Who do you believe are criminally underrated acts?

In no particular order...

Madonna- It is widely acknowledged that she is a legend, but not so much for her music. Most are quick to dismiss her as simply a disposable pop act. However, she writes her own songs, plays instruments and has added a musical edge to every single release.

Eurythmics- Largely regarded as an 80s act with a few hits. Most don't realize that their catalogue contains some of the most experimental music. Annie truly is a chameleon capable of evoking any emotion.

The Cure- Critically considered an inferior incarnation of the Smiths or New Order, despite having a large fan base. Robert Smith is a widely gifted musician who can craft the most beautiful, melancholic, or simply freakish sounds.

David Bowie- He is indeed considered a legend, but isn't given the credit I believe he is due for spawning several genres and influencing virtually everything that succeeded him.

Prince- Yes, Prince. His 80s music is given the credit it is due, but virtually everyone dismisses his material from 1989 and beyond, which contains in my opinion some of his best work.

Who do you believe is underrated?

Zeke
Paul Westerberg
The Hard-Ons
The Dwarves
Oingo Boingo

Moonbeam said:

Hear hear.

Moonbeam said:

Madonna plays instruments!!! Those below average skills...Man what a joke!!!

Bobby Womack,1) Gil Scott Heron 2),Rick James,3)The Emotions 4) Johnny "Guitar" Watson5)

mistermaxxx said:

mistermaxxx

Damn!!! Johnny "Guitar" Watson...I miss that Cat!!! Another cool Brutha I had the pleasure to meet. God Bless Him...

Prince- Even at the mention of his name people critcize about him.I became a true Prince fan only this year,but all the years before when I didn't listen to him I still respected him as an artist.

Boyz 2 Men- In my opinion I feel this group made one of the best music video(and song)for The Color Of Love.Each
one of them traveled to a different country,places like India,Japan,Puerto Rico,and then they ended the video by coming to New York and watching the skyline where two beams of blue light glowed where the Twin Towers used to be.A great R&B group.

Mariah Carey- She's a great singer,period

Babyface- Not only a fabulous producer but a talented vocalist as well.

Jesse Powell- Should've been a bigger star.

Terence Trent d'Arby

1. Mandrill -- A group long forgotten but still active. Founded by the NY Wilson brothers in 1970 they have
released 10 albums of incredible musicianship! An eclectic mixture of Funk, Soul, Jazz, Rock'n Roll, Latin,
Blues, Gospel... anything, you name it. Groups like Earth Wind & Fire, The New Birth, War and Funkadelic
used to OPEN for these guys! Nobody wanted to play after them because the show Mandrill put on was
SCARY! Leader Carlos Wilson is one example of a musician definetely more talented than Prince. He's
not only an incredibly soulful singer but writer, composer, performer. On stage you will see him with the
rhythm guitar around his neck, the trombone in his hands, the timbales and congas in reach. He also
plays drums and a very good piano and he actually writes the string arrangements for Mandrill albums.
They are still playing, so if you ever get the chance... CHECK THEM out. www.mandrillis.com

2. Shuggie Otis -- The Prince of the 1970s. The son of blues performer Johnny Otis recorded his first
album at age 16 back in 1970. Unfortunately he only did 4 albums... his label dropped him because
he was waaay to advanced. Shuggie sunk into depression after that. His albums are masterpieces.
Shuggie plays ALL instruments, sings ALL voices, writes ALL string arrangements. His gentle voice is
amazing... I've seen him around at a place in LA I was DJing at called "The Mint". He isnt doing too
good, somebody should give this guy a chance... so much creativity wasted.

3. "Hannibal" Marvin Peterson -- The trumpet player is virtually unknown in the mainstream jazz scene. But
his legacy is quite impressive. He played in Gil Evans' band between 1972 and 1981 mid. In 1970 he became known with his own groups including Diedre Murray on cello and George Adams. Compositions for larger ensembles including strings and choirs since the 1970s His album "Children of the Fire" (Sunrise, 1974) moved me to tears... this is how John Coltrane would have sounded like if he had
survived through the 70s.

4. Gil Scott Heron -- Somebody had mentioned him here before, I totally agree. An outstanding piano
player and singer, but its mainly his poetry which contributes incredible value to the history of music.
If he posted on the org he'd be called "conspiracy theorist", "revisionist", "communist" (he surely is
all of the above), but people would still bow their heads in front of this extremely intelligent mind.
Gil has figured out how this world truly functions... and although he was a College professor for
african american studies, he felt like nobody ever listened. That made him depressed, thats
why the white horse of heroin rode into his life...

5. Roy Ayers -- his later albums are kinda corny, but his releases on Polydor between 1970 and 1975 are
outstanding. Roy is a brilliant singer, drummer, keyboarder, songwriter, arranger... but what he is known
most for is his mastery of the vibes... He fuses Jazz with Soul and Funk and with the help of Edwin Birdsong, Harry Whittaker and Bernard Purdie who formed his group "Ubiquity" wrote beautifully obscure pieces like "We live in Brooklyn", "Change up the Groove", "Everybody loves the sunshine". He is one
of the most sampled artists of all times and still playing.

