Quadron is a Danish duo formed by Coco ( the singer) and Robin.Their music is a smart mix of Jazz,Motown soul, modern soul.The Danish duo calls it “electronic soul”.
Anyway I got the album yesterday and since then I’m on it ( even now !! ). I love, adore every single song on their debut album self titled “Quadron”. It’s smooth, ease your mind, it’s just gggrreeaaaaaatttttt!!!
The duo says that they want to provide an “alternative to US R&B” but what they offer us is simply food for the soul.7
Here is the last part of this retrospective of 2009 in 25 albums
ALICIA KEYS-THE ELEMENT OF FREEDOM
Here’s Alicia’s latest album.She may never be able to reproduce another “ Songs in a Minor” but this album is as we expect from someone with her talent,good. As usual great lyrics, and melodies that keeps playing in your head. I have to admit the girl has talent for writing and singing things we can’t help but hum or sing.
Anyway this is a good very good album and well this is Alicia!!!
Click here and here for downloads and videos
Favorites tracks:Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart,Wait ‘Till You See My Smile,Un-Thinkable (I’m ready),Distance and Time
ME’SHELL N’DEGEOCELLO-DEVIL’S HALO
She is one of my favorites singers ever !!! And every album she releases is better than the precedent if this is possible and every time I heard about a new one I have to have it !!!
This one is just as the others,a masterpiece! Her voice is recognizable among a thousand and so is her style, a mix of Soul, Funk, Hip-Hop Jazz and Rock. There’s no one like Me’shell.
Video here
Favorites tracks:Love You Down,Mass Transit,Crying in Your Beer,Slaughter
K’NAAN-TROUBADOUR
Peculiar style, peculiar voice, peculiar flow, these are the reasons why I love K’naan.The album features performances with Adam Levine, Mos Def or Damian Marley and is eclectic, a smart mix of different influences.
Well I like his vision of Hip-Hop
Favorites tracks:Take a Minute,Wavin’ Flag, Bang Bang (Feat. Adam Levine)
MAYER HAWTHORNE-A STRANGE ARRANGEMENT
For real who said that you have to be Black to be a great soul singer ? The one who said it didn’t know nothing about artists such as Eli “Paperboy” Reed or Mayer Hawthorne.The White boy got Soul and has the talent to bring us back to the Motown era.
Read my review here
Favorites tracks:One Track Mind, Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out,Green Eyed Love
JAY-Z-THE BLUEPRINT 3
Jay, Hov, Hova, Jigga, Mr Knowles Carter, no matter how you call him you know who I am talking about.Few years ago he announced his retirement and I don’t know if it’s linked but Hip-Hop (except few artists ) have been going worse and worse. And now he returned to save us all from the auto-tune and bad rappers.Thank you Jigga “you’re far too kind”. Anyway, this has been one of the most expected album of this year and as expected from Jay-Z this is GOOD!!!
Favorites tracks:Young Forever (Feat Mr Hudson),Empire State Of Mind ( Feat Alicia Keys),Venus Vs Mars
SPECIAL MENTION:RAPHAEL SAADIQ-THE WAY I SEE IT
Video here
Thank you!!! Hope you enjoyed it :)
Here is the last part of my 2009 discoveries and it’s all about girls!!!!
LAURA IZIBOR
This is what Irish Soul sounds like…
In 2009 Laura Izibor had opened for Maxwell , India Arie, Aretha Franklin and John Legend.In 2009, Laura Izibor has released her first album “Let The Truth Be Told”.In 2009, Laura Izibor has been nominated for a MOBO Awards and a Soul Train Award…2009 has been a very good year for Laura Izibor, and I’m sure the future will be better!
