Hello folks! We have an exclusive sneak preview from Philadelphia’s own Joey Mannarino: “Wherever You Are,” which will be the first single to his upcoming album. He already hit you strong with the Philly soul smoothness of “Falling,” and now he is about to take you on another level with this new surefire hit and future quiet-storm classic, which we can already affirm will be the start of a new baby boom. Vocally and musically, Mannarino is in peak form here as always. A must hear for soul fans and real music!
All thanks to Joey Mannarino for his generosity to share his new gifts with all of us and people all around the world. We greatly appreciate it!
It is known that there is a lack of authenticity in the musical landscape today. Artists and producers are typically manufactured and image-driven for popularity and fame. However, there is a newcomer who plans to blow away the competition with his distinctive style and unique skills.
Von Tae’ is a gifted singer, songwriter, dancer, and entertainer who has released his debut promo project, Broken Boundaries of Existence, which garnered much recognition and success since its initial release in 2011. With its mixture of upbeat dance jams and honest, soul-bearing anthems, Broken Boundaries of Existence proves to be a labor of love for the artist behind its music, messages, and statements.
Just from hearing it for the first time, there is nothing more breathtaking than Von Tae’ exploring the peaks and valleys of love, or even lamenting on living life to the fullest, and being inspired in this jaded world. Out of all of the subjects he touches on throughout the project, positivity and affirmation are among the most evident.
Songs such as the party-laden “We Gon’ Shut It Down” and motivating “Top of the World” share a common thread, in which Von Tae’ boldly declares his own personal liberation, while inspiring others to follow their own keys to freedom. The most personal track, “Been There Too” is as heartbreaking as it is triumphant, where the artist puts all of his trials and tribulations on the table and searches for salvation. It is this downbeat, yet stunning moment where Von Tae’ is at his most vulnerable, offering an honest glimpse into the roots of his talent and ambition, while giving the listener an abundance of hope as well.
The project also boasts a couple of sensual moments, that finds Von Tae’ exploring the highs and lows of relationships. As much as Existence is a conscious statement on personal liberation, it is also a conceptual statement on love, in all of its facets. Songs such as “Yea We Chillin’,” “Only One,” and “Torn Into Pieces” all amazingly paint a portrait of desire, lost love, and regained love. Smartly written and hard-hitting, “Another Pretty Face” is Von Tae’ at his most confessional, whipping out all of the stops on a failed relationship and declaring his progression from it.
Honest, vulnerable, freewheeling, and invigorating, Broken Boundaries of Existence is a triumphant rollercoaster that Von Tae’ has allowed listeners to venture, as it speaks volumes to who the man is and gives us the inspiration to look in the mirror to reveal who we really are. Musically and lyrically, it is a compelling testament to his talents and it proves that the journey will not end here anytime soon.
Download Von Tae’s debut promo project for free here.
Check out more about Von Tae’ and new updates at these places:
Hope everything has been well in your worlds. I’m trying something a little differently this time around by dropping a mixtape, devoted to warming you up for the rest of the holiday and the upcoming new year. This series is entitled “Lover’s Winter” and it’s strictly for the lovers out there. So, open your ears and immerse into total ecstasy.
Merry Christmas! Vol. 2 is coming up next…all old school music heads need to get onto this one and the ones that will follow! Good listening.
Tracklisting:
1. “Velas” – Quincy Jones
2. “Take All The Time You Need” – Roy Ayers Ubiquity
3. “All I Need Is You” – Switch
4. “Firefly” – The Temptations
5. “I’d Rather Be With You” – Terry Callier
6. “Wishful Thinking” – Patrice Rushen
7. “Can You Feel What I’m Saying?” – Minnie Riperton
8. “Turnin’ Me On” – Teena Marie
9. “Don’t Turn Around” – Black Ivory
10. “Cry Of A Dreamer” – The Sylvers
11. “‘Tis Your Kind Of Music” – Graham Central Station
12. “I Really Love You” – Roy Ayers Ubiquity
13. “Come My Way” – Rene & Angela
14. “Pay Back Is A Dog” – The Stylistics
15. “I Wish It Would Rain” – Mayer Hawthorne
16. “In The Rain” – The Dramatics
17. “Moist” – Janet Jackson
18. “You Move Me” – Cassandra Wilson
*Mixtape produced, curated, and mixed by Brandon Ousley*
Yes folks! Here is the newest heat from Philadelphia’s own Joey Mannarino. He has dropped his new single, “Falling” today and it is certain to be an surefire hit. This breezy and smooth-sailing groove was produced by Kustom and written by Mannarino himself. Mannarino is currently in the process of recording a new album, which will be set to release in mid-2013. The landscape of R&B is about to explode with his talent and this cut proves it! Thanks brother for blessing us with this one!
Music icon Michael Jackson set new heights with the release of his seminal album, “Thriller,” in 1982, and it sets new heights 30 years after its release and lasting success.
The impact of “Thriller” didn’t rely on ‘80s excess, MTV, and pop radio alone, as its music and success is felt by many today.
According to a Rolling Stone report, “Thriller” has been an extremely influential album. … Perhaps its biggest accomplishment has been its influence on other black musicians.
In today’s music world, several artists and producers attempt to embark on their own “Thriller” moment. However, times have changed in the music world.
F.Y.E. music store worker, Eric Burgess stated that Michael Jackson’s influence spanned not only nationwide, but globally as well.
“His biggest influence was probably the videos he made,” Burgess says. “He was an entertainer first. … He wasn’t just popular here in the states, he was a worldwide superstar. You can go anywhere in the world, he’s a huge star. You can’t say that about anybody else.”
