0 Michael Jackson Tribute by the Commodores

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/09/2010

"Nightshift," the haunting tribute hit by the Commodores memorializing Marvin Gaye, among others, was released in 1984. The song won a Grammy Award in 1985. 25 years later in 2010, the Commodores have re-recorded "Nightshift" with their original production team (Dennis Lambert & Peter Wolf) as a tribute to Michael Jackson. They've done a nice job updating this classic soul gem. Listen to 45 seconds of "Nightshift," a tribute to Michael Jackson. Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Bloodstone Stays Cool with Natural High Vibes

• Songs
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/07/2010

"Natural High" was Bloodstone's only certified-gold single. "Why do I keep my mind, on you all of the time" lyrically opens the #4 R&B, #10 pop 1973 hit. Group member Charles McCormick, (2nd from the left), wrote this classic soul ballad for his wife, his senior-class high school sweetheart. Bloodstone was formed in Kansas City, Missouri, by McCormick, Harry Williams, Charles Love, Willis Draffen Jr., and Roger Durham. When the temperature gets hot, "Natural High" puts you in a cool state of mind. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Sly Stone's July 4 Flag Day

• Photo
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/02/2010

July 4th flag day with Sly & the Family Stone from their album There's A Riot Goin' On. Have a safe one! Previous Post | Next Post

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

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

0 George Clinton to Hangout in Hampton VA

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/22/2010

George Clinton will help Hampton, Virginia celebrate it's 400th anniversary with a funk party on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 8 pm. 200,000 plus attendees are expected to gather at one of the East coast's largest family-friendly festivals for the weekend. On the evening of the show, George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic will take to the City Hall stage. It's the 28th annual Hampton Bay Days weekend, an event founded in 1982 to remind the public about the importance of the Chesapeake Bay in the Hampton Roads, Virginia, and Maryland region. In other recent George news... George Clinton and El DeBarge perform a great tongue-n-cheek version of Barry White's "Never Gonna Give You Up" on George's 2008 CD, George Clinton and his Gangsters of Love. Previous Post | Next Post

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

0 Oil Spill Worries Won't Stop The Essence Music Festival in New Orleans

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/15/2010

The last time I was in New Orleans, I was treated to a trip on one of those paddle wheel riverboat casinos (right out of the Mark Twain era). Bayous, the mighty Mississippi, and the Gulf of Mexico keep the aquatic soul of New Orleans hummin'. Despite the problems from the recent Gulf oil spill, the reliable Essence Music Festival makes it's annual appearance July 2nd through July 4th, 2010 in the Big Easy. Pig-out on regional shrimp gumbo at your own risk, although we don't want to be accused of questioning the safety of the area's seafood. You'll experience some of the best food, and some of the best music found in any USA city right in New Orleans. The Essence Music Festival main stage headliners keep the tradition alive during the July 4th holiday weekend. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Tower of Funk Power

• 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

0 Roberta Flack Keeps Her Song Soft and Mellow

• Biography
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/08/2010

Always the master of timeless R&B, Roberta Flack continues to serenade audiences with her elegant mixture of toned down pop, soul, and jazz. Roberta's official biography tells the story... "Classically trained on the piano from an early age, Ms. Flack received a music scholarship at age 15 to attend Howard University." "She was "discovered while singing at the Washington, DC nightclub Mr. Henry's by musician Les McCann, and promptly signed to Atlantic Records resulting in the release of a string of big Roberta Flack hits." An interpretive album of Beatles' classics is occupying lots of Roberta's time, even as she sings to audiences during her 2010 tour. Her Roberta Flack School of Music at the Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx, New York, provides inspiring music education to underprivileged students free of charge. That's Roberta giving back to the community. Roberta Flack live features the following dates: Saturday, June 12, 2010, DC Jazz Festival, Washington, DC Saturday, June 19, McDonald's Gospelfest, Prudential Center Arena, Newark, NJ Friday, July 9, Vancouver Island Music Fest, British Columbia, Canada Saturday, July 17, BFLO Jazz Festival, Delaware Park, Buffalo, NY Sunday, July 25, Calgary Folk Music Festival, Calgary, Canada Saturday, September 4, Tokyo Jazz Festival, Tokyo, Japan Saturday, September 18, Mayo Civic Center Theater, Rochester, MN Previous Post | Next Post