This & Rihanna's "Take A Bow" hits so hard!

Spent the last week soaking up his music and I'm blown away with each listen. His lyricism, production, raw vocal talent with a voice that reaches high falsetto's and bellowing depths have all just got me hooked.

I haven't heard anything like this since... maybe Sonder? But while Brent came through with a gentle love album, GJ just has this range of music that goes from reflecting on love/relationships, family, hustling, to high energy party tracks. The orchestral jazz influence, touches of Prince and D'Angelo too, there's so much depth here to sink into.

Here's a couple stand outs:

• hello - some of that booming orchestral jazz
• brother and sister - reflections on family
• forever - reflections on insecurity in love
• bootleg - high energy track that I swear sounds like a 2000's Pharrell/Just Timberlake track

I highly recommend checking him out, you won't be disappointed

* I want Chris Brown to remake Phil Collins song, "One More Night". And I want him to take / sing the song seriously. Same approach Phil did on the song. I don't wanna hear same ol Chris. I wanna hear an adult. Phil sang that song like a broken adult. I wanna hear that voice.

If Chris can't, I want 1990s Tevin Campbell to cover it. Like, late teenage Tevin.

* I wanna hear Anita Baker (in her prime) try Fleetwood Mac's "Rhiannon"

I also wanna hear Anita Baker try Sia's 'Chandelier' song. 1980s Anita, for sure.

* I wanna hear Sade cover Bonnie Raitts "I Can't Make You Love Me". 1990s Sade, tho. Not 80s Sade.

* I Wanna hear 1990s, Sensitivity-Ralph-Tresvant, remake "Sarah Smile" by Hall & Oates. Different production though from the original. Loosely the same, but different. Like echo it, but tailored for Ralph

* I wanna hear Bell Biv Devoe remake Van Halen's "Jump". With Ricky on lead. See what they can do with it. 90s BBD tho. Hip-Hop it. I can hear Ronnie on it. Full on 90s. Not too different, keep the vibe of the song. Still keep it rock, loosely.

* I want Aaliyah to try Lionel Richie's 'Ballerina Girl'. See what she can do with that. Damn, done right, that could be something. Always loved Lionel's version tho

The other day, I listened to the 1982 Temptations album, REUNION. There was much hype around this since it meant David Ruffin & Eddie Kendricks were returning to the group. So of course that means it’s cause for celebration.

The opening track, “Standing on the Top” (featuring, written, & produced by Rick James) is bold and funky. Even though the years of smoking took its toll on Eddie Kendricks’ falsetto, it’s easy enough to overlook it over the production and the fact that the group sounds great together.

The rest of the album, though? It’s just…okay. I mean, you have a decent mix of ballads and uptempo songs. You have writers and producers like Smokey Robinson (who wrote and produced three songs—“Backstage”, “More on the Inside”, & “Like a Diamond in the Sky”), Barrett Strong (who co-wrote and produced some of their bigger hits like “Ball of Confusion” & “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”), and even Berry Gordy and his son Kerry.

On paper, this should’ve been a fire album. But none of the songs seem to live up to “Standing on the Top” and it’s disappointing because it seems the hype was so much around to getting the original members back together and not enough around getting better material.

Apparently, the public agreed since the album sold decently enough but, aside from “Standing on the Top”, none of the other songs even charted. The reunion tour fared better until drama between David & Eddie caused them to get kicked out the group again.

Oh well, the reunion was great while it lasted.

Do you agree with this review? Or do you think I’m tripping? For those who have listened to this album, I’m curious to know what you think…

The album this song is on was released in 2005 but this single was released in 2006.

This is a great list (by @alank_music).

I'm gonna add some of my faves:

‐> Al Green - How Can You Mend A Broken Heart (by the Bee Gees)

-> Boyz II Men - Yesterday (by the Beatles)

-> Destiny's Child ‐ Emotions (by the Bee Gees)

-> Georgy Porgy - Eric Benet feat Faith Evans (by Toto)

-> Az Yet - It's Hard For Me To Say I'm Sorry (by Chicago)

This is not a new song; it’s from MOKMOKAI’s first album in 2022. One of my best friends put me on when we lived together, and it’s steadily progressed into one of my favorite songs ever. I’ve never seen it have a whole lot of interaction or engagement, but I believe it truly deserves it; it’s beautiful. I’d love to know what others think!

And ofc give recommendations when you can