Rob McCoy “Waiting For You”

Who is Rob McCoy? He is an R&B singer who is an underrated artist with a gift for writing song and singing them remarkably. Some people have a natural gift and know it at an early age Rob is one of them. Rob grew up in Patterson, New Jersey singing in the church choir and for his family. Rob said “All my life I've been told what I wasn't capable of doing, but I knew I'd make sure to prove those who discredited me”. It is really remarkable to see a young brother now days to have a dream and have the courage to go for it. While listening to Rob McCoy’s songs, he has the talent of a Neo and Chris Brown. Rob McCoy has two songs that I really like “Waiting For You” and” Good Die Young”. No matter whether Rob’s singing songs he wrote or doing covers of other artists his voice is amazing. Rob McCoy is a true talent that I predict, is on his way to stardom. Listen to underrated artist like Rob McCoy and new artist on Streetwise Radio. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on Pandora, iTunes, MyGen365, Athena365 and Live365.

LM

http://ilovernbmusic.com/rob-mccoy/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG2mNRC6mlk&playnext=1&list=PL2A7F505A027FE67D&feature=results_main

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUQkMZNpUIA

Jully Black

Jully Black is another underrated R&B singer that I have never heard of with loads of talent. This 36 year old R&B singer–songwriter of Jamaican heritage born in Toronto, Canada is wonderful refreshing talent. Jully Black’s talent for song writing is remarkable. Her songs are inspiring one of my favorite songs is “I Traveled”. I first heard this song when I was watching the 2008 movie “Saving God”. I always wondered who sung that song. Jully sung with Nas on his song “Heaven” off his “God’s Son” album. This song is so powerful, it has a serious message. Jully has collaborated and written for other notable artists, such as Missy Elliott, Saukrates, Choclair, Kardinal Offishall, Destiny’s Child and Sean Paul. Some of my other favorites songs of Jully Black are “Seven Day Fool”, “You Changed”, “Running”, “Sweat Of Your Brow” and “Between Me and U”. Look for Jully Black’s new album “W(8)IGHT” due out sometime in 2013. Listen to Jully Black and other underrated and new talent on Streetwise Radio. Also listen to Streetwise Radio on iTunes, Pandora, MyGen365, Athena365 and Live365.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jully_Black

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aMRkL2BdhE&list=AL94UKMTqg-9CHbMTiAMkFTvwJM1xUhPwp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHyqdWlZNPM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSlUe-bSEMg

Joy Denalane

One word that describes Joy Denalane, Fantastic! This South African/German singer-songwriter mixes African folk music, Soul, R&B with English and German lyrics and makes amazing music. No matter whether she is singing in English, German or African folk music Joy Denalane has a whole lot of soul. Joy Denalane was born Joy Maureen Denalane on June 11, 1973 in Berlin-Schöneberg Germany but grew up in Kreuzberg Germany. Joy knew what she wanted at an early age. She left home when she was 16 years old to pursue a music career. Joy joined the Reggae and Soul bands Culture Roots and Family Affair. Joy was 19 when she signed with a major pop label, but that didn’t work out because they did not know how to market her type of music. Joy really became known on the music scene in 2002 in Europe with her debut album “Mamani”. Joy went on a solo tour in 2003. Joy has received several awards a Comet award for “Best Hip-Hop/R&B National” and three ECHO award nominations, including “Best Female Artist”. Her 2006 second album “Born & Raised” is my favorite. The song “Born & Raised” the title song of the album is about her life. It has that old school feel. This album is so soulful! Joy has Lupe Fiasco, Raekwon, and Governor featured on this album. Joy has also worked with other artist like Tweet, Dwele and Bilal. Joy Denalane has been around for some years and I have never heard of her. When I first heard Joy Denalane was on December 27, 2012. She was playing on Streetwise Radio and the song was “Be Real”. I looked her up and was listening to her. I had to write on her, so other people could experience her wonderful talent. I put some links to my favorite songs for your listening pleasure. You can listen to new R&B artists like Joy Denalane on Streetwise Radio. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on Pandora, iTunes, MyGen365, Live365 and Athena365.