KRISTYNA MYLES
I’ve been introduced to Kristyna Myles by a very good friend of mine and I had the chance to see her perform live ( twice :) she even dedicated me a song ha! )
Singer/songwriter from Manchester, Kristyna Myles is “soulful”.As I was able to see her live, I can testify that it’s a real pleasure to hear her voice and her songs are great.Her repertoire is Soul, Pop, Jazz and even Gospel.She,alongside other artists and members of the 'Desire To Worship God' gospel group,has been nominated for a 2009 MOBO Award for “Best Gospel Act”.She is currently recording her first album and I can’t wait to see her again.
Official Website Facebook YouTube
OCEANA
Her single “ Cry cry” was the song of my summer.The German singer first album “Love supply” is just a pleasure for the ears and for the soul, with different influences (Pop,Reggae,Soul).Once you start listening to it, you can’t stop. Her voice just fits her style in a perfect way.
German Soul music already had Ayo, Joy Denalane or Nneka , now here comes Oceana and she’s just as talented as the others
Official Website Facebook YouTube
PALOMA FAITH
British Soul certainly had some really good surprises this year.This one of my best discoveries of this year.
Ms Faith is exquisite and her debut album is great.I like her burlesque style and I think we have here a new Pop/Soul icon.
This is the second part of my favorites albums of 2009 ( still not classified in order of preference ).
MELODY GARDOT-MY ONE AND ONLY THRILL
Melody Gardot is for me the incarnation of “Music as Therapy”.After a terrible accident because of which she had to stay laid on her back for a year, she learned to play guitar and started writing songs. “My One And Only Thrill” , her second album, is jazzy, bluesy, and her velvet-smooth vocal gives this album a kind of dark piano Jazz style.
This is definitely the album for jazz, blues and well grown folks music lovers!!!
Favorites tracks:Baby I’m A Fool,Your Heart Is As Black As Night,Who will comfort me,My One And Only Thrill
ERIC ROBERSON-MUSIC FAN FIRST
“Music Fan First” is Erro’s 6th album.It includes duets with Lalah Hathaway or Sy Smith.He also pays tribute to Michael Jackson in a song “ Celebrate” (feat. Sy Smith).He’s one of the most important protagonist of the indie soul scene. I personally think it’s his best album to date…..And they’re all good!!! The single “Dealing” (feat. Lalah Hathaway ) is a CLASSIC [Video here]
This is going to make you a “Music Fan First”
Favorites tracks:Dealing (feat. Lalah Hathaway),A Tale of Two, She
JOSS STONE-COLOUR ME FREE!
Joss Stone’s 4th album’s release have been pushed back again and again due to conflicts with record label.And it’s finally here!!!
With collaborations of Raphael Saadiq or Nas, this album is just as I expected it to be really good .I’ve missed Ms Stone’s voice and soul.I waited for the follow-up of “Introducing…Joss Stone” and here it is!!
Favorite tracks:Girlfriend on Demand,Mr. Wanker Man,Lady,4 and 20
N’DAMBI-PINK ELEPHANT
If you don’t know N’Dambi yet it’s not too late!!!!
N’Dambi ( meaning “Most Beautiful”) already released three albums and was for a long time in the shadow of Erykah Badu as background vocal. Her fourth album “ Pink Elephant” is released on the famous Stax Records label ( Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Shirley Brown…) this year.I’m a real fan of her and I hope hat she’ll finaly get recognition with that album .This is a real Soul album.
Free Download “ Can’t Hardly Wait” here
Video “Can’t hardly wait” here
Favorites tracks:Can’t Hardly Wait, L.IE,Free Fallin’,The One
MAXWELL-BLACK summers’ night
HE IS BACK !!!!!!!!
Nobody has soul like Maxwell!! Nobody can sing like Maxwell!!!!I’ve been waiting for that since 2001 and here it is!! It’s the kind of album you know you are going to love before its release( 6 nominations for the 2010 Grammy’s Awards) .”BLACK summers’ night” is the first one of a trilogy ( the next one dropping next year ).
THIS IS AN ALBUM YOU SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO IN 2009 FOR REAL!!
