Back In The Day Music!

The Video of the Week: Boz Scaggs | JoJo (Ending Jan. 28th, 2012)

Administration — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:28:14 GMT

Whats Happening Music Lovers? Welcome BACK!

We take you back to the year 1980....to an album that was on hit for one of the industry's most talented guitarists and songwriters, Blue Eyed Soul singer Boz Scaggs. His mainstream hit (peaked at #17 on Billboard Hot 100 chart) "Jojo" lands as our Video of the Week (ending Jan. 28th, 2012). The classic is definitely worthy of a playback. In fact, we stream a recent LIVE version of a stage performance by Mr. Scaggs instead of the official music video directly to your laptop, PC, and/or iPad! Turn this one UP and GROOVE!

The single can be found on Boz Skagg's, "Middle Man" LP from 1980.

All Music Reviews are property of The Urban Music Scene with Copyright (C) The Jordan Music Group, 2007-2010 | All Rights Reserved

Sharon Bryant | Here I Am

Administration — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:29:50 GMT

Sharon Bryant | Here I Am
Polygram Records, 1989
By Charles F. Sherard
(Re-published)

No matter how you look at it, the 80's - from the start of it to the end of it - managed to generate a solid collective of singers who compassionately swooned & vocally displayed a fragrance of ballads unlike anything I have heard so far in the 2000's. And beyond for that matter. 'Shooooot', who are you kiddin'? I broke all of you off with Angela Winbush, startled your thoughts about Angela Bofill, refreshed your memory with Pebbles, twisted your minds with Gladys Knight as she represented Break Dancers all over the streets & polished up the site with a look at a classic from Anita Baker. All coming from the 80's. Click my name to the far left in the sidebar and check the reviews I left behind.

And then, I come and sneak back up on y'all with a taste of Sharon Bryant. The gorgeous former lead singer from Atlantic Starr. Good - gaaaahLEE! She was BEAUTIFUL! Barbara Weathers held court for Starr too, but man, I was IN LOVE - I mean, had a crush on Sharon.

Do you know why Atlantic Starr soared all the way up into the galaxy? It's because they had a radiant, soul drenching, consummate dynamic powerhouse vocalist who could mesmerize your minds with songs from her debut LP, "Here I Am", with tracks like "Falling" "Something Bout Your Touch", The groove-jammin'-ultra slammin' "Let Go", and these next two:

1. Foolish Heart.

This was a masterpiece, in my humble & thoughtful opinion R&B players. But here's the question of the century: Who did a better rendition of the classic hit? Steve Perry, former lead singer of Pop-Rock group Journey and original songwriter of the hit, or Sharon, leading the song to a #1 hit for herself off the album back in 1987??? Your comments are welcome below. Please, don't be shy neither.

2. In The Nite Time.

One of the most underestimated R&B slow jams to not get the coverage it should have gotten. I couldn't believe that some radio formats didn't even use this gem as some sort of a 'quiet storm' or 'midnight love' theme song for introduction or to close out the evening. I mean, c'mon now. With Wayne Brathwaite on Bass & Marion Meadows on Sax....you tell me for yourselves. Play this enchanting candlelight ballad back & turn off the lights. Or at least dim them.

The collection of songs all had their moments. All, of course, from a traditional R&B stance whereas much of it is missing in todays music. Sharon swayed our hearts with a few sultry romantic melodies and popped the dance floor with a couple of footstompers. All balanced out. Which is why I had no choice but to pull this out and surprise a couple of people with a memory to "Here I Am".

This album should be considered the essential R&B album to purchase. To have tucked away in a corner of your collection stockpile. It should have succeeded much better and charted much higher in the 80's. Hence the reason why I'm making some heavy statements about the album right now.

Sharon, your music honey will always get playback in the household. And I am passing the legacy of your music right on down to my kids. All 3 of them. I don't care how old they get, how many times I tell em' to "turn the rhianna music off for a second and listen to this" kind of statements. Huh, I don't have to remind my Wife. She requests this on special occasions. It's good foundation of R&B & I WILL represent.

God Bless & I hope you get more recognition than you deserve. As for the players reading this, get out there and seek this one out. It's out there somewhere online for sale.

