Lauryn Hill made a special appearance at this year’s “Rock The Bells” concert in New York recently (8/29). Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Swizz Beatz, Chris Rock, Alicia Keys, Bokeem Woodbine, Mary J. Blige, Michael Ealy, John Legend, Tracy Morgan and Estelle were all in the audience for a long awaited homecoming.
Hill says she is close to releasing her first new album in twelve years. She told The Guardian newspaper that, “it’s time.” The 35-year-old recently played this summer’s ‘Rock the Bells’ festival tour, performing songs from her debut solo album ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’, as well as a number of Fugees tracks. ”I have to upgrade [songs] a bit so that they’re still exciting, fresh and new”, Hill told MTV News, before adding, “I’m not sure if the audience really understands. We need, or at least I need, a certain amount of spontaneity, a certain amount of improvisation at every show … It’s that unknown, that literal X factor that makes every show different, and something I want to continue to do.”
Before her recent run of shows, Hill rarely made any live appearances since THE FUGEES played a reunion show in Hollywood in 2006. The band became internationally acclaimed after releasing their hit album The Score in 1996, which went six-times platinum in the US, selling over 18-million copies worldwide. She released her first – and so far, only – solo studio album in 1998, but speaking about the much delayed follow up, Hill says, “There’s been such a long period of time where I haven’t been able to communicate where my mind is, where my consciousness is, where my ideas are. This is an athletic discipline. You gotta be in shape to do it mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically. But it’s time.”
Hill’s second solo venture was an MTV Unplugged release that dropped in 2002.
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Prince has done impromptu sets at clubs around the country, and I imagine the world, for years. Last night (8/19), his highness was chillin’ at The Groove in New York, just after midnight. Whenever he’s popped up at a venue in any given city, he’s been known to take the stage or platform and perform. These series of random un-scheduled appearances, usually precede a tour. That said, I would not be surprised if we see dates popping up for Prince, in the relative near future.
Prince’s latest release “20Ten” hit the streets of Paris on July 8th. Friends of Prince in the US can pick up a copy of “20Ten” at Target.
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BELOW IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE GAP BAND’S PUBLICIST
Palmdale, California – August 16, 2010) – Robert Wilson, one third of sibiling funk trio, the GAP Band, passed away in Palmdale, California on Sunday, August 15, 2010, it was announced by his family. One of the funkiest bass players in R&B, Robert, together with his brothers, Ronnie and Charlie created some of the biggest R&B/ funk hits in the ‘70s and ‘80s including “You Dropped a Bomb On Me,” “Outstanding,” “Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)” and “Oops Upside Your Head.”
“My brother Robert was a bad boy on the bass,” stated brother Charlie. “We shared a bond as brothers, musicians and friends. I loved him and losing him is difficult for both Ronnie and I. The music world has lost a very talented man.” Robert’s bass playing inspired the likes of Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller and the late Wayman Tisdale, also a Tulsa native, among others. At the time of Tisdale’s death, he and Robert were working on a solo project. One of Robert’s classic bass solos was on the GAP Band hit, “Shake.”
The GAP Band first performed as the Greenwood, Archer and Pine Street Band in their hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The group shortened its name to The GAP Band in 1973. Their hits have been sampled and covered by R&B and Hip-Hop artists including Nas, Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat, Notorious B.I.G., Blackstreet, Shaquille O’Neal, Mia X, Mary J. Blige and Madonna. Musicians inspired by their music include R. Kelly, Keith Sweat, Ruff Endz, Guy, Mint Condition, Jagged Edge and Aaron Hall.
My two favorite GAP Band joints are unquestionably “Outstanding” and “Oops Upside Your Head.” ’Oops’ was so silly yet so incredibly brilliant at the same time!!! The rhythm – how Robert’s bass accented the percussion all underneath Charlie’s vocal and laughter…WHAT! TALK ABOUT FUNK — ”The bigger the headache, the bigger the pill, the bigger the doctor, the bigger the bill.” I bobbed my head to it numerous times and listen to it now as I write this entry.
Peace and Love to the Wilson Family
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“Grabbing Life by the Balls” and “Let’s Blow this Joint!” There’s beauty in simplicity. Every time I see these ads I can’t help but chuckle. So cheesy, so blatantly falic, they just make me laugh. Since I like Laura Linney, I’m looking forward to her new foray into television. An early fan of “Weeds,” I believe season two was the shows best yet. The ads for both these shows, as Showtime promotes “The Big C” and the sixth season of “Weeds,” are so suggestive. Mary Louise-Parker is the long green queen amidst a bush of men dressed in herbal green; while Linney wraps herself around two big balls of an hour glass, as sand passes through it, counting down her last days on earth. I’m planning to tune in to see how they play out. Liken to the new show “Hot in Cleveland,” Showtime is going with the old adage that sex sells! The day sex ain’t FUNKY, is the day I ain’t a Funk-A-Teer ;-P
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George Clinton’s “Horrorween” is in post-production. The King of Funk composed the soundtrack for the film and also has a cameo. When two students are working on a science project, they inadvertently create an inexpensive computer operating system and Internet browser that doesn’t crash. Scheduled for release around Halloween, it also features cameos from Jenna Jameson,William Shatner, Alice Cooper, Jay Thomas, Flavor Flav and Donald Trump.
