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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[polldaddy poll=4335430]
AGREED! flesh tone was underrated..and kelis’ 22nd century is awesome!
I love both choices, but the my favorites songs here are 22nd Century and The Show… Flesh Tone was under rated, and the R&B duet is a must listen!!!
Kelis may not have sold well in the U.S but in Europe she is EPIC.She’s still touring and selling out shows. All of Fleshtone was amazing. It was such a Real Dance Album, nothing like that generic Rihanna/Ke$ha/Katy Perry b******* they feed these kids on the Radio. And it angers me that people think she switched genres she’s been making dance music & rocking crazy hairstyles since the 90s. #ICON
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i agree fleshtone was over under rated…it deserves more credit than it got
^^^ She made that whole album in her garage while she was pregnant. It wasn’t like age was in the studio dropping paper on 9 tracks. Just for that I think it’s amazing. Then she released 4 music vids from a so called Flop album. Like forreal. If you ever want a real artist , Kelis gives you one.
1. kelly is not a soprano.
2. Olivias song is wack
3. Kelis whisperers but yall like talent??? LOL
4. Only girls = gay boys
5. FAIL
LOVED CHERRY POP!!!! I used to kill that song on the daily!
Old school tuesdays!! baby Holla
I can’t decide whose is better because I don’t like Kelis’ song nor Olivia’s song (kinda like the bridge, though).
But the best song picked was Jazmine’s song! Her vocals on that song are BEYOND OUTSTANDING! She murdered that s***! Probably my fav song on the album, but the entire album is amazing.
I like Kelly’s song as well. Her vocals are good and Tank added a good feeling to the song. But you can tell Kelly’s voice is inspired by Beyonce. Some of her runs and arrangements are so similar to Bey’s.
Trent gets my vote yet again, love Kelis!
TRENT SPOT ON WITH KELIS 22ND CENTURY DEFINITELY AND AMAZING SONG AND THAT WAS ONE HELL OF AN UNDERRATED ALBUM IN MY OPINION ONE OF LAST YEARS BEST RELEASES!!!
I love The Show… 1 of sexiest song ever <3
and 22nd Century is AMAZING too.
@amazing lee they were i the same girl group so of course their going to share some similarities. it can be that beyonce inspired by kelly’s voice just that bey is the bigger star. But kelly tone is dope!
*in
As much as I love “The Show”, the best song from the Ms.Kelly era is “UNITY”. This track went straight to the Top 10 in two different countries without any video or promotion and really showcases Kelly Rowland’s amazing vocals. “Unity” was on the Ms.Kelly Deluxe edition <3 <3
I can’t decide!
Love Love Love Excuse me by jazmine sullivan she SANGS!!!
SAM YOU WORK’D OUT WITH THIS ONE!!!
iNever heard that Olivia song before. It was cute!!
I really want people to STOP saying Beyonce “influenced” Kelly. They grew up singing together and if anything…Kelly influenced Beyonce…but “The Show” has always been one of my favorite Kelly tracks. Tank is a real talent that no one EVER notices and has a hand in a lot of R&B projects that are out now.
And that Missy Elliott really knows how to make an old school jam.
the show is aight but i also think unity is one of kelly’s best songs……..it is so beautiful
Miss Kelly is one of the best albums this decade..and like Sam said Kelly had a way of talkin about f****** with actually sayin it…alot of these ppl need to learn from that album! #classic
we dont get harmonies like in the show anymore these days
Ms. Kelly is one of my favorite albums of all time. Kelly really sung some real R&B on that album.
Kelly is a soprano! Anyway… Kelly Rowland feat. Tank “The Show” & Jazmine Sullivan “Excuse Me” >>>>>>>>>
The Ms. Kelly Album Was Dope & I Love The Show, One Of My Fave Songs Off The Album. Can’t Wait For Her New Album.
ppl who are slept on are the ones who are remembered in 10 years to come.. they always have classic albums..whereas overhyped b****** like TREY SONGZ… NICKI MINAJ.. will not be remembered!! AND DID U GUYS KNOW NICKI UNFOLLOWED HER FANS.. FAKE B****
I agree with Julia and Kswag re: “Unity” … one of Kelly’s best ever ! Can’t wait to hear this live in concert one day =)
CHERRY POP AND THE SHOW! 😀
I love those songs