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Tuesday, January 4th 2011

The Best You Never Heard: Kelly Rowland, Jazmine Sullivan, Olivia, & Kelis

best u never 10 The Best You Never Heard: Kelly Rowland, Jazmine Sullivan, Olivia, & Kelis

This week’s  Best You Never Heard features little known gems by Kelly Rowland, Jazmine Sullivan, Oliva and Kelis.

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Kelly Rowland – ‘The Show (ft. Tank)’

As many will recall, Kelly Rowland’s 2007 effort ‘Ms. Kelly’ was marred by shocking management, bad single choices, and poor promotion. Still, the Gold certified LP delivered many a gem – including the Tank-assisted ‘The Show’.

Perhaps the raciest of Rowland’s oft underrated efforts, ‘The Show’ features the Destiny’s Child star and the R&B crooner trading verses about the much treaded on ‘deed’. However, unlike countless other sensual cuts, the song employs clever metaphors and similes in staging the ‘act’ – instilling an aura of ‘tact’ and ‘class’ in an otherwise risqué subject matter. Vocally, Tank’s butter-smooth baritone and Rowland’s soprano are a matched made in R&B heaven. {SAM}

LISTEN:

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Jazmine Sullivan – ‘Excuse Me’

In a time when R&B has been sidelined by consumers in favour of generic Pop hits, Jazmine Sullivan continues to satisfy the supporters of true artistry. ‘Excuse Me’ was included on the singer/songwriter’s critically acclaimed ‘Love Me Back’ LP, and serves as one of the record’s most compelling tracks.

Co-written and produced by Missy Elliott and Cainon Lamb, the song not only displays Sullivan’s technical skill but her ability to interpret the meaning of the lyrics, creating a truly believable performance.

‘Excuse Me’ demonstrates the exact reason why Sullivan’s talent is desperately needed in today’s music industry. Most acts are unable to carry a tune without the assistance of heavy production and auto-tune; hence a vocalist of her stature deserves our appreciation. {TRENT}

LISTEN:

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Olivia – ‘Cherry Pop’

A victim of constant push-backs and label-politics, R&B songstress Olivia’s career has been quite the non-starter. Formerly a member of G-Unit, the singer’s sophomore effort ‘Behind Closed Doors’ (2005) indeed never saw the light of day. However morsels of material from the LP have since found their way onto the internet; with one of the most solid being the Missy Elliott produced ‘Cherry Pop’.

Boasting much in the way of Retro appeal, Elliott’s production on the racy cut gives a contemporary nod to 70’s Funk; with Oliva’s Old Skool vocal rasp further lacing it with both modern and Throwback sensibilities. Great track! {SAM}

LISTEN:

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Kelis – ’22nd Century’

Regardless of its poor commercial performance, Kelis’ ‘Flesh Tone’ included a collection of brilliant Dance recordings. Of course, the standout song of the 9-track lineup was definitely ‘22nd Century’.

Laced with incredible the production provided by Boys Noize, the record truly has a unqiue futuristic appeal, allowing the distinct tone of Kelis’ voice to shine.

‘Flesh Tone’ is undoubtedly one of the most underrated albums released in the last year. However, judging by the current trend in music which is leaning toward more Dance-oriented material, Kelis may have simply been one step ahead of her peers – in the 22ndcentury to be precise.{TRENT}

LISTEN:

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