LM

http://www.last.fm/music/Joy+Denalane

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvR0XS_mrlU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUu5gmAnUas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRn4PcQ_Jrw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TwgMQnIlPo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb4KKuEoFDc

Major Harris R&B Singer February 9, 1947 – November 9, 2012

Major Harris R&B singer that was part of the Delfonics and the Philadelphia soul sound, passed away of congestive heart and lung failure at the age of 65. Major Harris died in Richmond, Virginia where he was born. I remember the back in the day at the house parties the DJ playing Major Harris’s "Love Won't Let Me Wait". That was the jam! Major Harris’s early career consists of him singing with a number of groups such as The Charmers, The Teenagers, The Jarmels, and Nat Turner's Rebellion. Major Harris sang with the Delfonics in the early 1970’s and went solo in 1974 and signed with Atlantic Records. His first real big hit single was "Love Won't Let Me Wait" which peaked at #5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and #37 in the UK Top 50. This song was written by to great song writers Bobby Eli and Vinnie Barrett. "Love Won't Let Me Wait" was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. on 25 June 1975. I also liked two other songs Major Harris sung, "I Got Over Love" and "It's Got to Be Magic". Major Harris was one of the true Philly soul singers. R.I.P. Major Harris you will be missed, but your music will live on. Streetwise Radio will be playing some songs by Major Harris. You can listen to Streetwise Radio on iTunes, Athena365, MyGen365 and Live365.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_Harris_(singer)

Kindred the Family Soul

There has not been a married singing duo that I have enjoyed listening too since my favorite Ashford and Simpson. Kindred the Family Soul also known has Kindred, consists of the married couple of Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon. This singing duo from Philadelphia, their incredible blend of R&B, soul and neo soul is outstanding. Jill Scott was the one to discover this amazing singing duo. Thank God she did, because this awesome talent needed to be brought to the music world.  In February 2003 Kindred’s debut album “Surrender to Love” was released. It has two songs that remind me of the love of life. They are "Far Away" and "Stars". Their second album in 2005 “In This Life Together” was inspired by the 1998 book With Ossie & Ruby: In This Life Together. That was a good read about two African American icons. "Where Would I Be (The Question)" was the first single off of this album. The lyrics seem to be written for my husband and me. Just when you I thought Kindred could not get any better they come out with another amazing album “The Arrival” in 2008 I like the songs “You Got Love (featuring Snoop Dogg)”.  Kindred their fourth album “Love Has No Recession” from the album title to my favorite songs "2 Words",  "Magic Happen", "You Got Love", "Authentically You" and "Going to the Go-Go" you can never go wrong. If you’re in San Francisco on November 3, 2012 Kindred the Family Soul will be in concert at Yoshi’s. Kindred the Family Soul really put all their emotions and feelings into their music. They are a Dynamite singing duo.  I predict will be around for a long time to come. If you have not heard of Kindred the Family Soul you can listen to some of their songs on Streetwise Radio. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on ITunes, live365, MyGen365 and Athena365.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kindred_the_Family_Soul

http://kindredthefamilysoul.com/

Larry Graham and GCS Raise Up

Larry Graham’s first solo album was in 1998’s “GCS 2000”. On October 1, 2012 Larry Graham legendary bassist is back after 14 years with his second solo album “Raise Up”.  Graham was the deep-voiced bass player for the funky Sly and the Family Stone band in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. After that he formed Graham Central Station, releasing a string of successful albums throughout the remainder of the ‘70s. In the 80s as a solo artist he had an R&B chart-topper “One in a Million You”.  Larry Graham’s “Raise Up” album was produced by Prince. Graham and Prince have shared a longstanding personal and professional relationship.  This album has Graham bringing the funk with “Throw-N-Down the Funk.” This tune features full slap bass the Larry Graham famous sound.  Graham has Price singing and playing on “Raise Up”, “Shoulda Woulda Coulda”  and “Movin”. Raphael Saadiq is featured on “One Day”. My favorite tunes on this album are “Throw - N - Down The Funk”,  “It's Alright”,  “Welcome 2 Our World”, “It Ain't No Fun To Me”, “No Way”, “Hold You Close” and “Now Do U Wanta Dance”. For all you Larry Graham fans I give this album gets 4 out of 5 stars.  Larry Graham is one of the masters, of Funk! This album is good music to ride with. Tune into Streetwise Radio and listen to Larry Graham and GCS “Raise Up” album.  You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on MyGen365, Athena365, Live365 and ITunes.

