Pick Hit CD Of The Month

Joe-DoubleBack: Evolution Of R&B (2013)

You can't go wrong with this one. Nice tracks all the way through.

Janelle Monae New Release Soon

Janelle Monae recently told Billboard Magazine that her sophomore album, "The Electric Lady," will include collaborations with Prince and Miguel.

Monae, who graces the cover of the mag's September issue, explains her friendship with Prince and how excited she was to work with the music legend.

"I had a chance to produce an icon," says Monáe. "It's not every day that he collaborates. I'm honored and humbled that he trusted me. He is forever my friend, and I am forever indebted. I can't say too much else about it."

Monae describes Prince as a friend who she can seek advice from.

"We are great friends, and he is a mentor to us, to me," she says. "It's a beautiful thing to have a friend -- someone who cares about your career, and wants to see you go far and to push boundaries and shake up the world -- give whatever they possibly can to the cause."

Her new album is due out in September and she intertwined her songwriting chops with her storytelling skills.

She said she wants to "tell universal stories in unforgettable ways."

The single is a duet with Erykah Badu titled "Q.U.E.E.N." The single has sold 31,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.


 http://singersroom.com/content/2013-08-09/Janelle-Monae-Covers-Billboard-Plus-Reveals-The-Electric-Lady-Cover-Art-and-Track-List/#ixzz2blMfEy1B

RIP To Mr. George Duke. 1 of the greatest keyboard players ever. From his work with Frank Zappa all the way to Stanley Clarke,to his own solo work,he had an amazing body of work.

  George Duke, who began his career as a jazz pianist in the 1960s but made his name by crossing musical boundaries, died on Monday in Santa Monica, Calif. He was 67.

He had suffered heart complications after being treated for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, said his manager, Darryl Porter, who confirmed the death.

The name of the instrument with which Mr. Duke is perhaps most closely associated also describes his approach to music: synthesizer. While he remained a respected figure in the jazz world, over the years he also played keyboards with Frank Zappa and Michael Jackson, sang lead on a Top 20 single and produced pop and rhythm-and-blues hits for others. His work has been sampled by hip-hop and electronic artists, including Daft Punk.

“I was in a rock band, I played with a bunch of Brazilians, I played R&B with Parliament-Funkadelic and all of that,” he said in an interview before his most recent album, “DreamWeaver,” was released last month. “I mean, I’ve done jazz with Miles Davis and Cannonball Adderley. It’s a goulash. It’s a gumbo.”

Mr. Duke, who as a small boy begged his mother to buy him a piano after she took him to see Duke Ellington, began playing professionally at a time when many musicians were interested in blending genres. He played in a trio that backed the singer Al Jarreau while he was still a teenager, then accompanied Dizzy Gillespie and other jazz musicians at clubs in San Francisco. By the early 1970s he had performed and recorded with Adderley, the jazz violinist Jean-Luc Ponty and Zappa’s Mothers of Invention. (His six-year stint with Zappa included an appearance, with the rest of the band, in the feature film “200 Motels.”)

Zappa “told me one day that I should play synthesizers,” Mr. Duke wrote on his Web site. “It was as simple as that!” Urged by Zappa, he said, he experimented with a few types of synthesizers before settling on the ARP Odyssey, “purely to be different from Jan Hammer, who was playing the Minimoog.” Mr. Hammer was a member of the guitarist John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra, one of the first jazz-rock fusion bands to achieve widespread success.

As a leader, Mr. Duke focused in the middle and late 1970s on groove-oriented funk. His versatility also made him a sought-after collaborator. Working in Rio de Janeiro in 1979, he recorded one of his best-known albums, “A Brazilian Love Affair,” with the singers Milton Nascimento and Flora Purim. He also worked with other major names in fusion, including the drummer Billy Cobham, with whom he was co-leader of a band in the 1970s, and the bassist Stanley Clarke, with whom he formed the Clarke/Duke Project in 1981.

By that time he had become more of a pop act, singing and often playing a hand-held synthesizer while standing center stage in concert. Collaborating with Mr. Clarke, he wrote and sang “Sweet Baby,” a ballad that became his first pop hit, reaching No. 19 on the Billboard singles chart in 1981. Soon after that the duo had another hit with “Shine On,” which reached No. 41.

While he pursued a career as a leader, he continued to participate in recording sessions for notable albums like Michael Jackson’s “Off the Wall” and to produce other artists. In 1984 he produced Deniece Williams’s No. 1 hit “Let’s Hear It for the Boy.” Among the other singers whose records he produced were Jeffrey Osborne, Angela Bofill, the duo A Taste of Honey and the jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves, who was his cousin.