Peace & Love,
Charles F. Sherard
The Urban Music Scene.com

All Music Reviews are property of The Urban Music Scene with Copyright (C) The Jordan Music Group, 2007-2010 | All Rights Reserved

The Video of the Week: Narada Michael Walden | Divine Emotions (Ending Jan. 14th, 2012)

Administration — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:16:57 GMT

Happy New Years Folks & welcome back to the blog that keeps JAMMIN at all costs! We keep the video of the week program on full speed ahead status!

Take a look back at this one! A master classic from one of the finest songwriters, producers and singers on the planet: Mr. Narada Michael Walden. His hit single from 1988, "Divine Emotions" from the album by the same name (without the 's') was a dance classic by all means. The track sprung all the way up to become #1 on the Billboard Dance Club chart back in 1988. It was also a hit in the U.K. as well. Here's the original official music video on YouTube. Reminisce and jam to this!!

Album Title: Narada | "Divine Emotion"

All Music Reviews are property of The Urban Music Scene with Copyright (C) The Jordan Music Group, 2007-2010 | All Rights Reserved

Jason Weaver | Love Ambition

Administration — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:05:22 GMT

Back In The Day Review: Jason Weaver | Love Ambition

By Peggy Oliver
(Motown Records - 1995)

Ever since he made his presence known in the industry, Jason Weaver is one of the most in demand actors on television and movies. His most prolific roles were that of a young Michael Jackson in the T.V. mini series, The Jacksons: An American Dream in 1992 and co-starring with Brandy the following year on the television sitcom Thea. Still one year later, Weaver voiced Simba in one of Disney’s smash animated features, The Lion King. In the millennium, Weaver experienced a fair amount of success on the big screen, including Drumline in 2002 alongside Nick Cannon. More recently, Weaver took on a producer role for a movie soon to premiere on BET, He’s Mine, Not Yours, which portrays black men as faithful romantic partners.

Besides his screen work, Weaver tasted a brief recording career and was signed to Motown Records in 1995 at the age of sixteen. Supposedly the heads of Motown envisioned his debut release, Love Ambition, intending to find that next Michael Jackson type. Yet the direction of Love Ambition leans more towards the new jack swing stars like Bobby Brown, Jodisi and New Edition, who dominated the nineties with their romantic smooth ballads and their hip-hop induced jams. Love Ambition drives off of Weaver’s appealing personality and his deep appreciation for the aforementioned, the production team including Keith Crouch, Christopher ‘Tricky’ Stewart & Hakim Abdulsamad and Khiry Abdulsamad of The Boys and backgrounds by The Boys and Rahsaan Patterson (the year before he broke out with his solo debut). Two major singles emerged from Love Ambition: the vocoder filled “I Can’t Stand the Pain” and the title track. Though Weaver manages a decent interpretation of “For the Love of You,” there is virtually no comparison to Ronald Isley’s rich, luscious tenor on the original version. The two tracks of special note - “Ordinary Guy” and “My Love” – produced by Hakim & Khiry - comprise Weaver’s strongest performances; where some of the Michael Jackson influence takes over and his vocal grit and passion truly take flight.

Weaver’s follow-up to Love Ambition, the EP Stay with Me, never saw the music shelves, yet those sessions presented the talents of soon to be future R&B heavyweights, Missy Elliot and Rodney Jerkins. In the meantime, Weaver is working out details for an upcoming mix tape with Sky Keeton under the moniker Sons of Bobby Brown. In the meantime, step into the Back in the Day time tunnel to re-experience Weaver’s smooth pipes on Love Ambition. Three and a half stars.

Peggy Oliver

The Urban Music Scene

The Video of the Week: Klique | Stop Doggin' Me Around (Ending Dec. 10th, 2011)

Administration — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:03:43 GMT

Good Day Folks! Here's another installment into our great collection of old school video's from the day - Back In The Day - into the 'Video's Of The Week'! (Ending Dec. 10th, 2011)

R&B Group Klique - Howard Huntsberry, Isaac Suthers and Deborah Hunter had released a mesmerizing slow ballad back in 1983 entitled "Stop Doggin' Me Around". Direct from album "Try It Out". This track, originally from Jackie Wilson, was by far one of their greatest recordings on top of numerous singles from over their career. Take some time and turn this baby up!