Celebrated Turkish-German filmmaker Fatih Akin’s new movie Soul Kitchen, opens in New York on August 20th and in Los Angeles on September 3rd, followed by a national release. The winner of the Special Jury Prize and the Young Cinema Award for Best Film at the Venice Film Festival 2009, it also played at Toronto and the Tribeca film festivals. Akin’s film centers on a likable but hopelessly disorganized restaurant owner whose cafe regulars are a bunch of lovable eccentrics. Featuring an international ensemble cast, young restaurant owner Zinos is depressed. His girlfriend Nadine has moved to Shanghai, his Soul Kitchencustomers are boycotting the new gourmet chef, and he‘s having back trouble. Things start looking up when the regulars start to enjoy the new culinary concept, and that’s when the FUNK comes in. The film features music from Kool & The Gang, Quincy Jones, Mongo Santamaría and musical icons Sam Cooke and Ruth Brown. The soundtrack also features Hamburg hip-hop and electro sounds.
Lastly, Marlon Wayans will portray legendary comedian Richard Pryor in “Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said.” A biopic about the entertainer’s life, Chris Rcok and Adam Sandler are listed as producers. Wayans is also working on “Super Bad James Dynomite.” A man returns home after a long stint in prison. Once cool, he’s now hopelessly behind the times, our anti-hero wants revenge on the rival who framed him. Another on deck is Marlon’s “The Year of Living Biblically.” It’s an adaptation of the non-fiction book by A.J. Jacobs, in which a man tries to live in accordance with the Bible’s teachings as close as possible.
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If there’s some FUNKIER new MUSIC in stores right now, PLEASE, let a brother know. While browsing Best Buy recently, I came upon the new Black Keys CD “Brothers.” Priced at 10-dollars, I grabbed it based on the sonic fusion of soul, blues and rock of their last CD “Attack and Release.” Danger Mouse produced the duo’s “Attack and Release,” the guys did most of this one themselves, with some help from Mark Neil. Missy Elliott protégé Nicole Wray is a featured background vocalist on several tracks. And Danger Mouse re-appears as producer on the song “Tighten Up.” The disc begins with a thunderous opening on “Everlasting Light” and keeps you ridin’ through “Next Girl,” “Howlin’ for You,” and “She’s Long Gone.” The groove takes it down a thousand with the instrumental “Black Mud,” then gets retro with songs like “The Only One” “Too Afraid to Love You,” “Ten Cent Pistol” and “Sinister Kid.”
Steeped in the BLUES, “Brothers” channels the traditional sounds of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Jimi Hendrix, liken to Led Zeppelin incorporating elements of Willie Dixon in their music. Yes, The Black Keys have officially earned their “Blue Eyed Soul” card. They will surely garner fans of R&B and FUNK as those before them like Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone, Hall & Oates and AWB have. Oh yeah, these white boys can play some FUNKY music FUNK lover, fo’ sho! Here’s a side note, the CD gets white as you play it. It’s all black when you open it, but as it heats up, it turns to an eggshell color, keeping the letters in black to be read on a white background. The CD also has a pin-up poster in the package! Talkin’ bout’ keepin’ it ol’ skool – What! It’s worth the $10 bucks and more. If that’s not enough, you can buy the deluxe edition for $39.99 at the band’s website. “Brothers” is the sixth release from The Black Keys.
Lots of Love
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I don’t believe anyone would dispute the unique FUNK stylings of Prince when it comes to his music. Simply a master musician, he’s been categorized as a “Pop/ Rock” artist for the most part. His first release, “For You,” was a refreshing contribution to music. It featured songs like “Soft and Wet” and “Crazy You,” which offered a kind of latent hippie sort of vibe. It was the FUNKY rhythm of his first hit, “I Wanna Be Your Lover” from his second self-titled album, that perked up the ears of the R&B community. The Prince album also featured the song “I Feel for You,” which was later recorded by FUNK diva Chaka Khan on her album of the same name. As time moved forward and the era of FUNK fazed out, Prince got FUNKIER with his releases Dirty Mind through to Purple Rain. Never delivering music that would put him in any one category, along with his success was a clear passion for the color purple, not the movie mind you – the actual color.
Throughout the years, in addition to Khan, several women have recorded Prince’s music. Me’Lisa Morgan did a cover of “Do Me Baby,” which was a huge R&B hit; and Sinead O’Connor released a version of his song “Nothing Compares to You” that topped the pop charts. The Bangles recorded his track “Manic Monday”; Mica Paris did “If I Love U 2nite”; Cyndi Lauper covered “When U Were Mine”; and Tina Turner did a live cover of his fan favorite “Let’s Pretend We’re Married.” He’s worked with and produced songs for Sheena Easton w/ “Sugar Walls,” as well as helmed production on Carmen Electra’s self-titled only musical release. The man from Minneapolis has even done music for the legendary Mavis Staples and Patti LaBelle, who both have gospel roots, and transitioned into the world of secular music.