His song “I Love You More” was sampled by Daft Punk for the 2001 hit “Digital Love.”

Mr. Duke was born on Jan. 12, 1946, in San Rafael, Calif, near San Francisco. He grew up listening to gospel music in the Baptist church his family attended. He graduated from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 1967.

His survivors include two sons, John and Rashid. His wife, Corine, died last year.

Critics sometimes said that Mr. Duke’s music was too smooth, not challenging enough, and that he was too eager to court a broad audience. He disagreed.

“I really think it’s possible (and still do) to make good music and be commercial at the same time,” Mr. Duke wrote. “I believe it is the artist’s responsibility to take the music to the people. Art for art’s sake is nice; but if art doesn’t communicate, then its worth is negated. It has not fulfilled its destiny.”

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/08/07/arts/music/george-duke-crossover-musician-with-frank-zappa-dies-at-67.html?_r=0&

J Records Drops Ruben Studdard

After a promising start as winner of the second season of "American Idol," Studdard seems to have fallen short of expectations and has been dropped from J. A rep from his label has confirmed the artist's departure to SOHH.

Studdard's first J Record release Soulful, released in 2003, is RIAA certified platinum. His 2004 gospel follow up, I Need An Angel also fared well - reaching gold status. However sales of his 2006 project The Return have been unable to match his previous success, moving barely 235,000 copies.

Studdard has been putting in work to strengthen other aspects of his career. In November, he spent time touring alongside Robin Givens in a play called "Heaven I Need a Hug" and according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, he is currently preparing to play jazz great Fats Waller in a national theatre tour of "Ain't Misbehavin'."

Theater has proven to be a popular career move for many "American Idol" standouts, most notably Fantasia, who has starred as Celie in the Broadway version of "The Color Purple." Diana DeGarmo has appeared in "Hairspray," Frenchie Davis was featured in "Rent" and Tamyra Gray won roles in both "Rent" and "Bombay Dreams."

Studdard is also scheduled to make a holiday appearance in his hometown Birmingham, Alabama this weekend, performing with his old band Just a Few Cats at the WorkPlay soundstage.

Tay Zonday

J.A.M. Awards

Run-DMC turntablist Jam Master Jay will be in the hearts and minds of rappers Snoop Dogg, Raekwon and Jim Jones, who comprise a star-studded line up of performers for this year's J.A.M Awards concert.



The event, which will take place at 8 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 29) at the Hammerstein Ballroom at Manhattan Center Studios in New York City, will honor Jam Master Jay, who was killed in his recording studio on Oct. 30, 2002.

In addition to Snoop Dogg, Jones and Raekwon, the concert will feature performances from Marley Marl, Mobb Deep, De La Soul, Dead Prez, Papoose, Q-Tip, Everlast featuring DJ Muggs, DMC, Kid Capri, Mister Sinister, EPMD, Lord Finesse, Bumpy Knuckles, DJ Kay Slay and DMC, who will perform some of Run-DMC's classic hits.



J.A.M. award winners will also be announced at the event, which will highlight the most positive aspects of rap music.



Among the nominees are Chuck D., Dr. Cornell West and Will Smith (Justice Award); Spike Lee, Robert L. Johnson and Lee Quinones (Arts Award) and Nelly, Wyclef Jean and Kanye West (Music Award).



Proceeds from the event will benefit the Jam Master Jay Foundation for Music, an organization created in honor of Jam Master Jay, by his wife Terri Corley-Mizell, DMC and close friends to support music and arts education in rural and urban schools.



Among those expected to attend the award ceremony and concert is the family of Jam Master Jay, NYC graffiti legend and Lordz of Brooklyn front-man Kaves and Foundation board members Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen, Erik Blamoville, Rob Principe, Constance Schwartz, Cathy Symeonidis, Ivan Taback and others.



Tickets for the J.A.M. Awards and concert are currently available at Ticketmaster outlets.

http://allhiphop.com/blogs/news/archive/2007/11/28/18940475.aspx

R.I.P. Sean Taylor

Redskins, Hurricanes mourn Sean Taylor

As friends and admirers placed flowers and stuffed animals outside the home of former University of Miami standout Sean Taylor, police searched the premises Tuesday for clues they hope will lead to his killer.

Taylor, a safety in his fourth season with the Washington Redskins, was pronounced dead early Tuesday at Jackson Memorial Hospital. He had been shot in the thigh before dawn Monday when an armed intruder attacked him in his bedroom.

Taylor, 24, underwent seven hours of surgery Monday to repair a severed femoral artery, but he never regained consciousness.

