Welcome back to your Sunday iPod add. It’s been a minute so let’s get to it! This year I have really made an effort only to listen to what I deem as good music. Music with lyrics that actually move beyond the sophomoric and say something or at the very least try to say something; music that sonically takes you on a ride by consciously utilizing verse, chorus, and bridge; musicians whom know how to employ most of the following: the turnaround, refrain, and tag; Oh and unique, sincere, and talented voices are indeed a necessity for creating good music. So for me listening to over the air radio is a poor option–at least in my neck of the woods. In this endeavor I have been relegated to listening to various Internet radio stations–which if you find the right station can be a dream come true.
Thus far I have found some amazing jazz, blues, 60s and 70s era stations, and even Latin jazz stations that kill. But what I have found myself gravitating to the most are so called underground neo soul music stations. In other words newly recorded soul music by individuals who strive to retain elements of authentic soul. A couple of stations use the terms contemporary soul and organic soul to help explain their content. However it’s all music with groove, feeling, and mature lyrics. Think Aretha, Marvin, Chaka, Stevie, Gladys, Donny and Roberta. Good music, right?
Anyway, in my search for good music I’ve come across some amazing artists who are skillful songwriters, musicians, and singers that I would like to share with you.
That being said let me introduce you to Latasha Lee & the Blackties. What an awesome band! Comparable to Charles Bradley and Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Lee and the Blackties are contemporary artists who combine both the musical precision of Motown and the gritty-ness of Stax with ease. Lead singer Lee, whom was born and bred in Corpus Christi, Texas, has a noticeably strong yet nimble voice. 
I was taken back on first listen because her voice emitted the timbre of the late Amy Winehouse. Blogger E. of Music Nerdery notice this fact a year ago and stated, “It’s almost uncanny to a certain extent. She’s not TRYING to sound like Amy…. she just… does.” Austin City Limits Music Fest web site also chimed in on Lee’s voice after a great performance at the event a few months ago, the site wrote Lee’s “soulful voice cuts cleanly and crisply through the genre clutter with a groove that slices directly to the heart with honest power.” Yep!
Certainly Latasha Lee & The Blackties, who have been together for a little over a year and a half and recently graced the stages of SXSW, are unpretentiously reviving classic 60s doo wop. Their self-titled album Latasha Lee & the Blackties is a pleasure to listen to, which you need to add to you iPod. It’s good music. I do believe you will thank me later.
Just SOul You Know 