Archive » Diggin' in the Crates

This page contains 81 entries posted under the "Diggin' in the Crates" category.

Take A Trip Back In Time Into Shannon Sanders' 'Mind'

Singer/songwriter/producer Shannon Sanders' name may not be familiar to you upon first hearing it, but you've already heard his work and probably just not known it yet. He's already a two-time GRAMMY Award-winning producer, and the shortlist of artists he's...

Butta | 02/25/2011 at 3:15 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Remember When DJ Jazzy Jeff & Erro Wanted To 'Rock With U'

Let me tell y'all a little story. A story about when my obsession with Eric Roberson, aka my well-documented Errobsession, began. It all started back in 2002. My co-worker, friend, designated music pusher and now director Ervin Green put me...

Butta | 01/07/2011 at 6:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Michael Jackson Gets You Up To 'Speed'

Out of all the songs from Michael Jackson's Moonwalker "Smooth Criminal" is my favorite. But after that "Speed Demon" comes in a close second. The track was just so funky and wasn't readily available and didn't regularly play on the radio...

ill Mami | 07/15/2010 at 2:30 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Ron G Makes Us 'Feel' Something Special

Back when this photo was taken, I more likely than not was glued to my tape deck making pause tapes of DJ Red Alert on Friday nights on KISS-FM in New York City. I don't mean to make this post...

ill Mami | 05/17/2010 at 1:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Du Download: 'New Amerykah Part Two: Return Of The Ankh' Original Samples

For those who have already listened to New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh, one thing is abundantly clear: Erykah Badu and her producers got happy with the samples. They dug in the crates and pulled out some familiar...

Butta | 03/30/2010 at 5:00 PM | Permalink

When Erykah Took 'Tyrone' To The Studio

I don't know what I was doing at the time, but I somehow managed to miss Erykah Badu on tour when she hit the circuit after Baduizm dropped. Despite my personal FAIL, I got to experience the next best thing...

Butta | 03/30/2010 at 4:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Diggin' For A 'Golden' Jill Scott Treasure

We started out the week on a high note with some Soulful House hotness from Applejac, and it's only fitting that we end the week on just as high a note in celebration of Jill Scott, the weekend, sunshine, blue...

Butta | 03/19/2010 at 1:00 PM | Permalink

Has Jill Scott Been Jogging? Cause Salah Ananse Keeps Her 'Crossing' Our Minds

Sadly, it looks as though, according to industry rumors that Ladies No.1 Detective Agency will not be returning for a second season, but don't quote me on that. The brief yet lush and beautiful series featuring Jill Scott as super...

ill Mami | 01/07/2010 at 11:00 AM | Comments () | Permalink

D'Angelo Shares Some 'Africa' With You

After yesterday's Diggin' In The Crates featuring D'Angelo's "Spanish Joint," a good friend of mine sent me this present. It's not that I've never heard this acoustic version of "Africa" before, but I had never heard it in its entirety....

ill Mami | 12/15/2009 at 2:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

D'Angelo Has A 'Joint' For You

This past weekend, Questlove, the Twitter soothsayer that he is, unleashed the full acoustic version of D'Angelo's "Spanish Joint" from Voodoo. Despite the comment thread debate over whether Voodoo was a genre-pushing album or not, most if not all of...

ill Mami | 12/14/2009 at 3:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Quiet Bounce: 'Never Givin' Up' On Aaliyah

Despite leaving us much too soon, Aaliyah left behind an incredible musical legacy. Her mysterious eyes and effortless sensuality dripped from her lips and sweetened every song she touched. In the midst of hardships, she promised she was "Never Givin'...

Fave | 11/25/2009 at 8:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

It's Not Over 'Til Mary J. Blige Sings

It's not over! The "Month of Mary" is still going strong as we celebrate Mary J. Blige's tremendous impact on the music world by taking us on a journey through hers. The Queen of Hip Hop Soul had conquered more...

Fave | 11/25/2009 at 12:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Mary J. Blige's 'Seven Days' Remix Flips The Script

As the Queen of Hip Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige has built an impressive catalog of gully dance grooves and deep slow jams. But did you know that her remix game over the years is also ridiculously off the hook?...

