Media Junkie NYC

Always Shine - Robert Glasper feat. Lupe Fiasco + Bilal on Letterman

Happy Birthday Marvin!

Today Marvin Gaye (born Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr.) would have been 73 years old.

Happy Birthday to him and to everyone else celebrating a birthday today!

 

Esperanza Spalding - "Black Gold"

I love Esperanza Spalding and I love this video!

 

Ruben Studdard Sings with Brian McKnight

I remember watching this episode of the Brian McKnight Show. I'm still confused about what's going on with the audio, as the voices seem to sync well but the keyboard sounds off.

Anyhow...great voices and I'm a huge fan of B-Mac. Enjoy.

 

President Obama Sings Al Green!

Gotta love this!!

 

Mary J. Blige feat Jah Cure - "Each Tear" Remix

I haven't been a huge Mary fan lately. "What's the 411?" "My Life" and "Share My World" were her best albums to me. Nothing of hers has really moved me since then. So when I recently supported my local "culture CD salesman" I was happy to hear this tune - although a remix.

Its actually the song "Each Tear" as heard on the "Stronger With Each Tear" album remixed with a verse by Jah Cure. Just had to keep playing it. Let me know if you like.

[PLAY/DOWNLOAD] 
Source: dancehallusa.com 

Love (a Valentine's Day post)

Saint Valentine's Day (commonly shortened to Valentine's Day) is an annual holiday held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The holiday is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine and was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). The holiday first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished -- from WIkipedia

I've never been one to get into the whole V-Day thing. I don't quite get the whole idea of it all; showing your proposed love by giving cards and gifts on one identified day of the year. It just seems a bit forced to me, and unauthentic. But if you have a Valentine today, I hope you're enjoying and making the best of it.

Leaving you with a couple of songs that come to mind on this day.

Phyllis Hyman - What You Won't Do For Love

If you've been reading my blog for awhile you may know that I absolutely adore Phyllis Hyman. She had a magnetic personality, a superb voice and lots of class. Every time I see a video I miss her more. Anyhow, here's something for you from one of the best to ever do it...

Brandy Showing She Still Has It

Here's a video of Brandy showing that the still has the voice...but not the correct lyrics. Nice of her to post anyway. I've got to say, I'm impressed...a little.

Phyllis Hyman

So I was in NOHO on Sunday to catch the movie "The Cove" (www.thecovemovie.com) at the Angelika. After the GREAT movie, I turned down Broadway and saw a man selling DVD copies of live concerts. That being one of my favorite pastimes (attending mostly) I began to scan through his collection. FIxed my eyes on Steely Dan and then the incomparable Phyllis Hyman Live at the Blue Note Tokyo. I had to have it. When dude opened the case and popped in the DVD for me to view, Phyllis was NOT on the screen. It was Sly Stone I believe. I walked away deflated but with the promise that he would get the correct version for me during the week.

I gave him a day and returned on Tuesday (yesterday) to get but, again, disappointment. His mental note disintegrated and did not come through for me. He promised he would make good on his error and pulled out a paper to make a literal, physical note.

I returned today and he greeted me with a smile and pulled the case with DVD from under his table. As he played the DVD I grinned like it was my first Christmas....ever.

Phyllis did it like no other. I got a little emotional as I watched her perform live, remembering when I saw her perform in Merrillville, Indiana in the very early 90s. Such talent. Such personality. Such grace. Such a waste. I miss her to this day.

Here's a clip from the DVD. Take it in.

 

"Old Friend"