Cassandra Wilson is a jazz vocalist, musician, arranger, and producer. She’s arguably the best jazz vocalist today. For nearly 30 years, this two-time Grammy winner has mesmerized audiences with her moving, sultry, rich, resonant voice. She inhabits songs. With the slightest nuance or phrase, she can take you places others can only dream of taking you. During her illustrious career, Wilson has expounded upon the jazz songbook with her ingenious interpretations of classic folk, pop, country, soul, and blues tunes. Like the greats before her, she has a distinctive style and can make any song her own. Wilson is a trailblazer that continues to transform and push the boundaries of her talent and jazz music. Her most recent album is the critically acclaimed “Another Country” (2012).
Category Archives: 101 Days Project
Day 58: In Remembrance – MJJ (Repost)
The King!
Legend.
Icon.
Innovator.
Trendsetter.
Humanitarian.
You were truly gifted.
An inspiration to many.
You were the greatest entertainer in the world.
Touched so many of us with your heart, soul, and spirit.
There will never be another like you.
So we are grateful that God kept you here as long as he did.
We are sad that you had to go so young.
But it was time.
You were called.
And now peace is finally yours.
You will truly be missed.
Your music and legacy will continue to inspire, uplift, and shape us all.
You will never die.
You will always live on.
We will always love you, Michael Joseph Jackson!!!
~ BuddahDesmond
Day 57: Black Music Month – Robert Glasper
Robert Glasper is a multitalented jazz pianist, composer, producer, and musical director. Though he may immediately be identified as a jazz artist, it’s hard to deny the heavy influence of Hip-Hop and R&B/Soul on his music. He has an ingenious style that has reinvigorated jazz music in ways that very of his contemporaries have been able to. His most recent album, with his band The Robert Glasper Experiment, is entitled “Black Radio” (2012). On this release, Glasper more than proves he’s an artists without limits. The album features smooth, eclectic collaborations with Lalah Hathaway, Musiq Soulchild, Chrisette Michele, Bilal, Lupe Fiasco, Erykah Badu, Ledisi, Shafiq Husayn (Sa-Ra), KING, Meshell Ndegeocello, Stokley Williams (of Mint Condition) and yasiin bey (Mos Def) to name a few. As described on Glasper’s website, Black Radio “boldly stakes out new musical territory and transcends any notion of genre, drawing from jazz, hip-hop, R&B and rock, but refusing to be pinned down by any one tag.” Black Radio is a groundbreaking album that may serve as the blueprint for other artists who want to make great music that challenges the notion of genres and categorization yet resonates deeply with the audience.
Day 56: Black Music Month – Phyllis Hyman
I’ve written about Phyllis Hyman several times. I never grow tired of talking about her or listening to her timeless music. There’s so much that can be said about her artistry. She really knew how to get inside lyrics. Whether you had experienced what she was singing about or not, you couldn’t help but to feel it. A supreme song interpreter and a dynamic performer, Hyman proved that she was in a league reserved truly for the greats.
Day 55: Black Music Month – Mint Condition
Like The Roots and The Brand New Heavies (and Tony Toni Tone before them), Mint Condition is one of the best bands in the business. Mint Condition has carved a unique path for themselves, and after seven albums–they’ve stayed true to it. They’ve been a consistent musical mainstay for over 20 years. Never to be limited by formula, style, or genre, Mint Condition’s music is progressive, versatile, and infectious. Whether it’s funky up-tempo numbers, rock or jazz-inflected mid-tempo grooves, or smooth, soulful, heart wrenching ballads, they can play it all with ease (and sound even better live). With consummate artistry, superb production and instrumentation, relatable lyrics, and vocals to die for, Mint Condition will remain in a league of their own.
Day 54: Black Music Month – Conya Doss
Dubbed as “The Queen of Indie Soul,” Conya Doss is a singer, songwriter, and producer who defies categorization. She makes organic, feel good music that touches the soul. Doss has a unique style that feels both old school and contemporary. Like Mary J. Blige (whose timbre her voice echoes slightly), Maysa, and Adriana Evans, she’s very versatile and can sing anything. Since 2002 Doss has released 6 albums, her most recent is entitled “A Pocketful of Purpose” (2012). Like a true artist, growth, maturity, and wisdom are evident with each release. Happy Black Music Month!!! 😀
Day 53: Black Music Month – Vikter Duplaix
Vikter Duplaix is an eclectic singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and DJ. He’s played, written, and/or produced for artists like Erykah Badu, Eric Benet, Incognito, and Esthero. His music is “Bold & Beautiful” (2006) and a “Departure” (2002) from what you hear on the radio everyday. It’s “sexy soul music,” as Duplaix called it, fused with electronic, house, dance, jazz, Latin, and African rhythms. It’s an experience. And one you won’t forget. It just might get you in trouble (in a good way). Happy Black Music Month!!! 😉
Day 52: Black Music Month – Eric Roberson
If not a current fan, you may still be familiar with Eric Roberson’s music. He’s written songs for artists like 112, Musiq Soulchild, Dwele, Carl Thomas, Vivian Green, and Jill Scott. He made his mark with his first single “The Moon” in 1994, which was a mainstay on urban adult contemporary radio. After nearly 20 years in the industry, Roberson’s released 8 albums and has remained one of the most consistent, authentic, spirited, and relatable artists in the game. And he’s done it all independently. He established his record label B.L.U.E. Erro Soul in 2001. His latest album is the acclaimed “Mister Nice Guy” (2011). Happy Black Music Month!!! 🙂
Day 51: Black Music Month – Teedra Moses
Teedra Moses is like one of the industry’s best-kept secrets. On that “Luxurious Undergrind,” she’s a singer-songwriter who’s written songs for Christina Milian, Macy Gray, Trina, and Mary J. Blige to name a few. But it was her debut album, 2004’s Complex Simplicity, that got fans really hooked. Not to mention, she’s released several mixtapes that often rival her the studio album of peers. Her voice is distinctive, smooth, and pure. Her lyrics can pack punches just as hard some rappers. She’s got a sweet yet street swag that is reminiscent of the sass of Cherrelle and Pebbles and the soulful, emotional grit of Mary J. Blige. Yet, she’s got a style that’s all her own. With her recent signing to Rick Ross’s Maybach Music Group, it won’t be long before the world knows just who Teedra Moses really is. Happy Black Music Month!!! 😀
Day 50: Black Music Month – Meshell Ndegeocello
When I saw the words “Alternative Hip Hop” emblazoned in the liner notes of Meshell Ndegeocello’s debut album Plantation Lullabies (1993), I thought–how limiting. She’s definitely not an artist you can lump a single category. After all, her last name in Swahili means “free like a bird.” She can play/sing anything. Her music is passionate yet cerebral. And when it comes to funky bass players she’s one of the baddest in the game! Happy Black Music Month!!! 😀
