A decade after Davina invited us into The Best of Both Worlds, the R&B songbird has emerged from her hiatus with a bevy of tunes. The music climate has changed; a little more synth heavy, choreographed and gimmick-laden than she left it. But to our delight, Davina’s Return to Soul is a refreshing flashback to the bare elements of soul music. Her raspy vocals intertwine with moody tracks in a familiar fashion that hooks us like “Come Over to My Place,” circa 1998.

Though Davina stepped away from the limelight, she’s been making music in Europe in addition to producing and engineering for various artists. Then, like a love Jones she was lured back to the scene from the perspective of an artist.

“I’ve told people that I’ve literally heard God tell me I was supposed to sing,” Davina said. “So I’m never going to stop singing no matter how many things I know how to do in the music industry.”

Return to Soul is the first of a series of R & B compilations Davina plans to release. The album is an up-tempo byproduct of jam sessions and live instrumentation on tracks like “Get Live,” featuring from Larry Dunn from Earth Wind and Fire. Davina, who plays the bass, drums and keyboards, opts to channel her own rhythm as opposed to sampling.

“I sample what I come up with and what I play,” she said. “I don’t think it’s necessary to actually take from the records out there.”

The staple for most Davina songs is the vulnerable lyricism. Songs like “Stop” and “Red Sky” make the perfect match for anything from a new love to heartbreak to a midnight hour tryst. Return to Soul is a mash-up of old and new material that Davina wrote and produced over the years.

“It’s not as sophisticated as Best of Both Worlds,” Davina said. “This album is more raw. I didn’t go after it like let me have the guy that plays the ukulele on this.” So to summarize? Davina’s latest is best described as “pure soul.”

Davina prefers the independent route mainly for the creative control it provides for her sound. “Music business people are always like ‘test everything,’ she said. “They’re like ‘this is the way it is’ and I beg to differ. Until they’re ready for that [change] I gotta do it independently.”

Davina has also made forays into management through her Soul Line company, where she mentors and guides young artists. “Anybody that wants to do soul, we can join in line!”

More passionate than ever, Davina is back on the scene to deliver her unique grooves. Lookout for The Closet Album later this year.

Enjoy Blind I!

For more information check out:
http://www.myspace.com/idavinamusic

-M

This song was on my mind this morning and in lieu of the breakup compilation on the way I thought I’d post once since it’s been a while. Back when open-chested silk shirt videos were very acceptable. Happy remembering!

-M

Jess and Christian Lander, the owners and operators of the Stuff White People Like blog, have recently inked a book deal with Random House to continue their exploits into informing the world about what white people like. I highly doubt that the operator of the Stuff Educated Black People Like will be able to flip his/her blog into the same lucrative type deal. Treated once again, Educated Black People! Discuss.

Amy Winehouse meets Alicia Keys. It’s something about people who curse in their lyrics while playing piano. Hah!

Sara Bareilles “Little Voice” 2CD!

Check it Out!

The homie Nekesa said it was dope. This is the audio of their entire performance. Check it out!

Since We updating former Artist Spotlights… Here’s an update on Guilty Simpson

For starters…the album is in stores… (and if u got sick of hearing the advance then you too ran out to get your copy like me) links as to where to purchase available down below.

ODE TO THE GHETTO Produced by Black Milk, Madlib, Mr. Porter, Oh No and J Dilla
+ iTunes: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=273747049&s=143441
+ eMusic: http://www.emusic.com/album/Guilty-Simpson-Ode-To-The-Ghetto-MP3-Download/11182112.html
+ Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ode-Ghetto-Guilty-Simpson/dp/B000TIO4V4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1206472509&sr=8-1
+ All Stores: http://www.stonesthrow.com/store

annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd He got a vid for “Get Riches” check it!

