Good Day All,
I have been on a hiatus for a little while, but I have sooo much to share with you that I will need about a couple of weeks of posting daily to get it all in!!!! If you're a friend of my blog, I know you've been waiting to see what's really good with Soul in the City and with me!
So, want to hear it; here it goes...
First and Foremost, I'd like to send a shout out to all of my supporters in the US, United Kingdom, Sweden, Africa, Brazil and Russia!!! I am truly blessed to know that all over the world, you'll find a soul supporter wanting to know the latest and greatest news that the Independent Soul community has to offer. Music is universal and has no color, no race and no one face to it. I love all my people world wide and look to travel to these great countries in the near future. So, spread the word about Total Eclipse Magazine and Mara Hunter.
Next, I wanted to briefly recap the 2012 BET Awards... as many of you awaited this annual gathering of the industries greatest, others were preparing their acceptance speeches; some for the first time. Later this week, I will be reviewing and highlighting some of the award recipients in the areas of Jazz, Soul, R&B, Gospel and International to include the Centric Award (Common), Best Gospel Artist (Yolanda Adams), Best Male & Female Artists (Beyonce' and Chris Breezy) and a newly added award which is just one year young, Best International Act: Africa which went to Hip Hop artist Sarkodie!
Congratulations to all the nominees and as I mentioned, I'll go into depth on these as well as others
Next, I'd like to catch you up to speed on some amazing music with some beautiful musicians and artists...
What's hot for the Summer right now, well...June was Black Music Month and so many artists dropped some amazing jewels that it'll take another month of listening, just to get it all.
Here are some of my picks of wonderful music selects for all occassions...
First up, Contemporary & Smooth Jazz has officially made it's mark in the Soul arena with great musicians such as Robert Glasper, Jeff Bradshaw and Brian Culbertson. (I haven't heard this many great collaborative selections since the legendary Quincy Jones, released Back on the Block). As I've mentioned the first two Robert & Jeff) in previous posts, I'd like to take the opportunity to highlight Mr. Culbertson... Brian's back and has done it again with his thirteenth album Dreams (Verve/Universal).
Reaching the #1 position on Contemporary Jazz Charts and taking the #97 position on Billboard Top 200, he proves that Jazz is officially here to stay!! He's guest list of soul artists on this new effort includes vocalists Noel Gourdin, Vivian Green, and Stokley Williams of Mint Condition, "Dreams masterfully melds jazz sensibility with an R&B flair in a wondrous mélange of enchanting grooves." His first single, "Still Here" and beautiful duet with a beautiful songstress, Ms. Vivian Green has been riding the airwaves like an surfer angel in flight. Brian is currently on tour with jazz saxophonist David Sanborn during a 30 city stop appropriately entitled The Dream Tour, hitting an array of venues including wineries, cruises, casinos and festivals through September.
Definitely some great music to pick up and catch a vibe to.
Finally, as a contributor for Lioness Magazine, we were honored to receive a Rave Reader's Award for Best Innovative Business!!! A big shout out goes to Natasha Clark as she was the visionary on this project, the writers just contributed great work to make it an overall success. So, kudos to my fellow contributors and writers for an amazing job! It has been a pleasure working with you all.
Peace & Love Soul Goers,
XOXO
I have been on a hiatus for a little while, but I have sooo much to share with you that I will need about a couple of weeks of posting daily to get it all in!!!! If you're a friend of my blog, I know you've been waiting to see what's really good with Soul in the City and with me!
So, want to hear it; here it goes...
First and Foremost, I'd like to send a shout out to all of my supporters in the US, United Kingdom, Sweden, Africa, Brazil and Russia!!! I am truly blessed to know that all over the world, you'll find a soul supporter wanting to know the latest and greatest news that the Independent Soul community has to offer. Music is universal and has no color, no race and no one face to it. I love all my people world wide and look to travel to these great countries in the near future. So, spread the word about Total Eclipse Magazine and Mara Hunter.
Next, I wanted to briefly recap the 2012 BET Awards... as many of you awaited this annual gathering of the industries greatest, others were preparing their acceptance speeches; some for the first time. Later this week, I will be reviewing and highlighting some of the award recipients in the areas of Jazz, Soul, R&B, Gospel and International to include the Centric Award (Common), Best Gospel Artist (Yolanda Adams), Best Male & Female Artists (Beyonce' and Chris Breezy) and a newly added award which is just one year young, Best International Act: Africa which went to Hip Hop artist Sarkodie!
Congratulations to all the nominees and as I mentioned, I'll go into depth on these as well as others
What's hot for the Summer right now, well...June was Black Music Month and so many artists dropped some amazing jewels that it'll take another month of listening, just to get it all.
Here are some of my picks of wonderful music selects for all occassions...
First up, Contemporary & Smooth Jazz has officially made it's mark in the Soul arena with great musicians such as Robert Glasper, Jeff Bradshaw and Brian Culbertson. (I haven't heard this many great collaborative selections since the legendary Quincy Jones, released Back on the Block). As I've mentioned the first two Robert & Jeff) in previous posts, I'd like to take the opportunity to highlight Mr. Culbertson... Brian's back and has done it again with his thirteenth album Dreams (Verve/Universal).
Reaching the #1 position on Contemporary Jazz Charts and taking the #97 position on Billboard Top 200, he proves that Jazz is officially here to stay!! He's guest list of soul artists on this new effort includes vocalists Noel Gourdin, Vivian Green, and Stokley Williams of Mint Condition, "Dreams masterfully melds jazz sensibility with an R&B flair in a wondrous mélange of enchanting grooves." His first single, "Still Here" and beautiful duet with a beautiful songstress, Ms. Vivian Green has been riding the airwaves like an surfer angel in flight. Brian is currently on tour with jazz saxophonist David Sanborn during a 30 city stop appropriately entitled The Dream Tour, hitting an array of venues including wineries, cruises, casinos and festivals through September.
New Album(s):
Jarrad Anthony's, Ready to Live dropped in June as well and boy, Oh, boy are you in for a treat on this one. This Virginia native brings it back to the roots of soul with a rhythmatic intro and some daunting, sexy and very intimate portrayals of sensuality at its peak. This album is very satisfying. Please look for an album review soon and will be featured in the next issue of Total Eclipse Magazine, so make sure you subscribe today!!!
New Single(s): Award winning soul vocalist Ms Doss (Conya for those that don't already know), released a new single, entitled "What About You & Me" f/ Chris McNeal off her latest album A Pocketful of Purpose. Get in tuned to the soulful grace of this amazingly gifted diva.
Another honorable mention goes out to multi-instrumentalist, Vincent Ingala whom, I had the pleasure of meeting a few weeks ago and witnessed as he tore down the house with his amazing album release for his new Album, Can't Stop Now. He blessed the stage with pieces from his first album, renditions of some of the most classic and soulful moments of all time, from Earth Wind and Fire, to the Isley Brothers to Maze ft/Frankie B and cuts from his new effort.
Pictures Courtsey of James Ruth, JRD Photo
Finally, as a contributor for Lioness Magazine, we were honored to receive a Rave Reader's Award for Best Innovative Business!!! A big shout out goes to Natasha Clark as she was the visionary on this project, the writers just contributed great work to make it an overall success. So, kudos to my fellow contributors and writers for an amazing job! It has been a pleasure working with you all.
Peace & Love Soul Goers,
XOXO
Mara
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