Mark Morrison - Return of the Mack

I have been pretty bad about this whole blogging thing. Can't say I am busy, more like I am not around a computer as much as I used to be. I figure, since this is technically still a soul music blog, we will go back to exactly that. I felt obligated to post some Mark Morrison after I heard him on the radio the other day.

Morrison is most famous for his hit single "Return of the Mack." It is the story of a man who lied and cheated, but he comes back to set things right. But who am I to tell you the story when Morrison can do it all on his own.

Also, for all my fellow Ducks, check out "Return of the Quack" - the title speaks for itself.

Listen Now: Mark Morrison - Return of the Mack
Mark Morrison - Return of the Mack Download
Mark Morrison - Return of the Mack Lyrics

Steve Miller Band - Jungle Love

"Jungle Love, it's driving me mad, it's making me crazy!"

I assure you that there are not many things that compare to the act of making jungle love. It is arguably the best kind of love that you can make . . . no ifs, ands or buts.

Like I said previously, we are trying to incorporate a little bit more than just soul music. No worries, I have plans to throw some James Brown on here in the next couple days, especially after seeing a sweet tribute to him on VH1 the other day. But for now, Steve Miller Band is going to take to the stage, because I have been obsessed with "Jungle Love" - both the song and the act of doing it.

You might have remembered when I mentioned them back with Johnny Guitar Watson. "Gangster of Love" was masterfully done by both Watson and Steve Miller Band, so it is only fitting to feature SMB again. 

Listen Now: Steve Miller Band - Jungle Love

Steve Miller Band - Jungle Love Download

Steve Miller Band - Jungle Love Lyrics

Usher - Confessions Part II

Can't give you Part 1 and then not give you part 2. So, just to let Usher finish the story, here is "Confessions Part II."

Listen Now: Usher - Confessions Part II
Usher - Confessions Part II Download
Usher - Confessions Part II Lyrics

Usher - Confessions

You did not think that I was going to mention Usher and the Confessions album and then not let you get a chance to hear it. Last week, I put up "You Got It Bad" from one of Usher's previous albums. Like I said then, it is hard not to include Confessions anytime you bring up Usher.

I will definitely get to "My Boo" and "Burn" later on, but for now I figure that it is only right to go with the title track to start things off, especially since it comes in two parts on this album.

Listen Now: Usher - Confessions
Usher - Confessions Download
Usher - Confessions Lyrics

Master Class - Love Quest

Since I have been taking this site in a number of different directions lately, I figure that this is a great time to breach the subject of instrumentals. My man Colin Jones over at Stills sent this over to me the other day. It is hard to classify Master Class under any genre, but that is the evolution that I am going for with Jingle Jams.

Since I opened my inbox this morning and found "Love Quest" sitting there, I have come across a couple of other gems from Master Class. The horn-heavy instrumentals are coupled with original drum kits, making for a unique sound. While I am sure that most of you are familiar with "Gain" - a widely sampled instrumental bit. Master Class goes beyond a few good songs. I for one will be digging a little bit deeper with the little bit of time I have left this morning. For now, enjoy the gem that Colin sent my way and do not forget to take a look at "Gain" as well.

Listen Now: Master Class - Love Quest
Master Class - Love Quest Download

Usher - You Got It Bad

I have a hard time believing that Usher will ever match what he did back in the early 2000s. I mean, it is pretty difficult to make a comparable follow-up to Confessions, which is one of the best contemporary R&B albums I have ever heard. As much as I love that album though, we are going to pull some stuff from the pre-confessions era. We are going to go back to 8701, which features some of my personal favorites. Included in that list is "You Remind Me."

We are going to save "You Remind Me" for another day though and instead are going to go with "You Got It Bad" because you really cannot go wrong with that. Like I said, I love Usher from the early 2000s and 8701 still gets some play time from me.

I actually thought Raymond vs. Raymond was a solid album and the biggest reason for it being so different than his previous work is simply because of the evolution of R&B. On the bright side, Usher is still doing it and doing it big at that. While I would love to hear him bring out another autotuneless R&B album, I doubt that it will happen.

Listen Now: Usher - You Got It Bad
Usher - You Got It Bad Download
Usher - You Got It Bad Lyrics

The Roots - Break You Off

The Roots are one of the few contemporary groups that still feature a whole company of instrumentalists. With a complete horns section backing up the original 5 members, they are as good as it gets live. In fact, I have seen them live two times and will be seeing them again for the third time at Outside Lands Music Festival in August.

They have a wide variety of music, including a collaborative album that they did with John Legend. On Wake Up, they remastered a number of classic songs, including hits from Curtis Mayfield and Bill Withers. Prior to that, they released Phrenology, Seed and Seed 2.0. All three of these albums are impressive in their own right. The rest of their work is also great, but those have got to be my favorites.

