Black Eyed Peas - The End Album Review
Posted by Benny | Filed under Music News
So another year has come past, with a brand new Black Eyed Peas album. Now I will admit right from the start that I have not been a fan of the Black Eyed Peas as a group for the last couple of albums, due to the fact they appeared to sell-out and completely flip on everything they ever stood for. Saying that however, I did enjoy Will.i.am’s solo album “Songs about Girls” and much of his music production and beats he has done for others such as Estelle, Kanye, Common and John Legend.
The reason then I gave “The E.N.D” the time of day is that as a party, club banging track “Boom Boom Pow” actually wasn’t bad, and I found myself enjoying it a little bit too much on regular occasions. William record saying that this new album is not an electro album or a rock album or a hip hop album - and I agree with him. Whilst the majority is clearly biased to a dance, electronic vibe, it does not completely dominate in one particular genre.
Jazzy Jeff & Slum Village - Are You Ready
Posted by Matty | Filed under Hip Hop
Ever since i have been giving Blue Funk Radio a steady stream of hiphop, there have been many names on my mind that i have desired to share with the lovers of Hiphop and Funk music.
Ladies and Gentlemen, i present 3 of those names in one hot track: Jazzy Jeff, Slum Village including the late champion of beats, Jay Dilla (aka Jay Dee).
It has it all folks: a hot n simple sound with smooth flows running all over it.
This comes from Jeff’s Magnificent EP, and Jazzy Jeff has been keeping a fairly low profile in the HipHop scene. From his start in the 80’s as “DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince”, it took more than 20 years for Jeff to release the Magnificent EP, his first solo album. Why so?
He was originally signed with Sony, and as the Fresh Prince was becoming Will Smith the actor in the 90’s, he worked on a label called A Touch of Jazz, as Sony wasn’t giving him love, so to speak. Haven’t heard of it? You would’ve head of Jill Scott and Musiq Soulchild, because thats where those two great artists began, and A Touch of Jazz continued to help other artists such as Floetry, City High and Dave Hollister until 2002, where a UK label wanted Jeff to produce a solo album. After the success of this album, The Magnificent, he began touring and finally getting the recognition he deserved. in 2005, he helped out Will for his recent solo album Lost & Found, and The Return of the Magnificent (Jeff’s next solo) came out soon after.
Blue Funk pays homage to artists who keep their roots alive in the changing times we live, and if you’d like to know more about Jeff and what he’s doing, go to Jazzy Jeff’s Site . Enjoy!
Carlitta Durand & Phonte - This Time Around
Posted by Benny | Filed under Music Videos
In a very similar vein the to music style of the ambient R&B that was featured on the newest Foreign Exchange album, this new rnb, hiphop track produced by RoddyRod hits the mark just as good as Nicolay did.
With relative up and comer Carlitta Durand on vocals, and Phonte doing what he does best - harmonising and dropping a verse, it lives up to the hype. We found this on the OkayPlayer Thread that Phonte posted and thought it definitely deserved exposure on our website.
The reason we posted the video rather than the audio clip is because it is a perfect compliment to the song. Two people that didn’t work out after a broken up relationship go back to their day jobs and doing their thing. However, from the clip anyway, it appears the girl wants to come back and promise it will be better this time around. As you all know, we love the story clips on Blue Funk and Carlitta, Phonte and RoddyRod don’t disappoint.
If I really had to be critical, I just hope that Puma paid up to have their sneakers and shop plastered throughout 50% of the clip.
So sit back and zone out to some beautiful hip hop soul.
Michael Jackson “This Is It” Tour Dance Auditions
Posted by eddie | Filed under Music News
The below Press Release has been released Tuesday, May 19th 2009:
500 Dancers Fly to Los Angeles for Extraordinary Auditions.
Amazing Innovations in Staging and Set - New Benchmark for Live Entertainment
Rehearsals for the Michael Jackson shows are well underway and already the King of Pop is hard at work preparing his concerts with show director Kenny Ortega and contributing choreographer and dancer from the Dangerous and HIStory tours, Travis Payne.
Shrouded in secrecy and the subject of much speculation as to their content, the shows have created a level of excitement never witnessed before. Fittingly, for such an out of this world show, rehearsals are taking place south of Silicone Valley, west of the NASA Space Center!
