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Upcoming Album Releases

May 14 - Eve, LIP LOCK
May 21 - Daft Punk, RANDOM ACCESS MEMORIES
May 21 - French Montana, EXCUSE MY FRENCH
May 28 - Rob Garza (of Thievery Corporation), REMIXES
Jun 4 - J.Cole, BORN SINNER
Jun 4 - Maxwell, SUMMERS'
Jun 18 - Kelly Rowland, TALK A GOOD GAME
Jun 25 - Femi Kuti, NO PLACE FOR MY DREAM
Jun 25 - Kendra Morris, MOCKINGBIRD
Jul 1 - AlunaGeorge, BODY MUSIC {UK release}
Jul 9 - Thundercat, APOCALYPSE
Jul 23 - Gogol Bordello, PURA VIDA CONSPIRACY
Aug 6 - Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT

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Nelson George-directed film “Finding The Funk” premieres at SXSW, Mar. 13

Finding the Funk is a new music documentary by author and music critic Nelson George. Premiering at SXSW in Austin next week, the film — narrated by Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson, follows the journey of Funk music — past, present and future. Traveling from Georgia to California, onward to Dayton and Detroit, the director will showcase the sounds of Motown as well as the P-Funk era. Interviews will feature a who’s who of music legends, including Sly Stone, Bootsy Collins, George Clinton, Nona Hendryx, Maceo Parker, Bernie Worrell, and Steve Arrington, as well as “their descendants Mike D, D’Angelo, Sheila E and Shock G.” If you’re going to be in Austin, there will be a funk panel on Saturday, March 16, featuring Collins and Worrell, among others.

Finding the Funk was funded via Kickstarter, and according to Nelson George, there will be a forthcoming premiere for backers in Brooklyn sometime this spring or summer. A shorter version of the doc will air on VH1 in the fall. Check out the SXSW trailer below.

ND McCray

8 March, 2013

articles, documentaries, funk, movies, music, Nelson George, soul

Day 6 of 28 Days: Jamiroquai, TRAVELLING WITHOUT MOVING (1996)

Acid jazz, funk and electro band Jamiroquai released Travelling Without Moving, a follow-up to 1994′s The Return Of The Space Cowboy, on September 9, 1996. The LP generated big hits for the group with “Alright” and “Cosmic Girl.” However, it was the groovy single and Jonathan Glazer-directed visual “Virtual Insanity” — which earned the band four MTV Video Music Awards, that cemented their international star status. Beginning February 7th, the English outfit will tour South and Central America in promotion of their remastered disc collection, out March 11th. [Sony Music]

ND McCray

6 February, 2013

acid jazz, funk, Jamiroquai, music, soul

NEW YORK: Pete Rock & DJ Center: Brooklyn Terrace – Sat, 1.26.13

Legendary hip-hop DJ and producer Pete Rock and Brooklyn’s own DJ Center will bring the house down this weekend in BK. Part of Center’s monthly Sky High residency, Pete Rock will guest DJ at Brooklyn Terrace’s Indoor Sky Lounge, spinning classic Hip-Hop, Funk, Soul, R&B, Latin and Reggae vibes. What’s sure to be a grand time, the party starts at 9pm, Saturday, January 26. Tickets $10. For more info, visit Push The Fader.

Tickets: $10
[Via Push The Fader]

ND McCray

23 January, 2013

DJ Center, downtempo, flyers, funk, hip hop, music, Pete Rock, soul, soulful house

HOU: New Orleans band Papa Grows Funk hits The Continental Club tonight

Papa Grows Funk

HOUSTON – New Orleans funk and jazz outfit Papa Grows Funk is once again bringing their signature jam-session styled grooves to The Museum District’s Continental Club. On the promo trail for their newest release Needle In The Groove (Funky Krewe Records) — there will be no playlist, no rehearsals — just plain ol’ funk, jams and good times. Show starts at 10pm. See ya there!

http://www.facebook.com/papagrowsfunk

ND McCray

21 September, 2012

funk, Houston, jazz, music, Papa Grows Funk

Electro-Funk DJ and producer Opolopo

Opolopo (Photo/Martin Rinman)

DJ/producer Opolopo and singer Amalia entered my iPod last year when I came across his 2010 release Voltage Controlled Feelings via Google Play. Now, his latest Mutants is rattling my eardrums (in that good way!). Alongside Dam-Funk and a handful of others, the Hungarian-born, Sweden-bred Opolopo is creating a mutant blend of soul, funk, hip-hop and house.

