Happy New Year!

Peace & blessings for the New Year.....

Merry Christmas

In the Christmas spirit, I recorded one of my favorite Chrismas songs......Take a listen.

Lou Rawls

Lou Rawls is perhaps the quintessential R&B artist. Although he is probably most remembered for his time with Philly International, Lou was an established artist long before he found wide fame and acceptance with Gamble and Huff. See his full history Lou Rawls Bio
I didn't know that he had a 4 octave range, wow. I think of him as a superb baritone who's phrasing and legendary sound is immediately recognized and is unsurpassed in the music industry.
This is a song that I absolutely love "Your Good Thing" Listen to the pathos and earnestness that Lou conveys.


If you would like to hear it on your computer Click here

Smooth Soul

The loss of true baritone singing bothers me, the loss of true smooth R&B irritates me. So I'm on a mission to point out to these musically deprived young-ins what good music is all about.
Miles Jaye is perhaps one of the last of the recent gifted baritones (with the exception of Will Downing), this cut is from the very hard, but now very expensive HERE to find CD entitled "Irresistible". This was released in 1989 just before the rise of melisma-crazed,nasal singing became the norm. but I digress, Enjoy the sound of smooth R&B!!





If you would like to listen to this on your computer Click here

Pieces of my Past

I have been ripping my old albums and have rediscovered one of my favorite songs. Gil-Scott Heron was really one of the pioneers of what we call "rap" since a lot of people know him from the classic " The Revolution Will Not Be Televised".
Gil was also an accomplished musician and often collaborated with pianist "Brian Jackson". Together they made some classic Jazz/blues/R&B music. This is one of my favs.
Take a listen to the melancholy baritone of Gil-Scott and Brian (on the keyboard) as they capture frustrations of a man that could clearly be here and now. This was released 1971.



If you would like to listen on your computer here

On a side note John legend's voice reminds me of Gil-Scott, what do you think?

Summer Swim

It is 100 degrees and the heat index is at 115....time to take a Summer Swim

Classic songs From Gua'sVault

I have collaborated with my good Friend "Raggedy" Check out her blog Raggedy's Soul Blog
This is a compilation of some classic but rare R&B songs that I put together for her blog. Take a listen and by all means follow her blog to hear rare and classic, what I call, R&B from artist that in some cases are not well known.
Gua's Vault

At The Beach

Okay, so I'm at the beach feeling nostalgic so I decided to do this.

Remembering Ali-Ollie Woodson

Ali Woodson, it could be argued, was perhaps the best lead singer ever to sing with the Temptations. That is how good he was!!! He may have not been the best but he was definitely one of the best ranking with David Ruffin and Dennis Edwards.
Mr Woodson was called home May 30, 2010. May he rest in peace.

Domestic/Ecological Terror - The Oil Spill

Who would have thought that the US would have to be more concerned by the domestic terrorism of corrupt companies such as BP. Clearly their quest for oil/dollars is why we are now suffering the greatest domestic ecological disaster in our history.
President Obama's presidency is now threatened by perceived lack of clear response to this catastrophe. A failed attempt
Here again the lack of ethical standards seduced & subverted by the pursuit of the bottom line has caused the worst oil spill in our short-lived history. Worst Ecological Disaster
Of course this follows the near collapse of Wall street and corrupt banks and traders....."Domestic terrorism" aka "corrupt corporate culture" seduced by "Greed", consequences be damned!! Shareholder value and increased bottom line is the only mantra that is followed, hence here we are; oil spill, no jobs, two wars and and teabaggers.....a recipe for "Domestic Terror"

Gil-Scott Heron

Gil-Scott(The Revolution Will Not Be Televised) has a new Cd out called "Im New Here".....Check it out...........">