Selena Tribute: Brooks & Dunn, Chris Perez, and Santa Esmeralda

"BEST I CAN"   CHRIS PEREZ

If you saw the movie "Selena" you know the story.  Chris was a young guitarist hired to play in Selena's band.   After falling in love with Selena, her dad fired him from the band.   In 1992, they got married and he was back in the band.   Sadly, Selena was murdered less than 3 years later.   This is Chris' Grammy winning tribute to his love.

"MY HEART IS LOST TO YOU"     BROOKS & DUNN

Spanish rhythms, flamenco dancers, fast cars, mixed with the classic vocals of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn.    This is the kind of song to share with someone who claims "I hate country music!"   With the latin beats, the swagger of Brooks & Dunn, and the sexy spanglish lyrics ("Mi corazón perdido en ti") this song and video should melt many stubborn hearts.

"DON'T LET ME BE UNDERSTOOD"  SANTA ESMERALDA

Written for Nina Simone, top #5 hit for The Animals in the 60's, this song got its disco makeover in the late 70's by Santa Esmeralda.  On the famous Casablanca Records label, here is one of the best blends of synchronized hand claps, latin beats, and disco.   The song got added exposure when it was included in Tarantino's Kill Bill Vol 2.

No Ordinary Love : Sade, Stephen Marley, Diana Ross, Rick James

"NO ORDINARY LOVE"                  SADE

If I made of a list of the 10 sexiest songs ever, "No Ordinary Love" would be on the list.    I remember it being used in the sex scene with Demi Moore/Robert Redford in the film Indecent Proposal.   The lyrics are actually sad.   She sings of giving all she can to her lover.  She keeps trying but sometimes even if you give all your love, it still won't work.  Regardless of the tone of the lyrics, the dreamy soft beats, Sade's breathy delivery, and the passionate emotions emoted here really drives the song's sex appeal.   Plus it doesn't hurt that Sade is so exotic, unique, and strikingly beautiful.

"HEY BABY"   (Ft Mos Def)                  STEPHEN MARLEY

Bob Marley is not only the greatest reggae singer/writer of all-time, he is the father of an incredibly talented family.   Stephen, Ziggy, Julien, and Damien have all had very successful music careers.   Rohan Marley played outside linebacker for my Miami Hurricanes and he's the husband of Lauryn Hill.    "Hey Baby" has a chill-out beach vibe with a little hip hop beat making it perfect for a Florida sunset.   The lyrics perfectly describe a long distance relationship and how "even though the road is rocky, I'll be coming to home again".

"EBONY EYES"                    RICK JAMES & SMOKEY ROBINSON

A quiet storm classic from the 80's by two of Motown's biggest stars.   The smooth velvety voice of Smokey Robinson mixed with the raw and funky style of Rick James.    This video is one of the Thriller-inspired mini movies that dominated the 80's.   My good friend, Mel, told me of a guy who wanted to impress her, so he made her a mixtape of nothing but this song over and over.   That's either a bold statement or the creepiest move ever :)    In the video, check out how "convenient" the box of tuxedos wash up on shore.

"LOVE HANGOVER"                        DIANA ROSS  

One of my favorite disco songs of the 70's!    Diana Ross oozes sex appeal here.   From her seductive opening line, "If there's a cure for this I don't want it" :)     Halfway through the song, the disco beat takes over and Diana really gets into the groove.  It's one of my favorite Diana Ross songs.   I was surprised to hear she's still touring as I just noticed she's coming to St Petersburg in February.    I would have guessed she was doing a Vegas show.