Since we haven’t given you guys a Spotlight Artist in a minute, here’s an update on Brandon Hines, one of our former Spotlight Artists and one of the most talented acts entering the music game this year, has recently been getting exposure left and right from major media sources. From increased exposure and love from people around the world to special guest spots in Estelle’s new “American Boy” video and a feature on MTV’s TRL (click HERE for Brandon’s YouTube EPK), it’s about time that we let the Blind I faithful know how he’s progressing. He’s given us a new song to debut on Blind I entitled “Cuttin’ You Off”. Watching the evolution of an artist is very spectacular, and Brandon is definitely headed for bright lights and big crowds.

Check out Cuttin’ You Off HERE (Mediafire Link)! And for more info on Brandon, read below.

Cultivated in Motown, Brandon Hines and his refreshingly natural singing talent are campaigning for legendary status. Recently featured in the video for hit single “American Boy” with Estelle and Kanye West and with over 1.8 million hits on Myspace, Hines smooth, tenor vocals and relatable lyrics has commanded the attention of many. Hines lulls his sultry love songs in a distinct, raspy tone that sets him apart from others in the current music climate.

Hines independent debut, Love Music: Fallin in Fallin Out has sold over 10,000 copies to date and currently available for sale on I-Tunes. Brandon Hines has worked with R & B singers Trey Songz, Cassie, Troy Taylor, Ryan Leslie and Johnta Austin just to name a few. Hines won the 2007 Who’s Next Award at the major music conference in New York, and has been featured on allhiphop.com, concreteloop.com and singersroom.com, solidifying the obvious: fans are eager to hear more.

For more information about Brandon Hines please visit www.myspace.com/bhineslovemusic

Ok, so I have a lot of sites on my daily blogroll. However, there’s one that’s moving up on my faves list.

Stuff White People Like

Check it out for yourself and save me the hassle of providing a description. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Just to share:
I walk into my 10am class this morning, and guess what’s on the projector…? Yea, that site. I started trippin’ like “O shit I read that site!” The instructor then ask the class “Who’s familiar with this site?” Then she starts ranting on about how stressful [white] dinner parties are. Shit that got me though was when she asks “So what are black dinner parties like?? Aren’t they stressful too?”
Then I died.

LONDON(AP) - The husband of Grammy-nominated British singer Corinne Bailey Rae has been found dead. Police say Jason Rae was found in an apartment in the northern English city of Leeds on Saturday. Officers are awaiting results of toxicology tests to determine the cause of death.

A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of supplying him with drugs but has been released on bail, officials said.

Jason Rae, 31, was a saxophonist with a funk band, the Haggis Horns.

Bailey Rae’s self-titled debut album sold more than 1 million copies in the U.S. after its release in 2006.

The 29-year-old was nominated for song of the year at the Grammy Awards in both 2007 and 2008.

–JUST SAY NO KIDS..

Sorry but… these are the homiez… & they deserve to beat those batch circus clowns that call jumping around and flips “dancing” yeah i said it… FUCK A STAT QUO (KABA MODERN WAS ROBBED). Polls are open till March 27th (The Finale)

Also… Fingerbangerz (My DJ Goldenchylds DJ crew) just met with the Jabba’s this past week in L.A. as they will be providing the Jabba’s with their own sound to deliver thier sick routines to! Congrats to Fingerbangerz & Jabbawokeez!! Lets go get it fam!!!

VOTE!!!

Shoot! So I made a list for Pick A Shore then lost it so I made most of the comp on the fly from my memory. But dammit I forgot to put these on there and I feel they are essential to the comp so here are the lost ones. Can’t lay the pipe on the shore without the drums in “Tropicala” can you? BTW you gotta let that song warm up the beginning is misleading. Nothing further!

-M

1. The Roots-Stay Cool
2. Kameleon-Hammock
3. Teedra Moses-Backstroke
4. Blue Six-Tropicala
5. Bahamadia- Funky For You
6. Kameleon- Cerulean

http://www.mediafire.com/?odfav0abzz0

I LOVE this song & video.

First leaked single from Big Boi’s “Sir Lucious Leftfoot” Album….featuring Andre 3000 & Raekwon, called “Royal Flush”

Indeed.