Look who’s back with a shiny new podcast for you to enjoy! I was informed by a few birdies that I needed to get off my arse and get moving with some new mixes. Ok I was told in a nicer way but I got the hint.

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow and I am bringing the love for Cupid’s Hunt 2010 with not one but four new podcasts (have to make for lost time somehow). So enjoy this first installment called ‘Valentine’ – filled with all of that new lovey goodness. And be on the lookout for parts 2-4 coming throughout this lovefest weekend. Enjoy!

1. Valentine – Ryan Leslie
2. Borrow You – Eric Roberson
3. Ms. Wonderful – Chico DeBarge
4. Caught Up – Teedra Moses
5. Trouble Sleeping – Corinne Bailey Rae
6. I’m In Love – Mary J. Blige
7. Need Love – Peter Hadar
8. Lovergirl – Teena Marie
9. Ain’t Nobody – Faith Evans
10. Love Endeavor – Alice Smith
11. Don’t You Know That? – Luther Vandross
12. Me And Those Dreaming Eyes of Mine – D’Angelo
13. I Think I Love U – Dwele

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

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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

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Well after an unexpected hiatus due to technical difficulties we’re back. A lot of new things are coming soon so keep an eye out. This week we’re starting out with Monica’s Still Standing, a song that has been on point for me lately. Be on the look out for a review of Jazmine Sullivan’s debut Fearless soon, along with reviews for Ayah and Jimmie Reign, who are a couple new artists to look out for. Both of these talented ladies have mixtapes available.  And if you haven’t checked out Anthony David yet you need to. Spittin’ Game is just one of my favorites on his cd Acey Duecy. This year has been good for R&B/Soul music and I’ll break down more highlights of my favorites as we get closer to the end of 2008.

1. Still Standing – Monica ft Ludacris – MySpace
2. Bust Your Windows – Jazmine Sullivan – Amazon | iTunes
3. Shoo Fly – Syleena Johnson – MySpace
4. Mary’s Joint – Mary J. Blige – Amazon | iTunes
5. Fallen – Ayah –  MySpace | Site
6. It Must Be Magic – Teena Marie – Amazon | iTunes
7. Spittin Game – Anthony David – Amazon | iTunes
8. Dream – Alice Smith – Amazon | iTunes
9. Be The One – Jimmie Reign – MySpace
10. I Need You – Alicia Keys – Amazon | iTunes
11. I Like It – Debarge – Amazon | iTunes
12. Burnin – Rahsaan Patterson – Amazon | iTunes
13. Do I Do – Stevie Wonder – Amazon | iTunes
14. Come Over Remix – Estelle ft Sean Paul – Amazon | iTunes

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This week we have some old school goodness from the late Luther Vandross, New Edition, and Atlantic Starr. Also we have some not so old music from Ledisi, Rahsaan Patterson, Sharon Jones and J*Davey. Jazmine Sullivan’s debut cd Fearless is available today so make sure you check it out. Until next time…

The Playlist:

1. Joy – Ledisi – Amazon | iTunes
2. Never Too Much – Luther Vandross – Amazon | iTunes
3. When The Other Foot Drops, Uncle – Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings – Amazon | iTunes
4. Need U Bad – Jazmine Sullivan – Amazon | iTunes
5. Soundboy Rock – Groove Armada – Amazon | iTunes
6. Cocaine – Robin Thicke – Amazon | iTunes
7. Slooow – J*Davey – Amazon | iTunes
8. Water – Rahsaan Patterson – Amazon | iTunes
9. For Real – Amel Larrieux – Amazon | iTunes
10. All That I Can Say – Mary J. Blige – Amazon | iTunes
11. I’m Not Afraid – Jill Scott – Amazon | iTunes
12. Motel – Tweet – Amazon | iTunes
13. Can You Stand the Rain – New Edition – Amazon | iTunes
14. Secret Lovers – Atlantic Starr – Amazon | iTunes
15. Searching – Erykah Badu – 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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