0 Classic Single and Album Cover Collections

• Website
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/12/2010

According to Royal Mail, "the album cover has been the medium of choice for some of the world's great graphic artists. Their work has not only reflected many musical cultures, but helped define them too. These images give a visual language to music that has influenced generations." A press release from Royal Mail caught our eye, as they have just released ten iconic classic album covers as part of their 2010 stamp program. Thousands of album covers were reviewed through various lists and polls. The result, a UK centric collection of images that include album covers from David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, and the Rolling Stones. Let's not forget about all of those 45 RPM sleeves that showcased creative graphic designer excellence. For a great collection of single song picture sleeve covers, perfect for wallpaper, check out PictureSleevePop.com. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Hip Hop Gods are Disciples of Classic Rap Web Site

• Website
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 11/20/2009

Here's the "honorary" official time keeper of the new website, HipHopGods.com. Public Enemy's Flava Flav wants you to check in for news, information, videos, content and commentary about classic old school hip hop. The plan for this site is to immortalize the legends of the genre. Check out the HipHopGods.com news page, poke through their blogs, (written by Darryl Mack, Chuck D., and others), and watch some of the classic videos from back in the day. HipHopGods.com has a nice clean look. Visually, it's well designed. One suggestion: where's the search engine? Maybe I missed it, but you've gotta have one of those. To get the VIP content, you should register with the site. A big shout out to Public Enemy for their excellent Washington, DC show yesterday (November 18), to benefit homeless youth. Thank you Chuck D. for turning everyone on to the HipHopGods.com website. See photos from the benefit concert on the Powerhouse Radio Facebook fan page. 2022 Update: Here's another Public Enemy photo on the Powerhouse Radio Facebook page from 2015 that I took in Atlantic City, NJ. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Picture Sleeve Pop Features 45 RPM Record Memorabilia

• Website
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 11/10/2009

Once upon a time, before the dawn of the compact disc, popular songs were creatively marketed using visual art to tease interest in the new releases. A cottage industry driven by music fans quickly blossomed as collectors enthusiastically embraced these colorful slices of culture containing cool images. Oh yeah, the music was pretty good too! 45 RPM vinyl records were a showcase for picture sleeve pop images of Elvis, Michael Jackson, and the Beatles. It was great promotion for all of the music artists. Charles Szabla has written Goldmine 45 Rpm Picture Sleeve Price Guide, one of the best definitive reviews about the artful genre. You'll find these pictures sleeves offered by collectors worldwide all over the Internet. I started collecting these sleeves when I was 12 years old, and I have a ton of them. That's why I created a showcase for them, PictureSleevePop.com. Classic soul, classic pop, and classic rock are all represented, so relive some magical memories, grab some wallpaper, and take a look at my personal collection of original picture sleeves from the 1960s through the 1980s. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Bootsy Collins, Teena Marie, Klymaxx, and ZAPP! get Unsung

• Website
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/15/2009

TV One will be profiling more vintage R&B talent on the 2nd season of their revealing documentary showcase: Unsung. To the lovers of classic soul, Bootsy Collins, Teena Marie, Klymaxx, and ZAPP! are successful performers with large fan bases. Unsung explores the premise that these artists peaked professionally at a level somewhat short of the massive impact of some bigger superstars, however, they deserve an investigative nod for their valuable contributions. Catch the new shows beginning Sunday, November 1, 2009, on TV One. Previous Post | Next Post

0 George Benson Releases Songs and Stories

• Website
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/23/2009

George Benson likes to throw rigid music categories out the window when he describes himself as "an entertainer" at heart. During his successful career, George has repeatedly walked across 'genre street' bridging jazz, classic soul, and straight ahead R&B. The new George Benson album, Songs and Stories, scheduled for an October 2009 release, leans toward the pop mainstream with tracks written by among others James Taylor, Smokey Robinson, Lamont Dozier, Bill Withers, and Donny Hathaway. In reading through the official George Benson biography in the About section on his website, it's clear that he has paid his dues excelling in a variety of award winning roles as both a guitarist and vocalist. Benson's hits are well known: "This Masquerade," "Give Me The Night," "Inside Love." A novelty favorite of mine is 1975's "Supership," a danceable ditty complete with ocean liner horn sound effects. Songs and Stories continues the George Benson legacy with these tracks: "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" "Family Reunion" "Show Me The Love" "A Telephone Call Away" "Someday We'll All Be Free" "Nuthin' But A Party" "Come In From The Cold" "Exotica" "Rainy Night In Georgia" "One Like You" "Living In High Definition" "Sailing" Join Mr. Benson as he continues his international 2009 tour: October 22, 2009 Westbury, NY - Westbury Music Fair October 24, Detroit, MI - Masonic Center November 12, Yerevan, Armenia - National Academic Opera and Ballet November 14, Moscow, Russia - Kremlin Palace November 16, Baku, Azerbaijan - Heydar Aliyev Palace November 18, Dubai, UAE - Emirates Golf Club November 19, Manama, Bahrain - Venue to be announced November 22, Rome, Italy - Sala Santa Cecilia November 23, Naples, Italy - Teatro Augesteo November 24, Bari, Italy - Teatroteam November 25, Catania, Italy - Teatro Metropolitan Previous Post | Next Post

