Expect The Unexpected…
Well this month I wanted to focus on a few artists who are in the process of completing their projects…Some you’ve heard, some you haven’t…but all projects to watch for!
Sapphire Sky: I have no one to compare this group to. Think Rick James “Coldblooded” era meets a stepbrother of KLF and a distant cousin of 80s new wave. Uh-huh. That’s Sapphire Sky. Completely mesmerizing, distinct and unlike anything you’ve ever heard. Led by Benjamin Patterson (noted for his role as the psyco-Guy on Noah’s Arc), you are in for a sonic treat. Go to www.myspace.com/legendmusic for a sneak peak.
Sunny Hawkins: Daughter-in-law to Walter and Tramaine Hawkins, Sunny is truly someone to watch. Her debut album, “More of You”, drops in May on Still Waters, the inspirational division of Hidden Beach Records. Sunny blends contemporary gospel with a vast array of musical influences. My favorite cut is “Crazy”, which has a power-packed rock edge to it’s gospel foundation. Sunny is a brilliant writer as well, so this album is definitely a reflection of her. Don’t sleep. Cop it. Go to www.sunnyhawkins.com for more information.
Klymaxx: I’ve been a longtime fan of Bernadette Cooper and the Klymaxx name. If the lead single is any indication as to what the rest of the album will be like, “Real Divas Don’t Die” is going to be the album to have in 2007. Bernadette is still as fabulous as ever—and doesn’t mind tell you about what that means. She and Fenderella are at the helm of the group with two new members. To stay updated, go to www.myspace.com/therealklymaxx.
Albums I’m looking forward to this year…
I can’t wait for what the rest of 2007 has to offer musicially and I’m especially looking foward to new music from these artists:
-Adriana Evans
-Donnie
-Angela Johnson
-Ledisi
-Maya Azucena
-Trina Broussard
-Ra-Re Valverde
-Dionne Farris
-Rahsaan Patterson (duh!:-)
-Lalah Hathaway
-Carl Thomas
-Maxwell
There are others, I’m sure. Who am I missing?
SoulTalk Interview LIVE with Myoshi this Saturday, March 17th!
Join me this Saturday, March 17th for a LIVE interview with Myoshi on Tampa, Florida station WMNF 88.5 FM. We’ll be discussing the versatile entertainer’s debut album, her television career, and more. See below for instructions on listening to the live stream.
Click here for more info on Myoshi.The SoulTalk artist interview airs live every Saturday at 10 pm EST as the second hour of Deb Hind’s new PlanetSoul radio show on WMNF 88.5 FM. You can listen to the live stream of the entire show at http://www.wmnf.org/. (Note: you’ll need to have WinAmp loaded prior to listening – visit http://www.winamp.com/ for free download.)
SoulTalk’s “Interpretations” interview series continues LIVE on 3/31 with Bilal!
The ”Interpretations” SoulTalk interview series continues Saturday, March 31st, at 10 pm EST, with Bilal.
The forthcoming “Interpretations” CD includes ten Earth, Wind, & Fire classics performed by Chaka Kahn, Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi, Angie Stone, Bilal, Dwele, Mint Condition, Meshell Ndegeocello, Musiq Soulchild, and Kirk Franklin.
The SoulTalk artist interview airs live every Saturday at 10 pm EST as the second hour of Deb Hind’s new PlanetSoul radio show on WMNF 88.5 FM. You can listen to the live stream of the entire show at http://www.wmnf.org/. (Note: you’ll need to have WinAmp loaded prior to listening – visit http://www.winamp.com/ for free download.)
Well Well Well..something I ran across
Anti-Payola Settlement Gives Indie Artists Radio Time
Wednesday – March 7, 2007 by Jolene “foxxylady” PetipasLocal artists and independent record labels will be getting more airplay in the near future all thanks in part to an anti-payola settlement between the government and four major broadcast companies.
According to the Associated Press, Clear Channel Communications, CBS Radio, Entercom Communications and Citadel Broadcasting, which together own more than 1,500 radio stations, agreed to pay $12.5 million in fines to end an investigation into payola and put an end to the practice.
As part of the agreement, all four broadcasters will provide 8,400 half-hour segments of free airtime to independent record labels and local artists. The free airtime would be granted to companies not owned or controlled by the nation’s four dominant music labels – Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group and EMI Group.