LM

http://consequenceofsound.net/2012/10/album-review-larry-graham-graham-central-station-raise-up/

Eddie Levert I Still Have It

For all you Eddie Levert fans after fifty plus years in the music business, Eddie Levert released his first solo album on May 2012 called “I Still Have It. This album is so soulful his unique husky voice is still there. Eddie reflects on various aspects of his life. On “Last Man Standing”, the title-track and first single released from the album, Eddie raises one of the most heartbreaking aspects of his life, the death of his two sons Gerald and Sean. On the track “Lonely” he’s singing about his wife Raquel Capelton. He wrote this track about being parted from Rachel for the first time ever, when she embarked upon an expedition to Africa, where she climbs Mount Kilimanjaro. Like these two tracks, the other ten tracks on “I Still Have It” were written and produced by Eddie. There is a combination of ballads and up-tempo tracks. Every track features the unique sound of Eddie's vocals. Eddie hasn't collaborated with modern R an B artists. Eddie says he feels he has to prove "worthy of being in their presence", "that he's an asset to what they're doing" and that he's still a "valuable artist." I think it's the other way around. These artists today they need to be worthy of working with the great Eddie Levert, a man whose is a true living legend of music. Eddie collaborated with another musical legend in the making of “I Still Have It”. Tom Moulton, who remixed the twelve, tracks on I Still Have It. My favorite songs on this album “All About Me and You”, “Last Man Standing”, “I Like the Way You Move”, “What If”, “Lonely”, “You're Always There”, “Don't Get Much Better” and “Hate'n”. In my opinion Eddie Levert still has it. I give this album 4 out of five stars. You can listen to songs from “I Still Have It” on Streetwise Radio. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on MyGen365, Live365, Athena365 and ITunes.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Levert

Thank you Eddie for the music, keep doing what you doing, and GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT! Love You, and God Bless!

Calvin Richardson

There are some singers/songwriters in this world that are so underrated. Calvin Richardson is one of those. Calvin Richardson was born in Monroe, North Carolina. Calvin started off sing on the gospel circuit. That’s where he met K-Ci and Jo-Jo of Jodeci. Calvin was the lead singer for the R&B group Undacova. In the early 1990s he signed with Tommy Boy Records. He went solo in the mid-1990s and signed with Uptown Records/Universal Records. On August 24, 1999, he released debut album Country Boy. This album sold 100,000 copies despite the sales, he was dropped from Universal. He then signed with Hollywood Records. His son was born at 2:35 PM, that’s how he got the name for his second album 2:35 PM. This album was released on September 16, 2003. The R&B hit "More Than a Woman", featuring a duet with Angie Stone it was a minor hit. This song was on Angie Stone’s 2001 album Mahogany Soul. Angie replaced Calvin Richardson’s vocals with the singer Joe’s. This song was nominated for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 2003 Grammy Awards. I my opinion Calvin’s voice have more of range than Joe’s. The songs I’m really like off this album are “Keep on Pushin”, "You Got Me High", “I've Got To Move”, “Put My Money On You” and “I Wansumo”. Calvin’s released album number three called “When Love Comes”, on May 27, 2008. Calvin moved to Shanachie Records, and was chosen recorded a tribute album to Bobby Womack in 2009. This coincided with Womack being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Calvin’s fourth album “Facts Of Life/The Soul Of Bobby Womack” was nominated for a Grammy. It reminds me of the young Bobby Womack back in the day. Calvin’s redemption of Bobby Womack’s songs is fantastic. Calvin’s album “America’s Most Wanted” was his fourth album. The songs I like are "You're So Amazing", “America’s Most Wanted”, “Fire In the Attic” ”Don't Go Lyrics” and “When Love Comes” I didn’t know that Calvin Richardson co-wrote the song “There Goes My Baby”. The comeback song that Charlie Wilson sings, that is one of my favorites. I like the way Calvin sings it as well. Calvin sure can write some lyrics. I never heard of Calvin Richardson until DJ Michael Ealey of Streetwise Radio, started playing him on the station. Calvin Richardson has an amazing soulful voice. That sounds better than some of these so called superstars. That’s my opinion. I am a Calvin Richardson fan for life. You can listen to Calvin Richardson on Streetwise radio. Also listen to Streetwise Radio on ITunes, live365, MyGen365 and Athena365.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvin_Richardson

