Best Covered Song of the Moment - Royals by Lorde

DreamingDoers,

I tell you when a song makes its rounds through covers, you know we've got a hit.
I cam across a couple of outta this world covers of the lovely 'Royals' song by Lorde so I thought to share with you
I am still trying to get over this little boy's rendition
Check on it below

I will be sharing with W4 on 'Branding and Social Media' on Sept 28, 2013

W4 stands for World Wide Web Worship. Its an online Conference for the global community of Musicians and Worship leaders. Their aim is global Impact.

I will be sharing with the W4 audience on 'Branding and Social Media' on Sept 28, 2013

Its the 2nd edition and over 30 Top Gospel Musicians from around the world and 2 non music guests will be joining in. ...

To connect, like the Hemedy Music City page-www.facebook.com/hemedymusiccity.

Worship Leaders, Recording Artistes, Producers, Singers and Songwriters, Spoken Word Ministers, Mimers and Dancers, Instrumentalists are all welcome

Get empowered, inspired and refreshed. Connect with Top great musicians from all over the world at W4 

Season 2- The Online Worship Leaders and Musicians Conference coming up on Sept 27-28 from (6pm=6pm GMT+1)

THEME ABLAZE- Its GMT- Gospel Musicians Take-over) time

VENUE- www.facebook.com/hemedymusiccity.

FEEL FREE just like the page to be a part.

Artist - So you wanna get reviewed?

As a freelance and independent A & R, I get a lot of requests to review a song/songart before it is released. This blog is my official site of submission and publication if I choose to. Send all music/video/mixtape review submissions, advertisement and promotion inquiries to tosinger@yahoo.com

For music submissions, send EPK:

• Soundcloud or Hulkshare Song/Album link
• Artist Name/Brief Bio/Contact Info
• High Quality Pic of Artist
• Album Artwork in JPEG or PNG
• Twitter Handle/Facebook Page

For video submissions, send:

• Youtube link
• Artist Name/Brief Bio/Contact Info
• High Quality Pic of Artist
• Album Artwork in JPEG or PNG
• Twitter Handle/Facebook Page

I regularly review albums/mixtapes/videos by indie/mainstream artists. There is a non-refundable fee of $20 for a 1 paragraph (250 word) that goes to my charity of choice in Nigeria - 'Show of Talents by The Disabled' (Promo video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QO_geWmJWE) ( If you are in the US or UK, you can pay via PayPal to tosinger@yahoo.com, for artists based in Nigeria N5,000 per song to the 'Show of Talents by The Disabled' account nos that will be emailed to you),

Update: It will also be given to 'Adopt A Guitar Inc' , a new non profit that donates guitar to talented less privileged. www.adoptaguitar.com. I am all about social responsibility.

The fee is for my time, expert review and exposure to my network  and the review will be sent to you and shared with my network of industry professionals. There is no guarantee that I will like your music or a label signing will result from my review/posting!! but you will get a honest review and sometimes further advice of future productions or tweaking of the lyrical or musical direction of the song submitted where applicable.

Years of personal music and review writing experience, connections and goodwill are my values. I have great ears for music and I will honestly deliver your review.

Twitter @tosinger

This week's Tip- Budget

Creating a budget for a new album means figuring out not only how much money you’ll need, but also how much time it will take from your first rehearsal to release day. - Camero Mizell

Today's Tip - "Videotape and audiotape your performances and set out to learn from every one of them" ~ Micah Solomon

Singer Anwar Robinson 

(March 1, 2010 - Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images North America)

PETER-BEN FEMI ANIFALAJE REVIEWS BABA'S LOVE

Hello Friends,

So I just released a single off my 'Finally' EP scheduled to be out in January of 2012 (just round the corner). It's an inspirational project with songs that have a soulful, African and contemporary edge to it. The single out now is tagged 'Baba's Love' .I obviously (hands on face :)) can't review myself so I was glad when my colleague in the industry, a blatantly honest music reviewer and producer, London's Peter-Ben Femi Anifalaje  decided to pick it up. Was I nervous? Naaaaaaaaaaaa :)

So here's what Femi has to say about Baba's Love, wanna share with y'all-

From the very first lead guitar solo and Tosinger's voice eventually coming in on Baba's Love, your mind races back to the 80s vocals of Shade Adu, Tina Turner, Mandy Brown Ojugbana and the likes, to African music, to ethereal musical pads and to Middle Eastern themes but as soon as the song moves along, you realize this is a different song from your initial pre-conceptions.

