Love Letters: Is It OK to Propose Marriage with a Text Message?

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I know this is usually the place where I complain about the love lives of our readers but this is a music blog so you've gotta expect crossover.

After you read this column, drop what you're doing (you're probably at work procrastinating anyway so that won't be hard) and download Luke James' mixtape Whispers in the Dark. It dropped a few months ago and it's received heavy rotation in Soul In Stereo studios ever since.

Who is Luke James, you ask? Well, it's his Twitter handle and he's the most promising R&B star I've heard in a long time. His mixtape, for instance, is sort of a reimagining of Spike Lee's "Mo' Better Blues." It's a superb collection of tracks that explore love and heartbreak.

I don't endorse stuff often but when I do you KNOW it's worth your time.

OK, I'll shut up and get to the relationship talk.

Send your inquiries to soulinstereoblog@gmail.com, or find me on twitter @etbowser. Just provide your initials, or a fun nickname.   

Here's today's question:

Is proposing via text inappropriate? 

AT

What Ever Happened to: Tracie Spencer

It's the same old story.

Whenever we spotlight fallen artists in this space, it's almost always the same sad tale - humble beginnings lead to a meteoric rise and then almost as quickly, the star falls. Then the artist scratches and claws to stay relevant before ending up on the back of a milk carton.

Not so for R&B chanteuse Tracie Spencer. If you ask me, she had the perfect career path - she started out slow, climbed to the top of the R&B mountain, then bowed out before overstaying her welcome. I wish her colleagues would follow her example. Watch how it's done.

Flashback Friday: D'Angelo and Juelz Santana

It's Friday, y'all! I don't care how crappy your week was, today you'll find victory because it's time to unwind.

What are you listening to? Here's what we're playing over here.

Our longtime friend Desiree Savage falls under the spell of one of R&B's most enigmatic stars.

D'Angelo, Voodoo (2000)

Desiree said: "I like this album because of the live instrumentation and raw lyrics.... The cover don't hurt either."





Also check out:
"Left and Right," featuring Redman and Method Man
"Devil's Pie"

Edward remembers when rappers used to yell "Aye" constantly.

Juelz Santana, What The Game's Been Missing! (2005)

Edd said: "Let's be real, this album has not aged well at all. Still, I pull up a few of the tracks on my iPod every so often for old times sake. Plus, Juelz gets props for reintroducing one of my favorites - The Marvelettes' "Please Mr. Postman" - to a new audience."






Also check out:
"Mic Check"
"Lil' Boy Fresh"

Now, it’s your turn. Email soulinstereoblog@gmail.com  hit me up on Twitter @etbowser, or stop by the comments section and share your Flashback Friday album. Leave a couple of sentences describing what makes it so great. I’ll feature your album on the blog.

Love Letters: How Did I Become a Relationship Therapist?

Need a shoulder to cry on? And ear to bend? A voice of reason?

If so, go ask Dr. Frankenstein for some spare parts.

 If you want the straight truth, no chaser, I'm your man. Hit me with your love questions.

Send your inquiries to soulinstereoblog@gmail.com, or find me on twitter @etbowser. Just provide your initials, or a fun nickname.   

Here's today's question:

I know the rules of dating; however, I'm not quite sure about post-dating rules--especially if the guy is a psychotic coworker. We went to dinner, and before we finished the salad course, I heard about his cheating and "wretched" ex-wife, dark career preference, his terrible mother, his agnostic beliefs, and too much other drama to name.  Respectfully, I mentioned during the date that that was a little too heavy for dinner, hoping things would lighten up.  The crazy part of this story is that unbeknownst to him, I knew most of this stuff already, but I didn't let on that I knew. At work, the guy seems very cheerful and personable, when he wasn't being a typical fumbling guy trying to indicate that he liked me.... After dinner, we exchanged a hug and I thanked him for the flowers, dinner.

He didn't call the next day. But at work the following week, he didn't speak when I passed by. I called him about 3 days later to check to see if he were "okay". His entire demeanor was different, his tone very eerie. I explained again that I thought he was a nice guy, but a lot of what he shared was just a little too much for me to deal with on a first date. He got extremely upset and replied, "Well, you asked!"(I did not ask. Had no reason to ask.) I thanked him again for dinner and bid him a good night.

