BRANDY - WHEN YOU TOUCH ME / BEYONCÉ - CUFF IT (WETTER REMIX) (ELSVNATE MIX)
“CUFF IT (Wetter Remix).” came together from a mashup of Beyoncé’s original vocals from “Cuff It” and the instrumental to Twista’s 2009 hit, “Wetter.” Beyoncé opted to slow it down, making the uptempo dance record into a smooth R&B record.
Now a month later, highlighting the gem that Brandy’s 2002 record “When You Touch Me” is and the continued praise around it and the album as a whole, we have another mix to bring these two songs together.
PLAYLISTING THE BEST BEYONCÉ SONGS
Beyoncé’s Renaissance is here but before diving into the 16 tracks of Act 1, let’s recap the Best Beyoncé songs across all of her albums, (taking into account most played and still in rotation).
Although, pulling together favorites or the best of Beyoncé, is a hard task (slightly controversial looking at Rolling Stones 100 picks) but narrowing it down to what is constantly in rotation or has the most plays (based on iTunes Play Counts — managed to keep track since iTunes launched). As an R&B listener, the deeper cuts are more likely to be the favorites — finding those hidden gems or records that may have gotten less attention or overlooked is sometimes what attributes to the more enjoyable record. The best place to start for Beyoncé was with 25 of those records…. (and for honorable mentions or rounding out a top 30, Dance For You, Keep Giving Your Love To Me, MOOD 4 EVA, BIGGER and Smash Into You).
#25 DEJA VU (FEAT. JAY Z)
#24 UPGRADE U (FEAT. JAY Z)
#23 CHECK ON IT (FEAT. SLIM THUG & BUN B)
#22 PARTITION
#21 IRREPLACEABLE
#20 RING THE ALARM
#19 1+1
#18 PART II (ON THE RUN) - JAY Z
#17 SORRY
#16 SUPERPOWER (FEAT. FRANK OCEAN)
#15 ROCKET
#14 MINE (FEAT. DRAKE)
#13 ALL NIGHT
#12 LOVE DROUGHT
#11 HELLO
#10 THAT’S WHY YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL
#9 YES
#8 LOVE ON TOP *TED SMOOTH REMIX
#7 SWEET DREAMS
#6 SUMMERTIME (FEAT. GHOSTFACE)
#5 SPEECHLESS
#4 I MISS YOU
#3 JEALOUS
#2 NO ANGEL
Have to run “No Angel” back few times for the 2nd Verse / Bridge (No I'm not an angel either, but at least I'm trying / I know I drive you crazy, but would you rather that I be a machine / who doesn't notice when you late or when you're lying / I love you even more than who I thought you were before) — that should’ve been sung again at the end.
#1 I CARE
Top 3 could be interchangeable but the Homecoming / Coachella Performance solidifies “I Care” as Beyoncé’s best record (currently). Instantly shifting the tone following 4’s album opener “1+1”. “I Care” should have easily been giving the single/video treatment (with 4 not being released as a visual album) but it will be one of the records that you pull from an artist that should have been bigger or the single.
Comment below your thoughts or your best Beyoncé songs.
KELLY ROWLAND. THAT'S THE POST!
WOULDN’T SHE LOOK GREAT AS THE COVER OF ELSV. Photo via @KellyRowland on Instagram
Ok. That’s not the whole post. but a Kelly Rowland appearance says all that needs to be said. So why not continue to give Kelly Rowland her flowers. Great timing as well — seeing as it’s been a year since EP 5 of ELSV Podcast; where we discussed Kelly Rowland, and the need for her to have a Verzuz. Our thoughts are her catalog is underrated and she has hits, and singles that could easily add up to 20 (without touching DC) and a worthy opponent for her to grace a Verzuz stage could be Ciara.
