NEW SOUNDS

MITSKI

An artist that I just recently became aware of is Mitski. I had heard buzz about the indie-rocker with her 2016 album, "Puberty 2" when it appeared on several Best Album of the Year lists but I didn't further investigate. The twenty-eight year old singer-songwriter released her fifth studio album, "Be The Cowboy" back in August and it has received even greater acclaim and appeared on even more year-end Best Album lists. This time I made it my mission to listen and I'm so glad I did.

"Be The Cowboy" is a thrilling collection of quirky sounds and sharp, heartfelt lyrics. With most just barely over two minutes or less, these songs are brief sonic explosions of confessional reflection on love, relationships and disappointment surrounded with a lush production provided by her longtime collaborator Patrick Hyland. This is one album you should check out as soon as possible. Here are two music videos for a couple of tracks:





MESHELL NDGEOCELLO

Another artist who I wasn't aware had released a new album until it appeared on some Album of the Year lists is Meshell Ndegeocello. The fifty year old musician, who has been credited with helping spark the neo-soul movement back in the 1990's, had dropped her twelfth album, "Ventriloquism" back in April.

Don't let that the record only features covers of classic soul and funk songs make you hesitate on giving it a chance. These songs, beginning with Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam's "I Wonder If I Take You Home" and featuring George Clinton's "Atomic Dog", TLC's "Waterfalls", Tina Turner's "Private Dancer" before closing with "Smooth Operator" by Sade, are almost unrecognizable as Ndegeocello brilliantly gives each one a radical reworking with spare, jazzy grooves. This record is truly unexpected and extraordinary.

THIS CHRISTMAS DAY

I think Jessie J, the British pop-soul vocalist, is vastly underrated as a singer and hasn't become nearly as popular here in the US as I think she should. The singer, born Jessica Cornish, has recently released her fifth album but it is unexpectedly a Christmas collection. "This Christmas Day" features many of the familiar holiday classics like "Jingle Bells", "Silent Night", and "White Christmas" yet they are delivered in great jazzy-flavored soul renditions. What is even more impressive is that Jessie J was able to attract several top names to produce the album. That includes David Foster, Babyface (who also provided vocals on their take of "The Christmas Song"), Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins who also co-wrote the title track with Jessie which is the only original song on the album. I think this is one of the better modern Christmas albums out there and you should definitely check it out. Here are a few tracks for you to preview:

A GIFT SUGGESTION

If you are looking for a gift and they are a fan of classic soul music, I have a suggestion that might help you out. Bruce Talamon, a photographer who focused on black entertainers, has recently released a beautiful photo book, "Bruce W. Talamon: Soul. R&B. Funk. Photographs 1972-1982". This breathtaking collection, published by Taschen, features his images which document most of the popular acts of the era who were making influential music, with many of the pictures that have never been seen before.

Talamon, who was one of the very few African-American photojournalists working at the time, took a look back over his forty year career and the roughly five thousand photos he had taken during that time to put this book together. He had made it clear to his editor that he wasn't interest in only showing these performers on stage but also using the more intimate, behind-the-scenes moments with these musical talents.

All of the major players of the day are certainly present like Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Jackson 5, Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown, Parliament-Funkadelic and Aretha to name just a few. But there are also remarkable pictures of performers who had a briefer moment of fame like Billy Paul (who was Talamon's first cover assignment), Thelma Houston, The Dramatics, The Stylistics, and Johnnie Taylor. There is a section of the book devoted to Don Cornelius and his groundbreaking dance television program, "Soul Train" and the 1972 "Wattstax" benefit concert held at the LA Coliseum and featured the hot acts of the day, Isaac Hayes, Albert King, The Bar-Kays and the Staple Singers.

This is an incredible book that would make the perfect gift or perhaps even own yourself.

Bruce W. Talamon: Soul. R&B. Funk. Photographs 1972-1982

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM. . .

JOHN LEGEND

For his very first Christmas album, "A Legendary Christmas", John Legend has incorporated holiday classics with original songs he has co-written. With Raphael Saadiq handling production, Legend puts his spin on "Silver Bells", "Christmas Time Is Here" and "The Christmas Song" while hoping to create a new holiday classic with his songs, "No Place Like Home", "Wrap Me Up In Your Love" and "By Christmas Eve".  Stevie Wonder and Esperanza Spalding drop by on a couple of tracks. If you would like to hear these songs live, be sure to catch Legend on the road to promote the album which he began in November and run through the end of this month. Enjoy the music video for his version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and a live performance of his original tune, "Bring Me Love" from his television Christmas special which features his wife, Chrissy Teigen:





KATY PERRY

Katy Perry had previously released an original Christmas song about four years ago and she has just released another holiday single. "Cozy Little Christmas" is available exclusively through Amazon Music and Perry (who co-wrote and produced the track with Greg Wells and Ferras Alqaisi) delivers a fun and catchy pop song about not wanting expensive gifts and would be perfectly happy simply snuggling-up with a loved one during the holiday.