Today I have "Break You Off" for your listening pleasures. It is one of my all-time favorite Roots songs, up there with the likes of "The Seed 2.0" and "Rolling in the Heat." So here come The Roots, Enjoy!

Listen Now: The Roots - Break You Off
The Roots - Break You Off Download
The Roots - Break You Off Lyrics

Prince - Raspberry Beret

A lot of birthdays going on right now. We got a chance to celebrate the likes of Bob Dylan, but we skipped another legend yesterday. Prince turned 53, but somehow he is still on his "Welcome to America" tour. I was lucky enough to snag some tickets and see the icon perform alongside Sheila E. and some former Sly & The Family Stone members.

He put on a 3.5 hour performance that included about 8 encores. Of course he played "Purple Rain" and "I Wanna Be Your Lover" which are among my favorite Prince songs. He also did a sweet medley and eventually closed out the set with "Raspberry Beret" - today's feature.

Listen Now: Prince - Raspberry Beret
Prince - Raspberry Beret Download
Prince - Raspberry Beret Lyrics

John Legend - Sun Comes Up

Finding John Legend songs to post is easy. The hard part comes when you have got to decide which song to post. Luckily, I have friends who like to throw great Jingle Jams my way.

While I would have loved to go forth with one of Legend's more well known tracks, I figured we would dig deep today, not that I did much digging. I figure that most of you know the basic routine of "Save Room", "Ordinary People" and "Green Light" so maybe a little something you have not heard from him might excite you.



While John Legend has 4 albums to his name, including his most recent collaborative effort with The Roots, he does quite a bit of work behind the scenes and has an expansive collection of singles and covers. In fact, he has released a couple of live albums as well.



Today, we are going to get into one of his live collections, all of which are quite impressive. He recorded "Sun Comes Up" in 2003 with a small venue feel to it. I hope you enjoy it. Included in that performance was also his cover of Nina Simone - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood. While it cannot be compared to the original, it is epic to say the least.



Listen Now: John Legend - Sun Comes Up

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John Legend - Sun Comes Up Lyrics

Listen Now: John Legend - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (cover)

Bob Dylan - Lay Lady Lay

In honor of Bob Dylan having just turned 70, I thought it was only fitting to start posting more than just soul music. I know I have had glimpses of other genres here and there, but hopefully it will become a more regular thing. I have been meaning to add a little bit of variety anyways, so here it is.

While I am not a huge Rolling Stone fan (the magazine) anymore, they did have a pretty sweet tribute to Dylan for his 70th. They picked out his top 70 songs of all-time to compile a pretty interesting list. Atop of the list of course was "Like a Rolling Stone" and as you went down, you had the chance to come across the likes of "Hurricane" and "All Along the Watchtower." Finally, you get to Lenny Kravitz addition to the list with "Lay Lady Lay."

"Lay Lady Lay" is written in the style of the ballad and is really the furthest thing from what you see as classic Dylan. In any case, it is a great song, especially for the bedside stereo.

Listen Now: Bob Dylan - Lay Lady Lay
Bob Dylan - Lay Lady Lay Download
Bob Dylan - Lay Lady Lay Lyrics

John Legend - Out of Sight

I am sorry, but I have not stopped listening to John Legend all morning. This one is off of Once Again and came in the form of a bonus track. "Out of Sight" reminds me a lot of one of Legend's more exciting and racy tracks "P.D.A." I will not go on too long, so just sit back and enjoy some easy listening as you start your afternoon.



Listen Now: John Legend - Out of Sight

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John Legend - Out of Sight Lyrics

Lenny Kravitz - Again

Sorry for not posting in a while, starting a new job and enjoying the Summer . . . you know how it goes. In any case, I am still here. So without further ado.

I figured that since I got you started with Maxwell, I would transition into some Lenny Kravitz. Even though he has got a rock/pop style, Kravitz still has some soul to his music. In fact, the guy incorporates all kinds of different genres into his music. His latest album Funk is a clear depiction that he has a wide variety of styles.

Certainly you know "American Woman" and I can definitely appreciate that song, but today we are going to feature something different from Lenny. "Again" definitely comes in second place for me, as far as Lenny Kravitz songs go at least. He is definitely one of the few soft rock artists that I can really appreciate.

Listen Now: Lenny Kravitz - Again

Lenny Kravitz - Again Download

Lenny Kravitz - Again Lyrics

Maxwell - This Woman's Work

Maxwell joins the likes of Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott, D'Angelo & Raphael Saadiq in the beginnings of the neo-soul movement. Now, artists with a Motown influence are bursting onto the scene. Guys like Mayer Hawthorne made their presence felt in recent years.

Maxwell has a style that is all his own. You could draw comparisons to Lenny Kravitz, but that has much more to do with Maxwell's willingness to experiment with a variety of genres. On occasion, you might hear Maxwell do a rock cover only to switch over to a Jazzy tune on the next track.

