(ThyBlackMan.com) When you talk about vocalists who truly understood the heart of R&B, Glenn Jones deserves a seat at the table. His voice—clear, expressive, and soul-drenched—has long been one of the genre’s hidden treasures. While he may not have reached the commercial heights of some of his contemporaries, what Glenn ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) You never really hear Sonny Rollins for the first time—you feel him. Maybe it’s in the way his saxophone dances like it’s got something to say, or maybe it’s that unmistakable tone—bold as brass, but warm as an old friend’s voice. For me, it started with “Doxy” one summer ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) If you’ve ever found yourself swaying to a gospel melody or air-guitaring to a gritty rock riff, you might owe a quiet nod of thanks to Sister Rosetta Tharpe. She’s not just a name buried in music history — she’s the unsung architect of it all. Long before guitar ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) There’s something about Thelonious Monk that grabs you—not with force, but with curiosity. You lean in when he plays, like someone telling a story just low enough to make you listen close. He doesn’t dazzle with flash or run wild with speed. Monk invites you into a world where ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) There’s something about Bobby Womack’s voice that hits you in the soul before you even realize what he’s saying. Maybe it’s the grit, maybe it’s the honesty—but whatever it is, it sticks with you. I grew up hearing his songs in the background—at family cookouts, during quiet car rides, ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) As someone who has written about Michael Jackson before, I find myself continually drawn back into his music—not just the global hits we all know, but the ones that sit a little deeper in his discography. The ones that reveal the heart, the pain, the vulnerability, and the genius ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) This marks the second time I’ve written in-depth about the legendary Smokey Robinson, and it’s a testament to his enduring artistry that there’s still so much more to explore. While the first article highlighted some of his most iconic and celebrated tracks, this follow-up takes a closer look at ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) When I first wrote about James Brown, I thought I’d covered enough ground with the big hits—the songs everyone knows and loves. But not long after that article went live, I started hearing from readers who wanted more. “You forgot The Boss!” “What about Santa Claus Go Straight to ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) Every now and then, an artist comes along who doesn’t just play music—they breathe life back into it. Christone “Kingfish” Ingram is one of those rare talents. From the first time I heard his guitar sing, I knew the blues were in good hands. Rooted deeply in the fertile ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) There’s something about Robert Johnson’s music that grabs you by the soul and doesn’t let go. Maybe it’s the rasp in his voice, the haunted slide of his guitar, or the way his lyrics sound like confessions whispered through time. For me, discovering Johnson was like finding the roots ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) Few figures in American music loom as large as Muddy Waters. A transformative force in the evolution of modern blues, Waters bridged the acoustic traditions of the Mississippi Delta with the amplified energy of post-war Chicago. His work helped shape what we now recognize as Chicago blues—gritty, electric, and ...
(ThyBlackMan.com) There’s something about Buddy Guy that hits you right in the gut—the way he bends a string, the way his voice trembles with heartbreak, the way he pours a lifetime of joy and sorrow into every note. He’s not just a bluesman; he is the blues. It’s no wonder ...