Jeff Bradshaw may be more soul than you can handle, but you'll definitely be up for the challenge. The first time I laid my ears on the sounds of Jeff, I was at a Jill Scott show. He was part of her new horn section. From the moment he blew into his trombone, you could tell there was something different in him. The combo of Philly mixed with a church and musical upbringing, seeped from his pores.  So much so that he has to dance it out as he blows into his horn.  

His debut album on Hidden Beach Records - home to his North Philly sister Jill Scott - Bone Deep exploded with all types of great soul sounds, including some super soulful voices like Creative Ambassador Carol Riddick, Glen Lewis, Ndambi, Bilal and Jill Scott.  He has this way of pairing the perfect vocalist with the perfect song. Unlike other horn and vocal collabos you've heard, Jeff has a way of actually getting his horn to sing.  If you don't believe me just give it a listen and you may hear his horn enunciate actual lyrics!  And, if you cant understand what the horn is saying, Jeff might just sing it for you. 

Needless to say, I am more than ready for his second studio album, which is also a double album called, Bon Appetit and Introducing Brass Heaven (Jeff's other project, a full brass brand).

I caught up with Jeff at the video shoot for his new single, "Til Tomorrow" with Philly's own Miss Jade and a Philly cousin, Raheem Devaughn. I asked him, "What is it about Philly?" Check out what he had to say. 

So, it's almost the end of the year. Before you bust your brain open trying to think of the perfect gift for your loved one, why not give the gift that keeps on giving?  What am I talking about, you ask?  How about one or more of the 10 Best Philly/A-Philly-Ated Albums of the Year? And my list has something for everyone!

1

Creative Ambassador Nikki Jean may not be a Philly native, but I'm sure she'll agree that her years spent in the Philadelphia music scene definitely helped mold her as a singer/songwriter.  Pennies In A Jar is Nikki's debut CD, and it sets her apart from anyone else on this list with her mixture of soul, pop and folk.

2

Eric Roberson. Another "A-Philly-Ated" singer/songwriter who has been in the game for some time now. This New Jersey native's initial claim to fame as a songwriter can be heard on some of your favorite albums from 112, MusiqSoulchild, Carl Thomas, Dwele and more, but his catalog of at least 7 studio albums includes a mix of the most beautiful ballads and blends of house and soul music. If you don't believe me (or if you really do) check him out for yourself. Please!

3

Are we sure Marsha is from London?  Because her soul is pure Philly!  This Creative Ambassador had one of the most anticipated solo releases since Lauryn Hill, and she didn't disappoint! From her honest and blatant ballad "I Hope She Cheats On You With A Basketball Player" to her beautiful ballad that turned into a poignant video "Far Away," she somehow manages to put our love stories into the words we couldn't find. Now that's talent!

4

Isn't it time we got some love advice from a couple living the example of some good lovin'?  Well, Kindred gave us a 4th chance to get to know love in that fantasy way (it's there 4th studio album), but more importantly, in that practical way. Aja and Fatin Danzler, married and parents of 6 children, continue to not only sing about love, but to be true examples that love (and hard work as Aja would say) can indeed conquer all!

5

What do I need to say about The Roots album besides, "You don't have it yet?  What's wrong with you?" The Roots continue to move us with there 11th studio album.  I believe that entitles them to the title of the most releases from any hip hop group (don't hold me to it, unless its right). I consider them hip hop's fine wine, they just get better with age. 

6

Oh you didn't know that The Roots released two albums this year?  Well that's what I'm here for! Usually when a project is "produced" by The Roots, it really means that it has been touched by the combination of band leader Questlove and keyboardist / Grammy Award winning producer / Creative Ambassador James Poyser.  This is The Roots' second collaboration album with a music legend (the first Al Green).  For the last decade, Ms. Betty has been using her talents for teaching. She has been the vocal coach on American Idol for quite some time now, along with some notable private sessions for voices like Joss Stone and Jennifer Lopez, but this is her time to shine!

7

Common has put his work in as an "A-Philly-ate".  He has done countless records and shows with The Roots, as well as appearing with Jill Scott and Marsha Ambrosius on other projects.   He is truly an artist we can depend on for a quality album, and one of our favorite reflections of the evolution of hip hop. Just when we think that we've heard our favorite Common album, he puts another in the ring.