All Music Reviews are property of The Urban Music Scene with Copyright (C) The Jordan Music Group, 2007-2010 | All Rights Reserved

Alyson Williams | Raw

Administration — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:16:43 GMT

Back In The Day Album Review: Alyson Williams | Raw
By Stella Titus Ayala

The year is 1989 and I remember the first time I heard the sultry smooth sound of the beautiful, sexy ALYSON WILLIAMS. Now let me take you back for a spell: I remember driving down to Music Plus - that’s right - Music Plus! Yes y’all I’m old… Old school that is. But I remember feeling like I couldn’t wait to get the Cassette tape in the deck of my car and start playing “Just Call My Name”. This Def Jam Recording/Rush Management artist was one of most talented beauties to hit the air waves that year like an inviting sultry rain of fire.

“Just Call My Name” with the musical talents of Saxophonist NAJEE (EMI/Capitol Records) adding to the already smooth groove is just the beginning of the album, RAW, but definitely not where this sexy songbird ends… Moving right into the next track, “We’re Gonna Make It”, a duet with Ted Mills, keeps you in the mood of a slow jamming session with the one you love or the one you may just be trying to get close to. But before you think it can’t get any hotter, she sends you adrift with the smooth sailing sounds of “Not On The Outside” and “Masquerade”. Both of these tracks show the strength and dynamic power of Ms. Williams’ vocal range and talent. These were both in my very own slow jams rotation back in the day and now in my old school IPOD rotation today.

But its no wonder this album was so good! With duets like “I’m So Glad”, a duet with the heavy hitting vocals of Chuck Stanley, that was a guaranteed slow jam. It was going to bring the fire to any evening of romance. “I’m So Glad” didn’t surprise me with it’s level of heat being that it was produced by one of our most globally known ICON’S in the business then and today - Mr. Russell Simmons himself (Rush Groove Productions) along with Vincent bell (doorbell recordings).

“My Love” was the more Hip-Hop track on the album featuring the rap talents of Nikki-D. Followed by the Dance tracks “On The Rocks”, “Still My No.1” and “Sleep Talk” - all made for party jumping moves like the “Cabbage Patch” and doing “The Wop”. You know those parties was OFF THE CHAIN back in the day!

“I Need Your Lovin”, again, the production Genius of Russell Simmons and Vincent Bell, for putting the background vocals of Chuck Stanley on this seductive track. I know from personal experience just how TOUGH this track used to BUMP in my booming system… Can you say 15’s? Yes, back in the day, we were all trying to breakout and break free. I believe 'LL' (LL Cool J) said it best: “As the cars drive by with the booming systems!” This track may have been a slow jam but it did it’s job cruising down Magnolia Ave. on Friday Nights out bumping even some of the Mini Trucks and their LA Disco. Still one of my Favorites on the RAW album.

Ending the album RAW, “Make You Mine Tonight”, again the musical talent of Ms. Alyson Williams is complemented by the vocal duet balance of Mr. Chuck Stanley - only proving once again what Fire and Desire is all about between lovers. Bringing us to the last track, “How To Love Again”, a duet with Oran “Juice” Jones - this was a mid-tempo R&B track that was just a smooth driving song on the album or get close to your girl song at the high school parties but made for a great twist for a last track on the album. Overall, this album is one that..... if you haven’t experienced the total Old School Thang.... dooo betta yourself a favor. Find the album RAW by ALYSON WILLIAMS and check it out for yourself. Maybe you might conjure up those old Krush Groove feelings of Back in the Day? Peace n love -

Stella Titus-Ayala
Theurbanmusicscene.com

All Music Reviews are property of The Urban Music Scene with Copyright (C) The Jordan Music Group, 2007-2010 | All Rights Reserved

The Video of the Week: Heavy D & The Boyz | Mr. Big Stuff (Ending Nov. 12th, 2011)

Administration — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:58:28 GMT

Whats Happening Gang!

We open up another week of our Video picks with a reflection of the late Heavy D. Mr. Dwight Arrington Myers.

Back in 1987, Heavy D & The Boyz made a major impact for Hip Hop music all over the globe with the phenomenal album release, "Living Large". This album spawned numerous hits including "The Overweight Lover's In The House", "Don't You Know - feat "Al B. Sure" and this master blaster:

"Mr. Big Stuff".

We salute the legacy and the music of Dwight "Heavy D" Myers this week and on with a playback of "Mr. Big Stuff"! Get your groove and flashback on with this!

