::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

buzzz worthy. . . Anita Baker A bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of R&B singer Anita Baker.  The "Sweet Love" singer was allegedly accused of failing to pay for over $15,000 to Ray A. Smith Painting & Decorating for work done on her home in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Reports indicate the warrant was issued because Baker was subpoenaed  to appear at a creditor's examination, but was a no show. Baker, a Grammy award winner who was recognized for lifetime achievement at the 2010 Soul Train Awards, was popular in the ‘80s and early ‘90s. Baker previously faced jail time for failing to sign a document related to splitting music royalties with her ex husband. Jamal Hamood, Baker's attorney, said she is currently out of town and was not aware that she was being sued.  Hamood plans to file a motion to cancel the warrant. The attorney for the company, Daniel Gerow, told the Detroit News he does not want Baker to go to jail, he just wants his cli...

Anita Baker will be a headliner at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 25th, and has just started work on a new album in Nashville, planned for release by Blue Note Records later in 2010. "I'm going to Nashville to mix it up, shake it and see what comes out" says the eight-time Grammy winner with obvious glee. Baker will be producing the album with George Duke, Nathan East and Daniel Moore , recording in Nashville in part because, she explains, "they still know how to make a record in analog." Baker has some long time friends in Nashville - just last month, when she performed at the TJ Martell Honors Gala there, attendees were surprised to find out that she counts many country stars and personalities among them. Singing Vince Gill's "Little Liza Jane" at the dinner, Baker was backed by a cohort of Nashville players. Inspired by their performance, she's invited the "badass Nashville cats," as she terms them, to record...