Music Is My Weapon
Caesar had his legions, Napoleon had his rifles, we have our music.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Natasha Bedingfield
In the United Kingdom, New Zealand-born Natasha Bedingfield and brother Daniel Bedingfield have seemingly taken up permanent residence at the top of the pop charts. He's an earnest rocker with a dance music bent. She's an altogether more exciting prospect--a singer-songwriter who refuses to sit still, charging through decadent R&B ("Single"), jittery electro-pop ("I'm A Bomb") and first-class balladry ("I Bruise Easily"), invoking the likes of Beyonce and Gwen Stefani. And, okay, sometimes Nelly Furtado. An all-star production team, including former Robbie Williams collaborator Guy Chambers, makes for a debut that sounds like an instant greatest-hits set--just add cheekbones. I was actually in the midst of folding four loads of laundry, when Natasha Bedingifelds album started playing on my pc, and I got so lost in it again, I had to drop what I was doing and give this girl some props. This is an amazing cd, with music so catchy, so cool and simply a pleasure to listen to that I'm a total fan for life.
I guess to compare her to other similar artists, which they probably don't like to have done to them, Id say she reminds me of Fiona Apple, Joss Stone , Alanis Morisette and of course her own core, but to be a good reviewer I like to draw comparisons at times.
"These Words" is one of the best songs I've heard, ever. It makes you want to get up and dance, and it comes in some great remixes that have their own CD available for sale here.
"Size Matters" is another song that will make you tap your foot under your desk at work, or make you skip a step in your walk, you might even sing along.
"Wild Horses" a sweet ballad but no cavities here, its sweet but it's secretly has a killer tunes that sound like it was created by a seasoned music aficionado.
Natasha has an earthy voice but she's slick, her music is not stuff, boring but is cool to the point that you are not embarrassed to listen to it in front of your friends. The choruses in her songs are great and have a real purpose. She's not the kind of girl who wants to be famous so she can do photo shoots and have makeovers. She has talent and she wants the world to be her outlet. She also writes her own songs, and she has so much to say!
I love it, and you will too! Branch out, listen to different artists, take a chance, you might be pleasantly surprised.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Inner Dream Records Virtual Record Label
Los Angeles, CA March - 2006
Inner Dream Records the Los Angeles based Virtual Record Label.
Inner Dream Records is a premier electronic and alternative label with world class act's that have reached both critical and chart success. Their stellar artist Port Authority has 5 top 50 iTunes releases and has been featured 5 times on the ITMS web site.
Inner Dream Records has taken a bold approach to distribution making use of only digital download services such as "Apple's iTunes Music Store," Sony Connect and Beatport.com. Inner Dream Records plans on expanding it's internet presence to other services such as Napster, emusic, Rhapsody, etc. and their own digital download service @ http://www.innerdreamrecords.com
Visit http://www.innerdreamrecords.com for digital downloads,artist information, news and direct links to these releases.
Inner Dream Records the Los Angeles based Virtual Record Label.
Inner Dream Records is a premier electronic and alternative label with world class act's that have reached both critical and chart success. Their stellar artist Port Authority has 5 top 50 iTunes releases and has been featured 5 times on the ITMS web site.
Inner Dream Records has taken a bold approach to distribution making use of only digital download services such as "Apple's iTunes Music Store," Sony Connect and Beatport.com. Inner Dream Records plans on expanding it's internet presence to other services such as Napster, emusic, Rhapsody, etc. and their own digital download service @ http://www.innerdreamrecords.com
Visit http://www.innerdreamrecords.com for digital downloads,artist information, news and direct links to these releases.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Spoken Word Artist, Saul Williams
Poet-preacher-actor-rapper-singer-musician "hyphen-artist extraordinare" Saul Williams was born in Newburgh, N.Y. in 1972. The son of a preacher father and school-teacher mother, he learned to love both the spoken and written word as a child. "I was always making up rhymes," he says. "But I never thought that poetry would become my life." After graduating from Morehouse College with a B.A. in philosophy, Williams moved to New York City to take a Master's Degree at New York University in Acting and found himself at the epicenter of the New York cafe poetry scene. "It was a great moment in my life," he recalls "It felt like a calling." In 1995 he began mesmerizing audiences with landmark performances at the Brooklyn Moon Cafe's fabled "Open Mic" sessions and in 1996 he became the Nuyorican Poet Cafe's Grand Slam Champion.