One of the highlights of rehearsals has been the dance auditions. With over 5,000 applications received, the number was narrowed down to 500 potential candidates, flying into California from all over America, and as far away as Australia, Canada, Japan, Europe, UK, and South America. They are some of the greatest dancers the world has to offer, and they were there for one reason - Michael! His influence inspired many of them to become dancers in the first place.
The competition was intense during the 3 days of auditioning at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles. Michael Jackson was present along with Kenny and Travis to make the final selections. The challenge to secure a place in the show became a reality for fewer and fewer as the level of competition increased. Dancers were tested on their strength, skill, style, creativity, fitness, commitment and execution
Ortega says, “The level of dancers that we saw at the auditions was incredible. Michael was extremely hands on throughout the process in working with the dancers and selecting the final candidates. It was an exciting, intense and highly creative process and not an easy decision in the end.”
The final line-up of just 12 dancers includes an exceptional mix of international performers. Selected to perform alongside Michael Jackson at London’s O2 arena are US dancers Charles Kapow, Ricardo Reid, Tyne Stecklein, Misha Hamilton, Mekia Cox, Nicholas Bass, Danielle Rueda-Watts and Christopher Grant. As well as, Timor Steffens from Germany, Australian dancer Shannon Holtzapffel, Daniel Celbre and Devin Jamieson from Canada.
Randy Phillips, President & CEO of AEG Live, commented, “Watching Mike and Kenny create this spectacle using the greatest repertoire in contemporary music is one of the most exciting experiences in my career in live entertainment. The fans who are flocking to see Michael Jackson’s return to the stage will not be disappointed. From the special effects to the quality of the dancers and musicians, we are setting a new standard for major arena shows”.
Be clear that this is not just a concert, “This Is It” will be a fully integrated musical experience combining theatre, film, music and the latest advances in technology. Movies, music and movement all rolled into one! . Michael is present at rehearsals overseeing every detail day in day out and constantly pushing the bar slightly higher.
Ortega adds, “It is an intense and exciting creative period. Onstage with the greatest entertainer of our time, we have a strong, talented, dynamic group of dancers and musicians. These are artists whose talent, dedication, skill and passion for performing with their idol is felt every hour of every day spent rehearsing. What is going to take place on that stage at The O2 arena in July will truly be inspiring.”
By the end of the 50 concerts, 750,000 fans will have witnessed one of the greatest musical events in history. This will be the last chance to see the King of Pop in London - a historic stage show, and once in a lifetime concert experience - this really is it!
Note To Editors - One of the world’s most popular entertainers, Michael Jackson has sold over 750 million units worldwide and is one of the very few artists to be inducted twice into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Guinness Book of World Records has recognised Michael Jackson as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time and Thriller as The Biggest Selling Album of All Time. Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards and received the American Music Award’s Artist of the Century Award.
Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” 50 concerts sold out in a matter of hours on March 13th smashing box office records.
Production Notes:
Kenny Ortega, Producer / Director
Travis Payne, Associate Director /Choreographer
Michael Cotten, Production Designer
Patrick Woodroffe, Lighting Designer
Michael Bearden , Musical Director
Bugzee Hougdahl, Production
Manager
Robb Wagner, Screen Producer
Kenny Ortega, the renowned Director, Producer, Choreographer and creative talent is hard at work collaborating with Michael Jackson in the overall design and direction for the upcoming ‘This Is It’ concert shows.
Ortega previously worked on Michael Jackson’s Dangerous and HIStory tours, some of the most spectacular shows ever staged. Ortega, having once been in partnership with Gene Kelly, is most recently known for his work as the Director and Choreographer of Disney’s, High School Musical 1, 2 & 3. Ortega also Produced and Directed the Barbra Streisand’s Millennium concert tour and is a two time Emmy award winner for his work as Director and Choreographer of the 2002 Winter Olympics opening and closing ceremonies in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Soulive - Clap (feat. Black Thought)
Posted by Matty | Filed under Hip Hop
Soulive. Jazz and Hiphop and Soul and Funk and a whole lot more.
They’ve been around for some time now, and this trio (by name, Eric Krasno, Neil & Alan Evans) has been touring, performing and rockn crowds ever since before they were opening acts for such greats as The Roots, John Mayer, Common, and believe it or not, The Rolling Stones.