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WHITE ALBUM

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the release of the Beatles self-titled ninth studio album which over time has been referred to as "The White Album" due to the plain white cover with only the band's name embossed. In celebration, a new edition of the album has been remastered and fully remixed with a seven-disc, box set featuring plenty of bonus material and demos. This massive project was overseen by producer, Giles Martin, the son of the late Sir George Martin who produced most of the band's music and has been referred to as "the fifth Beatle".

While the album marked a creative high point for the Beatles, the tension between the band members intensified during the recording sessions leading to many arguments and disagreements (particularly between the main writing team, Paul McCartney and John Lennon) with even happy-go-lucky drummer, Ringo Starr briefly quitting the group. The band did manage to record a couple more albums before finally calling it quits by 1970.

The Beatles had enjoyed critical and commercial success with their last album, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and had all embarked on a transcendental meditation course in India in order to recharge and clear their heads. During the retreat, Lennon and McCartney began working together in relative calm to write material for the band's next record.

But by the time the group returned to Abbey Road Studios in London to begin recording, all of the peace and calm they had experienced had quickly evaporated. With their long-time producer,  Martin no longer able to have a steady, guiding influence over the band, their creative problems escalated. Another concern was the presence of Yoko Ono who was Lennon's new creative and love partner at the time. Since the band did not usually invite wives or girlfriends to be present during recording sessions, Ono was considered an unwelcome distraction as she always remained by her man's side.

The Beatles finally finished the album and released it on November 22, 1968. While it did have a working title of "A Doll's House", the thirty song, double-album was just simply called "The Beatles". Despite all of the drama that went in to it's creation, this wildly diverse record is considered the band's greatest achievement and features some of their most classic songs like "Dear Prudence", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", "Back in the U.S.S.R." "Happiness is a Warm Gun" and "Helter Skelter". Here are a few of my favorite songs from the album:

2018 GRAMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS

After being delayed a few days due to the funeral of former President, George H. W. Bush, the 2018 Grammy Award nominations have finally been unveiled and it appears that the Recording Academy seems to have caught up to the 21st century. The organization for years has tended to nominate critically-acclaimed, veteran artists who were long past their prime while pretty much ignoring exciting, contemporary musicians for top honors.

Kendrick Lamar, one of the most innovative and accomplished artists creating music today, leads with eight Grammy nominations for his curated soundtrack of what became the top-grossing movie of the year, "Black Panther". Drake, who has been very vocal about feeling that the Grammys have been long out-of-touch, follows with seven noms for his smash album, "Scorpion". And after female artists were barely recognized last year with Lorde as the only woman to receive an Album of The Year nomination, there are five in this category this time with hip-hop breakout, Cardi B (receiving five noms), alt-rocker, Brandi Carlile (with six nominations), country artist, Kacey Musgraves, r&b newcomer, H.E.R (who got five total nominations). and psychedelic soul performer, Janelle Monáe. Rapper, Post Malone and his popular album, "Beerbongs & Bentleys" rounds out the category.

Now if it seems like there are a lot more nominees this time, you are correct. In a call for diversity, the Academy decided to expand the four general fields of Album, Record, Song and Best New Artist of The Year from five to eight. I really don't understand the logic behind this move as there is still only going to be one winner and I think you can be diverse without crowding these categories. Besides, someone deserving is always going to be left out for recognition.

The 61st annual Grammy Awards will be presented on February 10th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Here is a partial list of the 2018 Grammy Award nominations. Please click below to see the complete list of the nominations:

Grammy.com

Album of the Year:

"Invasion Of Privacy" - Cardi B
"By the Way, I Forgive You" - Brandi Carlile
"Scorpion" - Drake
"H.E.R." - H.E.R.
"Beerbongs & Bentleys" - Post Malone
"Dirty Computer" - Janelle Monáe
"Golden Hour" - Kacey Musgraves
"Black Panther: The Album, Music From and Inspired By" - Various Artists

Record of the Year:

"I Like It" - Cardi B
"The Joke" - Brandi Carlile
"This Is America" - Childish Gambino
"God's Plan" - Drake
"Shallow" - Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
"All the Stars" - Kendrick Lamar & SZA
"Rockstar" - Post Malone Featuring 21 Savage
"The Middle" - Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey

Song of the Year:

"All the Stars" - Kendrick Duckworth, Solana Rowe, Al Shuckburgh, Mark Spears & Anthony Tiffith, songwriters - (Kendrick Lamar & SZA)
"Boo'd Up" - Larrance Dopson, Joelle James, Ella Mai & Dijon McFarlane, songwriters - (Ella Mai)
"God's Plan" - Aubrey Graham, Daveon Jackson, Brock Korsan, Ron LaTour, Matthew Samuels & Noah Shebib, songwriters - (Drake)
"In My Blood" - Teddy Geiger, Scott Harris, Shawn Mendes & Geoffrey Warburton, songwriters - (Shawn Mendes)
"The Joke" - Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters - (Brandi Carlile)
"The Middle" - Sarah Aarons, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Marcus Lomax, Kyle Trewartha, Michael Trewartha & Anton Zaslavski, songwriters - (Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey)
"Shallow" -Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando & Andrew Wyatt, songwriters - (Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper)
"This is America" -Donald Glover & Ludwig Goransson, songwriters - (Childish Gambino)

Best New Artist:

Chloe x Hale
Luke Combs
Greta van Fleet
H.E.R.
Dua Lipa
Margo Price
Bebe Rexha
Jorja Smith

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album:

"Love Is Here To Stay" - Tony Bennett & Diana Krall
"My Way" - Willie Nelson
"Nat "King" Cole & Me" - Gregory Porter
"Standards" - Seal
"The Music...The Mem'ries...The Magic!" - Barbra Streisand

Best Pop Vocal Album:

"Camila" - Camila Cabello
"Meaning Of Life" - Kelly Clarkson
"Sweetner" - Ariana Grande
"Shawn Mendes" - Shawn Mendes
"Beautiful Trauma" - Pink
"Reputation" - Taylor Swift

Best Pop Solo Performance:

"Colors" - Beck
"Havana (Live)" - Camila Cabello
"God Is A Woman" - Ariana Grande
"Joanne (Where Do You Think You're Goin'?)" - Lady Gaga
"Better Now" - Post Malone

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:

"Fall in Line" - Christina Aguilera Featuring Demi Lovato
"Don't Go Breaking My Heart" - Backstreet Boys
"'S Wonderful" - Tony Bennett & Diana Krall
"Shallow" - Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
"Girls Like You" - Maroon 5 Featuring Cardi B
"Say Something" - Justin Timberlake Featuring Chris Stapleton
"The Middle" - Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey

Best Rock Album:

"Rainer Fog" - Alice In Chains
"Mania" Fall Out Boy
"Prequelle" - Ghost
"From the Fires" - Greta Van Fleet
"Pacific Daydream" - Weezer

Best Alternative Music Album:

"Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino" - Arctic Monkeys
"Colors" - Beck
"Utopia" - Bjork
"American Utopia" - David Byrne
"Masseduction" - St. Vincent

Best Urban Contemporary Album:

"Everything Is Love" - The Carters
"The Kids Are Alright" - Chloe x Halle
"Chris Dave And The Drumhedz" - Chris Dave And The Drumhedz
"War & Leisure" - Miguel
"Ventriloquism" - Meshell Ndegeocello

Best R&B Album:

"Sex & Cigarettes" - Toni Braxton
"Good Thing" - Leon Bridges
"Honestly" - Lalah Hathaway
"H.E.R." - H.E.R.
"Gumbo Unplugged (Live)" - PJ Morton

Best Rap Album:

"Invasion of Privacy" - Cardi B
"Swimming" - Mac Miller
"Victory Lap" - Nipsey Hussle
"Daytona" - Pusha T
"Astroworld" - Travis Scott

Best Country Album:

"Unapologetically" - Kelsea Ballerini
"Port Saint Joe" - Brothers Osborne
"Girl Going Nowhere" - Ashley McBryde
"Golden Hour" - Kacey Musgraves
"From A Room: Volume 2" - Chris Stapleton

Best Dance/Electronic Album:

"Singularity" -Jon Hopkins
"Woman Worldwide" - Justice
"Treehouse" - Sofi Tukker
"Oil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides" - Sophie
"Lune Rouge" - TOKiMONSTA

Best Comedy Album:

"Annihilation" - Patton Oswalt
"Equanimity & The Bird Revelation" - Dave Chappelle
"Noble Ape" - Jim Gaffigan
"Standup For Drummers" - Fred Armisen
"Tamborine" - Chris Rock

Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media:

"Call Me By Your Name"
"Deadpool 2"
"The Greatest Showman"
"Lady Bird"
"Stranger Things"

Producer of the Year - (Non-Classical):

Boi-1da
Larry Klein
Linda Perry
Kanye West
Pharrell Williams