The resurgence of REAL Black artists to R&B...

[HML]

Since the mid-eighties I have felt that most R&B has been crap. Seems like everybody was singing "booty" songs ala R. Kelly! R&B bands disappeared and were replaced by solo artists and groups who sold their looks and sexuality as opposed to offering any real talent. I would turn on BET and every video would feature either a scantily clad girl group/solo female, or some guy group/solo male with shirts off or open to show how much time they put in at the gym! Neither would be singing anything of substance. The same tired, pre-fabricated, thematic lyrics were being recycled over and over... no soul, no passion, no originality or creativity. :(

I eventually discovered and took solace in groups like Brand New Heavies, Jamiroquai and Incognito, none of which are considered R&B. I relished the beautiful, original and creative musical concepts that these bands brought to the table... I've always loved the band concept. I am enamored by the sweet sounds of talented singers coupled with real musicians/live instrumentation. All the more reason why I was so turned off to the "new R&B". Drum machine beats and synthesizers accompanied with the lackluster vocals of artists handpicked for their looks and image, IMHO, is not real R&B.

That said, I am very excited about what I see as a resurgence of real Black artists to the R&B genre. Over the past 2-3 years brand new songs with meaning and depth are hitting the airwaves on the regular. We are in the midst of a renaissance. "Booty" songs are being outshined by true artistry! Thank you Lord!!

A short list of artists for folks who love GOOD R&B.

Adriana Evans
Jill Scott
India Irie
Kem
Kindred The Family Soul
Ledisi
Heather Hedley

Peace,
HML

[M3taPhsX]

"I eventually discovered and took solace in groups like Brand New Heavies, Jamiroquai and Incognito"

I remember the feeling..but don't forget Omar.

[ June 06, 2003, 11:11 AM: Message edited by: M3taPhsX ]

[D J 1 3 8]

Don't forget D'angelo and Maxwell, who paved the way for these neo-soul cats getting back in to radio rotation.

[HML]

Originally posted by DJ 138:
Don't forget D'angelo and Maxwell, who paved the way for these neo-soul cats getting back in to radio rotation. Very true DJ 138. Two mega-talented artists! No disrespect to them, my list is not conclusive... ;)

Peace,
HML

[Skip Intro]

It's certainly a welcome departure from the booty songs...I'll give you that, but are any of these "neo soul" artists or whatever you want to call them, all that original? It has all gotten extremely derivitive to my ears and sorry but just because India Arie slings an acoustic guitar over her shoulder and Alicia Keys sits down at piano does not make them visionaries or even musicians for that matter. And I love the trend of all them to to name drop all their influences, Stevie, Marvin, Donny. So damn predictable. They are still commercially driven. Just watch the videos, the appearances.

[M3taPhsX]

Originally posted by DJ 138:
Don't forget D'angelo and Maxwell, who paved the way for these neo-soul cats getting back in to radio rotation. That was l8r on, as far as I'm concerned Maxwel and D'angelo are part of the current neo-soul movement, I don't make any distinction.

[M3taPhsX]

Originally posted by Mykhal:
It's certainly a welcome departure from the booty songs...I'll give you that, but are any of these "neo soul" artists or whatever you want to call them, all that original? It has all gotten extremely derivitive to my ears and sorry but just because India Arie slings an acoustic guitar over her shoulder and Alicia Keys sits down at piano does not make them visionaries or even musicians for that matter. And I love the trend of all them to to name drop all their influences, Stevie, Marvin, Donny. So damn predictable. They are still commercially driven. Just watch the videos, the appearances. w3rd

[Austin/Dallas]

Soory to here your music was so limited..

But the eighties was of the hook with great R&B
to me..
Too many groups to name.

graemlins/jpshakehead.gif

[Mike Johnson]

Originally posted by Mykhal:
It's certainly a welcome departure from the booty songs...I'll give you that, but are any of these "neo soul" artists or whatever you want to call them, all that original? It has all gotten extremely derivitive to my ears and sorry but just because India Arie slings an acoustic guitar over her shoulder and Alicia Keys sits down at piano does not make them visionaries or even musicians for that matter. And I love the trend of all them to to name drop all their influences, Stevie, Marvin, Donny. So damn predictable. They are still commercially driven. Just watch the videos, the appearances. What do you want? Artists like India Arie, Maxwell, Rashaan Patterson, Floetry are fairly original IMO in that they are coming with something refreshingly new. So what that they may have borrowed a sound or certain nuances from a prior entertainer - this thing called music is a continuum. Nothing wrong with having fresh faces bringing a little of the past and fusing it into the present for new audiences. Not all youngins are craving to listen to their mother's or grandmother's music.

