Bold As Love

BRC Seeks Submissions for 25th Anniversary Compilation

ATTENTION BLACK ROCKERS: We're about to do it again... Next week, we'll start accepting submissions for the Black Rock Coalition's 25th Anniversary release, 'Rock 'n' Roll Reparations, Vol. 2.' So pick out two of your most progressive, genre-bending, world-ain't-ready songs and keep your ear to the ground...

Request more info at submissions@blackrockcoalition.org.

Best of 2009: Noisettes, Burnt Sugar, Spearhead, Allen Toussaint + more!

Earl Douglas, Queens, NY, Boldaslove.us contributor and  executive director of the Black Rock Coalition:

• Honeychild Coleman - Halo Inside
  She's already the hardest working woman in show business, but then she turned around and made this pop-rock gem. 
• Living Colour - The Chair In The Doorway
  Don't call it a comeback, but the BRC's once and forever flagship band made its finest record since 'Stain'.  They somehow manage to show off veteran chops but have the urgency of a young, hungry band.  The CD all but cements their status as one of the all-time great bands.
• Noisettes - Young Wild Hearts
  The British trio, led by the captivating Shingai Shoniwa, adds 60s' soul, pop and even disco, to their punk based sound.  This is the soundtrack of a band going to the next level.
• BLK JKS - After Robots
  Prog rock by way of South Africa.   The next great rock n roll band is here.
• Analogue Transit - Gearheart
  Icy electronics, quirky guitars punctuated by a soulful voice.  21st Century power pop at its best.
• Burnt Sugar - Making Love To The Dark Ages
  More relentless acts of beautiful experimentation and improvisations from Greg Tate and his cast of extraordinary musicians.
• Rain Machine - Rain Machine
  Kyp Malone's profoundly heartfelt and remarkable solo project.
• Melvin Gibbs' Elevated Entity - Ancients Speak
  One of the best bass players on the planet assembles a dream team (Blackbyrd McKnight, Pete Cosey, Amayo of Antibalas, John Medeski, Mark Batson, JT Lewis, Micah Gaugh, just to name a few), to present this remarkable collision of styles and cultures to sublime effect.
• Michael Franti & Spearhead - All Rebels Rock
  Spearhead goes to Jamaica, hooks up with Sly & Robbie and makes their best record to date.  The left field success of the single 'Say Yeah' proofs that hard work truly does pay off.
• Stew - Passing Strange
  The soundtrack to the Tony-awarding winning musical.  Just to hear the songs stripped of the visuals really brings into focus the insightful brilliance of Stew's songwriting.  The Spike Lee directed film version sets a new standard on how to film stage presentations.
• The Bots - The Bots
  Two brothers, one 16, the other 13, get their punk rock groove on.  Black Rock 3.0!
• Allen Toussaint - The Bright Mississippi
  The elder statesman of the New Orleans music scene puts together a killer band (which includes Don Byron & Marc Ribot) and revisits the songs of the region with his usual elegance and grace.  The last of America's true treasures. 
• Year Of The Dragon - Blunt Force Karma
  Easily my sleeper CD of the year.  A strong fusion of rap, metal and good old fashioned rock n roll from Dirty Walt & the crew.
• The Liquid Kids - Random Acts Of Silence.  Jessica Lewis fronts this solid Black Rock out of Kansas.  Yes, even Kansas is spawning some great rock n roll!
• Booker T - Potato Hole
  Can an artist who's considered one of the greatest musicans of the 20th Century reinvent himself?  The answer is a resounding yes.  Not only that, Booker T, who's known for soulful grooves, turned around and make himself a muscular rock record with help from Neil Young and The Drive By Truckers. 
• California King - Adoration Of The Boogie Bear ('08).
  Michael Mills is the chief singer-songwriter for this great power-pop trio.  This is a stong primer, but I'm really looking forward to hearing new material from these guys next year now that Howard Alper's joined the band on drums.
• The Smyrk - 'The End Of Jason Todd'.  This incredible single from their forthcoming (please guys?) album is also one of their best.  Doron Flake channels his inner Prince while singing an ode to one of the most infamous characters in Batman lore.
• Tamar-kali - 'Pearl'.  Finally, new music from one of the best vocalists out there today and it's worth the wait.  There's also a remix featuring Jean Grae, and a jaw dropping Psychochamber verison of the song as well.

