About.com R & B

Eric Benet's 'Sexy Soul Tour' Cancelled

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:03:54 +0000

The Sexy Soul Tour, which was headlined by Eric Benet and featured Mint Condition and Ledisi as opening acts, has been abruptly cancelled after just five shows. The tour, which kicked off Oct. 29 in Houston, played it's last date Nov. 6 in Cleveland. As of right now, the exact reason for the tour being halted aren't known, but in a press release, the promoters said that "due to unforeseen personal matters and circumstances beyond the control of the promoters and most importantly the artists, it had to be done." If you've got tickets to any of the remaining shows, you can get a refund at the point of purchase.

Eric Benet's 'Sexy Soul Tour' Cancelled originally appeared on About.com R & B on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 16:03:54.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Review: Amerie - In Love & War

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:46:01 +0000

After seeing her star begin to fade the past few years, Pop-R&B diva Amerie gets back on the right track with her fourth album, In Love & War, which was released in the U.S. on Nov. 3, 2009. Moving to the Def Jam label has definitely done her some good, and it shows in every aspect of the album. Not only is her singing bright and powerful, but her team of song producers manage to find the right backing tracks for her vocal style, plus there's a strong theme that carries well throughout the album. In Love & War is a hip, energetic album that properly showcases her singing talent. In other words, Amerie is back. For more, check out the full review of Amerie's In Love & War.

Review: Amerie - In Love & War originally appeared on About.com R & B on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 02:46:01.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

2009 Soul Train Award Winners

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:35:00 +0000

If you hadn't heard, the Soooooooooul Train Awards�made a comeback in 2009 after being missing in action the past couple of years. This year's�show was taped at the Georgia World Congress Center on Tues., Nov. 3, but won't air until Sun., Nov. 29�on both BET and Centric (the channel�formerly known as BET J). (Check your local listings for air times.) If you can't wait that long to know who wins, then have a peek at the full list of nominees and winners of the 2009 Soul Train Awards.

2009 Soul Train Awards Nominees and Winners

2009 Soul Train Award Winners originally appeared on About.com R & B on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 01:35:00.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Album Review: Ryan Leslie - Transition

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:12:11 +0000

If you didn't know by now, music producer Ryan Leslie's serious about a singing career. Unlike many of the other producers who have crossed over to become performers (Diddy, Sean Garrett and others come to mind), R-Les actually has the chops to make people forget that he started out helping create hits for others. His sophomore album, Transition, which was released in the U.S. on Nov. 3, 2009, is his second album this year; his self-titled debut came out back in February. And the two albums have the same strengths and weaknesses: the music production is hot of course, but Ryan suffers from a lack of star power and charisma. For more, check out the full review of Ryan Leslie's Transition.

Album Review: Ryan Leslie - Transition originally appeared on About.com R & B on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 23:12:11.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

All About Amerie

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:23:31 +0000

Pop-R&B diva Amerie dropped a new album this week�called In Love & War. A review will be posted here on Friday, but in the meantime, if you're not that familiar with her, you can catch up by reading her about.com min-bio. Among the various fun facts: Amerie is half Korean; she's a Georgetown University graduate; and years ago she hosted a show on BET. For more, click the link below for all about Amerie.

Artist bio: Amerie

All About Amerie originally appeared on About.com R & B on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 03:23:31.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

New R&B/Soul Albums in Nov. 2009

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:01:01 +0000

Last month, R&B was dominated by men: seven out of the 10 most noteworthy new albums in October were by male performers. This month though, it's the opposite: seven of the month's 10 biggest albums are by females. Among them: Rated R, Rihanna's first album of all-new music since 2007; In Love & War, the Def Jam debut by veteran singer Amerie; and The Bridge, Canadian singer Melanie Fiona's eagerly anticipated debut, which it looks like will be finally released this month after being pushed back a handful of times since May. Also dropping in November: Transition, the second album this year from singer-producer Ryan Leslie. For the full detials, check out the article on November 2009's new R&B/Soul albums.