In the video –while visiting Jakarta, Indonesia for a performance, Opolopo and his partner and collaborator Amalia, talks about future-funk, their influences and more.

ND McCray

28 June, 2012

electro, funk, house, interviews, music, Opolopo, soul

Day 29 of 29 Days: Prince – “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” (1994)

“Most Beautiful Girl In The World” (NPG Records) (1994)

Though Prince, then-known as that unpronounceable symbol, independently released the ballad ”The Most Beautiful Girl In The World” in February 1994, the hit single didn’t actually appear on a full-length album until 1995′s The Gold Experience, which dropped September of that year. The Warner Bros.-released LP was probably the artist’s best album in years with a slew of noteworthy tracks such as: “P Control,” “I Hate U,” “Shhh,” “319,” “Now,” “Billy Jack B*tch” and “Gold.”

Nonetheless, I’ve been a Prince fan since about age 14; have seen “PurpleRain” an obscene amount of times; and was super-excited to find my first Prince CDs (really my first CDs ever) at a pawn shop in Killen, Texas. However, I probably didn’t become a fan-fan, a stan (super-fan), if you will — until I was about 21 or 22-years old. Admittedly, I just wasn’t aware of his true talent and musical genius. Didn’t know how much of an affect he has had on so many artists until I go tolder. For one, I didn’t realize that Lenny Kravitz (prior to hitting it big) originally patterned his whole look, image and sound after Prince. Anyway, “The Most Beautiful Girl In The World” just summarizes so much of who (I think) Prince is: dreamy, sensual, protective, tender and totally sincere.

ND McCray

29 February, 2012

29 days, funk, music, pop, Prince, R and B, rock, soul

Skull Candy Presents Wax Poetics Records Showcase: Afrika Bambaataa meets Chico Mann", 7/28/2011, (Le) Poisson Rouge, NYC, 10pm, Free

Hip hop, funk, afrobeat, & latin rhythms.

(Le) Poisson Rouge

ND McCray

6 July, 2011

Afrika Bambaataa, afrobeat, Chico Mann, electro, funk, hip hop

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!

Jamiroquai – “Smile” by Jamiroquai1

ND McCray

26 June, 2011

acid jazz, audio, Black Music Month, funk, Jamiroquai, soul

Celebrate Brooklyn w. Maceo Parker & DJ Spinna, Thursday, May 12th, 2011 at 7pm, Brooklyn Bridge Park, New York

It’s FREE!! Get more information at Celebrate Brooklyn!

ND McCray

26 April, 2011

DJ Spinna, funk, live show, Maceo Parker, soul

Jamiroquai "Lifeline" {New Video}

From their latest Rock Dust Light Star

ND McCray

12 January, 2011

acid jazz, funk, Jamiroquai, music, videos

Calibro 35 LIVE at Bowery Poetry Club, 10/20/2010 | shortandsweetNYC.com

Calibro 35 is an instrumental funk band based out of Milan,

Italy

that essentially remixes the Italian movie soundtrack of the 1970s. On Wednesday, October 20, the guys took the stage at Bowery Poetry Club for one of three performances during the CMJ Music Marathon.

Using a collection of obscure albums and a mutual love for Italian gangster films of the 60s and 70s, the quintet blends the sound of soul, funk, jazz, and rock music that created their latest project Ritornano Quelli Di –which according to lead man and producer Tomasso Coliva, loosely translates to “Calibro 35 strikes back.” Hearing the band live was akin to watching a rock concert…without the stage diving, while remaining highly energetic and loud but accessible and extremely appealing –even when the crew donned black masks and completely rocked out!

