That's Justin Bieber? Really??: Justin Bieber ,Lupe Fiasco (with Mike Shinoda),Kool & The Gang

"BOYFRIEND"    JUSTIN BIEBER

Really?   This is Justin Bieber?  Ok, I'll never admit to having Bieber fever but I found myself  tricked into liking his new song!   It sounds like a lost Usher track mixed with an Outkast bassline.  The guitar used on the chorus mixed with the club ready beat is HOT!    Justin's voice sure has matured since "Baby".

"NEVER LIES"  LUPE FIASCO Ft. Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park)

Linkin Park's greatest skill is the ability to combine Chester's hard rock screams with the hip hop mentality of Mike Shinoda.   Critically acclaimed rapper, Lupe Fiasco, teams up with Mike for a lyrical treasure that would sound perfect on Mike's Fort Minor side project.    The video highlights Cristiano Ronaldo, which makes no sense, but there is some great soccer to watch while you're bopping your head.

"BAD WOMAN"   KOOL & THE GANG

Van Halen just came through Tampa for their big tour featuring David Lee Roth.   Who would they have open for them?  A classic 80's band?   New rockers that idolized Eddie?   Nope, Kool & The Gang is the opening act.   "Jungle Fever", "Ladies Night", "Celebration"..... crazy pairing!  "Bad Woman" is an exceptional slow jam from the mid-80's, this is James Taylor at his most soulful.

Sia Before Titanium: Jonny Lang, Sia, Stories, and Frente!

"STILL RAININ'"    JONNY LANG

Saw Sting in the late 90's and his opening act was teenage blues guitarist, Jonny Lang.  Couldn't wait to see Sting, left the concert wanting to buy EVERYTHING Jonny Lang ever recorded.   So much soul, passion, a guitar maestro, now compare the 16 yr old Lang to Justin Bieber, wow, music has deteriorated.  By the way, Sting performed in leather pants.   I understand he's a rock star but this is "save the world" Sting, ex-punk rocker, it was in a word, disturbing.  

"BREATHE ME"     SIA

A breathtaking song from a relative unknown in the States.  Sia is Australian and has been very popular in her native land.  "Breathe Me" was released in the late 90's and did not crack the US Charts yet the song has legs and was used on HBO's Six Feet Under finale and Oprah's last season.   

"BROTHER LOUIE"   STORIES

One of my first 45's, "Brother Louie" is 70's Gold!  One of the best inter-racial love songs of all-time, even with it's cheesy lyrics of "brown sugar" :) Originally written by Hot Chocolate, a group called the Stories took it to #1 in the U.S.  

"BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE"  FRENTE!

A great cover takes the original in a direction.   Hearing Angie Hart's soft, hopeful version of New Order's biggest song is like hearing it for the first time.  Frente! also do a great cover of the Flintstones, "Open Up Your Heart and Let The Sun Shine In"!