8

Calling yourself "The Greatest Rapper Never" takes a certain type of ego/candidness that only Dice Raw can exude.  Why do I say that?  Well, Dice has quietly be refining his MC skills since he was scooped up by The Roots at the age of 16.  Unlike most, he didn't run when his solo debut (Reclaiming The Dead, released in 2000) didn't meet sales expectations. He wrote instead! For the last few years, Dice has been at the helm of most of The Roots projects, as well as writing and conceptualizing songs for Jill Scott, John Legend, Young Jeezey and more.  Is he really just that good?  Listen for yourself!

9

Meek Mills. All this talk and not even a debut studio album yet!  However, he has managed to catch the ear of TI and Rick Ross. Oh and did I mention his debut mix cd (narrated and mixed by Philly's own DJ Drama) has already sold 300,000 copies digitally? Meek is making the most out of what some would think is his last chance of chasing his dreams. It feels like its just the beginning.

Four Grammy Awards. 60 million records sold. Named by RIAA as the most most commercially successful R&B group of all time and by Billboard Magazine as the most successful group of the 90s. And now, they're celebrating 20 years since they came onto the scene. I'm talking about Boyz II Men. 

It's so hard to believe that Boyz II Men entered our lives 20 years ago. Sometimes it feels like it was yesterday when we first met.  So, I want to take you back to the song that really started their record-breaking success.

At this point, they were boys, and we had no idea how fast they would turn into men. And, what made Boyz II Men even more special was that they were Philly boys! They were reminiscent of some of the greatest groups out of Philly whose looks were clean cut with roots that were firmly planted in their neighborhood.

According to their schoolmate, Questlove of the Roots (who you can catch banging on the drums in the above mentioned video), Boyz II Men exemplified a professional singing group as they massacred all other acts during high school talent shows at CAPA (Creative And Performing Arts High School). CAPA boasts successful alumni like Christian McBride, Fatin Danzler (one half of Kindred the Family Soul), Bilal, Black Thought, Questlove and Jazmine Sullivan, just to name a few.

If you had any kind of graduation between 1992-1993, that was definitely your graduation song.  Do you remember when Whitley Gilbert aka Jasmine Guy started an acapella version of "End of the Road," as Philly's own Patti Labelle and the rest of the Different World cast as they said goodbye to years of great television during their series finale? 

Although "End Of the Road" was one of the biggest commercial hits by a group to date, for some of us "real" Boyz II Men fans, there were quite a few songs on that Cooleyhighharmony album that gave us the impression that these "boyz" were quickly becoming men. 

I don’t know about you, but there were a few songs from that album that made it to my slow jam mixtape--especially with songs like, "Please Don't Go."

 And, songs like "Uhh Ahh."

Twenty years later and their music still has the perfect combination of sexiness and romance with voices that fit together like the greatest and most complex puzzle.  I remember feeling like the existence of Boyz II Men and Jodeci provided the perfect balance in R&B music.

In honor of Boyz II Men 's 20 years of providing us with their cooleyhighharmonies, here is the song that started their journey.  Over 20 years ao Mike, Shawn, Wanya, and Nate cornered Michael Bivins coming off stage with BBD, and they wowed him with what has become my favorite version of "Can You Stand The Rain"—and if you haven't heard it, I promise it will become your favorite too!

Our Music Insider Laiya went behind the scenes with The Roots, Eddie Levert of The O'Jays and Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men to capture some of the rehearsal for Wawa Welcome America's Fourth of July Jam.

Check out Questlove, Captain Kirk and James Poyser of The Roots, along with Eddie Levert and Shawn Stockman, as they go through the process of collaborating.

Watch the behind the scenes footage below.

Laiya's World:

Inside The Studio With Kenny Gamble And Dyana Williams

Living legend Kenny Gamble is the pride of Philadelphia and a true reflection of the "American Dream." It was Kenny Gamble and his partner Leon Huff who put Philadelphia on the musical map. Not only has he been responsible for over 170 Gold and Plantinum records, but he has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and awarded a Lifetime Achievement Grammy, just to name a few accolades. He also reinvested his time and money back into his community more than any other music mogul to date. 

While Kenny Gamble's achievements are both remarkable and commendable, it is the journey that led him to these accomplishments that make his story even more significant, inspirational and motivational. 

One of Kenny Gamble's most prolific and influential efforts to date has to be the creation of Black Music Month. It was through the minds and efforts of Kenny Gamble and legendary Philadelphia radio host, artist development coach and founder of the International Association of African American Music (IAAAM), Dyana Williams, that Black Music Month came to fruition. Watch Dyana talk about the evolution of Black Music Month here. 

Join It's the Life Creative and Philly 360 on Sunday, June 26, as we go “Inside the Studio” with Kenny Gamble, including a special conversation on the birth and progress of black music and its month with Dyana Williams.