New Music added this week:

Something Special - Usher
This Ain't Sex - Usher
When Words Are Just Word - Icognito
Everyday - Lina
Endangered Species - Coultrain
The Girl Of My Dreams - Coultrain
Relief - Swade
Love Story - Mariah Carey
The Floor - Keith Sweat
Can I Keep U - Algebra

New Music added this week:

Amazing - Reel People
Insect Funk - Elmore Judd
Do You Wanna - Swade
Fire - Swade
Migrate - Mariah Carey Feat. T-Pain
Somthin' - Mint Condition
Got 2 Find A Better Way - Plantlife

New Music added this week:

Me And My Girl - Keith Sweat
Love You Better - Keith Sweat (Feat. Keyshia Cole)
Let Me Know - Angela Johnson (Feat. Eric Roberson)
I've Changed - Jaheim (Feat. Keyshia Cole)
Half Way - Algebra
Don't Go Around Looking For A Broken Heart - Planetlife
Agirllikeudeservesamanwhotreatsuhowulike - Planetlife

Album Review: Keith Sweat - Just Me (2008)

R&B icon Keith Sweat returns May 6th with his 10th studio album "Just Me". After 17 years with Elektra Records, the Harlem-born singer-songwriter brings his smooth grooves to Rhino. The album opens with a song called "Somebody", built around the classic Delfonics jam "La La Means I Love You". It's a nice mid-tempo groove but what makes this song most interesting is it marks the first time Sweat sings falsetto. While he's no Philip Bailey, Sweat does a more than serviceable job with the change in vocal style. Track #2 "The Floor" is another noteworthy cut in it reunites Keith with Teddy Riley. The two collaborated on the Sweat's 1987 debut "Make It Last Forever". The milestone album sold over 3 million copies and helped launch the New Jack Swing era of the late 80s/early 90s. "The Floor" kicks off with a classic Teddy/Keith keyboard sample but then switches into something that sounds more like Riley's Blackstreet work. Solid & enjoyable song, even if it doesn't rank with the very best of Riley/Sweat collaborations. The next couple songs are pleasant enough although not likely to be memorable. Track #5, "Butterscotch" seems to be a song the marketing people at Rhino are focusing on. The duet with Athena Cage (former Kut Klose vocalist) attempts to recapture the sound of their 1996 #1 hit “Nobody”. The fact I was not a fan of "Nobody" should be taken into account when I say, I really hate this song. "Butterscotch" is the type of cookie-cutter R&B that has so plague urban radio the last 10-12 years. The album gets back on track (briefly) with "Me & My Girl". Besides the slight hint of autotune, which is the worst trend going in R&B today (think T-Pain if you don't know what autotune is), this is the type of song that puts Sweat in the pocket. Good clean beat with a simple but pleasant melody. "Suga Suga Suga" with Paisley Bettis is another decent cut, even if it is a little too R Kelly-esq at times for my tastes. Of the remaining 5 songs, only the Keyshia Cole duet “Love You Better” is worthwhile. This is another song Rhino is hyping and is probably Keith's best shot at mainstream radio play. Keyshia is definitely one of the best "new school" female vocalists around now and compliments Sweat well on the track.

The BOTTOM LINE

I have to say the album is a bit of a disappointment. There are some nice cuts on here but none are in the class of his early work. All the songs in and of themselves are decent enough. But the album really suffers from a lack of quality and creative production (which doesn't make it much different than most mainstream R&B albums today). It would have been more interesting for Sweat and Riley to work together on most if not all of the tracks or had Keith take a left turn and go for something more soulful. But it seems Sweat is still playing the "hit-chaser" game that so many older artist get caught up in.

BUY or BURN

If you're a huge Keith Sweat fan or like the sound of current R&B slow jams, buy it. For everyone else this one's a burn.

The SCORE

4.5 (10)

May Artist of the Month: Alexander O'Neal

As the original lead singer of The Time (known then as Flyte Tyme) Alexander O'Neal would experience numerous set backs before finally breaking through as a solo artist with his 1985 self-titled debut. Joining forces with ex-band mates Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (as well as Monte Moir & Jellybean Johnson on various other tracks) Alex would become one of the top Male R&B vocalist of the mid to late 80s. Best known for his duets with label mate Charrelle, the two would help define what would be called The Minneapolis Sound. Alexander split from Jam & Lewis in the early 90s which marked the end of his days on the US charts. However O'Neal remained popular in the UK throughout the decade and into the next. Listing Minneapolis as his home, Alex spends a great deal of time in Britain where he still enjoys sold out tours and good record sales. In 2008 Alex released his 13th album "Alex Loves" a collection of standards including new versions of his own "If You Were Here Tonight" and "Saturday Love" (the duet hit with Charrelle) During the month of May, Reunion Radio will be bringing you the past and present music of Alexander O'Neal. From classic slow jams to Minneapolis Funk one thing is for sure ....... "It's gonna be kinda right" (c) Alexander O'Neal

Alexander O'Neal Live London Wembley Arena 1990

New Music added this week:

Lay It Down - Al Green Featuring Anthony Hamilton
I've Been Waiting - Incognito
Sumthin About Her - Plantlife
Your Love - Plantlife
Rollerskate Jam - Plantlife
Good Man - Tony Kurtis

New Music added this week:

Green - Coultrain
Dance 2Night - Madonna Feat. Justin Timberlake
Cruise Control - Mariah Carey
Hollywood Swinging - Brian Culbertson
Back & Forth - Mint Condition
Customer - Raheem DeVaughn

New Music added this week:

