"Soulful Sundays Vol. 1"

Welcome to the first edition of the title of this post. The idea of course gains inspiration from Kev Nottinhams own edition, so I thought why not provide my own two cents (what if they made a two cents???). I usually go "Off the Wall" with the intro to a post but why do it you when you skip down to the subject of the post. I thought why not explore realms beyond hip-hop and move into the music that makes you "GET DOWN." A lot of times, I don't really listen to hip hop but venture into the R&B and *GASP* Neo-Soul terrority with a mix of junk and funk and soul (Right there I sound Redundant @ Q-Tip). Heck, this is what I just listen to in the after hours because I music during this gots to be cool (On a Tribe Vibe in this post). So, today I offer up two sounds that can be seen as similar in sound (to a degree), but whateva I don't where I am going wiht this sentence, so "Let's Groove This Moment."

The Brand New Heavies - Shelter
CHILLED!!!! The Brand New Heavies are pretty well regarded in the Hip Hop Circles. Their Heavy Rhyme Experience, Vol 1 album was the just dope. But for me, My favor-ite album from them is Shleter. The showed the Heavies trenched in the downtempo music that can characterize a great deal of the late 90's,as the album was released in 97' (more so 96-98, because by 99' things had changed from this trend). Anyways, back to this album, the group's lead singer, N'Dea Davenport, had left the group and the she was replaced by Siedah Garrett. Garrett is most well-known for her work with the late and great Michael Jackson on duet of "I Can't Just Stop Loving You" and 1# hit song "Man in the Mirror" which she wrote. Well, Garrett teamed up with the Heavies only for one album and "Shelter" was the result. This album is just smooth with great instrumentation and kinda a airy sound that oozes sultry groove and funk. From the upbeat, after hours opening song of "I Like It" to the sultle bliss of the "Sometimes" and "Feels Like Right" to the empowering "Highest High" the album just is full of good music. It is a testament to the abilities of Garrett and the Heavies to make such a good album out the gate for their collaboration. Such a shame this the only album from this incarnation of the Heavies, but they hit strong with this effort.

Jamiroquai - Travelling Without Moving
FUTURISITC VIBES!!! Funny that I would do a post on this crew as most people would not admit to liking them. The most frequent comparisons the group has drawn to over thier careers is that of one and only Stevie Wonder. This is truth to the comparisons, but the differences are more intruiging. Jamiroquai are a Acid Jazz based band hailing from England. The group was mande after the Group's lead Singer and founder, Jay Kay, decided to from his own group after being rejected from wait for it... A Brand New Heavies audition. This was *HINDSIGHT IS 20/20 like ABC* obviously a blessing in disguise. Kay rounded up some musicians, notably bassists Stuart Zender, and cut some demos. This lead to a record deal and they delivered with their first album "Emergency on Planet Earth." The environmentally socially conscious themed album was a hit in the UK and they only got better with their second album "The Return of The Space Cowboy." Yet, The group is most well-knwon for the third album,(released in 96') which is the subject of this section in this post. "Travelling Without Moving" was propelled in sales and acclaim by the lead song of the album "Virtual Insanity." The video for the song was just plain innovative with the moving room and Kay dancing around the room (or so it appeared). The video and song broke them into the US market and help their album move 11 million units. The song after the lead song continued it's funky and spacey vibes with the song "Cosmic Girl." Heck the first six songs on the album are just sick culminating in the space jam (see what I did there) "Alright." Other songs such as the title track, "You Are My Love," "Spend A Lifetime," Do You Know Where you Are COming From", and "Funktion" are just as great as the first six songs and close out the album on a funky vibe. The album is so much fun and just give it a try before you bash John for discussing this crew. Heck, it got a review in the Source (when people still read magazines for all the info on the happenings of the world). Man, they had a Tribe like run with their first three albums (literally since their best album is considered their second album, but more people agree their album is truly their best) and then Zender left and yeah..., but this serves as a introductory album to the crew as it was their apex becuase everything builds to this and then everything after this does not hold a candle to this album. Man, do I wish for a reunion of the original lineup of Jamiroquai to do one more show, but I guess that is what Youtube is for, I guess....

*Sidenote: I did a post on two groups that have some connection to the Hip-Hop world and Tribe as Tip worked on the Remix of the Heavies "Somethimes" song (More of an Ummah production) and Jay Dee did a remix to Jamiroquai's "Deeper Underground" and Camp Lo even gave Jamiroquai a shoutout in a magazine interview.*

The Brand New Heavies - Shelter

1		I Like It
2		Sometimes
3		Shelter
4		Crying Water
5		Day By Day
6		Feels Like Right
7		Highest High
8		You Are The Universe
9		Stay Gone
10		Once Is Twice Enough
11		You Can Do It
12		After Forever
13		Last To Know
14		You've Got A Friend

Talkin 'Bout A Revolution!!!

Jamiroquai - Travelling Without Moving

1		Virtual Insanity
2		Cosmic Girl
3		Use The Force
4		Everyday
5		Alright
6		High Times
7		Drifting Along
8		Didjerama
9		Didjital Vibrations
10		Travelling Without Moving
11		You Are My Love
12		Spend A Lifetime
13		Do You Know Where I Coming From

14 Funtion

A Space Odessesy To Get Lost In

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