Fave | 11/24/2009 at 12:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

13 Reasons Why Mary J. Blige Is The Undisputed Queen Of Hip Hop Soul

No month-long homage to Mary J. Blige would in any way be complete without acknowledging her profound contribution to the genre known as Hip Hop Soul. When she was anointed its Queen by the King of Overexaggeration, Puff Daddy as...

ill Mami | 11/23/2009 at 12:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Mary Has No 'Limit' On Her Love

Being introduced as the Queen of Hip Hop Soul on What's The 411? meant that there had to be better and badder remixes of your original material just like true Hip Hop singles. With Puffy at the helm, Mary J....

ill Mami | 11/22/2009 at 12:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

All Mary Needs Is Some 'Sincerity'

Two things struck me simultaneously the other day as I was listening to DMX: firstly, DMX used to be able to get it hype and convey so many deep emotions all at once and secondly, some dude who was my...

ill Mami | 11/21/2009 at 12:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Quiet Bounce: Wipe Your 'Tears Away'

I fell in love with Faith Evans the moment I heard her voice. Her voice, combined with Chucky Thompson's signature production, embodied the sexiness of '90s R&B. My favorite Faith ballad isn't found on any of her albums, it's nestled...

Fave | 11/11/2009 at 8:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Röyksopp Offers A Different 'Vision' Of 'Too High'

I recently alluded to how annoying it is that so many R&B and Hip Hop artists are laying claim to their undying love of Euro Pop in an attempt to appear avant garde and relevant. In truth, we all know...

ill Mami | 11/09/2009 at 2:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Mary J. Blige Is 'Beautiful.' Isn't She, Blackstar?

Mary J. Blige may be the "Queen of Hip Hop Soul," but many would agree that Mary is the undisputed "Queen of The Remix" as well. Take a moment and think about how many tracks Mary has blessed that resulted...

ill Mami | 11/08/2009 at 5:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

If You 'Don't Love' Mary 'This Way,' Who Will?

The first week into the Month of Mary, you all have been hopefully dazzled with sounds from Mary J. Blige's classic My Life. But as any fan of Mary knows, there are a plethora of bonus cuts that somehow find...

ill Mami | 11/07/2009 at 2:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Quiet Bounce: I'm Almost Gone

This may not seem like the song you want to hear as the workweek ends and your weekend begins, but those are the breaks. Plus, how upset can you really be with a song that features two vocal powerhouses? Though...

ill Mami | 11/06/2009 at 8:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Quiet Bounce: 'Hey Now,' Carl Thomas Did More Than 'Wish'

Ten years ago, Carl Thomas enhanced the Bad Boy Entertainment franchise with the #1 R&B hit single, "I Wish" from his debut LP, Emotional. I invite you to dig further into this album and discover a soulful gem yearning to...

Fave | 11/04/2009 at 8:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

When Ledisi Made It 'Rain'

It's been a fantastic year for Ledisi with the release of her new album, Turn Me Loose, and upcoming tour with Eric Benet and Mint Condition. But don't get it twisted, she's been setting the music scene on fire for quite...

Fave | 10/28/2009 at 1:30 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Harlem's Own: Favorite Weekend Songs

It's the weekend. You've worked all week, and now it's time to tackle the other jobs that keep you busy, whether it's running errands or performing household chores, or afterward, just relaxing. I find it important to keep a soundtrack...

Harlem | 10/25/2009 at 12:30 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Quiet Bounce: Before There Was 'Grown & Sexy' There Was Boyz II Men

Boyz II Men were four, clean-cut fellas from Philly whose '90s-era R&B ballads set the mood for wholesome, Cliff & Claire Huxtable-type romance. In 1992, while basking in the PG-13 glow of Cooleyhighharmony, they came out of left field with...

Fave | 10/21/2009 at 8:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

The Curious Case Of Lewis Taylor

Some months ago, the planets all aligned in such a way that several friends of mine began speaking of an artist that I had been searching for the past 10 years. It all began when my best friend had a...

ill Mami | 09/04/2009 at 2:10 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Donut Of The Heart

At the risk of sounding patronizing, there are still some people that didn't know "All I Do Is Think Of You" was originally recorded by The Jackson 5. Many in my age group are familiar with Troop's cover, and by...

nOvaMatic | 06/30/2009 at 11:00 AM | Comments () | Permalink

Sesame Street Taught The ABCs Of Music Appreciation On 'In Harmony'

If faced with the unimaginable option of choosing between losing my sense of hearing or sight, I would without hesitation choose lose my eyesight. I bring up this morbid observation because, as an audiophile, there have been times in...

ill Mami | 06/25/2009 at 2:25 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Looking Back On The Original Bad Girls

It goes without saying that my favorite girl group of all time is Total, and after stanning for them for a solid 14 years, I cannot begin to tell you why. That isn't to say they weren't dope, but if...

nOvaMatic | 06/19/2009 at 3:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Revisiting Michael Jackson's Golden Years

I don't know of too many adult vocalists (male or female) who sound better than Michael Jackson did when he was still in his formative stages. Young Michael's range and phrasing surprise me to this day--just take this early...

Dar | 02/24/2009 at 3:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Siik Teaches Us Our ABC's

After making Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" more readily digestible, a lot of folks 'round these parts were checking for Los Angeles area beat freak Siik. For those still not knowing, here's three more remixes to get...