After the initial chants of Baba O (which sounds rather oddly Americanized) on the vamp over guitar chords and horn stabs, the vamp talks about the magnitude of the Father's love and how much the singer is overwhelmed by it. This leads into the first verse and you kind of get the place where Tosinger is coming from.

Baba's Love is simply a song about God's love and the verses tell the narrative very well with the music complementing. Regular injections of stabs, flutes, lead guitar solos, horn licks and more complement the narrative beautifully. It points you back to all that God does and how it stems from His love for us.

The chorus introduces a twist to the musical arrangement and takes you back to Africa. Infact, the melody is quite nostalgic. I am not sure if it's a song I already know but you kinda feel like that and want to sing along (if you understand what exactly is being said i.e "Titilai ni o ma yin o"-> "I will praise you forever"). It's pure dejavu.

The vamp comes in again (and the Baba chants feels less odd this time around. Maybe I have just been sucked into the song) The second verse mirrors the first but tells more of the narrative and brings a far more personal perspective to her relationship with the Father.This leads again to the amazingly nostalgic chorus.

One thing is I wish the chorus (sang in the Yoruba Language) was done many more times than it was done and given a sense of climax, maybe some modulations or some key changes and Tosinger's voice sounding much bigger at this point or riding over bigger (inverted) BGVs (background vocals). The song keeps sucking you in and you want more but it leaves you hanging.

Overall, Baba's Love by Tosinger is an amazing song. One that should get you into that praise mood. The chorus is definitely one that will stay with me for a long time.

Enjoy Baba's Love . Thanks

Baba's Love ~ Tosinger by Tosinger

More about Femi - http://www.wix.com/strangehouse/PFAnifalaje

PITA SINGS

Hi guys, so I absolutely love content in music too, not just melodies and harmonies (is that not a given?:) )...lyrics that inspire, lyrics that motivate,lyrics that encourage ...and then the icing on the cake, when the song also has a sweet tone, sweet and well delivered vocals, sweet yeah..if you allow me to use that expression.........
'I have a Dream' has been on repeat since the first day I heard it, just listen through..I just love the simplicity of it, the tune, the lyrics...you need to understand the depth of what he's singing..listen beyond 'the fancy car' ..............
So here, I put on the table "I have a Dream" by young upcoming inspirational rock/soul singer/songwriter gentleman of a person with an infectious heart for God...sweet spirit..
This song has helped me through my own personal creative process of putting my EP together, now is the time..dream becoming my reality.. As PITA says here " I'm tired of dreaming, I want reality"..What is your reality?  What is your raison d'etre?........
From Lagos, Nigeria, PITA says his mission is to "meaningfully contribute to the music industry with his unique fusion of African hooks alternative rock-filled gospel. His Vision: To create a positive impact, through his music ,on the lives of everyone it touches, drawing each closer to God" Nice one Pita!
Lovely people, enjoy this lovely song 'I have a Dream' by PITA. PITA just recently released his album tagged 'As I Am'..Like him/read more about him =>PITA ON FACEBOOK.
Stay tuned next week, as I serve another inspirational song that has helped me through my musical creative journey in recent times.
Love, Peace and Beautiful Music,
Tosinger


PITA- 'I HAVE A DREAM'

DTONE, NICE TONE

Hello all, what's for dinner? (or breakfast/lunch) whichever part of the world you are reading from. Here it is, so I am laying on the table, today, as the world premieres this special music, I jump on the bandwagon also and present to you DTone Martins. 

ZAHARA ON REPEAT

OK, so I come across a lot of singers, African female singers and only a few got that thing we call 'The X factor :). Here's one, 'Loliwe by Zahara' ...Zahara is a South African natural beauty..I discovered her like most of the good music I come across, from a wall post on FB, and since then, Google Google Google Youtube Youtube Youtube..........


