Soul Music

With American Idol looking as if it's on its last legs, rumors are swirling that former Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson could return to the program as a judge. While I'm sure that would be a good look for JHud, I'm hoping that she'll finish working on her third album before she accepts the offer. And those hopes are further egged on by the surfacing of a new unreleased track from the now-svelte chanteuse. "Gone, Gone, Gone," while a typical you-did-me-wrong/I'm leaving you song, finds Jennifer in fine form. That's because she delivers a stellar vocal free (for the most part) of the oversinging she often tends to give us. It also doesn't hurt that "Gone, Gone, Gone" features production that recalls some of the best R&B slow jams from the '90s. It's not certain if this is from the studio sessions from her current project or something left on the cutting room floor from her previous two efforts. Still, this is definitely a side of Jennifer that I like to hear. [H/T: TIRNB]

After an electrifying performance at the Billboard Music Awards this past Sunday, I'm sure that I'm not the only one anticipating what Prince and his band 3rd Eye Girl are cooking up for their upcoming album. As with most things concerning the Purple One, however, details about the new project are scarce. Luckily, he has blessed us with a new video for "Fixurlifeup" while we wait for news. Just as with Sunday's performance, the Sanaa Hamri-directed clip features Prince (in all his natural hair glory) and the girls performing as the lyrics to the song are projected on the screen. Unlike the performance, though, we also get photographs and clips throughout the video to further drive home the song's message. It's a great clip for those who happened to miss his recent spate of shows on the West Coast and enough to tide us over 'til more word comes about the new album. Get into Prince channeling his inner Iyanla Vanzant below.

Earlier this week, Mario released "Somebody Else," the first single from his upcoming album, tentatively titled Restoration, and although it is fire, this Polow Da Don production might be an acquired taste. On the track, Mario sounds genuinely confused about the end of a relationship that he thought would last forever but thankfully the unofficial twerk queen Nicki Minaj steps in and provides a little clarification...or something like that. I wasn't really here for here, so there's that. This song sounds so fresh, and not even Nicki Minaj's presence can tarnish it. Until "Somebody Else" dropped, I'd pretty much forgotten that Mario was working on new music, but I'm glad to hear he's back and ready to go full speed ahead. Do you like his new sound, or will you be listening to somebody else?

Forbes dismissed claims it certified Janet Jackson as a new billionaire, saying the singer's concert proceeds, film salaries and her recent marriage to Qatari billionaire Wissam Al Mana didn't impact her net worth. [FRBS] A Pennsylvania couple remained in police custody after their argument about the results of the American Idol finals led to them stabbing each other. [YD] George Clinton plans to use his upcoming reality show The Clintons to put a spotlight on the ongoing legal battles surrounding his music copyrights. [EUR] Los Angeles police obviously taking cues from C.S.I. impounded Soulja Boy's Bentley in connection with a hit-and-run after matching the car to the crime using thousands of surveillance photos. [TMZ] A new documentary on Kanye West, Where the Lonely Kids Go When the Bell Rings, takes a painstakingly close look at the rapper and will definitely add to your love or hate for him. [HP]

Life as a Teedra Moses fan has been difficult at times as we await her proper sophomore album to surface, but rest assured that brighter days are ahead. She has an EP on the way in June, but prior to that she'll release a music video for the single "Can't Be Luv" on Wednesday, May 29th the same day that she'll be in concert at S.O.B.'s in NYC. You can view a sneak preview of the video on YouTube, and if you're in the New York City area you'll be able to view Teedra on stage at the Rhythm Effect event with supporting acts Rashad and Ari Lennox and host Angela Yee. Tickets for this event are on sale now at the S.O.B.'s box office as well as online at TicketWeb. However, we've gotten the hookup to give away two pairs of tickets to two NYC Bouncers. To enter to win, simply fill the entry form out and you might get lucky.