Stephanie Mills did a version of his B-Side tune “How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore,” but it was Alicia Keys’ cover of the song that got his majesty’s attention. Since then, Keys has channeled Prince in her music on a few of her songs. But none of them has been as profound as her recent single “Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart.” Some may say that it’s reminiscent of Prince’s music, some may say there’s no similarity at all. What is very clear that confirms his influence in her musical approach, is the color purple. Although some, for whatever reason, may want to deny that Keys is a disciple of Prince. The purple sea in her video for ‘Broken Heart,’ should put any misnomers to rest. The Purple Passion of Alicia Keys is so FUNKALICIOUS!!!! Check the video below:
And that wraps my purple passion report – as always, keep it FUNKY
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George Clinton walked the red carpet at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards for 2010. The living legend talked about his new album with fellow funk-a-teer Sly Stone. The dynamic duo are hoping the new CD is released this year, and Clinton announced that Stone recently got certain rights back to his classic catalog of music. Clinton stressed the importance of supporting the people that are devastated in Haiti and how he wants to do all he can to help them.
There wasn’t a lot of FUNK music featured at this year’s award ceremony, but there were a few very FUNKY performances. Sir Elton John gave Lady Gaga his blessings and endorsement for the opening of the show. Elton is undoubtedly one noted for being an innovator in doing shows in extremely eccentric costumes. The Black Eyed Peas have gone from an underground hip-hop trio to one of the most brilliant pop collectives of all time. Amidst their success and ability to transform, they remain organic with all their technological use -- they are indeed FUNKALICIOUS! Beyonce sang her hit “If I Were a Boy,” dropping in a little Alanis Morrisette mid performance. A brilliant Michael Jackson tribute showed that the beloved entertainer was a visionary and posed questions that we’ll long continue to ask. He was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, that was accepted by his children. Lastly, Pink was amazing with the performance of her ballad -- showing the world that she’s also quite the talented trapeze artist!!! She was TRULY FABULOUS!!!
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Although he wasn’t a member of a FUNK band, his raspy commanding voice was definitely FUNKY! Teddy Pendergrass made his transition recently, and many were saddened. More than feeling blue, I want to inspire everyone to remember the “Joy,” TP brought to so many!!! “Come here woman,” he ordered on “Close the Door,” and said “You got you got you got what I need,” on “Only You.” Teddy put the UNGH in R&B from “Miss You” and “Bad Luck” with Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes to “Turn Off the Lights” and “Get Up Get Down Get FUNKY Get Loose,” as a solo act.
Teddy Pendergrass would give Female Only concerts. He’d have lollipops made up that read “Suck Teddy” on them, that he’d throw out to the audience, as women would throw their panties on the stage – That’s FUNKY! Teddy’s voice was reminiscent of James Brown, yet he had a style all his own. Teddy wore some FUNKY threads too!
Among his works, I believe his album “Life Is A Song Worth Singing,” is quintessential Teddy. It was actually one of the first two albums I ever bought. The other was “Headlights” by The Whispers. The title of the album, is a philosophy that he embraced even after his horrible car accident in 1982.
Prior to Teddy doing lead vocals w/ Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, he was a “(Funky) Drummer.”
Stay Black
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Sade is not a funk band, nor is the lead singer for which the band was named a Funk vocalist, but I don’t believe anyone would dispute that they have given us some Funky music. To that end, her voice has definitely lifted many souls from a Funky place with her soothing tone.
“Soldier of Love” is the sixth studio album the band is releasing amidst their 25 year career, and the first since “Lover’s Rock” in 2000. For Sade herself, as the lynchpin of the group’s songwriting effort, it’s a simple matter of integrity and authenticity. “I only make records when I feel I have something to say. I’m not interested in releasing music just for the sake of selling something. Sade is not a brand.”
The call went out in 2008 for the group to re-convene at Peter Gabriel Real World studio, near Sade’s home in the countryside of south west England. It was the first time the four principals had met up since the Lover’s Rock Tour wrapped in 2001. Bassist Paul Denman de-camped from Los Angeles, where he had been managing his teenage son’s punk band, Orange. Guitarist and sax player Stuart Matthewman interrupted his film soundtrack work in New York, and keyboardist Andrew Hale gave up his A&R consultancy.