His fame on the spoken-word circuit led to the lead role in the 1998 feature film, SLAM. The film won both the Sundance Festival Grand Jury Prize and the Cannes Camera D'Or and introduced Williams and his own spoken-word poetry to international audiences. It also garnered him the I.F.P. Gotham Film Project's "Perry Ellis Award" for Breakout Performance. Williams plays a young man who discovers the power of poetry in prison. "It's about leaming that you're not a victim, regardless of how many times you are told you're a victim," he says. Other films have included the documentaries Underground Voices and SlamNation and the PBS television documentary, I'll Make Me a World.
As a musician, Williams has performed with such artists as renowned hip-hop artists The Fugees, Erykah Badu, KRS-1, De La Soul, DJ Krust, as well as legendary poets Allen Ginsberg and Sonia Sanchez. He will be recording and co-producing his debut album with America/Columbia Records with premier producer Rick Rubin (Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers). Danny DeVito's record company Jersey Records/Warner Chappell has signed the emerging star to a music publishing deal.
As a writer, Williams has been published in The New York Times, Details, Esquire, Bomb Magazine and African Voices. His first book of poetry, The Seventh Octave was published by Moore Black Press in 1997. He has traveled around the world, performing his work to audiences throughout the United States, Great Britain, Turkey, France, Brazil, Scotland, Germany and the Czech Republic. He has also performed his work at poetry festivals such as the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta and the Beat Poet Exhibit at the Whitney Museum in New York.
Saul Williams and SHE illustrator Marcia Jones began their relationship in 1995 as artists on the Brooklyn performance art and spoken word circuit. Their daughter Saturn was bom in 1996. Both Williams and Jones currently make their home in Los Angeles, California.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Band Review: Mold Monkies
Emerging from the primordial soup of two mens's collective unconscious, and bursting upon the American musical scene with all the force of a tractor-trailer full of pork chops, the Mold Monkies are here. And they won't leave.
Begun as an experiment in power pop by shadowy Northumberlandese pop fixture Nick Appleby (Chopper, The Absolute Zeros) and other guy Russell Shaddox (Buzzbaby, Biff and the Squids), the Mold Monkies quickly evolved into a joyous exploration of Spinal Tap's aphorism that "there's a fine line between stupid and clever."
"It's noisy, it's goofy, it's hyperenergized," said Russell, as his TV-glazed eyes slowly gravitated back toward the siren song of a CSI marathon. "But most of the songs have a genuine melody, which is an increasing rarity in today's mainstream pop landscape. So we're proud of that, or something."
Nick agrees, nodding his head slowly. Traumatized by the creation of the new CD, for weeks he has been unable to articulate any words except "Pat the bunny."
"Our formative cultural environment was the late 70s and early 80s," said Russell, clearly enraptured by the sound of his own voice. "Growing up in England, Nick loved the 'punk' and 'new wave' scenes that were all the rage with the youngsters back then. Meanwhile, I was in San Antonio, listening to a melting pot of power pop, prog-rock, punk, new wave, Celt-rock and Philly soul. That's why I am confused now, and look to Nick for direction and moral guidance."
"Pat the bunny," Nick agrees.
Overcome your natural repulsion. Purchase this fine musical product. Find out what The Mold Monkies are all about, because if you don't, you won't know. What they're all about.
The talent behind the group. Biography: The Mold Monkies are:
Nick Appleby, pictured above, is lead and backing vocals, bass, guitars, drums, keys, percussion.
This self-effacing, multi-instrumental pop icon was born in Northumberland but now makes his home in southern Connecticut. Besides music, he enjoys hanging out with his family, repairing motorcycles, and laughing at funny things.
Russell Shaddox is lead, backing and free-form vocals, guitars, bass, keys, percussion
A communications professional and former spelling-bee standout, Russell was born in Dallas, Texas. His musical taste was influenced by residing in a variety of interesting places, including New Orleans, Providence, R.I., and Dublin, Ireland. He's fascinated by words in print, graphic arts, engineering, and hanging out with his family. And Nick's family.
Thad Brown is rhythm guitars, and cool hair
We don't really know that much about Thad at this point, although he seems nice. He tells us he was born to a vegan Mennonite commune, and came to Connecticut by mistake, thinking he was headed to Sausalito. His varied musical interests include Charlie Christian, Count Basie, Skatta, Lenky, King Tubby, The Replacements and Husker Du. So make of that what you will.
