traditional dress from indonesia: 2011

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Live Video of the Day: "Why Can't We" (Asa)

A few years ago, a friend of mine from college Mo put me up on Asa and ever since I heard her self-titled debut album "Asa," I've been a fan of hers. Her smooth and soulful alto vocals are extremely refreshing in the era of autotune and her acoustic laced sound is very infectious. With that in mind, peep Asa performing "Why Can't We," which is lifted from her sophomore album "Beautiful Imperfections." Watch her coo out a sublime rendition of this joint and Enjoy!

Song of the Day: "Think" (Aretha Franklin)

"Rock Steady" - Aretha Franklin

Writers: Aretha Franklin
Producers: Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin, Jerry Wexler
Record Label: Atlantic
Released in 1971 from Young, Gifted, and Black
Peaked at #9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles

New Joint: "Hurt People" (Lil' Eddie)

Lil' Eddie is back with another new joint and this time it is the piano ballad "Hurt People." While no information has hit about his forthcoming project, it's refreshing to hear the crooning working on different styles for his forthcoming release. With that said, listen below to "Hurt People" and Enjoy!

Second Listen: "Fake" (Alexander O'Neal)

Back in 1987, Alexander O'Neal released his biggest hits to date which was the infectious thumping joint "Fake." Peaking at number one on the R&B charts"Fake," which was produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis helped spur sales of O'Neal's sophomore album "Hearsay" and would make him an international star. With that said, take a listen to the old-school jam "Fake" from Alexander O'Neal and Enjoy!

Live Audio: "Superstar" (Luther Vandross)

If there is ever one live audio recording that I will cherish forever, it would have to be Luther Vandross' nearly 13 minute soulful opus of his take on the classic "Superstar." Lifted from his 2003 live album "Live at Radio City," Luther lets both his band and background vocalists shine on this gem while his voice commands centerstage. This is my favorite cut from the album, though his illustrious takes on his other songs give it a running for it's money. With that said, sit back and let Luther's warm tenor take you to that place!

New Joint: "Say Its So" (Mateo)

Mateo is hard at work working with Kerry "Krucial" Brothers on his forthcoming project and the duo have decided to rework Mateo's joint "Say Its So" for the upcoming effort. Below you will find the older version of this new joint, but if you like what you hear, head on over to iTunes and get the reworked version that Krucial produced alongside Mateo. Listen below and Enjoy!

Live Clip: "Heaven" (Emeli Sande)

UK singer/songwriter Emeli Sande is making her way in the UK with her forthcoming debut album "Our Version Of Events" and just the other night, the songstress took to "Later with Jools Holland" to perform her hit single "Heaven." While Emeli isn't busy prepping and promoting her forthcoming release, she's been staying busy by becoming a go to songwriter for Simon Cowell and it's rumored that she has several tracks on both Leona Lewis and UK X-Factor finalist Cher Lloyd's upcoming releases. Either way it pans out, it seems as though Emeli is on track for a breakout 2012!

New Video: "Picture Perfect" (Eric Roberson featuring Phonte)

Eric Roberson's joint "Picture Perfect," which features Phonte has finally gotten the visual treatment. While the single dropped earlier in the summer, it's nice to see that an official video has been put together by director Derrick Savage. With that said, check out the black and white visual below and lookout for Eric's forthcoming album this fall!

Amazing Cover: "Use Somebody" (Loick Essien)

Artist on the rise Loick Essien has dropped another solid cover to youtube and this time it is of the Kings of Leon joint "Use Somebody." While I think he overdid it on the vocal runs a bit, he offers up a nice take on "Use Somebody" and he definitely has some vocal shops on him. Watch his cover below and Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Interview: Melanie Fiona

Melanie Fiona recently caught up with A-J-A after one of her performance on the Heineken x Roc Nation Red Star Access tour that she is currently on promoting her forthcoming album "The MF Life." During their interview, Melanie talked about performing,the latest music, her fashion sense, and so much more. Peep the fun interview below and lookout for her forthcoming release later this fall!

Live Video of the Day: "I Am" (Mary J. Blige)

One of my favorite joints from Mary J. Blige's last studio album "Strong With Each Tear" was his thumping smooth joint "I Am." While it was released as a single and did rather well, in my opinion, it is one of her best joints in the last few years. With that said, peep her performance of "I Am" below and Enjoy!

