My new musical obsessions

I don't have much to report this week. Life is moving at a fast clip these days, work is busy as Drew and I dive into our 2010 agenda at ProZ.com. We do have some exciting trips and visitors coming up - but I'll save that information for after each trip/visit.

So I thought I would share some of my new musical obsessions. I love music. Can't get enough of it and I am always in search of new music to add to my various playlists. I like all types of music, but I do trend towards soul music - I like something with a good melody and I particularly appreciate a golden voice.

Most of my obsessions I find on the web (natch) via a few music blogs that I read on a regular basis:

• http://prettymuchamazing.com/
• http://audiomuffin.com/
• http://soulbounce.com/soul/
• http://xolondon.blogspot.com/
• http://soul-sides.com/
• http://www.billboard.com/#/column/underground
• I also always check out the "breaking and entering" section of billboard.com

Here are some recent finds that I'm totally into right now along with what I hope is a decent description of their music or at least why I like them. I also include links to my favorite songs by each artist so you can have a listen for yourself.

• Laura Izibor - Album: Let the Truth Be Told - A great soul singer from Ireland.  The entire album is chock full of uplifting songs that make you smile.  Pick song: From My Heart to Yours

• Pixie Lott - Album: Turn It Up - British beauty who I find to be a cross between Britney Spears and Adele.  I know strange combo, but on this 17 year old it totally works.  Pick songs: Mama Do & Cry Me Out

• Paloma Faith - Album: Do You Want The Truth or Something Beautiful - Wow, I don't even think I can do justice to this album.  I'm not sure it's available in the US, but living abroad has it's benefits.  EVERY song on this album is perfectly written, arranged and of course performed by Paloma.  She is also British (hmmm, seems I have a trend going here) and her sound is like a modern Etta James.  As I mentioned every song is beautiful, but if I HAVE  give a "Pick song": the Title Track will suffice.

• Mayer Hawthorne - Album: A Strange Arrangement - so this dude is from Detroit (yea a Yankee!) and I don't know what they put in the water up there, but he came out sounding like a Smokey Robinson meets Justin Timberlake.  I've only just gotten his album and it is on HEAVY rotation on my iPod, pure blue eyed soul.  Pick songs: Just Ain't Gonna Work Out and Green Eyed Love

• Melanie Fiona - Album: The Bridge - an R&B upstart, Melanie is a great singer whose album takes really old school samples (like The Zombies's "Time of the Season & Venus by Frankie Avalon old school) and pairs them with hard hitting back beats and her killer voice and lyrics.  I wouldn't really compare her to anyone, because this album is something NEW for R&B/Hip-Hop for sure.  Pick songs: Give It To Me Right & You Stop My Heart
  

• Anjulie - Album: Anjulie - A Canadian in the mix - sweet!  You may have heard this lovely ladies lead single "Boom" - I think it was on just about every TV show in the fall from Eastwick to The Vampire Diaries.  This is another tough artist/album to peg into a hole, some songs are beat driven multi-layered songs reminiscent of M.I.A others are soft and breezy more like Duffy.  Anyway, I love it all.  Pick songs: Boom and Love Songs

So there you have it - some of my favorite music.  This was fun, I might do it again in a few months.

I would LOVE to hear your feedback.  Happy Listening!