New Music Tuesday

Speak Now
Taylor Swift

Crazy Love Hollywood Edition
Michael Bublé

Rare Genius: The Undiscovered Masters
Ray Charles

The Essential
Dixie Chicks

RIP - Gregory Isaacs

"The Cool Ruler", Reggae sensation Gregory Isaacs died at the age of 59 at his London home this morning. Isaacs is best known for his super hit "Night Nurse", but I'll remember him for ballads like ‘Love is Overdue’ and ‘All I Have Is Love’.

At the beginning of this year, Isaacs' road manager Copeland Forbes said that Isaacs was, "in the UK doing some medical tests. As you all know, he had some problems with his legs from last year which resulted in cancellation of tours, and in the last 12 months he had a very hectic year traveling all over the globe doing performances".

Jamaica's Minister of Culture, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange hailed Isaacs as one of the great pioneers of Jamaican pop music assisting in the crusade to globalize Reggae music.
“His career was not only about singing: he was a singer, a songwriter, music producer, promoter and recording executive. Few Jamaican artistes can match this versatility, and even fewer were able to succeed in so many areas of entertainment.






Gregory "Cool Ruler" Isaacs July 15, 1951 - October 25, 2010 R.I.P.

Music Monday - J.Ovanni

"I've got two damn words for ya, I'm Ready"

If you didn't know, understand that you have just been informed. If you had to infuse Craig David, Usher and a little Chris Brown, you'd probably end up with

 

J.Ovanni

 

Listening to J.Ovanni you're reminded that artists are meant to leave their heart on a track. I had "Criminal Love" on repeat for about an hour before I realized I was still listening to it and singing along. That's how clean the track is.

J.Ovanni sounds like he's comfortable with the music and that's what makes it playable. He's not trying to be someone, he's just out to show you who he is. And he's not stopping until the world knows his name and his sound!

Signed to independent label, 707 Entertainment Group the smooth tones of  J.Ovanni are a welcomed addition to the music industry that had for a moment seemed to throw aside talent for gimmicks. In this new class of entertainer, I give J.Ovanni an above average grade and expect to hear and see more from in in the near future. 

If you ask me, "He's Ready!"

Need more J.Ovanni 

Buy Criminal Love on iTunes 

J.Ovanni Official Site

Follow him on Twitter  @ovanni

J.Ovanni on YouTube

J.Ovanni on Myspace

SUPPORT MUSIC!

If you've got an artist that you'd like featured on Music Monday - Who's Next? Hit me up!

Ali Cole In Print or B.A.D. PR

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter

You know how we do...It's all about the music!

Kid Fury's Blog: 10 Hip-Hop Sayings That Must Die! (Burr!) | VIBE

 I read the following recently and I must say I wholeheartedly agree....

My question is Why are we allowing people we don't know to shape and mold our everyday vocabulary. I keep trying for the most part to figure out what they mean anyway. It's funny because these are generally the same people that actually promote their own sense of individuality. Yet their fans become a cloned mass.

10) ROGER DAT(Young Money: "Roger that! Fuck around and never get Roger back!") - Unless you are in the military or playing G.I. Joe, this term does not need to come out of your face...ever. It didn't sound cute when Tyga 'nem said it, so how do you think you sound?
9) BLING(Hot Boys: "Bling Bling, every time I come around yo' city.") - Really? Why are people still saying this?...

Continued at

Kid Fury's Blog: 10 Hip-Hop Sayings That Must Die! (Burr!) | VIBE

Artist Beware - Pushing Your Brand

From the moment you begin to think about a career as an artist, your mindset should always be "As a product what am I selling?" As an artist you need to figure out who you are and work that angle. Whether you're promoting yourself as a sex symbol, a thug, a goody goody, decide who you are and work on promoting that. Because the bottom line is, YOU ARE A PRODUCT!!


BE WHO YOU ARE - Fans can see through a ruse, and just as quickly as they "made" your career they will be sure to break your career. Fans are the best researchers on the planet when an artist is on their radar. You promote this thugged out lifestyle and they find out you got straight A's in school and were a model citizen. They will blast that EVERYWHERE! 

DON'T BE AFRAID - A lot of times you can't see what is right in front of you. So don't be afraid to ask someone else about your character and what about it that you can promote to your fan base. 

DON'T DO EVERYTHING - You know who you are, remain true to that! Why help advertise Whiskey if you don't even drink Champagne. Don't jump to endorse a product that you yourself wouldn't encourage friends and family to support. Aside from that, what you do at the beginning of your career could come to bite you back later! 

MARKETING VS TALENT - So you think you're more talented than Top Ten Platinum Record Rapper A? While this maybe true, he/she is still ahead in the game. You think you've got the talent, it's time to work on your marketing strategies.  

TALENT VS MARKETING - You want to go the route of letting you talent propel your career? Okay, then work on your craft hire the best you can with the resources you've got. Take a good at EVERY option available to you and utilize it. Vocal coaches/trainers, lessons, CD's DVD's, some acting lessons, EVERYTHING! And present yourself as the most TALENTED artist available.


YOU are your brand! And as much effort as any major brand puts into their product, you need to do the same! Get noticed, be accessible or at least appear to be accessible.

