John Legend is a brother to the blues on this cover of ‘I Can’t Write Left-Handed‘ originally done by Bill Withers. This cover is just as sincere and spot-on as the ’73 original. The video captures the in-studio performance of the track with some AWESOME instrumentation from The Roots. I’ve always respected both Legend and The Roots so I’m anticipating some immaculate music with their collaborative album when it drops in a few weeks.

That album, Wake Up! is set for release on September 21 and also features ‘Wake Up Everybody’ which also features Melanie Fiona and Common (watch here).

Sound-Savvy Says: Dagnabbit! This song shoots you right in the soul… GREAT.DAMN.MUSIC!

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The video finally arrives for John Legend’s cover of ‘Wake Up Everybody’, his soulful cover of a Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes classic. Mostly a performance clip, this new version includes a verse from Common and production from The Roots. Wake Up Everybody is the first single from “Wake Up!” , the collaborative album Legend is releasing next month with The Roots. Old song, relevant message, excellent cover. Make sure you cop the album when it drops September 21. Read the rest of this entry »

Rik Cordero directed the newest clip from The Roots ft. John Legend, The Fire. The song itself has a dark sound to it and the video takes an even more dismal approach… It’s set in a post-World War II era and follows the story of prisoners on what appears to be a death march. The Fire comes from The Roots’ latest album, How I Got Over (click here for album review), in stores now. Read the rest of this entry »

Estelle drops off two new videos for her latest single Fall In Love, which features her mentor and label-head John Legend on one mix of the track and NY-rapper Nas on the other. Fall In Love is a smooth and breezy groove, not too hard and not too easy. It definitely spells another hit for the London-born singer.  The video follows Estelle as she catches the eye of an admiring onlooker. Personally I prefer the Nas-featured version of the track, he offers enough contrast while still balancing her soft sound on the track. Estelle is currently prepping the release of her new album All of Me, due out later this year.

Be sure to check all our footage of Estelle from the 2010 Essence Music Festival:

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From the set of the 'Wake Up Everybody' video shot in NY.

John Legend has already teamed up with the Roots for a duo album to be released this Fall, entitled Wake Up! Here’s the first single from that project, which adds Melanie Fiona and Common to the lineup on a modern rendition of a classic: Wake Up Everybody, made famous by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes back in the 70′s. If you don’t know about the original, you might be a 90′s baby so ask your parents. Legend retained the original lyrics of the song which are most appropriate for this upcoming album, which takes on a more socially conscious feel as it addresses some of the real-world issues we’re all currently facing.

The video was recently shot in NY and should be released shortly so check back.

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John Legend croons alongside the boss Rick Ross on Sweet Life, another single from Teflon Don which hits stores next week. Ciroc even makes a cameo in this joint along with – hey, it’s John Legend’s hairline! (Okay, I had to do it after it became a trending topic on Twitter!) Nuthin but luv for Mr. Legend, whose also working on a new album with The Roots. Check out the video for Sweet Life after the jump… Read the rest of this entry »

After listening to the work these two musical forces brought together on The Roots’ How I Got Over album, I’m very excited to hear a full collaborative album between The Roots and John Legend, and as this video shows: it’s on the way!! This video shows the making of what will presumably be the first single from Wake Up!, a song called Our Generation. Check out John Legend laying his vocals atop a very organic-funk type instrumental from hip-hop’s only band The Roots. I think Wake Up! will be a good move for both parties, John Legend needs to continue diversifying his sound, and The Roots gain more exposure – a win win! The album is due out later this year.

RELATED:

Album Review: The Roots – How I Got Over

The Roots ft. John Legend – Doin’ It Again

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Legendary by name, synonymous with great music  – that’s how I describe The Roots. Their new album How I Got Over is in stores today, and features the original version of this song without the verse from B.o.B. Check it out below and make sure u cop the new album today! Read the rest of this entry »

The Roots are releasing a new album this month entitled How I Got Over. Originally, we thought 2008′s Rising Down (reviewed here) would be their final album, but they’ve decided to bless the ears of the masses once again. On Doin’ It Again, the band inserts an interpolation of John Legend’s song Again from his 2006 sophomore album Once Again. It’s unclear whether the sample was used or the vocals were re-recorded but the song is dope!! Check it out after the jump… Read the rest of this entry »

A few days ago, we gave you the version of this track with Nas on it (CLICK HERE). If you’re like me and you felt Nas’ verse was lacking that fire, you may enjoy this version better. John Legend steps in with some great vocals next to Estelle. It kinda refreshes this song and makes it sound less like a re-working of American Boy. In my opinion, THIS is the one that should be the official single. Check it… what are your thoughts?

PROPS: evanobryant

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