TAXI.com

Hey Ppl,

Of course I "accept" the rule that a Y/N "supervisor "listing does not have to explain why it didnt make it.
BUt music ticked on these.
But IMO , Im seeing a repetition with these "Classic Rnb Soul listings...

So Id like to know , did I not match the criteria ?
Is it not in the VEIN of " Classic Rnb BabyFace" Boyz 2 Men??

thanks
J.
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RETURNED - I TOLD YOU SO - YOUR DEVOTION

NEW LISTING -- CLASSIC R&B/AC/SOUL SONGS in the style of Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Boyz II Men, etc., needed by a worldwide Music Publisher providing music for high-profile films and TV networks. Songs must be ORIGINALS, not covers of the artists referenced above. They're NOT looking for songs that are authentically old, but songs that sound like the referenced artists. WELL-STRUCTURED melodies with HUGE, obvious HOOK-DRIVEN choruses are a must!! Your songs and/or tracks will be used in film/TV scenes to create atmosphere, set a location, add energy, or evoke an emotion, so make sure submissions are dynamic and engaging. Watch out for ultra-busy lead lines that could conflict with dialogue. Keep your lyrics universal - don't get too specific with names, locations, etc. They're NOT looking for today's R&B/AC/SOUL styles; they only want to hear a classic R&B/AC/SOUL sound that's reflective of the songs and production style of the era referenced above. Vocal and instrumental performances must be top-notch! Please submit one to three songs online or per CD, include lyrics. All submissions will be screened by the owner of the company on a YES/NO BASIS - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than Tuesday, August 28, 2012.
TAXI # Y120828RB
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RETURNED -Dancin With Ya

NEW LISTING -- CLASSIC POP SONGS with an '80s sound, in the style of Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, etc., needed by a worldwide Music Publisher providing music for high-profile films and TV networks. Moods can range from Celebratory, Playful, and Lively, to Dramatic. QUOTING THE OWNER: "Lyrics can be suggestive, but don't be explicit, no curse words - must be universal! Themes like partying and falling in or out of love preferred." Songs must be ORIGINALS, NOT COVERS from the artists referenced above. Your songs MUST be reflective of the '80s era - they are NOT looking for Contemporary sounding Pop songs for this pitch. Be sure the overall tone of the instrumental performance features synth sounds reminiscent of the '80s. Lyrics must be universal - don't get too specific with names, locations, brands (even though this was the Age of the Material Girl!), etc. Vocal and instrumental performances must be top-notch! MALE or FEMALE vocals are OK. All tempos accepted. NO INSTRUMENTALS - songs with vocals ONLY! All submissions need to be Broadcast Quality (excellent home recordings are fine). You must own or control 100% of the Master and Composition rights. Vocal and instrumental demo presentation must be top-notch! Please submit one to three songs online or per CD, include lyrics. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS by the owner of the company - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than Wednesday, August 8, 2012.
TAXI # Y120808PO

Hi J,

I am out of my element here but the first two songs I felt like they may have been a little slower than what they wanted to hear. I may go so far as to say that they were closer to soft rock but again, I am not an expert in this genre.

The third I think was much closer, really really close to what they were asking for but I felt like it had more of a 70's disco vibe than an 80's vibe.

As a general comment the drums sound a bit dated and MIDI. To me it sounded more like a demo and even-though they did not say "sound like a real band playing" it did mention "top-notch instrumentals". To me this means it is a very choose listing and it should sound as real as real can be. I believe every listing has a high bar but when they make specific comments like that it is an ultra-high bar.

HTH

Hi Mike ,
Thank you for responding and your disclaimer of this genre.
Amicably , allow me to address , to help define
this genre.

This lisiting is for Classic Boyz 2 Men ,Babyface, Whitney
( Well structured and performed melodies , emotional, etc etc)
( Not Looking for Todays Rnb style)

The song I used as a template for " I told You so" would be to Boyz 2 Men " On Bended Knee".
Same slow tempo-wise, same beautiful allowance of rnb smooth chordings, and big BGVs.

Drums being dated and midi:
Jam & Lewis /Babyface productions of 80-90s was all programmed.
Majority of todays Modern Rnb is primarily all programmed.

Ultra High bar :
Ive gotten enough forwards and returns to learn from , to know that
This is not a high bar listing if it was, it would state it clearly.

" Real as Can Be "
You cant phone in an emotion on the performance and The arrangement of:
The vox and Bgv ( no autotune)
the gtrs, (real paying ) ( no samples )


Thanks
J.

Hey J.

I feel your pain.
This listing was screened by the owner. It falls down to their personal tastes.
You hit all the buttons but it wasn't what the screener was after.
I don't think you could change much. Just submit to another listing that will hopefully
fit their criteria.
We all have our own bias on what real rock, r&b, hip hop, reggae etc... is.
Unfortunately, not all screeners share the same bias.
I've heard screeners on Taxi TV describe certain music as rock and in my world
it wasn't even close to what I would call rock.
That's not a critismn of screeners, it's just a reality that we have to deal with.

Rich.

Count me in as someone else that has no clue why these weren't forwarded. It's not easy to write and record songs that sound like they are from another era, and I think production/vibe wise you hit the nail on the head. I find your stuff to be some of the best I've heard from members here. Have you gotten any placements since joining?

I'm 0/5 as of right now, and are pretty disappointed in what taxi has had to offer thus far.

playagibson wrote:This listing was screened by the owner. It falls down to their personal tastes.
You hit all the buttons but it wasn't what the screener was after.

Good point!

I actually like these listings that are screened by the owner. I feel, it kinda speeds up the whole submission process in a way.

Stuart

Thanks Rich ,Stu, Popbody.
I too like these Y/S listings and I've actually done well with some.
And like we all do , after a return I move on.
But 7 returns on these 2 same listings clients
I needed some help, as I'm not learning
Anything with no comment.
So I'd just like you to know that I reached out to taxi
And head screener was respectful enough and will try to inform me
Of at least one comment.
That's class.

Popbody: thank you for asking-
I've recently signed a number of songs to 2 top-tier
music libraries , through my own homework and good forum members
all taxi returns , but directly or indirectly from taxi I found threm a home
And Im out there.

I am not commenting on the actual music submitted or the listing, but If this were me, and I had several similar occasions of returns' and felt that I was not learning anything I would definitely drop the $25 and get a custom critique, even though It's not necessarily coming from the 'horse's mouth' it might give you something, even a tidbit of insight about this.

Maybe the individual doing the custom crit knows something we don't like, "well, the music supervisor wanted something that reminded him of that cherry red Mustang when he was in high-school" - I mean, it could be something completely arbitrary, or if you're lucky, something more factual like the instrument used, or the tempo, or something that you can learn from.

Hi Patty,

Thank you for the suggestion.
I would def do a custom critique for returns in a genre that I feel I did not know.
With these songs which some are multiple forwards for other listings
Id rather have the rep/ client give any one comment , even though its Y/S

Thanks
J.