0 Howard Hewett Heads back to the Spotlight

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/14/2006

Former Shalamar member Howard Hewett has been what he calls a "weekend warrior" these past few years, performing over 120 live shows annually for fans. His history of hitmaking includes "I'm For Real," his first #1 hit in 1986, "Stay," "I Commit To Love," "Strange Relationship," "Once, Twice, Three Times," and "Show Me." Hewett's fans also can't get enough of his original modern gospel classic "Say Amen." He released the inspirational album The Journey in 2003, and has recorded over the years with Babyface, George Duke, Brian Culbertson, Joe Sample, and The Rippingtons. Hewett is cool with the term "comeback" to describe the new project he's currently writing and recording for Groove Records. Howard is co-executive producing the as yet untitled album, his first strictly R&B/pop recording since 1994's It's Time, with Ralph Johnson, the Grammy winning Hall of Famer and founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Classic Soul Summit Summons Gordy, Gamble, Huff & Bell

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/12/2006

Condensed From Frost Illustrated, Fort Wayne, Indiana... "Philadelphia International Records recently released editorial sound bites and photos of an extraordinary forum that brought together for the first time the four men collectively responsible for the rise of the R&B/classic soul genre... The hit making machine brain-trust are Motown founder Berry Gordy, Philadelphia International Records founders Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, and Stax Records founder Al Bell. The historic question and answer session held at the landmark Gamble-Huff recording studio in Philadelphia, provided an intimate setting for industry trailblazers Gordy, Gamble, Huff and Bell to collectively reflect on their musical genius. "To have the four architects of classic R&B/soul together in one room, under one roof at the same is beyond belief," said Philadelphia International Records Executive Vice President Chuck Gamble, who orchestrated the forum as one of several special events taking place in 2006 to celebrate The Sound of Philadelphia's 35th anniversary. "We are still digesting it." That's because Gordy, Gamble, Huff and Bell are responsible for countless hits recorded by many of the world's top artists including Motown's: Temptations Supremes Stevie Wonder Smokey Robinson Marvin Gaye Philadelphia International Records: O'Jays Patti LaBelle Teddy Pendergrass Lou Rawls Billy Paul Stax Records: Issac Hayes Al Green Otis Redding The Staple Singers . The rare gathering of these pioneers was videotaped in front a live audience that included Motown R&B songwriting veterans Brian and Eddie Holland; Claudette Robinson of the Miracles; Chubby Checker; Bunny Sigler; Chuck Jackson; and William "Poogie" Hart of the Delfonics. Also present was actor Clifton Davis who wrote the 1971 Motown hit single "Never Can Say Goodbye" recorded by the Jackson 5, and some of the young R&B hitmakers of today including: Andre Harris and Vidal Davis (Dre and Vidal) who have created music for Usher, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige and Will Smith. Carvin Haggins and Ivan Barias who have produced songs for Musiq and Faith Evans. Prolific songwriter and renowned Motown artist Smokey Robinson made a surprise appearance at the gathering and immediately joined Gordy, Gamble, Huff and Bell in the discussion. Audience members watched as the men who brought classic soul music into their lives humbly and eloquently took turns reflecting on their unmatched successes, thousands of songs created, countless artists recorded, and friendly behind-the-scenes label rivalries. "Gamble and Huff would come out with these songs that would amaze us and we'd say man, how did they get that," said Gordy as he called the Motown-Philly relationship a "loving competition." Moderated by veteran Philadelphia radio personality Dyana Williams, the three-hour discussion was lighthearted in terms of content but passionate as it related to the many reflections shared. R&B crooner Gerald Levert encouraged today's songwriters, producers and artists to "bring back to the industry the camaraderie" that Gordy, Gamble, Huff and Bell exhibited at the forum. Levert noted that although the four icons were steering three separate record labels at one time and were in essence competing for music sales, "they still shared a bond with one another at the end of the day." "Who knows?" said Chuck Gamble, when asked what happens next. "Maybe next time, we'll go to the world-renowned Motown Hitsville studios in Detroit or to the venerated Stax museum in Memphis. We can't let this die. We have to keep it going." Previous Post | Next Post

