Wanna know why I chose this month’s ‘bon tunes’? Read on to get a deeper glimpse into January’s top 4.

Me’shell Ndegeocello
The World Has Made Me the Man of My Dreams

The genre- and gender-bending Me’shell has done it again!

The tracks on the album go from rock, to bass-laden funk, to African-folk infused ballad, and back again.  With each album she releases, Me’shell continues to defy convention and classification, and always, always reveals another layer of what I imagine is a very complex and beautiful soul.  However, if you’re not already a committed fan, this isn’t the album I’d suggest you start with (try Cookie or Comfort Woman). But if you’re like me, and have been with Ms. Ndegeocello since Plantation Lullabies…cop. Now.

My favorite trax: Lovely, Lovely and Elliptical (Note: The mp3 download contains 2 extra trax…get it on iTunes*)
listen to my ‘me’shell‘ playlist on Imeem!

Vikter Duplaix
Bold and Beautiful

An equally skilled house/lounge DJ and vocalist, Vikter Duplaix is the essence of sensual soul. The album is instant mood adjustment, his voice - an aural chill pill.  Bold and Beautiful is a lusciously rendered combination of the ‘Philly sound’ and the detailed, ‘layer-cake’ production characteristic of downtempo - every time I listen to this CD I hear something new. This is the one you want to pop in when you’re chillin’ with that special someone or just chillin’ in general. In a word, ’sexy’. 

My favorite trax: ‘Fade It’ and ‘Nothing Like Your Touch’
listen to my ‘to the vikter’ playlist on Imeem!

Billie Holiday
Remixed and Reimagined

I love me some Billie Holiday, but unfortunately (or fortunately as it were) I’m very rarely in a mood where the lilting, moanful quality of her voice is a complement - just can’t imagine myself making it through rush hour listening to Billie without being tempted to drive off a bridge into the ‘Hooch. So for those times when I’m not sulking in sorrow or soaking in bubbles, there’s the Remixed and Reimagined CD. Each track is served up by a different lounge / dub DJ and features samples of Billie over electronica and acid jazz productions. I’ll be honest, I don’t love - or even like - every track, but I’m proud to have such a unique take on a classic sound in my collection. Keep an ear open for a guest appearance from Digable Planet’s Ladybug Mecca.

My favorite trax: I Hear Music, More Than You Know, and Pennies from Heaven

Peven Everett
Power Soul

Anybody who says his own name on every single song is either: 1) stuck on himself, or 2) the TRUTH and knows it. Well, I don’t know the man personally, so dunno if he’s stuck, but I can say that I think Peven Everett is indeed the truth. Peven’s voice is equal parts pleady balladeer and preening peacock, effortlessly going from gospel-inspired tenor to funky falsetto. When you add a splash of heavy-hitting beats and some smooth instrumentation, Power Soul is the perfect recipe for finger-snapping and hip-shaking.  This is the album that R&B lovers should break out when they want to take it to the edge and kick it up a notch, and when house heads want to make it mellow.

My favorite trax: Can’t Do Without, Wild & Thick One, and All My Life
listen to my ‘peven everett‘ playlist on Imeem!

*purchases made through the Amazon and iTunes links on this site support BonVivant Online!