I don't understand the language ('Loliwe' lyrics), but I can decipher the images and message from her lyrics and delivery.I  just knew it had to be about service to mankind, helping your fellowman.. It's weird?. The video did better justice to the song, and I was right, its basically talking about spreading goodwill and love and it was simple and very well done, no bells and whistles, just appropriate. Her voice suits her, deep, soulful, afrocentric, delicious vocals...:)


Bulelwa "Spinach" Mkutukana (born on November 9, 1987) is a South African Singer-songwriter and poet. She started to sing in her school’s choir at the age of six and at age nine, she was told to join the senior choir because of her strong voice.

Zahara released her Debut Album Loliwe in 2011 which proved to be a big success as it went Platinum in 13 days and went double platinum after just 17 days selling over 100 000 copies in South Africa. ~ Source-Wikipedia 

Need I say more?

Zahara is beautiful, so is her music. She doesn't need the 'star projection'. She exudes it. She is a natural, with or without the lights. 

If Music be the food of love, you know what to do!

~Tosinger~ 

Music of love, enjoy 'Loliwe'

Hey Lovely People

Hello everyone!
I'm back!!
I'll be posting songs here that I'm currently listening to or that I personally feel deserve a 2 thumbs up 
Good music ONLY!
Yep, just very short to the point reviews, straight from the heart, 'check this out talk' and nothing more.
Miss you all. Glad I'm back.
If music be the food of love, you know what to do....:)
~Tosinger

GRAND FINALE: KENNY KORE

Well Well Well....It's been an interesting journey. I hope I have been able to serve you a well balanced variety of music servings and you have been very well informed through my blog.
I will round it all up with something you have never heard before. Kenny Kore is a young Nigerian (West African) upcoming star. He is representing Africa musically on the map, and very well too. He may not have been nominated for or won any Grammys yet,  like my previous mentions on this blog, but he is surely on his way there. His songs are inspirational & gospel in content, and his flavor and uniqueness is similar in the world genre standard of the likes of Angelique Kidjo, Youssou Ndour, Baaba Maal and Asa.

He used to be a member of the five man award winning group called 'Infinity'. He has set off successfully on a solo career with the release of his debut album in 2009 titled 'Eledumare'. I gladly introduce you to 'Eledumare' , the soul and spirit stirring 5* serving of the day. Some of the lyrics are in  pidgin English to give you some interpretation.

Listen to Eledumare

'Eledumare' simply means 'Supreme God of the Universe' in Yoruba ( one of Nigeria's many ethnic dialects) , its a danceable rhythm laden with Afro instrumentation, the vocals are delivered with so much energy and depth, it is invigorating, original and enjoyable. I must add that the quality of music coming from this part of the world in recent times is undeniably commendable. Kenny Kore has a message to deliver through his music and his quality musicianship gives it the attention it deserves.

Thank you for your time and attention to my blog. It's the end but not the end of music.

All things shall perish from  under the sky but music alone shall live, never shall die.Popular quote.

Whatever  you do, please don't stop listening and don't stop grooving.

Remember, carefully chosen songs with uplifting lyrics and soothing melodies can turn a bad day into an exhilarating one.

Choose wisely.

On a final note:
Music IS the food of love...and by now you know what to do! Play on.
Cheers and God bless!
~Tosinger~

INDIA ARIE, MY SISTER.

Hello all.....
I hope you took some time out to get some musical therapy during the week. As Tamera Manzanares states in  her article here " Aging well, A musical spell" and I quote:

"Music’s ability to reach us on a deep, emotional level has long fascinated scientists and spurred special therapies that use music to help people experiencing or recovering from challenges including autism, Alzheimer’s disease, grief, chronic pain, stroke and depression"

