CHRISTINA AGUILERA RETURNS TO “ACCELERATE “

When Christina Aguilera made a surprise appearance on the season opener of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”, one of the first things the queens asked her was when was she coming out with some new music. The thirty-seven year old singer played coy with a vague answer of “soon”. Well, the wait is finally over and after six years, Aguilera has returned with a new song called “Accelerate”. With assistance from a large tribe of writers and producers (including Kanye West), this track is a departure for the singer. Leaving behind the r&b-flavored pop that first brought her fame, Aguilera dives into trap music with Ty Dolla Sign and 2 Chainz providing additional vocals.  I have to say I think this song is really hot and can’t wait to hear more. Xtina also announced that her sixth studio album is called “ Liberation” and will be out in June.

With the music video for "Accelerate", Aguilera delivers trippy and hyper-sexual imagery with her licking milk out of a bowl, being doused with some sort of shiny liquid and appearing topless with her nips covered with masking tape. The whole look of the clip feels like vintage hip-hop Miley Cyrus which I'm not sure is good or bad. Anyway, check it out for yourself:

IN LOVING TRIBUTE TO ORLANDO

It has been a week later and the world is trying to recover from the devastating tragedy that occurred in Orlando at the Pulse nightclub. The senseless loss of forty-nine innocent and beautiful lives is still very hard to comprehend. As a way to heal and to help with the difficult times ahead for the survivors and the families of the victims, a few musical artists have made creative contributions to assist in the best way they can.

Christina Aguilera has released a moving ballad called "Change" She will be donating 100% of the song’s proceeds for the next three months to the National Compassion Fund to directly benefit the Orlando shooting victims and their families. You can purchase the song right now through Apple Music.



Out singer/songwriter, Melissa Etheridge has written a powerful song dedicated to the victims of this terror attack. Using the name of the gay club for inspiration, "Pulse" deals with coping with pain and loss while reinforcing the never-ending power of love. When the single is officially released, proceeds will be going to a LGBT charity.

"Pulse" - Melissa Etheridge (2016) mp3

UPDATE: I have to include the recently released, wonderful single of the Hal David/Burt Bacharach song "What The World Needs Now is Love" sung by Broadway For Orlando. This collective of performers of the New York stage, past and present, came together on June 15th to record this classic with 100% of proceeds going to the LGBT Center of Central Florida. It is available now for download through BroadwayRecords.com and iTunes, Take a look at the video of the recording that features plenty of faces you will recognize

MY TUNE OF THE DAY

I have never watch the latest television music competition/reality show, "The Voice" nor have any real interest but the best thing that seemed to have come from this show is the musical collaboration between judges, Adam Levine (with his band Maroon 5) and Christina Aguilera with the song, "Moves Like Jagger".

I have enjoyed Xtina from time to time but I have never been a fan of Maroon 5, so I am very surprised by how much I really love this song but it's catchy, fun and it's the perfect summer jam.

Have a listen:

"Moves Like Jagger" - Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera (2011)

And here is the man himself, Mick Jagger, getting the crowd on their feet at this year's Grammy Award telecast with a tribute to the late r&b legend, Solomon Burke:

HOT & FRESH OUT THE KITCHEN

I had noticed that all of my previous posts have featured music from the not too distant past, but I do listen to the current stuff.

Here is some new music of interest:

CHRISTINA AGUILERA - BIONIC

To be honest, I have not heard the whole record, "BIONIC - DELUXE (Explicit)" yet but what I have heard, I haven't been overly excited about. I think she is moving in a direction she doesn't need to go and others are already doing and are doing much better. She should be doing music that showcases her amazing voice and not buries it under heavy electronic sounds and vocal distortions. Lead the pack, don't follow it. You deserve and can do better, Xtina.

Here is one of the better tracks off the new record that features M.I.A.:

Elastic Love - Christina Aguilera


JAMIE LIDELL - COMPASS

This is the sixth CD from British soul singer, Jamie Lidell who hasn't gotten nearly enough attention on this side of the Atlantic. You can hear all of the different musical influences in his work but he combines classic r&B with throbbing electronic rhythms to create his unique sound.

This is my one of favorite songs off of "Compass": I Wanna be Your Telephone .

LEELA JAMES - MY SOUL

R&B songstress, Leela James has returned with that sultry voice with a new record, "My Soul" and I am glad she's back. I have been a fan since her first CD, "Change Is Gonna Come" (2005) and I hope her latest brings her all the proper accolades she truly deserves.

Check out this track: Tell Me You Love Me

And finally, the new video by Lady Gaga for her latest single, "Alejandro". With it's thinly veiled homage to the video images of Madonna, the video's highlights are Gaga's awkward dancing and the overt sexuality which comes across as derivative and a little desperate.

At over eight minutes, it is bit too lengthy for a music video and the extra time adds nothing and feels self indulgent. Lady Gaga seems like she has gotten to a point where she feels she has to top each new video, making it more grand and outrageous and it's really not always necessary. Maybe her next video should simply be her sitting at a piano, just singing. That would be truly shocking.