I'll Be Loving You Long Time - Mariah Carey
I'm That Chick - Mariah Carey
Ain't Nobody's Bizness - Sy Smith
Spies - Sy Smith
Gratitude - Mint Condition
Nothing Left To Say - Mint Condition
It's Over - Conya Doss
Emotions - Conya Doss
Who's Your Daddy - Lina

April Artist of the Month: Earth, Wind & Fire

Formed in Chicago in 1969 by jazz drummer Maurice White, Earth Wind & Fire would become one of the most beloved bands of the 20th century. Breaking through with That's The Way of the World in 1975, the group would go on an amazing run over the next 6 years. During that period they gave us classics like September, Shinning Star, Reasons, Let's Groove, Devotion, After The Love is Gone, Fantasy, Getaway & Serpentine Fire just to name a few. Mastermind Maurice White was also behind classics like The Emotions "Best of My Love" and Deniece Williams' debut album "This is Niecey". Besides rolling out classic song after classic song, the band brought their fans one of the greatest live shows seen before or since. After losing key members like Al McKay and Larry Dunn, the group briefly disbanded in the early 80s while Phillip Baily and Maurice White pursued solo careers. A stripped down version of the group reunited in 1987 and have been recording and touring ever since. Although Maurice no longer tours due to having Parkinsons Disease, he remains the driving force behind the group. In 2005 Earth, Wind & Fire released it's strongest album in over two decades (Illumination) and saw Maurce return as lead vocalist on a few of the tracks. This month Reunion Radio is spotlighting 4 decades of music from this legendary band. We'll include many of their classics and newer releases, as well as the production work and side projects of prominent members. We hope you'll enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed putting it together. But after all, this is Earth, Wind & Fire we're talking about -- How could you not?

Earth Wind & Fire Live in Brazil 1980

New Music added this week:

Wherever You Go - Robbie Jenkins
Valentine - Ryan Leslie
4 Minutes - Madonna Feat. Justin Timberlake
Master Teacher - Eryka Badu

New Jackin 4 Beats

Our March mix by Reunion Radio's DJ Freddie Rock is now available for download

Download

Track list:

Stone Cold Gentleman - Ralph Tresvant Feat. Bobby Brown
Don't Be Cruel - Bobby Brown
Your Love: Part I - Keith Sweat
Fairweather Friend - Johnny Gill
I Like (extended version) - Guy
I Don't Wanna Fall In Love (7" mix) - Jane Child
Do Me Baby - BBD
My Girlie (extended version) - Ready For The World
I Want Her - Keith Sweat
The Way You Love Me - Karyn White
Remember The Time (new jack mix) - Michael Jackson

New Music added this week:

Cool - Snoop Dogg
Angel Love - Samantha James
Hello - Randy Muller
Empty - Raheem DeVaughn
This Moment Is All There Is - Lenny Kravitz
Groove To The Lie - Ola Onabule
I Remember - Keyshia Cole
Losing You - Keyshia Cole (Featuring Anthony Hamilton)
Amerykahn Promise - Erykah Badu

March Artist of the Month: Roger Troutman

Born Nov 29th 1951 in Hamilton Ohio, Roger Troutman was the creative force behind the 80s funk group Zapp. Besides leading a successful run with the group, he also scored multiple hits as a solo artist simply known as "Roger". Known for such funk classics as More Bounce to the Ounce, Doo Wa Ditty (Blow That Thing), So Ruff So Tuff, Dance Floor, I Can Make You Dance and the remake of I Heard it Through The Grapevine, Roger & Zapp were one of the biggest and best bands of the 80s. Tragically Roger was shot and killed by his brother Larry in a personal dispute April 25th, 1999. Roger's legacy lives on however. Besides being one of the funk greats, he's also one of the most sampled artists in hip hop history. Generations have enjoyed Roger's music for close to 3 decades now and will for many yet to come. Reunion Radio will be bringing you the music of Roger Troutman though out the month of March. From his solo work and Zapp to side projects like The Human Body and Shirley Murdock, it's definitely going to be one funky month around here. Give it up for Roger y'all, a true R&B legend.

Gumbo Mix Vol 1

Our February mix by Reunion Radio's DJ Daddy Black is now available for download


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Track list:

At The Concert - Bill Summers & Summer's Heat
Night Rider - Midnight Star
Free World - Jesse Johnson
She Talks To Me With Her Body - The Bar-Kays
Feels Good - Tony Toni Tone
Glide - Pleasure
Rain Forest - Paul Hardcastle
Sexy Dancer - Prince
I Didn't Mean To Turn You On - Robert Palmer
Quickness - Michael Cooper
Lady Cab Driver - Prince
Rock On - Ray Parker Jr & Raydio

New Music added this week:

If You Were Here Tonight (2008 Version) - Alexander O'Neal
Baby Girl, Baby Boy - Mint Condition
I'll Stick Around - Lina
Feel The Love - Lina
Honey - Erykah Badu
Love Drug - Raheem Devaughn
Luv - Janet Jackson
Rock With You - Janet Jackson
Can't B Good - Janet Jackson

February's Artist of the Month: Rick James

James Ambrose Johnson, Jr AKA Rick James was born Feb 1, 1948 in Buffalo NY. He would have been 60 years old this month. In honor of the King of Punk Funk, Reunion Radio is featuring songs that cover the full length of Rick's career. Among those are cuts from Rick's last release "Deeper Still" as well as associate artist The Mary Jane Girls, Teena Marie, Val Young and the The Stone City Band.


R.I.P. RICK ................... WE MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!