As we embark on yet another season change, I’m often eagerly anticipating which artist is going to have the biggest spring and summer hit. Warmer months also bring the start of outdoor concerts,festivals and backyard barbecues. So, I’m officially suggesting the hot new spring and summer album to listen to is by a young lady that’s no stranger to the R&B scene. Her name is “Tweet”, and she brings some much needed music therapy this season.
Charlene Keys, a.k.a. Tweet is a profound American Soul and Neosoul Grammy nominated singer songwriter. Tweet got her start like so many other accomplished singers, by singing in church with her family.
Now, this young lady has a long string of hits throughout her musical career. Then in the early nineties, she joined a female group Sugah. She also gave birth to a daughter for whom she left with her parents, while in pursuit of musical stardom. The group consisted of Tweet, Susan Weems and Rolita White. The ladies were apart of Devante Swing’s Swing Mob collection. This also gave way to Tweet meeting and developing a relationship with Timbaland, Magoo and Missy Elliot.
Tweet has landed her vocals to some of the defining music albums in the music industry. In 2002, she debuted her own solo project entitled Southern Hummingbird. This album can be deemed a true expression of that Southern Soul vocals mixed with hardcore hip hop flared beats. Oops (Oh My) and Smoking Cigarettes were my extreme favorites off this a timeless album. The album debuted at number three on the billboard 200 chart.
Then in 2004, Tweet released her second studio album It’s Me again. The album featured a host of producers. This album also featured vocals from her then 15 year old daughter Tashawna, on Two of Us.
In 2013, Tweet gave us what I’d like to call the best musical appetizer I’ve have ever had. This five track EP. literally left you salivating for more.
Now, the Southern Hummingbird is back with her long awaited album entitled Charlene. Let me begin by saying it’s been a long time since I could just press play and let the album sail through. This is the best project by any artist this year. Her voice is like fine silk gliding over the infectious guitar strings and soulful melodies of each and every tune. I absolutely loved the artists musical direction taken on this project. From the instrumentation choices used on every track to songwriting and the professional arrangements and song placement. This album was carefully constructed and crafted. The debut single Magic has been burning up the charts. I think that this project shows the growth of this artist emotionally, spiritually and musically. Something that’s clearly lacking in this genre called R&B Soul music.
Here are just a few of favorites off the album. Magic, Neva Shouda Left Ya, I Was Made for This, The Hardest Thing, and I Didn’t Know, just to name a few.
So for all my fans of good ole soul music, then this is surely the one for you. Guys, this young lady is a testament that real soul music is alive and well. Remember support real artist real music. Leave a comment below letting me know what you think, cause this young lady is truly singing from the city of her soul.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X4nCdZZIxk
Leslie A. Thomas is a music blogger and lover of all things music. Follow me on Twitter @LBoogie252005!