I hope my blog's variety of musical servings and my persuasive thoughts on them have in some way added value into your life. On that note, it is with great pleasure that I present a darling music artiste, who I call my sister. Friends and family always point out the similarities between us, in our sound, style and charisma. It's a compliment for me. I love her music so much. Her name is India Arie.
Her bio on her site starts off like this "India Arie is known and cherished by fans and fellow musicians as a poet, a songwriter, a daughter, a producer, a musician, a sister, a singer, an advocate, a friend and a philanthropist –– but she is possibly best known for the love in her music that has inspired and motivated people worldwide" There is no better way to describe her.
35 year old neosoul singer India Arie started out here in Atlanta, singing in jazz cafes, in fact the story goes that she applied and started a program at SCAD-Savannah College of Art and Design where she picked up the guitar and found her creativity thereon.
She came to the limelight in 2001 with the release of 'Video' the single and later the album 'Acoustic Soul' which debuted at at number ten on the U.S. Billboard 2000.
Albums that followed include Voyage to India (2002), Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship (2006), Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics (2009)..All of which are in my collection. Not a surprise!
She has collaborated with a lot of major artistes and added to her credits, a long list of Grammy nominations and 3 wins: Best R&B Album 2003 for 'Good Man', best urban/alternative performance for 'Little Things' and same for 'Pearls' featuring Dobet Ghanore in 2010.
Back to our talk on therapy, I serve you India Arie's song titled same, sung in collaboration with the reggae singer from the Morgan family legend; Gramps Morgan.

Listen to 'Therapy'

Cause I need your therapy / You've given me everything / So much I ever could need ... I need your therapy / Oh oh oh oh oh oh (I-I-I-I need your therapy) ...

Soulful voice, earthy vibes and a magical guitar.So tell me why would a song on therapy from someone like India score less that a 5*! No way, especially that it's coming from my one and only soul sister!

If Music be the food of love, you know what to do!
~Tosinger~

ANGELIQUE KIDJO AFRICANA SPECIAL

This is a song from my childhood "Wombo Lombo". It was a pleasant surprise to see it on 'Nick Jr' recently. Oh wow! how the world has become globalized? All thanks to new media.
Angelique Kidjo is one of a kind. She is an awesome performer-singer, songwriter, dancer and activist (a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2002). She is from the African country of Benin. She is now one of the most renowned 'World' music artistes who is on high demand internationally. Her energy is incomparable, her moves are impeccable. Her voice is piercing and beautiful.
After schooling in Paris and marrying her French producer  husband, Jean Hebrail, she started out doing back up vocals locally and leading vocals in an Euro-African jazz group "Pili Pili". Angelique hit a musical jackpot when she was discoverd by Island Records in 1991 and then later by Columbia Records. Six albums later, she produced hits including "Agolo" (another of my favorites), "We We", "Adouma", "Wombo Lombo", "Afirika", "Batonga", and her version of "Malaika".
I don't know the meaning of some of these songs, but they always convey a message in their own special way. Music knows no barriers irrespective of language, color or creed. She sings in French, Yoruba (my native language by the way), Fon and English and of course her local Benin language-Zilin. She has some characteristic signature clicking in her sound that gives her songs  unique edge.

Listen to "Wombo Lombo"

The 5* song on the plate "Wombo Lombo" brings back good memories. It was fun dancing in front a TV as a little girl admiring this energetic bundle of talent. Her videos were always captivating and colorful. The general idea of the song  lyrics indicate the spirit of dance. The English part of it goes:

"Have you ever seen this man moving ?
Do you think anyone else can do it ?
Really this dance has got something,
Something, no way you can`t beat it."

She has collaborated with artistes like Ziggy Marley, Josh Groban, Alicia Keys, Joss Stone and numerous others. The one with Joss Stone, "Gimme Shelter" is another favorite of mine from her 2007 album "Djin Djin"

On June 10, 2010, she was part of the Official Kick-Off Celebration Concert of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa along with John Legend, Hugh Masekela, Shakira, Alicia Keys, Juanes and Black Eyes Peas.
She is currently touring and I can't wait to get my ticket for the November 13, 2010 concert in Atlanta, Georgia at The Rialto. She is leading the way for other upcoming international 'world' artistes, one of which will also share the same stage at The Rialto on December 10, 2010, Kenny Kore from Nigeria. Watch out for more information on this at The Rialto Theater site. Music is universal, no doubt about it. Angelique Kidjo serves one of the best ethnic musical soul food ever that anyone can eat!