All the afomentioned major labels have been involved in the payola scandals which they resolved with multi-million settlements in the past two years.
In addition to airplay, the broadcasters and the independent labels have also negotiated a set of “rules of engagement” that will guide how record company representatives and radio programmers interact. The new “rules of engagement” are aimed at requiring equal access to radio music programmers for all record companies as well as transparency in their dealings.
“It’s absolutely the most historic agreement that the independent community has had with radio,” Peter Gordon, CEO of Thirsty Ear Recordings; an independent record label, told the AP. “Without a doubt, nothing else comes close.”
American Idol and Soul
While it may be a phenomenon some music purists would like to forget about, the fact that we’re in the era of “Idol” is tough to overlook. It’s not the first TV talent search (remember “Star Search”, “Big Break”, even “The Gong Show”?), but in this age of instant everything, the prospect of instant stardom has proved to be irresistible. Irresistible for those pursuing it, and for those observing it, looking either for a new star or a trainwreck. Perhaps a bit of both.
Over the past six years, “Idol” has had its’ share of finalists who could be classified under the “soul/R&B” moniker. Many have moved on to other projects, with varying degrees of success. My main interest was determining whom, if any have made a significant contribution to the music with which they’ve been identified.
I missed Season One, but the only name that springs to mind is Tamyra Gray. Following “Idol”, she did acting on television, and scored a major deal. The album was somewhat disappointing- she does plenty of songwriting, which is greatly to her credit, but Gray’s album came across as- how can I put it- ‘nondescript’, maybe? That wow factor, that “damn, this is my new s***!” is missing.
Since then, you’ve had Trenyce, George Huff, LaToya London, and others whose names escape me. Trenyce has toured in Gospel plays, Huff released a small Gospel album, and the many others could be flipping burgers, for all I know. London, a great singer who I championed all along, released an indie album that brought mixed results. When she’s in her element (”State of My Heart”), she’s breathtaking. When she’s not (”Non a Watcha Do”), its disconcerting. Definitely a case where trying to appeal to different demographics is hit-or-miss.
To date, two of the winners, Ruben Studdard and Fantasia, fall into our category. Their work has also been a mixed bag. Studdard’s is particularly frustrating. Barring one major hit (”Sorry 2004″), he’s gotten more attention for his fluctuating weight than his music. But the two secular albums he’s released have been no great shakes- nothing new, with a predictable leaning towards the Urban market (am I the only person who is hates “would you still love me if I didn’t have yachts and mansions” songs?).
That leaves Fantasia. Blessed with an “either you love it or hate” voice, her work has also been, if anything, even more Urban, and also spotty, although their have been more bright spots (the title track to her debut album, “Free Yourself”) than not. But still, nothing that I’ve been tempted to keep on repeat.
Recent Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson is working on her first album, and blue-eyed favorite Elliott Yamin is about to drop his, so I haven’t given up hope…
But ultimately, after six seasons of waiting for the possibility “American Idol” may bring forth the next R&B Great, all I can say at the moment is, I’m still waiting…
On The Radio
Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t listen to the local radio much anymore. I think my radio playing days ended once I got my first CD player installed in my car.
Being that I am so dependent on my car for transportation, I need continuous uninterrupted music to get me through stop and go. While in my car, I like that I am able to play my custom Mp3 mixes and fulfill my musical cravings at will. Conversely I find relying solely on local radio leaves me bored and at the mercy of corporate sponsors.
When I was much younger (during the late 80s and 90s), I would listen to whatever was playing on the radio because I actually liked the content. Vanilla Ice, MC Hammer, Bad Boy, Death Row, Cash Money, No Limit…I was into it because it was what all my peers were into. But in 1999 I experienced Jimi Hendrix and was never quite the same. With my new craving for Hendrix and all things that rock, I began exploring the radio airwaves in search of something new, something more than just hip hop and R&B.
Like many people, I think the music I grew up on is way better than what today’s kids are exposed to. My local San Francisco Bay Area ghetto, hyphy, yellow bus madness dominating the hip hop and R&B stations no longer does it for me. I’m too old for all of that. Perhaps if I were younger I would “ghost ride the whip,” wear my “stunna shades at night,” and have my “chicken noodle soup with a soda on the side.”
I love rock. I love pop, R&B, reggae, and on and on. However if I depended on what my local radio stations served, like a TV dinner…(you know; no thought, no creativity…pre-packaged to go), I would never taste Latin rock, British pop, Ska punk, and oh and most importantly…Van Hunt (sorry, I couldn’t resist…I’m an eVANgelist).
