8/16/2006 - At the End of a Slow Dance

Song: At the End of a Slow Dance
Artist: Van Hunt
Why this song is the current jam: This is off of Van Hunt's new album, which I enjoy more the more I listen to it, always a good sign. This is my favorite track off of the album, sort of a Princey rock-type thing with him doing some weird David Bowie-like vocals. There is something about the weird way that he sings this and the way it goes from quiet to yearning as it goes between verse and chorus. I dig it. He is like a little bit off-key the whole time but I find myself enjoying it, and I cant explain why. It sounds kinda old to me. Maybe it is just pushing some weird nostalgic buttons inside of me. Anyways, I like the dirty sound he is using on some of the tracks off of this album, less clean, perhaps a bit funkier than his first. Good stuff, check it out.

8/8/2006 - Just Fine

Song: Just Fine
Artist: Chris Brown
Why this song is the current jam: One more dance/cheesy R&B post. Another SYTYCD inspired song. This one by Chris Brown has a bangin beat with a pretty melody and some bittersweet lyrics (which is where the cheesy in "cheesy R&B" comes in). Travis (who should win at this point) and Martha (voted off and rightfully so a while ago) did a choreography to this in which Travis killed it, explosive movement conveying sweet boyish energy and Martha was a fuckin droopy dog doing ber best Beyonce impression (aka I cant dance in these damn 9 inch heels). And the judges crapped on Travis for doing too much. How lame and how literal-minded of the judges to presume that since the melody was sweet and smooth that all the movement had to be. What I love about Travis dancing this choreography (and what I love about most good choreographies) is that it makes me hear more in the music than I would have otherwise. Judge for yourself here.

Also, lets just give some props to Chris Brown here. This dude can dance. He makes Usher look like a peg-leg. Check on this video of him on the BET awards, killing it with his dancers. Note especially the Michael Jackson "Smooth Criminal" outfits and the fucking TUMBLING RUN he does in the middle of the performance. Skills.

And, as a final bonus chunk of this post here, I am adding Chris's jam, "Ain't No Way (You Won't Love Me)" which I taught a little routine to this weekend in Denver. Several folks asked what the track was so, if you were one of those, here it is for your enjoyment. And I do recommend you pick up Chris's album, ingeniously titled Chris Brown. It is full of some good old R&B jammy jams.

8/7/2006 - Sexy Love

Song: Sexy Love
Artist: Ne-Yo
Why this song is the current jam: Just b'postin' here folks. This is sort of a continuation of the "Touch" post. Again inspired by the good folks at So You Think You Can Dance, this song was used for a choreography by Shane Sparks for Allison and Ivan - 2 AMAZING dancers, and it just radiates a rather adorable teenage love. Check the video which you can view/download, it is listed as Ivan & Allison dance 2. Now both of them are off the show which is a total bummer. (Go Travis) But in any case, I think it is a sweet song and there is something completely addictive about the hyper-repetitive percussion. There is something about mixing or levels or just the right fake clap sound that some producers out there today just get in a way that I dont understand, they make the sounds so damn tasty. Like Timbaland does on "Promiscuous" for example (which I wont post here because seriously if you havent heard it, turn on the radio and wait 30 seconds).

Also, the melody of this song, the chord changes owe a striking debt to one of the classics of our time in the realm of pop R&B. That song is Human Nature off of MJ's Thriller album. Just as there would be no "Touch" without "Dorothy Parker", there would be no "Sexy Love" without "Human Nature." Enjoy!