Soul Damn 'Phisticated!

The Show Is Over

From the official Kenny Thomas YouTube Channel.

. . .his highly anticipated album “Breathe”

Fresh from his recent shows art London’s Jazz Cafe, Kenny releases his latest studio album on September 19th

His new studio album, Breathe, is a British affair blistering with 14 songs showcasing the finest UK songsmiths and producers from the Soul, R’n’B and contemporary arenas.

From the opening track, “The Show Is Over”, produced by Mark Jaimes and Danny Saxon, who’ve worked with world-class vocalists from Luciano Pavaroti to Mick Hucknall, you know you’re in for a treat. Toast of the UK R’n’B and Gospel scene, 5am, offer up slices of seductive modern soul on the eponymous “Breathe”, “It Aint Perfect” and beautiful re-working of “Thinking About Your Love.” Sir Piers & Toni Economides put their Midas touch to “Coming Down From Love,” “Just Stay” and “Troubled Man.”

…And when you think you’ve heard it all, enter the beautifully crafted productions from Drizabone & the Soul Family on “Baby It’s You”, Richard Earnshaw giving props on “On The Outside,” Scott Whitman “How Do I Let You Go” and Music Eye on “It’s Better” and “Get Out”. The closing track, “Addicted”, is produced courtesy of Nicolas Bulostin.

The one person missing from this musical cadre is Fransisca Thomas (yes, the missus) who wrote the poignant “The Show Is Over” and duets with Kenny on “Get Out”, this truly is a family affair.

The tracks reviewed have been the title track “Baby It’s You” which provides a driving track that I can see working dancefloors hard. “Breathe” the sets album track, is produced by 5am and sets a classy standard for the entire collection. The remaining 4 tracks reviewed, “Unconditional Love” “Coming Down From Love”, the seven minutes and forty-three seconds of “Addicted” and “It Ain’t Perfect” are of a slower tempo but of a good standard if not instant.

The album will be available physically and virtually next Monday.

Check it!

It’s not often that I hear new music that leaves me lost for words temporarily, but this is one of those occasions, a wonderful version of the Stylistics classic.

Born in Milan, Italy in 1982, the first son of a Sicilian painter (ex-Jazz musician), L. started his relationship with music breathing in his father’s collection of Motown and Blue Note records and at the age of 8 he joined the local church choir. Though his musical sensitivity was already proven, the interest for visual arts was more recognized, so he studied fine arts to develop his impressive skills as a young painter and sculptor. “Music was more like a private passion. Singing was a pure device to express my instinctive feelings. Fine arts was my natural way to share concepts of the philosophies that I was beginning to explore”. It was after moving to London at the age of 18 that music took his spirit completely and became the absolute priority. Luca’s decision was to concentrate all of his artistic energy on improving his gifts by learning to play Piano, Guitar, Bass and Trumpet.

Currently, Luca has been gravitating between Milan, London and New York, performing live, working on his studio projects and writing and producing tracks for other artists. If you listen intimately to the songs, their messages flow with the emotions provoked, he explains “I paint lyrics with sounds to amplify the meaning”.

Check it.

Jill releases her 2nd album in the space of 2 months

This time, a Hidden Beach release, the label that brought her to prominence. As the title implies this is a collection of previously unreleased tracks that for one reason or another hadn’t been available for our aural pleasure before now. The main difference between this and “The Light Of The Sun” is the depth and overall quality of the tracks chosen – no track skipping required here! The tracks flow from one to the other like gentle waves lapping a beautiful white sand beach I could go on but I’ll quote Angela D. Jefferson who sums this release perfectly;

“I love the originality and diversity of the songs on this CD. This is bonafide Jill Scott. Very representative of the Jill Scott we first heard on her debut album. The lyrics and delivery are top-notch. I love how her music makes me feel. Her honesty draws you in and keeps you there.”

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No message, No Essence, No Soul, No Flow . . .

A bit of a sweeping statement but the current crop of hip-hop artists and producers don’t seem to cut it. It could be an age thing, I’m now in my early 40′s and perhaps I’m just nostalgic for the Hip-Hop’s golden age.

My love hate relationship with hip hop began with acts like The Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Flash, Kurtis Blow, T-Ski Valley and the like. As the genre struggled with it’s identity my loathing began with “Electro” and the infant UK scene with those “accents”. One day the penny sort of dropped and I began to appreciate certain acts (big-up The London Posse for being true to themselves), whilst still giving selective love to the genre.

