Sex and The Southern Belle

I've been a fan of Alanis since I was a brooding teenager, locked away in my room listening to grunge, hip-hop, and Jazz (I was weird...yeah). But anyway, Alanis' "Jagged Little Pill" was the album that defined a major love and break up of my teenage years.  I really liked my HS boyfriend...we broke up and made up probably 100 times during the course of 9th through 12th grades (LOL). This year, it was VERY bad, as I found out he tried to holler at a girl who rode my school bus....(alas....she didn't make the cut and I did...BOOM..maybe cause I scared the sh*t outta him...anyway...LOL) Released in 1995, Jagged Little pill went on to sale over 30 million copies and earned Alanis a sh*t load of Grammys, sealing her dopeness and influence on a ton of other pop=rockers to come: Fiona, Pink, Avril to name a few. The Canadian singer-songwriter is a little folk, a lot of rock, and a lot of indie pop. Some may know her for her time on "You Cant Do That on Televisi...

The 2000s were the years that defined my "adulthood". It was all about neo-soul, smooth vocals and rich melodies. While Maxwell is and always will be my favorite singer, only one man during that era had the OTHER key to my musical heart, D'angelo . Born Michael D'Angelo Archer in Richmond, VA, D'Angelo burst onto the music scene as one of the forefathers and architects (along w/ E. Badu, Maxwell, Jill Scott, etc) of Neo Soul. Heavily influenced by Prince (as seen in that Untitled video) and Marvin Gaye, D'angleo droped Brown Sugar. The guy looked the part of a rapper and yet sat down to the keys and belted out a sexy ode to weed. (LOL). I might have even had a a hot, young adult make-out session to his version of "Crusin"... I love so many D'angelo songs. But VooDoo, his last studio album to date, still reigns supreme. It of course, had the now infamous "Untitled" (with his half naked video). My favorite off that album was "S...

With the recent passing of Jazz/Blues/R&B great, Etta James, I thought it only appropriate to post one of my fav songs by her. She died Jan 20, 2012, just 5 days shy of her 74th birthday. Born Jamesetta Hawkins in 1925 and reported to be the illegitimate daughter of pool shark Minnesota Fats, Etta James was the premiere vocalist at Chess Records ( as seen in the movie Cadillac Records, portrayed by a pretty turrible Beyonce...I would have cared for a PERFECT Faith Evans to play her...but anywho). She started her career in the 50s, and lasted until her death. She had a pretty terrible and rocky childhood, bouncing from caregiver to caregiver. She used her "femininity" to get what she want. Needless to say, Etta was a FOX back in the day. Her most famous song, of course, is her rendition of "At Last", played at almost every wedding, and the moody, soulful and mournful, "I'd Rather go Blind". But my fav Etta Jams song is def "A Sunday Kind ...

I could have easily put about ALL of the videos and songs in the Rahsaan Patterson discography. I absolutely adore Rahsaan Patterson. Named after the famous jazz musician Rahsaan Roland Kirk,  former Kids Incorporated alumni (along w/ Fergie),  was one of the early forefathers of the introduction of the Neo-Soul movement here in America. His high octave range is just classically beautiful. There are so many songs I love by him. "Spend the Night", "Stop By", "Tears Ago", "Feels Good" "Stop Breaking my Hear"....I can go on and on. Rahsaan may not sell out the house like Maxwell...but he indeed has a loyal following. But this song is indicative of the beauty of his voice. And not to mention, the lyrics are just so moving. It is about a long distance love and the yearning of a guy for his girl (or guy....who knows....cause Rahsaan is openly gay*shrug*).  I don't care. I just love his music. My fav lyrics from the song are the chor...