Today, we actually feature a cover that Maxwell did. While he has got plenty of work to choose from, I could not pass up "This Woman's Work" as the first Maxwell post. There will definitely be plenty more from him on here. You can count on hearing "Get to Know Ya" in the near future.

Listen Now: Maxwell - This Woman's Work
Maxwell - This Woman's Work Download
Maxwell - This Woman's Work Lyrics

Mayer Hawthorne - Fantasy Girl

We were able to pay tribute to Raphael Saadiq and his new album last time around. However, in the same week, Mayer Hawthorne dropped a new LP as well. While none of it is his original work, Impressions is definitely an album worth taking a look at.

The album is headlined by the likes of "Mr. Blue Sky" by ELO and Chromeo's "Don't Turn the Lights On." both covers are exemplary and are a good depiction of what the 4 other tracks hold. Hawthorne keeps the songs much the same, but they definitely have a taste of his style.

One of my personal favorites, one that I had never heard before, is "Fantasy Girl." Written by a guy named Steven Salazar, I am almost positive that this song slipped through the cracks and never made it big. That is not to say that it is not a great song.

Listen Now: Mayer Hawthorne - Fantasy Girl
Mayer Hawthorne - Fantasy Girl Download

Raphael Saadiq - Movin' Down the Line

Raphael Saadiq just released his new album: Stone Rollin'. While it does not quite compare to The Way I See It, it definitely has its fair share of great tracks. The album centers around the common theme of breakup and heartbreak songs, which are always a good time. With a jazzy/blues sound, he assumes the same style that was so popular with The Way I See It. While his first two albums were not done in this style, I assume he is going to keep it coming just like this.

Off the new album, there were a number of tracks that I would have loved to feature, but given that most of them are not exactly Jingle Jams, I had to go with one of the few that is. That is not to say that "Movin Down the Line" is not a great track, but it is not the best track on the album. I am a huge fan of "Go to Hell", "Heart Attack" and "Good Man." All these songs follow the common theme of the album, in case you cannot tell by their titles.

Listen Now: Raphael Saadiq - Movin' Down the Line
Raphael Saadiq - Movin' Down the Line Download
Raphael Saadiq - Movin' Down the Line Lyrics

Al Green - I'm Still in Love With You

I told you I would bring you another Al Green track. So let's skip the talkin' and get right to the jingling! Here is "I'm Still in Love With You." No download this time though, sorry.

Listen Now: Al Green - I'm Still in Love With You
Al Green - I'm Still in Love With You Lyrics

Al Green - Let's Stay Together

It has been a while since we had some Al Green up here. I mean, Al Green is a man amongst boys when it comes to baby makin' music. Smooth vocals and lyrics that will remove clothes all on their own, make him a great addition to any Jingle Jam playlist.

It is only right that after "Tired of Being Alone" we get down with "Let's Stay Together." I will not go on too long about Al, I would rather just let him do all the talking, so here we go. Since I know you will not be able to get enough, we are not going to stop here. In fact, we are going to keep it coming with another Al Green track next.

Listen Now: Al Green - Let's Stay Together
Al Green - Let's Stay Together Download
Al Green - Let's Stay Together Lyrics

Outkast - Pink & Blue

With yesterdays posts out of the way, we are going to steer in a slightly different direction. With Andre 3000 and Big Boi heading the charge for Speakerboxxx and Love Below, OutKast is one of the best hip-hop duos out there. To go with my last post, Andre 3000 was featured on John Legend's Evolver album on the track "Green Light."

OutKast started as a parody group, with humorous songs such as "Ms. Jackson", "Roses" and "Hey Ya." They continued on in that fashion, but also adopted a slightly more serious tone. However, in the end, they remained true to their funny and upbeat style.

Today we break the age barrier with "Pink & Blue." In other words, "you make me talk baby talk." This is the story of a young man pursuing an older woman . . . it does not get much better. I will leave you with my favorite lyric and let Andre and Big Boi do the rest:


"You could have been born a little later but I don't care
So what if your head sports a couple of grey hairs
Same here, and actually I think that's funky"

Listen Now: Outkast - Pink & Blue

Outkast - Pink & Blue Download

Outkast - Pink & Blue Lyrics

John Legend - Out of Sight

I got a little carried away with John Legend and did not stop listening to his lesser-known material. After hearing "Sun Comes Up" for the first time in a while, I felt that I had to go back to some of the hidden classics. "Out of Sight" has to be one of my favorite Legend tracks that nobody knows. It has a similar feel to one of his hit singles, "P.D.A" and pretty much the same message - I wanna do you anywhere and everywhere.

Listen Now: John Legend - Out of Sight
John Legend - Out of Sight Download
John Legend - Out of Sight Lyrics

John Legend - Sun Comes Up

Sadly, the work that I did yesterday managed to get deleted. from what it looks like, blogger was having some issue. In any case, I am just going to have to remember what I can from yesterdays write-up, but it is going to be a bit shorter.

