Erika Rose was born in New york from a Jewish mother and a Jamaican father. She grew up in Queens and Manhattan, studied dance and piano and attended the Alvin Ailey School, where she met Alicia keys another student there at the time. Her family moved to Florida,but Erika did not forget about her passion for music. She co-wrote "A woman's worth" and 3 more songs on the "Diary of Alicia Keys".She first became Alicia's assistant then her tour manager. Later on, Erika released her own album entitled "Rosegarden" influenced by her mixed background. In 2005 she met Om'Mas Keith of SA-RA ( I talked about them earlier check it out) who collaborated with her on "Rosegarden". With diverse influences as Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder,Santana,Sade ..Erika has created a surprising album where rock, pop, soul, jazz and funk fuse beautifully taking you to a magical place. http://www.myspace.com/erikarosegarden
Born Will Bevan, BURIAL is a producer coming from South London mixing electronic music with elements of dubstep, 2 step garage and house music. After the release of several EPs, the turning point was probably his 2006 album "Burial" which received excellent critics (among which Wire Magazine's review who also voted it album of the year).Release of the second album "Untrue" was even more popular. William Bevan remained anonymous for quite a while, very little was known about him. How cool is that??? We all like mystery!Well. At least we have a picture!
12/14/09
The first time I heard of Janelle Monae was a little while ago when she had released her album "Metropolis". I was first surprised that she was signed by Bad Boy Records and was intrigued by something that vaguely reminded me of Outkast. Exciting I thought!! Janelle Monae grew up in Kansas City which she left to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Later on, she headed to Atlanta where she met ...Outkast!!! My first impression was right then;) This pretty eclectic artist has a very 'original sound and mesmerizing presence', says Diddy.I have to agree with that. Check her out!!!
Spicy trio, Friendly Fires is composed of Ed Macfarlane, Edd Gibson and Jack Savidge. Pop/Disco/Tropical...taking a look at their myspace page, I started scratching my head wondering what they could sound like! Those guys are too much!! :D .The band formed in 2006 in St Albans, England. They released their debut album in 2008. Make sure you check out "Jump in the pool" and "Skeleton boy" as well as their single "Paris", pretty wild.
One of my friends sent me a picture of a this group performing live , apparently, they already opened the show at a Steve Spacek's live performance, and performed also with DJ Krush. Composed of three members, this band is from New Zealand. Their sound is a mix of Hip Hop, Soul , Psychedelic musics. They collaborated with Om'Ras Keith (from SA-RA), Waajeed (Platinum Pied Pipers), and Steve Spacek ..Their EP "Everywalking Hour " is to be released soon.
Fashawn is an underground rapper coming from Fresno,California. As a child, he dealt with a pretty difficult family background, his father being in prison and his mother suffering from drug addiction. But growing up in the streets did not stop him from pursuing his dreams.His tenacity and passion for music were soon to be rewarded. In 2006, Fashawn released his first mixtape called "Grizzly City" which got him the attention Of Fresno MC and Planet Asia. His debut album "Boy meets World" entirely produced by Exile proved him to be one of the leaders of the underground scene in Central California.He has collaborated with many other rappers such as Evidence, The Alchemist, Krondon,Blu, Mistah Fab (...) and has worked with reputable producers of the Hip hop scene Mick Boogie and terry Urban.
Born Benjamin Bensussen in San Diego,California. This LA based DJ has a very eclectic style. His creations can range from psychedelic sounds to world music elements with strong hints of 70's funk music, dubstep and Hip Hop. Producer working with "Flying Lotus" under label "Brainfeeder Records".He released many unconventional CDs between 2007 and 2009: "Gaslamp Killers" (2007), "It's a rocky road"(2007).......but his latest release is "All Killer"(2009) that has also received very pertinent reviews. website:www.myspace.com/thegaslampkiller
As you might know or have noticed already, talented producers and experimental beat makers thrive in LA. Steven Ellison a.k.a. Flying Lotus is one of them. Related to Alice and John Coltrane, it seems that artistic genius runs in the family. Prominent hip hop producer and beat maker, he mixes Hip hop , jazz, psychedelic and electro genres with a smooth touch. Flying Lotus, also called FlyLo, is signed to Warp Records. His album "Los Angeles" released in 2008 received much attention and positive reviews.