If Music be the food of Love, you know what to do!
~Tosinger~

HANNAH CYRUS, MILEY MONTANA & HANNAH STEWART.Oh Blimey!

Teen idol, 18 year old Miley Ray Cyrus started out as Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel show of the same name where she plays a double life as an ordinary girl Miley Stewart who is a popular pop singer (Hannah Montana) who is also branded in real life with the same alias per music, acting and a franchise line. Now I hope I have confused you all :)

There you go, Miley Cyrus is Miley Stewart is Hannah Montana and she is having a blast all the way to the bank.

It helps that she is the daughter of the country music star, Billy Ray Cyrus who is best known for his single 'Achy breaky heart'.

Breaking out of the sweet American girl persona portrayed on the Disney show, Miley released her first single in 2008, "Breakout" and got a role in an animated movie called "Bolt". She was later nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for her performance of Bolt's theme song, I thought I lost you with John Travolta.

In 2009, Miley's grown image became established with the release of The Time of Our Lives  and the best-selling single, Party in the U.S.A. She also acted as herself in  Hannah Montana: The Movie . "Can't be tamed" is a 2010 release causing ripples in the young pop music industry and this is what I serve today. It got to Number 8 on the Billboards 100!!! Now, isn't that something?

Listen to "Can't Be Tamed"

I couldn't believe this is the same Miley from Disney Channel, how the young grow fast. Sweet 16 definitely becomes provocative in this one.I really don't have any special thoughts on this song. Miley has her audience surely. The song doesn't move me in any way, manner or form. It is just interesting to see the evolution of this talent over the years. 3*** All the best Miley!

If Music be the food of love, you know what to do.
~Tosinger~

LADY GAGA IN THE NEWS

I don't understand Lady Gaga or do I? I find her fascinating. She is a very eccentric human being. Real name : Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, Lady Gaga is the first celebrity to have more than 10 million fans on Facebook more than US President Barack Obama as reported by Famecount.

Her general outlook, personal style and dressing is considered outrageous. They say she derives her star quality from Rock stars like 'Queen' and  'David Bowie' and her vocals have been compared to 'Gwen Stefani' and Madonna', I would agree she -kind of- reminds me of both ladies.

Akon,  the hip-hop star recognized her vocal abilities, and signed her to his own label, Kon Live Distribution. I never heard of her until I heard the song-'Poker Face'  from her debut album 'The Fame' which was released in 2008 and topped the BillBoard 200 charts. It reminded me of the hook in this  Bonny M song, there are definitely some disco influences drawn from here. I guess there have always been 'crazy dressing rock stars' way before her, because even 'Bonny M's costumes look like there was a lot of crazy, out this world thoughts that went into their designs. Not to digress, here's Lady Gaga's song served:

Enjoy 'Poker Face'

It's a danceable, upbeat workout song, that's what I will call it. It's ok, it gets my 3***.  Lady Gaga is always in the news for one thing on the other like crowd surfing semi-naked, cocaine use and showstopping costumes. Things that make mouths drop and question her sanity.Well, it seems to be working for her, maybe when she does admit sanity, all creativity will seize to flow from her musically.

Loose some calories with this one this week.

If music be the food of love, you know what to do!

~Tosinger~

IS MAROON THE COLOR OF LOVE?

♫♫♫=lll|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|̲̅̅=̲̅̅|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|lll..i=♫♫♫

Hello Friends,

Scorching weekend, with some showers of rain here and there, blessings of nature ! So I stumble across one of my favorites from Maroon 5 'This Love'. Maroon 5- a five man band (one replaced later) are friends from high school from Los Angeles, California. Formerly  a 4-member group called 'Kara's Flowers', a garage/grunge band ( a form of amateurish rock music) formed in 1994. They gained so much publicity from touring a lot. I must say that paid off for them in the long run because they received the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2005.

