The Soul Train Music Awards

Last night the Soul Train Music Awards aired on BET, and BET's new network Centric.

Overall I think it was a decent reintroduction. Here is my overall recap.

The Good

Toni Braxton and Trey Songz- Their performance was decent and the kiss was the kicker. Oddly enough I don't think it was a big shock because most people knew about it for weeks when the show was originally recorded. Toni looked fabulous and Trey was looking scrumptious as usual.



TreySongz- He looked good, sounded good, I liked the dancers, and did I say he looked good?



The Boring

K-Ci and JoJo - During the Charlie Wilson tribute, They just looked bad, I heard K-ci grunt a few times and I didnt hear a peep from JoJo

Robin Thicke- I like his music but he doesn't have much stage presence

Ryan Leslie- It seemed like he was singing too low to be heard, the music was alright but his actual vocal performance was much to be desired.

The Favorites


Chrissette Michele- The voice was flawless, facial expressions were somewhat of a distraction but you could tell she was feeling the song


Erykah Badu and Ledisi- During the Chaka Kahn tribute, Hands down they killed it, Fantasia did her signature hollering and Angie Stone decided to let Chaka sing most of her own tribute.




If you havent caught it, I'm sure it will re-air. The only awards I remember were Beyonce winning for Best Album of the year and Keri Hilson winning for Best New Artist and Best Collaboration with Ne-Yo and Kanye West for Knock You Down.

Silky Soul Music (The Highlights)

Silky Soul Music, the album that is a tribute to the Legendary band Frankie Beverly and Maze, by some of soul music's artists right now.


SilkySoulMusic by Musiq Soulchild- Musiq opens up the album with this jazzy tune. His own tribute to Frankie Beverly and Maze. There was a man I knew, who was smooth as smooth can be, His music, His smile and his sweet, sweet melody.

We Are One by Raheem Devaughn- Frankie and Beverly's socially consciense song about how we are connected covered by D.C's own Raheem Devaughn. Genius!

Can't Get Over You by Joe- The perfect song for Joe's silky and smooth voice. His rendition is spot on, check out the vid.



Before I Let Go by Mary J. Blige- You can't mention Frankie Beverly and Maze without mentioning this song and Mary does the fellas proud.

Happy Feelings by Ledisi- Soul singer Ledisi's strong and beautiful voice cover of this original is definetly gonna give you Happy Feelings

Never Let You Down by Kevon Edmonds- BabyFace Edmond's baby brother and former member of the group Milestone, uses his signature tenor voice to sing yet another smooth remake by the legendary band.

If you havent already, definetly check out this album. This is for all those who appreciate REAL singers, Soul Music or die-hard fans of Frankie Beverly and Maze.
Enjoy!

Album Review (Transition)

31 year old Ryan Leslie has released his 2nd album titled, Transition.

The mind and music behind Cassie's debut single Me&U. Ryan has written and produced a number of artists throughout his career such as Danity Kane and Britney Spears.

For this album he wrote, arranged, produced and engineered the entire project.

Rumor has it that this entire album was inspired by a lady whom Leslie met during a rehearsal for his showcase at New York's S.O.B.'s. They went on to have a relationship during the summer of 2009, which the album tells the story of.

Now to the Highlights!

Never Gonna Break Up - A jazzy 70's inspired beat is the backup for this catchy song. Ryan speaks of losing the one he loves but vows to find the right one next time around. "I just want a girl that looks good with no makeup and when I find her I promise we're Never Gonna Break Up"


You're Not My Girl- Ryan's first single off of the album. A quick dance number where Ryan tries to convince a girl to go along with all the routines of a girlfriend and yet never allow herself to be claimed as such. "You can call my phone, you can swing over my place, on your nights alone you can come over my place, if he treats you wrong let me give it you my way, Just remember that You're Not My Girl


Guardian Angel- (My personal favorite) a sweet mid tempo song. Ryan has found his guardian angel in the woman he loves. "This isnt make believe, You found your way to me, and now, You deserve angel wings of that I'm certain"


Rescue U -(A track from the Deluxe Edition of the album)Smooth, jazzy, chill type music. Ryan croons over the track that he's coming through to rescue his woman and let her forget about her troubles. "Slowly unlock your heart, show me the way, to make it right, Baby I'm coming, said I'm coming through to Rescue U"


Promise Not 2 Call-(Another track from the Deluxe Edition) Catchy smooth midtempo track where Ryan decides to call it quits and makes a promise not to call as long as she doesnt call. "I promise not to call you if you dont call me baby it's alright, I promise I wont, I think its better if we dont, I wont call you no more if you dont call me no more, Lets make that promise and maybe we can move on girl"

Album Review (Attention Deficit)

For all those that think Hip-Hop is dead, take a listen to Wale's AttentionDeficit and be delivered. Think a mixture of Kanye West, The Roots and Talib Kweli. Much like these artists, the D.C. native has an identity all his own. Tackling such subjects as color complexes in the Black community, low self esteem, and reviving Hip-Hop. Wale teeters the line between being a bragadocious rapper and a Hip-Hop Dr. Phil

Now on to the Highlights!

Mama Told Me- Leading the song with; "Sorry Hip Hop it took me so long to get on but so long that I'm on it, It's On!" Sampling Summer Madness by Kool and the Gang with a smooth jazzy flow, Wale raps about being in the game, the highs and the lows. "Mama Told Me it'd be days like but I aint never ever think it'd be a day like this"

Diary feat Marsha Ambrosius (of Floetry) - A track that sounds a lot like a lullaby Wale speaks to a lady who has his heart but guards her own, because of pain she's experienced in the past. "Queen you deserve the title, but she rejects what I give, while she nurse the wounds by them."


Beautiful Bliss feat J.Cole and Melanie Fiona- Trumpet sounds in the background while the honey sweet voice of Melanie Fiona riffs over the track topped off by a beast of a verse from Fayetville's own J.Cole. Wale's Beautiful Bliss...seeing his time come in the Hip-Hop game. "Babe you know it gets know better than this, its like sunshine on a rainy day its like a high could you take me away, take me away, away, It's a Beautiful Bliss"


Shades feat Chrisette Michele - "From a light skinned girl, to a dark skinned brother, Shade doesnt matter, heart makes the Lover" Wale speaks of his own battle with his complexion, how it shaped his relationships with women and himself. While Chrisette Michele holds down the hook.


Prescription - "Here go your prescription" Wale offering his own brand of Hip-Hop medicine, over a breezy flute driven background. Thank you Wale, I feel better already.

Attention Deficit is in stores now and available on Itunes.

If you dont have it, get it!