The album was completed in the summer of 2009, mainly at Real World. The feel of the music this time had moved away from the old country soul styling of “Lover’s Rock” and assumed a more eclectic identity. At times the band sounded like the original Sade, with Matthewman back blowing soft sax on “In Another Time” and the vocal on ”hymning”. But with songs such as the joyously quirky reggae chant “Babyfather”, and the dramatically arranged album opener ”The Moon and the Sky”, Sade were exploring new territory. “I never want to repeat myself,” Sade herself says. “And that becomes a more interesting challenge for us the longer we carry on together.” Helen Folasade Adu was born in Ibadan, Nigeria. Her father was Nigerian, a university teacher of economics; her mother Anne was an English nurse. The couple met in London while he was studying at the LSE and moved to Nigeria shortly after getting married. When their daughter was born, nobody locally was prepared to call her by her English name, and a shortened version of Folasade stuck. Then, when she was four, her parents separated, and her mother brought Sade and her elder brother Banji back to England, where they initially lived with their grandparents just outside Colchester, Essex.
She listened to American soul music, particularly the wave led in the 1970’s by artists such as Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway, and Bill Withers. As a teenager, she saw The Jackson 5 at the Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park, where she worked behind the bar at weekends. “I was more fascinated by the audience than by anything that was going on on the stage. They’d attracted kids, mothers with children, old people, white, black. I was really moved. That’s the audience I’ve always aimed for.”
Check out this YouTube clip that gives an overview of Sade’s career in music.
America has truly lost an icon of cultural signifigance. As a 20+ year veteran in the business of entertainment, my foundation would not exist, had it not been for him. Percy Sutton, the founder of Inner City Broadcasting – the home of New York’s first and only black-owned radio station, has passed. The remainder of this blog is taken from the Associated Press.
By CRISTIAN SALAZAR / Associated Press
Percy Sutton, the pioneering civil rights attorney who represented Malcolm X before launching successful careers as a political power broker and media mogul, has died. He was 89.
Marissa Shorenstein, a spokeswoman for Gov. David Paterson, confirmed that Sutton died Saturday. She did not know the cause. His daughter, Cheryl Sutton, declined to comment Saturday when reached by phone at her New York City home.
The son of a slave, Percy Sutton became a fixture on 125th Street in Harlem after moving to New York City following his service with the famed Tuskegee Airmen in World War II. His Harlem law office, founded in 1953, represented Malcolm X and the slain activist’s family for decades.
The consummate politician, Sutton served in the New York State Assembly before taking over as Manhattan borough president in 1966, becoming the highest-ranking black elected official in the state.
Sutton also mounted unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. Senate and mayor of New York, and served as political mentor for the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s two presidential races.
Jackson recalled Sutton talking about electing a black president as early as 1972. Sutton was influential in getting his 1984 campaign going, he said.
“He never stopped building bridges and laying the groundwork,” Jackson said Sunday. “We are very glad to be the beneficiaries of his work.”
In a statement released Saturday night, Gov. David Paterson called Sutton a mentor and “one of New York’s and this nation’s most influential African-American leaders.”
“Percy was fiercely loyal, compassionate and a truly kind soul,” Paterson continued. “He will be missed but his legacy lives on through the next generations of African-Americans he inspired to pursue and fulfill their own dreams and ambitions.”
In 1971, with his brother Oliver, Sutton purchased WLIB-AM, making it the first black-owned radio station in New York City. His Inner City Broadcasting Corp. eventually picked up WBLS-FM, which reigned for years as New York’s top-rated radio station, before buying stations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Detroit and San Antonio between 1978-85.
The Texas purchase marked a homecoming for the suave and sophisticated Sutton, born in San Antonio on Nov. 24, 1920, the youngest of 15 children.
Among Sutton’s other endeavors was his purchase and renovation of the famed Apollo Theater when the Harlem landmark’s demise appeared imminent.
Sutton’s father, Samuel, was born into slavery just before the Civil War. The elder Sutton became principal at a segregated San Antonio high school, and he made education a family priority: All 12 of his surviving children attended college.
When he was 13, Percy Sutton endured a traumatic experience that drove him inexorably into the fight for racial equality. A police officer approached Sutton as the teen handed out NAACP pamphlets. “N—–, what are you doing out of your neighborhood?” he asked before beating the youth.
When World War II arrived, Sutton’s enlistment attempts were rebuffed by Southern white recruiters. The young man went to New York, where he was accepted and joined the Tuskegee Airmen.
After the war, Sutton earned a law degree in New York while working as a post office clerk and a subway conductor. He served again as an Air Force intelligence officer during the Korean War before returning to Harlem in 1953 and establishing his law office with brother Oliver and a third partner, George Covington.
In addition to representing Malcolm X for a decade until his 1965 assassination, the Sutton firm handled the cases of more than 200 defendants arrested in the South during the 1963-64 civil rights marches. Sutton was also elected to two terms as president of the New York office of the NAACP.
After Malcolm’s assassination, Sutton worked as lawyer for Malcolm’s widow, Betty Shabazz. He represented her grandson, 12-year-old Malcolm Shabazz, when the youth was accused of setting a 1997 fire that caused her death.
Sutton was elected to the state Legislature in 1965, and quickly emerged as spokesman for its 13 black members. His charisma and eloquence led to his selection as Manhattan borough president in 1966, completing the term of Constance Baker Motley, who was appointed federal judge.
