[Album] C. Rich: "Certified Organic"
Back in July, we brought you the video for C. Rich's "Let It Go," the first promotional material ahead of his next project, Certified Organic. After years of planning, we're happy to bring you C. Rich's best album to date, Certified Organic. Teaming up with Derek "DC" Cannon, C. Rich's Certified Organic represents a shift away from the crowded Chicago hip hop scene with his R&B vocals. However, joining him are Chicago rappers Vic Spencer and Pavy as the two sole featured artists on the album.
I've known the crooner for over 12 years, and I can say with confidence that C. Rich has been working up to this moment as long as I've known him. I used to joke around and call his music "R&B sex music" as a testament to his smooth voice (with a slight reference to some of the sex songs off of 2010's Rich Beyond Measures), but Certified Organic features growth in both C. Rich's voice and lyrics.
An extra layer to C. Rich's music acumen is his ability to actually write music. "Blue Dream," my favorite off of the album, features a full band consisting of a horn section (trumpet and sax), drums, and an echoed guitar playing ska chords. It's in these stripped down, live-recorded instruments that the Certified Organic name truly comes to light. While the first half of the album features some admittedly well-produced tracks, with the newly-remixed version of "Let It Go" standing out, "Blue Dream" and "Come Back" are the highlights of the album for both the live instrumentation, but also the "departure" from the overproduced sound that has come to represent R&B.
If this is your first experience with C. Rich, I can guarantee it won't be your last. (Album art hand painted by Anthony Williams.)
[Video] Autre Ne Veut: “Ego Free Sex Free" + Tour
Autre Ne Veut has crept into the consciousness of avid music listeners earlier this year since releasing his self-produced debut album, Anxiety, earlier this year and heading out on a critically-acclaimed tour that saw the singer/songwriter make stops in Austin for SXSW, Chicago for Pitchfork and overseas for a European leg. For "Ego Free Sex Free" Ne Veut teams up with MocaTV for a truly elegant video, check it out below along with tour dates and ticket links.
[youtube id="bVZKab0sP2g"]
TOUR DATES:
10/03/13 @ Limelight – Milan, Italy
10/04/13 @ The Parish w/ Wild Nothing – Austin, TX More Info
10/05/13 @ Austin City Limits – Austin, TX More Info
10/12/13 @ Austin City Limits – Austin, TX More Info
10/25/13 @ Rock and Roll Hotel – Washington, DC More Info
10/27/13 @ Mountain Oasis Festival – Asheville, NC More Info
11/19/13 @ Kazimier – Liverpool, UK More Info
11/20/13 @ Netil House – London, UK More Info
11/21/13 @ Green Door Store – Brighton, UK More Info
11/22/13 @ Hare & Hounds – Birmingham, UK More Info
11/23/13 @ Brudenell Social Club – Leeds, UK More Info
11/25/13 @ Rotown – Rotterdam, NL More Info
11/26/13 @ Botanique Rotande – Brussells, BE More Info
11/27/13 @ Trouw – Amsterdam, NE More Info
11/28/13 @ Fleche d’OR – Paris, FR More Info
R. Kelly: "Genius"
It has certainly been one hell of a 2013 for Chicago's own R. Kelly. After rocking both Bonaroo and Pitchfork this year, Kells has been steadily pushing out music and visuals. The latest off his forthcoming Black Panties, "Genius," plays on similar themes to previous singles that have come out of late. It seems as though R. Kelly is looking out from the mountain after a long career, reminding himself of his greatness. For now, check out the song below.