Chromeo is a duo: P.Thugg and Dave coming from Montreal, Canada. Musicians and producers heavily influenced by Funk music,Electro sounds and Hip Hop.In 2003, they released a single, The "Destination Overdrive" they've been very productive since with several releases of LPs "She's in Control", "Un joli Mix pour toi","Ce soir on danse".Their second album "DJ Kicks" was released this year. http://www.myspace.com/chromeo
Honestly this is one of my most difficult reviews so far, as I'm overwhelmed by the funkiness. But different is good! Meet this very explosive singer/producer and musician, whose music crosses all frontiers. Well, it is in fact a mix of Electro/Punk/Glam Rock/Afro tropical/Melodramatic tunes. Very intriguing indeed!The music and colorful style of this very unique artist immediately got her many reviews and magazine covers as well as international attention. Her first album "Bone of My Bones" is now available. http://www.myspace.com/ebonybones
This band is composed of Briana Cartwright, the singer, born in St Louis,MO and Brook D'Leau a talented producer/beatmaker. By a very early age, Ms.Davey was already signed to MCA records planning to be a singer in an all-girl group. Miss Jack Davey and Brook D'leau got well deserved attention at the release of their album "The Beauty of Distortion/The Land of the Lost", a mix of Pop rock/New wave/R&B styles.But they were already working with Prince who invited them to perform at his club in 2006. A band to watch closely! take a look at their website...http://www.myspace.com/jdavey
One of the most productive talents of the beat culture today, Afta 1 is a producer from Los Angeles, California. He now resides in Brooklyn, New York where he creates a music clearly rooted in Hip Hop beats, with Electro even Psychedelic influences. Definitely experimental, and for sure very unique!! His debut album "Aftathoughts Vol.1" is quite dreamy and futuristic.His second album is on the way with new material he will showcase on December the 2nd @ the Mountain Bar in LA.
SA-RA Creative partners is composed of three members: Taz Arnold, Shafiq Husayn and Om' Mas Keith. Genius musicians and vocalists they have been collaborating with an impressive list of artists: Common, The Neptunes, Dr.Dre,Erykah Badu, Lauryn HIll, Mobb Deep,Pharaohe Monch and many more.Their influences are rooted in jazz, funk music, experimental , Hip Hop with a hint of Trip Hop elements..needless to say quite diverse!Their "Hollywood Recordings" album released in 2007 got them many positive reviews and fans begging for more... a highly anticipated second album. "Nuclear Evolution: The age of love" second album released in 2009 is equally amazing, intriguing and creative...and sorry DJs, their "Love Czars" Serato vinyl is officially sold out!Truly inspiring ! Check them out.
Origins of Hip Hop music are more complex than the former music genres reviewed in earlier posts. With strong roots in the West African's oral tradition, it was born in the Bronx in the 70s with the contribution of a Jamaican-born DJ Kool Herc. DJ Kool Herc , formerly performing in Kingston did the same thing in New York but instead of using Reggae music like he used to, played Funk music which was very popular at the time in America. DJ Kool Herc became well known for playing in loud block parties which were an adaptation of Jamaican "sound systems", and would focus on the break section of the songs, thus bringing out the beat of them. He would buy two copies of the same record and then play them on separate turntables and loop the best break parts of the songs as desired, which resulted in making them groovier. DJ Kool Herc's would punctuate his work with verbal encouragements to the dancers, known as "toasting" back in Jamaica which became more and more structured shifting into organized rhymed spoken lines leading to the birth of what is now known as Rapping.DJ Kool also had dancers called break boys or girls (b-boys,b-girls).The notions of looping,freestyling,sampling, scratching and DJing all came from this popular movement. Even the use of Graffiti was associated with the rising popularity of Hip Hop in the American culture. DJ Kool Herc,himself was part of a graffiti crew called the Ex-vandals.Later on, other artists inspired by DJ Kool Herc's performances followed his steps, Grand Master Flash and Afrika Bambaataa, founder of the "Zulu Nation" would play in New York well known venues.The commercialization of Hip Hop in the music industry started with the creation of the "Sugar Hill Gang" recording the hit song "Rapper's Delight" in 1979. Among the most influential rappers of the 80s are Kurtis Blow, Big Daddy kane, Eric B. and Rakim, Run DMC, Slick Rick.......