Taylor's was the latest violent death in the UM football community. A year ago, defensive lineman Bryan Pata was shot to death in Kendall in an unsolved case.

"This just tears me apart," said Don Soldinger, a former assistant coach at UM who spent time with Taylor in February during the NFL's Pro Bowl in Hawaii.

"Sean was a solid cat, and I haven't been the same since I heard about it. It's a sad thing, man. I just hope they find out what happened."

Miami-Dade police were trying to determine that Tuesday, removing a computer and other items from the home Taylor shared with his girlfriend, 24-year-old Jackie Garcia, and 18-month-old daughter, Jackie.

Garcia is the niece of actor Andy Garcia, according to CNN.com.

Jackie Garcia, a former UM soccer player who met Taylor on campus, was in the bedroom when he was shot but wasn't able to describe the assailant, police spokesman Alvaro Zabaleta said.

Police also were seeking a connection to a break-in at the home last week. A burglar stole nothing but left a knife on a bed.

The house is in Palmetto Bay, in south Miami-Dade. Taylor was there recovering from a knee injury.

Pedro Taylor, Sean Taylor's father and the police chief in Florida City, 17 miles south of the crime scene, drove away from the house Tuesday afternoon, giving a thumbs-up sign to a throng of reporters.

He did not stop to answer questions but released a statement and said funeral arrangements would be announced soon.

"It is with deep regret that a young man had to come to his end so soon," the statement said. "Many of his fans loved him because of the way he played football. Many of his opponents feared him, the way he approached the game. Others misunderstood him, many appreciated him and his family loved him. I can only hope and pray that Sean's life was not in vain, that it might touch others in a special way."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league will honor Taylor's memory at all games played this weekend.

His life as a professional athlete included several controversies. He was fined by the NFL for infractions including spitting in an opponent's face. He also had a long legal battle stemming from an incident near his home in which he was accused of brandishing a gun during a dispute over an all-terrain vehicle. He pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors and received probation.

Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, who flew to Miami on Monday with running back Clinton Portis - another former UM star - and other team members, called Taylor's death "the worst imaginable tragedy."

Hopes for Taylor's recovery had been raised Monday night by news that he was alert enough to squeeze the hand of a doctor.

"Things turned for the worse," family friend Donald Walker told The Washington Post. "(There) seemed like a lot of hope after he responded to the doctor's command. But he lost a lot of blood."

A Redskins source told the newspaper that Taylor's heart stopped twice during surgery.

Taylor was shot in the thigh, an especially dangerous wound because the femoral artery is one of the body's biggest blood vessels.

An injury of that type "essentially means you can lose all the blood in your whole body within five minutes," Dr. Mary Pat McKay, director of George Washington University's Center for Injury Prevention and Control, told The Associated Press.

Taylor had an outstanding career at UM, where he played from 2001 through 2003. He was named the Big East defensive player of the year his last season, tying a Hurricanes record with 10 interceptions. The Redskins selected him with the fifth overall choice in the 2004 NFL Draft.

Known as a bit of a loner, Taylor seldom agreed to interviews at the university and didn't seem comfortable when he granted reporters access. Even his teammates and coaches thought Taylor to be somewhat distant, but they had no problems with his disposition on the field.

"I think Sean was a little bit misunderstood from the standpoint that he was a very quiet and shy kid," former 'Canes coach Larry Coker said. "He was perceived by some as having an attitude, but he really didn't. Like many young people, he had his growing pains."

Soldinger, the former UM assistant, said he first became acquainted with Taylor, who was born in Miami, when he began participating in the university's summer camps as a boy.

"He was only 6 or 7 years old, but you could see that ability even when he was a little kid," Soldinger said.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/dolphins/content/sports/epaper/2007/11/28/m1a_Taylor_1128.html

Hopefully She Can Get Herself 2gether..

Amy Winehouse has canceled all concerts and public appearances for the rest of the year on doctor's orders. "The rigors involved in touring and the intense emotional strain that Amy has been under in recent weeks have taken their toll," said Winehouse representative Tracey Miller in a statement Tuesday.

"In the interests of her health and well-being, Amy has been ordered to take complete rest and deal with her health issues."

The decision by the 24-year-old retro soul singer comes "on the instruction of her doctor," the statement said. Her family asked the media to "respect Amy's privacy at this time."

Winehouse's 25-year-old husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, was ordered held in custody in London earlier this month on charges stemming from a case in which he is accused of assaulting a barman in June.

"I can't give it my all onstage without my Blake," Winehouse said in a statement provided by Miller. "I'm so sorry but I don't want to do the shows halfheartedly; I love singing. My husband is everything to me and without him, it's just not the same."