May Heavy D Rest In Peace

All Music Reviews are property of The Urban Music Scene with Copyright (C) The Jordan Music Group, 2007-2010 | All Rights Reserved

The Video of the Week: Tim Owens | Smile (Ending Oct. 22nd, 2011)

Administration — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:49:52 GMT

Our NEW Video of the week (Ending Oct. 22nd, 2011) - Tim Owens | Smile!

Whats' up Gang & Thank You for keeping the funk and soul alive on T.U.M.S. - Day in, DAY OUT!

Our new Video of the Week ending Oct. 22nd is going to feature the genre stylings of traditional/contemporary R&B music from the 80's/90's period. Many of which carried the legacies of soulful, heartfelt ballads from crooners and swooners like Freddie Jackson, Howard Hewitt, Luther Vandross, Jeffrey Osborne, Paul Laurence, Gerald Alston, Glenn Jones and so on.

But we also look back at another cat who was vocally appealing on the mic as well. The music of Tim Owens and album, "I Just Wanna Love You" lends us the opportunity to play back his hit single from 1991, "Smile"! Grab the volume control on this one folks and TURN IT UP!!

All Music Reviews are property of The Urban Music Scene with Copyright (C) The Jordan Music Group, 2007-2010 | All Rights Reserved

Vesta Williams | Special

Administration — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:08:36 GMT

Album Review: Vesta Williams | Special
By Randy Holmes

The ultra sexy and talented singer Vesta Williams {Now known throughout the world as simply, "Vesta"}, originating out of Coshocton, Ohio,first came to our attention in 1996 with the release of her critically acclaimed self titled debut A&M Records album "Vesta". On that particular gem, the world was set on fire by the R&B radio staples, the Bryan Loren produced funk hip shaker, "Don't You Blow A Good Thing", and "Once Bitten,Twice Shy". Other R&B radio classics soon followed, such as, "You Make Me Want To (Love Again)", "Sweet, Sweet Love", "Congratulations",and "How You Feel". She's recorded and/or toured with Chaka Khan (Which a lot us thought was Chaka herself when that first single "Don't You Blow A Good Thing" dropped), Gladys Knight, Stephanie Mills, and even Canadian folk singer, Gordon Lightfoot. Vesta even took a stab at acting appearing in the Mario Van Peebles' 1993 Western flick "Posse".

On "Special", her third A&M Records 1991 release, she did it to us again with her four octave vocal range featuring the hit singles, the aforementioned "Special",and "Do Ya". Let's go back and take another peek at one her finest masterpieces she blessed the world with, and that is the project titled, ...... "Special".

The opener, the album's title track, "Special", produced and largely performed by the talented Attala Zane Giles, with co-production from Vesta herself, and pretty much throughout the entire album, with the exception of two tracks, is a sensual mid tempo hand swayer. Light bass synths, .... subtle, but sexy synthesizer lines, a gentle plucked electric guitar, swooning percussion, and great lead and background vocal performance by Vesta, with a little help from Attala, burned up R&B Quiet Storm play lists nationwide. She sung lyrics of how she appreciates what her man does for her, and how she appreciates having him around.

"I Don't Wanna Cry Anymore", a sad lyrical, but tender ballad. But this time around Vesta flips the script of how, probably the same Casanova she sings about in"Special", broke her heart when he walked out on her. Shame on him !Regardless, it's a wonderfully arranged song. Droned synthesizers, sweeping synth string parts, lightly tapped cymbals, made this song one of my favorites on this record .... and I'm sure it'll be one of yours upon first listen. Vesta's vocals on this track is nothing but sheer delight as wraps your ears with her soaring, but at times, jazzy like vocal performance. Excellent song !

On "Person To Person", (Not to be confused with the Average White Band track of the same name .....but wouldn't that be cool if Vesta tackled that one !!), .... Vesta must have reconciled with, "Super Lover", as she sings a song of, once again, loving her man, the mutual attraction they share, and how he made a difference in her life. The instrumentation is pretty much the same as aforementioned two songs. Another late night snuggle up,fire place roaring in the background, with a bottle of Chardonnay in tow. You can really the sincerity of a woman in love in Vesta's vocals.

