Here’s part four of our Cupid’s Hunt lovefest and yes it comes to an end. When you have that special someone in your life you just know it down to your soul and it is a blessing to experience such a genuine love. This one goes out to my special someone who I love with all of my heart and then some – but he already knows that. Happy Valentine’s Day and make sure you share the love with those closest to your hearts.

If you want to check out all of the participants in this year’s Cupid’s Hunt head over to TGrundy’s spot. There are plenty of podcasts to keep the lovefest going.

1. Lost Without U – Robin Thicke
2. From My Heart To Yours – Laura Izibor
3. What It Takes – N’Dambi
4. The One For Me – Rahsaan Patterson
5. The Point of It All – Anthony Hamilton
6. She Loves Me – Chico DeBarge
7. The Lady In My Life – Michael Jackson
8. Mo Better – Raheem DeVaughn
9. Two Occassions – The Deele
10. Break It Down – Eric Roberson
11. Nothing Even Matters – Lauryn Hill ft D’Angelo
12. I Was Made To Love Her – Stevie Wonder
13. I Love You – Faith Evans
14. Sparkle – Cameo

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

Subscribe to Essence Grooves by RSS, iTunes or email to stay updated.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

I had a little too much fun making this mix. There’s new music from The Tony Rich Project, Anthony Hamilton and Maiysha plus some India.Arie, Lauryn Hill and a classic from Minnie Riperton. The word is Tweet is working on a new album but having label issues (which seems to be going around lately) so no telling when her new work will see the light of day *sigh*

1. Jordan – The Tony Rich Project – Site
2. Brown Skin – India.Arie – Site
3. Lady – Anthony David ft Keisha Jackson – Site | MySpace
4. Faithful To You – Syleena Johnson – MySpace
5. All Over Again – Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings – Site | MySpace
6. Sweetest Thing – Lauryn Hill
7. Better – The Luv Bugz – MySpace
8. Her Heart – Anthony Hamilton – Site | MySpace
9. Inside My Love – Minnie Riperton
10. Always Will – Tweet – MySpace
11. Forever Yours – Rahsaan Patterson – Site
12. Hold Me – Maiysha – Site | MySpace
13. He Is – Heather Headley – Site | MySpace

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

Subscribe to Essence Grooves by RSS, iTunes or email to stay updated.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

And we’re back… after an extended hiatus due to unforeseen circumstance and then some. Life has a way of getting in the way every now and then but that’s a story for another day.

Now it’s time to get back to our regularly scheduled podcasts and I have this week’s mix for you to enjoy. Got a request? Send them to sels [at] essencegrooves.com

1. Reunion – Maxwell
2. Bruised But Not Broken – Joss Stone
3. Lady – D’Angelo
4. I Get Lonely – Janet Jackson
5. Where You Wanna Be – Brandy
6. Protect My Heart – Kelis
7. I Need Your Lovin’ – Teena Marie
8. I Still Love You – 702
9. I Used To Love Him – Lauryn Hill
10. Get To Know You Better – Mary J. Blige
11. Heaven – Tweet
12. I Need Love – Robin Thicke
13. Truth Is – Fantasia
14. Future Baby Mama – Prince

Subscribe to Essence Grooves by RSS, iTunes or email to stay updated.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

Subscribe to Essence Grooves by RSS, iTunes or email to stay updated.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Playlist:

1. Drama – Erykah Badu
2. Fake is the New Real – Alice Smith
3. Breakthrough – Lina
4. Music – Joss Stone
5. Lost Ones – Lauryn Hill
6. Killing Me Softly – Roberta Flack
7. I Think I Love U? – Algebra Blessett
8. When We Get By – D’Angelo
9. Tears Dry On Their Own – Amy Winehouse
10. Brother Sister – The Brand New Heavies
11. Superstition – Stevie Wonder
12. 365 – Teena Marie
13. Let Them Knock – Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
14. Need Love – Peter Hadar
15. Hello It’s Me – Groove Theory
16. Love Rain – Jill Scott
17. Best For Last – Adele

Podcast: Play in new window | Download