Sabrina Starke “Outside The Box”

Sabrina Starke is another underrated singer/songwriter from Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Sabrina was born on August 9, 1979. Sabrina Starke is another artist that I’ve never heard of, until DJ Michael Ealey of started playing her music on Streetwise Internet Radio. When I heard “Backseat Driver” and “Toss Me A Dreamer” I had to listen to more of her songs. I’m so happy I did, she has an amazing Reggae, Soul, Hip-Hop, Jazz, voice! Sabrina released her debut album, Yellow Brick Road on October 1, 2008. Her first single from the album, "Do For Love" was a hit song in The Netherlands. Sabrina signed to Blue Note records on October 27, 2008. In 2008 Sabrina won the Edison Award Best Newcomer. Blue Note re-released Yellow Brick Road on March 9, 2009. The album went gold in The Netherlands. “Bags & Suitcases” was Sabrina’s second album which in my opinion was another good album from this talented singer/ songwriter. Sabrina released her third album “Outside The Box” on June 1, 2012. The songs I like are “This Time Around”, “Backseat Driver”, “Simplest Way”, “Toss Me A Dream”, “Sun Settle Down” and “I Cry”. You know it’s a great thing that there is Internet Radio. Without it we would not get to hear, all the talent from around the world. Streetwise Radio is playing songs from Sabrina Starke’s album “Outside The Box”. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on iTunes, live365, MyGen365 and Athena365.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabrina_Starke

Bobby Womack Bravest Man in the Universe

Robert Dwayne "Bobby" Womack was born March 4, 1944 and raised in Cleveland's East 85th & Quincy area. Bobby is brother number three out of five brothers. Bobby was raised in a Baptist Church. His mother played the organ and his father was the minister and musician. When Bobby was eight he was not supposed to touch his father’s instruments. One day while his father was away he picked up his guitar. While he was playing it, he broke a string. When his father fixed the string, he let Bobby play the guitar and was amazed at his talent. That was the beginning of The Womack Brothers gospel group. Bobby was only ten years old. In 1956 Sam Cooke discovered the group Bobby was sixteen. Sam Cooke formed SAR Records and signed The Womack Brothers. The Womack Brothers recorded two gospel sides. Sam decided to have the boys switch to pop music. When their father found out they were switching to secular music, he told them they had to leave his house. Bobby and his brothers moved to Los Angeles, under Sam guidance and changed their name too, The Valentinos. The Valentinos first hit single was "Looking for a Love" a pop version of a gospel song "Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray" written by Bobby. With their hit single it landed the group a spot with the James Brown Revue. In 1964 when the country was fighting for civil rights, The Valentinos had a hit song "It's All Over Now", Bobby co-wrote it. The Rolling Stones covered it, when The Valentino’s version was rising to the top of the charts. Bobby was furious until he got his first royalty check, for the song after it became a hit. In 1964 Samuel Cook was shot in a motel room by the manager of the Hacienda Motel in Los Angeles, California. Shortly after Sam death The Valentinos split up and Bobby went solo. Bobby created a scandal for himself. by marrying Sam’s wife Barbara Campbell and his drug use that started in the late 1960s. Which made his solo career suffer. In 1966 he settled for studio work for other artist.

