The hyper-minimalist white backdrop thrusts Aloe Blacc firmly into the forefront in “Loving You Is Killing Me”, leaving him no chance to avoid the spotlight. But, rising to the pressure, the man kills it. Showing off the charisma and skill that’s characterized his live performances in the past, Aloe Blacc controls the moment like only a true star can. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m not a morbid person, but I often consider death.

I can’t find the post, but I once wrote that when I do perish, I want the scene to be similar to Nas’ first verse on “Live Now.” And when they carry me away, I still want a Second Line leading my death march. But when I’m alone and headed down that brightly lit hallway just beyond the pearly gates, I imagine Aloe’s “If I” will be the track I hear in my ears. Read the rest of this entry »

The last six months of my life have had more ups & downs than a scroll through the front page of TSS. The highs like a J. Cole leak; the lows like a Canibus bonus track. She’s the one who kept me balanced throughout them all. She came out of nowhere to be the constant in my life full of uncertainties. Her voice has kept me sane, her touch has allowed me to feel comfort and her laughter has made me glow with happiness. Bottom line, she makes me smile.

There are plenty of love songs that speak to the feeling that can’t be described, but sometimes it isn’t that deep yet. Sometimes there’s just someone there when you need them. It’s hard to make something so innocent work musically without coming off slightly corny, but Aloe Blacc does it perfectly on the song “You Make Me Smile,” off his stellar release Good Things. Throughout the song, his honest lyrics bounce off a funky backdrop with a sense of humbleness that is necessary when exposing your feelings to the one who’s making you feel them. By the end of the song, all you can think about is the one that makes you smile and you’re left with one of your own as the music fades out.

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Aloe Blacc – “You Make Me Smile”

Sampling the Velvet Underground and/or Lou Reed can create quite the end product. Just look at what it did for these guys. So, therefore, if sampling Andy Warhol’s favorite pet project creates such audio gold, why not cover them?

Aloe Blacc agrees with this thinking. Read the rest of this entry »

The Stones Throw emcee and singer gets a bit of well deserved time in the spotlight courtesy of NPR for his new album, Good Things.

“The soul music of yesterday is popping up more and more these days, and no one’s singing it quite like a young man named Aloe Blacc. Read the rest of this entry »

Singer, rapper, trumpeter, and host of the best party in Los Angeles. What more could one man be? Hilarious, friendly, smart, humble… yeah, he’s all of those things too. Even in a city chock full of talent, Aloe Blacc laps the competition with cool strides that raise the question of whether anyone is even in his race. Read the rest of this entry »

Funny how it takes a great song to make you realize how average everything else is that’s coming out.

Aloe Blacc has been experimenting with different sounds and styles for a while now, and it appears he has found his stride. Produced by Truth and Soul, and backed by the Expressions and El Michels Affair, “I Need A Dollar” is captivating from first strike of the piano to the pristine horn sections closing. Aloe himself has never sounded better; his voice more bold and comfortable as he rides the swinging rhythm. Penned with a humanistic eye for detail, “I Need A Dollar” has pop aspirations but resonates on much more profound level. Far from a contrived modern twist of the retro vibe, Aloe has created an authentic hit. Just ask HBO. Read the rest of this entry »