Michael Jackson

Teddy Paterson

Welcome to this weeks Science of Soul, New York City links are getting stronger! I would like to welcome on board two new sponsors in addition to David Marquis of the Rise corporation, joining us now is Mr Teddy Peterson. Teddy is one of New York City's hottest and most respected menswear designers with a reputation for high quality clothing and slick style's has put him at the forefront of NYC fashion industry. Suits are adorned by some of the City's most prominent men, so please check out suit's by Teddy Peterson you can see a sample of his work on his Face Book page.

Blak King

Incidentally Teddy ships worldwide so you can have a slice of New York wherever you are. I'm proud to announce renowned photographer Blak King has become part of the Science of Soul family. If the Big Apple is your home city you will know or know of Blak, from Harlem to the Bronx, Long Island to Brooklyn and beyond, Blak is the man that captures the heartbeat of NYC, I'm truly honored to linked with these three inspiring gentlemen.

On the music front this weeks feature album might be a bit of a shock for you , Micheal Jackson's posthumous set "Xscape" has a few very special moments ...OK in it's entirety it doesn't blow me away, but wow the three tracks on this weeks show are pretty special so I thought I would bring them to your attention.

A.T. Toombs

 Zbonic's featuring Gregory Porter (on some tracks), the album is kind of old school funk mixed with jazz a combination that I think works pretty well. Here's a new name for you A. T. Toombs a young man out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, His debut set for UK based Soul Junction records has just hit the streets "Veteran Of Love" I'll be featuring this album heavily over the coming weeks A. T. is a very accomplished vocalist and his songwriting skills are at the forefront of this album ...a man to watch out for I think.

Rounding out some of the other new product this week; my brother Randy Darbonne, who's album " Truth" I featured on it's release has just completed the video to accompany the track that's been getting great revues, "Voodoo Child" you can find it on you tube and hopefully via a link from this page. On with the music you know the deal, music from the past to music from the present ....that's The Science Of Soul...enjoy.

This weeks playlist, 18th May 2014


Hour One
Jewel Bass - Let Your Love Rain Down
Zbonic's ft Gregory Porter - Issues Of Life
Friends Of Distinction - Sweet Young Thing Like U
Sunny Hawkins - Where Would I Be
Randy Darbonne - Voodoo Child
Jimmy 100% Sterling - Never Gonna Give You Up
Micheal Jackson - She Was Loving Me
Micheal Jackson - I Was A Loser
Wilson Meadows - When You Love Somebody
Howard Tate - Ain't Nobody Home
Marwan - I Got You
L V Johnson - We Belong Together
Joe Leavy - Real Love
Ann Nesby - This Could Be Love

Hour Two
Denise Lasalle - Married But Not To Each Other
Freddie Jackson - A Dozen Roses
Eddie Kendrick - Maybe I'm A Fool To Love You
A. T. Toombs - Wanna Be Your Man
Eliah - Be With You
Jacqui Williams - Do This World A Favour
Aretha Franklin - So Damn Happy
Eddie Levert - What If
Eric Benet' - Sometimes I Cry
Micheal Jackson - Love Never Felt So Good (studio demo)
William Bell - I'll Do Anything For Love


 Xscape: Amazon review by Tom Hughes

If you have ever liked Michael Jackson's music then this album is simply a must purchase, especially in the deluxe format as the originals are in most cases far better than anything Timberland, Dark Child or Rodney Jerkins can remix.

The opener "Love Never Felt So Good" is a classic, feel good Jackson soul ballad. It is a beautiful song that could have easily been added to "Off the Wall" or "Thriller" as a single, it is that strong.

Another gem is "Loving you" which in remixed form on the standard album sounds well done as an up-tempo dance up and in the context of the album really injects some pace. However Michael's synth driven original is a slow paced "Bad" era ballad that is one the most uplifting, touching songs he has ever written. It is also quite personal and written in the first person, which is actually quite rare for any Jackson song post Bad, as lyrics started to become more impersonal and paranoid.

Chicago is a smooth modern take on the Liberian Girl theme from Bad but with less of the magical visceral fantasy imagery that astounded much of his best work. Another song that struggles for this reason is "Do You Know Where Your Children Are" which is more of a statement of concern than a well crafted piece of pop.

Blue Gangsta and A Place with No Name (especially the acoustic, western inspired deluxe original version) are other high points in a album that is successful on so many levels. Considering how it has been constructed with many different producers over such a protracted time frame it is incredible how complete and diverse it actually feels. The downside to this album is that I agree it is overproduced in some places and many of the best versions of these songs are the original versions that are only available in the deluxe package.