Once upon a time, kids, R&B music was all about the beat. And no beat was beat-ier than the glory that was New Jack Swing.
Month: April 2015
Neo-Soul
Apparently the requirements for being a 90s neo-soul singer were: 1) Have large/great hair; 2) Bust out with a critically acclaimed, massive selling debut album; 3) Promptly disappear for many years before releasing your follow-up. Clearly D’Angelo spent all that time perfecting his body for the “Untitled” video. Not sure what everyone else’s excuse was.
Neil Young
Given their shared Canadian-ness, childhood bouts of polio, and musical restlessness, I’m tempted to call Neil Young the male Joni Mitchell. But he doesn’t seem like he has much sense of humor, so maybe I’ll rethink that. Bonus points for the annual Bridge School Benefit, which raises money for an organization serving individuals with severe speech and physical impairments. Even more bonus points for putting up with Crosby, Stills, & Nash for so many years.
Native Tongues
They started out all peace-n-love, but pretty soon De La Soul decided they were thugs and Q-Tip did a video that was basically four minutes of watching a woman’s a** shake. Oh, and they all fought and decided they weren’t friends anymore. How did we get from “Potholes on My Lawn” to all that?
Nas
I am among a large majority who thinks that Illmatic is the best rap album of all time. I am in a much smaller minority (one, maybe?) who thinks pretty much everything Nas has done after that has been … ehhh. I am sure that he cares a lot about that as he is lighting cigars with $100 bills.
Mulatu Astatke
For many of these lists, I have heard of the artist but not their music. This is the first list where I had heard of neither the artist nor his music. But when I came across two pieces on Mulatu Astatke—the “Father of Ethiopian Jazz”—in the space of three days, I figured it was a sign from the universe that I should give him a list. One of the mentions was on World Is Africa, a thoughtful, informative blog that is to this one as Beethoven is to Alvin and the Chipmunks. Dedicated to Djibril.
Muddy Waters
Best. Stage name. Ever. And when you consider he was born McKinley Morganfield—Smartest. Business decision. Ever.
Motown Women
I once read that Berry Gordy, Jr. groomed Mary Wells to be the female Motown superstar, and that Diana Ross was just an afterthought. So much for best-laid plans. Personally, I’d have gone with Martha Reeves—she seems like she could have taken on the other two at one time, with one hand tied behind her back.
Mos Def/Talib Kweli/Black Star
As musch as I will admit that Mos Def and Talib Kweli are mad talented, I would really appreciate it if they could explain how using “b***h” and homophobic slurs qualifies as “conscious rap.”
Milton Nascimento
My friend Richard describes his perfect day as gardening and painting while listening to Milton Nascimento. My perfect day is when I think, “I made it to bedtime and didn’t say one critical or snarky comment to my kids all day.” On balance, I think Richard has it pretty good.
Playlist of the Day 