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Harlem Stage & Revive Da Live Presents: The Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Ensemble feat. Zap Mama, Pharoahe Monch & Jose James, 7/9/2011, Annunciation Park, Harlem, New York
30 June, 2011
Black Music Month, DJ J. Period, flyers, live show, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Pharoahe Monch, Revive Da Live, Taylor McFerrin, Zap Mama
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New Music Releases: June 28, 2011
New music releases today:
Alicia Keys, 10th Anniversary Edition: SONGS IN A MINOR
Beyonce, 4
Big Sean, FINALLY FAMOUS
Curren$y, WEEKEND AT BURNIE’S
Pete Rock & Smif N Wessun, MONUMENTAL
Shabazz Palaces, BLACK UP
Wynter Gordon, WITH THE MUSIC I DIE EP
Free Download: Jamiroquai "Smile" {Audio}
New music and free download from my favorite British acid jazz band Jamiroquai.
Their latest LP Rock Dust Light Star is in stores now!
New Music: The Cool Kids feat. Mayer Hawthorne "Swimsuits" {Audio}
Chicago-based rap duo The Cool Kids aka producer Chuck English and rapper Mikey Rocks drops the second single “Swimsuits,” featuring singer Mayer Hawthorne, from their forthcoming LP When Fish Ride Bicycles (hits stores on July 12). Nice vibe!
Kirk Franklin "I Smile" {Official Video}
Kirk Franklin‘s “I Smile” is a #1 hit on the Billboard Gospel charts (and one of my mom’s absolute favorite songs right now); the visuals for the uplifting tune features a wide array of colors and cultures, to include Kirk’s wife Tammy, gospel singers Mary Mary and Donnie McClurkin; Jill Scott (with baby Jett), Terri J. Vaughn, and “Tommy” aka Thomas Mikal Ford from the 90s sitcom Martin.
Ice Cube Performs "It Was a Good Day" on Jimmy Kimmel Live {June 14, 2011}
Can’t nobody mess with Cube! Cop his latest I Am The West.
Idan K & The Movement of Rhythm feat. Karolina "Cosmic Love Foundation" {Live Performance}
Artist: Idan K & The Movement of Rhythm (producer/instrumentalist/percussionist along with 32 musicians) | Genre/Region: Afrobeat/Funk/Reggae/Dance–Idan K hails from Israel | Album: Cosmic Love Foundation (available now!).
16 June, 2011
Ledisi "Pieces of Me" {Official Video}
New Orleans-born, Oakland-based singer, songwriter and Grammy-nominated artist Ledisi gives us the visuals for “Pieces of Me,” the title track from her sixth studio album–which is in stores today! I’ve the album in hand (didn’t download it), and the singer is more or less giving us pieces of her, a woman fully aware of who she is. It’s a confident project; though a few tracks left me wanting something different. Nonetheless, my favorites are “Pieces of Me”, “Bravo”, “Hate Me”, “Shut Up”, BGTY”, and “I Gotta Get To You”.
Marsha Ambrosius "Late Nights & Early Mornings" {New Video}
“Late Nights & Early Mornings” is the second video release from R&B songtress Marsha Ambrosius‘ album of the same name (read the review here). Directed by J. Erving, safe seduction is the message. So, wrap it up!
The Floacist feat. Raheem DeVaughn "Keep It Going" {New Video}
Taken from her debut solo LP Floetic Soul (read the mini review here), The Floacist (Natalie Stewart from neo soul duo Floetry) releases this lovely video for “Keep It Going,” featuring that R&BHippieNeoSoulRockStar Raheem DeVaughn.
R. Kelly "Radio Message" {New Video}
By far my most enjoyable R. Kelly album since 2000′s TP-2.com. “Radio Message” is the fourth single from the R&B singer’s tenth studio LP Love Letter, which is a classic old-school soul mix. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to it (released back in December), do check it out. A few of my favorites: “Number One Hit,” “Lost In Your Love,” “Taxi Cab,” “Radio Message,” “Just Like That,” and “Music Must Be a Lady.”
Kindred the Family Soul "Take A Look Around" {New Audio}
I’ve liked this husband and wife R&B duo Kindred the Family Soul (Fatin Dantzler & Aja Graydon) since they hit the scene around 2002 with “Far Away” from their debut album Surrender to Love. “Take A Look Around” is the second single from their soon-to-be-released LP Love Has No Recession (out July 26th); it sort of has that “What’s Going On” feel to it. I do dig it.
Theophilus London feat. Selah Sue "Why Even Try" {Live Performance in Paris}
Music documentary: BAMcinemaFest Presents "Jamel Shabazz Street Photographer," BAM Rose Cinema, 6/26/2011
Presented as part of BAMcinemaFest here in Brooklyn, director Charlie Ahearn, who created the classic hip hop film Wild Style (1982), will screen his latest film Jamel Shabazz Street Photographer on Sunday, June 26th at 3:30pm at Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM Rose Cinema). The documentary pays homage to the Brooklyn photographer’s greatest shots of hip hop culture during its best years: 1980-1989. All the photos were shot around Times Square, Harlem, Queens and various locations in Brooklyn. This should be a blast to attend!
In conjunction with the world premiere, there will be an exhibition of Jamel Shabazz’s work, a Q&A with the director Charlie Ahearn; and afterwards Shabazz himself will sign copies of his latest book Back in the Days: Remix (powerHouse Books).
BAMcinema Fest runs from June 16th through June 26th. Click here for ticket details. Peep the video below for insight into the documentary.