Dar | 02/12/2009 at 12:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Get in the Christmas Spirit with a Freebie From Kirk Whalum

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, and if you haven't caught the spirit yet then maybe Kirk Whalum will help you out. The world-renowned jazz saxophonist is giving his fans a special musical gift in the form...

Butta | 12/08/2008 at 3:30 PM | Permalink

The Track Salt-N-Pepa Did for Drag Queens Nationwide

You know what? I'm not afraid to say that I quite enjoy this song. Who better than Salt-N-Pepa to glam it up in the interest of a little fabulous self-love and fun? "I Am the Body Beautiful" was part of...

nOvaMatic | 10/23/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Dilla, Meet Janet. Janet, Dilla

The Velvet Rope is almost universally hailed as Janet Jackson's creative zenith. Her self-titled debut, not so much. Today's Diggin' in the Crates takes a look at offerings from both ends of that spectrum, guest-starring the great J Dilla. There's...

nOvaMatic | 10/14/2008 at 4:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Diggin' In Jazmine Sullivan's Crates

As we prepare for the release of Jazmine Sullivan's debut album, Fearless, next Tuesday, I thought it would be groovy to comb through her crates, and I came across this treasure in my magical iTunes folder. It's no secret that...

Butta | 09/19/2008 at 2:40 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Diggin' In Robin Thicke's Crates

With all this recent racial drama surrounding Robin Thicke I'm gonna do something radical right now and talk about the man's music. Imagine that! Regardless of what else is going on, his upcoming CD, Something Else, is one of the...

Butta | 09/05/2008 at 6:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Diggin' In Shanice's Crates

With the countdown still a fresh memory as well as a reminder of how much we still love the old school, we've been diggin' in the crates all week, looking for some hidden gems from artists that are due for...

Harlem | 09/04/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Diggin' In Syleena Johnson's Crates (On Her Birthday!)

Today was originally supposed to be the release date for Syleena Johnson's next musical opus, Chapter 4: Labor Pains, to commemorate both her birthday and the album dropping on the day after Labor Day. Well, plans have changed and...

Butta | 09/02/2008 at 6:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Diggin' In Eric Benét's Crates

As much as we love to look forward here at SoulBounce and talk about what's now and what's next, you should know by now that we love to look back, too. To that end, all this week I'll be diggin'...

Butta | 09/01/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

(Re)Visit Metropolis

With the recent Bad Boy release of Janelle Monae's Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition) zooming to the top of the iTunes R&B Album list, it seems a bit more possible for us to relax into their uncomfortable pairing. Somewhat....

Ro | 08/15/2008 at 2:10 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Mary J. Blige Amongst People's Most Beautiful Ones

People's annual list of the 100 Most Beautiful will be hitting newsstands soon but the online version of the mag is giving a sneak peak at some of this year's pretty faces. Imagine my surprise when I saw that...

Butta | 05/01/2008 at 4:45 PM | Comments () | Permalink

When Jermaine Remixed Chante

Is this thing on? Is Polow Da Don so much like Jermaine Dupri that it's completely believable Chante Moore would allow him to paste a lost 2Pac verse on her new album? Maybe. But maybe not! While Polow and JD both cater to the...

nOvaMatic | 04/03/2008 at 4:35 PM | Comments () | Permalink

When Roy Davis Jr. and Peven Everett Took House To Church With 'Gabriel'

Since SoulBounce is housing it up this week, I'd be remiss if I didn't dig into the crates and pull out another of my favorite house cuts of all time, "Gabriel" by DJ Roy Davis Jr. featuring Peven Everett...

Butta | 03/27/2008 at 6:57 PM | Comments () | Permalink

'When Love Calls,' Eric Roberson Answers

I have been dying to feature this song in a Diggin' in the Crates, and the time has finally come. On the heels of getting Behind the Groove with Eric Roberson, I went into his archives and plucked this...

Butta | 03/20/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

'Fall In Love' With Sanchez

This week's Diggin' in the Crates takes us to the beautiful island paradise of Jamaica, ancestral home to your SoulBounce sistren, ill Mami and myself. Last week iMami made mention of international artists putting their spin on American songs,...

Butta | 03/13/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Billy Lawrence Wants You To 'Come On'

It's Friday, the final day of a very special week of diggin' in the crates. So far, we've unearthed some soundtrack gems from Tammy Lucas (Juice), Caron Wheeler (Mo' Money) and Mona Lisa (Don't Be A Menace...). Today's artist...

Harlem | 03/07/2008 at 3:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Can't Be Wasting Mona Lisa's Time

This has been a fun week of diggin' in the crates, searching for those soul sistas that have blessed soundtracks over the years, yet have never quite got the same love once they branched out onto solo discs. And while...

