Categories
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0 Janelle Monae Jams with the Big Boys
- Video
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 08/10/2010
The latest 2010 darling of every music critic in the world seems to be Janelle Monae, the young Kansas City, Kansas cross-genre phenomenon. She's been slotted into contemporary R&B, neo-soul, dance-rock, indie rock, and pop-rock. Read what the music critics say about Janelle Monae. After listening to her album The Archandroid in it's entirety on one long summer car trip, I have to say that Janelle Monae is extremely gifted. She's a chameleon of styles. When singing without the protection of vocal production gimmicks, her friendly warm voice is exposed. Roberta Flack, Tina Turner, Beyonce, or Pat Benatar? Monae reflects them all in a wall-to-wall 18 track sonic assault. The Archandroid is schizophrenic with ambition. There's not much cohesion moving from one song to the next. As a decent 2nd album, Monae does deserve credit for producing something totally different. "Tightrope" featuring Big Boi from Outkast offers James Brown funkiness with the album's most accessible commercial selection. Note, the rest of the album is nothing like "Tightrope." Janelle Monae proves that there's always someone new on the horizon who can cut through the clutter of the "me too" clones and offer something unpredictable and fresh. Watch the well produced "Tightrope" video. Previous Post | Next Post
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0 One Million Fans Try a Little Tenderness with Otis Redding
- Video
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 06/30/2010
There's a reason why well over one million fans have enjoyed this 1967 Stax Tour Otis Redding live performance. Brightened up your day and watch the classic "Try A Little Tenderness." Previous Post | Next Post
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0 Video - Remembering Michael Jackson One Year Later
- Video
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 06/25/2010
Please watch this 90 second video below featuring my thoughts about the King of Pop's year long archival renaissance as we mark the first anniversary of the death of Michael Jackson. The date was June 25, 2009, one year ago. Previous Post | Next Post
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0 7 Songs that Score for the 2010 World Cup
- Video
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 06/17/2010
Here are 7 songs that score for the 2010 World Cup football - soccer experience happening now in South Africa. "Move on Up" - Angelique Kidjo, John Legend, and Bono written by Curtis Mayfield "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" - Shakira (the official World Cup song) "Sign of a Victory" - R. Kelly, (the official anthem of the World Cup) "Satellite" - Uwu Lena, (unofficial German football song) "Shout for England" - Dizzee Rascal "Wavin' Flag" - K'Naan (used by Coca-Cola ads) "Oh Africa" - Akon and Keri Hilson (used by Pepsi ads) Watcg the live version of "Move On Up" featuring Angelique Kidjo and John Legend. Previous Post | Next Post
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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