The other factor behind “Thriller” was its producer Quincy Jones, who worked with Jackson on other albums such as, “Off The Wall” and “Bad.”
“I also think Quincy Jones was also a mastermind because he was the one who produced that album, he came up with a lot of the ideas for it musically,” Burgess says. “So I think a lot of people think it was only Michael Jackson, but I think Quincy Jones had a major impact on the album as well.”
As it is known as the ‘biggest selling album in music history,’ there are some who have never brought or listened to a copy of “Thriller.” Roosevelt University student Angelina Bauer stated that even though she never heard the album, she understood the impact of the artist himself.
“He’s called the King of Pop for a reason, he’s inspired a lot of people,” she says. “I think it’s admirable how much he’s inspired people. … I think it’s sad how he went down.”
The moment is finally here. You’ve read their stories, and now you can immerse in their musical experiences. David “FunkKid” Ford and Joshua Jackson have recently dropped their new mixtapes. FunkKid’s “BlacksandBeats(Baba Loves Kat)” and Jackson’s “Rebels” are available now on Bandcamp. Check them out now! Support real music.
Since the emergence of the blog, “Brandosoul” earlier this year, its audience continues to grow and expand, through its use of podcasts, news stories, and other engaging media.
Based on statistical information, the blog has generated more than 2, 500 overall views, with 50 comments from viewers, since February 2012. Some of the popular categories include, “entertainment,” “classic albums,” and “podcast,” with “music” at the top, garnering 13 views.
Additionally, statistics show that various search engines and websites have made an impact on the viewership of the blog, allowing people to explore and share it with others around the world. As of November 2012, viewers have mostly used search engines such as Yahoo, Google, and Bing, in referring to this blog.
Along with the help of search engines, the common search terms tells another story. People have come across this blog using terms ranging from “Prince the musician,” to “Chicago skyline.”
News stories have also become an integral part of this blog, as they have given insight about upcoming artists and music updates. From September to November, more than 500 people have viewed news stories concerning musicians and music updates. The most viewed featured story was the Jesse Jenkins Q-and-A interview.
The blog has generated a varied audience from around the world, with the top viewers coming from U.S. Surprisingly, U.K. ranks second with 180 views, while Spain ranks third with 164 views.
As the blog’s main focus is on artists Prince, Michael Jackson, and other music, “Brandosoul” has become a flagship community for upcoming artists and music fanatics alike.
It has been awhile since we dropped a podcast, so we have decided to reach into the vaults and give you an oldie, but goodie! 1987′s The Black Album is one of the most controversial project Prince was ever associated with and it remains one of the most well-known bootlegged albums. Its stories and myth often clash with the music, but it is such an interesting album and era. Here I was joined with my co-host Jesse Jenkins and we are offering an in-depth album critique, along with new insights about this remarkable era and album.
In this episode, we also get into: - Prince’s “Welcome 2 Chicago” shows - Andy Allo - Larry Graham - Prince’s new cut, “Rock ‘N Roll Affair”
Multi-instrumentalist Henry Cooper is on his way to break musical ground with a new album, “The Best of Me (Part 2),” which is rooted in his various musical influences and exquisite artistry.
With heavy enthusiasm, Cooper considers his sophomore album to be a testament of real musicianship and ambition that is absent in the musical landscape today.
“The reason why I title it ‘The Best of Me’ is because it’s just all of me playing certain songs, based on my own influences,” he says. “I just want to give something back and express to people what real music is all about.”
The Georgia native says that his musical influences are widely diverse, ranging from jazz, R&B, classical, and gospel. He cites his family as one of his biggest influences, as they introduced him to music through different phases of his life.
“My top influences were Marvin Gaye, Grover Washington, Jr., Chuck Mangoine, Quincy Jones, Maynard Ferguson, Michael Jackson, and some others” he says. “So I mainly was involved in a lot of groups that I was inspired by.”
In addition to working on his own music, Cooper has contributed music for other artists. He says that he has worked with many gospel artists, most notably Kirk Franklin and Mary Mary.
Cooper also has a background for composing, arranging, and producing music and has been known for expressing his disappointment of the lack of musicianship in music today.
“You see people these days [who] haven’t played instruments in years or never played an instrument,” he says. “It all comes about trying, it all comes with how to do this stuff … you see most people today [who] never played an instrument, never read music, or never went to school.”
Cooper added that his new album will be released later this year, and his previous works are now available on Soundcloud and YouTube.
It’s not every day that one comes across a young artist who pays homage to the past, while looking at the present. In a time where artists and producers are typically manufactured for fame, there is a lack of uninhibited talent circulating in the music industry today.
However, newcomer Joshua Jackson is bound to dominate the music world, with the release of his upcoming mixtape, “Rebels.”
“I feel that it is time for the world to understand me as an artist,” he says. “Music is my passion and life.”
The 17-year-old Louisianan has aspirations to share his music with the world and spark a change in the way people hear music. He says that his new mixtape, “Rebels,” which he plans to release in November, will be an experimental and funky project that revisits 1970s and 1980s old-school funk and R&B styles.
“I am inspired strongly by Prince, Stevie Wonder, [the band] America … just to name a few,” he says. “One of the first songs that made me want to do what I’m doing is ‘The Bird’ by The Time. When I figured out [Prince] produced and wrote it, I knew what time it was.”
Jackson also says that he is strictly going the independent route for this upcoming mixtape, as well as future releases. Hugely distrustful of mainstream practices, he says that he is aware of his own methods of distributing and sharing music.
“I’m just not keen on what happens in the mainstream today,” he says. “I plan on releasing my music my own way and places like YouTube and Bandcamp has allowed me to do that.”