Ah, the semicolon. The defiant minx of the punctuation family that loudly trumpets: "I can be a period and a comma. You got a problem with that?". Unless you're Kurt Vonnegut, grammar nerds know that it is one of the flyest punctuation marks in the game as it separates clauses and gives periods some time to relax. Yeah, they're awesome. The Lonely Island crew (consisting of comedians Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone) feel similar as I, as they plant tongue to cheek on this fractured grammar lesson that is appearing on their pending third set, The Wack Album (due June 11th). Of course, the song is "incredibad," and they don't exactly give the proper usage of the semicolon, but, hey, isn't that the point of these lampoons? Besides, Solange makes an appearance and sounds lovely on the hook, so this crime against grammar can be forgiven. "Semicolon" is not the School House Rock you grew up on, but if you're in the mood for a chuckle or two then have a seat and take in this wacky lesson.

With the hot and hazy days of summer fast approaching, it's high time to get your summer soundtrack together. And while finding something to shake that thing to is usually at the top of the list, we can't forget about the sounds needed for the more quiet moments. Brooklyn duo denitia and sene. are here to help with their latest track "the nude." "Take off your things and put them next to mine, drop down your jeans and lay them on the side," they demand over a simply piano and drum loop. But, as direct as that request is, they're soon asking to "slow down" amongst a hazy swirl of horns. It seems, though, that the song might be as much about getting naked as it is about baring one's soul to another. Either way, it's a slyly sexy jam perfect for those late summer nights that turn into early summer mornings. "the nude." is available as a single on iTunes now, as is their debut album his and hers., which dropped this past March. But, before you go, press play for some seriously seductive sounds.

Experimental soul duo Black Fantastic is back with something fresh and hella funky. Roman Lee Norfleet and Jacque Hammond have grown in every aspect of their artistry, and it definitely shows on their first release under the new moniker. "Regrouping [You]" finds the Los Angeles residents teaching a lesson on how to successfully make a change in the world. Not only does Norfleet produce the entire self-titled album, but this time around he's also taking a step from behind the boards and introducing us to his extra smooth vocals. "The choice is yours but make it now/Our breath is shortening with every sound," he sings soulfully. From the lead single "Black Diamonds" to "Strength" and the heart-wrenching "Nothing's Special," everything about this album is inspiring, empowering and again, funky. Visit Black Fantastic's website and Bandcamp page to download a copy of their brand new self-titled album.

Back in April, Cali-based producer Turquoise Summers dropped an instrumental opus called A Touch of Turquoise on the Omega Supreme imprint. Released in limited edition vinyl and cassette tape form (in addition to digital form), the 12-track album is chock full of funky '80's vibes just as throwback as the formats it is available in. The instrumentals alone transport listeners on a journey back in time when we wore our shoulder pads high and our hair styled even higher. As if the album's instrumentals aren't good enough on their own, Turquoise kicks things up another notch by joining forces with SB regular I, Ced on one of my favorite cuts "Phase Shiftin.'" Though a talented producer in his own right, its Ced's voice that gets to put in work on this revised version. Admittedly, this new rendition left me wondering what other type of awesomeness could be made if vocals were added to other cuts from A Taste of Turquoise (hint, hint). Additional vocals or not, you'd be hard pressed to resist the urge to break out your best bodyroll while jamming along to this. A perfect way to get you ready for the summer, take this one for a spin and take advantage of the free download, then head on over to Omega Supreme's site to cop the entire album.

Novel is a man of many hats. Though most recently he's been keeping busy behind the scenes penning songs for the likes of Ashanti, Kid Rock, Joss Stone and Leona Lewis, he's still making time for the most important artist of all -- himself. Since releasing his six-track EP, Under Water, Overwhelmed, back in November, the singer-MC-songwriter has been a self-promotional machine, churning out music videos to support the indie project. The third video taken from the EP for the song "Pretty Scars" takes a sobering look at how deceiving looks can be. The clip's conflicted protagonist, though beautiful on the outside, hides her pain from the world behind a veil of self-medication. Novel also showcases his lyrical skills as he shines a light on the subject's insecurities, while also letting her know he feels her pain. And the multi-talented crooner is showing no signs of slowing down, as recently revealed via Twitter the video for his next single, "To The Limit" will be out soon.