Song of the Day: Mint Condition "You Don't Have To Hurt No More"

Legendary band Mint Condition released this slow jam as the second single of one of their top-selling albums, Definition of a Band back in 1997. One of my favs by them (so hard to choose), this song was written by then band member, Keri Lewis.

They are currently on tour and I CANNOT WAIT to finally see them live after all these years!!! Like it was stated during their TvOne Unsung documentary, they are the last great R&B band that we have. It's amazing and phenomenal that they stayed together all these years. Love them!

Song of the Day: Teena Marie "Out on A Limb"

This is one of my favorite jams from the late Teena "Lady T" Marie. The song is from her 1984 album, Starchild. Sadly, Lady T, passed the day after Christmas over two years ago at 54. Her daughter, Alia Rose, stated that her mom's final album will be released this year. The album is entitled Beautiful and is to be released on January 15th.

Song of the Day: Freddie Jackson "At Christmas"

Keeping up with the Christmas theme, I decided to post another holiday favorite. I abolutely love "At Christmas" by 80s R&B singer, Freddie Jackson. He sings of giving, sharing, and family--what the holidays are all about during Christmas.

This song was featured on This Christmas with Freddie Jackson in 1998. If you don't have this album in your collection, go out and cop it now. Enjoy!

Song of the Day: Hi-Five "I Like The Way (Kissing Game)

I absolutely LOVED this song growing up! Produced by super-producer Teddy Riley, this song from their self-titled debut album went #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. Other marginal hits from them included She's Playing Hard To Get, Can't Wait Another Minute and Just Can't Handle It.

I was saddened to read about the death of lead singer, Tony Thompson, 2007. I had a little crush on him as a kid much like other little girls. The sweet innocence of this song reminds me of a time when R&B singers could sing about love and relationships without everything being so vulgar and crass. It also reminds me of a time when R&B male groups were in full effect—Troop, Boyz II Men, Shai, New Edition, ABC, Tony Toni Tone!, H-Town, and more. Though their success was short lived, I Like The Way (The Kissing Game)still gets airplay and is always rocking on my playlist. Enjoy!

SONG OF THE DAY: Glover Washington, Jr. & Bill Withers "Just The Two of Us"

It's no secret that I'm an old school music head. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, old school R&B music. "Just The Two of Us" is one of my absolute favorite songs. It's a soul and jazz classic and what you call timeless music.  Sung and co-written by Bill Withers, the song originally appeared on saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr.'s 1981 album, Winelight, the song went on to win a Grammy for Best R&B Song. "Just The Two of Us" has also been covered and sampled by artists like Regina Belle and Will Smith. Enjoy!

Song of the Day: Kevon Edmonds "24/7"

OMG...do you remember this song??? I was in 8th grade when this song was released in 1999 and I LOVED it immediately. It had been a while since Kevon Edmonds had been on the scene since his After 7 days and he came in with a bang. I remember trying listening to this song on the radio and would stop everything I was doing and sing along, thinking about the special love I'd have in my life someday. Also that was during the days when the BOX (remember that)? was still around lol.

He followed up this single with "No Love" and didn't release any more music until perhaps a couple of years ago, which failed to make an impact in this age of bubblegum music. He is still one of my favorite male singers and I hope to hear new music from him soon. This song will forever hold sweet memories for me. Enjoy!

Song of the Day: Marvin Gaye "Come Live With Me Angel"

In honor of  the late singer/songwriter/composer Marvin Gaye's birthday, I'm posting one of my favorite songs by him from his classic 1976 album I Want You. Gaye was born on April 2, 1939 and died on April 1, 1984--one day before his 45th birthday after a heated argument with his father, who shot him dead...

Song of The Day: Kut Klose "I Like"

I know y'all remember this jam right here! Kut Klose is one of my favorite female R&B groups from the 90s. I know I say that about a lot of groups, but we had sooo many talented groups to listen to back in the day. "I Like" is one of their most-known singles from their only album, Surrender, that was released in 1995 and is an R&B classic. "I Like" sampled Patrice Rushen's "Remind Me" and was their only single to become a Top-40 hit. This sexy song is definitely on my list of favorite bedroom jams.

We haven't heard much from the trio since their feature on Keith Sweat's "Twisted" in 1996. They are supposedly working on a new album and released the single, "Let It Ring" via iTunes in 2010. Hopefully we'll be hearing new music from Athena, Tabitha, and Lavonn soon. I'm still playing Surrender like it just came out lol. Here's a more recent pic of the gorgeous trio below.

Throwback: Jade "Don't Walk Away" [VIDEO]

Remember during the nineties when there were a plethora of R&B female groups? From En Vogue to Brownstone, Xscape to Total, and  Zhane to Changing Faces? There was definitely girl power going on back in the day, but somehow a lot of these groups disappeared, like Jade for instance. Consisting of members Joi Marshall, Di Reed, and Tonya Kelly,  they burst on the scene in 1992 with "I Wanna Love You" that became popular courtesy of the Class Act soundtrack. They followed up with their biggest hit  "Don't Walk Away" from their debut album, Jade To The Max. The single reached #2 on the R&B charts and eventually went gold. They continued to put out a few more R&B jams and sold over 1.5 million albums, but like many other groups from the nineties, they eventually faded to black.

"Don't Walk Away" is still my jam! That first album, This video is sooo "90s" with everything from doo-doo braids, Jodeci boots, and plaid over-sized shirts. I loved these ladies because they could all sing. "Looking For Mr. Do Right" still gets heavy play from me as well. Songs like these make me miss the nineties. So much good R&B was being released back then. Don't you agree?