Favorites tracks:Bad Habits, Pretty Wings, Fistful of Tears, Playing Possum
MELANIE FIONA-THE BRIDGE
First album and one of the best of 2009.
The debut album of the Canadian singer is not just about a great voice but also good songs.This is one of the best debut I’ve this year and maybe since a long time.The album received positive reviews from almost all the blogs/sites/magazines and she has been nominated for the first time as “ Best Female R&B vocal performance” for the 2010 Grammy’s. I wonder what her second album will sound like :) .
“It Kills Me” Video here
Favorites tracks:Give It To Me Right, It Kills Me,Bang Bang, Teach Him
MOS DEF-THE ECSTATIC
Mos Def is on my Top 5 favorite rappers.This album has been acclaimed by critics and is even in the 2009 top 10 albums of many magazines.
I don’t know if it’s the religious perspective of the album or something but this is one of the best rap albums I’ve heard. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!
Favorites tracks:Supermagic,Roses,Wahid, Life In Marvelous Times
LEDISI-TURN ME LOOSE
Lediiiisssssiiiiii!!! She is GREAT, totally super great !!!!
This album is one of the best of the year.Her voice, her lyrics, her melody I love everything about her! She sings jazz, she sings pop, she sings soul…This is what I call talent.
To read my review click here
Favorites tracks:Alone, I Need Love, Going Thru Changes, Trippin’, Higher Than This, The Answer To Why
Q-TIP-KAMAAL THE ABSTRACT
This is the Jazziest Hip-Hop album I’ve ever heard!! And it feels so good !!!!
I love Q-Tip’s musical style, the mix of Hip-Hop, Jazz, Nu-Soul, Fusion and Funk. This album was supposed to be released yeeaarrssss before but it’s just this year that we have the pleasure to listen to it and I think it’s just a great album!!!
Favorites tracks:A Million Times,Blue Girls, Heels
SNOOP DOGG-MALICE AND WONDERLAND
Don’t judge me I love me some Snoopy!!! LOL
“Malice N Wonderland” is Snoop’s 10th album ( I know !! )
With the exception of the song with Soulja Boy (LOL ) I really enjoy Snoop’s new record.As always,his album is “interesting” and there’s definitely some standout songs ( like the one with Jazmine Sullivan) and I got to say I loooovvvveee “ I Wanna Rock”.
Favorites tracks:I wanna Rock,Different Languages ( Feat. Jazmine Sullivan),That’s Tha Homie
TO BE CONTINUED….
Let’s continue our trip through my 2009 discoveries.This part II is all about UK :)
PIXIE LOTT
I discovered this English singer/songwriter with a video of her cover of Kings Of Leon “ Use somebody".
Her debut album “Turn It Up” was released in September this year featuring her first single “Mama Do” .
She already won MTV Europe Music Awards and I think we’re going to hear more about her…
Official Website Facebook YouTube
VV BROWN
About VV Brown I heard/read many things “retro-style”, “Retro R&B”, “Fifties doo-wop with modern pop and indie attitude”, “Eighties-flavored Pop” but all I know is that I really enjoy listening to her debut Album “Travelling like the light”.
She has a strong voice , not the Amy or the Duffy type but strong enough to please you and her style is very personal.If you don’t know her then do it now!!!!!
Official Website Facebook YouTube
DIONNE BROMFIELD
So Cinderella had her fairy-godmother and Dionne has Amy Winehouse ( Who got the best godmother ?? ;) ). Well godmother or not, that 13 year old old is talented.And if she sings like that at the age of 13 I wonder what will she sounds like at the age of Amy.
Her debut album “Introducing Dionne Bromfield” ( first album of Amy Winehouse’s label ) sounds so Motown and her voice is GREAT!!!!
To read previous post click here
These are my favorites albums of 2009. And as I’m really not good at making lists , this is not classified in order of preference.
RES-BLACK.GIRLS.ROCK!