She had been scheduled to perform in Britain and Ireland.

Refunds will be given at outlets where the tickets were purchased. There are "no plans at the moment" to reschedule the dates, Miller said.

Winehouse became a critics' darling with her second album, "Back to Black." But she has made headlines in recent months with her sub-par performances, health fears and reports of alleged drug use. In August, she spent time in rehab and canceled a series of dates in Britain, the United States and Canada.

http://www.amywinehouse.co.uk/

Not Again!!!

Dennis Rodman Sued Again in Las Vegas:

A former beverage manager at the Hard Rock Hotel has sued Dennis Rodman, claiming the ex-NBA star assaulted her last year by rubbing against her body and slapping her on the buttocks.

In her federal lawsuit filed last week, Sara Robinson also accuses her former employer of retaliating against her after she complained about Rodman's behavior.

Rodman spokeswoman Shannon Barr declined to comment, and Hard Rock spokeswoman Dorian Cantrell did not immediately return phone calls to The Associated Press on Saturday.

In her complaint, Robinson said she was working in the resort's Cuba Libre bar in March 2006 when Rodman, a hotel guest, began "making a scene" by trying to climb atop the bar after failing to gain her full attention.

"As Robinson stepped around the bar, Rodman grabbed her, pulled her towards him and rubbed his body against hers," the lawsuit alleges. "Robinson tried to get free from Rodman's grasp at which time he assaulted her by reaching down and slapping her open-handed on the bottom."

The complaint, which seeks unspecified damages, claims that Robinson was fired after she filled out a voluntary statement detailing Rodman's actions in a subsequent incident at the same bar the next month in which he is also accused of causing a scene.

The document accuses Rodman of assault and battery, and the Hard Rock Hotel of negligence by failing to protect her from Rodman's "harassing conduct," the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

Rodman, 46, is no stranger to lawsuits in Las Vegas. In 2001, a state jury awarded former Mirage craps dealer James Brasich $80,000 in a case against Rodman.

Brasich said Rodman humiliated him by rubbing dice on his head, chest, stomach and genitals during an October 1997 craps game. Rodman appealed the verdict, and both sides later reached a confidential settlement.

PFunk Classic!

Be Sure U Check This Cat Out...

Mike Phillips is a talented saxophonist who is currently playing on Prince's current tours and is featured on the Unwrapped jazz series.

Mount Vernon, NY, native Mike Phillips became interested in music at a young age, moving through several different instruments before settling on the saxophone. By the age of 16, he had decided to play professionally. He made an impromptu New York debut at Wilson's nightclub in New York in 1993, and that led to a series of session and sideman jobs in jazz, R&B, and even rap. Eventually, he attracted the attention of Hidden Beach Recordings, which signed him and put him on the road in the summer of 2001 opening for Jill Scott. Phillips' debut album, You Have Reached Mike Phillips, was released by Hidden Beach in May 2002.

Prince Joins Stevie Wonder onstage At MSG

It was Wonder's first concert in the city since 1996.

Prince joined Wonder for a version of "Superstition." He played call-and-response on guitar with Wonder on keyboard, according to Billboard.

Tony Bennett also performed a duet with Wonder on "For Once In My Life."

Prince was a guest on Wonder's 2005's A Time 2 Love album.

James Brown Estate Shakedown

As a South Carolina judge held one of the administrators of James Brown's estate in contempt of court, the other two trustees abruptly stepped down, sending the singer's affairs into still more tumult.

David Cannon, a former financial adviser to the estate, was found in contempt Tuesday for failing to pay $373,000 that was allegedly misappropriated from Brown in the last years of his life.

In issuing the order, Aiken County Judge Jack Early also said Cannon worked on the "Super Bad" singer's tax returns in blatant disregard of the judge's order. Early dismissed Cannon as a trustee in August and stated he could no longer work on behalf of the estate.

Early is scheduled to decide the administrator's fate on Monday. Cannon faces up to six months in the slammer in addition to a hefty fine.

Shortly after the ruling, Brown's two other trustees—Buddy Dallas, the music legend's longtime friend and counsel, and Alfred Bradley—informed the court they were quitting.

Early said the men could still be called to provide testimony in future hearings and could be held answerable for up to $7 million in missing funds along with Cannon, should evidence warrant.

"I certainly did not violate the trust of James Brown. I did everything I could to promote the name and legend of Mr. Brown," Dallas told the judge.

The two men had grown increasingly exasperated at the squabbling over Brown's estate, which is facing legal challenges. Aside from the entertainer's six named adult children, other self-proclaimed heirs have stepped forward, including other children born out of wedlock and Brown's "omitted spouse," Tomi Ray Hynie.

