9 years… 9 long years. The fact that I – like so many people – have counted the years says enough.

2 years ago I had the same experience. After a long long wait I finally read the news that Maxwell would tour again and release the first part of his trilogy A Black Summer’s Night. I was lucky that his second tour-date was in Amsterdam… and I saw him.

And now. This is – as Maxwell would say – “The Highest of the High”. Well, not just the news… She is. Sade.
This is news that makes me quiver, excites me, warms me and makes me impatient. And I am a very patient person. But the need for information, news, the album and above all: Tour dates, it’s like “I’ve a bug in my head… and a jumping heart”.

First released track, Soldier of Love (the title track) is hitting you gently… with the definite sound of Sade. I am amazed how good Sade looks at the age of 50… check for yourself: Soldier of Love video on Amazon

Beginning next month we’ll be able to listen the whole album and I really hope that already before that moment, tour dates will become available.

It’s been a long wait, but I trust it was worth it and I hope and pray that seeing Sade perform live will become reality.

Just a list… with some great albums that fill my head with great sounds at the moment.

Just a few quick notes:

Kanye West – Graduation

You can say what you want, but this guy knows how to make an album… Ever since The College Dropout, he has been able to tell a story. Whether you like it or not, these albums are complete.

Kanye West – 808′s and Heartbreak

At the second track, I was like “Enough with the voice transformer!”. At the last track, I was totally amazed by how strong this album is… darn good!

John Legend – Evolver

Damnnn! An instant classic with some grrrreat songs. “Goodmorning” has replace my alarm clock already and “If you’re out there” was and is indeed a great statement of support for Obama. The bonus Teddy Riley remix of “It’s over” is totally sweet.

Raphael Saadiq – The Way I See It

Unexpected and genius. This album has the amazing gift of capturing the period in which some of the best music in history was made. How this album is produced and how well it all fits that period, perfectly shows the genius and possibilities of the great Raphael Saadiq. Total respect.

Q-Tip – The Renaissance

What can i say… the man has an addictive voice… Simply cannot get enough of it.

Dwele – Sketches of a Man

Hmmm… hard to say. I think I need to hear the album a few times more. For now I have the feeling that it is too much of the same, without any tracks that really excel. Am a bit disappointed I must say.

You have no idea how excited I am!

October 5th of 2008, second day after the kick-off of his Live 08 Tour, I will see Maxwell perform live in the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam, Holland.

Whoooooooooohooooooooooooooooo!

Who’s gonna see him where? Here is the whole tour schedule:

Seeing that he only visits Amsterdam in Europe, I really really feel fortunate… wow!

Hope he brings the Roots with him… please?

Received a message in my Last.fm account from Nika17, suggesting an artist I might like… A nice way to be introduced to the voice and lyrics of Paola Jean.

I know I still have to further dig in the possibilities of Last.fm, as it is my main radio station, yet I listen wayyy not enough… Happy that every now and then I am notified and made aware again of what else there in my flavor of music.

Paola Jean

In Bern, Switzerland an 11 year old Paola Kraehenbuehl sings in her school choir and discovers her desire for the stage. Choir practice led to competitions and winning led to the conviction that music is her message.

Vocally trained at the Swiss Jazz School, her singing/songwriting career since then has only moved in the positive direction. Shortly after recording her first demo with producer Ben Thaler, the two became known as pioneers of soul music in Switzerland, Paola’s song “You gotta know what you want” was aired in Montreal, Canada. Using this momentum her singing ability was noticed by national and international artist’s R&B singer Emel, and rapper Kamel of the famous French group Alliance Ethnic with whom she co-wrote several songs with. Paola knew exactly what she wanted. She recorded her first single “Strong” with Session All-stars Compilation released on Universal Records as well as re-writing and performing the anthem of her hometown in Switzerland.

[more & source: paolajean.org]

Her voice and style do resemble do remind me of Lina, yet the color is different. Will dig a few more songs of her soon.

Artist impression

The impression I get from the below video overview is good… Though must say that her voice does seem to fit the up-tempo songs less than the easy ballads I heard on her Myspace site.

Enjoy and show her some love!

On Sophia Darcell’s Soul Eclectic SOULBROTHER wrote:

Very nice smooth and sultry album from Miami songstress, that reminds me of both Sade and the Kuh Ledesma album from a few years back. The full band play well throughout and the soft horns and acoustic guitar interspersing with Sophia’s sophisticated voice gives the album a nice feel, that is familiar but refreshingly different, which will appeal to both soul and smooth jazz fans.

Listening to here voice over at sophiadarcell.com and her MySpace site, I think I can not really put it in better words. Being a passionate fan of Sade, that was exactly what first came to mind when I listened to Sophia.

On her MySpace site:

Some smooth funky jazz-alicious soul music spiced with Afro-Cuban flavas’.
A sensual soundscape of urban grit and tropical vibes; songs to kick back and relax to… make love to… mood music…Think Brand New Heavies, Incognito, Sade, Sweetback. Jill Scott, etc.

So, do not hesitate, get over there, listen and show your love.

Yet another R&B / Soul / Funk band brought to my attention through the contactform: THRESHOLD

Influenced by Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Me’Shell NdegeOCello and Sly & The Family Stone, Threshold is sweet formation L.A., California.
With the dark and warm voice of Angela Carole Brown, the band provides an easy and firm sound, sharing conscious lyrics (composed by Linda Taylor), as well as some sweet up-tempo hipshakeable songs.

Linda Taylor is solo-ing on one of the videos on the site by the way, and she is a verocious and enthusiastic guitar player.
Threshold has some special guest that are musical treats themselves:

• Keb’ Mo’ – Guitars
• David Patterson – Sax
• Darrell Crooks – Guitars
• Patryce “Choc’Let” Banks – Background Vocals

To check out more of Threshold, visit their website, listen to their tracks and watch their videos.

Just got notice of this new video website with some very interesting music channels:

• SOHH (SO HipHop)
• The Artist Lounge
• Barrio 305
• Berklee Music
• Cesoul Music TV
• T.B.E. a visionay urban experience

And much more… that will keep you busy for the weekend!

Shot during his live performance at ‘t Paard in The Hague.
A sweet gig together with JS-1 (ex Rocksteady Crew)…

Andre 3000 & Big Boi return with Idlewild, a new album inspired by the movie hitting theatres 8/25.

It is the next chapter of the OUTKAST legacy, one of the biggest rap groups of all time.

Check their MySpace profile to listen to the full album for free before it hits the recordstores August 22nd.

Still, they are a standard other then others…. which means: it sounds great!

Well, see for yourself.