Music is my first love and we lost a legend last week. This week’s podcast went through a lot of changes since I couldn’t make up my mind as to what I was going to put together. At first I wasn’t going to do a podcast with only Michael Jackson’s work, I was thinking something with a mix of other artists. We’ve been saturated with tributes to the late great King of Pop and I felt what I could offer would pale in comparison. But as you can see we have a full mix of MJ’s work. It just happened like that. Something came over me while I was putting this together and the tracklist below is the result. When he left us I lost of piece of myself. I don’t remember not having Michael Jackson in my life and now suddenly he’s gone. Let’s make sure he’s not forgotten and continue to celebrate the gifts he gave us through his music. Enjoy.

1. I Wanna Be Where You Are – The Jackson 5
2. Never Can Say Goodbye (Beatnik and K-Saalam Remix) – Michael Jackson
3. This Place Hotel (Heartbreak Hotel) – The Jacksons
4. Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson
5. You Can’t Win – Michael Jackson
6. Human Nature – Michael Jackson
7. Got To Be There – The Jackson 5
8. Butterflies – Michael Jackson
9. I Can’t Help It – Michael Jackson
10. All I Do Is Think Of You – The Jackson 5
11. I Want You Back – The Jackson 5
12. The Way You Make Me Feel – Michael Jackson
13. You Rock My World – Michael Jackson
14. Blood On The Dance Floor – Michael Jackson
15. Stranger In Moscow – Michael Jackson
16. Gone Too Soon – Michael Jackson

Got a request? Send them to sels [at] essencegrooves.com

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With the number of mainstream artists putting out bad music increasing to the nth degree lately it’s good to know that there are still artists who care about their craft and don’t just throw auto-tune in new releases just for kicks. To say I’m upset cause my favorite groups and artists aren’t coming with it is a huge understatement. So let’s highlight the good and just hope the others regain their senses and release music that innovates instead of regurgitating what’s already been done repeatedly by less talented acts.

With all that being said *takes a deep breath* let’s get on with the music. V’s latest release It is Finished! The Paradox: Vol 1 is out and available now. Check out his MySpace page for more info or head over to Soundclick to download it or buy it from CD Baby. Not only do we have V, we have India.Arie, Laura Izibor, Kelis, Stevie Wonder, D’Angelo and The Brand New Heavies to provide some listening pleasure especially if you’re as sick of the radio as I am. Enjoy!

1. Rolling Through The Hood – Kelis
2. Uptown – Raphael Saadiq
3. Iceberg – Tweet
4. Lover’s Ghetto – Angie Stone
5. Keep Together – The Brand New Heavies
6. Steady on the Grind – Erykah Badu ft Dead Prez
7. Ghetto – India.Arie
8. As – Stevie Wonder
9. From My Heart To Yours (DJ Premier Remix) – Laura Izibor
10. Smooth – D’Angelo
11. My Cryin’ Blues – Davina
12. Rules of the Game – V
13. Stop Playin’ – Anthony David
14. Breathe – Lalah Hathaway

Got a request? Send them to sels [at] essencegrooves.com

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This week we have Anthony David, Ledisi, Sy Smith, BSTC, Peter Hadar and more. And we’re going to make it official – Essence Grooves is now going to be released every two weeks. So enjoy and expect a new podcast on June 18th.

1. Honey – Erykah Badu
2. Come Around – The Foreign Exchange
3. You Better Not Hurt Me – Carol Riddick
4. Love Ultra – Dwele
5. Something About You – Anthony David
6. Spanish Fly – Eric Benet
7. For Always – Lalah Hathaway
8. Get To Know You – Ledisi
9. No Danger – Rahsaan Patterson
10. The Art of You – Sy Smith
11. Love It – BSTC featuring JL
12. Planets – Peter Hadar
13. Tired – S1 featuring Darien Brockington
14. 100 Yard Dash – Raphael Saadiq

Got a request? Send them to sels [at] essencegrooves.com

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This week we have Lisa Shaw, Jamiroquai, Jaguar Wright, 4hero, Sarah White and more. Enjoy!

1. Find The Way – Lisa Shaw
2. Trilogy – Kelis
3. Valley of Love – J*Davey
4. Soul Education – Jamiroquai
5. Feel The Same – Groove Armada ft Angie Stone
6. Spring Summer Feeling – Jill Scott
7. I Don’t Know – Jaguar Wright ft Black Thought
8. Give In – 4hero ft Darien Brockington and  Phonte
9. How Long Do I Have To Wait For You? – Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings
10. Always In My Head – India.Arie
11. No Love – Little Dragon
12. Fade – Sarah White
13. Be Here – Raphael Saadiq ft D’Angelo
14. Dancewitme – Maxwell
15. Think Twice – Erykah Badu ft Roy Hargrove

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