Some Jersey Shore businesses are offering special deals and discounts at the Jersey Shore this weekend. Some simply view it as a strategy to bring more people to the beaches while others see it as a way to offer value to beachgoers.
Either way, it should mean fun in the sun for all.
Newark, New Jersey's Gwen Guthrie had a string of club hits during the 80s as an artist, before that she enjoyed great success as a background vocalist for Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel and the like.
Guthrie was also a songwriter having co-written with Haras Fyre Ben E. King's #1 R&B record "Supernatural Thing Part 1" and many other throughout the 70s.
Most know her for her 1986 hit "Ain't Nothin Goin On But The Rent". My favorite Gwen Guthrie song was the Sly and Robbie produced "Seventh Heaven", but I must stress it is the "Larry Levan Mix", not the softer sophisticated album mix - that one is cool, but the "Larry Levan Mix" is cooler.
Pepsi MAX and Kyrie Irving of the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers created the "Uncle Drew" character(played by Irving) then took him to Bloomfield, NJ to play a pick-up game.
In full make-up, altered voice and some old sneaks, Irving pulls it off in convincing fashion.
The documentary style short is humorous, well directed and has you rooting for "Uncle Drew" the entire time.
I posted this video because I think people forget Whitney Houston was the blueprint that female pop singers study and emulate and people forget how much uptempo music she performed.
This video shows her in a playful and happy mood, while at the top of her game.
If you listen to her vocals notice what she does better than any of the others is convey feeling. The others study her riffs, vibrato and power, but lack the ability to use them in the same fashion. Whitney even changes the pronunciation of words for emphasis - this illustrates how much she was into making songs her own.
What I love most of all is she didn't stack her vocals as thick as those who copy her, which allowed her voice to cut through the mix clearly.
You have to realize, Whitney Houston is from Newark, New Jersey and there are many great singers from the NJ/NY area, but the Newark/Oranges area in particular. The amount of talent vocal talent that existed in New Jersey at the time Houston developed her voice was enough to push any vocalist to be the best.
Gwen Guthrie, Gloria Gaynor, Faith Evans and Lauryn Hill are singers to come from the Newark area. I say this to say, Whitney Houston evolved in a place that had the ability to create exceptional talent and she was an exceptional singer among the best.
As you listen to any of her songs know that you are listening to one of the best singers you will ever hear in your life... and she's from Newark, New Jersey.
Long Branch, New Jersey stand up. The newest video "Never Stop" from emcee/producer Mista Encore off of his Victory Is Mine EP.
Been hearing about him for a minute and glad to see his team came with a strong Jon Edwards lensed video, shot in Brooklyn. They made good use of that New York City locale & skyline... nice. Well done.
Saturday, May 26, 2012 
