Author: Jennifer Pauline Mercurio
D’Angelo’s Voodoo: The 1999 Peak of Neo-Soul Craft
Discover how D’Angelo’s Voodoo defined the 1999 peak of neo-soul. Explore the live recording sessions at Electric Lady Studios, the role of Questlove, and why this album remains a masterpiece of analog craft.
Neo-Soul Precursors: The 1980s Artists Who Paved the Way for D’Angelo
Discover the 1980s artists who laid the groundwork for neo-soul before D'Angelo's breakthrough. From Prince's auteur model to Tony! Toni! Toné!'s live soul revival.
Rage Against the Machine in the 1990s: How Riffs and Politics Changed Rock
Explore how Rage Against the Machine fused aggressive riffs with radical politics in the 1990s. Discover their unique guitar techniques, protest activism, and lasting legacy.
1980s Chart Manipulation: Separating Myth from Reality in Music History
Explore the truth behind 1980s chart manipulation. Discover how UK hyping and US payola shaped the music landscape, separating myth from reality.
Studio Techniques for R&B Vocals: Plate Reverb, Double-Tracking, and Presence
Master the art of R&B vocal mixing with essential studio techniques. Learn how plate reverb, double-tracking, and presence management create intimacy and width.
R&B Drumming in the 1970s: Mastering Pocket, Ghost Notes, and Shuffle Grooves
Discover how 1970s R&B drummers defined the groove through pocket, ghost notes, and shuffles. Learn the techniques behind iconic soul and funk hits.
Poison and the Neon Era: How Glam Metal Defined 80s Fun
Discover how Poison defined the fun side of 1980s glam metal with neon looks and party anthems. Learn about their rise from PA to LA and their massive commercial success.
Reggae’s 1990s Spirituality: Lyrics, Identity, and Community
Discover how 1990s reggae fused Rastafari spirituality with dancehall energy. Explore key artists like Buju Banton and Sizzla, decode lyrical themes of Babylon and Zion, and understand how sound systems built spiritual communities.
Phil Collins's 1980s Sound: Gated Drums, Hooks, and Heartbreak
Discover how an accidental studio experiment created Phil Collins's iconic 1980s sound. Learn about gated reverb, the making of 'In the Air Tonight', and the tech behind the era's biggest hits.
Hollywood Producers in the 1980s: How Points Defined Power
Discover how 1980s film producers leveraged 'points' and profit participation to dominate Hollywood. Learn the difference between gross and net points, the impact of agencies like CAA, and how deal structures shaped modern entertainment economics.
Female Jazz Innovators of the 1970s: Vocalists and Instrumentalists
Discover the hidden history of female jazz innovators in the 1970s. Explore how artists like Alice Coltrane, Bobbi Humphrey, and Carla Bley broke gender barriers and reshaped spiritual jazz, fusion, and avant-garde composition.
How 1990s R&B Shaped Today’s Pop and Contemporary Soul
Discover how 1990s R&B revolutionized modern music. From New Jack Swing to Neo Soul, learn how hip-hop beats and soul harmonies shaped today's pop.