Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Its always cool to discover a relatively unknown artist and watch them ascent through the music industry. I first came across John West during my occasional crawl through the Myspace music network about 5 years ago (when it was actually cool to be on Myspace.) Fast forward 2 years. I was walking down the Santa Monica Promenade and a soulful voice caught my ear. Low and behold, John West was performing a street bench. I sat there by myself for his whole set. Fast forward again to present day. Newly inked with Mercury/Island Def Jam, John West is fully on his way with a song that has a melody reminiscent of Janet’s “That’s The Way Love Goes.” If you recognize the drums, you probably have heard Kanye West’s “Heard’em Say.”
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
A-Ha’s “Take On Me” was one of the first videos that I remember being completely enthralled with on MTV. “How the heck did they do that?!” “He’s real, but he’s a cartoon?” “What kind of henchmen runs around with a wrench?” To this day, I still have those questions…
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
This song should come with a little warning. It is pretty raw. This isn’t for the lovey dovey couples expecting a long walk on the beach and a candlelit dinner. Nonetheless, I like it and the best line goes to R. Kelly as he asks for “a case of Ciroc” as payment for his verse… Oh Robert.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Diddy done did it. Seems like Diddy lost a little of his swag because he’s taking a page out of Kanye’s book and singing about heartbreak. Regardless, I like the outcome. And somehow, Drake reappears on comingfresh. I wonder if I like his music….
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
This is music for the grown-ups. I generally don’t consider myself in this category but, I was lucky enough to have an older brother that schooled me to some early 90’s R&B. Mint Condition is the same as they were when Pretty Brown Eyes came out and the intro had me thinking Earth, Wind and Fire.
On the anniversary of Michael Jackson’s passing, “I Need A Dollar” singer Aloe Blacc creates his soulful take on Billie Jean. The version is definitely worth a listen. I can’t believe it’s been one year already…
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The guy that sang the hooks on “Nothin On You” and “Billionaire” has struck out on his own and made a hit himself. Bruno Mars is one to watch for. “Dancing In The Mirror” has a slow R&B groove that will get you and your significant other ready for the boom boom room.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Personally, I never thought this much soul could come from Denmark. The land that gave us Lego’s produces another gem in the form of Quadron. Their music reminds me of a throwback to the soul of the 60’s. “Pressure” in particular draws from the likes of Diana Ross and the Supremes. Mayer Hawthorne: you have company.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Slated to be the 2nd single off Drake’s debut album, “Thank Me Later”, this Kanye West produced track spotlights Drizzy’s singing talents. The beat sounds like it was from Kanye’s “808’s and Heartbreaks” era. Radio friendly and catchy, this will be a chart topper.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
After first listen to this love ballad I couldn’t resist myself from thinking, “This white guy has soul.” Alex Boyd is relatively unknown but I hope to hear more from him and I hope you enjoy.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Coldplay has always had amazing poem-like lyrics in their songs and one of my favorites is Sparks. You can imagine my delight when I came across this remix by Breezy LoveJoy. Breezy’s jazzy/R&B take on the song gives you a different take on an established hit.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Mateo has been long on the grind to becoming a mainstream artist. Originally writing for the rapper Eve until 2006, Mateo thought he caught his break getting signed to Myspace Records. Unfortunately the relationship with Myspace was short lived but Mateo keeps pumping out inventive remixes of todays hits. He transforms “Bad Romance” into an 80’s themed R&B ballad that is sure to catch your ear.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Had to showcase something that really caught my ear. First came across Ebrahim on his YouTube videos and his style is quite distinct. Making all the music by looping and layering vocals, he also mashes up songs to make a quite harmonious arrangement. In this particular song, he borrows from Lupe Fiasco’s “Paris, Tokyo” and D’Angelo’s “Lady” to create hotness.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
I always knew Monica had a set of pipes but not like this. She goes off in this song. The Missy Elliott produced “Everything To Me” is the lead single off her upcoming album, “Still Standing”, due out March 23, 2010. You can also catch the video here, which features the acting debut of none other than OchoCinco.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Robin Thicke’s 2009 release entitled Sex Therapy has been a pleasant surprise for many R&B fans like myself. I couldn’t put it better than the review from the LA Times:
But as he puts it in the liner notes, “my guilty pleasures have been outweighing my good health.” This is his baby-making album, and though Thicke’s freak flag is PG-13, his new randiness adds zip to an always-perfect falsetto.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Another one off of Alicia’s new album “The Element of Freedom”, this one was too good to pass up. Its got that old school 80’s feel to it, all the way down to the spoken interlude.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The good news is; Esmee Denters, the Youtube star/Oprah guest, has her own album. Bad news is; it wasn’t released in the U.S. But fear not followers, I think we picked the best song on the album. “The First Thing” is a love ballad and if you listen closely you may hear JT in the background.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Leaked from Jamie’s 4th studio album due out 2010, “Winner” features none other than JT on the track. It sounds like a rough cut because there is a third verse that is noticeably missing. The intro horns that lead into a hard hitting kick creates that feel good, make you want to dance beat. You want proof? My mom was even nodding her head to it.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
This post came about in a funny way. While I was sitting at my computer, Andrew messaged me to “Post Rihanna Photographs.” A couple things came to mind at that point… Rihanna has had a couple famous photo scandals to breakout recently however I did not think they were ComingFresh worthy, more like ComingStale (That one was for you Hollander.) My next thoughts were, “Did Rihanna have yet another leaked photo?” And “Since when did we start posting pictures?” Before I could question Andrew’s judgement any further he confirmed that it was a new song from her album, “Rated R.” You can imagine my relief when I heard this. I was a little worried Andrew was leading this site towards its other suggestive meaning.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
You may not be aware because of all the exposure she is getting from her track with Jay-Z but, Alicia Keys is slated to release her own album entitled “The Element of Freedom”, at the end of this year. “Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart”, The second single off of Alicia’s 4th studio album, has a hard bass line that carries you through her struggle of getting over her ex.