With 4 studio albums and several collaborations, the 20 records Kelly Rowland should perform:
Like This
Commander
When Love Takes Over
Forever And A Day
Kisses Down Low
Feeling Me Right Now
All Of The Night
Coffee
Motivation
Red Wine
Lay It On Me (feat. Big Sean)
Gone (feat. Wiz Khalifa)
Dilemma (feat. Nelly)
Can’t Nobody
Stole
You Changed (feat. Beyoncé & Michelle)
Bad Habit
Crazy
Kelly
Crown
Train On A Track
Comeback
Ghetto (feat. Snoop Dogg)
Daylight (feat. Travis McCoy)
Down for Whatever
Keep It Between Us
ICE (feat. Lil Wayne)
Hitman
Black Magic
Kelly Rowland definitely has the records, and against Ciara, she has a variety of choices from her R&B bag to the Pop and Dance records.
Latest Single from Kelly Rowland. “Flowers”
A VISUAL. “Coffee”
PLAYLISTING | KELLY ROWLAND ON APPLE MUSIC.
MIXES FROM ELSV PODCAST. AVAILABLE ON PATREON.
(CANT NOBODY/GOODIES + FLASHBACK/MY LOVE)
With her latest interviews at the NOPE movie premiere, Rowland was asked about Beyoncé’s upcoming album, RENAISSANCE and the take away is whether or not something for Destiny’s Child is also in the works or will KELLY ROWLAND release new music after Beyoncé?
PLAYLISTING - SIERGIO, KEHLANI & MORE NEW MUSIC OF THE MOMENT
By now, any notion that R&B fell off, can now be put to rest. With the releases of “Before It's Too Late” by featured artist Siergio, “Blue Water Road” by Kehlani, “Candy Drip” by Lucky Daye, “Broken Hearts Club,” by Syd, “Drunken Words Sober Thoughts” by Sevyn, “New Light” by Eric Bellinger, “Good Morning Gorgeous” by Mary J. Blige and “KEYS” by Alicia Keys… its safe to say R&B has been thriving and off course leaving a lot of music with replay value. — And those are just albums, singles and songs across so many projects have found their way into rotation and into “ELSV’s Songs of The Moment (New Shit) Playlist.
New Additions / Top songs of the moment for May 2022.
20. Toxic - Tai Mistyque
19. Only You (Unlocked) - Alicia Keys
18. Loose Your Mind - Dawn Richard
17. First Class - Jack Harlow
16. Missing Out - syd
15. Karma - Devvon Terrell
14. Leave Him - Siergio
13. Candy Drip - Lucky Daye
12. dspd - Sevyn
11. Eden - Siergio
10. F***n’ Sound - Lucky Daye
9. ENERGY (feat. Hundo) - Siergio
8. CYBAH - Syd & Lucky Daye
7. tangerine - Kehlani
6. everything - Kehlani
5. Lie To Me - Siergio
4. D’ussé Tears (feat. Dixson & Malik Yusef) - VIC MENSA
3. Constant B******t - Summer Walker
2. wish I never - Kehlani
1. Complicated - Siergio
MAY 2022 NEW SHIT PLAYLIST: FEATURED ARTIST SIERGIO
DVSN "HALLUCINATIONS" ELSVNATE MIX
One of my favorite DVSN records just happened to on the mixing floor for me. Couldn’t get it out of the Deck and proceeded with mixing it a few times. But here’s the first of the batch of mixes. See if you can figure out the second song.
DAWN RICHARD "RENEGADE" ELSVNATE MX
EXTENDING MIXING WITH THE ADDITION OF LEARNING THE DJING PLATFORM HAS BROUGHT OUT SOME DOPE ACCIDENTS AND SOME MORE REFINED MIXING. WHAT STARTED WITH BLOW MIXED WITH DAMAGED BROUGHT ME TO RENEGADE. SIMPLE BUT DOPE.