A team of lawyers representing five of the funk icon's children and six of his grandchildren has been battling the trustees for months over the execution of Brown's wishes. He died on Christmas Day last year of heart failure at age 73.

In August, they managed to get Early to dismiss Cannon from overseeing Brown's assets after bringing to the court's attention several questionable debits from Mr. Dynamite's accounts.

The Brown siblings also sought the ouster of Dallas and Bradley, lodging unspecified accusations that the men mishandled their father's millions and requesting an independent audit of the estate's transactions. The executors held fast however and denied any wrongdoing.

Said Bradley: "I know I didn't do anything wrong but serve the trust, but I feel the trust will go on better with all these lawsuits for five to six years."

Cannon gave $350,000 to the estate in August, but allegations that he had held back a substantial sum of Brown's earnings led the judge to order him to pony up the additional $373,000.

The administrator balked, claiming he didn't have the cash. However, during grilling last Monday in court and scrutiny of his tax records, it was revealed that Cannon had made at least $6 million from 2000 to 2006 and paid a Honduran contractor $866,000 just in the past three months to build a retirement home in that country.

Early gave Cannon five days to pay up. Cannon's failure to abide resulted in Tuesday's ruling. He has been ordered not to leave South Carolina.

For her part, Hynie welcomed the events.

"I am just very happy. I am kind of speechless at the moment. It's been an exhausting week and I am pleased with the outcome," she told WAGT-TV of Augusta, Georgia.

Hynie, a former backup singer for Brown, had particular enmity for Dallas, who claimed her 2001 union with Brown was not legal. Dallas maintained that Hynie never annulled her previous marriage and therefore was technically not Brown's spouse at the time of his death.

Meanwhile, Early granted Hynie's request to visit the home she and Brown shared with her infant son, James Brown Jr. She will be permitted to collect her personal belongings, which the trustees had barred.

Hynie also continued with one of Brown's most beloved traditions—handing out turkeys in his hometown of Augusta. Also on hand for the festivities was Brown's good friend and confidante, Al Sharpton.

Flashback

It's a man's world medley (Apollo 1968)

Alicia Keys As I Am Storms The Charts

Alicia Keys storms the Billboard 200 this week with "As I Am" (J), which debuts at No. 1 after selling 742,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The album's performance marks the best sales week for a solo female artist since Norah Jones' "Feels Like Home" shifted 1 million copies in 2004.

In a week where every top 10 album shifted more than 100,000 units, Josh Groban's "Noel" (143/Reprise) zooms from sixth spot to No. 2 with a 93 percent increase to 223,000 copies. Celine Dion's "Taking Chances" (Columbia), her first new pop album in four years, opens at No. 3 with 214,000. The multi-label, multi-artist "Now 26" collection is new at No. 4 with 208,000, the third-lowest opening tally for the "Now" line of compilation discs.

Garth Brooks' "The Ultimate Hits" (Pearl) slips from No. 3 to No. 5 (a 42 percent drop to 204,000 units), while the Eagles' "Long Road Out of Eden" (Eagles Recording Co.) drops from No. 2 to No. 6 (down 45% to 197,000). Led Zeppelin's two-disc retrospective "Mothership" (Swan Song/Atlantic) debuts at No. 7 after selling 136,000, 25 percent of which came digitally.

The previous week's chart-topper, Jay-Z's "American Gangster" (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam) plummets to No. 8 with a 70 percent decrease to 131,000, while Carrie Underwood's "Carnival Ride" (Arista Nashville) drops from No. 5 to ninth position despite registering only a small decrease (6 percent) to 113,000. Chris Brown's "Exclusive" (Jive) falls from fourth rung to No. 10 in its second week, thanks to a 63 percent decline to 110,000.

Comedian Dane Cook's "Rough Around the Edges: Live From Madison Square Garden" (Comedy Central) debuts at No. 11 with 90,000. His last set, 2005's "Retaliation," made history as the highest debuting comedy album in the history of the Billboard 200 when it bowed at No. 4. That effort started with 86,000.

At No. 12, the Killers enter the chart with the rarities collection "Sawdust" (Island), which sold 82,000. George Strait's "22 More Hits" (MCA Nashville) is new at No. 13 with 80,000, while James Taylor's debut for Starbucks' Hear Music imprint, "One Man Band," arrives at No. 16 with 63,000.

Five other albums open inside the top 40 this week, led by Boyz II Men's "Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA" (Decca) at No. 27 with 42,000. Right behind are Trisha Yearwood's "Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love" (Big Machine, No. 30, 33,000), Goo Goo Dolls' "Greatest Hits, Volume 1, The Singles" (Warner Bros., No. 33, 33,000), Seal's "System" (Warner Bros., No. 35, 30,000) and Duran Duran's "Red Carpet Massacre" (Epic, No. 36, 29,000).

