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- Video
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 06/10/2010
After all these years, Oakland, California's Tower of Power just doesn't seem to want to slow down. This is a band at their best when they're jammin' live. Take a look at the Tower of Power 2010 tour schedule. New Jersey, Milan, Italy, Switzerland, Las Vegas: the guys are pumped to deliver the funk. I've checked them out a couple of times live and they rock. Enjoy this video from 2006 featuring their classic, "Soul Vaccination," all across the nation! Connect to Tower of Power on Facebook. Previous Post | Next Post
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0 10 Parliament - Funkadelic Freeze Frames
- Video
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 05/19/2010
Some music artists get really creative commissioning expressive cover art on their albums. Just look during the height of the vinyl record era for some of the most memorable masterpieces. From classic soul, Earth, Wind & Fire, the Ohio Players, and Parliament - Funkadelic are 3 great examples. Watch the one minute slide show featuring some of leader George Clinton's most memorable Funkadelic cover-branding visuals to promote these well received albums. There is no audio in the slide show. As a special bonus, grab the Funkadelic "Electric Spanking of War Babies" wallpaper from our sister website, PictureSleevePop.com. Previous Post | Next Post
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- Video
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 05/12/2010
Here's a 60 second Earth, Wind & Fire slide-show video featuring their provocative album cover art. Previous Post | Next Post
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0 The Winstons Color Him Father
- Video
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 05/06/2010
"Color Him Father" is one of those rare positive message songs that graced the classic soul - pop radio airwaves back in 1969. Washington, DC's the Winstons created this song. Fast forward to 2010, as a new group of Winstons under the direction of trademark owner Joe Phillips continues to keep the sound alive. Although none of the original members from the 1969 crew are in the current group, the new Winstons have been performing since 1996. They've released a new 4-song EP disc with: "Don't Blame It On Me," "Still," "Good Single Lady," and "Put Your Hands Up." My favorite, "Put Your Hands Up" (for your father), salutes those great dads who take care of business. "Still" captures the sound of love by staying true to the Commodores original. "Good Single Lady" gets going with the Johnnie Taylor "Disco Lady" rhythm. Novelty hooks are great to generate a buzz about a song, and the EP title track "Don't Blame It On Me" has one. There's comical amusement in the serious message scorning those deadbeat dads who refrain : 'The kid is not my son.' We've heard this before in "Billie Jean." Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen for yourself to 59 seconds of "Don't Blame It On Me," then watch the Winstons perform their classic "Color Him Father." Previous Post | Next Post
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0 The Delfonics Debut Harmonic Philly Soul
- Video
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 04/09/2010
The Delfonics set the stage for the Stylistics, the O'Jays, and the eventual parade of other future smooth Philly-soul vocal groups. The sound of the Delfonics was not the funky sound of Motown, Stax, Memphis, or Chicago. Producer Thom Bell enhanced what the Delfonics created to eventually popularize this style of quiet storm R&B. Philadelphia's original Delfonics: Wilbert Hart, William Hart, and Randy Cain first recorded for the Cameo Parkway label. Thom Bell would grab them for his Philly Groove label, releasing "La La Means I Love You" in 1968. Major Harris, of "Love Won't Let Me Wait" fame would replace Randy Cain in 1971. As Marc Taylor describes in his book A Touch of Classic Soul: Soul Singers of the Early 1970's, there were 2 sets of Delfonics touring in the 1980s because of a legal fight over the name. There will be no confusion when you watch and listen to my 30 second slide show below featuring "the real" Delfonics. Previous Post | Next Post
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- Video
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 04/07/2010