Finally, if you believe in you, you will always push your brand so the simple thing is "Believe in YOU!"

I SUPPORT MUSIC!

You know how we do...It's all about the music!
Ali Cole In Print or B.A.D. PR
Don't forget to follow me on Twitter

New Music Tuesday - New Releases

Shakira, 'Sale el Sol'
(bilingual album)
The songs are great to listen and dance to, but for those who don't speak Spanish if you're into lyrics its gonna be difficult!
Check Out - "Loca"

Ne-Yo, 'Libra Scale' 
This release for Neyo comes the day after his 31st birthday, I guess his birthday wish is another Billboard hit!
Check Out - "One in a Million"
PUSHED BACK - YET AGAIN!!! 
New Release date - November-ish

N.E.R.D, 'Nothing'
It's a mixture of ’70s R&B, dance, and funk. We even get to hear a generous sample of the vocal Pharrell (and yes that him on the cover)

Check Out - “Help Me”





Plain White T's, 'The Wonders of the Younger'
Front man Tom Higgenson describes the songs on the album as "sincere and melodic"
Check Out - "Last Breath"

Music Monday - Who's Got Next??

I listen to a lot of music over the course of my day. Some new, some old. Some of which I wish I'd never subjected myself to. This weekend I listen to music as usual, and I came across a very nice girl group (actually they found me). If you haven't already done so, meet

FORTUNE

Klisha, Lindsey, and Kharmony have brought the 90's girl power to the millennium. They say that that their style is an infusion of Urban, Pop and R&B, I simply think they ROCK!!

Here they are with their Cosmo Star Launch contribution. Making it to the top 3 and you can see why

When I say "I miss music", Fortune actually reminds me of what it is that I miss. I miss harmonies, I miss passion, I miss REAL singers. I think Fortune can help bring all of that back.

With group acts (both male and female), in such a rarity these ladies have what it takes to be the next platinum girl group. They did mention one of my favorite girl groups of all time as being an influence so maybe they are on the right track.

Need more good Fortune? Check out  Fortune on MySpace or Subscribe to their YouTube Channel Follow Fortune on Twitter

SUPPORT MUSIC!

If you've got an artist that you'd like featured on Music Monday - Who's Next? Hit me up! You know how we do...It's all about the music!
Ali Cole In Print or B.A.D. PR
Don't forget to follow me on Twitter

TGIFunky

It's a funky Friday again and I'm feeling like turning the funk factor up just a notch.

Now the younguns' are familiar with the "autotuned" appeal of T-Pain. Which by the way, I don't get. But it does take me to a funk-tified memory of a group that I can't help but dance to.
When you talk Funk you can't do it with out talking bout the genius yes I said genius of ...

ZAPP

That large print is deserved!  

Call them Zapp or Zapp and Roger, just know that they're awesome! It's like funk had a baby and the baby grew up to be this band!!

The original members were brothers Roger, Larry, Lester, Tony and Terry "Zapp" Troutman. Why was all that talent in one family you ask? I don't know ask the Jacksons or the Osmonds or the Pinkett-Smiths.

All that aside, and doing away with the many, many members that have passed through this band (Shirley Murdock was once a member) they have been consistent with the funk and on this Friday, I give them a Funky Thumbs Up!

Come It's Friday get your dance on....you know you want to!

Culture Club - Do You Really Want To Hurt Me (2004...

Retro Thursday - The Color of the 80's

Ok, I'm an 80's Junkie let's get that out there! While I loved the energy of the 90's. There was an expressionism of the 80's that has been trying to re-surge for the last two decades.

My mother would say my 80's was dress up and costumes. Boy George, Cyndi Lauper and Prince fan right here! But it wasn't just the chameleon-ism of that decade that I fell in love with. To me the 80's was filled the "I've got to make the music that makes me happy" attitude. 

When I think about then and now, it's like to make music you have to follow a pattern. People won't listen unless the formula is followed to the letter. It's because of that, I still rock a little Billy Ocean on my ipod, and get on the floor when I hear Billy Idol.

I think we'll get it soon enough, that emotion and expression that we once had in music...but until then....










AND MY THEME SONG!!!




Today's Musical Thought - Allow music to arouse your youth; bring you pleasure in you life; and be joy of your old age. 

Check Me Out FACEBOOK, TWITTER

Long for your dreams, Live them out, Laugh at your heartaches and Love every minute of this life (Book of Ali)   

The Music Business - Are You On Your G.R.I.N.D.

Last Night an industry professional woke me up with some words that I'd like to share here...

Hustle is about attitude. Being a go-getter one almost has to bend the rules in order to get what he or she wants. Hustle coupled with a little luck can sometimes bring to reality a dream.

Many artists really don't pay enough attention to the business side of their career and consequently end up broke, in bankruptcy court. I draw attention to a popular artist that I heard has filed for bankruptcy for the second time in her career!

That was a sidebar, but I want to talk about the hustle of the game. 

I ALWAYS laugh when I hear someone say "they stay on their grind". It would be applaudable if it were true. 

What do I consider staying on your G.R.I.N.D?

