Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Boyz II Men, Twenty




Boyz II Men came on the music scene in 1988 as a quintet at the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts; the group was originally named Unique Attraction. When original member Marc Nelson left the group to go solo before their first record deal, the group became a quartet; the members were Nathan Morris, Wayne Morris, Shawn Stockman and Michael McCray. Boyz II Men hit number 1on the pop charts with their single “End of the Road” one of my all time favorites in 1992, this single would break a record for staying at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 13 weeks breaking a decades-old record held by Elvis Presley. Boyz II Men would not stop there, they had two more hits “I’ll Make Love to You” and “One Sweet Day” (with Mariah Carey) these two singles exceeded the records they had previously set. Boyz II Men got their inspiration from New Edition’s, Boyz II Men went back stage at a Bell Biv DeVoe concert were they met Michael Bivins an aspiring producer and sung “Can You Stand the Rain” cappella and the rest is history. Boyz II Men is a trio now, Michael McCary has left the group in 2003 due to health issues. Boyz II Men is the most amazing and successful R&B group they have sold 60 million albums worldwide this number is still growing. Boyz II Men has another album out called “Twenty” the two songs I really like are “More Than You Ever Know (Ft. Charlie Wilson) and “So Amazing”. I am a Boyz II Men fan for life these men can sing they are truly amazing. You can hear songs from Boyz II Men’s new album “Twenty” on Streetwise Radio.

LM

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Lalah Hathaway



Born Eulaulah Donyll Hathaway on December 16, 1968 Chicago Illinois, better known as Lalah Hathaway. Lalah is the daughter of the late great Donny Hathaway, one of my all time favorite singer, songwriters and producer.  Lalah lost her father when she was ten years old, but she has her fathers flare for words and writing songs that have something to say.
When Lalah was growing up she was around music, at the age of three she was taking piano lessons. Lalah attended Berklee in Boston in the late 1980s, there is where she perfected her craft and grew into the singer/songwriter she is today.  While at Berklee she released her first album title “Lalah Hathaway” 1990, the single from that album “Heaven Knows” is still one of my favorites. Lalah has performed with some amazing artist like on Grover Washington’s album “Next Exit” the song “Love Like This” is a beautiful song. .Lalah is versatile she  has worked with other artist  like Take 6, Mary J Blige, The Winans and Marcus Miller. Lalah collaborated with jazz legend Joe Sample on the album “The Song Lives On”.
This album shows off Lalah’s vocal range.  I say some of these singers that are supposed to be superstars need to take lessons from Lalah on how to sing.  Lalah is not only a singer/song writer she is also the National Ambassador for the Circle of Promise. This organization was created by Susan G. Komen for the Cure; Lalah has influence women to get to get the test for breast cancer along with family member. Lalah has a new album “Where It all Begins” due to be released on October 18, 2011. I really like and enjoy listening to Lalah Hathaway she is an amazing singer/ songwriter. You can listen to Lalah Hathaway on Streetwise Radio.


LM




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSt8f8N0Ito


http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=joe+sample%2Flalah+hathaway+The+Song+Lives+On+&aq=f