The Best You Never Heard: Fantasia, FDM, Mashonda & Tweet

This week’s edition of ‘The Best You Never Heard’ serves up tracks from the likes of Fantasia, FDM, Mashonda and the Southern Hummingbird Tweet. You can drop me your suggestions for future installments at sam@thatgrapejuice.net

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Fantasia – Two Weeks Notice

Though the success story from Fantasia’s underrated self-titled sophomore effort was undeniably ‘When I See You’, the album definitely boasted several equally as solid tracks. One of the standouts IMO is ‘Two Weeks Notice’. With its clever word-play, as well as Fantasia’s stellar vocal delivery, this stands as one of my favourite R&B songs from the last few years.

Listen: Two Weeks Notice

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FDM – Playground

Some of our UK visitors may be aware of homegrown R&B trio FDM (formerly known as Fundmental’03). Having burst onto the scene back in 2005, the guys served up what I feel to be their best release yet in the form of ‘Playground’. Arguably ahead of its time (or market aka UK), the track didn’t really garner the attention it deserved. Still, the uptempo cut goes hard, even today. {FYI: FDM have relocated to the US having signed a joint-venture deal with Geffen/Interscope late 07. Their debut album should be hitting stores before the year is out.}

Listen: Playground

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Mashonda – Blackout (ft. Nas)

Most noted for her 2005 smash ‘Back of the Club’, as well as being the wife of hit-maker Swizz beats, R&B singer Mashonda served up the club-banger ‘Blackout’ as the second release from her admittedly terrible debut ‘January Joy’. Unsurprisingly produced by Swizz, Mashonda’s swagger compliments the gritty, street sounding beat really well. Nas’ verse adds to what is an already great track.

Listen: Blackout (ft. Nas)

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Tweet – Taxi

Lifted from Tweet’s sophomore LP ‘It’s Me Again’, ‘Taxi’ serves as a reminder of the Southern Hummingbird’s oft under-appreciated appeal. In an industry filled with gimmicks and microwaveable hits, the soulful ‘Taxi’ highlights that there is still good music and genuine talent out there.

Listen: Taxi

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Your thoughts: Hit(s) or Miss(es)?