Nick Ashford of the famous songwriter/producer duo Ashford and Simpson died in New York on August 22, 2011.

Nick Ashford Together with Valerie Simpson started their career in the mid-1960s, writing for artists such as The 5th Dimension, Aretha Franklin, and Ray Charles. Their work with Ray Charles brought them to the attention of Motown chief Berry Gordy. They joined Motown and started writing songs for Marvin Gaye. Later on they produces three albums for the Diana Ross and the Supremes. Gladys Knight and the pips song some Ashford & Simpson penned songs.

In 1974, Ashford & Simpson married and resumed their career as a duo with the Warner Bros. album, Gimme Something Real. This was followed by the hit singles, "Don't Cost You Nothin'" (1977), "It Seems To Hang On" (1978), "Is It Still Good to Ya" (1978), "Found a Cure" (1979), "Street Corner" (1982), and their biggest hit, "Solid", released in 1984.

Nick Ashford died of complications from throat cancer. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. Nick Ashford RIP

DC-based hip-hop/R&B/rock fusion group CSJQ (www.csjqmusic.com). The duo, comprised of multi-talented musicians Clayton Savage and JayQuan have released a four-track EP, The Life. Their Hollywood Music In Media award (HMMA) nominated single, “F.U.N” is an infectious, provocative bass driven nod to old-school hip-hop and R&B. Prior to joining musical forces in 2006, both artists worked with hip-hop pioneer Melle Mel (Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five). Savage, a member of the Furious 5, also released a self-titled album where his hit single “Palm of Her Hand” became the theme music for BET’s ‘Video Soul.’ JayQuan’s rich musical history includes working with Melle Mel and Grandmaster Caz. In addition, he is the creator and webmaster of The Foundation, a website dedicated to chronicling the history of hip-hop.

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DETROIT – Musician and Motown enthusiast Drew Schultz, 24, and Motown musical legends gave back to Detroit students through the Detroit Public Schools Foundation with sales from debut album “Back to Class.” Prior to The Four Tops’ performance at the Motor City Casino Soundboard Theater on Thursday, Dec. 13, the musicians presented their first $1000 donation of proceeds from album sales to the DPS Foundation. The Four Tops, Spyder Turner and James Jamerson Jr., among many others, were in attendance to celebrate the first donation to music programs for Detroit students funded by the DPS Foundation.

‘SOULED’ (Out) Who keeps Messing with our Music? By  Lamar R. Thomas, Sr. Hello fellow Soul, Rhythm & Blues, and Black Music Lovers, please help me out with this, for I am a bit confused, or perhaps I didn't grow up listening to the right music or the right artists. What exactly is "Northern and/or Modern Soul"? And how does that differs from the original Black Music? Did some else: “Create some new form of Black Music, with its’ own originality? Help me please!

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