Can I Possible Smash Any More News Into ONE Blog Post...

Happy Thursday All,

Wow! I know I've been very silent lately. We've been battling infections--we thought they were allergies but turned into infections. I've been on an antibiotic for about 2-3 days now and offspring is going on an antibiotic and husband is trying to keep sore throat from needing to go to the doctor. Life is far from boring.

NEW THING-- I am on Twitter now. Yep, I finally decided to just go ahead. I'm still trying to find my way...but you can find me on there @WriteBethanyBethany --profile has a pretty purple background (very fantasy looking, kinda romantic, so I thought it worked. Don't have a background of my own to load up at this point). The Twitter Feed can be found in the right hand margin of my blog.

I'm prepping for the Lone Star Conference--yes it's right around the corner--October 15, 2011--but there is still time to sign up to go! Beadmore Designs and authors Tess St. John (Adult Romantic Suspense, Historical and Mystery), Téa Trelawny (Adult Erotic Romance) and Christie Craig (Adult Contemporary Romance), are teaming up with me to donate a prize basket for the Conference. You won't know details unless you come. Plus there's keynote speaker Alexandra Sokoloff, 3 agents and an editor coming! This is going to be a really fun conference. It's my third year going and I've had fun at the other two.

What's going on with you?

Have A Terrific Thursday!

Song of the Day: "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)" (Marvin Gaye)

"Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)" - Marvin Gaye

Writers: Marvin Gaye and James Nyx, Jr.
Producers: Marvin Gaye
Record Label: Tamla
"Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)" was released in 1971 from What's Going On.
It reached #9 on the U.S. Billboard Pop Singles and #1 on Billboard's R&B Charts.

Second Listen: "Flyin' High ( In The Friendly Sky)" (Marvin Gaye)

Since this year marks' the 40th aniversary of Marvin Gaye's monumental and groundbreaking concept album " What's Going On," it's important for those less familiar with the album to get familiar with the album past its title track. With that said, take a first listen, or second listen to Gaye's classic "Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky)." Listen below and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Marvin's Room" (JoJo)

RapUpTV caught up with JoJo during her co-headlining tour with Jay Sean and Joe Jonas yesterday at LA's House of Blues. During her set, the songstress let into her phenomenal cover of Drake's "Marvin's Room." While her forthcoming third album "Jumping Trains" has been delayed until 2012, JoJo continues to create buzz and anticipation for her upcoming release. With that said, peep her sublime cover below and Enjoy!

New Joint: "Enough Thunder" (James Blake)

James Blake has just recently premiered the title track from his forthcoming EP "Enough Thunder" from a live session on KCRW just a few days ago. While the EP won't hit the net until October 10th, Blake gave listeners a taste of "Enough Thunder" with this piano ballad. Take a listen below and Enjoy!

New Video: "Good One" (Glenn Lewis)

I first heard Glenn Lewis' "Good One" back in 2010 and since i hadn't heard anything else from the single I though that Lewis and his team had abandoned the single and/or project. Luckily for fans of Lewis, he has just dropped the official visual for "Good One" and while the video is pretty standard, it's nice to hear and see Lewis back on the scene. Watch the official visual below and Enjoy!

Apparel Dynasty Giveaway

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Album in the Works: "Twenty" (Boyz II Men)

As the October 25th release date of Boyz II Men's forthcoming 20th anniversary LP "Twenty" looms closer, the Grammy winning group have just released the official tracklisting of the forthcoming effort that contains 11 new joints from the group as well as 10 updated, versions of some of their classics . With that said check out the official tracklisting below as well as the just released album cover above.

1. Believe
2. So Amazing
3. Put Some Music On
4. Slowly
5. More Than You’ll Ever Know feat. Charlie Wilson
6. I Shoulda Lied
7. Benefit of a Fool
8. Refuse to Be the Reason
9. One More Dance
10. Will You Be There
11. Flow
12. One Up for Love
13. Motownphilly
14. On Bended Knee
15. Four Seasons of Loneliness
16. Water Runs Dry
17. A Song for Mama
18. It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday
19. I’ll Make Love to You
20. End of the Road
21. Not Like You

Live Audio: "All The Man That I Need" (Whitney Houston)

Back in 1993 Houston had a concert stop in Kolding, Denmark and she blew the roof off of the venue with the phenomenal live rendition of her classic "All The Man That I Need." While the audio recording isn't crystal clear, you can hear Whitney in all of her shinning glory hitting the highest of high notes and the lowest of lows. Listen below to this sublime live rendition of "All The Man That I Need" and revel in The Voice during her golden era!