Since “How I do”, I’ve been expecting Res’s new album.Here it is with Black.Girls.Rock! Member of Idle Warship with Talib Kweli and Graph Nobel, Res gave this album for free download this year .I’m glad we finally have the chance to listen to it.You can listen to this album all way through ( And by the way if you don’t have “How I do” get it !!! ).
I really love this album and it’s pretty damn good!!!
[click on the cover to download]
Favorites tracks:On my way,Bittersweet,By myself,Angry
WALE-ATTENTION DEFICIT
From what I’ve already heard of Wale my expectations were actually high about this album and he didn’t disappoint me.Olubowale Victor Folarin, aka Wale, provides us an album with appearances by Lady Gaga, Marsha Ambrosius, Chrisette Michele, Jazmine Sullivan or K’Naan and production handled by Mark Ronson or the Neptunes.From “Mama told me” to “ Beautiful Bliss” (feat. Melanie Fiona & J. Cole), this album is consistent and great. I like Wale’s flow and he got some great lines too.
Favorites tracks:Shades (feat Chrisette Michele),Diary (feat Marsha Ambrosius),TV on the Radio (feat K’naan)
Official Website Facebook Myspace
JUST JACK-ALL NIGHT CINEMA
I’ve been introduced to this London musician by a friend of mine and I enjoyed the discovery.This album is Just Jack’s third studio album.
'All Night Cinema' is a beautifully constructed collection of 11 songs from a young writer of talent .
Favorites tracks:253,the Day I Died,Blood
CHOKLATE-TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
“To whom it may concern” is Choklate’s second album and listening to it is as comforting as eating chocolate ( I know I know easy one :)).
I’ve been following her since her first album and I was really glad to see her release a second one.Her music is very positive.
It’s funky, it has Soul and ballads and it’s definitely one of my 2009 favorites albums!!
Choklate Fever Live here
Favorites tracks:Grown Folk,6.8 Billion,Call It Good,Suns out
Official Website Facebook Myspace
PETE YORN & SCARLETT JOHANSSON-BREAK UP
I didn’t need another reason to feel nothing but jealousy for Ms Johansson. She’s obviously gorgeous, the girl can act and apparently she can sing too!!
This album is a real surprise to me as I was already disappointed by the actress’s first attempt to join the Music industry with a Tom Waits’s covers album.But with Pete Yorn it looks like she found her musical soul mate.
Relator Live here
Favorites tracks:Relator,I Don’t Know What To Do,Someday
KID CUDI-MAN ON THE MOON:THE END OF THE DAY
First of all this is not a Hip-Hop album, it’s something else well it’s “Cudiesque”.You don’t see very often “Hip-Hop” album with songs featuring MGMT or Ratatat nor with Lady Gaga’s samples.This is something different!!( I am definitely falling in love with the Hip-Hop new generation).I wouldn’t have labeled him “Hip-Hop” though.
Anyway who cares if it’s “Hip-Hop”, “Electro”,”Trip –Hop'” or “Alternative” this is GOOD!!!
Favorites tracks:Make her say,Pursuit of Happiness,Soundtrack 2 my life,Is there any Love,Alive ( Nightmare)
Official Website Facebook Myspace
CALVIN RICHARDSON-FACTS OF LIFE:THE SOUL OF BOBBY WOMACK
One of these two names has to have drawn your attention…
Calvin Richardson is unfortunately one of the most underrated soul singer.His voice is just simply heaven sent. And him covering Bobby Womack it’s just a masterpiece, simply a must-have.This album is so beautiful and soulful and inspired ( I can go on and on like that for a loooong time).
So to sum up, this is one of the most soulful album of 2009.
My review here
Favorites tracks:Woman got to have it,Love has finally come at last,I’m trying to prove my love to you
CHRISETTE MICHELE-EPIPHANY
I heart so much Chrisette Michele that I don’t know where should I start.