I was born in 1979. I am truly the last of the 70s babies. But truthfully, I was cut my musical teeth on the music of the 80s. One of which was George Michael: blue eyed, sexy soul brother of Greek descent from the UK who had hits as the ambiguously (ok...maybe not so ambiguous) gay duo WHAM! I mean, I was like 5 when WHAM was out so I had no idea what gay was. But I surely knew that George Michael, with his feathered, bleached hair, was hotter than fire and undeniably cute. Their #1 chart topper was "Wake Me Up (Before You Go! GO!)", a danceable tune that was a serious hit for them....(then George Michael left the group, strapped on some tight ass jeans, and blew up...all before becoming a coke-head mess, soliciting men in a bathroom and ultimately coming out the closet) But my fav WHAM song  of all time was he smokey, sax-filled tune "Careless Whisper". I used to belt this one out with my Mother's hairbrush all the time. As I got older, I really realized ...

My mother's favorite singer of all time is Nancy Wilson. When I was young, she would play all her classics. She's a standard in Blues and Jazz. Affectionately known as "Fancy Miss Nancy", she was responsible for hits such as "Guess who I saw Today". But what I remember her most was her rendition of "What Are You Doing New Years?". Given that  NYE is fast approaching, I thought I'd share this classic. I hope you find someone special to share your NYE with. Welcome to 2012!!!

I love the 80s. I especially love 80s music...where music was music and no one cared the color of the person singing the song. Enter Simply Red....the band headed by the red headed, blue eyed British soul brother.....of the 80s who had hit after hit... but my favorite is  "Holding Back the Years" WHen I first heard this song,  I knew then it was something special. I was young. Yet almost 25 years later I realize that the song had much more importance than I knew. Often we hold on to memories...the years we spent with someone...only to realize it is futile. YOu have to let go....because nothing was really there at all.  As Simply Red sings.. "I've wasted all my years....wasted all those tears....And nothing had the chance to be good...cause nothing ever could" But I'll keep holding on.....  (or in my case...holding out for the right one :) )

Other than "Rolling in the Deep", this song has been covered more than a few times (Ok.."Marvin's Room" might be a distant second). It was originally recorded by Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham (of all people), and then stolen by Beyonce on her B'Day Album. BUT..my favorite version is the one by Jazmine Sullivan. Her vocals are deeper, richer and she just seems more emotionally invested in the song. Her phrasing is on point and you can just feel her pain. My favorite lyric of the entire song is this: "And I may never understand why... I'm doing the best that I can, but I... Just can't seem to get over, the way you hurt me Don't why you gave another, who didn't mean a thing... the very thing... you gave to me" This song just resonates with me so much. I've resented so much in love and loving. The question remains.."How do you get past it?" Nevertheless, I'll keep listening to Jazmine and knowin...

I think when I first heard the song..I sorta skipped over it on the CD as some sorta "melodramatic" joint I wasnt feeling in the midst of her "sensual" album The Light of the Sun . But........as I come to this point in my journey...where as Jill says  "Love has burned me raw ".............I def need to listen to this more than ever. Thank you sister, Jilly from Philly! My soul needed that :)

I dig Frank Ocean. His beats are melodic..his soothing, tenor is infectious. And this song is pretty much the perfect example of his style. I've had it on repeat ever since it leaked on Twitter a while ago. Sexy...sing-song....just love it. (It was even feature on the Episode 7 on my fav webseries: The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl ) Pick up his mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra....amazing stuff.

Ok so..it's not really porn per se...LOL..but...This song has been my FAVORITE for a MINUTE now...then to produce such a sexy video with BROWN people (and a natural girl too......a natural girl with the BADUNK of the ancestors) *Lights a cigarette....* :)

...which isn't exactly "porn" But apparently YouTube (like idiots) thinks that it is.. Not too many music videos leave me speechless these days...but Mr. Raheem Devaughn's new one (which incidentally was banned from YouTube) has done just that. It's called "Single" (and swipes that Lil Wayne beat from the song with the same title).... It left me a little hot and bothered. I'm telling you..I need me a thick, lipped joker who is well-versed in the ways of the Book of SWV, Chapter 1, Verse 1..."Downtown". Hammercy, Raheem! I woke up and had the video on my mind. Everyone has the fantasy of having a little trist in a hotel room with a very hot and sexy lover (could be your boyfriend or fiancee'...your "FWB" or even your husband doing a little role playing). I dunno if that makes me LAME for actually watching the video without sound and pretending the chick is a thinner, finer version of me (lol)...or I just have a vivid im...

