C.R.E.A.M. Cash Rules Everything Around Me: Joe, Cherrelle, and Wu-Tang Clan

"YOU LOOK GOOD TO ME"   CHERELLE

The soulful voice of Cherrelle mixed with the old-school masculine R&B vocals of Alexander O'Neal created the perfect blend of voices not heard since Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in the 60's.    Cherelle is the cousin of Pebbles ("Mercedes Boy) and Cherelle's first 3 cd's were produced by the dream team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (a friend of mine back in the day).  "You Look Good To Me" packs a R&B punch from the opening notes, enjoy!

"MAKE YOU MY BABY"   JOE

R. Kelly covered this song on his "Loveland" bootleg CD after working with Joe on the song so you may recognize the hook.   Joe (yes, he only goes by the one name) Thomas has been a favorite relative unknown by me for years.  He's been popular but hasn't broken through big time.  He did a hit song with N'Sync  and a remix with Mariah Carey that got him a little airplay but he deserves so more attention.   "My Name Is Joe" is an incredible R&B CD, download it if you haven't already experienced it.

"C.R.E.A.M."    WU-TANG CLAN

Staten Island's foremost hardcore rap group invented mafioso rap.  They influenced the hip hop culture in such a variety of ways, no only with their music, consider their style, martial arts fascination, and their movies.    How many of the band members can you name?  RZA, Redman, GZA, Ghostface Killa, Method Man, Raekwon, Old Dirty Bastard, Masta Killa, and U-God were a force on their earliest CD's.   C.R.E.A.M. (cash rules everything around me) was their first taste at commercial success when released in 1993 on their debut "Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)".