Standout tracks from Ritornano are “Calling All Units to Broccolino,” “Talk Is Cheap” and “Fair Sex and Merciless Crimes.” But be careful, you may want to do something bad while listening to it.

ND McCray

28 October, 2010

Calibro 35, funk, instrumentals, live show, music, soul

Italy Comes to New York >> Calibro 35 Plays 3 Nights in the City!

Get in on some Italian soul, funk and jazz three nights this week!

ND McCray

19 October, 2010

Calibro 35, flyers, funk, jazz, live show, music, soul

Janelle Monae "Tightrope (Wondamix)" feat. B.o.B. & Lupe Fiasco [New Video]

Janelle Monae releases the visuals for ”Tightrope (Wondamix)” featuring ATL rapper B.o.B. and Chicago’s-own Lupe Fiasco. It’s directed by Duke & Roper, a Canadian duo of music video directors. Simply put: dopeness.

ND McCray

1 July, 2010

alternative rock, B.o.B., funk, hip hop, Janelle Monae, Lupe Fiasco, music, soul

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.

ND McCray

23 June, 2010

acid jazz, Black Music Month, funk, neo soul, New York City, The Brand New Heavies

Blockhead, THE MUSIC SCENE album review | shortandsweetNYC.com

Having produced tracks for indie artists such as Aesop Rock, Murs and Mike Ladd as well as being a part of the music collective Fun Action Committee, Blockhead’s latest project is an eclectic mix of mellow tunes culled from a wide array of jazz, funk, and obscure vocal samples. Most notably, his use of Fapardokly’s 1966 classic, “The Music Scene” for the album’s name and title track.

With a heavy beat on the jump and a hint of drum n bass at the end, the intro song “It’s Raining Clouds” is a great journey into the Manhattan-bred DJ-producer’s mind. Anthony Simon blends hip hop with the smooth sensibilities of downtempo, making it a uniquely dope album.

Other standouts: “The Daily Routine” with its gritty beat and vulgar dialogue between what appears to be a couple in love (or not) is classic material. Not only does Blockhead create some fresh sounds, his knack for naming tracks is out of the ordinary: “Which One Of You Jerks Drank My Arnold Palmer,” “The Prettiest Sea Slug,” “Tricky Turtle,” “Hell Camp” and “Farewell Spaceman.”

Nonetheless, as part of the UK-based Ninja Tune label, The Music Scene is the indie producer’s third LP, following Downtown Science (2005) and his solo debut, Music By Cavelight (2004).

ND McCray

25 March, 2010

album reviews, ambient, Blockhead, funk, hip hop, jazz, trip hop

Moody Tunes: 100 Days, 100 Nights

Signed to Brooklyn’s Daptone Records, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings have definitely brought the funk and soul back to R&B music. Though I’ve only been a fan for less than two years, the songs and emotions make me feel like I grew up on this stuff.

Nevertheless, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings’ fourth album, I Learned The Hard Way hits stores on April 6th; and they play the Apollo Theatre on April 30th. Tickets are $37.50.

ND McCray

11 February, 2010

funk, Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings, soul, videos

Interview: lead vocalist Barnaby Weir (of The Black Seeds) | shortandsweetNYC.com

Refresher: The Black Seeds are a New Zealand-based soul, funk, and dub-outfit who recently dropped their first North American album, Solid Ground. Earlier this month, I had the chance to chat with lead man/guitarist Barnaby Weir about their music and the Maori culture. Very insightful. Read the interview here.

ND McCray

27 January, 2010

dub, funk, interviews, music, soul, The Black Seeds

Honey Larochelle at Rockwood Music Hall

So last weekend had a chance to catch relative newcomer (or so I thought) Honey Larochelle at Rockwood Music Hall … and, I was immediately impressed by her soul sensibilities. Though the first 20 minutes of her set myself and a few other latecomers had to peer at a monitor in the excess area because the main floor was filled to capacity but, I’m still appreciating the last half hour as we were ushered into the main space and treated to some live gems to include one of my faves, “The One That Got Away.”