This week I picked up the new Raheem Devaughn album Love and War MasterPeace (Deluxe Edition) . I had been eagerly awaiting the new album as Raheem is probably one of my fav neo-soul singers that is out and putting out quality work. Everyone had told me (who heard sneak previews of the album), that I needed to prepare myself. It was definitely a sexy album. I closed my eyes and with each song, it took me to a very sensual place. I thought to myself “Boy…I’d get in trouble with this one and end up pregnant and have to seen Mr. Devaughn an action for Child Support”. Raheem definitely painted some hot and steamy pictures. With each song, I was transported to some sexy dates in my head…..then I heard his song called “B.o.B”. What’s a BOB? Well...all ladies know what a BoB is. Some of us have had some long standing relationships with BoB? It’s our “Battery Operated Boyfriend”. I’m going to let Raheem explain it a little better…..sang it, Raheem! Although the subject matter was a bit comi...

Maxwell "Symptom Unknown" Born Maxwell Gerard Manard Rivera in Brooklyn New York.... one of the neo-soul "godfathers" has staked his claim in the worlds of soul music as a pioneer and smooth crooner of all things silky, romantic, sexy and love. He exudes sex. He sells sex. He IS sex on two legs. Everyone remembers his "Urban Hang Suite" and the melodic sexual overtures and steam that was released from that LP. And after 3 other successful albums ( The Unplugged Album, Embrya, Now) ..and an almost decade long break..he came back with his finest album yet....BlackSummersNight....awesome piece of work as well. A recent Grammy winner (his FIRST Grammys actually if you can believe that...) he is deserving of all accolades. Maxwell IS my favorite singer in the world. I mean it. ALtought I had been a fan for years, I just saw him in concert last year in Nashville at the famous Ryman Auditorium (the Grand Ole Opry). I saw him for the first time in concert after ye...

John Mayer Double Play "Gravity" and "Your Body is a Wonderland" I have a confession. I love John Mayer . I own ALL of his albums and I am a huge fan (not as big as I am of Maxwell....but still a big fan). There is something real, melodic and just gritty (and sexy) about his guitar playing and his lyrics. I close my eyes and pretend he is my "cool, white boyfriend who voted for Obama, smokes a little pot, and paints my toes". (OK..that might be a bit borderline crazy.......) He has so many good songs..it was hard for my to pick one...so hey..it's my blog..I picked two! :) For a white boy born and raised in Conneticut (but lived a bit in my hometown of ATL after school), he has some soul! I was first exposed to the Grammy winner on the album " Room for Squares ". I loved the whole album but the lyrics of "Your Body is a Wonderland" just struck with me. " You tell me where to go and...Though I might leave to find it...I'll ...

Make me feel like a Love song So Let's make Music Go slow tempo Insert your lyrics In my music Deep And maybe we can make a ballad.

*I'm going to try something different in my blog. This blog is about love, relationships and etc...so I thought I'd introduce my other love to the mix: MUSIC. I'm a big music buff.....LOVE good singers..love songs that have meaning...and that touch your soul. So every week, I thought I'd introduce a little musical interlude that I love..talk a little about the artist ...some artist you may know...some you may discover ....Enjoy* --Mocha Song of the week: "Everybody Here Wants You" performed by Kenny Lattimore (from the album Timeless ) (Originally recorded by the late Jeff Buckley (if you don't know him...get ON him...) in 1997, this song is so beautifully haunting....it gives me chills.... Kenny, a well-known soul singer known for his beautiful vibrato and falsetto does it JUSTICE.)