Harlem | 03/06/2008 at 3:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Diggin' In The Crates: La Charanga '76

Those of you familiar with international music know that there is just something about American pop music that makes so deserving of it being remade to a better beat. Tracy Chapman's "Sorry," nicely redone by reggae artist Shelly Thunder,...

ill Mami | 03/05/2008 at 2:00 PM | Permalink

Caron Wheeler Says, 'I Adore You'

All week long, I'm diggin' in the crates, searching high and low for cuts from talented soul sistas that never quite got the shine they deserved. Yesterday, it was all about the Juice. Today's spotlight is on the 1992...

Harlem | 03/04/2008 at 3:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Tammy Lucas Got The 'Juice'

All week long, I'll be diggin' in the crates, coming up with some much-overlooked soundtrack soul. And with it being Women's History Month, the tracks will feature some of the best female artists you may have never heard of,...

Harlem | 03/03/2008 at 3:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

To Be Young, Gifted And Black

With February 2008 coming to an end, we'd like to suggest that people celebrate Black History every day, not only for one month out of the year. Enjoy these tunes--one to soothe and the other to make you groove--from...

Butta | 02/29/2008 at 6:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Diggin' In The Crates: 'Bustin' Loose' Soundtrack

As I was watching Bustin' Loose, featuring Cicely Tyson and Richard Pryor as they transport a rag-tag bunch of troubled kids to a farm from Philadelphia to Washington State, last night on cable, two things dawned on me:This movie...

ill Mami | 02/28/2008 at 1:20 PM | Comments () | Permalink

'Come Close' To Erykah's 'Light'

Not to sound like a cliché, but when Common and Erykah Badu were a couple, they made some very beautiful music together. "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop)" was their best-known collaboration but our boy J...

SoulBounce | 02/26/2008 at 3:19 PM | Comments () | Permalink

'Southern' Roots

Sure, the song "Southern Girl" appeared on Rahzel's (of The Roots) 1999 effort Make the Music 2000. However, anyone who's heard the joint knows that it has Erykah Badu's fingerprints all over it. In fact, I'll go ahead and say...

Harlem | 02/26/2008 at 1:30 PM | Comments () | Permalink

When Boyz II Men Made 'Sara Smile' On The Dance Floor

Believe it or not, this year Boyz II Men will celebrate twenty years of being together as a group. Originally formed as a quintet in '88, then finding runaway success as a quartet with their 1990 debut, Cooleyhighharmony, and...

Butta | 02/21/2008 at 4:45 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Jermaine Dupri & Pete Rock Remix Monica

Remember the sweet, young, sassy Monica that wasn't singing about "Sideline Hoes"? Good times. Since I use this space to invoke the '90s as often as possible, it'd be irresponsible of me not to dig in the crates for some...

nOvaMatic | 02/14/2008 at 5:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Primo Remixes Janet Twice

Since posting the Premier remix of "Just" I was reminded that I had some Janet Jackson remixes by him sitting deep in the crates. Although we're used to hearing her remixes by usual suspects like Jermaine Dupri and Timbaland, her...

nOvaMatic | 02/07/2008 at 4:40 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Rahsaan Patterson Didn't Mean To 'Rock Ya Baby'

So last week while I was on a much-needed vacation (and getting some shade both under a palm tree and over here from the HNIC...smooches!), our illustrious Head Bouncer dug all up in and through the crates for five...

Butta | 01/31/2008 at 5:30 PM | Permalink

Dupri Remixes Maxwell

Concluding my DITC marathon is this remix of Maxwell's "Lifetime" by Jermaine Dupri. This was commercially released as part of the maxi-single so I didn't have to dig that deep. Thing is, it's been about seven years already and I'm...

nOvaMatic | 01/25/2008 at 4:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Aaliyah & Armand Do It For the DnB Heads

After last week's Aaliyah tribute, I found myself not only re-watching Queen of the Damned, but parsing my Aaliyah collection for some gems I could share with the SoulBounce Reader. So I came across Armand Van Helden's Drum 'N Bass...

nOvaMatic | 01/24/2008 at 4:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

Brandy Said 'The Boy is Mine' and She Meant It

I'm diggin' in the crates all week! Check back here every day at 4pm EST for some re-worked and overlooked gems!Last Friday I posted Will.I.Am's remix of the Michael Jackson/Paul McCartney duet "The Girl is Mine" and how he dumped...

nOvaMatic | 01/23/2008 at 4:00 PM | Comments () | Permalink

DITC Bonus: Dwele 'Startin Somethin'

Dwele's interpolation of "Wanna Be Startin' Something" wipes the floor with Akon's remake for Thriller 25. I just thought I'd put that out there. Then again, the sound of tires screeching and felines copulating has more artistic integrity and aural...

nOvaMatic | 01/23/2008 at 1:47 PM | Comments () | Permalink