JumpinJack AJ

Agreed. I think we are finally, slowly exiting the era of watered down music, tired dance beats, and ratchet subject matter. Studies have shown that music genres are most successful when the keep things simple and authentic. I'd love to see all genres of music go back to that instead of being polished and Hollywood. There's nothing wrong with polished music and a Hollywood presentation if that's authentic to you, but think about all the artists that came out 10 year ago and use to make great music and now make questionable music (Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, etc). I'd like to think that groups like LMFAO could never have a hit these days. It looks like we're heading back to the basics. Tori Kelly is the epitome of that to me. Musical sounding music. Strong melodies. Lyrics about love and life. Lyrics that aren't purposely explicit for the sake of getting a sticker and being acceptable to idiots who feel tasteless lyrics and language is a staple in music.

So this morning, I checked the new music releases as I always do. The album cover for Tori Kelly's Unbreakable Smile grabbed my attention, so I previewed it. I instantly fell in love with her. I have never heard of her before. Apparently she comes from a very ethnic mixed family, which introduced her to a wide range of music genres growing, which is evident in her music. She's had a following by posting YouTube videos and competing on American Idol. She also has two EPs that performed well for an independent artist. Anyway, the snippets I heard this morning were so good that I picked the album up on my lunch break. I googled it at work and saw that Target has and exclusive version with two bonus tracks, so that's were I got it. Anyway, this girl has a pretty voice and write all of her own songs. To sum up her sound, it's a legit mix of R&B and Pop with other influences, such as Hip-Hop. When I say Pop, I don't mean watered down production and danced beats. It's simply a musically polished sound that should sound sweet to nearly any ear. I'm not going to do a track by track review. I'm just going to suggest that if you like artists like Jessie J, Angel Taylor, Natasha Bedingfield, and Stacie Orrico, you'll want to give her music a good listen. The lyrics are rich; her sound is musical. I can guarantee that this will be one of my main soundtracks to my Summer. The album features guest spots by LL Cool J, Daye Jack, and Ed Sheeran. Check it! http://www.torikellymusic.com/ https://www.facebook.com/torikellymusic

As much as I love Jodeci, I never got into DeVante's other project. I'll have to revisit it. MARQUES HOUSTON - Need You (2015)

Tori Kelly just dropped her new album and it features a song featuring LL Cool J. Unfortunately I can only find a strangely slowed down version of the song on YouTube. Until there's a proper version of it, here's the slowed down version...

Oh man! This is so good. Janet just put out her new song "No Sleep." It's so dope. It's not dancey. It doesn't have a garbage commercial rapper on it. Just a laidback R&B groove. I love it!

90's Hip-Hop is cut throat. You can't write this stuff... And here's a bonus...

I saw that LL and Jeff performed at the same event within the past week, but I did read anything about them doing a tour. It really would be the perfect combo. Two legends who are still active and get crazy pull when it comes to an audience.

Good interview. I would love to hear the stuff they did. "Got That" is the title of one of the unreleased tracks they did for Lost + Found.

I love Kenny's new album, but haven't listened to it in a couple weeks. I'll be popping it in soon. MONTELL JORDAN + COOLIO - Payback This Is How We Do It (1995)

THE TONY RICH PROJECT - Like A Woman Words (1996)

CHRIS SMITH - Pray For Love (2015) This is dope. I really wanted Kris Kross to reunite, but Chris Smith's solo stuff is dope. It makes me wonder if they would have effortlessly reunited, or if they would both hold on to their individual styles and struggle. Chris Kelly's stuff was Hip-Hop meets Rap. Chris Smith stuff's is eclectic, funky, and original.

One of my friends sent this to me in a Facebook message. They definitely made it their own.

TLC - Shout FanMail (1999) EDIT: Adding the album version because I always thought the vocals were out a key with the remix...lol

I've always liked this album, though I every fully pulled it apart. I'd listen to it frequently, but never fully got to know it. I never understood why some people didn't consider one of their best. Perhaps it was ahead of its time? I felt that it was the first PE album that came out at an age where I could truly appreciate it as a mature music fan. I still have the "Give It Up" cassette single. It's probably the most fun PE music video with Chuck D taking the lead. One of my favorites was "I Stand Accused." I love how they mock the current environment and address The Source giving them a poor review. I'll definitely listen to this album again soon.

As I think about it, I'm not aware of many people using music streaming services. I feel like most of them aren't using one, but it's possible that it just doesn't get brought up in conversation. With streaming, you are paying for a service. I'm old school and just prefer to own the music. I wish the board wasn't so quite and passive. I'd love to know what others are doing.