• PhocusEd: Images Captured by Ed Marshall.
  Ed Marshall has been tirelessly documenting the Black Rock and Afro Punk scene for quite awhile and now I has put some of his incredible images into his first book.  He's going the independent route also - assembling and selling the book on his own.  Its the first of hopefully many books by one of our great photographers.  You can go to http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1030911 for find out more information.

A couple of reasons to look forward to 2010:

New albums from Tamar-kali, Apollo Heights, The Smyrk, Pillow Theory, Swear On Your Life, Earl Greyhound and A.N.M. - a new group featuring Doug Pinnick of King's X; Jimi Hazel and Rick Skatore of 24/7 Spyz, former Fishbone and Sound Barrier guitarist Spacey T, guitarist Craig Fulton and the one and only Phil D. Fish on drums. 

Additional link:

• Rob's picks for Best of 2009
• All "Best of 2009" posts

Introducing new contributors to Boldaslove.us

One of the things coming out of the audience survey (thanks to all who’ve completed it so far!) is that many of you want to see for more regional coverage here on Boldaslove.us.  Based on that feedback, I put out a call for contributors and a great group of people responded.  I’m happy to announce that you’ll start seeing dispatches from the following cities: Austin, TX; Atlanta; Oakland/The East Bay;  as well as some additional coverage in the NYC area.  And I'm still looking for folks in the Chicago, the DMV, and London.  So, if you’re interested, please holla.

Anyway, without further ado, please meet:

Dominick Brady (ATL). This is Dominick writing in the third person.  Dominick doesn't like writing in the third person so Dominick will make this short.  Dominick is a freelance multi-platform journalist based in Atlanta, GA.  Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Dominick enjoys music of all flavors, Rum Raisin ice cream and though provoking discussion.  In this space Dominick hopes to help shine a light on Atlanta's oft overlooked Alt-urb, Afro-Punk and Fusion music scenes and the culture that surrounds it.  Dominick now wishes to end this bio.  

Earl Douglas (NYC).  For the last year or so, Earl has been contributing posts to Boldaslove.us. He is the Executive Director of The Black Rock Coalition and has been a member since 1988.  Earl was also a longtime producer at legendary station WNEW-FM and later with XM Satellite Radio.  You can see him shooting pictures at BRC and most Black Rock shows!

Rana Emerson (NYC). Rana is the program coordinator for CUNY Central's College Now program, which works with the NYC Department of Education to offer college credit coursework to over 300 public high schools in the city.  While in grad school in sociology she focused on race in mass media, popular culture and youth culture.

V. Marc Fort (Austin, TX). V. Marc Fort is a musician and writer based in Austin, TX.  He publishes the arts blog http://blackswansongs.com/ and freelances as an arts critic-at-large for the Austin American-Statesman under the byline, V. M. Black.  His journalism career began as a photojournalist working for The Denver Post and the Austin American-Statesman. His photos and articles have been featured in various magazines, blogs and newspapers, and have also been syndicated by the Associated Press.  A singer and multi-instrumentalist, Fort has performed in more than 10 rock bands including Norushi Minx, bo bud greene, The Fuckemos, Hidden Speaker and Schatzi. His bands have toured with and opened for various musical acts all across the States, including Superchunk, Jimmy Eat World, Desaparecidos, Lit, Everclear, All-American Rejects and Hilary Duff, to name a few. 


Sierra McClain (Oakland/East Bay).  A transplanted San Franciscan by way of her native Houston, Texas, Sierra comes to blogging  and writing with her marketing and PR background in tow. A writer since childhood, her website, I Write. You Should Read., began as a personal blog in 2008, but quickly morphed into a platform for her music interviews and features. With her fingers on the pulse of the Black Rock scene, Sierra’s goal is to document the creative renaissance that is taking place off the beaten path.