[Video] John Legend: "Made To Love"
G.O.O.D. Music's resident R&B nightingale John Legend has finally returned to the blues side with a sexy track accompanied with an even sexier visual for his lead track, "Made To Love" off of his highly anticipated album, Love In The Future. It's been five years since Mr. Legend's last album, 2008's biggest let down, Evolver, and a lot has shifted in his personal life - AKA he is soon to wed long-time girlfriend, Chrissy Teigen. Perhaps that's why someone else is doing the sexing in the video and not him. I think I can speak for most of the R&B community when I say I am relieved that John has abandoned the electro beats and returned to his home of rhythm and blues that he began building in 2004 with his debut album, Get Lifted. Ironically, like the first album, Love In The Future is also produced entirely by Kanye West - so thank Yeezus for that. Peep the sensual video below. Love In The Future will be released on September 3rd, pre-order it on iTunes here.
http://youtu.be/nRpjsFcb2uo
[Video] Justin Timberlake: "Take Back The Night"
Justin Timberlake is back with a funky video for his soulful debut track, "Take Back The Night" from his upcoming release, The 20/20 Experience: 2 of 2 - set to release on September 30th. The Uprising Creative directed visual features JT dance battling on the streets of Chinatown in NYC, concert footage from his "Legends Of The Summer" set at Yankees Stadium, and sailing through some smooth moves in the club. Ah, remnants of 2002.
http://youtu.be/DEzREJbln-o
You purchase "Take Back The Night" or pre-order The 20/20 Experience - 2 of 2 on iTunes here.
[Video] C. Rich: "Let It Go"
Chicago has been a hot bed for up and coming rappers for a few years now with a few of our young MCs thrown into the national spotlight. However, this beautiful city isn't just full of rappers, but musicians of all shapes, sizes, styles, genres, talent, smell, etc. Lately, we've been highlighting a few singers from the scene, most notably jazz singer Lili K. and R&B singer Chris LeSage. Today, I am happy to share the first music video for another up and coming R&B singer, C. Rich.
While he's been around in the scene for a long time, his most notable feature was on St. Millie's debut, No Religion But Up, on "All I Do." C. Rich is ready to step into the spotlight with the first video off of his upcoming album Certified Organic. "Let It Go," shot by Rocket Boys Media's Kyle Dones, features the crooner doing as the title says and just letting it all go. Ladies, I hope you're not in a public space when you listen to this man's voice, because his harmonies might cause you to... let it go.
Keep your ears open for C. Rich as the aforementioned Certified Organic is scheduled for an August release. If you're feeling his music, I highly suggest checking out his Bandcamp (with Rich Beyond Measure being my personal recommendation) and help getting his IndieGoGo campaign going.
http://youtu.be/uQlf3F3oKh8
[Video] Justin Timberlake: "Tunnel Vision"
Warning: Not Suitable For Viewing At Work!
Mr. Timberlake is definitely bringing sexy back - along with a lot of nipples. In the third visual of off the impressive project, The 20/20 Experience, JT keeps a close watch on his woman accompanied by executive producer and longtime collaborator, Timbaland's beat-boxing mouth.
"Tunnel Vision" showcases Timberlake floating through some smooth choreography and although it depicts more mature material than his typical music video - it is done tastefully with near perfect [nude] dancers set on dark backdrops. And sometimes his face is projected on their chests - so there's that. But all while the visually is enthralling, my mind can't help but wonder that this video might have been done before ...ahem, Robin Thicke.
With The 20/20 Experience still at the top of the charts and his "Legends of Summer" tour with the ever elusive Jay-Z about to commence - can JT's 2013 reign be stopped? Peep "Tunnel Vision" below while you ponder that.
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Chris LeSage: "Home Alone" (prod. by Tha Hydrox)
Over the weekend, MikeJaxx gave us a glimpse at a new sound with ShowYouSuck's "Watching Walking Dead." The song also introduced some of us to local singer, Chris LeSage, with that ridiculously catchy R&B-inspired "Pretty brown round/Driving me wild" hook. LeSage and Jaxx's production team, Tha Hydrox, are back for more with "Home Alone."
The song represents a huge musical change from what we're used to with Tha Hydrox's production, but I love their willingness to expand into more music. Also, LeSage is doing his part to bring R&B back. Ladies and fellas, prepare yourself, because this dude's voice is smooth. "Home Alone" is just a glimpse into what LeSage is capable of as he prepares to release his album Alpha, Violet later this summer.