I’ll know between this weekend and next weekend when I travel home for homecoming!!!!

That New New…

“they call me New New, because I rock the new, NEW shit….”

I haven’t been in a mood to write really, but I have been in a mood for music! its an iffy mood though. I’m a hip hop head, lots of hip hop out, but I want to be in a more soul mood. just hard for me to get into something really really good right now.

one NEW cd I am digging is Laura Izibor’s Let the Truth Be Told. I looooove her voice. I actually heard her first on the Steve Harvey Morning Show.  See, black radio ain’t so bad (*insert side eye*) They often play her song “From My Heart To Yours” and it took me a while to realize the artist. so I found a lil buzz on her and I actually paid for her bonus track CD from iTunes. now, Reece is kinda like a pirate (shhh! don’t tell nobody…else) so me buying this is kinda like a big deal. I may go in the store and buy a copy too. That’s how much I like it, and her. Her voice and sound reminds me of Emily King–but they don’t sing the same, if that makes sense. little inflections vary, I’m not a vocal coach or a singer so I don’t know what its called exactly, pitch maybe? tone? either way its not the same, but the SOUND is similar. yeah, the sound. If you like EK, you might dig LI.

Speaking of dope females, there’s this chick Melania Fiona, that has a hot single out I like. (you might want to click that link to see the video–I’m just saying).  She’s supposed to be making a mixtape with ?uestlove–and I looooooooooves dude so I’m checking for that and its not even out yet. I’m on the lookout for it though.

I just recently  heard of Chester Gregory from two favorite blogs I read regularly: Stuff Fly People Like and Soulbounce, so I’m checking out his new mixtape  called Breakbeat Karoake.  Heard a couple of the tracks so far and its nice.  he’s covering classic beats, so definitely check it out. He already has a name for himself on Broadway, and a lot of big names are holding him down. If I really really dig this mixtape I may purchase his current CD out too, on iTunes called  In Search of High Love.

I also have this Raheem Devaughn mixtape in rotation, came out last week or so? The Art Of Noise.  yeah, well ya’ll know Raheem is my man….so I was all over it. I’m looking forward to his double disc coming out later this year.

Of course I’m waiting for the new Maxwell. I will be getting me a HARD COPY cd of BLACKsummer’snight. yes indeedy, I will. gonna put the cover and whatnot in that big old cd book I have that ‘s collecting dust in my spare bedroom.

I have not heard all of the new Wale Mixtape yet, but I looove Wale, and love 9th Wonder, so I’m on it. I’m previewing it as I type this…..so far heard the joints with Curren$y, K’Naan, and Bleek….shout to my homie Streetz for hooking me up with the link!

Also, some gems for my fam. I’m checking for group called Allmanact. My homeboy from waaaay back in the day is an emcee in this group and bought the CD to support my fam. I’m waiting on it snail mail–I know I couldve got a digital download, but eh, I wanted a real copy. check my folk out, because well, they are nice, and I asked nicely too.  check the link and see for yourself!

that’s the new new, that I’m checking for right now! anybody else you think I should be on, please let me know. If you know  me you know what I’m into and what I’m not–so dont’ send me no Soulja Boy, Gucci, or OJ. I’m just saying! kthanx. I’d love some more soul music, and less hip hop, but if its rap and not those three people just mentioned I MIGHT give it a whirl…..