The TK12: mellow new school

I was victimized into a meme this weekend. This time, it's a music meme from no other than Todd. The rules from Todd:
- An artist is only allowed one song on the list.
- Post radio.blog (if you can).
- A sentence or two on why each song makes the list.

Seeing that I have a serious music vibe (purchasing at least 2 CDs a week), I had to limit the playing field for this meme: no old-school cuts (anything older than 10 years got dropped) and, for this meme, no fast cuts and no hip-hop.

Make no mistake - it's still hard. Here's 12 that came to mind just over a 12 hour period....

The 12 From Todd: Low-tempo, new school.

I could talk about the lyrics and the meanings of these songs all day, but I'm going to keep myself to a 2 to 3 sentence minimum....

01 - Rahsaan Patterson - Come Over. I remember when this cut came out and I was living and working on the west coast for two seasons. Every evening, I'd play this before I went out on a date and sing this.
02 - Esthero - Half A World Away. Esthero's "Breath From Another" is one of my favorite CDs. I still play it from end to end, but this song always had me playing percussion on a desk.
03 - Sade - Somebody Already Broke My Heart. Keyboards, drums, and Sade. Envision it: Sade in the studio with a drink in her hand. I felt her for this one.
04 - Jhelisa - Friendly Pressure. The best thing about a relationship is friendly pressure to keep it new. Jhelisa always said it best.
05 - Lewis Taylor - Whoever. Don't get it twisted, I was a bitter brother when it came to a breakup- when I was the one being dumped. During one relationship breakup I would play this song incessantly.
06 - Adriana Evans - Looking For Your Love. An admission: this song is one of the songs that I played so much in my stereo, I bought 2 cassettes before even purchasing the CD. I can't express why I like this song, but I believe when it came out, there was so much in my head from being working 3000 miles from home.
07 - Anthony Hamilton - Since I Seen't You. My favorite Anthony Hamilton cut. I think it's ingrained in everyone's head that's asked me about this album.
08 - Maysa - More Than You Know. You know I could watch Maysa sing "Mary Had A Little Lamb", right? It's all about love, pure and simple.
09 - Miguel Migs - One Wish For Me. It's the drums, guitar and the chimes first off, and then her vocals and harmonies. I love it.
10 - Beady Belle - When My Anger Starts To Cry. When I get mad, and upset, I embrace the lyrics that Beady Belle drops. The bassline and the break in the middle are priceless.
11 - Mint Condition - U Send Me Swingin'. I will sing this song in front of you. Make sure you wear earplugs, though, because I will try to hit all of these notes.
12 - Swing Out Sister - You Already Know. Very ethereal and very truthful.

Honorable mentions, since he didn't allow me 25 (and watch as this list expands this week) -
Everything But The Girl - Troubled Mind.
Sade - Kiss Of Life.
Maxwell - Drowndeep: Hula.
Incognito - Spellbound and Speechless.
Swing Out Sister - Forever Blue.
Mint Condition - If You Love Me.
Massive Attack with Tracy Thorn - Protection.
Esthero - Country Livin'.

I need a drink.