Follow up post from Tom Leo, who you can check out here. In case you missed it, here’s his excellent review of “Who Knew“.

Today I was fortunate enough to interview r&b veteran Kevon Edmonds. He discussed everything from his new album, to the change in the music industry, to staying true to his roots. It was a pleasure talking with him, and I hope you enjoy reading.

Thomas Leo: First of all, congratulations on the release of your new album.

Kevon Edmonds: Thank you very much I appreciate that.

TL: For this new album, when you began the process of making it, did you set to go off in a different direction than your first album?

KE: You know, it’s been ten years since 24/7 and you know sometimes you feel you need to connect to the last project you’ve done, but so much time has elapsed that I wasn’t quite sure whether or not that was going to be the approach, to try and tie this into 24/7 and all of that stuff. I thought that I would start out fresh, just really try and get back to my roots of kinda where my music started, and the mindset was that I wanted to bridge my world of where I start with the world of r&b music here today.
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Fred talks about making Dallas his home. Shout out to DJ Judah & Visit Black Dallas for this clip.

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TV One’s latest episode of their fantastic Unsung Series featured the incomparable Minnie Riperton. If you missed it, check your local listings for the replay, it’s powerful and a guaranteed tear jerker.

So talented, unappreciated and she died tragically too young. Check out more clips after the jump or TV One online.

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Intro, from their self titled 1993 debut album (Atlantic) with their cover of the Stevie Wonder classic, (and perennial wedding song favorite) “Ribbon In The Sky“.

Check out the interview after the jump with Intro member Jeff Sanders courtesy of NJS4ever.

“Oh so long for this night I’ve prayed
That a star would guide you my way
To share with me this special day
Where a ribbon’s in the sky for our love

If allowed, may I touch your hand,
And if pleased, may I once again
So that you too will understand
There’s a ribbon in the sky for our love.”

 

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MySpace

I think a lot of people, (including myself) have slept on Solange Knowles and her album, Sol-Angel and The Hadley St. Dreams, which dropped last year.

She has definitely stepped up her game as a writer, vocalist and performer. I like how she hasn’t taken the easy, expected route, but has found a way to truly ‘ ‘bridge the gap’, marrying the classic girl group sound from the 60′s, with a modern voice and production quality that is uniquely hers.

She cites The Supremes, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas as well as The Marvelletes among her influences. Is it possible that Solange is representin’ GFM more than her sister? Let us know what you think.

Check out the album, performance and interview after the break to hear more from Solange.

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As we wait for her long overdue, live album and DVD (rumored), here’s a few videos to hold you over. Tamia, whose last album, Between Friends (2006) was released independently via Image Entertainment, also beautifully performed the Canadian anthem, “O Canada” last week at the NBA All Star Game. You can check it out after the jump.

“Stranger In My House” (Shep Crawford, Shae Jones) A Nu Day (Elektra/Asylum/2000).

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Nice interview and mini-performance from the beautiful, talented, underrated Abby Dobson.

From her bio:
Some singers need to be surrounded by a variety of equipment to move people, but this powerful artist simply needs an audience. She is one of those rare songbirds that effortlessly stimulate sensual, soulful and raw emotions using just her vocal instrument, a voice that you don’t just hear…you feel it.

Having been influenced by the likes of legendary soul and jazz powerhouses such as Sarah Vaughn, Anita Baker, Donny Hathaway, Bill Withers, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin, Abby is not your typical artist who tries to woo a crowd with technical acrobatics or lyrical clichés, but instead captures a crowd using captivating melodies and emotionally charged words brought to life by the ache and honey in her voice. Devoted to her craft, Abby has studied classical voice since Junior High school. But it was the introduction to Billie Holiday and Hathaway that taught Abby how to draw people inside her in such a way that you feel her essence. Abby’s music is heart music. “I want to touch people. I wanna make you feel.” Drawing on a wealth of musical influences, from Mozart, Whitney Houston, Sarah Vaughn, Dolly Parton, The Carpenters, Pat Benatar, Kathleen Battle, Jessye Norman, Tracy Chapman, Barbara Streisand, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Allison Krauss & Union Station to Anita Baker and Bob Marley, Abby’s sound is the alchemy of soul, folk, jazz, gospel, R&B, country, rock and pop, forging a gem that erases musical boundaries in its making. In fact, one could imagine fans of Anita Baker, Mary J. Blige, Sade, Jeff Buckley, Lizz Wright, Patty Griffin, John Legend, Martina McBride, Keisha Cole, Sheryl Crow, Cassandra Wilson, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys and Mindy Smith nodding together in appreciation at one of Abby’s shows or after listening to her music. And, her songwriting is as emotional as it is soothing. In a word, Abby Dobson’s music is mesmerizing. A lover of melody and words, Abby has also been deeply influenced by authors, poets and essayists, including Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, J. California Cooper, Emily Dickenson, James Baldwin, Patricia Williams, Kimberly Crenshaw and Margo Jefferson. By instinctively blending the musical herbs and spices that have influenced her (Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Pop, Country, Folk, classic R&B, Rock and Soul) into her own sonic stew, Abby affords old-school and new-school music lovers alike an opportunity to vibe together in harmony.

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Clayton Perry over at blog critics, has an excellent interview with Raphael Saadiq. He discusses his new album, career , “neo-soul” and thoughts about the current state of the industry. His latest album, The Way I See it, (Columbia/2008), is available now.

Excerpt below.

With all things considered, Raphael Saadiq is the thread that has weaved the fabric of contemporary soul music together.

His midas touch has turned the careers of countless “soul sisters”—Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and Mary J. Blige—and “soul brothers”—John Legend, Musiq Soulchild and D’Angelo—into gold. And while his artistic resume is largely unknown by the masses, such high-profile collaborations expose a mere fraction of Saadiq’s musical contributions.

After a successful decade as a member of Tony! Toni! Toné! and R&B’s pioneering supergroup, Lucy Pearl, Saadiq launched a solo career in 2002 with the release of Instant Vintage. His refreshing “gospedelic” mix of soul eventually earned him five GRAMMY nominations—a first for an artist who lacked a major record label deal. In 2004, Saadiq released his highly-anticipated follow-up, Ray Ray.

The Way I See It (2008) continues Saadiq’s life-long tribute to “old-school” music. Upon review of the album, Raphael Saadiq managed to find time in his busy schedule to settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry, where together they reflected on “neo-soul,” Kanye West and the current state of R&B.

More on Raphael after the break, full interview here.
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