Back in 2002 on Powerhouse Radio, I started playing "Iwoya," an Angelique Kidjo duet with Dave Matthews from her album, Black Ivory Soul, released that year. Kidjo is a unique artist from West Africa, (Benin), mixing it up with a potpourri of eclectic world rhythms and soulful funky beats. She's just released her 9th album, OYO, singing in both traditional and English languages. James Brown's "Cold Sweat," and Curtis Mayfield's "Move on Up" (with John Legend & Bono) are a couple of the English language tracks. Don't worry about the language barrier, as this is universal music. Kidjo has unfortunately never received a lot of exposure in the USA. Perhaps this time around with a new album, things will change. Her current tour is catering to her European fan base, with these 2010 dates: April 11, Krefield, Germany - Kulturfabrik April 12, Berlin, Germany - Kesselhaus April 13, Hamburg, Germany - Fabrik April 15, Frankfurt, Germany - Botfabrik April 16, Cully, Switzerland - Cully Jazz Festival April 17, Paris, France - La Cigale April 20, Copenhagen, Denmark - Amager Bio April 21, Helsinki, Finland - Savoy Theatre April 22, Oslo, Norway - Cosmopolitan April 24, Stockholm, Sweden - G?tak?llaren Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to Angelique, John Legend, and Bono sing "Move on Up" (59 seconds) from her new album, OYO. Watch Angelique Kidjo & Joss Stone perform "Gimme Shelter," a blast from the past. Previous Post | Next Post
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0 Gil Scott-Heron Hears the Music Again
- Video
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 01/26/2010
Who is Gil Scott-Heron? 2022 update: A specific comment about his website removed... his official website featured the Scott-Heron story until his passing in 2011. For Gil, it's always been about the message in the music. Here's what his condensed biography says: "Gil Scott-Heron is an American poet, musician, and author known primarily for his late 1960s and early 1970s work as a spoken word soul performer and his collaborative work with musician Brian Jackson." "His collaborative efforts with Jackson featured a musical fusion of jazz, blues and soul music, as well as lyrical content concerning social and political issues of the time, delivered in both rapping and melismatic vocal styles by Scott-Heron." "The music of these albums, most notably Pieces of a Man and Winter in America in the early 1970s, influenced and helped engender later African American music genres such as hip hop and neo soul." "Scott-Heron's recording work is often associated with black militant activism and has received much critical acclaim for one of his most well-known compositions "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." "On his influence, Allmusic wrote "Scott-Heron's unique proto-rap style influenced a generation of hip-hop artists." Yes, this is all true. "The Bottle" is probably Gil's biggest hit, an uptempo prophetic warning about boozing, drinking, and the evils of alcohol. Gil has a brand new album, I'm New Here, to be released February 8th in the U.K., and Tuesday, February 9, 2010 in the USA. Watch his new video, "Me and the Devil." About the video...once you get past the skate boarders, look for Gil to do his thing! Previous Post | Next Post
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0 Jennifer Hudson Serenades Barack and Michelle
- Video
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 11/24/2009
Here's a very short video featuring USA first lady Michelle Obama speaking to young women from the White House Leadership and Mentoring Program about the musical entertainment planned for the President's first state dinner, Tuesday, November 24, 2009, headlined by Jennifer Hudson. To see the First Lady talk about how protocol and hospitality at state dinners can help foster good relations and build strong friendships among world leaders, watch the first 16 minutes of Michelle Obama's 2009 Mentoring Program remarks at the White House on YouTube. Bonus video 2022 update on YouTube: Jennifer Hudson performed again four years later as President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama danced during the January 21, 2013 Inauguration Ball celebrating Obama's 2nd term reelection. Enjoy the Al Green music! Previous Post | Next Post
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0 Temptress Tina Turner Tantalizes at 70
- Video
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 11/23/2009
Anna Mae Bullock, the international diva from Brownsville, Texas, celebrates her 70th birthday as Tina Turner on Thursday, November 26, 2009. She has a wonderful 4 minute video that first appeared on TinaTurnerBlog.com in 2008 featuring her reflections about 50 years in the music business. Tina says in the video that she wants to give her fans what they want while she tries to keep the music presentation fresh. Her comments about fashion are revealing! Here's the video on YouTube posted by TinaTurnerBlog.com. Tina Turner: dynamic visual appeal, bombastic vocal range, and trailblazing crossover success! Previous Post | Next Post
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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