Hip-Hop as a genre has moved on incredibly since it’s infancy in the 1970′s. It’s grown in its various forms and sub-genres. Its subject matters have covered good times, sex, misogyny, guns, war, consciousness, being the last to be picked to play basketball and almost every other aspect of modern day life, its influence is unsurpassed. If it’s not in the Hip-Hop sounding theme to latest car advert, it’s the swaggering style adopted by the latest crop of supermodels at a fashion showcase. . . If you didn’t catch the excellent “How Hip-Hop Changed The World” hosted by DJ and MC “Big Driis” otherwise known as actor Idris Elba (Luther, The Wire. . .) recently on Channel 4 (UK). If you’re looking for a history lesson, then you’ll be disappointed. You’ll be frustrated by the lack of coverage that some of the scenes pioneers get. The point of the program is to show the development of the genre into the life that surrounds us daily.

Anyway I digress; a lot of the new breed seem to lack the innovation and intelligence of the old skool, it’s all about the latest use of technology, auto-tuned vocals, wack rhymes and tired samples or is that just the Simon Cowell effect in order to shift units and get to be interviewed on breakfast TV. Maybe I’m just too old and out of touch?

Currently listening to Eslaam Jawaad feat. De La Soul, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, Digital Underground, Jay-Z, Run DMC, Ice Cube, Notorious B.I.G., Kurtis Blow, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Queen Latifah, A Tribe Called Quest

My love for music knows no bounds however that said, my DJ forays and musical consumption hit a massive pool of stagnant water for the first 6 or 7 months of this year. I’ve played at the Boating Club Cruise twice this year and the night before each event was the only time that I had spent any time in my home studio doing anything musical!

What caused this malaise? One can only speculate but I’m pleased to say that it has now passed. I have actively been listening to and consuming masses of mp3′s that have accumulated and I feel totally re-invigorated.

I will be soon relaunching the bi-weekly podcasts and possibly be making a reappearance on the “airwaves” as well as looking forward to restart a regular event to compliment my appearances at the regular Boating Club Cruises.

Keep your eyes on this, my Facebook pages and Twitter for updates and stuff!

“Where My Heart Is” featuring Maxi Jazz (of Faithless fame)

is out on Monday 23rd May, as a FREE download from http://benjiboko.bandcamp.com. You can also stream the B side, “Glider”.

A fresh slice of twisted, laid-back hip hop, “Where My Heart Is” is the first single from the boy Boko’s debut album, “Beats, Treats And All Things Unique”, out on 20th June on Tru Thoughts. This collaboration with the hotly tipped young producer is Maxi Jazz’s first project since Faithless’ recent parting of ways. As is often the case with odd couples, this unpredictable pairing makes perfect sense, and the musical chemistry crackles. Benji Boko’s deep, evocative yet playful beat provides the foundation for Maxi Jazz’s inimitable soul-felt vocals as he takes us on a lyrical tour of his heady lifelong entwinement with music.

Saturday, March 26th, marks what would have been the 61st birthday of soul singer/superstar Teddy Pendergrass. To commemorate his memory and the mission of inspiration he was leading upon his untimely passing, his ongoing production company TED ON MUSIC is offering the recording “I Am Who I Am” – a previously unreleased song that was among the last that Pendergrass recorded in his lifetime – to national radio and other broadcast outlets on Friday 25th March 2011. Composed by Teddy Pendergrass with his long time friend and Musical Director Bill Jolly, the song is an inspirational and autobiographical gem for which Pendergrass plumbed the depths of his soul to share his spiritual essence and the source of his Heavenly fortitude.
Three-time Emmy-winning composer/arranger/musical director/keyboardist Bill Jolly – who directed the Sony/PBS/Live Nation television special “Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia” – shares, “Teddy told me, ‘I want to share a song about my life that will inspire people by shedding light on the times I was regretful, yet how I found strength and self-acceptance down the line. I want this song to live on long after I am gone.’”
Dynamically produced with additional arrangements by multi-platinum producer Herb Middleton (Al Green, Mary J. Blige & Usher) and vocal support from Jeff Smith’s Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale, it is a rapturous performance – buoyed by bluesy guitar and gospel grace – that will touch the souls of all who hear it with a compassionate heart. The single will be available to fans via iTunes (Worldwide), Amazon.com, Rhapsody and most digital outlets. A percentage of proceeds will go to the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, which provides opportunities for individuals with spinal cord injuries. Pendergrass wrote the song expressly for inclusion in the biographical film of his life that he was helping to develop. “I Am Who I Am” was intended to sum up and reflect his feelings after having gone through his earthly trials and tribulations, yet still came out feeling victorious and strong.