BAMcinema Fest runs from June 16th through June 26th. Click here for ticket details. Peep the video below for insight into the documentary.
Esperanza Spalding Jazzes Up MJ’s "I Can’t Help It" {Live at The Roots Picnic}
Grammy Award-winning jazz singer and bassist Esperanza Spalding gave a smashing jazz rendition of Michael Jackson’s “I Can’t Help It” (from my all-time fave MJ record, Off The Wall) at the annual Roots picnic in Philly on Saturday, June 4th.
6 June, 2011
Mara Hruby "The Panties" {New Video}
Photo: Frederick Shavies
22-year old Oakland songtress Mara Hruby has definitely made the downtempo R&B tune “The Panties” (a Mos Def cover) completely her own. As one of seven tracks covered on her debut EP From Her Eyes, the visuals for the song now brings a seductive but classy feel to the already sweet tune. The video is directed by rising R&B singer Jesse Boykins III; and on From Her Eyes Mara also covers Bob Marley’s “Is This Love” as well as Jamiroquai’s “Alright,” among other artists (D’Angelo & Andre 3000). The EP is available for download here.
Mary J. Blige "Miss Me With That" {Audio}
Who doesn’t love the Queen of Hip Hop Soul Mary J. Blige? Nearly 20 years in the game and she still keeps it real; on “Miss Me With That,” the second single from her upcoming LP My Life II, The Journey Continues (in stores Sept 20th), the New York-native keeps it one hundred as usual. And of course, the topic is about a relationship at its breaking point.
Behind the Scenes on Joss Stone’s Forthcoming Album "LP1"
With more of a rock and soul vibe this time around, British soul singer Joss Stone takes us behind the scenes in the creative process of her fifth studio album LP1 (and the first release on her newly formed Stone’d Records). After five or six years of listening to Joss’ music, it still amazes me at how much power and emotion comes through her voice. Nevertheless, the Grammy Award winner co-wrote and co-produced LP1 in Nashville, Tennessee (reportedly in six days), alongside Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart. The album hits stores July 26th (August 1st in the UK).
Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest {Official Trailer}
After much beef, politics, and a movie poster, here’s the official trailer for
Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest. In theatres July 8th.
Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest. In theatres July 8th.
Director: Michael Rapaport
Live Review: The Brand New Heavies feat. N’Dea Davenport at Highline Ballroom – June 7th, 2010 | shortandsweetNYC.com
Touring in support of their Live In London album – which dropped last October on their TBNH imprint, London-based acid jazz and funk group, The Brand New Heavies hit the stage at Highline Ballroom to a nearly sold out crowd.
Though the show started nearly 45 minutes late, once The Heavies (Simon Bartholomew, Jan Kincaid and Andrew Levy) took their positions, they were easily forgiven with their 70s-infused soul and urban funk.
With a few female leads over the years (Siedah Garrett and Sy Smith), everyone’s favorite, ATL-native N’Dea Davenport made her lovely return just as sexy, fun and confident as we can all remember. Smiling and dancing about the stage, almost flirtatiously, Ms. Davenport definitely hasn’t lost her stage presence and vocal abilities.
Beginning the show with “Never Stop” from their self-titled 1992 debut, the show was comprised of a great package of mostly up-tempo hits: “Midnight At The Oasis,” “Dream on Dreamer,” the motivational-anthem “Brother Sister,” a tune from 2006’s Get Used To It (“Let’s Do It Again”), even performing the ballad “Forever,” saying that though it wasn’t apart of the set list, they’d do it anyway for the fan who shouted it out in the audience. Now, that’s a band who values their listeners.
But also, being the lady that she is, Ms. Davenport even gave a shout-out to Siedah Garrett on the inspiring “You Are The Universe,” saying “Even though Siedah originally sang it, I could never do it justice, but I’ll sing it anyway…if you guys don’t mind.” Naturally, we egged her on.
One thing about The Brand New Heavies brand of soul music: it bridges the gap between black, white, Hispanic, Asian and many other cultures. Because at the show, there were many different nationalities and ages who came together for one purpose: to jam out on some serious acid jazz, funk and soul sounds.
That said, even rock and soul maven Nona Hendryx and jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater were in the audience rocking to it, as well as Canadian singer-songwriter Honey Larochelle, who provided backing vocals for the group.
23 June, 2010
Album Review: Flying Lotus, COSMOGRAMMA | shortandsweetNYC.com
Other than bob your head, there isn’t much you can do with instrumental hip hop. That said, LA-based Flying Lotus, the mad scientist of beats, the experimental laptop DJ, or whatever you wish to call him, does however bring a cosmically-charged message on Cosmogramma, his third album on the Warp label. That message: there is no message.
Steven Ellison crafts music in a way that evokes jedi mind tricks. In some respects, you want to sit and simply imbibe, on the other hand, you may also want to get off your derrière and create your own magnum opus, be it an Oscar-winning screenplay or a Pulitzer-prize winning book. Cosmogramma is by all accounts trippy, jazz-infused experimental shit. But it’s also quite possibly, FlyLo’s best work.
As Thom Yorke appears, so does Ellison’s cousin Ravi Coltrane, which in and of itself are two artists that have no musical connection, but fit perfectly on this album. When Mary-Anne Hobbs, music journalist extraordinaire and Queen of the Dubstep movement says, “Flying Lotus to me is like the Hendrix of his generation,” we music nerds pay attention.
Nevertheless, Cosmogramma is a shoe-in for one of my favorite albums of 2010. Standout tracks: “Galaxy In Janaki,” “Do The Astral Plane” and “Pickled!” It is in stores now!