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 Public Enemy to Help Homeless Youth

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 11/17/2009

Public Enemy, featuring the reunited Flava Flav and Chuck D, will perform Wednesday evening, November 18, 2009, at the G.W. Lisner Auditorium in Washington, DC. The US Congress has designated November as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, sponsored by Virgin Mobile USA's RE*Generation initiative to help homeless youth. Proceeds from the Public Enemy show will benefit the Sasha Bruce House. The world premiere of Kyocera's ALL Access documentary will be presented prior to Public Enemy's performance. Kyocera created an ALL Access rock documentary from Virgin Mobile's FreeFest music festival, featuring interviews with Public Enemy, Weezer, Franz Ferdinand, Taking Back Sunday, Blink-182 and others. Bring a new or gently used coat to help DC's "One Warm Coat" initiative and you will receive a V.I.P. upgrade while they are available. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Howard Hewett Christmas

• Christmas
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 11/12/2009

Howard Hewett found independence in his solo career the second time around when he moved on from Shalamar to pursue additional interests. Just after December 25th, 2008, I was able to get a hold of his new holiday album: Howard Hewett Christmas. Timing is everything, so last year's missed opportunity opens the door to a new season of cheer, a perfect time to take a look at this still relatively new release. Fans easily connect Jody Watley's female voice to the aural personality of Shalamar's vocal blend. There were several guys in the history of Shalamar, so in many ways, Howard Hewett is an undiscovered lead singer. He gets the job done on Howard Hewett Christmas. I can't say that there's an aspect of his voice that really makes it unique, but he performs the songs well using very tasteful arrangements. The carols are just contemporary enough to give the songs a new millennium edge without drifting into gimmicky waters. It's easy listening, with some great help from among others: Stevie Wonder who performs a harmonica solo on "The Christmas Song." George Duke produces a couple: "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" and "That's Christmas." Howard collaborates with other writers for a couple of pleasant original songs, "That's Christmas" and "I Remember Christmas." Ralph Johnson of Earth Wind, & Fire fame plays drums on several tracks and produces 5 of the songs. Howard Hewett Christmas is delightful. The tempo is just right for relaxing listening. "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" "The Christmas Song" with harmonica soloist Stevie Wonder "Sleigh Ride" "That's Christmas" "Baby It's Cold Outside" "Christmas Time" "Christmas On Sunset, interlude" "I Remember Christmas" "What Child Is This" "This Christmas" "Silent Night" Your browser does not support the audio element. Enjoy 30 seconds of "Baby It's Cold Outside," a duet with Jasselle. She sings her part in Spanish, Howard sings his part in English. 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 Wynton Marsalis Christmas Jazz Jam a Gem

• Christmas
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 11/05/2009

Mix some soulful swing with a generous portion of good old New Orleans gusto, and you have Wynton Marsalis at his multicultural best on the contemporary Christmas Jazz Jam, new for 2009. Watch the video below for a taste of Wyton's virtuosity. I had the pleasure of attending a Wynton Marsalis concert in St. Paul, Minnesota several years ago. Without question, Mr. Marsalis commands technical dominion over his horn with the skill of a world class surgeon conducting a scalpel. Improvisation for an instrumental player is key to pumping excitement into traditional repertoire, and Christmas Jazz Jam doesn't disappoint. This is the first Wynton Marsalis holiday album in 20 years. He's joined by his septet to present the following traditional songs: "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" "Mary Had a Baby" "Jingle Bells" "Blue Christmas" "Go Tell It On the Mountain" "O Christmas Tree" "O Little Town of Bethlehem" "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" "The Christmas Song" "Good King Wenceslas" "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" "Greensleeves" Wynton Marsalis is a Pulitzer Prize/Grammy Award winner, with more than 70 albums in his portfolio. Christmas Jazz Jam is available on iTunes, and exclusively at Target.  Bonus! Wynton reads 'Twas The Night Before Christmas Previous Post | Next Post

