Billboard top R&B/Hip Hop Albums - #1 4/5/02 - 06/06/02: "Full Moon" Brandy

With the release of her most recent album "Two Eleven" in October 2012 I'm sure Brandy was hoping (as all artists do) to top what could be considered her best album to date. But the reality is that only a handful of artists ever manage to consistently release great albums with each better than the next. There might be a number of reasons for any particular album to be a hit, same goes for those that miss. However, be it the production skills of producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, writing styles of L. Daniels (a writer on the album) and/or Brandy herself, in 2002 all the stars were aligned in her favor and there came the hit album "Full Moon".
I must add - though prior albums sold more copies and won more awards (Grammy & Billboard), "Full Moon" had more chart success. 

I fell in love with this album when I first saw the video for the title track "Full Moon".  Just listening to the album as I'm writing this brings me back to that emotional state, the peace, calm, love I felt listening to her sweet vocals on the ballads - "He Is", "Come A Little Closer" and "Love Wouldn't Count Me Out". Sixteen well written and produced songs in what I'd call classic Brandy fashion - there is no mistaking a Brandy song. 
I could easily name ten favorites on this album, let's start with the cover of PM Dawn's "Die Without You", then of course "Full Moon", "I Thought", "When You Touch Me",  "Apart", "Nothing"......you get the idea. 

If you love and follow American R&B, this album should be in your collection.  If not, "Full Moon" is an album you should definitely check out in my opinion.


Here's the title track "Full Moon"




Have A Great Day!

Not Just "Another Rockaz Moment"- Morgan Heritage

Preparing dinner one evening in 2007 my cell phone rang and it was a call to sub for a guitarist in a band that I had admired and was a fan of for years - Morgan Heritage.  Lukes, their rhythm guitarist & the one who deals with most of the business side of things for the band laughed at how surprised I sounded to be getting the call from him. I accepted the job but the catch was, their schedule didn't permit any rehearsal so I had about two weeks to learn over thirty songs. I met up with the bass player who handed me some CDs with the instructions "just listen to all of them but the show will be almost exactly the same show on the 'Live' album" which turned out to be "Another Rockaz Moment".

They're one of the best Reggae bands on the road today in my opinion and are in leagues with  The Wailers, Third World, Steele Pulse and Inner Circle. The only thing which separates them seems to be that illusive hit record to open the doors to commercial success.

Morgan Heritage was formed in 1994 by five children of Jamaican Reggae artist Denroy Morgan. They grew up in New York and recorded their debut album there but moved to Jamaica  shortly after that and began working with some of the island's top record producers.  Since then they've gained some success and have recorded several albums over the years including two live albums.

"Another Rockaz Moment" lists 19 tracks which takes you on a journey that makes you feel like you're at their concert at the Paradiso in Amsterdam. Lead vocalist Peter Morgan delivers each song effortlessly with his kick ass band & siblings supporting him all the way.  Mojo, Gramps (his brothers) & sister Una takes the lead on a few numbers as well, showing us that they're all truly talented.  Songs from several of their albums were performed in the set - "Don't Haffi Dread", "Liberation", "Best Friend", "She's Still Loving Me", songs which were popular in Jamaica, the Caribbean, some parts of Europe & Africa.

All in all it's a great album. I grew up on Bob Marley's "Live" & "Babylon By Bus" and "Another Rockaz Moment"  in my opinion represents in our time what Marley's albums represented back then and still does - Roots Rock Reggae music in all it's Elements.
This album is not just "Another Rockaz Moment", it's an album you should definitely check out in my opinion.

Here's a performance of "Works To Do - Jah Works" (from the tour I did with them :-)






Have A Great Day!!

 

Legendary Jazz men George Benson & Al Jarreau are "Givin' It Up"

A few years ago I was listening to one of the jazz channels on iTunes radio and heard a song which caught my ear. After checking the play list I discovered who it was and immediately bought the album "Givin' It Up" by George Benson & Al Jarreau.

"Jazz, Crossover Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Contemporary Jazz" are the 'labels' you'll see when looking it up on iTunes which I guess does give you the idea of what to expect from this album.  Thirteen tracks including classics like "Breezin'", "Summer Breeze", "God Bless The Child", "Bring It On Home To Me" (featuring Paul McCartney) and "Long Come Tutu" (from the Miles Davis original "Tutu", which features Herbie Hancock). Other artists featured on the album are Patti Austin and Jill Scott.
My faves from this album are track 2 "Mornin" and track 3 "Long Come Tutu". I really admire how Al Jarreau write lyrics for songs that originally did not have lyrics and still keep the integrity of the melody and maintain the concept of how the song was composed from the beginning.

And Benson is just that Benson himself. With his smooth vocals and awesome guitar licks & solos, who could ask for a better collaboration? Two Legendary Jazz men still at the top of their game.

This is one sure album for all Jazz lovers to check out in my opinion.

Here they are performing "Summer Breeze"




Have A Great Day 

A Very Special Christmas

Tis the season to be jolly, merry, happy etc. And there's nothing like some good music to set the tone for great feelings and emotions. Christmas is a few days away and I remember some twenty years ago, maybe more, I discovered an album which to this date is my favorite album for the season - A Very Special Christmas Vol. 1  (Various Artists)

I listened to this album even when it wasn't Christmas time LOL. Fifteen great songs for the season from hip hop to classic ballads. The album features artists such as Whitney Huston, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, U2, The Pointer Sisters and a slew of other great artists. I particularly loved Run-DMC's track "Christmas In Hollis", classic hip hop on an Xmas tune - GOOD STUFF!

 "A Very Special Christmas Vol. 1" was the first in a series of Christmas-themed compilation albums produced to benefit the Special Olympics for which it raised millions of dollars.

If you like classic Christmas songs mixed with hip hop and other popular styles/genres from the late 80's this is another great album for you to check out in my opinion.

Here's Run DMC's song "Christmas In Hollis"


Have A Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

The Only True Genius In Show Business: Ray Charles - Genius Loves Company

I've come to realize that in this world greatness is often overlooked until the ones deserving of those praises have passed away. I've seen it happen to artists all the time, never getting the true recognition and being able to enjoy the fruits of their labor in the realm of the living.
Though Ray Charles had a successful career and was a celebrated artist, I, myself wasn't aware of his true greatness nor was I even fully exposed to his music until his passing in June 2004, then I bought his album that was released shortly after - "Genius Loves Company".

I'm sure most of us saw the movie "Ray" which showed us bits and pieces of the life of this great artist and being the man he was, no wonder all the artists who collaborated with him on this project gave their time, energy and shared each of their wonderful talent on this album with Ray Charles.
"Genius Loves Company" features Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, Natalie Cole, Elton John, B.B. King and a host of other artists who are also great artists in their own right.
Twelve songs produced and arranged perfectly, consisting of R&B, Pop, Country & Blues standards that went on to winning a total of eight Grammy Awards including 'Album of the year' and 'Record of the year' at the 2005 Ceremony. I totally love this album in it's entirety but my only disappointment was that there were no original songs from Charles in the collection.  My favorite song on this album is track 4 (Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word) which features Elton John. Maybe it's the guitar solo,  maybe it just touches something deep inside me, I really don't know.  But this album takes you on a wonderful journey in different genres and the contrast between the guest artists and Ray Charles' vocals just makes this record delightfully intriguing. "Genius Loves Company" is an album you should definitely check out in my opinion.

Here's a behind the scenes look into this album




Have A Great Day!!