New Joint: "Children (Keep On Singing)" (VV Brown & Chiddy)

VV Brown is back with a new joint entitled "Children (Keep On Singing)," which is lifted as the first official single from her forthcoming sophomore album. Featuring a solid beat and some strong vocals from Brown, the song also boasts a collaboration with Chiddy who drops a verse towards the end of the joint. With that said, take a listen below to "Children Keep On Singing)" below and lookout for VV Brown's forthcoming album later this year or early on in 2012!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Live Video of the Day: "Not Gon' Cry" (Mary J. Blige)

Back at the 1997 Grammy Awards, Mary J. Blige took part in the "Waiting to Exhale" medley that included the likes of Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Brandy, and CeCe Winans to name a few. During her segment in the medley, Blige performed her heartfelt jam and current classic "Not Gon' Cry" and you can peep it all go down below!

Album in the Works: Keyshia Cole

R&B songstress Keyshia Cole is hard at work on her followup to 2010's "Calling All Hearts." Though no specifics have been given about the album, Cole revealed on twitter that she is hard at work on her forthcoming effort and that she has pegged February 2012 as the release date for her upcoming fifth studio album. As time draws closer to the release date, I am sure more specifics will be given. In the meantime lookout for a single possible before the end of 2011.

Song of the Day: "Rock Steady" (The Whispers)

"Rock Steady" - The Whispers

Writers: Kenneth Edmonds, Bo Watson, Antonio Reid, Dwayne Ladd
Producers: L.A. Reid, Babyface
Record Label: SOLAR
Released in 1987 from "Just Gets Better with Time"
Peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

Behind the Scenes: "Vitamin Water Olympic Ambassador Shoot" (Jessie J)

Jessie J takes us behind the scenes of her recent Vitamin Water photo shoot which is a part of a campaign by the company for the 2012 Olympics. Being the breakout star in the UK this past year, Jessie J is a perfect choice for Vitamin Water and you can watch the shoot go down below!

Free Ground Shipping from Star Costumes

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New Video: "Stay" (Tyrese)

All things seem to be going Tyrese's way with a successful film this summer, a smash hit relationship book, as well as now a hit single "Stay." Below you will find the official visual for the joint that was released earlier on today. As mentioned in a prior post, the video re-teams Taraji and Tyrese 10 years after their cult hit "Baby Boy." With that said, peep the visual below and Enjoy!

Support Breast Cancer Awareness with Reba Footwear

Reba Footwear by legendary country music artist Reba McEntire and Susan G. Komen for the Cure® raise awareness and support for women diagnosed with the disease. In partnership with Reba Footwear, Brown Shoe Company has pledged $20,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® with sales from the limited-edition “Collins” Cowboy Boots ($179.99 at Dillards).

The “Collins” Cowboy Boots feature a blend of dusty rose and hot pink, burnished leather embellishments and a Western wingtip snip toe.

Second Listen: "... Til The Cops Come Knockin'" (Maxwell)

Back in 1996, Maxwell dropped "Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite," and one of the cuts from the album is the grown and sexy anthem "... Til The Cops Come Knockin'." In true grown and sexy fashion, Maxwell doesn't limit himself to simply describing what he wants to do as a lot of his younger counterparts still do today, instead Maxwell set the mood and just let it rip. With that said, take a second listen to "... Til The Cops Come Knockin'" below and Enjoy!

Carolee Hosts Online Chat with Janie Bryant

LordandTaylor.com and leading fashion jewelry company CAROLEE will host a live chat with MAD MEN Costume Designer Janie Bryant on Wednesday, September 21st from noon to 1 PM Eastern Time at LordandTaylor.com. Janie will answer fashion and jewelry questions and help women learn "How to become your own leading lady!" That day only, an autographed copy of Janie's best-selling book THE FASHION FILE Advice, Tips and Inspiration from the Costume Designer of MAD MEN will be a gift with a $100 CAROLEE purchase, and a jeweled compact mirror will be a gift with any CAROLEE online purchase at LordandTaylor.com (while supplies last.)