Jennifer Williams (NYC). Jennifer Wiliams is a writer and professor who approaches literature, music, and visual culture from a black feminist perspective. She teaches and writes in Brooklyn, New York. Jennifer blogs at Black Feminisms.

Black rock is a movement that's happening all over the country, not just in New York City.  And thanks to these writers, we're all going to start hearing from the folks who are making it so!

Have you taken the Boldaslove.us black rock audience survey? It only takes 5 minutes!  Click here to start.

Vernon Reid honored with Mayor's Award for Arts & Culture

 

(l to r) Actor John Stamos, Vernon Reid, Mayor Michael Bloomberg

Black Rock Coalition and Living Colour co-founder Vernon Reid received The Mayor's Award For Arts & Culture at a lavish awards presentation at The Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, NY.  Big shout to Vernon for singling out The Black Rock Coalition during his acceptance speech.

 

All of the honorees represent the depth and diversity that New York City has to offer: The Thalia Spanish Theatre celebrates Spanish and Latin America culture. The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation provides grants to performance arts organizations, environmental causes and to various childrens charities.  H.T. Chen of The Chen Dance Center has been a major force on the New York Chinese community for over 30 years.  The Big Apple Circus has been entertaining audiences since 1977 and distributes free tickets to disadvantaged and disabled children.  PS 69 Principal Jaynemarie Capetanakis is the Principal of the arts-intensive PS 69 in Brooklyn, which has a Progress Report 'A' rating despite the fact most of her students live in poverty and half are English Language Learners.  All of were also honored for their 'significant contributions to the cultural life of New York City'.  Singing great Jessye Norman, whose list of achievements are literally too numerous to mention, received The NYC Handel Medallion, which is New York's highest award for distinguished achievement in the arts.

 

The entire evening blew me away.  To tell you the truth, it was very moving.  First off, The Frank Sinatra School of the Arts facilities, in the heart of Astoria, is second to none.  Everything 's brand new and state of the art, it's an extraordinary place for the city's gifted and talented youth to harness and develop their creativity.  The fruits of their labor were clearly on display as the Sinatra School Of The Arts Musical Theatre Ensemble effortlessly performed a medley from 'Bye Bye Birdie', that included appearances from musicial's star John Stamos and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.  Stamos and Mayor Bloomberg stayed aboard to anchor the presentation, which included outstanding perfomances by Cajun Cellist Sean Grissom and Picaso, Jr. of the Big Apple Circus.  Cultural Affairs Commissoner Kate D. Levin and Cultural Advisory Commission Chair Agnes Gund also shared hosting duties.  There was even an appearance of Grandma, the heart and soul of The Big Apple Circus!

 

Jessye Norman was honored with a passionate speech by Carnegie Hall Executive and Artistic Director Clive Gillinson and a powerful dramatic reading of some of Norman's favorite writers by actor Avery Brooks.  Dee Dee Bridgewater's version of Billie Holliday's 'God Bless The Child'  and The Dance Theatre of Harlem captivating performance left everyone in the Tony Bennett Concert Hall absolutely breathless.  Bridgewater and Norman (below) concluded the presentation with a improvised, yet stunning rendition of 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot'.  

 

It was a spectactular and glorious celebration of the arts.  More importantly, as it was pointed out in just about all of the acceptance speeches, there must be a continued encouragement and support for more arts programs in our schools, in our homes and in our everyday lives. 

 

SUPPORT THE ARTS!

 

Words and photos by Earl Douglas, who is the Executive Director for The Black Rock Coalition.

