Perfectly Matched Team Of Musicians - Renegade Creation

Michael Landau: Session guitarist for  Joni Mitchell, Seal, Michael Jackson, James Taylor, Richard   Marx, Steve Perry, Pink Floyd and a host of others.

Robben Ford: Named one of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century" by Musician magazine.

Jimmy Haslip: Founding member of The Yellowjackets and has worked with  Chaka Khan, Al Jarreau, Donald Fagen, Anita Baker and many more famed artists.

Gary Novak: Session drummer for  George Benson, Alanis Morissette, Brandon Fields, Lee Ritenour, Michael McDonald, Natalie Cole, David Sanborn, Anita Baker and many more..

Other than the roster of legendary & popular artists these musicians have worked with, they have something else in common - "Renegade Creation"

Already with very successful careers of their own, these top notch musicians collaborated in 2010 and the end result was this great Blues/Rock album "Renegade Creation".

Robben Ford & Michael Landau share the lead vocals throughout the album and of course show us how great they are as guitar players. With strong support from the awesome rhythm section of Gary Novak & Jimmy Haslip one couldn't imagine a better team of musicians for this album - perfectly matched.

Eleven songs of which my favorites are  track 5 "The Darkness" and track 9 "Who Do You Think You Are". This album is one you should definitely check out if you're into guitar oriented music - Blues/Rock.

 Here they are performing "What's Up"




Have a great day!!

"For me, music and life are all about style." Miles Davis: Cool & Collected

"For me, music and life are all about style". - Myles Davis.

With a statement like that, we can all grasp why this man's approach to music wasn't much different from that of his life: He played is trumpet & lived his life with style.

"Cool & Collected" is a compilation of Miles Davis' recordings from 1956 to 1984.  With such a time span you'd expect about a hundred songs, but this album only has thirteen.
Fret not, these are thirteen well selected songs from he legend's repertoire. If you're into jazz you'll be familiar with songs like "So What", "'Round Midnight", "Seven Steps To Heaven" & "Milestones".  The album also has the MJ cover "Human Nature" & "Time After Time" (the Cyndi Lauper cover).

I think this album shows how diverse Miles Davis was in terms of genres & styles. With this collection of songs one can hear how he progressed through the jazz scene in the '50s & '60s then later crossed into the pop/smooth jazz and experimental arena in the '80s quite effortlessly.  

If you're into Jazz or you're just in the mood to listen to something quietly that ranges from intense to really soft and mellow then "Cool & Collected" is a great album you should check out in my opinion.

Here's Miles performing "So What" & "Human Nature"





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'The Strong One' Brings A "Better Tomorrow" - Etana

Often referred to by the title of her debut album "The Strong One", Etana has been around since maybe 2007/2008. And though she already has two albums under her belt, I've only recently heard the album that I think is her best work to date - "Better Tomorrow".

Released February 25th 2013 by VP records (argumentatively the premier record label that releases/distributes Reggae worldwide by Jamaicans), "Better Tomorrow" isn't the typical reggae album with a slew of singles compiled from various record producers - which was the norm in the past. Fifteen tracks including a two minute interlude, really pleasing to the ear with her soulful vocals accompanied by great compositions. Though Reggae is the primary genre on the album,  there are songs with strong African & World Music influences which shows her versatility and ability beyond being just another Reggae singer, the title track is an example of this.

My faves include "Better Tomorrow", "Queen", "Silly" (Deniece Williams cover), "Smile" and "Strongest".

"Better Tomorrow" is a great album in my opinion for you to check out if you're looking for something fresh, appealing, uplifting and entertaining. 

Here's Etana's Video for the song "Wrong Address" which made her popular in 2007

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Teen Pop Sensasion makes - "FutureSex/LoveSounds" Justin Timberlake

I never owned an 'N Sync album even though I liked some of their songs. But when this album by a former member of the group came out I had to get a copy - "Futuresex/Lovesounds" - Justin Timberlake.

Great work by the former teen star who has proved to the world that he's more than capable to carry on and make great music well pass his teens and without the support of four other group members.

Thirteen thumping tracks on this album, well, not all thirteen, there are a few slow numbers as well - "(Another Song) All Over Again" - one of my favorites and "Set The Mood Prelude/Until The End Of Time". I believe the main producers on this album was Timberlake himself & Timbaland (American R&B/Hip Hop Producer/Rapper -  Ginuwine, Missy Elliot & Aailyah).

I have many faves on this album - "Sexy Back", "Sexy Ladies",  "Let Me Talk To You/My Love" featuring rapper T.I., . ..... Actually, I was about to list all the songs but decided to only name a few :-)

A great R&B/Pop album in my opinion which was nominated for four Grammy awards, winning two in 2006 and the following year winning another two including Best Male Pop Vocal. The album also earned him four MTV Music Video Awards in 2007 including Artist Of The Year.

If you're into R&B, Pop, or both... this is a great album you should check out in my opinion. I've also heard a few of the songs on his album coming out this March and it's gonna be another great one so look out for Justin Timberlake's "The 20/20 Experiene"


Here are two of his videos - "Sexy Back" & "(Another Song) All Over Again"(Live)









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Committed, True To The Cause - C-Sharp: The Invitation

When most people hear the word Reggae, they first think of Bob Marley.  Only the avid Reggae fan would be aware of the not so popular Reggae artists as well as the bands/groups that has had international success over the years - Inner Circle, Third World, Black Uhuru, Wailing Souls, Israel Vibration etc.

These days there are several other bands making their own mark in the industry and one of my faves is C-Sharp with their album "The Invitation".

They've been around for a little while, building their name in and around Jamaica as a band while gigging/touring with other artists individually or as a group. They've even made it as far as China, spreading Reggae, their music & Jamaican culture.   I really admire their commitment to each other and their musicianship. Its not easy to stay focused and "true to the cause" nowadays, I know this from experience.

"The Invitation" has thirteen well written and produced songs with a few covers. This is not your typical chill out kind of Reggae album. You can get up and dance to some of the tracks, sing along and just feel total joy.

 My favorites are "Family Man", "Reggae My Song", "Get Lifted"(John Legend cover) "Book Of Rules" (amazing cover of The Heptones classic) & "The Invitation".  C-Sharp teamed up with Reggae veterans Third World on Track 8 "Better Day Coming" and features the popular Dancehall DJ Busy Signal on the title track.

Show your support for the new and coming generation of Reggae bands/artist by checking out this great album - "The Invitation"

Here's their video "Somewhere"
 


Have A Great Day!!