0 Michael Jackson This Is It Movie Review Video

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 11/02/2009

This Is It, a film exposing Michael Jackson's intimate passion for music, style, excellence, and perfection easily exceeded my expectations. The rehearsal scenes in Los Angeles for the planned London concert tour make up the heart of This Is It, with revealing moments confirming the dominant personality of the king of pop as he takes charge and controls the creative process down to the smallest detail. At 1 hour, 52 minutes, This Is It includes a satisfying assortment of Michael Jackson hits. Video features to support the music are elaborately staged as they pop up between music segments. Even the casual Michael Jackson fan will enjoy this intimate look at what goes on behind the scenes when a unique professional performer exposes his soul through the lens of mastering his craft. Watch my 2 minute video review of This Is It. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Whodini Spooks Halloween with Haunted House of Rock

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/29/2009

"Freaks Come Out at Night" was a 1984 hit released by the sophisticated hip hop - R&B ensemble Whodini. Jalil Hutchins, John "Ecstasy" Fletcher, and deejay Drew "Grandmaster Dee" Carter made their international mark with a string of popular favorites including the memorable "Friends." "Freaks Come Out at Night" has no connection to Halloween, but the Whodini hoot "Haunted House of Rock" does. Listen to 60 seconds of "Haunted House of Rock" by Whodini. This contemporary monster mash is no Frankenstein antique. Your browser does not support the audio element. Bonus Scares: 11 Halloween Music Picks to Spook Your Soul Halloween Funk from the Devil Town Vampire Ghoulish Grooves Make up Funky Halloween Treats Previous Post | Next Post

0 Natalie Cole Rebounds from Unforgettable Crisis

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/27/2009

Tragedy, challenges, and tough times are no stranger to Grammy Award winner Natalie Cole. Her ups and downs have been well documented. The high visibility of her most recent crisis has magnified the consequences of some past behavior that she's now coping with. Here's a well written story by Meg Grant, Natalie Cole's New Life, that pulls back the curtain on a lifetime of misfortune, success, and survival. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Lisa Lisa Hits Em the Freestyle Way

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/22/2009

Lisa Velez, the 'Lisa Lisa' in Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, has been called the Queen of Freestyle. Bustin' moves belting out uptempo tunes is only half of her appeal. Lisa Lisa charms you with her bubbly vocal cheerfulness. Ballads live in her comfort zone too, as demonstrated in the ginger delivery of Lisa Lisa's classic slow jam "All Cried Out." Life 'N Love, released in July, 2009, is her latest album featuring 13 new tracks. Looking back into the 1980's, you don't have think very long to remember at least 6 vintage Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam hits: "Can You Feel The Beat" "I Wonder If I Take You Home" "Lost In Emotion" "All Cried Out" "Head To Toe" "Let The Beat Hit 'Em" The New York City native is on the road to reconnect with her friends and fans. Lisa Lisa has several dates with some familiar faces to party to the freestyle groove. Different acts will appear with her on different dates, including Stevie B., Shannon, Expose', and Rockwell. Friday, October 30, 2009, Arizona State Fair - Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, AZ Saturday, October 31, QC's 20/20, Montebello, CA Friday, November 6, Club KXX, Route 66 Casino, Albuquerque, NM Friday, November 13, Taj Majal, Atlantic City, NJ Saturday, December 19, Magic City Casino Amphitheater, Miami, FL Previous Post | Next Post

0 Brian McKnight Welcomes the Evolution of a Man

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/20/2009

Tuesday, October 27, 2009, is the official release date for Brian McKnight's highly anticipated Evolution of a Man, a new 14 track collection. Notable collaborations on this album include a couple of duets featuring Brian with Stevie Wonder, and Jill Scott. It's been just about one year since McKnight presented his successful holiday album, I'll Be Home for Christmas. Evolution of a Man touches varied material from ballads to reggae reflected on these tracks: "The Brian McKnight Show" "Just a Little Bit" "I Bet Cha Neva" "What I've Been Waiting 4" "When U R Loving Me" "Never Say Goodbye" "Stay Tuned" "Next 2 U" "I Miss U" "Always Be My Baby" "Baby It's U" "While" "Another You" "Not Alone" Previous Post | Next Post