Album sales are up 17.9 percent from the previous week's to 11.72 million, but down 6.2 percent from the same week a year earlier.

No One (Live Swarovski Fashion Rocks)

Ne-Yo Dropped From R. Kelly Tour

R&B singer Ne-Yo, who was tapped to open for R. Kelly on his Double Up tour alongside Keyshia Cole and J. Holiday, was relieved of his duties just a week into the trek, his label has confirmed.

"I am disappointed that I won't be able to perform for my fans," the singer said in a statement from Def Jam. "I love being on stage in front of fans because of the immediate feedback you get. You know right away if they are feeling you; and they were really feeling our show."

The statement did not elaborate on the reason behind Ne-Yo's exit, but in an interview with BET.com, the artist did.

"Let them (Jive) tell it, I was removed from the R. Kelly tour because of contractual agreements not being met, but that's absolutely false," Ne-Yo said. "I believe it was because the first few reviews of the show, people were talking more about my set than his, and I don't think he liked that too much."

Neither Def Jam nor Jive were available for comment at deadline, although an R. Kelly spokesperson insisted to Billboard.com that Ne-Yo's departure was contractual, and not related to any animosity from Kelly.

"Ne-Yo is a terrific talent, and R. Kelly is certainly confident enough in his own abilities to be happy to share the stage with enormously talented people," the spokesperson said. "The more talented, the better. We're sorry it had to end this way."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071121/music_nm/neyo_dc;_ylt=Am4vKZkwS7qzqeRjV7XP64txFb8C

Peabo Bryson's New CD-Missing You

*Soul singer Peabo Bryson has saturated the airwaves with his hit ballads for more than three decades.

He's been the male half of phenomenal duets with a veritable powerhouse hall of fame lineup of female singers including "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love" with Roberta Flack, "A Whole New World" with Regina Belle, and "Beauty and the Beast" with Celine Dion - the latter two garnered him an Oscar and a Grammy each.

Of course the duets aren’t his only claim to fame. His greatest solo hits include the late 70s smashes "Feel The Fire" and “I’m So Into You”; the 1989 hit “Show and Tell,” and “Can You Stop the Rain” from 1991, among others.

The reason behind his longevity, Bryson explained, is simply just being himself. While that may sound like generic rhetoric, the singer told EUR’s Lee Bailey that staying true really is the key. And that trueness remains on his latest offering, “Missing You,” released early last month.

“I made an important decision very early in my career not to try to be anything that I’m not. I ended up living my life and being myself and not having to try to be someone I’m not or have to hold up to some perception that someone else has of me or someone else’s image or idea of me,” he said. “I think that that individuality has always been an intricate part of my music. And I’d like to think that the music represents not being alone in your thoughts or your feelings.”

Feelings are just what Bryson conveys in his music, and he’s become known as a balladeer. But the singer adds that he is still connected to uptempo beats and reminded that his very first hit was a disco anthem called “Do It With Feeling.” Still, somewhere along the way, it was his smooth sound and sincere lyrics that made him a star, but even so, he stayed grounded.

“After receiving critical success on my first album on a major label, we were sitting around in a boardroom trying to figure out what my image should be, and I just spoke up after listening to everybody for about 45 minutes and said, ‘Why don’t I just be myself?’ And some idiot at the end of the table said, ‘That’s a good idea. That would be different. When you’re sitting in Hollywood, real is not the first thing that comes to mind.”

Bryson said that he makes it a point to keep it real and stay grounded. Though he has major award statues and a musical resume that legends are made of, he explained that he still buys his own toilet paper – a practice that reminds him he is only human.

“One important thing for anybody aspiring to accomplish anything – especially if it has anything to do with success – is to never stop buying your own toilet paper. I need toilet paper. We all do, everyday. If you get it yourself, you’re dealing with the basic fundamentals of survival and humanness. It’s ok to believe in yourself and it’s ok to take yourself seriously, just not too seriously. And buying your own toilet paper keeps you from taking yourself too seriously.”

However, one thing Bryson does take seriously is his music. Hardly impressed with contemporary music stars, Bryson spoke out about the loss of musical history and the art of music itself.

“If we’re not careful – living in our disposable culture of disposable attitudes and our innate desire to be in vogue – then we’re going to obliterate our history as it’s being made. No one is fervent about preserving the history of our culture. If you took a poll in a particular age demographic, I’ll bet you couldn’t find 10 people who know who Sam Cooke is. And that’s history. In the Top 10, when there used to only be one chart, he would have three songs. Nobody’s done that since. That’s an extraordinary and tragic story that has not been told. And who is a great singer now?” he challenged. “A great singer today is really judged by the marketing plan.”