0 The Pointer Sisters Keep their Trio Together

• Website
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/17/2009

The beat goes on for The Pointer Sisters, despite the loss of June Pointer in April, 2006. There's strength in the family when multiple generations can sing together to create harmony in the name of beautiful music. Issa, (on the right, with Ruth (left) and Anita Pointer (middle) is Ruth's daughter. Issa officially joined the group in 2003, and was 7 years old when the Pointer Sisters toured in 1985. Discover the official Pointer Sisters website. Catch the Pointer Sisters Saturday, September 26, 2009, at Bally's in Atlantic City, NJ. Previous Post | Next Post

1 Kool & the Gang Fall Tour

• Website
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/10/2009

Kool & the Gang take it to the stage this fall as they continue their 2009 tour. Mr. Bell and company still receive a lot of well deserved press. Scan through the Kool & the Gang history at their official website. There are several very good early Kool & the Gang albums (pre 1979 Ladies Night). I recommend their jazzy 1969 debut release, Kool & the Gang, and 1972's underrated funk frolic: Music Is the Message. Kool & the Gang are excellent live, so check them out when they come to your town. Friday, September 18, 2009 Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts Cerritos, CA Friday, September 25, Tropicana, Atlantic City, NJ Saturday, September 26, Tropicana, Atlantic City, NJ Sunday, September 27, Hollywood Bowl - Disco Fever 3, Los Angeles, CA October Friday, October 2, Gretna Heritage Festival, Gretna, LA Saturday, October 3, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Biloxi, MS Monday, October 12, Epcot Center, Lake Buena Vista, FL Tuesday, October 13, Epcot Center, Lake Buena Vista, FL Saturday, October 17, US Airways Center Phoenix, AZ Thursday, October 29, Steel Arena Kosice, Slovak Republic November Thursday, November 12, El San Juan Hotel & Casino, San Juan, Puerto Rico Previous Post | Next Post

0 Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. stay Sweet

• Website
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/28/2009

From her hosting stint with the TV show Solid Gold, to their solo hits, to their life with the 5th Dimension, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. are great examples of how far talent can take you. The official McCoo and Davis website proudly proclaims how the couple is "celebrating a lifetime of entertainment, distinction, and a legacy of giving." You don't have to be a star to be in their show. Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. will be appearing in Las Vegas July 3 - July 5, 2009, at the Suncoast Hotel. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Jody Watley Declares New International Independence

• Website
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/18/2009

Long after her fun-filled days with Shalamar, vocalist Jody Watley continued to release new songs via the independent music circuit. She's just expanded her reach, by signing an international marketing agreement with London based ADA-Global, who will distribute her Avitone Records independent back catalogue from 1995 to the present. Check out my 2006 update on Jody Watley's The Makeover album, which is scheduled to be revised and re-released soon as the first Avitone-ADA project. Jody has planned these upcoming mini-tour concert dates: Thursday, July 30, 2009, The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA, 8 pm Friday, July 31, B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, Times Square, New York, NY, 8 pm Sunday, August 2, Halstead Market Days Festival, Chicago, IL, 8:30 pm Follow Jody Watley: On Music, Pop Culture, and Life by reading her motivating blog updates. You can also learn more at the official Jody Watley website. Previous Post | Next Post

0 George Clinton is Commander in Chief of P-Funk

• Website
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 12/04/2007

George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic were all inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. P-funk master George, who will turn 68 next year, shows no sign of slowing down. "One Nation Under a Groove," Chocolate City," "Atomic Dog," "Flashlight." George Clinton's resume of funky hits are fan favorites. Innovators usually work hard for their success, and in the early years, George was no exception. He relates a very funny Parliament/Funkadelic story to Marc Taylor in Marc's excellent book, A Touch of Classic Soul 2: The Late 1970's. George Clinton is Commander in Chief of P-Funk. Catch the full back story on his official web site. Previous Post | Next Post