Compared to last week when I was out of steam, this week I am rejuvenated.  I took a little R&R on the weekend and it really did me some good.  Being that I am always on the go, it is ALWAYS good to be immobile for a minute or two.  And what better way to do it, than with my Mixed Nuts crew in Columbia and DC?  I had a ball, visited my peoples and got some REST!  So this week, on with the show and back to the drawing board!

In case you missed Laura Izibor the last time she came through NYC, do yourself a favor and buy a ticket for this show.  Not only do you get a taste of what this beautiful Irish songbird can do, but you also get to take in the sounds of soulster Heston.  I have mentioned Heston before on these pages and I stand by every word I have written. The man shut down BAM last month, by turning out a packed house.  Trust me when I say, he will not disappoint. Suave and mysterious like Maxwell, lyrically skillful like Marvin Gaye and spiritually in tune like Bob Marley. Put all of those characteristics into one person and you get Heston. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself on Tuesday night at Highline Ballroom.  And if you can’t make it there for his show, he will be at Best Buy on 23rd and 6th Ave on Wednesday November 4th @ 4PM.

I’ve always loved this album cover.

The always prolific Gil Scott Heron will be spitting knowledge on B.B. King’s stage on Wednesday November 4th.  Mr. Heron has been heavy on the shows in the past few months.  He seems to be promoting his new CD I’m New Here, that will be released in 2010.  Of course, all in conjunction with the slew of innovative and mind stirring live renditions of his classics like “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” and “The Bottle.”  If you’re a fan, you know you should be there taking in the show.  You can find more info here.

Ryan Leslie is that dude.  I will admit, at first I was not riding his coat tails. Yes I enjoy his producing skills, the man is bananas.  However, there are some producers who think they are better off in front of the mic. Sorry my friends, this is most definitely false and whomever told you so, deserves a throat chop.  Just sayin’.  But in Ryan’s case, his production is SICK.  And I am sure I will not be the first to tell you something you are already aware of – he’s not the strongest singer at all.  Despite that, the goods that the man brings to the table, is actually phenomenal enough to overlook that matter.  I have been dying to see him live, but the last show had a few artists on the bill I could have done without. No can do, I wasn’t going for that. So here is Ryan Leslie, back this way again with none other than Melanie Fiona!  Now, I have spoken about Melanie Fiona countless times, this woman is a whirlwind in concert.  She was most definitely one of the best shows I’ve seen this year.  Want to be part of the experience? Be at Nokia Theater on Friday November 6th.  You can find more info here.

Two weeks ago, I asked on my fan page if anyone was still checking for Lyfe Jennings.  Well, as I had suspected, the answer was no.  But this is for my peoples who are, if any of you are out there.  His first album was an amazing debut and after that…I’m not sure what happened. Besides all of the personal melee he was going through with the mother of his kids, it seems like he just fell off the radar. I was kind of taken aback to learn he was actually still doing shows to tell you the truth.  It’s too bad though, I thought he still had a lot to share through his music.  You can catch him at B.B. King’s on Saturday November 7th. You can find more info here.

Lady T herself will be over at B.B. King’s on Sunday to round out the week.  I’ve always liked Teena Marie’s songs and collabos, but never enough to run out and buy her albums.  I do however, have a few of her singles on 45 (“Square Biz,” “Ooo La La La” and my favorite “Lovergirl”).  Teena was the it girl back in the day, when anyone associated with the ever funkay Rick James was leaving their imprint everywhere. The Lady has been in this industry for a good 30 years, up and downs included.  And that is a lot to take into consideration.  She will be celebrating all of her milestones and of course, covering tracks from her last album Congo Square.   If anything, I would say this night will go down in history and will be one for the books.  You can get more info here.

Flashback of the day:  You are most likely going to think I am SO on the corny tip today, but I’m still on my 80’s pop rant.  What do y’all know about this…

See y’all soon…

Soulafrodisiac