The long time readers of A Choice of Weapons have read, re-read, argued for and against and suggested Divas who should make Mista Jaycee's list on the Divas. It's still one of the most popular posts. But now it's time for me to view the MEN!
Now, these lists of course can be subjective according to one's preference, bias and taste so I decided to list a few who I feel have a SOUND no other Male vocalist has. That's right the VOICE!
First Up!
1. Eddie Levert of the Mighty OJay's!
I challenge anyone to dispute this! Name me one singer who EDDIE sounded like! If they exist, I don't think they've been recorded because Eddie Levert's voice like the DIVA Gladys Knight just seems to have come out of nowhere!
Well, what about Gerald Levert Mista Jaycee?
Gerald proves my case! Gerald sounds like Eddie with a little Donnie and Stevie thrown in the pot! Gerald was the next step from Eddie, but his Daddy is the mode! The Bonafide Original!
2. Jeffrey Osborne formerly of LTD!
Before Mr. Osborne was The "Woo Woo" Man, he held the lead on several R and B classics including "Jam!" "Shine On" "Concentrate on You" "Where Did We go Wrong?" and then went on to command a huge market share in the eighties with "Stay with Me tonight!" "On the Wings of Love" and of course "You should be mine" (The Woo Woo Song)
3. Phillipe Wynne formerly of the Spinners, Wynne Jammin and a member of the PFUNK Incorporated Thang!
Who in the world sounds like Philipe? Go ahead name em!
Take a listen to "Sadie" It take a fool to learn that Love don't love nobody" Mighty Love, the Rubber band Man or go to PFUNK's Knee Deep and listen to his ad libs. "I got ants in my pants and I need to dance and tell me that ain't classic!
4. Ronnie Isley
Before he was Mr. Big to R. Kelly, he and the Brothers Isley made hit records for DECADES! The Beatles covered "Twist and Shout" "Shout" was made even more famous when a singer named Duane Jessie took the part of Otis Day and the Knights and sang it in "Animal House". A budding guitar genius named Jimi Hendrix was their sideman before becoming a ROCK LEGEND! Ronnie's voice is unmatched. Ronnie is NOT the greatest Singer but who sounds like him. Ronnie is Easily one of the greatest Song Stylists to caress a Lyric! Bar None # 1
And just to throw a Rock! My last entry! Drum roll please!
5. Luther Vandross! The epitome of class, sophistication and smoove styling. Only Barry White and Ronnie Isley probably ushered in more population growth spurts in the last thirty years!
Sorry El Debarge, Sorry Prince, Sorry Michael! Damn! I miss Mike!
No, for Babymakin Music There's only one sure fire # 1 Dude! It's Luther Vandross bar none. The renowned Background vocal assassin turned Solo Artist sounds like Who? That's right No one! Listen to Chic, David Bowie's Fame or Stevie's Part Time Lovers and you hear that voice! I would say that his first quartet of albums show this beyond a shadow.
Even when he went POP (which I refer to as the Weenie years) that VOICE was still the tops!
So now, go to your corners and come out swinging!
BE Prayerful! BE Mindful! BE Careful!
Jaycee
