A bridge-the-gap CD like Back To Now has the power to get our families talking again, and actually enjoying it. Try it out, what could you lose? An evening out of your life with your family that might be overdue anyway. 

Labelle is still scorching, ladies and gentlemen!!! Back To Now has been missing on the music scene long before its release. The lyrics are spontaneously thoughtful, imaginative, and theatrical. Production and music authentically paint elaborate stage sceneries that seem to come to life and perform with the ladies. The vocals of Back To Now blend like listening to three sisters talk and finish each other's sentences instantly changing the perspective of the stories. Nona Hendricks, Patti LaBelle, and Sarah Dash are not three Divas fighting for the spotlight, they give you full harmony with appropriately placed attitude and emotion. All key elements that make this reminiscently modern release so much more enjoyable than the heavily engineered and produced groups hitting the airwaves. This music has purpose, heart, and most of all ... soul!!

Listen Now to "Roll Out" by LaBelle

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I especially commend Robin on the instrumentation used on this album. Real saxophones and horns and real baselines plucked to perfection.

Can you tell I have missed the full band sound in music these days? There are times when I have listened to this CD and felt like I was at a live concert. Robin Thicke exhibits such exquisite composing and writing abilities on each track. This "Brotha" (yes I said it), is bearing it all for us to know who he is and how bad he is wanting his music to be heard and understood. Something Else has that old-school feel with a bit of something new for the youngsters to get with.

Like a good novel, Something Else caught my attention in the first four songs with its Marvin Gaye meets McFadden and Whitehead sound. Easy flowing rhythms with light strings accompanied by the soulful falsetto breeze of Robin's voice on the tracks, "You're My Baby" and "Ms. Harmony," feel like walking barefoot on new plush carpet. The albums first single "Magic," is a moving discoesque track that gets the shoulders and hips moving to its beat. Don't be shocked if you find yourself smiling while you dance around your living room or in your car, that is what Something Else is all about. I know that I can be a bit biased at times, so I tried this one out with a group of older friends and then a group and younger friends and the end result was the same. We all had a really good time talking and there were smiles all around the room those that were in love smooched during the ballads while others were reminiscing and dancing on the uptempo tracks. I guess I spent too much time working in a laboratory, I'm experimenting on my friends now.

One track that really caught my attention and made me think and sometimes put my head down in shame, was the last track, "Tie My Hands." This collaboration of Lil Wayne and Robin Thicke was so well meshed that one can not help but get the overall message in the song. I have such a respect for Lil Wayne now. There is no flash in this song or unnecessary carrying on, just and well-laid background with much food for thought. I am not one to get too caught up in political discussions, because there are too many opinions clouding up the truth. I will say that if you are going to vote for our next President (which I recommend doing no matter which side you are voting for), take a listen to this song. "Tie My Hands" gives the perspective of a public figure who had to deal with the tragedy of New Orleans and fall-out that resulted.

Overall Something Else is a colorful trip into the heart and soul of Robin Thicke and I like where it takes me. Check it out for yourself, I'm sure you will not be disappointed

Listen Now to "Tie My Hands"

Check out these other releases from Robin Thicke: Robin Thicke Robin Thicke The Evolution Of Robin Thicke (2007) A Beautiful World (2003) Interscope Records Interscope Records Robin Thicke's website: www.robinthicke.com

 

Before the actual words existed in the writing format, stories of legends and humans with super-human abilities were carried throughout the world by Minstrels who sang words of encouragement and hope to end vicious cycles of human conflict or to shed light on our similarities. Stories like Beowulf, The Iliad, The Odyssey, some stories from The Bible, and even the tribal rhythms of the African Drums are examples of this early musical entertainment and communication.

Photo: GBMNews model Eustace Mark

Most of the music crossing the airways seems to display such simplistic and shallow concepts, like a sandwich without the meat. We have allowed boundaries and limitations to be created on ourselves and our neighbors as the result of people who are products on the video shows. Don't get me wrong, I love to shake a lil' somethin' every now and again, if an artist has that right combination that moves me to do so.  Now we categorize the elements of music and it's creators into what is now known as genres which help in organizing in the music stores, but limits the Music Artist who's eclectic style does not fit into a particular slot on the shelves. We also limit the evolution of music into time periods, by awarding merit for innovation during a particular year or decade (ex. Music Awards and Countdowns), when music of all styles are timeless to those whose hearts it touches. Long before studying music, I would observe the way a song left it's mark on myself and those around me.

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This collaborative showing of Dance Artists, is one that will have its audiences talking long after leaving the theater. Each dancer and choreographer performing in this collective show, are colorful threads of the dynamic Ellie Potts-Barrett tapestry and influence. Humbly, Ellie says that she wanted to bring this group of friends and loved ones together, due to the loss of some special people in her life. She jokingly adds, " and to see my work on stage."

In observing and speaking with the dancers, creative individuals in their own rite, reflections of this Matriarchal Icon can be seen and felt on and off the stage. The mutual respect and support the dancers share, shines in each piece striking a variety of emotions; from whimsical to soul-deep. Mrs. Barrett's positive influence is even evident in the works and dancers of Voci Dance. Ellie shares, "there have not been a lot of opportunities for us all to meet at one time."

She adds, "sometimes there might be weeks between rehearsals," though it is quite evident that professionalism and lack of ego goes the distance to bring such talent from a variety of locations in the U.S.

This family unit allowed for all of its members to add their input to the conversational images on stage (as it should). 12 Dancers begin their introduction with the bright Bach accompaniment. "Tango" continues to work corners of the mouth upwardly with it's light-hearted movement and spirit.