Sometimes you just have to let go. It’s been hectic for me the past couple of weeks and as my life changes so do things around here. Switching to Tuesdays for new podcasts and hopefully it’ll stay that way *fingers crossed*.

Raphael Saadiq’s new album was just released today and it was worth the wait. If the thought of another Ne-Yo cd coming out makes you cringe then pick up Raphael Saadiq’s The Way I See It instead. Hidden Beach artist Tony Rich is back with new music as well as Solange. All I can say is at least she isn’t a Beyonce clone and I’m glad she came out with something different. There are a few songs on Sol-Angel and The Hadley St. Dreams (and why that title?) that are nice, Sandcastle Disco grew on me mainly because this is the version with Q-Tip on it. Robin Thicke graced us with his Magic and Something Else is scheduled to be released on 9/30.

I love Teena Marie, I grew up listening to her and Where’s California has to be my favorite song. I remember looking for this song for years on something other than vinyl and finally found it a few years ago. Bah Samba remade Portuguese Love and while that isn’t a song I would think should be remade but with the UK’s Alice Russell on vocals they did it justice and then some.

The Playlist:

1. Back In Love – Estelle
2. My Pride – Algebra Blessett
3. Never Give You Up – Raphael Saadiq ft Stevie Wonder & CJ
4. Sweet On You – Hil St. Soul
5. Truth – Dwele
6. Part The Waves – The Tony Rich Project
7. Let Go – Lalah Hathaway
8. Sandcastle Disco – Solange ft Q-Tip
9. You Know I’m No Good – Amy Winehouse
10. Magic – Robin Thicke
11. Lucky Day – Faith Evans
12. Portuguese Love – Bah Samba ft Alice Russell
13. BraveBird – Amel Larrieux
14. I Miss You – Darien Brockington
15. Where’s California – Teena Marie

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Here’s a little something for the back half of the week with a few classics sprinkled in. Enjoy.

The Playlist:

1. Empty – Raheem DeVaughn – Amazon | iTunes
2. Lovely Lovely – Me’Shell Ndegeocello - Amazon | iTunes
3. Good Stuff – Kelis - Amazon | iTunes
4. Orbit – Maiysha - Amazon | iTunes
5. Settling In – Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - Amazon | iTunes
6. Early In The Morning – The Gap Band - iTunes
7. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) – Michael Jackson - Amazon | iTunes
8. I Got What You Want – Darien Brockington - Amazon | iTunes
9. Ooo La La La – Teena Marie - Amazon | iTunes
10. I Have Learned to Respect the Power of Love – Stephanie Mills - Amazon | iTunes
11. If Only You Knew – Patti LaBelle - Amazon | iTunes
12. Never Felt This Way – Alicia Keys - Amazon | iTunes
13. Complain – Tweet - Amazon | iTunes
14. Nobody Knows – The Tony Rich Project - Amazon | iTunes
15. Chasing Pavements – Adele - Amazon | iTunes
16. Couldn’t Hear Her – Eric Roberson ft. Curt Chambers - Amazon | iTunes

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Marvin Gaye’s classic album What’s Going On released in May 1971 focused on the social and political ills of that time. Thirty seven years later the album is still relevant today as the same issues that Marvin Gaye sung about then are still affecting us now.

We have to look around us and contemplate what really is going on around us. Yes, we are making progress. Last week marked the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have A Dream” speech. Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee and can potentially be the first black President of the US.

Yet the country as a whole is hurting. We are in the middle of an economic crisis and gas is teetering around $4 a gallon. Families don’t have health care, houses are being foreclosed on daily. And then there is the war in Iraq.

How much progress have we really made? Is the one step forward, two steps back scenario playing on repeat? Are we going to keep moving forward or end up with more of the same? The choice is in our hands, just something to think about. Be blessed.

The Playlist:

1. Sumthin’s Gotta Give – Big Boi ft Mary J. Blige – Amazon | iTunes
2. Down ‘N Out – Nappy Roots ft Anthony Hamilton – Amazon | iTunes
3. Dreams – Little Brother – Amazon | iTunes
4. Testify (Remix) – Common ft Darien Brockington – Amazon | iTunes
5. I’ve Read About – D’Nell – Amazon | iTunes
6. Upside Down – Ledisi – Amazon | iTunes
7. Doo Wop (That Thing) – Lauryn Hill – Amazon | iTunes
8. What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye – Amazon | iTunes
9. I Believe – Q-Tip ft D’Angelo – MySpace
10. Black President – Nas ft Johnny Polygon – Amazon | iTunes
11. Little Weapon – Lupe Fiasco ft Bishop G & Nikki Jean – Amazon | iTunes
12. Twinkle – Erykah Badu – Amazon | iTunes
13. My Petition – Jill Scott – Amazon | iTunes
14. Krooked Kop – Anthony David – Amazon | iTunes
15. Mr. President – Janelle Monae – Amazon | iTunes

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Aaliyah - January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001

Seven years ago on August 25th we lost an angel. Aaliyah was a rising star who was taken from us far too soon. She lives on in her music, videos and movies but of course that’s not enough to erase the pain. Aaliyah had the potential for greatness while remaining down to earth.

I have to admit, when Aaliyah first came out I wasn’t really feeling her. I was in high school and had a friend who was going to school with her. So of course everything out of his mouth was Aaliyah this, Aaliyah that. But Back and Forth and Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number were playing everywhere. With her hometown status, Aaliyah’s first album eventually grew on me. It wasn’t until One In A Million dropped that I became a true fan. Timbaland was still an up and coming producer and graced his now signature sound on Aaliyah’s sophomore album.

This was a difficult mix to make between trying not to put just about every song of Aaliyah’s in it and keeping myself from crying while mixing it. I probably have a story to go with most of her songs. Her talent, style, beauty and grace has left a mark on all of us.

We still miss you Aaliyah, rest in peace Baby Girl.

The Playlist:

1. Turn It Up Intro
2. Try Again
3. Back and Forth
4. If Your Girl Only Knew
5. More Than A Woman
6. Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number
7. Rock The Boat
8. One In A Million
9. I Refuse
10. I Don’t Wanna
11. Are You That Somebody
12. Don’t Know What To Tell Ya
13. We Need A Resolution
14. Hot Like Fire
15. I Care 4 You
16. At Your Best
17. The One I Gave My Heart To
18. Miss You

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