The lead vocalist of the group, Adam Levine, has a unique voice. A voice I will refer to as a 'fruity flavored gum' :). The other members of the group are Drummer-Matt Flynn, Base Guitarist- Micky Madden, Keyboardist-Jesse Carmichael and Guitarist-James Valentine.
Despite previous failures, 'This Love' was a hit single from their debut album 'Songs About Jane' in 2002. A 2002 song that is still as fresh like it was released yesterday. That's an element of a good song. 

Listen to a clip of 'This Love'                     Full song & video  => video

Since debuting in 2002, the band has sold over 10 million albums in the United States and nearly 15 million worldwide. Source-Wikipedia.
The explicit scenes of the video aside, the song in itself is a 5*****. Controversial? Yes!, their videos I agree tend to get too 'raunchy'.
They are going on strong with a 2010 album  release- 'Hands all over'-and a new single called 'Misery' which is now available on iTunes.

If Music be the food of love, you know what to do!
~Tosinger~

A SONG FOR A SOULMATE

Got to love Natasha Bedingfield. Blond, beautiful and blessed with a unique soul piercing voice. She is British Pop Singer/Songwriter who emerged in 2004 with her album 'Unwritten'. It received a 2007  Grammy nomination for the best female pop vocal performance ( the single-'Unwritten'). Previously she sang in a band with her siblings and later on, in a well known Christian music church group called HillSongs.

In 2007, she released a second album 'NB' which has one of my favorites (and happens to be one of the two hit songs on the album). This is what I serve you today, a song titled 'Soulmate'. 'Soulmate' at the time of its  release reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart and in the top 20 in most countries.
Critics say that the 'NB' album was "inorganic and awkwardly assembled", I disagree. I say it is a well produced piece and reflects the natural abilities of Ms Bedingfield,  her voice I will classify as a neo-soul organic pop sound garnished with a noticeable flavor of RnB.

She later collaborated with Sean Kingston in 2008 on -'Love Like This'-which also became a hit.

Read more about => Natasha Bedingfield.

The lyrics of this song express a reflection, on finding a true love connection, the need for companionship and begs to answer the question: is there really a soulmate for everyone?

Listen and watch:  'Soulmate' 

My verdict? This is a 5 star soul searching song all the way.
If  music be the food of love..you know what to do!
~Tosinger~

BEYONCE KNOWLES

Hi everyone,

Presenting Beyonce! She is listed as the most successful female artiste of the 2000's by the Billboards. She started out with her R & B girl group of 3 called 'Destiny's Child', managed by her record label manager father, Matthew Knowles. The teenage girls were Houston, Texas natives who became stars with their best selling album 'The writings on the wall'. Due to management conflict and legal tussles, they finally split in 2004 after an attempted reunion.Beyonce, who was the lead singer, embarked on a very successful solo career of her lifetime afterwards.

Beyonce started off with her debut solo album in 2003 'Dangerously in Love' which earned her 5 time Grammy awards. This was later followed with 'B-Day' in 2006 and 'Am Sasha Fierce' in 2008 which has the song I'll be highlighting today 'Single ladies-Put a ring on it'. Why would this album and this single in particular get 6 Grammys and earn the title of the most awards won by a female artiste in a Grammy night?

The song is a product of her alter ego, Sasha, a persona that Beyonce decided to project which expresses female empowerment and assertion.
It is rumored that it is inspired by her secret marriage to music rap star Jay-Z, a marriage which later became public in April, 2008.
"Single Ladies" is ranked as the number two Best Song of the Decade in Rolling Stone magazine's Reader's Poll.
The lyrics basically talk about single ladies getting a deserving treatment from men. 'Put a ring on it' meaning men should propose marriage rather than wasting a lady's time leading her on.

The dance to the song in the music video I find so hilarious, it became a YouTube craze nevertheless. Obviously a lot of ladies related to this song and it contributed to it being a hit.
Not to say that her other songs are not 5 *, I particularly like 'Irreplaceable' and 'Halo' but here is my review of 'Single Ladies' : It's a feel good, 3***, snacky snack song, it's like therapeutic chocolate candy indulgence.

