Time to slow it down, turn off the lights, get those candles lit and make your move as our Cupid’s Hunt lovefest continues. Stay tuned for part four coming tomorrow.

1. Love You Down – Me’Shell N’dgeocello
2. Moist – Janet Jackson
3. Baby Come Over – Hil St. Soul
4. Don’t Disturb This Groove – The System
5. Crawl All Over – J*Davey
6. … Til The Cops Come Knockin’ – Maxwell
7. Closer – Corinne Bailey Rae
8. No Words – Syleena Johnson
9. Close The Door – Teddy Pendergrass
10. Sex Therapy – Robin Thicke
11. Rock The Boat – Aaliyah
12. If We Were Alone – Keite Young ft N’Dambi
13. Say No – Ledisi

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Part 2 of our Cupid’s Hunt lovefest reminds us that love can be an emotional rollercoaster full of ups and downs, disappointments and heartbreak.

1. Emotional Rollercoaster – Vivian Green
2. Wake Up Alone – Amy Winehouse
3. I’m Done – Tweet
4. Leaving You – Lina
5. Leave Me Alone – Syleena Johnson
6. A House Is Not A Home – Luther Vandross
7. Insomnia – Jill Scott
8. I Need Love – Ledisi
9. Nothing Left To Say – Mint Condition
10. I Don’t Wanna – Aaliyah
11. Can’t Hardly Wait – N’Dambi
12. Breakdown – Mariah Carey
13. You Don’t Know – Maiysha ft Martin Luther

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

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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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The Playlist:

1. Let’s Chill – Guy
2. Pretty Brown Eyes – Mint Condition
3. Mary Jane – Mary J. Blige
4. Kissin You (Oh Honey Remix) – Total
5. It’s The Falling In Love – Michael Jackson
6. Superwoman (Where Were You…) – 4hero featuring Terry Devos
7. Diary – Alicia Keys
8. Complicated – Robin Thicke
9. I Don’t Wanna – Aaliyah
10. Think of You – Ledisi
11. Ex-Factor – Lauryn Hill
12. They Don’t Know – Jon B
13. Fourth of July – Mariah Carey
14. Believer – Esthero featuring Brandy
15. Complexity – The Roots featuring Jill Scott
16. Never Knew Love Like This – Alexander O’Neal and Cherelle
17. Try Again – Raheem DeVaughn
18. And I Love You – Toni Braxton
19. I Want You – Common
20. Love Hangover – Erykah Badu

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The Playlist:

1. American Boy – Estelle featuring Kanye West
2. What’s Ur Name – Janet Jackson
3. ‘Til The Morning – Mary J. Blige
4. Bombay – Timbaland
5. Electric Relaxation – ATCQ
6. If Your Girl Only Knew – Aaliyah
7. The Pleasure Principle – Janet Jackson
8. Energy – Raheem DeVaugh featuring Big Boi
9. Baby Be Mine – Michael Jackson
10. She’s A Super Lady – Luther Vandross
11. Behind the Groove – Teena Marie
12. Pull It Out Main – Idle Warship
13. B.O.B. – Outkast
14. Luchini – Camp Lo
15. Frontin’ – Pharell featuring Jay-Z
16. Skew It On The Bar-B – Outkast
17. Royal Flush – Big Boi, Raekwon & Andre 3000

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