Two years later, Sutton announced a run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Jacob Javits, although he pulled out of the Democratic primary to back Paul O’Dwyer.
Sutton remained in his Manhattan job through 1977, the same year he launched a doomed campaign for mayor that ended with Edward I. Koch defeating six competitors for the Democratic nomination.
Sutton was among the first voices raised against the Vietnam War, surrendering his delegate’s seat at the 1968 Democratic convention in protest and supporting anti-war candidate George McGovern four years later against incumbent President Richard Nixon.
In addition to his radio holdings, Sutton also headed a group that owned The Amsterdam News, the second largest black weekly newspaper in the country. The paper was later sold.
Sutton’s devotion to Harlem and its people was rarely more evident than when he spent $250,000 to purchase the shuttered Apollo Theater in 1981. The Apollo turned 70 in 2004, a milestone that was unthinkable until Sutton stepped in to save the landmark.
Sutton “retired” in 1991, but his work as an adviser, mentor and confidante to politicians and businessmen never abated. He was among a group of American businessmen selected during the Clinton administration to attend meetings with the Group of Seven (G-7) Nations in 1995-96.
“He was a great man,” said Charles Warfield Jr., the president and chief operating officer of ICBC Broadcast Holdings Inc., when reached early Sunday. He declined to comment further out of respect for the wishes of Sutton’s family. The Rev. Al Sharpton planned a news conference Sunday to talk about Sutton’s life and legacy.
This Christmas I was very fortunate to get the gift of music. Two of my favorite people in the world bestowed treasures upon me that I’ll cherish for years to come. On Christmas Eve, as I did the last of the trimming to the tree, I opened my gift from Chantalle. It was a Beatles Christmas tree ornament. A scenic piece of pottery, the “Fab Four” are presented complete with instruments, as if they’re playing music from their early days of fame.
The Beatles have been a part of my life as long as I can remember. The only other group in music that made an indelible impression on me from my youth is the Jackson 5. To that sentiment, while I have not seen the A&E series featuring the remaining four brothers of that group, I have found myself listening to Michael pretty often lately. Partly because of missing him due to his passing, but mostly because I want to put in CDs these days that enable me to just press play, and walk away. THERE’S NOTHING FUNKIER THAN THAT!
That said, such is the case with Alicia Keys’ new release. A gift from my honey Kim. Keys’ new CD “The Element of Freedom,” is a just press play CD. Thanks Lady Keys, as from the Intro to the “Broken Down” version of “Empire State of Mind,” the album rocks, in an R&B / alternative pop fashion. Dare I say it, it’s her best record yet. I’ve loved everything Alicia has done up to now. Starting with her first project, “Songs in A Minor,” to the aforementioned new offering. Keys’ early success was by no means a fluke, as she’s evolved and grown with every album thus far.
Now the connection between The Beatles and Alicia Keys is that their artistry is unparalleled by most. In short, it’s not every artist that’s able to alter the sound that they deliver and still be consistent. The Beatles and Alicia Keys are two examples of musical entertainers who have been able to do this, without compromising their craft. That’s FUNKY!!!
Although the 1st single, “Doesn’t Mean Anything” from Alicia’s new CD didn’t blow me away initially, it grew on me. More significant than that, thematically, the theology of “Doesn’t Mean Anything,” “No One,” and “If I Ain’t Got You,” all share the same sentiment. Each song was the first single from her new and previous two releases. I’m listening to the new CD now and loving it. She’s taking chances, yet staying in a palatable lane. It’s a great album, although I love her either way, I can definitely say that objectively.
All that said, Keys’ and Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” is an immediate anthem! It’s a musical performance that will ring in the ears of millions for years to come! Undoubtedly and undisputedly comparable to the classic performance of Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” of yesteryear. Congratulations and hats off to them both for creating an all time classic! AN ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF THE ESSENCE OF FUNK!
It’s been a minute since my last blog entry. As we approach the end of 2009, the year 2010 has got to be Funky! Chillin’ in my Brooklyn lair, I’m looking forward to the victories and new beginnings that 2010 will bring.
What’s funky in music today?
Sound wise, BEP and Lady Gaga, with an electronic edge – they really brought it in 2009 with their music. Sade’s new single “Soldier of Love” is Funky!!!
Aspect wise, Jay-Z & Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind.” This song is a new anthem for New York in the tradition of Frank Sinatra’s performance of “New York, New York.” Whitney Houston and Maxwell’s return with new releases was Funky.
Funked up stuff!
The deaths of Michael Jackson, Bea Arthur, John Hope Franklin, Brittnay Murphy, Frankie Manning, Viola Wills, Wayman Tisdale, KoKo Taylor, Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett. May their gifts forever be cherished.
Tiger Woods – hang in there brother, nuff said.
The Funkiest thing of ‘09 has got to be the fruition of George Clinton’s “Paint the White House Black.” I’m talking Barack Obama in the White House. I’m talking about the bill for universal health care being signed. I’m talking about how all good things for those who do good manifesting in 2010!