Streaming has never interested me. I'll always buy CD's for good music and purchase digital downloads for one-off silly/guilty pleasure songs. Older CDs aren't made as often, but there will always be some sort of new releases. With Kickstarters popping up and exclusive purchases being done directly though an artists' websites, it's just a different way to get music

BRIAMARIE - Who You Wit (2011)

Wreckx-N-Effect Are Back, New Album & TourJune 4, 2015 by Houston Williams (@AllHipHopcom)Wreckx-N-Effect, the popular rap act of the 90’s, is back and ready to take it to the Hip-Hop game again. The duo of Markell Riley and Aqil Davidson had hit songs with “New Jack Swing” and “Rump Shaker,” the big booty anthem that still gets played. And now they are about to hit the studio and the road. Aqil states, “To see such an endearing response from the people and to ignore it – shame on us. We have to give back to that energy.” During the spring, Wreckx made a successful appearance on Tom Joyner’s Fantastic Voyage Cruise to a warm response. “Our bond goes way back,” said Aqil “A-Plus” Davidson. An unnamed album is expected this summer. http://allhiphop.com/2015/06/04/wreckx-n-effect-are-back-new-album-tour/

This is dope. I was just thinking yesterday that LL is probably regrouping for the next album, which is good. It's been months since we've heard anything about the new album. Of everything we've previously heard, only two or three of the songs were actually on the proper LL. This production is great. The featured artists water it down, but at least this is the kind of song I'd listen over and over again.

Here is the album cover. I'm not crazy about it. There's nothing wrong with it, it just looks old and stuffy. Here's a snippet of the unreleased song: Hidden Beach's Jill Scott Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whoisjillscott?fref=tsJill Scott's official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missjillscott?fref=ts

Jill Scott Releases "I Adore You" from New Greatest Hits Album 'Golden Moments'by Erika Benton-Martin Jun 5, 2015 22:01 PM EDT Jill Scott (Photo : Getty Images)Jill Scott is gearing up to release her new greatest hits album Golden Moments. She put out a ballad entitled "I Adore You" from her vault of previously unreleased music. Produced by Carvin & Ivan, the track finds Scott serenading about an overwhelming love. Take a listen below. As noted by Vibe, Scott's forthcoming release will cover her decade with the Hidden Beach music label (2000–2009) and celebrate the 15-year anniversary of her debut album, Who is Jill Scott. The sixteen track compilation will also feature digitally remastered fan favorites, including "Gettin' in the Way" and "Jilltro." Her last album, 2011's The Light of the Sun, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. In May, Scott announced her 25-date headline tour, which kicks off on July 13 in Pittsburgh. "Fans have patiently waited four years for new music. When they hear Jill perform live this summer ... it'll be worth the wait," Shawn Gee, Scott's longtime business partner, said in a statement. In case you missed it, check out Jill Scott's itinerary here: 07/13: Pittsburgh, PA @ Heinz Hall 07/15: Newark, NJ @ NJ Performing Arts Center, Prudential Hall 07/16: Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Presents the Oakdale Theatre 07/18: Baltimore, MD @ Pier Six Pavilion 07/19: Bethlehem, PA @ Sands Bethlehem Event Center 07/22: Brooklyn, NY @ Kings Theatre 07/25: Cincinnati, OH @ Paul Brown Stadium (Cincinnati Music Festival) 07/26: Atlantic City, NJ @ Borgata Spa & Resort - Event Center 07/29: Vienna, VA @ Wolf Trap for the Performing Arts/The Barns 07/30: Durham, NC @ Durham Performing Arts Center 08/01: Birmingham, AL @ BJCC Concert Hall 08/02: Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Park Amphitheatre 08/04: Memphis, TN @ Orpheum Theatre 08/05: Nashville, TN @ Ascend Amphitheater 08/08: Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 08/09: St. Petersburg, FL @ Mahaffey Theater 08/11: Jackson, MS @ Thalia Mara Hall 08/12: Houston, TX @ Bayou Music Center 08/14: Grand Prairie, @ TX Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie 08/15: Austin, TX @ ACL Live at the Moody Theater 08/19: Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre 08/22: Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater 08/23: Saratoga, CA @ The Mountain Winery 08/25: San Diego, CA @ Humphrey's 08/28: Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theatre http://www.musictimes.com/articles/40398/20150605/jill-scott-releases-adore-new-greatest-hits-album-golden-moments.htm

ALL-4-ONE - Baby Love Twenty (2015)

Awesome gifts! When it comes to their albums, I only have the the original version of Rock The House on vinyl. I mostly got the singles for the remixes and alternate tracks that didn't make it to CD singles/promos. I've meant to get He's The DJ, I'm The Rapper on vinyl for ages. The extended versions are on the cassette release too, which is what I grew up on, so when I finally got it on CD when I was 18, I was bummed about the shortened versions. I didn't know And In This Corner... didn't have all of the tracks on the vinyl version. The US vinyl single for "I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson" has "Jeff Waz On The Beat Box" on it...the extended version and the instrumental. :)

Pictures from the release party just went up on her website; http://www.BriaMarie.com The only one that has surfaced with us both looking at the same camera is this one...I look so goofy in this...lol Both of these pix were snapped by Carvin.