I can always appreciate a request from a friend, so I was stoked when my man Sean Hodson sent this song my way the other day. As a huge John Legend fan, I was stoked to hear somebody mention a song other than "Green Light", "Ordinary People" and "Save Room."

John Legend has 4 extraordinary albums, including his latest collaborative effort with The Roots: Wake Up. Apart from a collection of amazing albums, he has also done a series of live recordings and covers that never fail to impress. "Sun Comes Up" is a track from one of these live performances and you can really feel the small venue vibe that it has.

Legend also has a number of other awesome live recordings, including a cover of Nina Simone - "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood." While his version does not rival Simone's, it is a great rendition of the track.

Listen Now: John Legend - Sun Comes Up
John Legend - Sun Comes Up Download
John Legend - Sun Comes Up Lyrics

William DeVaughn - Be Thankful for What You Got

OK, maybe I drive a great big Cadillac, but that does not mean that I cannot get down with William De Vaughn on this classic. Shoot, you could make a case against this even being a Jingle Jam, but I like it a little bit too much to exclude it.

"Be Thankful for What You Got" was regarded as one of the best songs of all-time. Sadly, DeVaughn did not expand much further than this single. However, the song has lasted through the ages, being referred to and covered by a number of artists, including Aretha Franklin, P-Funk and Massive Attack.


In any case, it is hard not to enjoy the original and the sweet chorus that goes with it:
"Diamond in the back, sunroof top//
Diggin’ the scene//
With a gangsta lean//
Gangsta whitewalls//
TV antennas in the back//"


Listen Now: William DeVaughn - Be Thankful for What You Got
William DeVaughn - Be Thankful for What You Got Download
William DeVaughn - Be Thankful for What You Got Lyrics

Lee Fields & The Expressions - Honey Dove

When I first heard Lee Fields & The Expressions, I was under the impression that they were a soul group from the 1960s or 1970s. Little did I know that they are a neo-soul group that just burst onto the scene with their first album: My World.

I was introduced to "Ladies" by my brother over at Fine Young Casuals, who by the way is blessed with dashing good looks and an excellent electronic music blog. Just a few weeks later, I find myself digging around Youtube for some more Lee Fields tracks and I stumbled across a couple of gems. While "Ladies" is without a doubt my favorite of his tracks, I am in love with the My World in its entirety.

In my digging, I came across a true gem of a Jingle Jam. "Honey Dove" has the classic ballad style with a super sweet guitar playing in the background. It reminds me of that old school sound that guys like Otis Redding helped make popular.

Listen Now: Lee Fields & The Expressions - Honey Dove
Lee Fields & The Expressions - Honey Dove Download
Lee Fields & The Expressions - Honey Dove Lyrics

James Brown - This is a Man's World

R.I.P and happy birthday to James Brown. Yesterday we got a chance to celebrate a legend as Brown would have turned 78. In the world of soul music, there are not many, if any, that you can put above James Brown. He is "The Godfather of Soul" and for good reason. In his own words, "I've got soul (huh) and I'm superbad." This line from "Superbad" just about sums up James Brown. Then again, "Sex Machine" paints a pretty good picture of JB as well.

He has got a collection of sound that is hard to compete with. Songs like "Sex Machine", "I Feel Good" and "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" are among his most popular. One of my personal favorites "Get on the Good Foot" speaks to the soul. I mean, I only got one good foot . . . or four, depending on how you look at it.

I could go on and on about James Brown hits, but we are going to make our final stop in a good place. They say that behind every great man, there is a powerful woman. After all, "this is a man's world, but it wouldn't be nothin', nothin' without a woman or a girl." Let's kick the talk and get down with Mr. Brown!

Listen Now: James Brown - This is a Man's World
James Brown - This is a Man's World Download
James Brown - This is a Man's World Lyrics

Ray Charles - I Got a Woman

Ray Charles was way ahead of his time. He took the likes of gospel music and played it in a matter that most people did not appreciate. However, it did not take long for people to grow fond of his fusion of gospel, R&B and blues.

Having gone blind at the age of seven, music was all that Charles knew. I am certain that you have seen the film Ray - a biography of Charles' life as played by Jamie Foxx. Foxx does a magnificent job in portraying Ray Charles. With a background in music, he is able to delve into that aspect very easily. He also captures the darker side of Charles' career with perfection. If you have yet to see this movie, it is a provocative and moving story that is sure to impress.

Today, we are going to feature one of Charles' smash hits "I Got a Woman." A tale about his lover on the other side of town. We all know that Charles was a ladies man to say the least and this song makes it known.

Listen Now: Ray Charles - I Got a Woman
Ray Charles - I Got a Woman Download
Ray Charles - I Got a Woman Lyrics

Carlos Santana - Samba Pa Ti

Coming back to Carlos Santana is never a bad thing. This time, leave that "Black Magic Woman" behind and get down with "Samba Pa Ti." In other word, samba for you. This song does not feature any lyrics, but that is not going to stop me from throwing it on my Jingle Jam Playlist.