G - Give it your best shot! If you intend on being a success, you have to give the game the best that you have. No half stepping, no ifs, ands, or maybes. This is what you want to do go get it!

R -  Ready! This is about preparedness! Someone asks you to spit some lyrics, sing a verse, play a melody; nothing but the God Lord himself should be able to stop you from doing that! Be ready to "do what you do"

I - Insist! When one door closes, insist that the no is not the end for you. Insist that it doesn't end there, find another avenue! Pay attention to the direction your path is taking and go for it with a fervor that no one else can

N - Network!...back in the day all an artist had was a demo and a prayer...now there's FACEBOOK, TWITTER, MYSPACE, USTREAM, YOUTUBE and tons of other mediums! 

sidebar talking crap on twitter is not considered "grindin" #Imjustsayin ;-)

D - Determination!...this is the strength of will, nothing and no one can deter you from making your dream a reality.

So the next time you tell someone you're on 'your grind'  ARE YOU REALLY?!

New Music Tuesday

I support music! By now you should know this. This week I give you the music that hopes to become a hit in your heart, your ipod, ipad, whatever you use for music! Here we are with this week's new releases...

BARENAKED LADIES
Barenaked Ladies Are Me (Reissue) 


Favorite track - Maybe Your Right

DARIUS RUCKER
Charleston, SC 1966

Favorite Track - Whiskey and You

BADLY DRAWN BOY
It's What I'm Thinking...



Honestly I haven't really decided with this album...maybe you should have a listen and tell me what you think.





Because we didn't New Music Tuesday last week, I didn't give you my ALBUM OF THE WEEK. Here it is, from last week's releases (drumroll)

Kings of Leon - "Come Around Sundown"

All albums are available on Itunes. SUPPORT MUSIC!!


So on this new music Tuesday pick up something fresh, download a mixtape, fall in love with music again!

TGIFunky - James Brown Edition

Today, after what was essentially a SUPER DUPER rough week, I felt like dancing. When I went through my BlackBerry, in the midst of the 608 songs (yeah I know what your thinking) WHY? I found my subject of today's "Funky Friday".

 James Joseph Brown, we call him the GodFather of Soul, but that's just a part of him. The Godfather has always been the epitome of FUNK! When we think of his legacy, we remember dance moves that have been imitated by millions. You play the first 8 bars of ANY James Brown song and you've just created a sing-along. So on this "Funky Friday", I salute the late James Brown.











And finally the KING on the GodFather!!



Until next time remember...

Long for your dreams, Live them out, Laugh at your heartaches and Love every minute of this life (Book of Ali) 

Retro Thursday - TLC

I loved TLC! The church home that I lived in didn't approve of the colorful condomed attire that they first sported in their classic Arsenio Hall Show appearance...but I wasn't yet over my Cyndi Lauper obsession, so they were perfect for me.

What TLC brought to the music game was a pre Spice Girls sense of individuality for urban girls. T-Boz was my girl, she had that classy edge, Left Eye was everybody's homegirl, Chilli had that exotic presence, not entirely home girl but she was cool on the block.

They had distinct style; they will forever be Crazy, Sexy, Cool.











They had distinct style; they made R&B just a little Crazy, Sexy, Cool.

Until next time remember to ....

Long for your dreams, Live them out, Laugh at your heartaches and Love every minute of this life (Book of Ali)

Music Monday - Who's next?

You could say, He's not  just a battle rapper! Math Hoffa has got a style that most rappers today could only wish for. Lyrically you don't have to say he's on his game, just listen to him and it's evident, he's got his act together.


Math says, "Runnin up on n****a's like zoooooom bang...I be runnin through the bush like the 2 train."

Get to know Math Hoffa, then you can say you heard it here first.




Want more Hoffa? COP ACMD1 or ACMD2
Subscribe to his YouTube Channel

SUPPORT REAL HIP HOP!


If you've got an artist that you'd like featured on Music Monday - Who's Next? Hit me up! You know how we do...It's all about the music!
Ali Cole In Print or B.A.D. PR

TGIFunky...Clarence Carter Edition

As I put together the Retro Edition, I remember one particular "artist" that was a mainstay at every outdoor party that I had the privilege to listen to from the bedroom window.

Clarence Carter

This is the man that made songs like ...

I Got Caught Making Love, Take It Off, Sixty Minute Man and Strokin' 

It wasn't until much later in life that I realized what that last one meant (honestly thought he was referring to canoeing to his girl, but I digress). When I reflect on the blatant sexual tones of today's music... I wonder what went through the critics minds when they heard theses "inspirational" tunes.

The thing I love about Clarence Carter was the simplicity of the lyrics...this man said EXACTLY what he was thinking. No pretense, no beating around the bush! I think I miss that in music.




This song actually starts "Take off that wig baby, I wanna see on top of your head"



This one has ALWAYS been my personal favorite...sixty minutes though Carter? I LOVE IT!!!



So RIP Clarence Carter...If your music ain't Funky...someone tell me what is.

Until next time have a FUNKY Friday and remember to ....

Long for your dreams, Live them out, Laugh at your heartaches and Love every minute of this life (Book of Ali)