ELSV'S 2020 - TOP SONGS OF 2020
AND HERE IT IS… ELSV’S TOP SONGS OF 2020
#20 - RYAN DESTINY - “THE SAME” - Fresh off the cancelling of Fox Hit TV Show “Star” Ryan Destiny releases her debut single and video / reworked and featuring Tobi Lou. “The song is about a guy giving little to no effort, playing games, and at a lot of times it seems as if men can really act simply... all the same,” Destiny said.
#19 - JHENÉ AIKO - “TRIGGERED (FREESTYLE)” - “You muh fuckin’ right I’m triggered.” The track is the first offering lifted from her 3rd studio album Chilombo and takes the form of a freestyle in which she opens up about her confused feelings following a split.
#18. NAS - “ULTRA BLACK”
#17. POP SMOKE - “DIOR”
#16. CHLOE X HALLE - “WONDER WHAT SHE THINKS OF ME” - Its the harmonies and the way Chloe x Halle’s vocals compliment each other and the build to the final moments of the song. “You’ve done this before, so/ who are you to judge me?
#15 - BRANDY - “SAY SOMETHING”
#14 - VICTORIA MONÉT - JAGUAR
#13 - JOJO - “COMEBACK”
#12 - J ALPHONSE NICHOLSON - “FALLIN”
#11 - FUTURE - “LIFE IS GOOD”
#10. RO JAMES - “ROSE”
#9. TEYANA TAYLOR - “CONCRETE”
#8. BRANDY - “RATHER BE”
#7. KID CUDI - “TEQUILA SHOTS”
#6. KEHLANI - “CAN I”
#5. CHLOE X HALLE - “DO IT”
#4. OMARION - “INVOLVED”
#3. NAS - “King’s Disease” - The opener for the album really sets the tone. From the lyrics to the production. I just wish it was longer, though Nas expresses he said what he needed to say on a lot of the records and didn’t need to extend them. So, can I breathe? Can I walk? Can I speak? Can I talk? Can I floss without you wanting me outlined in chalk?
#2. SZA - “Hit Different/Good Days” - Its the way SZA sings the story. Its usually so raw and unconventional. And if it’s any indication of what’s coming for her next album. I need it now. Out of my way, you out of pocket, need clear vision, boy (Vision), Can't trust decision when you near me, Get myself caught in your crossfire, You a wild one, and I'm wading in you like it's cool water, Like it's cool when you pull up boo'd up with a new and it's not me — With the video ending with Good Days (which SZA fully released 12.25), its the icing on the cake. Gotta let go of weight, can't keep what's holdin' me
Choose to watch while the world break up in front of me — Perfect record during these times
#1. Ro James - “Plan B” - Just ahead of releasing his sophomore album ‘MANTIC’, Ro James unveiled his Brandy assisted song “Plan B” - The song features Brandy’s harmonizing around Ro James’ vocals. You hit me like a heartbeat, so fast, like a heart attack, I don't know where I am, And I don't know where you are, Who do you think you are? And who do you think I think I am?
ELSV'S 2020 - TOP ALBUMS OF 2020
AND HERE IT IS… ELSV’S TOP ALBUMS OF 2020
It’s been an interesting year for music and releases, especially in a Pandemic, with no concerts and a number of releases pushed back or put on hold because of the uncertainty of times. As 2020 went on, and the world seemed to get back on track and through it all some artist took their creativity to the next levels.
Albums that’s been in the rotation this year
Kehlani - “It was good til it wasn’t”
Eric Bellinger - “Eric B For President: Term 3”
Ye Ali - “Traphouse Jodeci 2”
Jojo - “good to know”
Pop Smoke - “Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon”
Omarion - “The Kinetion”
Chrystian Lehr - “Offline II”
Alicia Keys - “ALICIA”
Teyana Taylor - “The Album”
Honorable Mention - KiD CuDi - Man On The Moon 3: The Chosen
#5. JHENE AIKO “CHILOMBO” - You can expect a sonic experience when it comes to Jhene Aiko’s music. And with this release, the journey of sounds that Jhene Aiko puts together will always bring out an out of body experience through the conversations of relationships turmoil. Is good to see an album be an album; that isn’t 30 minutes. The album features the singles Triggered (Freestyle), None of Your Concern, Pussy Fairy (OTW,) and Happiness Over Everything (H.O.E.). Standouts / Favorites include Speak, Tryna Smoke, and Summer 2020.