“It was long ago but it seems like only yesterday / When I thought my life was over and done /But now that time has passed and I see things so differently / It took a long time for me to understand / I am who I am / I’m more than just what you see / No one can discourage me / See I am just what I am / And it’s all a part of God’s plan / So here I stand still the same man / I am who I am”

Teddy’s widow, Joan Pendergrass, states, “Feeling incredibly whole and wanting to express to his fans the truth about his struggles and triumphs, he wrote these lyrics with no regrets for the world to hear…and he was proud about it. Forget his disability!
When he recorded this song 25 years after the accident, he was standing tall in his spirit…still the same man… declaring ‘I Am Who I Am.’ This song should be an inspiration to all.”
Originally recorded in the Summer of 2006, “I Am Who I Am” was never released to the public until now. He only performed it once at the “Teddy 25” anniversary event in Philadelphia that celebrated his milestone year of life post the car accident that rendered him paralyzed from the neck down.
The Estate of Theodore D. Pendergrass is proudly moving forward with its plans to produce the major motion picture “I Am Who I Am: The Teddy Pendergrass Story.”
Young singer Tyrese Gibson (a.k.a. “Tyrese”) was personally tapped by Teddy to be in this picture because both men had a mutual admiration for each other. Teddy took Tyrese under his wing, and Tyrese respectfully referred to Teddy as “Pops.” The film is tentatively slated to begin shooting in Philadelphia and Toronto before year’s end.
Joan Pendergrass concludes, “Ted and I met on Easter Sunday and were spiritually connected ever since. He considered me a Godsend…his ‘Soul Mate.’ He was all-man to me. And with me, he felt like a complete man again. We truly found a ‘50/50 Love.’ We inspired each other…”
“Now I stand for Teddy Pendergrass – his legacy and his dreams. ‘I Am Who I Am’ is more than just another radio single. It’s about pride. While he was here, my Teddy
endured – laughed, loved and lived life to the fullest. At times when I lose hope and feel like I can not go on, I think of how my Teddy – my love, my rock – persevered.
This song and the major motion picture we are about to create will reveal that same power that Teddy felt to the world.”

“I Am Who I Am” is available at iTunes and most digital outlets – NOW!

Mz Walker Is Back . . .

Brand new single from Terri Walker entitled “So Hard” This is taken from her forthcoming 4th studio album “Mz Walker” due for release in June on Damon Dash’s BluRoc label.

Breaking News

SONYMUSIC NY announced at 8pm last night the release of a new Michael Jackson album – On December 13th.

MUCH ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM FROM THE KING OF POP
MICHAEL
TO BE RELEASED DECEMBER 13
Exclusive Teaser and Song to be Unveiled on MichaelJackson.com
New York, NY – The much anticipated album of newly completed recordings from Michael Jackson entitled MICHAEL will be released on December 13 by Epic Records in conjunction with the Estate of Michael Jackson. Tomorrow, an exclusive teaser for the project will appear on www.michaeljackson.com; on Monday, November 8th the world premiere of “Breaking News,” a full track from the album, will stream on the site for one week only.

The creative process never stopped for the King of Pop who was always planning for his next album; unbeknownst to many fans around the world Michael Jackson was writing and recording songs continuously everywhere from a friend’s home in New Jersey to studios in Las Vegas and Los Angeles with a small group of handpicked collaborators. Now, through the unique stories that will be told about the songs that comprise MICHAEL, fans will get mind-blowing insight into how this artist worked and a chance to hear the songs he most recently created along with tracks that Michael had a desire to bring to fruition.
“Breaking News,” a never heard before song by Michael that appears on the new album was recorded in New Jersey in 2007 and recently brought to completion. Fans can begin pre-ordering the album on www.michaeljackson.com in the next 24 hours.
The attached image of the album cover of MICHAEL was created by painter Kadir Nelson in 2009. In the oil painting, Kadir – who is known for story telling through his art – takes us on a journey through some key moments and important people in Michael Jackson’s life.
Stay tuned for the worldwide launch of the official first single from MICHAEL later this month.
www.michaeljackson.com

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