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’ve been trying to figure out how I’m going to continue this site as my schedule begins to grow exponentially over the next couple of months. Decisions, decisions. For now, I have decided that I’ll keep the site going but not on any particular schedule. I’m going to keep new podcasts coming at least twice a month.

This time around we have Goapele, Robin Thicke, Mint Condition, Amy Winehouse, Chrisette Michele and more. Enjoy and there will be more coming your way soon.

1. Don’t Be Shy – Goapele
2. Stop Breaking My Heart – Rahsaan Patterson
3. It’s Ok to Love Me – Lizz Fields
4. You’re My Baby – Robin Thicke
5. Beautiful – Tweet
6. Rocket Love – Stevie Wonder
7. Just Can’t Believe – Mint Condition
8. Bad Habits – Maxwell
9. If I Had a Chance – Eric Roberson
10. Just Friends – Amy Winehouse
11. No Sittin’ By The Phone – Vivian Green
12. No Love – Erykah Badu
13. Blame It On Me – Chrisette Michele
14. Only You – Jill Scott
15. Whatever You Want – Tony Toni Tone

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

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

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download