New R&B/Soul Albums in Nov. 2009 originally appeared on About.com R & B on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 00:01:01.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

R&B News N Rumors: 10/31/09 Edition

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:58:04 +0000

Some of the more interesting news and rumors from the past week:

Sony's Michael Jackson documentary "This Is It" moonwalked to $7.4 million in estimated first-day box office last week.
And the soundtrack to Michael's "This Is It" is expected to debut at No. 1 on next week's Billboard albums chart.
Joss Stone's limited-release new album, Colour Me Free!, debuted at No. 10 on Billboard's albums chart.
Toni Braxton has signed with Atlantic Records and is expected to drop a new album in February.
A planned�R&B hall of fame and museum might move from Philadelphia to Atlanta.
Solange has left Interscope Records after just one album.
Remember Jaguar Wright? Well, she's back.

R&B News N Rumors: 10/31/09 Edition originally appeared on About.com R & B on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 18:58:04.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Watch R. Kelly Perform a Live Concert Online -- for Free

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:55:37 +0000

Big news for all you R. Kelly fans out there who love the man but might never have a chance to see him perform live in concert. Billboardlive.com�is going to�premiere it's online concert series with a live stream of an R. Kelly concert in Dallas, Texas. The show begins at 8 p.m. Central time (that's 9 p.m. on the East Coast and 6 p.m. out West) tomorrow, Thurs. Oct. 29, on billboardlive. And it's free, with the only catch being that you have to download a special HD player from the site to watch it. But the good news is the HD player software is also free, plus it�gives you the ability to view the concert from five different angles of your own choosing.� Nice. For full details, visit billboardlive.com.�

Watch R. Kelly Perform a Live Concert Online -- for Free originally appeared on About.com R & B on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 20:55:37.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Michael Jackson's This Is It Soundtrack

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:26:48 +0000

My about.com colleague Bill Lamb has chimed in with his critique of the soundtrack to the new Michael Jackson documentary This Is It, and the review is a favorable one. He says, among other things, that "Many pop fans may look at this album as merely an attempt to further cash in on the uniqueness of the concert documentary, but it truly is a release that has elements to justify its existence." In particular, he writes that�the three demos on the second disc are unearthed gems that devoted Michael fans will definitely want to hear. For his full analysis (he gives it four out of a possible five stars), just click the link below.

This Is It soundtrack review

Michael Jackson's This Is It Soundtrack originally appeared on About.com R & B on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 11:26:48.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Eric Benet to Headline 'Sexy Soul Tour'

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:01:44 +0000

Eric Benet will headline the�19-city "Sexy Soul Tour," which kicks off Oct. 29 in Houston, his record label, Friday/Reprise Records has announced. Joining him as opening acts will be Mint Condition and Ledisi. Eric will be touring in support of his latest album, Love & Life, which was released in September 2008. The tour's full schedule, which could be subject to change, is below. For ticket info, visit livenation.com.

Oct. 29�� Houston, TX�� Verizon Wireless
Oct. 31�� Atlanta, GA�� Fox Theatre�
Nov. 1�� Charlotte, NC�� Ovens Auditorium
Nov. 5�� Cincinnati, OH�� Music Hall
Nov. 6�� Cleveland, OH�� Palace Theatre
Nov. 7�� Detroit, MI�� Masonic Temple Theatre
Nov. 8�� Milwaukee, WI�� Riverside Theatre
Nov. 12�� Minneapolis, MN�� State Theatre
Nov. 13�� Chicago, IL�� Arie Crown
Nov. 19�� New York, NY�� Beacon Theatre
Nov. 20�� Philadelphia, PA�� Academy Of Music
Nov. 21�� Norfolk, VA�� Chrysler Theatre
Dec. 3�� St. Louis, MO�� The Pageant
Dec. 4�� Kansas City, MO�� The Midland
Dec. 5�� Memphis, TN�� Orpheum Theatre
Dec. 6�� Dallas, TX�� Nokia Theatre

Eric Benet to Headline 'Sexy Soul Tour' originally appeared on About.com R & B on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 11:01:44.

Permalink | Comment | Email this