Nevertheless, it’s no surprise that Honey has performed with, or opened for many greats such as Roberta Flack, Donna Summer, and The Brand New Heavies, among others.

ND McCray

15 January, 2010

funk, Honey Larochelle, music, R and B, soul, videos

Stephanie McKay, Telling It Like It Is

Forgive me father for I have geeked out once again. My delight this time: Tell It Like It Is by singer-songwriter-guitarist Stephanie McKay.Released last year, Tell It Like It Is (Muthas of Invention) tells stories of trials and tribulations of a world around us, as seen by Bronx native, Stephanie McKay. The album: a hodgepodge of soul, funk, rock and hip hop. The vibe: smooth and funky. Her resume: worked with Portishead, Kelis, DJ Spinna, Mos Def, Roy Hargrove and a host of others. Hot tracks: “Tell It Like It Is” “Jackson Avenue” “Money” “Oh Yeah” “Sure Feels Goods” “Kinky” and ”Fiya.”

For a late-night groove, Stephanie McKay will be playing The Blue Note (131 W. 3rd St) on December 31st at 1am.

ND McCray

29 December, 2009

album reviews, funk, hip hop, music, rock, soul, Stephanie McKay, videos

The Black Seeds, SOLID GROUND music review at shortandsweetNYC.com

Want some soul, funk and reggae – New Zealand-style?? Take a listen to The Black Seeds, an eight-piece band out of Wellington. Read the review of their North American release, Solid Ground at shortandsweetNYC.

The Black Seeds – Make A Move

The Black Seeds MySpace Music Videos

ND McCray

17 December, 2009

album reviews, funk, music, reggae, soul, The Black Seeds

House & Dub Report #8 – Quiet Color

Once again, went around the world for this week’s report: to Cali for Mr. Funk Boogie himself, Dam-Funk (Toeachizown)

…to Bulgaria for the funk of KiNK (Psyche Funk EP),

…and to France with Uzul & SKREAM for that “Rumble Inna Station.”

As always, hope you enjoy the music as much as I enjoy finding it for you!
(Trust, there’s a lot of dancing going on)

Read & rock with it at Quiet Color

ND McCray

9 November, 2009

album reviews, Dam-Funk, deep house, dubstep, funk, KiNK, music, Skream, Uzul

Maiysha on Suite903

Maiysha is a Grammy-nominated Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter making her rounds on the independent music scene right now. Blending the genres of soul, funk, R&B, rock, pop, jazz, hip-hop and electronica, the full-time fashion model recently released her debut album, This Much Is True via Eusonia Records.

In the Suite903 clip, the artist speaks on her music, but you can also learn more about the woman from my talk with her in Nu-Soul magazine. You can also catch her LIVE September 23 and 30 at 8pm at The Living Room (154 Ludlow, NYC, 212.533.7237). No cover.

ND McCray

19 September, 2009

electronica, funk, interviews, jazz, Maiysha, music, pop, rock, soul, videos

Flashback Thursday: Jamiroquai

It was 1997. Bored. Flipping through the channels in my military dorm room in Tucson, Arizona I come across this insanely innovative music video – a cosmic groove with funky special effects and a skinny guy in a weird hat jamming along. I was sold! The video was “Virtual Insanity.” The group, Jamiroquai - a virtually unknown London-based acid jazz-funk-soul and disco outfit who turned MTV on its head with its quirky style. And it changed my so-so love for acid jazz into a bit of an obsession (hence, the Myspace and Twitter tags?). “Virtual Insanity” was the first single off their third album, Travelling Without Moving.

Since the early 90′s Jamiroquai has been delivering some funkdafied gems: Emergency on Planet Earth, The Return of the Space Cowboy, Synkronized, A Funk Odyssey, Dynamite and their 2006 greatest hits compilation, High Times. But if you haven’t seen the video, check it out. It still makes me say “WOW”… actually, all their videos are pretty cool to watch.

Jamiroquai – Virtual Insanity

Jamiroquai – Canned Heat
by Hakunamatata67

ND McCray

23 July, 2009

acid jazz, Flashback Thursday, funk, Jamiroquai, music, neo soul, videos

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