While I love the smooth sound of "Black Magic Woman", Santana is not exactly known for his lyrics anyways. However, he is one of the greatest guitarists of all time. So without further ado, let us skip the words entirely and get straight to the jingling.

Listen Now: Carlos Santana - Samba Pa Ti
Carlos Santana - Samba Pa Ti Download

Rufus & Chaka Khan - Tell Me Something Good

Since I promised you both, here is "Tell Me Something Good." Don't forget to check out "Sweet Thing" as well though. Both tracks are cuts to say the least!

Listen Now: Rufus & Chaka Khan - Tell Me Something Good
Rufus & Chaka Khan - Tell Me Something Good Download
Rufus & Chaka Khan - Tell Me Something Good Lyrics

Rufus & Chaka Khan - Sweet Thing

While Rufus & Chaka Khan had their respective careers apart, their biggest success came together. Rufus was already an established group prior to introducing Chaka Khan into the lineup, but the addition took them to the next level. Chaka Khan delivers some of the greatest female vocals in history to a funk-filled band.

When they banded together, they were able to produce some classics. Surely, you have heard "Tell Me Something Good" and you might be familiar with "Sweet Thing." These two tracks are definitely among my favorite of Rufus & Chaka Khan. That is why we are going to feature both of them today for you guys!

Listen Now: Rufus & Chaka Khan - Sweet Thing
Rufus & Chaka Khan - Sweet Thing Download
Rufus & Chaka Khan - Sweet Thing Lyrics

The Four Tops - Bernadette

Everybody and their mother knows the song "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey bunch)." Little do they know that it was recorded by The Four Tops and not The Temptations. In fact, The Four Tops and The Temptations shared a healthy rivalry as they battled for the top spot on all the major charts for years.

The Four Tops burst onto the scene after serving as backup vocals on a number of tracks by Diana Ross & The Supremes. I suppose that even the legends need to start somewhere. This is not to say that playing backup to Diana Ross would be such a bad thing.

So, since I am putting "I Can't Help Myself" on hold, you might be wondering what is in store for you today. No worries, "Bernadette" is the story of a love-stricken man with no care for anything but his lady Bernadette. Let's face it, who doesn't want to love a woman named Bernadette?

Listen Now: The Four Tops - Bernadette 
The Four Tops - Bernadette Download
The Four Tops - Bernadette Lyrics

Gladys Knight & The Pips - Midnight Train to Georgia

Gladys Knight & the Pips join the likes of the Jackson 5 and the Isley Brothers as one of the best family soul music acts in history. They also feature one of the strongest female lead vocalists to date. With Curtis Mayfield playing producer for Gladys & the Pips, they were destined for success. They were the masterminds behind what came to be known as one of Marvin Gaye's big hits in "I Heard It Through the Grapevine."

They were even more widely known for their number one hit "Midnight Train to Georgia." This is the song that is most commonly associated with Gladys Knight & the Pips and is definitely among my personal favorites. Along with Sharon Stone & the Dap Kings, Gladys & the Pips make up my favorite female led bands with male backup vocals.

Listen Now: Gladys Knight & The Pips - Midnight Train to Georgia
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Gladys Knight & The Pips - Midnight Train to Georgia Lyrics

Isley Brothers - Between the Sheets

Last time I featured the Isley Brothers, you got a taste of "Footsteps in the Dark" which is among my favorite Isley songs. Up there also are "Who's That Lady" (originally recorded by Curtis Mayfield), "Summer Breeze" which features some sweet guitar riffs and last but definitely not least "Between the Sheets."

"Between the Sheets" has its own place in history, but it has been sampled countless times and you might remember it from Dr. Dre's 2001 album: The Chronic. In its own right, the song was probably the most famous of all the Isley's songs. The album, titled after the song, ended up going platinum and becoming one of the biggest hits for the Isley's.

Listen Now: Isley Brothers - Between the Sheets
Isley Brothers - Between the Sheets Download
Isley Brothers - Between the Sheets Lyrics

Bill Withers - I Wish You Well

I think we are all familiar with Bill Withers. Not only did I open up the blog with "Lovely Day", but I then came back with "Use Me" a little bit later. Be sure to go back to those and read up on the man of the hour.

Today, I am happy bring to you, "I Wish You Well." Lately this has been my favorite Bill Withers song. Nothing like driving around town and blasting this song with the windows down in the Caddy . . . ok, jingling to it might be a bit better. Anyways, not much more to say about Bill, enjoy and don't overplay it, if that is possible.

Listen Now: Bill Withers - I Wish You Well
Bill Withers - I Wish You Well Download
Bill Withers - I Wish You Well Lyrics

Sam & Dave - Soul Man

For some reason, I thought that I already gave you a taste of Sam & Dave with "Hold on I'm Comin" but I guess not. You might recognize that track from Obama's presidential campaign. It is so good that it has been covered by over 20 other artists. To say the least, they are a soulful group with a little bit of gospel and pop to their sound.

While "Hold on I'm Comin" is Sam & Dave's most popular song, I have had a hard time getting away from one of their other hits. "Soul Man" has managed to find its way through my speakers time and time again this week. The opening guitar alone makes the song and then they thrown down some sweet horns to top it off.

Listen Now: Sam & Dave - Soul Man
Sam & Dave - Soul Man Download
Sam & Dave - Soul Man Lyrics

Sade - The Moon & The Sky Remix (Featuring Jay-Z)

My man over at "Get Lifted Music" posted a pretty sweet Sade & Jay-Z track. I gotta say, it is definitely fitting for Jingle Jams.

Be sure to make your way over there and check it out: http://www.getliftedmusic.com/2011/04/sade-moon-and-sky-remix-feat-jay-z.html

Common - So Far to Go (Featuring D'Angelo)

I have been on a little hip-hop binge lately and generally Common comes up somewhere in the lineup. Yesterday, I was listening to one of Common's many successes: Finding Forever - a tribute to J. Dilla. Dilla was arguably the best producer of all time. He is most certainly one of my favorites. In the words of Common on  "Forever Begins" the closing track to Finding Forever:

"It was in the van when she said Dilla was gone//
That's when I knew we'd live forever through song"

"Forever Begins" also features a very impressive spoken word exit from Common's father, much like the end of Like Water for Chocolate among other Common albums. Dilla's production will surely be felt and remembered for a very long time. Common's tribute to him is well deserved.

Today we lay down "So Far to Go" which features D'Angelo. It is a smooth track, also produced by J. Dilla and eventually finished by Kanye West in an effort to honor his style and efforts in the industry.

I also encourage you all to check out "Misunderstood" in which they sample Nina Simone's "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" to kick the song off. Great sample and a great track in and of  itself, definitely worth a listen.

P.S. You will most certainly get a chance to hear Nina Simone on here in the near future.

Listen Now: Common - So Far to Go (Featuring D'Angelo)
Common - So Far to Go (Featuring D'Angelo) Download
Common - So Far to Go (Featuring D'Angelo) Lyrics

Miguel - All I Want is You (featuring J. Cole)

Miguel has not done too much in his short career, but what he has is pure gold. Most of his success comes from behind the scenes as the producer of a number of Usher tracks. In his young solo career, he has only 2 hit singles and has yet to release a second album. He made it big on the scene last year when he released "All I Want is You" which features rapper J. Cole. With a contemporary R&B sound, similar to the likes of Usher and D'Angelo, he is sure to keep it coming. Hopefully he will be releasing a new album soon - all signs point to it happening.

His only other hit single "Sure Thing" is currently one of my personal favorites. I have been listening to it religiously, but I am going to have to make you wait until later to get it from me. Until then, enjoy "All I Want is You."

Listen Now: Miguel - All I Want is You
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Miguel - All I Want is You Lyrics

Ben E. King - This Magic Moment

I went to Rasputin the other day and picked up a bunch of CDs for about $30. Digging through their soul and R&B collection, I stumbled upon some gems. In the end, I came away with some Kool & The Gang, Isley Brothers, Sam & Dave and of course Ben E. King. You all know about Ben E. King from when I posted his biggest hit "Stand By Me" and probably long before I even did that. Today, we are going to get down with yet another classic.

This Magic Moment came from a short stint that Ben E. King shared with The Drifters. It was one of ten songs that they recorded together and one of six singles to soar up the charts. Sadly, they drifted apart and Ben E. King resumed his wildly successful solo career, which featured "Stand By Me" among other hits.

Listen Now: Ben E. King - This Magic Moment
Ben E. King - This Magic Moment Download
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The Floaters - Float On

With the big change in astrological signs, you might find a new meaning to who you are in this song. The Floaters come through with a classic here. Sadly, they did not make it much further than this song. I have got to say that this song is pure genius though. I love the introduction to of each member and their sign at the beginning of each verse. I really wish that they had more success, but I suppose we will have to take it for what it is.

Listen Now: The Floaters - Float On
The Floaters - Float On Download
The Floaters - Float On Lyrics

Smokey Robinson - Tracks of my Tears

Since I gave you A, I figure I might as well give you B. Here is Smokey Robinson's "Tracks of my Tears" - the other half of the medley. One of my favorite Smokey Robinson songs. Be sure to check out the other Smokey I got as well: "Virgin Man" and "Cruisin."

Listen Now: Smokey Robinson - Tracks of my Tears
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Sam Cooke - Cupid

Back again with Sam Cooke. Last time we gave you "Wonderful World", but this time we are going to shift gears a bit. Today we feature "Cupid" - another Sam Cooke classic that has been covered time and time again. Some of my favorite covers include that of Otis Redding and Gavin Degraw. Degraw combines two of my favorite songs: Same Cooke's "Cupid" and Smokey Robinson's "Tracks of my Tears" for an awesome medley. Check it out: Gavin Degraw - Tracks of my Tears & Cupid Medley.

While I love Degraw's medley, I have got to say that the original cannot be matched. So without further ado, here it is.

Listen Now: Sam Cooke - Cupid
Sam Cooke - Cupid Download
Sam Cooke - Cupid Lyrics

Gene Chandler - Duke of Earl

Most of you are probably under the impression that this song was originally recorded by Stevie Wonder. Think again, Gene Chandler recorded "Duke of Earl" long before Stevie got a hold of it. Stevie was not the only person to cover this song. The Four Tops, who you will be hearing from shortly, also have a pretty sweet cover of the song. For now, enjoy their cover of Chandler's classic.

Gene Chandler started out doing quite a bit of work with Curtis Mayfield, one of my personal favorites. Mayfield has a style all his own and Chandler is no different. He helped shape Mayfield's early career and went on to influence a number of artists with his style.

For all the Gunn High School alumni, here is a great version from last years choir show: Braveheart & Soul as performed by members of the Gunn faculty. Gunn Choir - Duke of Earl.
Listen Now: Gene Chandler - Duke of Earl
Gene Chandler - Duke of Earl Download
Gene Chandler - Duke of Earl Lyrics

Marvin Gaye - Just Like Music (Ft. Eric Sermon)

Whenever I go to Marvin Gaye for a Jingle Jam, I have a hard time picking the right song. I figured that, since I got a request for this song a while back, my choice would be made a little bit easier. In the end, you cannot go wrong with any Marvin Gaye when it comes to jingling. We started things off with a classic Gaye track "Let's Get It On", but this time we are going to dig a little bit deeper.

In a collaboration with Eric Sermon, Marvin Gaye produced "Just Like Music", which if you have not heard the original, you have certainly heard it sampled plenty of times. So do not let me keep you from it, get down and start jingling to the latest Jingle Jam.

Listen Now: Marvin Gaye - Just Like Music
Marvin Gaye - Just Like Music Download
Marvin Gaye - Just Like Music Lyrics

Otis Redding - Hard to Handle

I do not know how I have made it this far and not included Otis Redding on Jingle Jams. I feel like he should have been one of the very first posts. If not for a freak accident, he would probably left behind an even more legendary career. One of my all time favorites from Otis is definitely "Sittin on the Dock of the Bay." Nothing like a great soul song about San Francisco and Otis does it as good as anybody. However, I do not know if that song is fit to be a Jingle Jam.

Instead, we will shift our focus to one of his lesser known, but more appropriate songs. "Hard to Handle" is a perfect depiction of Otis Redding's style. Sadly, he died before it was ever released, so it never really gained much popularity. No download today either, sorry about that, but my computer at home is broken and I can't get the song online.

Listen Now: Otis Redding - Hard to Handle
Otis Redding - Hard to Handle Lyrics

Brenton Wood - Gimme a Little Sign

Back with some Brenton Wood, like I promised. "Gimme a Little Sign" is one of the first songs I heard and it got me right away. Cannot go wrong with this one. It also makes for a pretty good karaoke song, if you ever feel so moved. I wont say much, since you heard all about Brenton Wood back when I put up "Oogum Boogum."

So, without further ado, here is some more Brenton Wood for you.

Listen Now: Brenton Wood - Gimme a Little Sign
Brenton Wood - Gimme a Little Sign Download
Brenton Wood - Gimme a Little Sign Lyrics

Mayer Hawthorne - Green Eyed Love

We are back with Mayer Hawthorne, once again. Last time we brough you "I Wish it Would Rain" which was a rendition of the Temptations original recording, also titled "I Wish it Would Rain." However, this time we are going to go with what got me into Mayer Hawthorne. Just make sure that when you play "Green Eyed Love" that  the lady you are with actually has green eyes.

While I thoroughly enjoy the original version of the song, I cannot help but listen to the Classixx remix every now and again. Take a listen to the "Green Eyed Love - Classixx Remix", it is definitely worth a listen. Another great Classixx and Hawthorne collaboration is "No Strings." If you are not familiar with the Classixx, then you had better acquaint yourself. I heard about them over @ Fine Young Casuals. If you do not follow FYC, then you are a moron. Not everything there is a jingle jam, but it definitely features some of the freshest electronic music out there.