I already knew that her voice is amazing. I already knew that her songs had great lyrics but I’m still surprised on how much I love to hear her sing!! Her first album was already a huge success and critically acclaimed and so did this second album…
Well a song worth a thousand words click here
Favorites tracks:All I ever think about, Epiphany,Porcelain Doll, Blame It On Me
Official Website Facebook MySpace
NOISETTES-WILD YOUNG HEARTS
I know they’re in the “Discoveries Part I” post but this album is so good it’s one of my favorites.
To read “The discoveries Part I” click here
Favorites tracks:Never Forget You, Don’t Upset The Rhythm,Every Now And Then,Atticus
Official Website Facebook MySpace
TO BE CONTINUED… :)
This is the reason why I just can't wait 'till Sade's new album coming out 8/02/10 
Here are the Official video of " I am " Mary J.'s new single and a video of her performance 3 days ago on a CBS special...Writing this is totally heart-breaking , these are artists I truly love and admire.But seems like maybe my expectations were too high regarding their new albums.I’m not saying that these is bad bad bad albums (some songs are good) , I’m just saying that they disappointed me and we all know they can do better,because they already did !!!!
MARIAH CAREY-MEMOIRS OF AN IMPERFECT ANGEL
Oh Lord where do I start??!! When I was little Mariah Carey was one of my idol. There’s nobody that can sing like her.But it seems that even her can’t sing like her anymore!! I miss, deeply miss the Mariah we had in the 90’s. When every note that came out her mouth was like heaven sent.
This album is about love at its different stages, and includes many up-tempo songs but with this album you can’t tell that Mariah is been in the business for more than a decade.She tried to show that she’s still there and up-to-date but unfortunately good intentions wasn’t enough.And that “obsessed” song is not at Mariah’s level at all. When she came back with “ The emancipation of Mimi” I was like “she’s back !!” but now I don’t know what to think!! I think the name of the album really fits in this case….She’s an imperfect angel…But still an angel!
Songs I like: It’s a wrap,Angels cry,Up out my face
Angels cry
Up out my face
MARY J. BLIGE- STRONGER WITH EACH TEAR
I gotta say with today’s standards in the Music Industry this album is good but it’s way below what she can do ( and we know that can do better!! ) . I miss the No more drama’ Mary J. Blige or the one who did “What’s the 411?” . I’ve been waiting almost all this year for this album and now I got that sour taste of ‘unfinished”. I like a few songs but still this is not what I expected from such an icon.And Mary J. using auto tune that was to much for me….She broke my heart with this one!!
But I can’t be too hard on her cause she managed to gave us some standout songs. When you got talent , you got talent. I love Mary’s voice in “ In the morning” and in” Colors” the song from “ I can do bad all by myself” . “ I feel good” and “ Each tear” are pretty good but one of my favorite is definitely “ Gonna make it” ( feat Jazmine Sullivan)
In the morning
Color
ROBIN THICKE-SEX THERAPY
I’m going to make this one quick!! I only like about 3, 4 songs in that album. Once again maybe my expectations were too high.I should stick to today’s standards . This is definitely not the “ Sex Therapy” I was waiting for .Looks like we’re or ( he’s) still looking for a great sequel to “ The evolution of Robin Thicke” but this is not it.
The appearance of Kid Cudi, Jazmine Sullivan or Snoop Dog are my favorite songs of this album so far.And as I said I’m going to make it a short one: There’s no prescription for this therapy!!! Robin we know you can’t do better that that!!
It's in the morning ( feat. Snoop Dog )
Million Dolla Baby ( Feat Jazmine Sullivan)
What ever happened to R&B ? And good music too by the way ?
With each album dropping I have the hope that we will go back to what R&B ( or even Hip-Hop) used to be, to real songs and I’m almost always disappointed.This is getting worse and worse.I know it’s great sometimes to mix up genres but this is going too far.I still can’t get over Whitney Houston’s version of that CLASSIC “ A song for you”. Even Shakira is doing it now. I used to love her cause she sounded different, she had her own style
Regarding Hip-Hop, Nicki Minaj ??!!! Please!! I am not a great Hip-Hop connoisseur but I know this ain’t right Not right at all .