REVIEW: Analogue Transit -- "Gearheart" (Worldsound)

Analogue Transit: Kwaku Aning (l) and Jeff Shreiner

Can analog and digital techniques co-exist?  For Analogue Transit - vocalist-guitarist Kwaku Aning and keyboardist-production wiz Jeff Shreiner - the answer is not only a resounding yes, but it's a necessary pairing.  Gearheart is a nine song collection in which baby grand pianos clash with 21st Century electronics, buzzsaw guitars mesh with dreamy landscape sounds and soulful vocals are playfully manipulated with rich string arrangements. 'Blackout Artist', with its dizzingly array of muted vocals and quirkly synths, is brilliant update of all of the good things that was Brit pop in the late 80s.  'Ways' is driven by a deceptively dirty guitar riff and 'Breathe' is a gorgeous ballad that wisely incorporates light piano and a terrific string score.  'Home' is clearly the album's centerpiece track.  It has a simple refrain, 'Can you find my our way home'?/Help me find our way home', but like all great songs, it remains in your brain long after its over.

Analogue Transit challenges you to go on on journey to somewhere you never been, but yet hauntingly familar.  I can assure you that after listening to Gearheart, it's a ride worth taking.   

Here's a taste of the group's sound, via their song "Home."


--review by Earl Douglas

Additional links:

• Gearheart is available now on iTunes
• Check out www.analoguetransit.com for more information.

REVIEW: Stew and The Broadway Problem @ Lincoln Center -- August 19

Stew always keeps 'em guessing.

 

Stew has made a career out of it - first with The Negro Problem, then later as solo artist.  He later confonted all expectations when his first stab at a musical, 'Passing Strange' had a strong run first at The Public Theater, then later on Broadway.  Spike Lee was so impressed that he turned it his latest film.

 

To coincide with its theatrical release, Stew and his collaborator Heidi Rodewald led a 12-piece band through a new work called 'The Broadway Problem' on a hot, muggy night at Lincoln Center Out Of Doors. 

 

If you were expecting faithful, dedicated interpretations of Broadway classics, think again.

 

It was all about not-so subtle tributes and all-out mashups.  'Nobody' was a nice nod to Bert Williams, the first Black to have a lead on Broadway and one of the most popular comedians of the early 1900's.  Fats Waller's 'This Joint Is Jumpin' was recast as Jamaican dance hall (thanks to Bill Bragin for pointing out the double meaning behind this recasting!).  The Duke Ellington-Billy Strayhorn composition, 'It Don't Mean A Thing' was juxtaposed quite beautifully with the bassline from 'Too High' by Stevie Wonder.  The hook of 'Promises, Promises' met with the hook of Sondheim-Bernstein's 'America'.  'Ol Man River' was done as Fishbone-ska clashing with the chrous of Ike & Tina's version!   The best example of this was 'Big Black Men' (from The Full Monty) meeting 'Black Boys' (from 'Hair') - the latter being done as a dramatic (yet hilarious) spoken word piece by De'Adre Aziza (who's also in 'Passing Strange'.  The night ended with a show-stopper disco blowout of 'Everything's Coming Up Roses'!

 

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that mind blowing set that Tanya Tagaq had to open up the program.  She's an Inuit throat singer from Northern Canada and she gave a performance that was sensual, experimental, spiritual yet haunting.  

 

I'm not sure if the Lincoln Center crowd was fully prepared for what they got, but I loved it.  The same way that 'Passing Strange' put a new spin on the musical, 'The Broadway Problem' succeeds in bringing an irreverent twist to some of Broadway's most beloved tunes. 

 

'Passing Strange' opens at The IFC Theater on August 21st.  It'll also be on IFC On Demand starting on August 26th. More information here.

Review and photos by Earl Douglas

Additional link:

• All posts on Passing Strange

REVIEW: Kevin O'Neal/Tricky Dilemma @ The MMAC, Bloomfield, NJ 6/27/09

(l to r): Val Jeanty, Marvin Sewell, Bruce Mack, Kevin O'Neal

Photo and review by Earl Douglas

On a night that was described by Bruce Mack as 'Duke Ellington meets Frank Zappa', Kevin O'Neal (accompanied by Patrice Quinn) and tribal electro trio Tricky Dilemma, played the The Multi-Media Arts Center in Bloomfield, New Jersey. 