Gotta love a sick baseline!The explosion of Funk music is usually widely granted to James Brown in the 60s.It is the result of the blending of Soul music,Jazz and Rhythm and Blues into a groovy,distinctive beat structure.But later on, it also had integrated elements of Rock and Roll. However, the term "Funk" used for a music notion seem to originate either from Little Richard or from Buddy Bolden's "Funky butt" as soon as 1907, or Earl Palmer, a New Orleans' drummer who used the word "funky" to explain how a music should be pushing the crowds to feel the need to dance. Many artists brought their signature to this style such as the Isley Brothers, Sly and the Family stone, Mother's Finest and Jimi Hendrix, Parliament Funkadelic, Confunkshun, Chic, KC and the Sunshine Band.. In the 80s however, with the arrival of synthesizers and electronic devices, Funk music would take another turn. Rick James ,Prince and other artists like the Bar-Kays, the Dazz band and Cameo would become the most reputable of the time. Once again, this is definitely not an exhaustive list so feel free to bring your personal touch and comments;)
Bassist, Singer and composer Esperanza Spalding does it all! She originates from Oregon and grew up in a multi-ethnic background. As a child, she had a very fragile health which forced her to be taught in untraditional settings. She taught herself violin first, then experimented with the bass and non conventional ways of using the instrument. She performed in different genres: Blues, Funk, Hip Hop in local clubs.At the age of 20,she became the youngest teacher to integrate the prestigious Berklee College. Spalding has collaborated with many reputable artists since, including Dave Samuels, Michel Camilo ,Patti Austin, Stanley Clarke, Donald Harrison, Pat Metheny and Joe Lovano. Her album, entitled "Esperanza" is available at this link: http://www.concordmusicgroup.com/albums/HUCD3140/
With the popularity of the expression "SOUL music" nowadays....I felt the need to go back to the roots and origins of it.It seems that many times, what we're calling SOUL music today is very far from what Soul music was then. Soul music became popular with the merging of gospel traditional music and Rhythm and Blues.Ray Charles being one of the pioneers, as well as Sam Cooke and Bobby Bland in the early 50s, this genre never stopped from evolving as it was influenced by other elements exported from Rock and Roll music .Soul of the 60s was heavily influenced by artists like Aretha Franklyn, James Brown,Otis Redding, Sly and the Family Stone.... and many more. Soul music of the 70s saw the rising of Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson etc...Well, as it is a very short summary of course, the list of mentioned artists is also very short. Feel free to share the other artists quoted or not in the review and lets all have fun!!! See ya at the next post.
I guess I just HAD to start here... For most Jazz music connoisseurs (I wish I was one of them but sorry still learning here guys) , it is obvious that Jazz itself is a mixture of different musical genres of the time (Gospel, blues,Ragtime...)It's all about blending people!!!And it sounds almost logical that the crescent city "New Orleans" where Jazz music was flourishing was itself a mixture of nationalities (Spanish,French,Creoles,Whites,Blacks,Italians,West Indians,etc...).Prominent Jazz artists are still among the most inspiring in fusion genre music nowadays.