"Can't Get Enough Of Your Love", (Once again, not to be confused with "The Guru Of Love", Barry White track), is a slightly stepped up tempo from the previous ballads, more in the line of Aretha Franklin's "Giving Him Something He Can Feel", but not as prevalent. The kick drum is more present in this track as it rings loud and clearly in your earlobes. Crisp finger snaps, soulful guitar lines, that ever present bass synth, and Vesta's lead and background vocals, is clearly one of the album's strongest songs.

"Where Does The Love Go ?", one of two tracks not co-produced by Attala and Vesta, but handled by the capable talents of David Crawford, with assistance from Vesta, starts off with a wonderful live acoustic string arrangement, then flows into an acoustic piano bit, followed by the gently sung Vesta, is one of sophistication, refined and mannered. The song gently builds up from a slow pace, then goes straight into a crescendo mode ala power ballad. This magnificent track is backed by an all-star rhythm section consisting of John Barnes on piano, bassist Neil Stubenhaus, Ndugu Chancler on drums, Charles Fearing on guitar, and sharing synthesizers duties, Ian Underwood and Jerry Peters.

The next track, "Thank You For The Chance", produced by one of the few female producers during that time in the music industry, the talented Tena Clark, is another live rhythm section performed selection, with live strings. It's definitely taylor made for R&B Quiet Storm, and Popradio as well. This track features the depth and soul of Vesta's vocal capabilities, at times sweet and soft, and at times fiery and powering. A great song to be appreciated by all !

On "TLC", she gets New Jack Swing on us ala Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation"track, but certainly not in terms of the melody, just the overall feel !!! .... and it works !! Back to the Attala Zane Giles/Vesta production collabo, Vesta gets down right funky on her vocals. {One note of interest, and this stems from my years as a mastering engineer, the sonic level of this particular song does not match the other songs, ...... and I'm quite shocked one of my mastering engineer heroes, Brian "Big Bass" Gardner didn't hear this ..... and I'm sure if Brian read that, I'm sure he'll say, "Well excuuuuse me Randy Mahon !I've only been mastering records before you were born, that's all !!!}.... Percolating rhythms, samples, the stabbing effect of the bass synth, will have you dancing !

On "DoYa", Attala and Vesta does it to us again by way of NewJack Swing, same modus operandi as "TLC". On this track though,you'll hear a little rock guitar in there, as well as synth orchestra performed lines and orchestra hits. Another club banger for sure ! ....and it shouldn't be surprising that Vesta's vocals shined through and through. This time, she sounded a LOT like Chaka, nonetheless, it's a cool song !

"Don't Trip", Attala and Vesta, takes it slightly Chicago House Style. You can really hear the "club side" coming out of Vesta in this song. A rap thrown in from Mr.Lee adds that Club Hip Hop feel to this track. Cool rhythm guitar parts,bouncy bass synth lines, orchestra hits and synth horns are all over this party jam ! A rap from Mr. Lee is thrown in to give it that Hip Hopedge.

Remaining songs, the New Jack Swingism's and World Music feel at the bridge, of "Compassion", and the heartwrenched ballad of the closing song, the beautiful and DEFINITELY Quiet Storm potential bound ballad, "I Promise Love", rounds out what I think is Vesta Williams' finest work in her storied career. I hope and pray she comes out with another record, her presence is sorely missed on R&B radio today.

Happy Listening !

Randy Holmes

The Urban Music Scene

The Video of the Week: Cindy Mizelle | This Could Be The Night (Ending Aug 13th, 2011)

Administration — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:36:17 GMT

Good Day Folks and welcome back to one of the hottest old school music blogs in cyberspace - "The BACK IN THE DAY blog"! All part of the mega site - TheUrbanMusicScene.com!!

Our Video pick of the week comes courtesy of special guest, Urban/Contemporary Jazz Saxophonist Tony Exum, Jr.!! He passed by and wanted to request a master dance classic from the 80's - one of the hottest tracks that blazed the monumental break dancing movie, BEAT STREET: Cindy Mizelle's "This Could Be The Night"!

Step back and turn up the volume! Get your weekend started with a look back at this!!

Thanks to Tony Exum! Stop by and check out his sounds at ReverbNation!

All Music Reviews are property of The Urban Music Scene with Copyright (C) The Jordan Music Group, 2007-2010 | All Rights Reserved