0 Soulful Cover Girls Challenge Mr. Richie

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/05/2006

Here are three very anticipated major releases coming your way this month? Beyonce' "B Day" (Tuesday, September 5) Lionel Richie "Coming Home" (Tuesday, September 12) Janet Jackson "20 Years Old" (Tuesday, September 26) Look for all three artists to get their promotion machines in high gear. Lionel Richie's been getting strong television exposure. Beyonce' and Janet Jackson have been recent cover girls for Essence and Vibe magazines respectively. I'm guessing Beyonce's release will be the most popular of the three. Both Janet and Lionel need strong comebacks. Can they do it? Previous Post | Next Post

0 Earth, Wind & Fire Heat up Summer

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/30/2006

Earth, Wind & Fire wrap up a full Summer of touring this Labor Day Weekend in Florida. Look for them in Tampa, and West Palm, weather permitting.   Here are group members Verdine White, Philip Bailey, and Ralph Johnson (left to right). Relive our highlights of the Earth, Wind & Fire, Rufus and Chaka Khan 30th anniversary concert, 5 years ago this weekend, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Timeless Love from Smokey Robinson

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/23/2006

Motown legend Smokey Robinson croons into the pop standard world on his new CD, "Timeless Love." Queen Latifah, Ronald Isley, and Chaka Khan have also put together similar vintage song collections that spotlight the pre-R&B era. Smokey sticks closely to the formula and presents classic standards featuring great writers of unforgettable tunes. He takes on Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, and other famous composers in this soulful salute to "Timeless Love." The tracks include: You Go to My Head I'm in the Mood for Love/Moody's Mood for Love Our Love Is Here to Stay Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words) Night and Day I'm Glad There Is You More Than You Know Speak Low Time After Time I Can't Get You Anything But Love (Baby) I Love Your Face I've Got You Under My Skin Tea for Two Sarah Vaughan, King Pleasure, and Ella Fitzgerald may have made some these songs famous, but Smokey delivers the goods 'Crusin' the melodies in a style all his own. Robinson is one of the best song writers of his generation. "Timeless Love" is a classy salute to an earlier group of innovators who crafted words into amazing songs that just may last forever. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Music Critics Mild about OutKast Idlewild

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/22/2006

Today is the scheduled release date for the much anticipated soundtrack "Idlewild," by OutKast. The movie of the same name, starring OutKast pair Big Boi and Andre Benjamin, opens this Friday, August 25th. As described by IMDb, Idlewild is "a musical set in the Prohibition-era American South, where a speakeasy performer and club manager Rooster (Big Boi) must contend with gangsters who have their eyes on the club..." "His piano player and partner Percival (Andre Benjamin) must choose between his love, Angel (Paula Patton) or his obligations to his father (Ben Vereen)." Ever since OutKast busted out with their huge cross-over hits "The Way You Move," and "Hey Ya!," the bar has been raised pretty high for their follow-up material. Soundtracks and movies can often be judged independently, especially when the music becomes a cultural phenomenon on its own, (think Saturday Night Fever, or even Purple Rain). On the other hand, soundtracks must work with the images on the screen, as music and other audio effects are always added after the filming is completed. In some ways, it's unfair to judge soundtracks and non-film related music CD's the same way, but everybody does. For Idlewild, the music critics are stirring up debate over how the release stands up independently of the film. Here are some comments... ---------- New Musical Express: "If the only charge you can level at 'Idlewild' is that it's a bit long and uneven and self-indulgent... well hello, this is their (OutKast) jazz album! That's what jazz is like!" "You still couldn't name another artist on the planet who could set themselves such a ridiculous challenge and pull it off with this much pizzazz." "In any other hands this would have been a total disaster, but yes, things are never quite that simple with these two. The other thing about OutKast is that even when they make no sense whatsoever, they're rarely anything less than brilliant."   All Music Guide: "Even its highlights fall short of OutKast's past and fail to transcend its assortment of inspirations. Little of it sticks." "The music of the '30s seeps through a handful of tracks, the best of which is led by Big Boi protege Janelle Monae, a young vocalist who stomps and sways through her time in the spotlight."   Entertainment Weekly: "OutKast's seventh album, Idlewild, doesn't do much to suggest the group has a bright future. Instead, it finds the duo still going their own ways as they face a dubious challenge: how to wedge rap vocals into Depression-era swing, blues, and vaudeville arrangements." "It all plays out in the soundtrack to a movie musical set in the mythical 1930s Georgia town of Idlewild." "If this is the multimedia spectacle the OutKast brain trust has selected to punctuate their transition from Dirty South musical pioneers into pop megadandies, it's a bust."   Rolling Stone: "Idlewild mixes up swing, blues, hip-hop and R&B without losing a step..."   Billboard: "Film-specific songs like "Make No Sense at All" and "Call the Law" fall flat out of context." ---------- These are five broad opinions about the music of Idlewild. We'll see how well both the soundtrack and the movie are accepted. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Dramatic August Debut for Mary J. Blige

