Andrew Martone

Aretha Franklin’s Young, Gifted & Black is a Masterpiece

January 24, 2017

Young, Gifted & Black: The Queen On The Throne 45 years ago Aretha Franklin was at her peak. 3 major events mark this era: First, her show stopping 1971 performances at the Fillmore West in San Francisco helped expose her to a brand new audience. Second, her game-changing 1972 gospel album Amazing Grace redefined the gospel genre, and helped bring

Music·Then

Is Aretha Franklin’s “Ain’t No Way” An Undercover LGBT Anthem?

Introduction Before I get started on “Ain’t No Way”, I want to address a few things (in case this crosses Miss Franklin’s eyes). The intention of this piece is not gossip. No malice is intended in these words. I’m simply working off information I’ve learned, and a theory I came up with as

Me. I Am Misunderstood… The Elusive Chronicles of Mariah’s 14th studio album

Introduction In 2014, Mariah Carey released her fourteenth studio album, Me. I

Where Are You Christmas? Mariah Carey’s Unsung Holiday Classic

Faith Hill’s “Where Are You Christmas?” To some, it’s ‘that song from

The 1975 cover Sade’s “By Your Side”: 97 Words

February 22, 2017

Music

Taking on music royalty is always a tricky thing. Taking on Sade however, is a whole different story. British band The 1975 are up to the task. The quad deliver an ambient and atmospheric rendition of Sade’s By Your Side. Lead singer Matt Healy’s voice drips with vocal effects. Vocal

Album Review: Fat Joe & Remy Ma are absent for most of Plata O Plomo

February 20, 2017

Music·Now·Reviews

All The Way Up When I found out that Fat Joe & Remy Ma were reuniting for an entire album, I was beyond ecstatic. Here you have two staples of the New York rap scene, coming back together for the first time in over a decade. However, Plata O Plomo

Aretha Franklin’s “Respect”: Still T-C-B After 50 Years

February 14, 2017

Featured·In Depth·Music·Then

24-year old Aretha Franklin walked into Atlantic Recording Studios on February 14, 1967. In her pocket, she held a new arrangement of Otis Redding’s 1965 hit “Respect”. 50 years later, Aretha Franklin’s cover of “Respect” is not only her signature song, but the song of a movement and generation. Let me

97 Words: Faith Evans, Notorious BIG, & Snoop Dogg “When We Party”

February 8, 2017

In 97 Words·Music·Now

The Return of Bad Boy’s First Couple In one of the first offerings from the much-anticipated The King & I, Faith Evans recruits the one and only Snoop Dogg to make a pilgrimage to the West Coast with The Notorious B.I.G for “When We Party”. The track utilities verses from Biggie’s

Song Review: John Legend & Ariana Grande’s “Beauty and The Beast”

February 7, 2017

Now·Reviews

Leave Celine Alone. Why? Just why? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This isn’t even playing over the end credits like the original did. While the original version of “Beauty and the Beast” hit straight for the Adult Contemporary market for which it was intended, this one targets a younger

Playlist: Etta James Essentials

January 20, 2017

Music·Playlists

Etta James was one of the greatest singers of the 20th century. Beyond her signature “At Last”, she was a musical chameleon who jumped across genres. Her sound infuses elements of soul, pop, jazz, blues, rock, and even country. Below, we dig into 30 of her best songs, both hits and

Christmas Sounds Like… These 3 Albums

December 18, 2016

Mariah Carey·Music

My Top 3 Christmas Albums… And Why The holidays are a magical time. When you’re a kid, it’s the most exciting part of the year. Presents! And did I mention, presents? As a result of getting older priorities change, while time has a funny way of de-railing the joy of

Vanessa Williams Still Has “The Right Stuff” At Rahway, NJ Show

November 26, 2016

Music·Reviews

The Opportunity I never thought I’d have the chance to see Vanessa Williams live in concert. I’m a 20 year-strong Vanessa Williams fan, starting with her Christmas album Star Bright, and my favorite Christmas film A Diva’s Christmas Carol. For years I’ve yearned to see her perform live. When she took on

Alicia Keys’ HERE is a progressive return to form

November 21, 2016

Music·Now·Reviews

Alicia Keys: Lost A new Alicia Keys album? My excitement is minimal, since her live performances of late and two latest releases (Girl On Fire and The Element Of Freedom) are a far cry from her debut trio As I Am, The Diary of Alicia Keys, and Songs In A Minor. The initial launch

J. Cole’s Cole World: The Sideline Story Turns 5

September 27, 2016

Music

Andrew- Working J. Cole & Cole World: The Sideline Story One of the most exciting things about being part of a record label in college, was watching new artists actually break. We represented a major market as college students, and a big part of our job was to participate in

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Andrew Martone

Aretha Franklin’s Young, Gifted & Black is a Masterpiece

Is Aretha Franklin’s “Ain’t No Way” An Undercover LGBT Anthem?

Me. I Am Misunderstood… The Elusive Chronicles of Mariah’s 14th studio album

Where Are You Christmas? Mariah Carey’s Unsung Holiday Classic

The 1975 cover Sade’s “By Your Side”: 97 Words

Album Review: Fat Joe & Remy Ma are absent for most of Plata O Plomo

Aretha Franklin’s “Respect”: Still T-C-B After 50 Years

97 Words: Faith Evans, Notorious BIG, & Snoop Dogg “When We Party”

Song Review: John Legend & Ariana Grande’s “Beauty and The Beast”

Playlist: Etta James Essentials

Christmas Sounds Like… These 3 Albums

Vanessa Williams Still Has “The Right Stuff” At Rahway, NJ Show

Alicia Keys’ HERE is a progressive return to form

J. Cole’s Cole World: The Sideline Story Turns 5

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97 Words: Faith Evans, Notorious BIG, & Snoop Dogg “When We Party”

97 Words: “Terms and Conditions” by Mahalia

97 Words: “Top of the World” by Brandy & Ma$e

97 Words: “The Cup of Life” by Ricky Martin

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