Even those we think will come to save up from this mess are also flirting with that new R&B ( Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly, Mariah ). I know it’s hard in the industry and with young singers that keep coming ( Jeremih , Jason DeRulo… ) I understand how hard it can be to satisfy labels with sales, to get media's’ attention.Maybe I'm “old school” but I’d rather listen to a song made for the Soul than for the sales.
Is it to much to ask to hear again albums like “ Confessions”? Is R&B dead with Aaliyah? ( RIP Baby Girl) I really think artist, almost all of them can do better than what they are doing now.I really do!! But since the industry tend to favor tendency, sales over creativity I guess we’re stuck in here for a while…You better be ready for the decline of R&B or just wait for the savior!!!
Because you don’t have to pay every time for good music!!!
In 2009, great sites,blogs or artists offered us some food for the Soul.These have been my favorites “free-download”!!!
AALIYAH REVISITED-SOUL CULTURE TRIBUTE EP
Eight years after the tragic death of the princess of R&B, Soul Culture offers us a soulful tribute to our late R&B icon. Featuring Sy Smith, Vula, Marsha Ambrosius or Jesse Boykins III this EP is one of the best tribute I listened to lately.
Aaliyah Revisited is available on free download and includes eight of our favorites Aaliyah’s songs and it’s totally great!!
[Click on the cover to download]
Favorites tracks:I care 4 you ( Jesse Boykins III),If your girl only knew ( Sy Smith )
SPECTRUM 2.0- BRITTANY BOSCO
Brittany Bosco gave to her fans ( I’m one of them ;)) the opportunity to download for free the re-release of her successful EP Spectrum and includes new songs and a live version of “It was you”. I really enjoyed this EP and I don’t have to tell you how talented Brittany Bosco is.
And if you’re not familiar with Miss Bosco gave it a listen you won’t regret it!!!
[Click on the cover to download]
Favorites tracks:It was you,Blues for Blue,Black Keys
JUST VISITING TOO-ZO!
This is one of my late discoveries .I don’t really know very much about this artist. In this EP you have guest such as Sy Smith, Phonte and Yahzarah and I really enjoyed listening to it. Give it a try!!!It’s all good for the ears!!!
[Click on the cover to download]
Favorites tracks:Crazy You (feat Sy Smith) , Perfect Angel (feat Yahzarah)
THE ART OF NOISE – RAHEEM DEVAUGHN
Raheem DeVaughn released a free mixtape for his fans called The art of Noise.If you can’t wait 2010 for the release of his new album, this one is just for you!!!
And you got to have some Raheem DeVaughn songs on your IPod!! You just have to!!!
[Click on the cover to download]
Favorites tracks:So amazing,Cocaine dreams
MEN LOVE MARY:A TRIBUTE TO MY LIFE- SOULBOUNCE
Yeah exactly men covering Mary J. Blige!!! Eric Roberson, Jess Boykins III among others did it!!
Mary is used to sing about relationships with men and now THEY are paying tribute to that. I really like this Tribute to Mary J. Blige “My life” album.
[Click on the cover to download]
Favorites tracks:Be with you ( Fave) , My life ( Eric Roberson )
THE MADNESS-NNEKA & J.PERIOD
THIS IS DOPE!!! I totally love Nneka, her style, her voice…And this mixtape is simply awesome!! Samples, songs and mix with Talib Kweli,Damien Marley,Lauryn Hill , 2pac,Fela Kuti, Jay Electronica, Big Boi, Nas….
This is simply dope!!!!Period
[Click on the cover to download]
Favorites tracks:Heartbeat ( feat Talib Kweli),Changes 2 ( feat Lauryn Hill & John Forte)