Bobby Womack’s career has spanned more than 50 years. This R&B, soul, rock and roll, doo-wop, gospel, and country singer is back with a new album called “The Bravest Man In The Universe”. This album has a modern day sound with the electronic rhythms, synthesizers, and keyboards. It also stays true to Bobby Womack sound of his raspy voice and deep lyrics. Here are a list of my favorite songs on this album “Please Forgive My Heart”, “The Bravest Man In The Universe”, “Dayglo Reflection (featuring Lana Del Rey)”, “Stupid”, “Love Is Gonna Lift You Up” and “Nothin' Can Save Ya (feat Fatoumata Diawara)”.

Bobby Womack has and will always be one of my favorite singer-song writers. Every time I hear "That's The Way I Feel About Cha", "Woman's Gotta Have It", “Across 110th Street" and "If You Think You're Lonely Now", I get chills! You can listen to Bobby Womack’s new album “The Bravest Man In The Universe” on Streetwise Radio. Also listen to Streetwise radio on iTunes, Athena365, MyGen365 and live365.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Womack

Bobby Brown “Masterpiece”

Born Robert Barisford Brown on February 5, 1969 in Boston, Massachusetts. He grew up in Roxbury Park Projects. Bobby Brown was a bad boy at an early age. Bobby grew up stealing, committing robbery and running with a gang. He said "I didn't wanna ask my mother or my father because they didn't have a lot of money", stating that whenever he saw something he wanted, "I'd just go to the store and take it." When Bobby was nine he started a group called “The Brick”, they were a trio. When Bobby was ten, he was shot in the knee during a fight with a rival gang. At the age of eleven Bobby’s life took a turn, he saw one of his friends lying dead from multiple stab wounds. Tommy Brown Bobby’s brother said after that Bobby took "his career, schooling, his whole life more seriously."

Bobby Brown former member of New Edition and former husband of the late Whitney Houston released an album, after 15 years called “Masterpiece”. This album has some tracks that have that old Bobby Brown sound. There are only a few songs on this album that I like “Don't Let Me Die”, “Get Out the Way”, “Damaged”, “Can’t Give Up” and “Man I Want to Be”. I think Bobby Brown could have been a real big star, if it were not for his drug and mental problems. I never really stopped liking his music, he just stopped making it! I give props to Bobby Brown for trying to comeback after 15 years. Tune in to Streetwise Radio and listen to some songs from his “Masterpiece” album. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on iTunes, MyGen365, Athena365, live365.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Brown

Emeli Sande` “Our Version of Events”

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Adele Emeli Sandé is a Scottish soul and R&B recording artist and songwriter born to a Zambian father and English mother. Emeli became known to the world when she was featured on rapper Chipmunk's third single, "Diamond Rings". When Emeli was 11 she wrote a song for her schools talent show and thought she might be a songwriter someday. It is a good thing she had that mental picture in her mind at such a young age because the girl can write. Emeli has written songs for Alesha Dixon, Chipmunk, Professor Green, Devlin, Preeya Kalidas, Cheryl Cole, Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle and Tinie Tempah. Simon Cowell revealed Emeli as his favorite song-writer at the moment. While I’m listening to her songs and writing this I have to agree she is one of my favorites now. Emeli has depth in her songwriting and she speaks so many relatable truths in her songs. Emeli first solo single was released on 14 August 2011 that was "Heaven" from the “Our Version of Events” album. The other songs I like are “Suitcase”, “Next To Me”, Maybe”, “Daddy Feat Naughty Boy”, “My kind of Love”, “River”, “Hope”, “Where I Sleep”, “Clown” and “Read All About it”. Emeli album “Our Version of Events” was released on June 5, 2012. It is a soulful amazing album. I truly enjoy hearing a singer that writes her own music and also has such a powerful voice and lyrics to match. Tune into Streetwise Radio and listen to Emeli Sande`. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on iTune, live365, Athena365 and MyGen365.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emeli_Sand%C3%A9

