![]() She then backed up musicians like James Brown as a young woman before enrolling at the University of Pennsylvania to study medicine. She began singing at a young age and was signed to her first label deal at 15. Tammi Terrell was born Thomasina Winfred Montgomery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1945. Let’s take a look at some** of the most important duos and their classic duets and ask ourselves, “Where is the love?” Let’s go back to times when music was organically created and when the spirit didn’t much find itself waiting for record label execs’ permission to move through the artists. Like their love, their sound is uncompromising and timeless, and I’m not exaggerating when I say I listen to them daily - they’re keeping the love alive.*Ĭheck out: Where Would I Be? (The Question) Stars and Let It All Go Despite industry pressure to fly solo and focus on the latest trends in music production, Kindred remains authentic in their expressions of love for each other and the art itself. They are the most recent duo I can think of that conjures that symbiotic soul sound - at least one I can think of that has gone mainstream. I think about one of my favorite groups, the Grammy-nominated powerhouse duo, Kindred the Family Soul, whose music keeps alive the tradition of partnered ballads that explore the ups-and-downs, ins-and-outs of love and life. While these are all women, this is an example of how the entertainment industry stifles the organic production of amazing music by focusing more on revenue than refrain.įatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon, Kindred the Family Soul Instead, Meshell worked with Lalah Hathaway and Caron Wheeler, which she said ultimately made the album perfect. I am focusing on two artists recording entire albums or at least several songs together that reflect their obvious connection outside of the recording studio? In speaking on conceptualizing and arranging 2002’s “Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape”, Meshell Ndegeocello noted that Neo-Soul singer Jill Scott was supposed to be on the album, but the label conflicts prevented the collaboration. How did we lose our way?Īt what point did the music industry decide that duets were no longer important or valuable? I am not speaking about the greedily manufactured “hit” singles” conceived in board rooms by execs looking to cash in on two artist’s fleeting popularity. I can, rather effortlessly, rattle off the names of iconic duos who produced some of the most enduring love songs, but those people are from the 1960s, 70s, 80s mostly. When was the last time you heard an amazing duet? One that prominently featured a Black woman as one half of the duo? It might take you some time to think about man/woman pairings who are actively recording and producing modern music, and even longer time to think about stand-out songs that echo the gender-blending compositions of old. There is a unique sense of balance and completion, and I appreciate how synchronicity becomes an essential element of the piece. Whether performed by artistic soulmates, long-time friends, siblings, or married couples/romantic partners, my favorite love songs are usually sung by a man and woman coming together for the ultimate classic duet. ![]() ![]() Perhaps their love is directed elsewhere, to a child or to their spiritual guide/god, but they connect in their shared feelings for what or whom they’re singing about - it is all love from the heart and soul, and I’m here for it. There is something so incredibly endearing about two people singing to and with each other, expressing intimacy and love in ways that resonate with lovers the world over. I am a sucker for a great love song, I will admit. The simplicity of the piano and guitar and the resplendent vocal arrangement, enhanced by the intimacy of Ross’ whimsical tones intertwined with Richie’s subtle tenor, made for not only one of the most beautiful ballads ever recorded, but it was also named the greatest duet of all time by Billboard magazine. ![]() I remember the first time I was able to fully appreciate the magic of “ Endless Love”, the classic soul duet popularized by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross. Where Is The Love? Mourning The Death of the Duet ![]()
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