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/15/2006

When she was 21 years old, Mary J. Blige was crowned the queen of hip hop R&B soul. On August 15, 1992, her first single, "You Remind Me," climbed to #1 R&B and #29 pop. Who says karaoke doesn't pay? Mary J. recorded Anita Baker's "Rapture" as a demo at a suburban New York City shopping mall on a karaoke machine. Like so many artists, a church choir was her calling while living in Savannah, Georgia. Between 1992 - 1997, three of Mary's five albums reached #1 R&B ("What's the 411," "My Life," "Share My World"). Her latest release is the well received "The Breakthrough." At peace with herself, there's no more drama for Mary J. Blige. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Usher on Broadway to Shakeup Chicago

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/09/2006

2006 marks the 10th anniversary of the musical Chicago on Broadway. Grammy Award winner Usher is the latest star to cast his large shadow on the New York City stage. Chicago has made big box office bucks. In 2002, Queen Latifah was nominated for a best supporting actress Oscar for her role in the film adaptation. The movie went on to win six Academy Awards. The Broadway production won six Tony Awards in 1997. Usher will jump into the role of Billy Flynn. The flamboyant Roaring 20's musical offers plenty of jazz-based heat to keep the action hot for the 27 year-old Usher. "This is a very exciting time in my career," says Usher. "I have always admired Broadway actors for their showmanship, dedication and focus that goes into performing live on stage every night." "Being on Broadway allows you to connect to audiences in a whole new way that's different from music and movies. When they asked me to play Billy Flynn in "Chicago," I jumped at the chance to be a part of such an amazing production." Usher's acting resume is pretty impressive. He's appeared in the movies "She's All That," "The Faculty," "Light it Up," "Geppetto," "Texas Rangers," and "In the Mix". His television credits include "The Twilight Zone," "7th Heaven," "Moesha," and Dick Clark's "American Dreams" (portraying Marvin Gaye). Usher's 5th album, "Confessions" released in 2004, dominated the album charts and broke numerous records. "Confessions" sold over 15 million copies and spun off four phenomenal #1 Pop and #1 R&B hit singles. Usher has earned countless awards including 5 Grammy Awards, several American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, BET Awards, and Billboard Awards. You get the feeling he'll be a hit on Broadway too. Usher joins the cast of Chicago at New York's Ambassador Theatre on August 22nd, and continues to shine through October 1, 2006. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Queen Latifah Leads Girl Power Tour

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/08/2006

On Sunday, August 13, the final leg of this year's steamy 2006 Sugar Water Festival tour heads to the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. Kicking off at 6:30pm, headliners Queen Latifah, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Mo' Nique, and Kelis take the stage to perform their magic. Look for lots of curves, milkshakes, and "boys in the yard," checking out this sizzling summer show. Oh yes, the ladies will be there too. If you've seen this tour over the past year, (in either 2005 or 2006), let us know what you liked best. Previous Post | Next Post

0 King of Sax Rocks Queen of Soul

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/03/2006

Atlantic Records is at it again. Hot on the heels of two new vintage CD releases: "Soul Sisters" and " Soul Brothers," the label is releasing expanded versions of live classic R&B albums from Aretha Franklin, and King Curtis. Aretha's "Live at Fillmore West," recorded in 1971, will now have 13 additional tracks added to the amazing album (with new songs hand picked from various sets Aretha recorded at the historic venue). Her duet with Ray Charles, "Spirit in the Dark," is the show stopper on "Live at Fillmore West." King Curtis, who opened for Aretha at the legendary concert palace, gets featured with his own "Live at the Fillmore." The late "Memphis Soul Stew" saxophone guy churns up some lively instrumental versions of many hit songs from back in the day. There seems to be no end to the terrific classic soul material sitting inside of record company tape and vinyl vaults. The tracks are just waiting to sonically re-emerge on our own personal digital listening devices. Previous Post | Next Post