 

The MMAC, as its called, is a facilty that has a concert hall, a cabaret space that can also be used to show films, a cafe for all of you coffee drinkers, art gallery, and broadcast capabilites.  Its still in work in progress, but has the potential to being the new home for the experimental, avant garde and the mainstream all at the same time.  Its location is also perfectly for those in the Jersey/Philly area who want to remain in the state but also for those in New York City who want to get removed from city craziness for the night.

I managed to make through commuter hell (MAJOR delays on PATH train) to catch the talil end of Kevin O' Neal's set.  Best known for his work in the seminal Black Rock band The Bus Boys, O'Neal performed a beautifully understated set on piano with the beautiful and talented Patrice on vocals.  'Dedication' was a moving, wordless piece that went out to Michael Jakckson (and  MMAC owner, Chuck Brownley).  A significant jazz & blues influence was the thread on a stunning run of standards including 'I Loves You Porgy' and a great new song, 'Expectation' ended the set that literally had everyone, performers included, dancing in the aisles.  I was really bummed that I didn't catch the entire set, but I'm looking forward to hearing new recordings from Kevin & Patrice.

I've always been drawn to Tricky Dilemma as a concept, but never seen them live.  I love their CD, 'John P. Parker: Viewed From 9 Dimensions' (I listened to it on my way over to The MMAC) so I was really excited to see what the live performance would be like.

 

I wasn't disappointed at all.  More like blown away.

 

With Bruce Mack handling all of the vocals, electronic and traditional percussion, Marvin Swell was on guitar and Val-Inc (Jeanty) dropping the beats on the turntables and electronic drums, Tricky Dilemma assaulted the senses with bop phrasings, atmosphere guitars, Eastern rhythms, spiritual cries and tribal dancing.  Clearly inspired, Kevin and Patrice joined in on a version of Money Driver was both experimental and flat out funky.  The set ended with a tribal jam of James Brown by way of Bali which included 'I Don't Want Nobody Giving Me Nothing' and 'Funky President'.  It was a truly amazing night of music that truly came from the heart and was done with a spirit of love.  Love of the craft and the love of music.

 

It's really important that we support The MMAC, Kevin O'Neal, Tricky Dilemma and everyone who is out there presenting or playing live and original music.  Now more than ever.

REVIEW: Booker T. -- Potato Hole (Anti)

Note: Booker T. is at Joe's Pub in NYC tonight, 6/10.  Still time to get tix!

Someone with the musical credentials and legacy of Booker T. Jones didn't have to go out and strike a new path.  But one of the things that I've always admired about him - besides the fact that he was one of the key pillars in the Stax/Volt machine - is that he's always looking to learn and continuing to grow artistically.  This was a guy who was studying classical music composition, composing and transposition at Indiana University while writing, producing and performing material that forever changed the musical landscape.  When it came time to record the material that makes up Potato Hole, he could've easily hired a seasoned producer to oversee the sessions.  Instead, he takes a couple of courses at a community college to get himself caught up on the latest recording techniques.  Jones ended up co-produced the new CD with Rob Schnapf of Beck fame.

And just when you thought Potato Hole would be similar to his work with the MGs, Booker T pairs up with alt-country/Southern rockers Drive By Truckers and makes a big, muscular ROCK record.  Just to emphasize the 'rock' portion of it, Neil Young is aboard on nine of the ten tracks playing lead guitar.  Potato Hole pulls off a unique trick: It'll please fans of his earlier work, but will draw in new ones as well.  His Southern-fried cover of 'Hey Ya' actually blows away the original.  The title track has so much swagger to it, but also has an almost cinematic feel to it at the same time.  This is one of those CDs you can put on when you're taking a drive, doing stuff around the house or just walking down the street.  Nearly 50 years after 'Green Onions', Booker T is still setting new standards for us to follow. 

--Reviewed by Earl Douglas

Additional links:

• Buy Potato Hole on Amazon
• Booker T.'s official site
• Booker T.'s Joe's Pub show