Bryson continued that there is a market for people who are actual musicians, branding the current hitmakers simply as entertainers.

“It’s not that there’s no demographic audience for people who write real songs and who are musicians who are not putting their name on songs that they did not write. You can’t compose if you can’t play,” he reminded. “Now, people will forgive bad notes even mediocre music. And if you’re a young and up-and-coming artist and you write in a real song format, then you’re unique.”

The singer/songwriter’s familiar uniqueness is apparent on his new CD, his 20th release. He describes it as a combination of the old and the new, but adds that the album is full of more of what he is famous for, and what Bryson fans have been missing during his eight year hiatus.

The title track is another poignant ballad about missing someone, whether it be from the natural transition all humans make or a move in a new direction without that other person.

“They lyrical content was very special and it was a great metaphor for any of those circumstances where it was about anybody on any level,” Bryson said of the track. “I lived with it for a while and then decided it was something I needed to communicate. There’s not a lot of accompaniment with it at all. It was an opportunity for me to have my voice to be heard in a unique way. It was a great vehicle for my voice to shine in another way and an opportunity to showcase that which God has given me.”

As soon as the single was released, it became an instant hit on the overseas military airwaves and was quickly embraced by those serving in Iraq and their families, becoming somewhat of an anthem for soldiers.

“I’d like to think that it’s a representation of the entire CD project. The CD project is not as good as it could have been or it could be and that means that I still have miles to go, but it is an exceptionally good project. I think it’s the right step,” he said.

This new project comes eight years since his last album. The obvious questions is why'd it take so long?

“It takes eight years to find someplace that is the right place. It’s got to be the right thing at the right time. And it’s only going to get better.”

For more on Peabo Bryson’s new disc, “Missing You,” go to www.Peak-Records.com.

ANTHONY HAMILTON

Anthony Hamilton, currently active via his work on the "American Gangster" soundtrack, has announced that Feb. 5 will mark the release date of his new solo album, tentatively titled "Me."

He tells Billboard.com that the project will "make a statement" with songs that are "full of life and situations we all go through, the changes of men and women and relationships with God and family and children -- and the political side of Anthony Hamilton that I speak out on in certain situations."

Among his social commentaries are "Home," a soldier's message to his wife that Hamilton co-wrote with his wife, Tarsha McMillan Hamilton, and "Who Left the Gate Open?," which looks at the role of parenting (or lack thereof) in creating "the wild, untamed people ... who raise so much hell in the world."

He tells Billboard: "I always felt my third album was going to be my best one. I don't think I'm going to let myself down or the people down. It's a nice transition; you can just see my growth from the first one and the second one to this one."

Other songs on the album include "Souls on Fire," "Praying For You," "Cool" and "Me." He recently recorded a new song, "Love," and is still working in the studio, but expects to be done by the end of this month and mixing and mastering in December.

Also, Hamilton recently dueted with Keyshia Cole on "Losing You," which he co-wrote for her new album, "Just Like You"; with country singer Josh Turner on "Nowhere Fast" from his new album, "Everything is Fine"; and with rapper Chingy on "They Don't Know" from "Hate It or Love It," which comes out Dec. 11. Additionally, Hamilton appears on saxophonist Boney James' new holiday album, "Christmas Present."

As for his work on "American Gangster," which hits stores tomorrow (Nov. 6), Hamilton recorded the Diane Warren-written "Do You Feel Me" and "Stone Cold," which he co-wrote with longtime Public Enemy producer Hank Schocklee. He also performs "Do You Feel Me" during a scene in the movie.

"I think it's a great opportunity for people to see me in a different light," he says, "not video but on a big, mega-screen, and to be connected with such amazing talent. It puts a little shine on my dusty texture. My velvet bow tie looks a little patent leather right now."

Make Sure U Grab This New CD

Produced by American Idol's Randy Jackson, The Boys return 2 form!

http://www.boyziimenmotown.com/

Janet Jackson In No Rush

A hush fell over one of the banquet rooms at the Four Seasons recently when Janet Jackson strolled in.

Dressed in wide-legged black trousers with a form-fitting black-and-white shirt/sweater combo, Jackson had that sort of deer-in-the-headlights look in her eyes as about 30 reporters fired questions at her.

The rest of the cast of Tyler Perry’s new film “Why Did I Get Married?” were with her, but that didn’t seem to ease her nerves. Jackson answered the questions directed to her, but her largely unexpressive responses were rarely longer than a few soft-spoken sentences.