He's crazy... at some point, I did not understand that we went together!?!? Am I wrong for being cordial, having morals, sticking to my standards, and refusing to settle?

Signed,
Not his therapist

Flashback Friday: Ghostface Killah and The Show Soundtrack

I hope all you lovers survived Valentine's Day. We kept it simple over at Soul In Stereo studios. Nothing major. Plus, I bought the wifey a Macbook for her birthday so I'm covered on Christmas/birthday/Easter/Arbor Day presents until 2039, or whenever Detox drops, whatever comes first.

Like we always do at this time, let's remember some of our favorite albums.

Larry Robinson salutes Tony Starks, aka Pretty Toney aka GFK aka the Wally Champ aka the Wizard of Poetry.

Ghostface Killah, Ironman (1996)

Larry said: "Who didn't like Speed Racer clips over 'Daytona 500?' Even though it was Ghost's solo album the entire clan comes through on 'Winter Warz.' I swear if you didn't want to shed a tear on 'All That I Got Is You' you don't have a heart."





Also check out:
"Winter Warz"
"All That I Got Is You"

Edd goes to The Show.

The Show soundtrack (1995)

Edd said: "Do you remember the documentary 'The Show?' I can't remember a single thing about it. I do recall the soundtrack which, unfortunately, is one of the few CDs in my vast collection that is so worn out that I can barely play it anymore. Thank the Lord for MP3s."





Also check out:
"What's Up Star?" - Suga
"Everyday It Rains" - Mary J. Blige

Now, it’s your turn. Email soulinstereoblog@gmail.com  hit me up on Twitter @etbowser, or stop by the comments section and share your Flashback Friday album. Leave a couple of sentences describing what makes it so great. I’ll feature your album on the blog.

10 Best Rap Break-Up Songs

Nothing seems to rile up you Love Haters more than Valentine's Day. Some of hip-hop's elite certainly can relate.

If you're in the mood to dropkick Cupid today, here's some fight music. Check out a few of the best breakup tracks ever laid on wax.

Love Letters: Why Do Women Revisit Their Pain?

Happy Valentine's Day, playas! There's no better way to celebrate than by prying into someone else's love life.

Speaking of V'Day, first, some brief words for those who say "I don't celebrate Valentine's Day because it's a commercial creation of DA MAN." If you don't want to celebrate Valentine's Day, that's fine and totally your choice. Just don't slosh your haterade on the rest of us. And seriously, if you're offended by the commercialism of Valentine's Day, you better not be copping flat screens and bunny baskets in the name of Christ on Christmas and Easter.

I don't have to spend a king's ransom on Valentine's Day to show the wifey how much I care. Have you not noticed how much they jack up the prices of flowers around this time? Playa please, get those roses on August 3 instead.

I don't wait for Feb. 14 to tell my wife how much I care. Still, it's fine to use Valentine's Day as a time to go the extra mile and really show your feelings. I show my wife love every day but it's nice to step things up occasionally. It keeps that fire burning.

I hope you brothers are listening.

And if that wasn't enough mastery for your membranes, I've got more. Here's how you can get in on the action.

Send your inquiries to soulinstereoblog@gmail.com, or find me on twitter @etbowser. Just provide your initials, or a fun nickname.   

Here's today's question:

Why do women continue to go back to men that hurt them emotionally and physically? Especially physically?  (Chris Brown and Rihanna) Don't they know it will happen again?

KJ

20 Questions: 2013 Grammy Awards Review

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Lucky us, it's award show season!

Look playas, I'll level with you. there's only one reason I burned away four hours of my life to watch this thing:

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The triumphant return of lil' Justin Timberlake. Other stuff happened too. I guess.

Flashback Friday: Cherrelle and Jermaine Dupri

Hey playas, do your boy a quick favor.

Stop by Twitter and wish my wifey and the inspiration for this blog, Writeous Babe Javacia Bowser, a happy birthday. Her born day is tomorrow - go show her so love.

Now, let's get down to business.

Charles Clark remembers a weekend anthem.

Cherrelle, High Priority (1985)

Charles said: "When I heard 'Saturday Love' when I was little, I liked how they broke down the days of the week into song. I didn't really listen to the words back then, I just liked the chorus. As time went on, I listened to the words and dug it even more."