Paul Tascione is on Drums
Paul used to play drums with Nick in the Absolute Zeros. Now he plays drums with us. He wont tell us anything else about himself. He's kind of scary. And why does he always suck on that old possum tail, periodically saying, "doodle doodle doodle"?
Friday, March 03, 2006
Jack Prybylski
Contemporary, Smooth Jazz mixed with R&B and Motown featuring seven time BMA top saxophonist winner Jack Prybylski
Countless music lovers dream of a lifestyle totally dedicated to their passion. Jack Prybylski is one of those rare musicians whose talent, perseverance, and spirit have made that dreams a reality. As one of Western New York's premiere instrumental performers, Jack's career as an award-winning saxophone player has included eight full-length recordings, endorsements, world travel, the opportunity to work with some of the most respected names in Smooth Jazz, and not least of all, the chance to share his love of music as both a performer and a teacher. "It's real flattering when people enjoy what you do. Especially when it's your original compositions that are creating the audience's emotional response. I love performing live because you have the opportunity to connect with the audience on so many levels. It's such a rush!"
Jack grew up in a suburb of Buffalo, New York and first got his hands on a saxophone when he was in the third grade. He was a dedicated student but also one who really appreciated and loved music, cutting his teeth on Chicago and the hot soul bands of the day like Earth, Wind and Fire - anything with horns in it. His musical explorations led from soul to jazz, and influential players like Tom Scott and David Sanborn. Jack decided on a career in music, graduating from the State University of New York at Buffalo with over a decade of playing experience under his belt in addition to credentials for teaching music.
Over the years Jack has been fortunate enough to further study saxophone with renowned jazz players David Leibman, Tim Price, David Schaivone and, former Buffalo Philharmonic bass clarinetist/saxophonist Edward Yadzinski. As a recording artist, he has released seven albums with Buffalo-based eclectic jazz group Them Jazzbeards, including the soundtrack for the motion picture Shadow Creature. As a performer, Jack has shared the stage with many of the top names in contemporary jazz including Richard Elliott, David Sanborn, The Rippingtons, and Spyro Gyra, and has performed with the prestigious Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. He is a seven-time recipient of the Buffalo Music Awards top saxophonist award.
In 2001 Jack released his solo debut Soho Strut, which produced the Internet radio single Mandalay Bay. Smoothjazz.com President Sandy Shore hailed the CD as "Filling in the cracks between modern jazz and Smooth Jazz... Soho Strut is packed full with great compositions, sophisticated arrangements, creative improvisation, and stellar musicianship."
Window Shopping, Jack's latest solo CD, was released in early 2006, and employed the talents of acclaimed Smooth Jazz guitarist and producer Ken Navarro. A mutual friend was responsible for the creative pairing when she suggested Ken contact Jack for some ideas on Internet radio resources. A longtime admirer of Kens work, Jack was thrilled. The two had a real connection right away, and as Jack was beginning preliminary work on Window Shopping, he asked if Ken might be interested in contributing a song or making an appearance on the album. Ken was more than interested, and in addition to producing the CD, he provided all the guitar tracks as well as an original composition entitled "Bright Spot." "It was a great working with Ken on this project and drawing on his experience not only as a musician and producer, but also as a label owner and an icon in this genre for years," says Jack. The final product is a testament to some of the finest and freshest work coming out of the Smooth Jazz genre.
Jack is currently endorsed by Yamaha saxophones, AMT microphones, and Saxrax saxophone stands. As an endorsee and clinician, he has performed clinics and concerts throughout the United States as well as Mexico and countries of the Pacific Rim.
Look for Jack in clubs and on the summer Jazz festival circuit in 2006, supporting Window Shopping.
More: http://www.jackprybylski.com/
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Today's Hotness: Asobi Seksu, XTC, Mission of Burma
Today's Hotness: Asobi Seksu, XTC, Mission of Burma: "Ask and ye shall receive: after getting a sneak listen to two new Asobi Seksu tracks yesterday, the band put one of them up at their MySpace hizzy today. Click over here to check out the Brooklyn nu-gazer's track 'Thursday,' which is from the act's forthcoming record Citrus. The set is slated to street at the end of May."
Review: Man Man | Six Demon Bag
:: clicky clicky music blog ::: Review: Man Man | Six Demon Bag: "Man Man wants to play shaman to its listeners, leading us in a mad circle dance around a fire, a bar, an asylum or a whisky jar."