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As soon as you hear the initial beat to this song, it has the 90’s written all over it. Growing up, Jade was one of my favorite girl groups. Don’t act brand new! You know you rocked braids, had a pager, and thought you were cute with your Hi-Tec boots. Three sassy ladies who killed three part harmonies. This takes us back to ice cream trucks, singing on answering machines (*guilty*), and hydraulics. Enjoy our pick for this week.
Posted by Guest Contributor On November - 4 - 2009
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Jaguar Wright - The DC Injektion
Jaguar Wright brings the word perfectionist to another level when she emasculated her keyboard player during one of her shows. Very early into her Halloween night performance, sponsored by Smirnoff at The Scene in Washington D.C., she announced that the band playing for her received the music to learn the day before the show. One would think that would give the band some leeway. Instead, she addressed the keyboard player, who is a grown man, like a parent to a child for his timing and for his ability to freestyle on-demand. On one hand, you want to respect an artist who gives their audience the best show possible. On the other hand, when you stop the music, turn to your keyboard player and chew him out in front of a crowd who could care less if he was “in the pocket”, then where is the respect for your musical team? The point is that the criticism from Jaguar to her stand-in keyboard player was a matter of preference instead of a musical screw up. It quickly became comical when she mentioned to the crowd that people have called her unprofessional. Her actions that evening were a case and point.
Nonetheless, her voice and performance was nothing short of outstanding. Probably the most unique part of the show was when she spontaneously puts her mic down, faces north and sings ad-libs that were meant for the love in her life. The strength and aggressiveness of her voice confirmed that acoustics were unnecessary. Another non-abrasive moment was when she sang the heartfelt “Love Need and Want You” from her 2001 album, Denials Delusions and Decisions. Jaguar is what some would consider a freestyle singer who scats with teeth-clinching delivery throughout her music. She has become largely popular for her background vocals on Jay-Z’s MTV’s “Unplugged”; and although deemed controversial, Jaguar Wright will continue to be a permanent fixture in soul music.
*C Notes is a guest contributor covering events in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
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It’s said that you’ll never really be missed until you are gone. No truer words were ever spoken, especially in the case of soul singer, Phyllis Hyman. Hyman began her singing career as a background singer and released her first album in 1977. A self-titled project, “Phyllis Hyman.” One of the songs I remember best is the duet Phyllis did with Norman Conner on the song, “You are my Starship.” Her voice was the perfect complement to a song that describes the out of this galaxy feeling, known as love.
In 1981, Phyllis scored a Top 10 hit with the single, “Can’t We Fall in Love Again.” Over her career, Phyllis displayed her talent as not only a singer, but an actress as well, earning a Tony nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Broadway music “Sophisticated Ladies.”
Unfortunately, as with so many modern soul singers, her rising shining star ultimately fell. In 1995, Hyman took her own life, four hours before she was scheduled to perform at the infamous Apollo Theatre. Although faces and places differ, the demons Phyllis battled were the same ones chasing too many modern soul singers. In her last days, Phyllis suffered from depression, alcoholism, bipolar disorder and coping with the death of both her mother, grandmother and close friend all in the same month. Despite the tragic end to her life, her music lives on, as will the music of all the “We Miss You Wednesday” artists.
Do it 4daLove of a great singer and take a moment to “Fall in Love Again” with the one and only Phyllis Hyman.
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Are you ready to ‘transition’ with R Les?
Ryan Leslie - Transition in Stores NOW!
We definitely are!! Code 2496, from the ADDIKTS Manual – it is extremely important, as a supporter of music, to allow artists to have creative freedom and expression. If you listen to Ryan Leslie’s first album, Just Right, and this new one you can hear growth and lyrical transparency. Just Right was leaked back in 2005 and never ‘officially’ released by MCA. After a long hiatus from being an artist, Leslie used this time to work on other projects for other artists. Namely, Cassie’s record. Ryan Leslie’s work became widely recognized for the track “Me and You.” Regardless of how you feel about Cassie’s vocal ability, there is no denying the hawtness of the track! I’m sure he’s tired of being linked to Cassie, so we’ll keep it movin’.
In February 2009, Ryan released his self-entitled album, Ryan Leslie. This is a banger! No really, it is! Get that if you don’t have it…clearly he’s been busy – releasing two albums in the same year. WHO DOES THAT?? Ryan Leslie, apparently. Transition is way more funky than the last record, at least from the production standpoint. Very futuristic and it definitely has the R. Les stamp. I have to say that this album doesn’t ‘out-do’ his debut. Now don’t get me wrong, the album is solid(no sophomore slump). It just doesn’t elicit that feeling for me until Track 3, “Zodiac”, which is officially my favorite track on the album. A few other faves on the album include: “Sunday Night”, “You’re Not My Girl”(the first single), “Guardian Angel”, and “All My Love”. There are also three bonus tracks.
As I stated in the beginning, we are definitely R. Les fans – just because he’s dope and extremely talented. He definitely used his YouTube channel to show the real side of making an album. He’s one of few artists that sing and play an instrument. I think this is a major difference between a lot of artists today. Especially those who have ‘made it’. Back in the day you had to do more than sing and dance, you had to really know music. Leslie knows music and I’m excited to see where he’ll take us next. The ADDIKTS had an opportunity to see him live at the Essence Music Festival, earlier this year. His stage presence is electrifying. And, his fashion sense is oh-so-lovely. Sorry, I digress. Definitely add Transition to your collection. If you’re skeptical, check out the album sampler and I think you’ll be convinced – Ryan Leslie is a problem!
Check this live performance of “You’re Not My Girl”:
Ryan Leslie – Transition (Album Tracklist):
01 Never Gonna Break Up
02 Something That I Like f. Pusha T
03 Zodiac
04 Is It Real Love
05 Sunday Night
06 You’re Not My Girl
07 To The Top
08 Nothing
09 Guardian Angel
10 All My Love
11 I Choose You
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It’s said that you’ll never really be missed until you are gone. No truer words were ever spoken, especially in the case of soul singer, Phyllis Hyman. Hyman began her singing career as a background singer and released her first album in 1977. A self-titled project, “Phyllis Hyman.” One of the songs I remember best is the duet Phyllis did with Norman Conner on the song, “You are my Starship.” Her voice was the perfect complement to a song that describes the out of this galaxy feeling, known as love.