[D J 1 3 8]

Originally posted by M3taPhsX:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by DJ 138:
Don't forget D'angelo and Maxwell, who paved the way for these neo-soul cats getting back in to radio rotation. That was l8r on, as far as I'm concerned Maxwel and D'angelo are part of the current neo-soul movement, I don't make any distinction. </font>[/QUOTE]True, but I was referring to the fact that I think those two were the first of this R & B rennaisance to get back on black radio, even on hip hop stations. And this is going back to D'angelo's first joint, which came out in 95, long before the current crop. I think their success convinced the record companies that there was still indeed an audience for soul music that wasn't about how you remind me of my jeep, etc. I would also credit Raphael Saadiq for bringing some soul back as well.

[D J 1 3 8]

Originally posted by Mykhal:
It's certainly a welcome departure from the booty songs...I'll give you that, but are any of these "neo soul" artists or whatever you want to call them, all that original? It has all gotten extremely derivitive to my ears and sorry but just because India Arie slings an acoustic guitar over her shoulder and Alicia Keys sits down at piano does not make them visionaries or even musicians for that matter. And I love the trend of all them to to name drop all their influences, Stevie, Marvin, Donny. So damn predictable. They are still commercially driven. Just watch the videos, the appearances. No different than Blaze's clear and pronounced Earth Wind & Fire influence, IMO. And there's nothing wrong with that.

[Big Paul Y'all!!]

Originally posted by Mykhal:
It's certainly a welcome departure from the booty songs...I'll give you that, but are any of these "neo soul" artists or whatever you want to call them, all that original? It has all gotten extremely derivitive to my ears and sorry but just because India Arie slings an acoustic guitar over her shoulder and Alicia Keys sits down at piano does not make them visionaries or even musicians for that matter. And I love the trend of all them to to name drop all their influences, Stevie, Marvin, Donny. So damn predictable. They are still commercially driven. Just watch the videos, the appearances. Man I feel you just because they may who we have out now definitely doesnt make them any thing but who's out know . Standards in the music industry are video related they no longer make music for people who love music just people who love videos

[D J 1 3 8]

Originally posted by Big Paul Y'all!!:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Mykhal:
It's certainly a welcome departure from the booty songs...I'll give you that, but are any of these "neo soul" artists or whatever you want to call them, all that original? It has all gotten extremely derivitive to my ears and sorry but just because India Arie slings an acoustic guitar over her shoulder and Alicia Keys sits down at piano does not make them visionaries or even musicians for that matter. And I love the trend of all them to to name drop all their influences, Stevie, Marvin, Donny. So damn predictable. They are still commercially driven. Just watch the videos, the appearances. Man I feel you just because they may who we have out now definitely doesnt make them any thing but who's out know . Standards in the music industry are video related they no longer make music for people who love music just people who love videos </font>[/QUOTE]I beg to differ. Labels will market artists for maximum exposure/profit, no doubt. That's their job. You think Motown didn't market Stevie? You think there wouldn't have been a video for "Superstition" had the technology existed? That doesn't take away from great music. People like D'angelo and Erykah, etc. are definitely making real (and often great) music.

[simon b]

It's amazing what you will find if you look beyond the obvious.....

[The Donger]

I'm 1/2 and 1/2 on this. It's nice to hear those sweeter sounds, but still it's way more of a surface level thing. It's more like a new packaged version of R&B "cool" going on, unfortunately not always "content" driven.

FYI, I love the Jill Scott album.

[Skip Intro]

I submit to you that Marvin was not thinking $ when he made "What's Going On" nor was Stevie when he made "Innervisions." Nor were they getting free clothes for their appearances on 106th and Park or TRL from high-end designers. It has become the trend of the "neo soul" to make references to these historic recordings to validate their feeble attempt to capture the spirit of that music. The whole genre is disposable and once you get past the whole faux peace/love/oraganic/retro vibe, you'll see it's really no different than the other spoon-fed crap.

[The Donger]

Originally posted by Mykhal:
I submit to you that Marvin was not thinking $ when he made "What's Going On" nor was Stevie when he made "Innervisions." Nor were they getting free clothes for their appearances on 106th and Park or TRL from high-end designers. It has become the trend of the "neo soul" to make references to these historic recordings to validate their feeble attempt to capture the spirit of that music. The whole genre is disposable and once you get past the whole faux peace/love/oraganic/retro vibe, you'll see it's really no different than the other spoon-fed crap. Word.

We have to stop blacks artists from co-opting black artists, watering down the sound, then profiting off of it.