Also check out:
"You Look Good to Me"
"Will You Satisfy?"

Edward shows love to an industry mogul.

Jermaine Dupri, Life in 1472 (1998)

Edd said: I've spent most of the week listening to some of So So Def's best recordings. It reminded me what a force Jermaine Dupri was a force in the mid '90s. His debut album was extremely fun, thanks to A-list guest stars and great production.





Also check out:
"Sweetheart," featuring Mariah Carey
"Going Home with Me," featuring Keith Sweat (!!!) and R.O.C. 

Now, it’s your turn. Email soulinstereoblog@gmail.com  hit me up on Twitter @etbowser, or stop by the comments section and share your Flashback Friday album. Leave a couple of sentences describing what makes it so great. I’ll feature your album on the blog.

Listen Up: 2 Mello, "An Encore In Time (Jay-Z vs. Chrono Trigger Mashup)"

It's not often that I get so excited about a track that I totally drop my cool and revert into geek mode.

Thanks a lot, 2 Mello.

The Lexington, Ky., producer/filmmaker set the Internet ablaze earlier this week when he released "An Encore In Time," a beautiful blend of Jay-Z's 2003 hit "Encore" and one of the scores from the classic 1995 Super Nintendo video game Chrono Trigger. My fellow video game heads know that Chrono Trigger is one of the greatest video games ever released (I think I played it for about three years straight). It also features a soundtrack that was years ahead of its time.

2 Mello's production ranges from NY-style sample-heavy hip-hop to lush electronic soundscapes. He joined the online label Scrub Club Records last summer, giving him a new outlet for his music.

Chrono Trigger's magnificent score will be the backdrop for Mello's upcoming Chrono Jigga mashup project, which will be released March 10. Teaming one of my favorite rappers with one of my favorite games? I might wind up playing that album for three years straight too.

Check out "An Encore In Time" below. It makes my inner rap/video game nerd rejoice.



For more on 2 Mello, visit his website and Facebook page and follow him on Twitter @MelloMakes.

Looking to share your music with the masses? Send a track with a short description about yourself to soulinstereoblog@gmail.com or hit me up on Twitter @etbowser. If we like what we hear we'll feature you in an upcoming post. 

Chris Brown Fakes Community Service, It's Time to Face the Music

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Every time I say I'm done with writing about my convict Cousin Chris Brown, he turns around and does something worth mentioning.

Well, in this case, he's barely done anything. From LAweekly.com:

 L.A. prosecutors say he violated his probation by essentially faking his community service papers. And police in Richmond, Virginia are implicated in the scam, prosecutors indicate.
The L.A. County District Attorney's office announced today:

In a motion filed by Deputy District Attorney Mary Murray, the court was asked to decline to accept Brown's community labor in Virginia due to what appears to be significant discrepancies indicating at best sloppy documentation and at worst fraudulent reporting.

Flashback Friday: Trey Songz and Blu Cantrell

I'm not sure how the weather is in your neck of the Web woods, but over at Soul In Stereo studios it feels more like April than February.

Yes, I'm complaining. My winter wardrobe is going to waste, people! Eh, I guess I'll have to debut that stuff next winter. Flyness never goes out of style.

I'm done rambling now. Let's celebrate Friday with a few old favorites.

Kimberly Jackson returns with one of her favorite crooners.

Trey Songz, Trey Day (2007)

Kim said: "Trey's sophomore effort gave us songs as 'Wonder Woman,' 'Last Time' and 'Can't Help But Wait.' Trey's second CD showed us his maturity and grown-man swagger."





Also check out:
"Can't Help But Wait"
"Last Time"

Edward extends the olive branch.

Blu Cantrell, So Blu (2001)

Edd said: "Most of you know that ol' Blu and I have a checkered past but I'm always happy to give credit when it's due. Blu's debut was an extremely promising body of work. Her vocals were truly soul-stirring. Too bad most of the album's stronger tracks went unnoticed in favor of that highly annoying single. Sorry, Blu, you're still cool with me. Honest!"





Also check out:
"I'll Find A Way"
"10,000 Times"

Now, it’s your turn. Email edward@georgiamae.com, hit me up on Twitter @etbowser, or stop by the comments section and share your Flashback Friday album.  Leave a couple of sentences describing what makes it so great. I’ll feature your album on the blog.