Song of The Day: Stevie Wonder "I Go Sailing"

I was six years in old in 1991 when Spike Lee's Jungle Fever was released, but I remember the impact of the soundtrack recorded by Stevie Wonder released through Motown. Most likely because I awoke almost every morning for weeks (courtesy of my dad) to the sounds of Wonder's hits "Gotta Have You", "These Three Words", and of course "I Go Sailing". I can still remember hearing the chorus to "Gotta Have You" in my dreams lol. That was during the last days of vinyl, middle ages of cassettes, and earlier years of CDs.

The 22-time Grammy-Award winning singer/songwriter had achieved prior success for recording the soundtrack to the movie, The Woman In Red, which earning him an Academy Award for Best Original Song for his song "I Just Called To Say I Love You". Although, he did not receive one for this album, it was #1 on the R&B charts when it was released for two weeks and is easily listed as one of my favorite soundtracks of all time. I'll be posting my complete list soon, but in the meantime, take a moment to listen and enjoy this melodic classic.

Song of the Day: Phyllis Hyman "Living In Confusion"

I loved listening to the late singer/actress Phyllis Hyman's sultry voice as a kid despite a lot of her songs sounded sad, especially in her later albums. "Living In Confusion" is from her best-selling album, Prime of My Life, released in 1991. This album was her biggest to date and also spun other hits such as "Don't Wanna Change The World" and "When You Get Right Down To It". She is also known for her duets with Norman Connors particularly their rendition of "Betcha, By Golly Wow".

Song of the Day: Case "Touch Me, Tease Me" ft/ Foxy Brown

You can't be a fan of R&B if you don't remember this jam by R&B singer, Case. His career took off with this hot single from the Nutty Professor soundtrack and from his self-titled debut album release in 1996. This was definitely a club banger (I was only 10 at the time but my older cousins said it was) and is nestled safely on a lot of fans top lovemaking songs.

"Touch Me, Tease Me" features Mary J. Blige on the background vocals and rapper Foxy Brown. The single reached #4 on the R&B charts and #14 on the Hot 100. This was definitely from the last golden era of R&B and is helped usher in what is now called Hip Hip & R&B era.  Enjoy

Song of the Day: Isley Brothers "For The Love of You"

Aaaaaww yeah! As soon as you hear the first seconds of this song, you can't help but sway from side to side. If you don't have "For The Love of You (Part 1 & 2)" on your romantic songs playlist somewhere, you are clearly losing. This 1975 classic  takes you back to the quiet storm days--before the "Hip Hop & R&B" music that we have out now.

"For The Love of You" has been sampled and covered by multiple artists that has included Whitney Houston, Regina Belle, Tupac, Boyz II Men, and Joss Stone. It has also appeared in numerous TV shows, movies, and commercials and is considered a R&B favorite by many. Enjoy!

Song of The Day: Vanessa Williams "Dreamin"

This was and probably always will be one of my favorite records by singer/actress Vanessa Williams. "Dreamin" was released in 1988 and was from her debut album, The Right Stuff. It also became Williams first #1 hit on the R&B charts.  I can remember my mom playing this song in the car before dropping me off at the daycare on her way to work.

Song of the Day: Troop 'I Will Always Love You"

I was trying to think of a song to post in honor of Valentine's Day and couldn't think of a particular one since there are so many! For some reason this hit by 80s R&B group, Troop, came to me.  I loved this song and there whole Attitude album along with their other hits "Spread My Wings" and their cover of The Jackson's "All I Do I Think of You." This song takes you back to that puppy and high school love. Listen and enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Song of The Day!

The Bad Boys of R&B aka Jodeci won the hearts of girls and women everywhere with this #1 title track of their debut album, Forever My Lady. Guys were dedicating this songs to their crushes, girlfriends, and wives back in 1991. The album went on to sell over 3 million albums and spun three #1 hits.

Song of The Day!

This is a classic song by rock & pop legend, Prince and the New Power Generation. Although this was the lowest charting song from the 1992 album, Love Symbol, it's one of my favorites. This is one of those songs that makes you go, damn! It's one of those rare slow jams that really showcases his diverse singing/performance styles.  I actually had never seen the video until today, so I'm tripping off Prince's finger waves (gotta love the 90s). Prince is such a diva and I love it lol. Enjoy!

Song of The Day!

Classic song from Brian McKnight's self-titled first album circa 1991. Ooo that man can sang! Enjoy!

Song of the Day!

New single for legendary singer/songwriter Roberta Flack called "We Can Work It Out" released last year November. Originally released by The Beatles, it's off her upcoming album (date TBA) entitled Let It Be--Roberta Flack Singing The Beatles which will be her interpretations of some of their classic hits. At 74 years old, the singer most known for her hit, "Killing Me Softly" is still out here doing it!

Song of The Day!

Here's a R&B classic from the legendary soul singer, Al Green. "Let's Stay Together" is one of Al Green's most notable singles. This love song was #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 and R&B charts back in 1971 from the album with the same name and is still thriving today.

"Let's Stay Together" is probably one of the most sampled and covered songs in the history of R&B. It's been covered by Roberta Flack, Margie Joseph, Tina Turner, Boyz II Men, Donny Osmond, Michael Bolton, Issac Hayes, Robin Thicke and several others. It has also been featured in numerous commercials, TV shows, and movies. It has also been named one of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time by Rolling Stones.

From the first chords of this song, to the last adlibs, you can't help but tap your foot, dance or sing along. I wonder if he knew how big of a hit he was actually recording when he was in the studio back in the 70s. I love good music.