More funk to come – Happy New Year! Keep it Funkalicious ;-P
At the peak of his career, Willie Hutch, was a songwriter and producer for Motown Records. It’s his version of the Jackson 5 hit “I’ll Be There,” that many a funkateer came to know his sound for.
In 1973, Hutch wrote the soundtrack for the FUNKALICIOUS flick “The Mack.” The album included the title track and the hit “Brothers Gonna Work It Out.”
Although the movie is a blaxploitation classic, the LP garnered more success and acclaim than the film. Maybe that’s why Willie’s face is karmically on the cover. Check out the history on the making of “The Mack.”
Two years later, Hutch did the soundtrack for the even more FUNKALICIOUS movie “Foxy Brown,” which starred Pam Grier (check out The FUNK of Pam Grier photo album).
The film’s opening credits were as steamy and FUNKY as the flick itself.
Hutch went on to release three more albums before doing the soundtrack for the Motown movie “The Last Dragon,” which starred the ever FUNKY Vanity in the lead role.
Willie dropped two more LPs in the 90s, “From the Heart” in 94 and “The Mack is Back” in 96. He released his last effort, “Sexalicious” in 2002. Hutch passed away at his home on September 19th in Texas of 2005. In short, Willie was FUNKY!!!
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Just watched a press conference post the “Beer Summit.” ”The Beer Bash,” featuring the brews of Bud Light for Barack; Blue Moon for James; and Red Stripe for Henry. I’d love to know what the sales increase for all three will be.
The police officer was the only one to speak to reporters after their chat. Although he appeared to be a bit inadmired with all the attention, he was humble and diplomatic and expressed in so many words that the events of the past two weeks have been essentially surreal to him. He also expressed that he and Gates will be meeting again over the next few weeks.
I’m not judging, none of us were there, we don’t know what happened. It was clear that Gates was in his own home when he was arrested, despite the circumstances, that still disturbs me. Maybe after a long trip and not being able to get into his house, Professor Gates was exhausted and crossed the line with a cop. However, has anyone thought about James Crowley’s name?
It’s Jim Crow at the end of the day.
In Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s own words from theroot.com
“Sergeant Crowley and I, through an accident of time and place, have been cast together, inextricably, as characters – as metaphors, really – in a thousand narratives about race over which he and I have absolutely no control. Narratives about race are as old as the founding of this great Republic itself, but these new ones have unfolded precisely when Americans signaled to the world our country’s great progress by overcoming centuries of habit and fear, and electing an African American as President. It is incumbent upon Sergeant Crowley and me to utilize the great opportunity that fate has given us to foster greater sympathy among the American public for the daily perils of policing on the one hand, and for the genuine fears of racial profiling on the other hand.”
Peace
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Ever since his death, music artists, bands, friends and fans have been paying tribute to Michael Jackson. The same week of his passing, BET changed the program of their entire awards show, to pay tribute to “The King of Pop.” BET began the event by playing a clip from a previous year, when Michael Jackson honored “The Godfather of Soul” James Brown. Michael draped JB with a cape, after he performed at the BET Awards that paid tribute to him. This year’s show included performances acknowledging Jackson’s music, from Ne-Yo, Keri Hilson and presenter Keke Palmer — opening with musical tributes from New Edition and host Jamie Foxx. During the evening, Foxx’s wardrobe and several others that took the stage, wore outfits inspired by Jackson.
On the day Michael’s body departed this earth, radio interjected musical tributes within their respective formats, while DJs played his music in clubs that evening across the country. The jam band Umphrey’s McGee even paid tribute to MJ at their show that night. The article below taken from spinner.com:
While Michael Jackson’s influence might not necessarily be immediately apparent in a band like Umphrey’s McGee that doesn’t mean it’s not there.
Thursday night, with very little prep time beforehand, the band encored with ‘Billy Jean’ at their concert in Richmond, Va. They also jammed parts of ‘Smooth Criminal’ and ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Something’ in their own songs throughout the night. It was their way of paying respects to the King, who died earlier in the day.
“There never will be another musical talent as captivating as Michael Jackson,” singer/guitarist Brendan Bayliss tells Spinner. “From the time he was five until his death, the entire world could never take its eyes off of him. His music was timeless, and like Bob Marley and John Lennon before him, it truly had a global impact. Very few musicians connected with people across lines of race and age, as well as international borders, the way Michael’s did. His death truly is a major loss for us all.”
His bandmate, keyboardist Joel Cummins, echos that sentiment by relaying his own experience with Jackson’s music: “I was 9 years old and first tape that I ever bought was Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller.’ I immediately felt a like I was more of a cool kid once I knew the songs. The arrangements, Michael’s voice and everything that went with that album just jumped out of the speakers like nothing else I’d ever heard,” Joel says. “I still have a tape deck in my car to this day, and the two tapes that get the most play are Led Zeppelin’s ‘Houses of the Holy’ and Michael Jackson’s ‘Off the Wall.’ The timelessness of his music speaks for itself.”