[D J 1 3 8]

Originally posted by Mykhal:
I submit to you that Marvin was not thinking $ when he made "What's Going On" nor was Stevie when he made "Innervisions." Nor were they getting free clothes for their appearances on 106th and Park or TRL from high-end designers. It has become the trend of the "neo soul" to make references to these historic recordings to validate their feeble attempt to capture the spirit of that music. The whole genre is disposable and once you get past the whole faux peace/love/oraganic/retro vibe, you'll see it's really no different than the other spoon-fed crap. Nonsense. Again, what record companies do to promote their artists does not take away from the music.

I'm not saying it's all great, mind you. A lot of it sucks, but there is something going on and I wouldn't dismiss it altogether.

Also, there can be only one Marvin, one Stevie, etc. Frankie Beverly was not on a Marvin/Stevie level, but he still wrote some great songs ("While I'm Alone" is my fave). Marvin and Stevie are like freaking Beethoven for god's sake. You get one or two in a hundred years if your lucky. We need to stop expecting everybody to come out the box with "Songs IN The Key of Life".

I think D'angelo's "Voodoo" album has depth and soul and so what if he made a video stark naked? It's still a great song, IMO.

[D J 1 3 8]

Originally posted by Ghost Of Donger:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Mykhal:
I submit to you that Marvin was not thinking $ when he made "What's Going On" nor was Stevie when he made "Innervisions." Nor were they getting free clothes for their appearances on 106th and Park or TRL from high-end designers. It has become the trend of the "neo soul" to make references to these historic recordings to validate their feeble attempt to capture the spirit of that music. The whole genre is disposable and once you get past the whole faux peace/love/oraganic/retro vibe, you'll see it's really no different than the other spoon-fed crap. Word.

We have to stop blacks artists from co-opting black artists, watering down the sound, then profiting off of it. </font>[/QUOTE];)

[Huey P. Freeman]

Originally posted by Mykhal:
I submit to you that Marvin was not thinking $ when he made "What's Going On" nor was Stevie when he made "Innervisions." Nor were they getting free clothes for their appearances on 106th and Park or TRL from high-end designers. It has become the trend of the "neo soul" to make references to these historic recordings to validate their feeble attempt to capture the spirit of that music. The whole genre is disposable and once you get past the whole faux peace/love/oraganic/retro vibe, you'll see it's really no different than the other spoon-fed crap. I can certainly understand your stance. But would you submit an artist like Maxwell falls into that category. I have never seen him as one of the exploitive "artist" that are doing this to get paid.

[HML]

Originally posted by Mykhal:
It's certainly a welcome departure from the booty songs...I'll give you that, but are any of these "neo soul" artists or whatever you want to call them, all that original? It has all gotten extremely derivitive to my ears and sorry but just because India Arie slings an acoustic guitar over her shoulder and Alicia Keys sits down at piano does not make them visionaries or even musicians for that matter. And I love the trend of all them to to name drop all their influences, Stevie, Marvin, Donny. So damn predictable. They are still commercially driven. Just watch the videos, the appearances. I believe India Arie to be highly original with her "folksy" brand of R&B. Especially with songs like "Video"... She went way deep, said a lot of things I thought took courage, showed that she had balls and wasn't afraid of stepping on a few toes. I give her props for that!

All artists have their influences, even the greats like Donny, Marvin and Stevie had someone they looked up to. No harm in giving respect to those who inspired you... I do not see any ulterior motive here.

On the other hand I tend to agree with you about Alicia Keys. Definitely a look and an image going on there ie. "commercial appeal". Although I don't deny her talents, I quickly tired of her songs.

Peace,
HML

[HML]

Originally posted by Austin/Dallas:
Soory to here your music was so limited..

But the eighties was of the hook with great R&B
to me..
Too many groups to name.

graemlins/jpshakehead.gif Austin/Dallas, to an extent its a matter of taste. I grew up listening to The Temptations, The Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye, The Fifth Dimension, The Isley Brothers, The Commodores, Earth, Wind and Fire, Kool & The Gang, Parliament/Funkadelic, Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke, Al Green and other very solid artists. In the early 80s I loved groups like Debarge, Atlantic Starr, Midnight Star, Quincy Jones, Slave, Patti Austin, The Deele, Alexander O'Neal, The Time, Prince, Kashif, etc. But, around the mid 80s there was a distinct change... The emergence of the "booty" songs began. Sexually explicit lyrics became a hot commodity! Remember back when it seemed like every new R&B song was a reference to oral sex?!? That sh*t got tired so quick!!

I issue you a friendly challenge! Name me three bands or artists from the late 80s who had staying power? Artists who weren't commercial or trendy or all about image? Artists who had more than one or two hits? No "booty music" artists please! Name me one artist or band who stood the test of time from that era? One artist who holds a candle to the ones I grew up listening to?

Peace,
HML

[mhd]

R Kelly's latest is off the chain, but for his troubles, this joint is a classic