Music News Today - Vol. 5 - Page 3

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Page 3

Jun 8, 2002

The critics are giving her a bit of a hassle because she rambles during her Unplugged showcase - but Lauryn Hill's work is a testament to every artist who literally put their soul into their work. A very personal project, Lauryn Hill: MTV Unplugged 2.0 is one for the collection. Besides, unplugged ain't unplugged unless the artists gives us a little bit of him or herself. My personal fave - "I Get Out."

* Still going and going..

Raphael Saddiq is the Energizer Bunny of the R&B set. Between his own solo stints, producing and writing, and work with Tony, Toni, Tone and the short-lived Lucy Pearl - Saddiq stays busy.

Saddiq's "Instant Vintage" drops June 11th and I'm sure it will find him in all his vintage, eclectic strangeness. The first single, "Be Here" with D'Angelo gets a little play on Adult Contemporary stations, but the hip-hop, urban R&B stations have all but ignored it. Not sure why - its a hot track, blending Saddiq's bluesy style with D's soulful presence.

I think Saddiq was largely responsible for Lucy Pearl's demise and I have a degree of bitterness about that. But the man knows music, so I am curious and I think it would be a mistake if we slept on his talent.

Pick up:

Can the following artists pick up the white courtesy phone and let us know when we'll hear from them again:

Jaheim - It will only be a year this coming July since your debut, but more ballads and your own private label ghetto soul please!!!

Carl Thomas - I think P-Diddy hurt his success by undermarketing him, but Thomas is a diamond in the rough waiting for a label that can pay more attention to him. Had 112 really left Bad Boy, as was reported then quickly squashed, C-Thomas might have gotten the proper attention he deserved from the head exec.

D'Angelo - Your career can't stand another four year hiatus.

Toni Braxton - History shows she takes a bit more time between each CD - but the last was in 2000. With her newborn nearly a year old, expect to hear something from Ms. Braxton soon. Note to Toni: don't take too long, soulful divas are almost a dime a dozen here lately.

India.Arie - No pressure - after all your debut was just last year. But don't let the lack of acknowledgement from the Grammy's, AMAs or Soul Train Music Awards deter you. The world may not have been ready for your sound, but they'll come around.

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