Listen Now: Mayer Hawthorne - Green Eyed Love
Mayer Hawthorne - Green Eyed Love Download
Mayer Hawthorne - Green Eyed Love Lyrics

Bill Withers - Use Me

It is time to bring back Bill Withers. We kicked things off a couple of months back with "Lovely Day", but this time around we are going to go on a slightly different path. At first glance "Use Me" might not come off as a jingle jam. I mean, Bill doesn't go on about wanting to "Spread the news that it feels this good getting used, oh and you just keep on using me until you use me up" for nothing. And hey in the end "It ain't too bad the way you're using me, cause I sure am using you to do the things you do."

Of course, you are all familiar with Bill Withers "Lean On Me" which is easily one of the greatest songs ever written. It ain't a jingle jam, more something you sing with boys . . . and I don't wanna jingle my boys.

Listen Now: Bill Withers - Use Me
Bill Withers - Use Me Download
Bill Withers - Use Me Lyrics

Smokey Robinson - Virgin Man

It has been a while since we got down with some Smokey Robinson. I suppose "Cruisin'" was the last stop. This time we are going to go in a funkier direction. "Virgin Man" opens the door to a side of Smokey that you did not get to see all that often. If the title did not give it away:

"How come people say a lady virgin that's OK
But when the conversation turns around
Virgin Man they always put him down
People say he must be funny
He ain't had a taste of honey"

"Poolboy" will be paying credit to Smokey Robinson when it is released. We used some snippets of "Virgin Man" to create the sound. Stay tuned for updates!

Listen Now: Smokey Robinson - Virgin Man
Smokey Robinson - Virgin Man Download
Smokey Robinson - Virgin Man Lyrics

Johnny "Guitar" Watson - Superman Lover

Time to get down with the funk again. While Johnny "Guitar" Watson made his name recording blues, he was no stranger to soul and funk. In fact, he was a pretty big name in both genres and helped shape the arts. I mean, they do not call you the "Godfather of Funk" for nothing.

This time around we are going to cover one of Watson's first Funk hits and by far my favorite of all his works. "Superman Lover" defined what we today view as the classic funk sound. Funny part is that this song was not released until long after he had already established himself on a variety of other genres. Somehow it still managed to have a large impact.

Apart from a seriously funkified "Superman Lover", Watson had a number of top hits. "Gangster of Love" for one, is a legendary track that you might think belongs to the Steve Miller Band. In actuality, Johnny Watson was the mastermind behind it.

Listen Now: Johnny "Guitar" Watson - Superman Lover
Johnny "Guitar" Watson - Superman Lover Download
Johnny "Guitar" Watson - Superman Lover Lyrics

Robin Thicke - Lost Without You

Robin Thicke puts the white man on the map when it comes to soul and R&B. Think of him as the white running back of the R&B world, if you will. Apart from being a successful producer, Thicke also has an influential career of his own. He has recorded four albums in his own right. His fifth album is scheduled to be released later this year. His impact was truly felt when he released The Evolution of Robin Thicke in 2006. This album featured his biggest hit single in "Lost Without You."

Today we will cover "Lost Without You" - an acoustic ballad performed entirely in falsetto. Even though he recorded and released the song back in 2006, it did not receive much radio play until a few years after the fact. While Thicke did not gain an immediate following, his presence in the industry was felt. As a composer and songwriter, he has been featured by a number of artists, including Pharrell, Lil Wayne and Usher.

After the success of The Evolution of Robin Thicke came Something Else, which was in fact a better album from cover to cover than anything he had done before. The feature single "Magic" was only one of many hits on the album. Along with it came one of my favorites: "Sweetest Love." Off of his latest album, "Sex Therapy" is worth a listen.

Listen Now: Robin Thicke - Lost Without You
Robin Thicke - Lost Without You Download
Robin Thicke - Lost Without You Lyrics

Raphael Saadiq - Stone Rollin'

Raphael Saadiq just released a new single and I figured you guys might want to check it out. Stone Rollin falls in line with the rest of his work, I am sure you will enjoy it.

Listen Now: Raphael Saadiq - Stone Rollin'
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Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry on Their Own

Say what you will about Amy Winehouse and her sex, drug and alcohol problems, but it is hard to deny her talent. And hey, I got to say its kind of sexy . . . just a little bit. Aside from an image that molded the way for the likes of artists like Lady Gaga, Duffy and Adele, Amy Winehouse has one of the most unique voices I have heard in a long time. Mark Ronson does quite a bit of the writing behind the scenes, making for a killer duo with Winehouse.

You might be well acquainted with her hit single "Rehab", but today we are going to dig a bit deeper and get into some of her other music. Don't get me wrong, most men would dream of being able to hit some of the notes she hits in that, but it just ain't gonna cut it for Jingle Jams. Instead, let us look to "Tears Dry on Their Own." Using a sample of Marvin Gaye - Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Winehouse truly kills it on this track.

If you really want to get down with my girl Amy, then check out the entire Back to Black album, it is strong from cover to cover. Name a song on that album and I like it. Everything from "Back to Black" to "Me & Mr. Jones" to "Love is a Losing Game."

Listen Now: Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry on Their Own
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