The 15th Annual KBLX Stone Soul Concert

Yes! It’s that time of year concerts are going on all over the country this Memorial Day Weekend. The KBLX Stone Soul Concert will be May 27, 2012, at the Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord California. The lineup of stars is Charlie Wilson, Chaka Khan, Cameo, Ohio Players and Lakeside. I’m sure upset that I’m going to miss this one, it’s going to be great. I remember back in the day going to the KBLX Stone Soul Concerts in Concord California. The first time I went, I purchased lawn seats that consist of a blanket that you brought from home. It got so hot out there in the sun, I kept getting up and going to were the vendor where to find some shade. I did not enjoy the concert at all. I learned my lesson the second time I went. I purchased sets under the pavilion. It was a lot more enjoyable. If you have never been to a KBLX Stone Soul Concert in Concord California, go and check it out the entertainment is great. There are all types of food, art and clothing vendors. You want to get there early if you have lawn seats, because you want to get as close to the pavilion as possible to get the shade from the pavilion.

LM

http://www.kblx.com/stonesoulconcert.php

Donna Summer (December 31, 1948 – May 17, 2012)

LaDonna Adrian Ganies better known as Donna Summer lost her battle with lung cancer. Donna Summers was the Queen of the disco era in the 1970s. I remember going to a night club in 1975 called Disco Odyssey in San Jose California. Disco Odyssey was a club for 15 years or older, this was the club to be at back in the day. The DJ would play “Love to Love You Baby”, “Try Me”, I know We Can Make It”, “Bad Girls”, “Dim All the Lights”, “On the Radio”, “Hot Stuff”, “MacArthur Park” which was her first number one hit and “Last Dance” was the last song the DJ played at the end of the night. In 1978 Donna Summer acted in a film called ‘Thank God It’s Friday’. She played a singer who was determined to perform at a disco club. The song “Last Dance” from the film reached number three on the Hot 100 chart, which won Donna Summer her first a Grammy Award. Donna Summer also won her second Grammy for “Hot Stuff”, for ‘Best Female Rock Vocal Performance’, this was the first time this category was included. In the 1980s when disco was starting to fade Donna Summer went to Quincy Jones to produce her next album “She Works Hard for the Money”, this album took six months to record. The song “She works Hard for the Money” reached number three on the US Hot 100 and was nominated for a Grammy. Donna Summer’s music has been sampled or covered by some of the great artist of our time like, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Bette Milder, and Diana Ross among others. Donna Summer will always be known as the Queen of the disco era. If anyone decides to make a movie about her life I think Kelly Rowland should be the one to portray her, because she is an international star like Donna Summers was. R.I.P. Donna Summer you will be missed, but your music will live on.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donna_Summer

SWV (I Missed Us)

                                                       

SWV (Sisters With Voices) are back after 15 years. Back in the 1990s SWV was the number one female RanB group, Cheryl “Coko” Clemons, Tamara “Taj” Johnson-George and Leanne “Lelee” Lyons have not missed a step their still bringing that SWV sound. SWV broke up in 1997 all the members went on to do their own thing, like solo careers, getting married, having kids and being on reality television shows. With the way music has changed over the last 15 years SWV’s fan base is a lot more mature. SWV has put out an album that feels like they have not been missing for 15 years. SWV new album “I Missed Us” is SWV at their best. The songs that are my favorite off this album are “Time to Go”, “Free”, “Show Off (featuring AX)”, “All About You”, “The Best Years”, “Everything I Love”, “Better Than I”, “There’ll Never Be (Switch remake)” and “Use Me”. I’m so glad SWV is back their vocals are controlled there is no screaming to over compensate for poor vocals. SWV new album “I Missed Us” is worth getting. SWV fans will not be disappointed and all of you that have never heard of SWV take a listen to “I Missed Us,” you will become a fan. I give this album 5 out 5 stars. Listen to songs from SWV “I Missed Us” album on Streetwise Radio or on MyGen365, live365, Athena365 and iTunes.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWV