Música Monday: Us "No matter where you are"

Wow! Has everyone fully recovered from last night's Grammys?

Seriously, that was one of the most solid award shows I have seen -- and when it comes to music award show....I'm a total junkie!--

From Beyoncé's opening number, I knew the show was gonna be a banger!!!

I love how the producers always merged current artists with legends!

Robin Thicke and Chicago, Pharrell with Daft Punk and Stevie Wonder, Blake Shelton and Willie Nelson, Mackelmore and Madonna! I was just totally in awe....

All of the fusions were great too.

Kendrick Lamar with Imagine dragons gave an amazing performance... Like AMAZING.
Metallica (<3 a="" beautiful.="" concert="" dark="" gave="" grand="" just="" lang="" layer="" nbsp="" ne="" on="" out="" p="" piano="" pulled="" rich="" so="" song="" that="" the="" was="" which="" with="">
Pink can seriously do no wrong!  She gave a fantastic aerialist performance, THEN did some acro, THEN put on heels and a skirt all whilst singing LIVE??????

BA-NANAS

Oh and let's not forget my FAVORITE duet of the night. Carole King and Sara Bareilles singing whilst playing those beautiful grand pianos!!!

but I digress..


My choice for this Música Monday is a band that I personally discovered on Vine (follow me on Vine @boifromIpanema *wink wink*) known simply as "Us".  

 Husband and wife duo Michael Alvarado and Carissa Rae recently released their sophomore album "No matter where you are" in November of 2013 and I have not stopped listening to it since.

Its definitely a chill album with smooth vocals and R&B references.

Take a listen for yourself and let me know what you think :D

You can use the Spotify playlist below, and if you don't have Spotify, I'd definitely recommend you download it! It's free and you can stream millions of FULL ALBUMS!!!!

SO RAD!

May a little dose of music brighten your Monday and boost your week!

Ttyl,

Jeshua 

Música Monday: Alicia Keys Songs in A Minor

Happy Monday friends!

The weekend may be gone but there is still every reason to bump them jams.

This Monday, we are taking it back to the year 2000 baby!

This artist is seriously one of my favorites.
I was absolutely obsessed with her first three albums and I'm pretty sure I know every word to every song, and can sing the songs in sequence of the actual album.


This week's Música Monday is dedicated to Alicia Keys' Songs in A Minor

Forreals...This album was on repeat for like....uh...ever...and still.

Personally I haven't been a fan of Alicia's most recent albums. The vocals are strained and feel..well...disingenuous?  Or maybe I'm just too nostalgic for the vocals and stylings of the original Alicia I fell in love with.


But as far as Songs in A Minor goes...it is pure R&B/hip-hop/soul perfection.

Some of my favorite tracks include the poetic "Caged Bird" inspired by Maya Angelou's poem "I know why the caged bird sings."

A Prince cover, if done well, will always win me over. Alicia's version of "How come you don't call me" has that angsty, sexy, soul, that really brought Alicia into the spotlight.

"Jane Doe," "A woman's worth," "Never felt this way" and "Girlfriend" give a classic pop-R&B vibe and they are just really fun to sang... no not sing, SANG!!!! 

Writing this post really re-ignited my fire for this album and brought back a ton of good memories.

One can only hope that Alicia Key's will get back to her roots and gives this sound a new life!

Take a Listen for yourself!

May a little dose of music brighten your Monday and boost your week!

Ttyl,

Jeshua 

Música Monday (on Thursday) :Halloween playlist

Hello music lovers and Halloween lovers alike! You know what day it is??!

IT'S HALLOWEEN!...Also it's Thursday

also MÚSICA MONDAY... ON THURSDAY!!!!!!!

*Cue childrens laughter and zombie groans*

For today's edition of Música Monday (on Thursday) I've compiled a special playlist of some of my favorite halloween music! 

It's a little complilation of everything from "the Monster Mash," songs from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Dracula, Hocus Pocus, the Nightmare Before Christmas and hours worth of awesome fun halloween music.

Play it to get in the spooky-mood or during your halloween party to enhance the ambiance!

Have a safe and super fun teeth rotting halloween!

May a little dose of music (and a touch of worms wart...for flavor) spook up your halloween!

Ttyl little darlings muahahahahahahahaha,

Jeshua

Música Monday: Mika "The Origin of Love"

Happy Monday you hard working, beautiful person you! You know what you deserve??

You deserve a dose of good new music to fill your earholes with!

 BECAUSE YOU'RE AWESOME! 

YOU GO GLENN COCO!!!!

This weeks Música Monday artist/album is Mika's "The Origin of Love"

The first time I had ever heard Mika was back in 2007!

MTV used small part of one of his songs ("Love today" from his first album "Life in Cartoon Motion") in one of their previews that would literally play at EVERY commercial break.

Once I found out who the artist was, I immediately went on YouTube and listened to all of Mika's music that was out at the time, then I bought the full album!

Mika has a pretty alternative sound which is why I wasn't surprised that he didn't blow up in the states.  

After the release of "Life in Cartoon Motion" I kind-of forgot about him and didn't even bother to think twice about his second album "The boy who knew too much" released in 2009.  

It wasn't until I listened to Ariana Grande's version of "Popular Song" featuring Mika  (originally written and recorded by Mika for "The Origin of Love" album) that I was reminded of how much I actually enjoyed Mika's voice and style.  

I gave his most recent album "The Origin of Love" a listen to, and boy was I stoked!!!!

This Album is so good. I literally laughed out loud to some tracks but in a good way. 

The cheeky "I only love you when I'm drunk" was the song that totally caught me off guard.  I hadn't read the title of the song because I was just listening to the album all the way through. Once the chorus hit, it totally caught me off guard and made me LOL 

The title track "Origin of Love" is a really fun, upbeat, melodic track that has a great feel as well as super interesting melodic vocals.  The song has a light piano centered sound that almost makes it a non-traditional dance song.  It's one of those songs that you dance in your underwear to whilst getting ready in the morning...or something. haha 

 or maybe that's just me.....

I really like Mika's version of "Popular Song."  It has a great message and although it is less pop-melody-esque, than the Ariana version, the message is a little more at the forefront and more matter-of-fact, than the more sensationalized Ariana grande version (which I still love regardless).  

The track "Heroes"also has a fantastic message about a soldier coming home after war. Very relevant to the world we are living in now.   

The moody-ballad "Underwater" has a great smooth piano riff with a really jagged, contrasting lyrical melody in the verses, that really builds in the chorus. 

Finally.... "Emily" or the alternate "Elle me Dit" is just so fun to listen to.

Take a Listen for yourself!

May a little dose of new music brighten your Monday and boost your week!

Ttyl,

Jeshua

Música Monday: Amy Winehouse "Frank"

ugh...It's already Monday again?!

well... let's get to it!

Happy Monday fellow life sojourners.

So as some of you know, Justin Beiber has decided to get in on the Música Monday bandwagon, and release a BRAND NEW SONG every week.

SOOOOOOO.........

we're definitely not going to talk about him.

HOWEVER  we ARE going to be talking about an artist that is very dear to my heart.

This week Música Monday selection is the album "Frank" by the untouchable and deeply missed Amy Winehouse. 

Amy Winehouse came in with earthquake like presence into the American Mainstream music scene in 2007 with her hit "Rehab"

Then she really established herself with the Album "Back to Black'" which received two Grammy's and tons of critical acclaim.

A lot of people know about that album, but not many people have heard Amy's first album "Frank".

"Frank" is different from "Back to Black" in that it's sound is less retro and slightly less produced.
However the writing and feel of the album is young and rebellious, with a generous helping of "achy-heart" syndrome.

Stand out tracks:

The moody "What is it about men" and "Take the box" give an insight to Amy's destructive and troubled side, including her issues with her relationships.

But the songs are so damn groovy....I can't help but to love them

"I heard Love is Blind" and "F**k me Pumps" show off Amy's cheeky side while "October Song" "(There is) No greater Love" and "In my Bed" give you the classic crooner-Amy-sound we have grown to know.

If you really want to hear something cool/supplemental, check out Amy's "Frank B-sides."
It's an entire album of demos and cut songs from the Frank album including some awesome covers and raw moments.


Take a listen for yourself!!

If you've never heard "Frank" I hope you enjoy it, and if you have heard it, hopefully it brings back some memories and sparks your nostalgia :D


May a little dose of new music brighten your Monday and boost your week!

Ttyl,
Jeshua 

Música Monday: Nadav Hertzka

Happy Monday ye weary travelers.

Yes, despite our best efforts, Monday has once again snuck up on us to rear its tortuous head.

Luckily today is MÚSICA MONDAY!!!!
*cheers, confetti, party things and stuff*

This weeks selection is a bit different than that of previous weeks, but dang, variety is the spice of life amirite?

So before you go running for the hills, never to visit BFI again, just.....give it an opportunity!!!

ok....ready?

Today's Música Monday features Nadav Hertzka's "Tchaikovsky: Sonata, Op.80 & The Seasons"

Classical music??? noooooooo!

Yesss! Yes, my child

I found this album a while ago while searching up Tchaikovsky music and I haven't stopped listening to it since.
  
As a dancer anything by Tchaikovsky makes me happy, but Nadav Hertzka's versions on piano gave me goosebumps the first time I heard them.

Tchaikovsky's work is so powerful. Even it it's quiet stillness, it has an underlying energy. Which is why I think it is used in so many ballets and dance pieces.

 There is something about Nadav's versions (which are strictly piano versions) that just breathes a new life into these classics.

Now normally I would do a "noteworthy tracks" section but this week I really think that this is an album that should be experienced from start to finish.
If you are stressed out or stuck in traffic or on your lunchbreak, give Nadav a chance. Even if orchestral/classical music isn't normally your thing.
You may actually be surprised.
 
Take a listen for yourself!!

May a little dose of new music brighten your Monday and boost your week!

Ttyl,
Jeshua 

Música Monday: Ariana Grande

Monday blues got you down??!  I have the perfect remedy for that, y'all.

In these times when synthetic sounds and vocals rule the airwaves_ugh_a beacon of shining light has come forth to break the monotony that is po(o)p music.

This week's Música Monday is dedicated to the fantastic talent (and my baby mama) that is Ariana Grande.

The 20 year old singer from Florida made a splash onto the scene as Nickelodeon's Kat on the sitcom "Victorious". Now stepping out of the shadow of Victoria Justice and out on her own, with her first album "Yours Truly" this phenomenal talent is on her way top.  With vocals akin to the likes of early Mariah Carey and a style that harkens back to the pop R&B music of the early 90's  which is totes my fav, Ariana Grande is sure to be a lasting figure in the music industry.

Some standout tracks from Yours Truly are the opening track "Honeymoon Avenue" which gives me so many feels, because who doesn't love a good "let's get back together" song. 

"Lovin' It" features a sample of Mary J. Blige's "Real Love" which has an amazing mid-tempo groove that gives me so much life

 AND CAN WE JUST TAKE A SECOND TO TALK ABOUT THOSE FREAKING AMAZING VOCALS??!!!!! (listen to "Almost is never enough")

"Daydreamin'" gives a good insight into Ariana's musical doo-wop-meets-90's-R&B aesthetic.

 I LOVVVE ME SOME ARIANA!!!!

May a little dose of new music brighten your Monday and boost your week!

Ttyl,
Jeshua

Música Monday: John Legend "Love in the Future"

Happy Monday friends!!

Yes I know, one doesn't usually associate Mondays with joy and or...uh...jubilation,  but everything is better with a little new music right??!!!

That's why every Monday will be Música Monday here on boifromipanema.com.
I will be sharing a different song, artist, or album for your listening pleasure!!

This is gonna be a serious catch all of musical genres, so hopefully there will be a little sabor for everyone.

Music from Bach to Beiber and everything in between!!!!



This week's selection is the new album by John Legend "Love in the Future" which is an album I'm sort of obsessed with at the moment.  

Some stand out tracks are "All of me" John Legend's ode to his wife Chrissy Teigan.

The track "Made to Love" has a cool Afro-industrial driving beat which I find completely infectious.

"Dreams" gives me so many feels it is almost unbearable!!!

And let us not forget the brilliant "Who do we think we are" which samples Jean Knight's "Mr.Big Stuff" and features rapper Rick Ross.

The entire album is totally solid, and totally worth a purchase 
IMHO..........

Take a listen for yourself!!

May a little dose of new music brighten your Monday and boost your week!

Ttyl,
Jeshua