Boyz II Men - Twenty

Man, its been a long time but I'm back.  For a while I just wasn't too inspired by the music being released. So I took time to develop another love of mine....photography.  Check out the site at www.demondpearsonphotography.com.  Once I got started with that I couldn't find time to write about the good music that was coming out.  I told myself that I really needed to get back to this blog and try my best to bring attention to the good music out there...especially the music that people tend to sleep on.  Tonight I'm feeling Boyz II Men's latest album Twenty.  

These brothas made a comeback.  I have to admit I had some doubt...not in the talent but....you know how some artist try and come back and fail to put together a project that can be relevant.  This album is definitely up to date and well put together.  From the start your head is noddin.  By the time the sultry smooth Put Some Music On comes on your neck may be hurtin.  Speaking of that song...go ahead and put it on your repeat list cause you will repeat it.  Charlie Wilson shows up with his talent on More Than You’ll Ever Know.  That brotha is still bringin it.  Guess some people just really know good music.  This album is definitely one that can be listened to on the road, cleaning up, chillin with your lady or whatever.  I skip very few songs on here.  Its definitely worth buying.

Heard Ryan Leslie Produced This - You Already Know!

Likes this

Jay-Z |MTV Music

Am I wrong for liking this song? Hmmmmm

Ryan Leslie is NICE wit it. Check this out

Feelin this track

Maxwell - Blacksummers'night

Maxwell. What can you say? He brings it again for a short but truly talented album. My only complaint is that it was seven years and there are only nine songs....well ten if you count the Pretty Wings remix. But this is the first album of a trilogy of albums....so lets hope the others have more songs. This does seem to be a dark deep album so maybe thats why its only nine songs. Each song does say something...if you are listening. The fact that he used a real band definitely ups the quality and creativeness of the album. Mad props for doin that. Not too many people do that these days. You must watch the commentary that came with a limited amount of the CDs. That will give a lot of insight into what this cd is about and where Maxwell was coming from. I always like to hear that....I'm always curious as to what the artist are thinking about when they are creating.

When I first got the album I wasn't immediately blown away. I like it...just not blown away. But each time I listen to it I like it more and more. The commentary helped some but actually sitting down and listening to the words, music, arrangements, etc. did the trick. Let me start with the first single Pretty Wings. This song is one of the most perfectly arranged and complete songs I've ever heard. I really have to listen to that song more than once when I hear it. Then there's the new single Bad Habits....classic Maxwell. I think my favorite song is Love You. The drums, piano and organ help Maxwell make his plea to a woman to "let me love you now". To me this song's upbeat temp is like the key ingredient to this album. The placement of it right in the middle makes it like the glue holding the album together. But I don't mean to take anything away from the other songs at all. Songs like Fistful of Tears and whoa....Stop the World. Drawls should come off when you play this one fellas. Turn this song on and let Maxwell sing em right up out the drawls....ha.

This has quickly become one of my favorite albums of the year....and I'm ready for the rest of the trilogy.

Really?

I mean am I the only one not understanding how Ryan Leslie is not getting his props for the perfect album?  

Drake - So Far Gone Mixtape

Have yall heard this?  Apparently it came out in February.   I was turned on to it by a good friend of mine.   Damn thanks for that.  This is so refreshing to hear nowadays.   I mean this dude can rap and sing.  Rarely do you find that in artist....I mean really.  The tracks are nice too.  First listen will have you hooked.   He shows his skills on the first track Lust for Life where he is singing and rhymin.  Then he hits you over the head with Houstatlantavegas...."Throw yo ones up in there air for her...cause the ones you throw will get her outta Houstatlantavegas".  Ha.  This is a smooth song....with its drum track laiden with keyboards.  Now over to the next one....Successful.  "I just wanna be...I just wanna be successful".  He gets help from Trey Songz and Lil Wayne on this one.  They all come together with a sure hit...but for some reason I don't want radio to get a hold of this one.  This is a true gem.   On Ignant Sh*t Drake shows his azz with the lyrics...but then Lil Wayne comes right behind him and straight goes the f off.   This is true classic....and all over a Between the Sheets sample....come on now.  Say Whats Real is another classic.  Drake truly shows his way with words on this song....and all over Kanye's Say You Will.  I mean did he really pull that off?  Now you probably heard Best I Ever Had.  I think radio may have its hold on this one.  Another nice track with killa lyrics and catchy hook.  

Bottom line is this n word is the truth.  And he's right on time.  Music needed this.  Put it in rotation and enjoy.