#4. NAS “KING’S DISEASE” - Back for his 13th studio album; a needed shift from the 6-7 ‘Wyoming Kanye Sessions’ Albums. The album for me brings back a mix of Nostalgia with something new. You get classic Nas. Its the opening and closing of the album. The launch of this particular story. By definition, “king’s disease” is when a person develops gout. Also called the disease of riches, it can be contracted as the result of the overconsumption of certain foods, mainly meat, seafood, and alcohol. As the common theme of the album, Nas uses this as a metaphor for how, in life, one must focus on the right things and avoid indulging in negative behavior. The album features the singles Ultra Black and Replace Me featuring Big Sean. Standouts / Favorites includes King’s Disease, The Cure, and Full Circle.
#3. BRANDY “B7” - Finally. After almost 8 years since her previous studio album, Brandy releases B7. A clear shift from her previous works which saw her getting more personal than ever before. B7 including a change in format then her previous work, saw Brandy being more involved in the process and writing more; Taking us on her personal journey of the pass 8 years, from her mental health struggles to heartbreak and more. The album includes the singles Baby Mama featuring Chance The Rapper, Borderline and No Tomorrow. Standouts / Favorites includes, Saving All My Love, Unconditional Oceans, Rather Be, and Say Something.
Tim Saccenti for Setta Studio
#2. RO JAMES “MANTIC” - Possibly one of the most underrated albums and overlooked artists this year. Ro James returned with his sophomore album featuring the singles Touchy Feely and Last Time. What surprises me is the lack of talk or promo around Male R&B acts. Seems there was a discussion of who was the R&B King, with no clear act decided and then its been quiet for Male R&B. The album which Ro James described as “THE MUSIC I CREATE EVOKES A FEELING OF ROMANCE, BUT I WANTED TO DISSECT THAT WORD AND BREAK IT DOWN BY TAKING THE ‘RO’ OUT OF IT. MANTIC REFERS TO DIVINATION AND PROPHECY—SEEKING KNOWLEDGE OF THE FUTURE THROUGH SUPERNATURAL MEANS. SPEAKING THINGS INTO EXISTENCE AND LIVING FORWARD, HAVING FAITH IN WHERE YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE, AND WHERE YOU’RE GOING.”
Standouts / Favorites includes, Roses, the Brandy assisted Plan B, Rain, Be Mine and Baby Blue. The albums closer, the acapella Look of Things leaves the album for what’s to come for Ro James, whether that is his 3rd studio album or a Deluxe Edition.
#1. CHLOE X HALLE “UNGODLY HOUR” - the groups second album — a coherent, tighter collection that easily shows the duos growth — the sisters make it clear that they have layers. From the involvement in production and writing every song to the harmonies that showcase their signature sound, Ungodly Hour is a tribute to the moral complexities of young adulthood. The album’s 13 songs frequently reference late night hijinks, drunken texts and trysts cut short by insecurity and betrayal.
In addition to releasing during the pandemic — at the height of a shutdown — the duo wasn’t phased and didn’t slow up from creating some of the best visuals and virtual performances in support of the album. Pushing several of the album’s standouts including the singles “Do It” and “Forgive Me” plus “Ungodly Hour,” “Don’t Make It Harder on Me,” “Busy Boy,” and “Wonder What She Thinks of Me.”
REMBERING LEFTEYE
TLC is the first artist I remember hearing ever. 1992 - BABY BABY BABY - So ANYTHING TLC hits different. Especially LeftEye.