I could name more, but you have asked for five. ;-
[This message was edited Sun Oct 13 3:13:30 PDT 2002 by soulpower]

Rosie Gaines. Nuff said.

Nikkie said:

..amen...

agotajonesmartha said:

..amen...

Meshell
TTD
Teena Marie
New Edition
Prince

soulpower said:

Really, that's something. Those brothers were really tight. I'd love to see them in concert.

I'd like to add one of my favorite groups: Pieces of a Dream.

Anybody know what's up with these guys?

PrettyMan72 said:

Definately Teena Marie -- that white girl is my favorite female vocalist. I've seen her in concert lately and even in her old age she still f--- jammin! She reminds me of a female version of Prince -- very talented, funky, jazzy, ballads, you name it she can do it.

New Edition - yes they were so cute. I still get a rise whenever I hear "Mr. Telephone Man".

In no special orda:

1-Prince(Need I say mo seems that no one will give Prince the credit 4 his work till he's dead and finished)

2-Cassandra Wilson(The GREATEST 90's Jazz singer 'period')

3-Patrice Rushen(She's my musical idol after Prince)

4-Chaka Khan(Gawd why is that NO ONE pay attention 2 her)

5-George Benson(My BEST GUITARIST eva please do another LP with Mr.Davis help this time)

Michael Jackson because while "Off The Wall"Thriller,Bad have overrode everything else.the Guy got so Huge but very Few People see all the Hard Work the Guy put into His thing IMHO.think about all the music Trends He has been associated with&too still be able too Hang speaks Volumes.but somehow that gets overlooked. Tina Turner:She is on Her Zone&Yet it's taking for granted IMHO.She still can Groove on a Stage&Blow the Joint up period.Blondie/Deborah Harry.She did Everythign Madonna did&whatnot.blended Different Styles&whatnot but yet got kinda slept on IMHO.Smokey Robinson the Guy Has Written some of the Most Important Songs Ever but yet He is hardly ever mentioned. Steely Dan there Fusion of Sound is something else but I feel they are taking for granted in a way.

A-HA without a doubt there last 2 CDS are amazing, Perfect! I cant believe this country hasnt caught on but they caught on to COLDPLAY who are a copy of AHA's 1990-PRESENT sound.

The JAYHAWKS...
DURAN DURAN...LAST 3 CDS better than any before.
SIMPLE MINDS...LAtest CD is great
INXS...Better than U2, would kick their ass as BONO has said in a heartbeat.

Moonbeam said:

TTD/Sananda

Those that I think are CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED ARE:

1. SHANICE- INCREDIBLE VOICE. ONE OF THE STRONGEST IN THE BUSINESS. HER LAST ALBUM (THAT WAS PRODUCED BY BABYFACE) WAS ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS IN THE ENTIRE DECADE OF THE 90'S. THE GIRL HAS 5 OCTAVES AND SHE KNOWS HOW TO USE THEM.

2. RAHSSAN PATTERSON- I'M BOLD ENOUGH TO SAY HIS FIRST ALBUM IS A CLASSIC. THE SECOND ONE IS GREAT. THIS MAN HAS A LOT OF SOUL THAT IS PUT TO EXCELLENT MUSIC

3.JOHNATHON BUTLER- WONDERFUL SOULFUL VOICE AND GREAT GUITARIST. THIS MAN CAN SING. MAKES BEAUTIFUL INSTRUMENTALS AND BALLADS

4. HOWARD HEWITT (SP?)- BRILLIANT VOICE CONTROL. CAN SING ANYTHING AND MAKE IT SOUND GOOD. EVEN MADE LATOYA JACKSONS' FIRST SINGLE SOUND DECENT. YALL REMEMBER "HEART DON'T LIE"? (NOT MEANT TO DISS TOYA).

5. MINT CONDITION- TRUE MUSICIANS WHICH SEEMS TO BE SO RARE THESE DAYS. THESE BROTHERS REALLY KNOW HOW TO MAKE GREAT MUSIC. AND THAT STOKELY CAN SURE ACCOMPANY THAT MUSIC WITH THAT WONDERFUL VOICE OF HIS.

5a. STEPHEN SIMMONDS (ALTHOUGH HE ONLY HAS ONE ALBUM THAT I KNOW OF, BUT IT DIDN'T GET A WHOLE LOT OF RECOGNITION) BEAUTIFUL MUSIC THIS MAN MAKES.
[This message was edited Wed Oct 16 9:23:01 PDT 2002 by VelvetJ]

I agree with them all except Madonna.

She may well have a killer album in her which makes a true artistic statement, but I don't believe we've ever heard it yet.

She seems too concerned with following trends and hot-shot producers to ensure commercial success.

VelvetJ said:

Right on I have her 'Shancie' and the Ultimate collection, "I Wish" LPs and they rock a nation.

How could pull the nerve and 4get the great, the beautiful, the splended and the FUNKY:

Nicole Renee-And you can refer 2 her as the female PRINCE gawd her lp is the best LP(Along with L-Boogie's) since 98. I can't remember anyone make such debut lps these days like these ladies did.

VelvetJ said:

Shanice is tight.I Blast Mint Condition Alot&they are Slept on why I don't know?Howard Hewitt is Badd.