STATE OF R&B

As I sit here jamming Jodeci's classic 1991 album Forever My Lady I seriously want to shed a tear. I know Tavis Smiley has his "State of the Black Union" that he holds annually, but for real someone needs to have a "State of R&B" conference so we can figure exactly what the hell happened to good music. We need to get to the bottom of this quick and come up with a plot to rid the industry of all these so-called R&B singers who can't even carry a tune.

The 90s were a great time for R&B. You had Whitney, Mariah, Anita, Jodeci, TLC, Brandy, Aaliyah, Boyz II Men, R. Kelly (cannot deny his impact in the 90s), and the list goes on.

JODECI - 'FOREVER MY LADY'

These guys really popularized wearing combat boots with just about any outfit back in the day.

STEPHEN “STATIC MAJOR” GARRETT - (1976-2008)

Songwriter/artist/producer Stephen "Static Major" Garrett, died unexpectedly on February 25th, 2008 in his hometown of Louisville Kentucky. He was 32.
The cause of death is under investigation. It is being reported that the cause of death may have been from an allergic reaction (a brain aneurysm) brought on from a shot given to him for a persistent flu virus.

I'm so sad right now. 'Cheers 2 U' has been one of my favorite songs since '98. I want to send my condolences to Static's family and friends. Rest in paradise brother.

Songwriting/production highlights (just some of Static's brilliant work)

* 1996: "Pony" for Ginuwine
* 1998: "Cheers 2 U" for Playa
* 1998: "Are You That Somebody?" for Aaliyah
* 1998: "Same Ol' G" for Ginuwine
* 1999: "Eyes Better Not Wander" for Nicole Wray
* 1999: "So Anxious" for Ginuwine
* 2000: "Say My Name (Timbaland's Remix)" for Destiny's Child
* 2000: "Try Again" for Aaliyah
* 2000: "Come Back In One Piece" for Aaliyah (featuring DMX)
* 2001: "We Need a Resolution" for Aaliyah
* 2001: "More Than a Woman" for Aaliyah
* 2002: "Addictive" for Truth Hurts
* 2002: "Don't Know What to Tell Ya" for Aaliyah
* 2002: "Erica Kane" for Aaliyah
* 2004: "Come as You Are" for Brandy
* 2006: "Tell Me" for Diddy (featuring Christina Aguilera)
* 2007: "On the Hotline" for Pretty Ricky
* 2007: "Juicy" for Pretty Ricky

PLAYA - 'CHEERS 2 U'

THIS IS A GEM!

Many people regard Marvin Gaye's 1971 classic album What's Going On as some of his best work. This was the first of Gaye's albums solely produced by him.

In addition to that album, I also think the Midnight Love album is absolutely great. Marvin did his thang on every single cut on this album! My personal favorite track is 'My Love Is Waiting'. It's the last track on the album and oh so smooth. Marvin sings:

"I miss you baby/
And I miss your mind/
We had so much love/
I need to love your body/"

You can feel every single word. Here is the song so you can see what I'm talking about.



This man simply oozed sexuality. I'm so excited to hear that Jesse L. Martin is going to play him in a biopic. I think Martin is a great actor.

Finally! Jesse L. Martin Set To Play Marvin Gaye In 'Sexual Healing' (BV)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERYKAH!

R&B songstress Erykah Badu turned 37 today. She also dropped her much anticipated album New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) today. Make sure y'all go and cop that!


Check out this classic Badu cut:

ERYKAH BADU - "LOVE OF MY LIFE"

DIGGIN' IN THE CRATES

Bobby Caldwell - 'What You Won't Do For Love'




This 1978 hit originally released on the self-titled album Bobby Caldwell from the jazz singer/guitarist has was a big hit for Bobby. Most people remember Tupac Shakur's song 'Do For Love,' released posthumously in 1997, which took a vocal sample from the Caldwell classic.

I'm sure I'm not the only person who thought Bobby Caldwell was black. In fact, back in the day in order for Caldwell to get significant airplay on the black R&B stations early in his career, his management team portrayed him only in silhouette on the cover of albums and in advertisements in order to hide the fact that he was white.

On the flip side, back in the day in order for black artists to appeal to mainstream white audiences, white artists would record cover versions of these artist's music. For example, Pat Boone recorded cover versions of a lot of Little Richard's songs. Often these black artists saw the record companies profiting from their art instead of themselves.

See another classic Bobby Caldwell track below:

Bobby Caldwell - 'Open Your Eyes'