Hits & Misses: New Spotlight Series featuring V

Some time ago I heard a lot of fuss about an artist named V and had finally taken a chance to check him out for myself. Most people know that my taste in music differs from the masses and that I'm a hard sell. So in my mind I had already put off checking him out and had little hope of being the least bit interested in his sound; besides I was anxiously awaiting the release of Rahsaan Patterson's Wines & Spirits (smile). We are living in a time where the filtered music that is played in the mainstream channels generally has no distinct sound. Every artist sounds the same and leaves you feeling unenthusiastic. So although I was getting heads-up about V from people who I turst, their ears are not mine and our taste in music has often clashed.

I believe in giving credit where it's due and I must thank 4 Da Soul for the sale that led to them liquidating their stock of good music. I placed my order one day and waited intently for the arrival of the hype music. Finally, the cd arrived and I smiled at the title, The Revelation Is Now Televised, as well as at the photo of V lounging in what seemed to be a pensive state of mind on the cover. I had a feeling that I was about to be impressed by this guy whose snippets of music I'd heard during an interview on HoneySoul.com. Once I popped the cd in, there was no doubt that I had slept on a musical gem so sweet that even Rahsaan would have to take a back seat for a minute.

The Revelation Is Now Televised was released in 2006 but it wasn't until sometime in 2007 that this treasured piece of musical property was claimed by me and has yet to leave my sight. I travel with V in my truck, he accompanies me while I am at work and when I happen to travel by train his music lives in my iRiver. This album opens with V's soulful singing eminating from so deep within that you envision the journey he's taken to arrive at this point. If I were asked to do a comparison of V's sound to an artist with a bit more familiarity, I would have to name none other than the legendary Marvin Gaye. His voice compliments the music on each song, with lyrics and melodies so sincere that it leaves little doubt that V is personally caressing your ears with his sensual vocals.

V is no stranger to the soul stage and his credits are impressive. He can always be found singing along with Jill Scott and has worked with such notables as Jazzy Jeff, Musiq (Soulchild) and Justin Timberlake, to name only a few. Check out his MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/vsign) for video clips of a few performances with Lady Jill and information about how you, too can own a copy of The Revelation Is Now Televised.

In a short span of time, I have become a champion for V's music and was elated to speak with him a few days ago to my utter delight. He assured me that he is in the studio now working on the next masterpiece and the release date is slated for early 2009. With all honesty, I am a little disappointed that more people aren't standing up to raise the flag for this brother's music. I have not heard of him being nominated for any independent soul music awards or seen more features and interviews about this talented gentleman, but I truly believe that all of that will be a thing of the past.

This is a bonafide slept-on hit!

Check out this video: V does Marvin!

Unleashed!

What better way to kick off my blog (a blog I've been dragging my feet in the mud -- deeply -- for well over a year) than to share my latest blog post from Myspace. This is a post filled with thoughts, emotions and ultimately joy at the end of the day -- so get ready! This is the start of something wonderful!

Don't know what to say or where to begin, but so much on my mind.

A night in Bridgeport, Connecticut turned into a night of insightful reflections and welcome suggestions. ONUTSS has really taken me to places I'd never imagined and put me in situations and conversations that I'd only dreamed of.

It's funny how your view can change in a matter of hours -- I was seriously going to tell Pam to do this thing solo cause I'm not good with rejection. I'd rather quit at the top of the heap than to let the heap make me quit after I suffocate.

Make sense?

Prob not -- *shrugs shoulders* -- makes sense to me!

Lamone is so sweet -- not that sweet -- but just really personable and warm. Sings from the stage and makes eye contact with you as though he's really singing those words to you. And damn, can he sing! (If you DO NOT have a copy of "Eclectically Speaking" -- take a trip over to ONUTSS' page and click on Lamone's link -- get it! Get it! Get it!)

Gordon Chambers -- man! He made me step out of character -- you should've been there to see it go down! Aww nah -- not like that, I actually stepped on stage (yep, Jeff -- Troy -- ya'll should have seen me -- and I did it TWICE) and asked him to do his medley of award winning songs that he's produced for others. He did that and then kicked off his set with "I'll Miss You Most" and just went on from there. All I know is that at the end of his fourth song, I was on my feet. Clapping. Yelping. Gordon was on fire -- absolutely.

I believe in giving props where due. Gordon has supported ONUTSS where lesser known artists who could have truly benefitted from our love shunned us or poked their noses in the air about our terms. Everyone has terms, right? Or should we just let you walk in and decide who we should be? Anyway, Gordon's performance warranted that I climb back on that stage and get back on the mic.

I don't even remember what all I said -- I just spoke from my passion -- spoke from my heart! I reminded people that independent artists aren't artists that you'll hear on the radio. And most still work 9-to-5 jobs. Making music is secondary and our support of their projects makes all the difference in the world. So make it your business to leave an event with at least one cd for your library.

While I'm on my soapbox let me tell you what else I did tonight!

I got up from my seat when I couldn't take it any longer! I went right to that table of chics and told them to lower their cackles. How rude is it when someone is singing their heart out onstage and some talentless gweep is having a conversation OVER the music. I can't -- I can't -- I just can't! At our events, I have been known to get onstage, ask the artist to STOP and bless the crowd out right then and there. I think it's just hurtful and thoughtless to be so damned inconsiderate.

But enough of my droning --

I'm floating!

Ask me, Finnicky Frannie to name my favorite singers and I'll rattle off the following:
Donny Hathaway ~ Rahsaan ~ Stokley ~ V ~ Fred Hammond ~ Eric Roberson ~ Rick James ~ PJ Morton ~ Frank McComb ~ Phyllis Hyman ~ and I'll probably throw in some more men. Somebody asked me tonight about women -- female singers and I couldn't think of one other than Phyllis and Erykah that I'd call a favorite.

So imagine my glee when one of those listed above participated in a back and forth dialogue with me and said yes with no hesitation when I asked HIM to work with me on a project.
Hot damn! Ooowee

ONUTSS ~ I love you!