Jackson, 41, however, was much more revealing about an hour later during an exclusive interview in her hotel suite. She candidly responded to questions about her career, her dreams, walls, drama, love, marriage, divorce and the status of the Jackson Family Reunion tour.

That may or may not be coming to an arena near you.

“I don’t know, there’s been talk and I honestly don’t know and I’m one of them! I really would love to see it happen,” she said wistfully. “I’m such a fan of my brothers and to see them all on stage together, I would die for that, die for that.”

She was also dying to get back into acting after a six-year hiatus. Jackson plays a therapist in Perry’s latest film about eight married college friends trying to rise above all the drama they experience during a holiday in the Colorado mountains. Although Jackson is clearly the star with the most name recognition in this film, Perry said she checked her inner-diva at the door.

“Janet was very, very adamant going in that she wanted an ensemble piece,” said Perry, who has been trying to work with Jackson for years. “She said, ‘It’s perfect for me’ and she was very fair that way. I think the biggest hurdle was getting over Janet Jackson as you’re watching the movie. But if you watch it for longer than 15 minutes, you realize that Janet is not Janet. She’s Patricia. She’s the character and she totally surrendered to it.”

Off screen she just one of the girls.

“She’s so down to earth and genuine,” said Tasha Smith who plays one of Patricia’s girlfriends from college in the film. “When we weren’t working she’d kick it with us and we were just girls having fun. And while we were working I forgot it was Janet Jackson. I was like where’s ‘Rhythm Nation?’ Where’s ‘Pleasure Principle?’”

In no hurry to get married again
There’s no doubt that Jackson’s on-screen marriage to Malik Yoba was far more pleasurable than her real-life unions with James DeBarge and Rene Elizondo were. Jackson married DeBarge, who reportedly had issues with substance abuse, when she was 18. That bliss lasted just over a year. She wed Elizondo during a secret ceremony in 1991, they parted in 1999, and were divorced in 2001.

But now that she’s apparently found her true soul mate in hip-hop mogul Jermaine Dupri, Jackson is in no hurry to rush back into holy wedlock.

“I don’t know if I actually would sign the piece of paper and actually get married,” Jackson said. “I think for myself, going through it twice and being divorced twice, it would be more of a spiritual commitment — finding your soul mate and exchanging vows.”

It helps that Dupri is as successful as his mate, and that they can bond on the thing they love the most — music. They are currently partnering on Jackson’s 10^th studio album, which will also include tracks produced by Ne-Yo and Rodney Jerkins. Noticeably absent so far are Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam, the Grammy-winning hit makers who worked with Jackson on a string of successful collaborations including: “Control,” “Rhythm Nation,” “janet” and “The Velvet Rope.” Jackson told reporters that she was unsure at this point if Lewis and Jam would be involved at all.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21197044/

Angie Stone's Stax Records Debut "The Art Of Love & War" Launches At #11 On Billboard's Top 200 And #2 On The R&B Chart!

October 24, 2007-Angie Stone is flying high once again as her debut effort for the legendary Stax Records label, The Art of Love & War debuts at #11 on Billboard's Top 200 Pop Album chart selling over 45,000 copies. In addition, the first single, "Baby," topped all Urban AC charts at #1 this week.

The exuberant song "Baby" is fast approaching 20,000 spins to date, reaching an audience of over 150 million listeners, as tracked by Billboard, R&R and Mediabase publications. Produced by Co-T and featuring R&B/soul/ gospel great Betty Wright, "Baby" has an irresistible groove.

Newsweek says of the new CD, "...(Stone is) one of the strongest soul singers to come along in decades...Her leagues-above voice and commercialism-be-damned attitude, coupled with Stone's powerful delivery and raw, emotive songs definitely command some major R-E-S-P-E-C-T." The song, "My People," has become an anthem for the survivors of New Orleans' 9th Ward and was personally selected by Essence Magazine Publisher, Susan Taylor as the theme song for this year's Essence Festival.

"I'm happy and I'm blessed," Angie explains. "Everything in life is a journey, and "The Art of Love and War" defines this time and this place in my life."

Stone was featured on "The Tavis Smiley Show," "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live" last week in celebration of her Stax debut. The new CD is an exuberant statement of Stone's artistry.

Stone's previous work earned her the reputation of a modern-day Aretha, rejuvenating classic R&B with her incomparable soul-baring intensity. She has found that and more with, THE ART OF LOVE & WAR, in many ways a creative rebirth. And Stax, with its legacy of gritty Southern-steeped soul, is her ideal home.

Angie Stone "Baby"