Anita Baker ‘The Songstress’

Anita Baker started singing in the early ‘70s in Detroit at various R&B clubs. In 1975 she was discovered by Chapter 8 co-founder David Washington. In 1975, Baker became a member and the band released their first album on Ariola, which was distributed at this time by Arista Records. I Just Wanna Be Your Girl was released in 1980 and was a small sized-hit. Given Baker’s performance and the steamy underpinnings, the track had more life years later as a quiet storm track. By 1979, Chapter 8 was dropped from Ariola Records.
Baker had left the business until she was prompted to record again by Otis Smith. Smith was the owner of a fledgling R&B label Beverly Glen, who had successful albums by Bobby Womack and Johnnie Taylor. What Beverly Glen didn’t have was a big roster, but it worked out in Baker’s favor. Shortly after this fortuitous meeting, Baker began to work on the album entitled The Songstress, produced by Patrick Moten and Otis Smith.

Introducing A New Sister In The Family

Jeffrey discusses how Sister Sledge's big hits came about, how they teamed up with producer Narada Michael Walden after leaving Bernard Edwards and Nile Rogers and there's news about the upcoming Sister Sledge album (probably named Women Are The Rhythm Of The World).

Jeffrey about the interview: "Twenty years ago I got the change to meet Kathy Sledge, who now works as a solo-artist for a long time. When speaking to Kathy, back in the days, her passions for music, positive energy and fun striked me. She even asked me to go clubbing in Amsterdam.

Now… the same energy was present during the interview with Debra, Joni and (the new singer) Tanya, who fits perfectly in the family in my opinion. I seldom have interviewed artists of this gauge so friendly, open and vigorous. We had a great time and you'll hear that from the very first moment in the show till the end."

Pharrell Gets 'Happy' With Debut on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart

Pharrell is currently working on his second solo studio album, due in 2014, to follow his debut solo set “In My Mind” which debuted and peaked at No. 2 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in 2006. The in-demand producer has also been tapped for cuts on the upcoming albums from Major Lazer, T.I., Pusha T (and Clipse!), Charlie Wilson, Busta Rhymes and Chris Brown, so expect to see a lot more of him on the charts this year.

Returning to the top of Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Eminem’s “The Monster,” featuring Rihanna, nets a 10th consecutive week at No. 1. It is now only the third rap song to post double-digit weeks atop the list behind Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop,” featuring Wanz (14 weeks last year), and DJ Khaled’s “I’m On One,” featuring Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne (11 weeks in 2011).