Umphrey’s McGee got their start in Bend, IN, not too far from the city of Gary, where the Jackson family grew up. Percussionist Andy Farag actually has a personal anecdote about Jackson. “I feel a sense of pride that such a musical icon was from Gary, IN, where my dad grew up,” he tells Spinner. “Fun Fact: Before the Jackson Five ‘blew up’ they played at my uncle’s prom.”
The following week, Beyonce incorporated a tribute to Michael in her current I Am Tour. Presently in Las Vegas, she’ll be on the road through Thanksgiving, taking the show to London’s O2 on November 14 & 16. Here’s a clip from her set during July 4th weekend at The Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.
On July 4th, Madonna paid tribute to the legend “Gone Too Soon.” The reigning “Queen of Pop” paid her respects at the O2 in London during her Sticky & Sweet Tour. The same arena where Jackson was to do his This Is It! Tour, which was to begin on July 13th. While performing “Holiday”, she integrated her tribute to MJ. At the end she said: “Let’s give it up to one of the greatest artists the world has ever known, Michael Jackson, Long Live The King!”
Since the BET Awards, Ne-Yo has continued to sing Michael Jackson’s music at his concerts. U2 performed “Angel of Harlem” at their show in Barcelona on June 30th. ”We wrote this one for Billie Holiday but we are going to play it tonight for Michael Jackson,” Bono told the crowd of 90,000 fans. “Unspeakable talent, that’s all there is to say, really,” he added, before the song morphed into Jackson hits “Man in the Mirror” and “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.”
On July 8th, the day after the release of his new CD Black Summer’s Night, Maxwell dedicated his performance of “This Woman’s Work” to Michael Jackson. Maxwell sang the tune at an exclusive performance, which took place at New York’s PC Richardson Theater in lower Manhattan.
Last week on his own 68th birthday (7/22), nearly a month after MJ’s passing, “The Godfather of Funk” George Clinton, requested that the audience give MJ a standing ovation before the show began. Clinton took the stage wearing a Michael Jackson t-shirt under his running suit.
All over the world, entertainers and fans alike have been singing the praises of Michael Jackson. People of all creeds and cultures were affected by and embraced his music. The aforementioned stories are just a few examples — Long live the King.
Peace
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George Clinton took the stage this past week on July 22nd at Englewood, New Jersey’s BergenPAC center. “This is a Homecoming,” said the hype man for George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, as the day marked his 68th birthday. Although he was born in North Carolina, New Jersey is a place George calls home, having lived and formed the band Parliament in Plainfield. Clinton also lived and rehearsed in Jersey’s capitol city of Newark, as well as the surrounding area, way back in the day.
The Museum Of UnCut Funk had the fortune to wish the Godfather of FUNK a Happy Birthday and shake the living legends hand.
Parliament Funkadelic did a three hour set, rendering the hits “Knee Deep,” “Up for the Down Stroke,” “Flashlight,” “Tear the Roof Off the Sucker,” and many more. Live in Bridgeport, Connecticut tonight (7/24), George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic land in Dublin, Ireland on July 31st.
Additional Tour Dates Below:
8/22 – Oxon Hill, MD
8/25 – Tucson, AZ @ The Rialto Theatre
8/27 – San Diego, CA @ Canes Bar & Grill
8/28 – Las Vegas, NV @ Hard Rock Cafe
8/29 – Los Angeles, CA @ Club Nokia
8/30 – San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
9/01 – Portland, OR @ McMenamins Crystal Ballroom
9/02 – Seattle, WA @ Snowbox SoDo
9/05 – Tokyo, JAPAN for the Tokyo Jazz Festival
9/11 – Fort Worth, TX @ Will Rogers Memorial Ctr.
10/3 – Philadelphia, PA
10/31 – New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans City Park
11/07 – Bronx, NY @ Lehman Center for the Perf. Arts
Peace
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My friend Kweli reminded me that Michael Jackson sang background vocals on Stevie Wonder’s “All I Do” the other day. It wasn’t that I’d forgotten, I just hadn’t thought it about in years. Communicating via Internet, leaving a comment on one of the many social networks we choose to use these days, I said, “I’m listening to it right now.” In reality I was recounting the vocals of the song in my head, All I doo, is think about you… This morning, I actually put Stevie’s Hotter Than July on. I’m listening to it now for the third time, as the first time, by the time I got to the chorus of “All I Do,” I was weeping for my brother Michael. Just when I thought I was finished crying, “Rocket Love” begins to play. The lyrics, You took me riding in your rocket and gave me a star, but at a half a mile from heaven you dropped me back down to this cold cold world play and now I’m balling worse than before. I lit three candles for Michael today. One for him, one for the light he gave to the world and one for his 3 children; while each candle is for each of them.