Here goes:

Single ladies (Put a ring on it)

Beyonce, this 3 and a half vocal range superstar, is seen as an epitome of perfect beauty in the minds of all. She puts on a performance persona, she is like a firecracker onstage and offstage is soft spoken and as gentle as a dove. Beyonce also thrives in her acting career (she appeared in movies like 'Obsessed' and 'DreamGirls') and owns a fashion line 'House of Dereon' in conjunction with her mother, Tina Knowles who is a fashion designer. Smart business moves.

She continues to be a musical phenomenon and her fans await her new work over the years.

If the music be the food of love, you know what to do!
~Tosinger~

ASA, SOME ETHNIC FLAVOR

Hallo hallo!

I am quiet partial with today's menu/song choice. Partial because of its origin and its flavor. I serve you 5 star hot and fresh Asa straight from my birth land, Nigeria. Asa, Lagos born as Bukola Elemide, is a new generation world artiste making waves via Paris, France. Asa means 'hawk' in my mother tongue, the Yoruba language of the people of Nigeria in Western Africa. I heared it from the grapevine that she got that name when she was a tomboy growing up because she always ran swiftly (like a hawk in flight) when she was sent on errands. :-)

Hardworking and committed to her music, she learnt the guitar in six months. She came to the limelight after being signed by a French record label company. Her songs 'Jailer' and 'Eye Adaaba' caught the airwaves like wildfire both in Nigeria and abroad. 'Fire on the mountain' is also an all time favorite.

This is one of those albums where I do not have a favorite song. So I serve most of it here to you as a mini-buffet, her other songs are 'Place to be', 'Iba', and 'So Beautiful'. There are many more but I'll just leave it as that. Her songs are so natural and soulfully delivered, spiced with an acoustic base. The lyrics, mood and sound have an afrocentric backdrop, the ethnic flavor is derived from the use of her native language and intonations. Even if you don't understand it, you can still enjoy it. The European market have embraced her, as they usually do for the world genre of music. Hopefully, your coming across this blog of mine has introduced you to some good music you will not have known or heard of, otherwise .

'Place to be' by Asa

Chorus:
I believe that I can be
Only the best in whatever I do
Guaranteed to take the lead
Only the best in whatever I do
Guaranteed, yes indeed
To be the best in whatever I do

If music be the food of love, you know what to do!

~Tosinger~

I'M FEELING GOOD

Hi Y'all (with a southern drawl),

Anytime for some music this week? It's been raining. I love the sight and sound of rain, the 'splitter splatter' against my window, the fresh feel of the air after it's been cleansed. All these, makes me feel good. Good enough to spur me to listen to some feel good songs. Hmm, what's for 'musical supper'? How about a song titled 'Feeling Good'?. So I go on 'youtube' and search the phrase 'feeling good' and topping the list pops one of my favorite legendary singers, Ms Nina.

-Nina Simone-

Lovely! not too far down......... -Michael Buble- the Grammy Award winning cute Canadian singer whose voice I totally adore is right next to her.

Hmm, this menu is really tantalizing! It's incomparable. Which should I serve first?
It's like comparing good ol' apple pie to New York cheesecake for dessert.

It's interesting to see the trans-generational versions and remixes of songs , some are good and some are bad. This is good. Many people may not know the original source and music stars down the line do covers and make it more popular. 'Feeling Good' is not an exception. It has been covered by a lot of artistes from Sammy Davis Jr to the Pussycat Dolls.

It's a 1964 musical oldie written by Anthony Newley , Nina Simone (born Eunice Kathleen Waymon, February 21, 1933–April 21, 2003) Singer/Songwriter, Pianist and activist sang her soulful version a year later in her album 'I put a spell on you', hear Nina Simone's version of 'Feeling Good' . Micheal Buble later puts a jazzy twist to it. This is a live performance. You can also check out the official video here. It was released as a single off his album 'It's Time' in 2005 and became the official song of the 2010 NBA draft.
Both versions sound natural and true, unadulterated and smooth. They each have their uniqueness and they both have the same effect on the listener, makes them feel good. Five ***** soul refreshing stars!

"It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me and I'm feeling good."

If Music be the food of love, you know what to do!

~Tosinger~