I had reservations about this track, as it doesn’t give a well rounded compliment to their sound, because their older albums and still in their new stuff, they compliment a live jazz sound with a beautiful smooth melody. But here i present Clap! featuring one of the few hiphop artists to grace their album Steady Groovin’.
Black thought and certainly Roots fans will recognize Black’s raps from other Roots tracks (Game Theory for one, but the other verse has almost the exact verse as in Rhymes and Ammo), but its still on repeat on my player.
If you’re looking for more on this fantastic group, click this link for live shows and latest releases.
If your looking for hiphop with a jazz feel, and you hate the cheap radio synths and mpc beats of today’s so called “hiphop music”, Soulive is definetely your next iTunes album.
Soul for Real - If You Want It
Posted by eddie | Filed under Jamz, Music Videos
“Soul for Real” is one of the longest and still functioning American R&B groups of all time. From 1992 until the present day, Soul for Real has not given up its soul. Right now, the group is almost 16 years old.
One of the few R&B groups let alone American R&B groups in which the members are composed of siblings. Soul for Real is known for the combination of soul and hip-hop dubbing it “hip hop soul.”
The group is made up of Andre Dalyrimple (born April 4, 1974); Brian Dalyrimple (born December 14, 1975); Christopher Dalyrimple (born April 30, 1973); and Jason Dalyrimple (born May 10, 1980). All four were born in and hail from Wheatley Heights, New York, USA.
The group formed back in 1992. They spent most of their time singing in the choir of their church. Soul For Real was discovered by Heavy D, who led the American hip-hop group known as “Heavy D & the Boyz.” While they formed back in 1992, they did not release their debut album until 1995 when they signed with Uptown Records.
Candy Rain, the single, reached the top of the charts in R&B. The song also reached number 2 on the Hot 100. The song “Every Little Thing I Do” reached number 11 on the R&B chart.
In 1995, Soul For Real released its debut album known as “Candy Rain.” There was the single known as “Candy Rain.” At the end of the year, the album reached Platinum in sales. On the Billboard 200, Candy Rain ranked 23. Candy Rain sparked two R&B hits. In short, Candy Rain was a major accomplishment for Soul For Real, and now a classic.
See what Jase has been up to lately, new unreleased tracks!
The Commodores - Too Hot Ta Trot
Posted by Benny | Filed under 70s Funk
Signed up in 1972, The Commodores did a lot of great funk music in the 70s. Launching Lionel Richie’s career, even though he left later on to persue a solo career, the stint that the original group together has left us with some fantastic funk beats.
Hitting a top of 24 on Billboard Charts in 1978, the song was already released in 1977. The apparent reason for its rise up at the later date was the fact it was featured in the 70s hit movie, “THANK GOD IT’S FRIDAY” - which was released in 78.
The groovy funk threads in this clip, especially the oversized, plastic sunglasses sums up what 70s funk music was all about. The synths and guitar are signature 70s funk and the sound carried on through to their other classic tracks such as BrickHouse, a staple of any wedding DJ mix. So go grab the track off iTunes and place it into your Saturday Night party mix.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Get On Top (Live @ Yokohama, 2004)
Posted by eddie | Filed under Jamz, Music Videos
Now here is the Chili Peppers playing an original track in 2004 live in Yokohama, Japan. You guys probably have heard this track before from their 1999 album Californication.
Produced by Rick Rubin, Californication marked the return of John Frusciante, who had previously appeared on Mother’s Milk and Blood Sugar Sex Magik, to replace Dave Navarro as the band’s guitarist who was their guitarist on One Hot Minute. Frusciante’s return was credited with changing the band’s sound altogether. The record was a notable shift in style from what was produced with Navarro, and brought the band back to their best.
In a musical world dominated by Hip Hop beats, synthesizers, and emo stylin’, The Chili’s are by far one of the few commercial bands left these days with a sound so drenched in the Soul, Blues, and Funk syncopated feel we all know we love, hidden deep, deep down inside. This ultimately earns them a coveted spot amongst the greats on Blue Funk Radio!
Pfft… Who cares, just dance!
Blue Funk Radio's aim is to provide you with all the classic Funk Music and Soul Music from every decade. No matter whether its new or old, great funk music is timeless.