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La Musica Coolica #34 (AK)

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by

Jake
in

akeys
I’m a sucker for piano and female vocals. So, of course I’m a fan of Alicia Keys. One of the first songs that I really was nuts about, was “If I ain’t got you.” Reagan, and I both actually love that song. Plus the video was nuts. Remember it? With Method Man, getting hauled off in cuffs? So intense. Plus I love those earrings with the dangly keys, that she is wearing in the vid.

I feel like in addition to being so great on the piano, and having such a hot voice, she has done a great job to retain a soul/funk sound in a lot of songs. Despite the fact that she definitely broke into the pop scene with a lot her popular singles, she did a great job of maintaining the integrity of her sound (in my opinion).

So, the song that I’m sharing today, is actually one that I feel falls into the group I just described. It has a grindy funk beat, complete with wah-wah guitar and funk organ backing up the flow. Although I don’t feel like this song really showcases her vocal ability, it oozes with style. I feel like AK knows that it is not necessary to belt her guts out and bust into fancy dramatic runs in every single song, the way that Beyonce does. In my opinion, she is all the better, for it. Here is “Rock wit you.” It is a little over 5 and 1/2 minutes. Bend your ear and give it a listen.

Comments

4 responses to “La Musica Coolica #34 (AK)”

  1. reagan (the one that’s your wife)

    I have to disagree. To me, beyonce never sounds out of her range (even though her songs get too busy sometimes), but alicia often sounds strained or often flat when performing live. I can’t even stomach listening to “No one”. It hurts my throat to listen to someone force their voice like that.

    I do agree though, she is very stylish.

  2. Jake

    @reagan (the one that’s your wife): I didn’t say that Beyonce sings out of her range, I said that she belts [her guts out] too much. Sometimes it almost sounds like shouting.

  3. reagan

    i know. and i think it doesn’t sound like shouting because she sounds so comfortable singing high notes. AK is the one who’s music i have to listen to in small doses because I (personally) feel like she is strained, forcing, belting and shouting most of the song. which is a shame to me because her soft voice is so pretty. again, listen to no one and you’ll know what i’m mean.

    ps i love you

  4. Jake

    @reagan: I definitely agree with you regarding “no one.” I actually can’t make it through that song. Which is why I think it’s great that she mixes it up so much. No every song has to be that in-your-face style of vocals. FYI, I love you back 🙂