I’m full yet again -- as certainly not all I’ve been doing has been thinking of him, but he’s been on my mind a great deal “Lately,” not to mention all the media coverage he’s been getting. Five years my senior, Michael’s been there ever since I was seven years old. IT’S LIKE HE’S ALWAYS BEEN THERE. The Jackson 5 song “ABC,” was a number-one hit in 1970. The Jackson 5 became the only group in history whose first four records went to Number-One. ”I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save” and “I’ll Be There,” garnered them 25,000 dollars for every performance at the gate of their career. This was an unprecedented feat for a band at that time. The Jackson family is THE ROYAL FAMILY of music in America. The “King of Pop” is “Gone Too Soon,” I love and miss him so.
HE DID HIS WORK, FULFILLED HIS “DESTINY,” did his best to “Heal the World.” Earlier I thought, I probably won’t see another like him in my lifetime. But then there was a point I thought, I’d never see a Black man as President of these United States either. So hopefully there will be another that brings the brilliance of Michael Jackson, however, he possessed a magic that was all his own. One who can sing, dance and produce, although he wasn’t a hands on musician. He’d relay vocally how he’d want the music to sound, Che’mon…
I hear-by condemn all the “doctors” who chose money over ethics and had a hand in his deteriorating health. At the same time I commend those doctors and nurses that did the moral thing, by not enabling or indulging him just because he could afford it. There are families in Michael’s home state of Indiana who can’t afford health care today. Yet hundreds of people in medicine unscrupulously provide anybody, with any kind of drugs they want for the right price. This behavior obviously attributed to Michael’s early and untimely demise. I don’t need to know the final results of the autopsy to determine that, it’s a matter of mere deduction.
AN INTERNATIONAL TREASURE, LET ALONE A NATIONAL TREASURE; A POP-CULTURAL ICON, LET ALONE A MUSICAL ICON!!!
I spoke to friend of mine in Japan the other day, he told me how all throughout Tokyo everyone he encountered and those he observed were sad. When I first heard that he had passed, the news was softened for me, as I was told by my wife about an hour earlier he had suffered from “cardiac arrest.” It hadn’t been said that he was dead. My wife works in radio, so the station was on alert for more details. Before my she got word at the station, a friend called me and asked me if I heard that he had died. “No, he’s suffered from cardiac arrest,” I said, only to find out about an hour later that he was gone.
Fortunately his music will LIVE FOREVER. “The Way You Make Me Feel,” popped into my head the other day. Every so often I realize that’s one of my favorite songs by him. Like “All I Do,” “The Way You Make…” are songs of love, two that express such a blissful state of love, the kind every loving creature hopes it finds in another, one that will last forever. The way I fortunately feel about the love of my life, a love I have the fortune of sharing with another. How unfortunate that a man who has to be LOVED BY AT LEAST A BILLION, MAYBE EVEN A TRILLION PEOPLE, could not find such a love in his lifetime. I had the fortune to see him perform. I WENT TO A MICHAEL JACKSON CONCERT!!!!! -- The Bad Tour!!! Che-mon…
While he sang “You Are Not Alone,” to heal others, he didn’t fully realize somehow that the same applied to him, as we were ALL here with him. But then that’s somewhat of a false connection, as ALL of us were not his immediate family. WHILE WE ALL LOVED HIM, I mourn for the family and relay to them my condolences. I pray for them and for all of those who are missing our beloved brother, our son, our mentor – whatever he was to you. In whatever capacity he inspired you, I feel for you and walk with you in your sentiments, as we CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF MICHAEL. THIS IS NOT A SAD DAY, BUT A HAPPY AND GLORIOUS ONE – AS WE REJOICE IN THE GLORY OF A BLACK MAN BEING ABLE TO FULFILL HIS DREAMS!!!
Some may ask but at what cost? There’s so many more things I can say… I’m glad he’s at peace. MICHAEL JACKSON LIVED, that’s the beginning and the end.
I took a photo of this image below that I saw while in the Manhattan on 7th avenue yesterday. It’s such a blatant random expression of the IMPACT Michael had on the world. It was painted on a false wooden front for a building. A structure that’s created while a portion of a building is under construction.
Peace & Love
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What an honor it was to speak to Miriam Makeba. When we got together, she spoke of her relationship with Stevie Wonder, how she enjoys the music of Erykah Badu and her marriage to Black Panther leader Stokely Carmichael.
Best known for her international hit “Pata Pata,” Miriam and I met when she was promoting what would be her last musical release – Enjoy.
Peace
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I spoke to the late Roger Troutman and the group Zapp one summer just before the turn of the century. Interviews were conducted backstage at the World Trade Center, as the band was taking part in an annual initiative sponsored by local radio station 98.7 KISS in New York. Every year, KISS would feature outdoor concerts in the middle of the Twin Towers, which no longer stand.
In addition to Roger, I had in-depth discussions w/ Big Rob, Rick, Roger’s brother Terry “Zapp” Troutman (who the group was named after), Nicole, Dale (the band’s then Music Director and spouse to Shirley Murdock) and Bart.
We lost Roger Troutman and his brother Larry to tragic circumstances. On April 25th of 1999, Roger died at the age of 47.
Peace
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