Save Internet Radio – stop the RIAA from determining your music choices!
On Friday March 2nd 2007, the Copyright Royalty Board announced new royalty rates for Internet Radio stations. The new rates are far higher than any industry experts expected. In fact, if they remain unchanged, bankruptcy looms for many online radio
stations. The rates are retroactive to January of 2006.
The new rates essentially levy a tax of $0.0011 per performance. Now,
that doesn’t sound bad does it. But consider this. Each hour, the
average radio station plays 16 songs. So that’s about 1.76c per hour,
per listener. A station with 500 listener average would be hit with fees
of $211 per day, $6,336 a month or $76,000 a year.
This amount of money is beyond the resources of all but the very
wealthiest of corporations. Many of the internet radio stations are run
by enthusiasts and hobbyists. These small stations are the ones bringing
new music, and old favorites to you every day. Music you can’t hear on
corporate-owned terrestrial stations.
Could this be the day the music died?
What can you do
If you enjoy internet radio, you need to make your feelings known right
now to your representatives in the Congress and Senate. Write to them
and ask them to help repeal the decision of March 2nd by the Copyright
Royalty Board. It only takes a couple of minutes.
Congress: http://www.house.gov/writerep/
Senate: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
More background on this decision
http://www.digmedia.org/docs/Press%20Release%2010-31-05.pdf
http://www.digmedia.org/docs/CRB%20Arbitration%20FAQ.pdf
http://www.kurthanson.com/archive/news/030207/index.shtml
Broadcastlawblog: http://www.savenetradio.org/archive.htm
Broadcasters: Go Here and join the cause http://webcastersunite.net
There are lots more downloadsWe support royalty payments to compensate artists for their works. We do not support being forced to pay twice as much as any other form of media.
We support royalty payments to compensate artists for their works. We do not support being forced to pay twice as much as any other form of media.The RIAA is trying to shut down Internet radio. Visit www.savenetradio.org and write your Senator today before it’s too late. Don’t let your musical choices be determined by large corporate interests.
*Those of us who have legal Internet radio stations (like PlanetSoul Radio) already pay a minimum of $36.00 per month to Loud City, Live365, or some other broadcast network to cover royalties to be paid to artists played on our stations. If this amount increases, most of us will be forced to shut down our commercial-free, 24/7 Internet radio stations, which play music you won’t hear on commercial radio stations.*
Clark Sisters & More!!!
Hello Planet Soulers!
I had the privilage of attending the taping for The Clark Sisters’ forthcoming DVD, “Live: One Last Time”. The concert will first be televised on the Gospel Music Channel and will then be released on DVD for sale. Aside from an extremely late start (almost two hours), The Clarks were in rare form. Twinkie on the organ, and Jacky, Dorinda and Karen front and center bringing their incredibly distinct vocals on a wide range of old and new material. The lead singles from the new album, “Blessed and Highly Favored” and “Livin’ This Kind of Life” are sure Clark classics…but I have to tell you that when they did their classic “Name It, Claim It” and their mother’s composition “I Tried Him and I Know Him”, I thought that everything in the room–starting with me–was going to explode. There is a spirit so undeniable in those early Clark compositions, it’s kind of hard to accept that this is the last time we’ll actually get to see them create that magic together. The album drops April 11th…so pre-order at amazon.com now!
March 15th marks the release of the new release from the brilliant Ainsley Burrows. His new album, “Rockstar”, will prove to be one of the most innovative releases of the year. Blending his sparkling poetry with almost every musical genre possible, Ainsley is truly pushing the envelope, defying genre and definition. His lyrical content is always thought-provoking and his delivery intentional. You can check Ainsley and “Rockstar” out at www.myspace.com/ainsleyburrows
release of LM Ross’ “Manhood: The Longest Moan”. I was blessed enough to get a pre-release of the book…and I was entirely blown away by the soul the bursts through the pages of this book. It tells the tale of four young men who meet in high school and form a singing group…and the individual journey that life takes them on. LM Ross’ writing style is comparable to the literary giants. While the book is a fictional work, it carries a heavy poetic bent that makes you feel as if it’s been sung to you. “Manhood: The Longest Moan” is also available for pre-orders at amazon.com…
Me thinks it’s gonna be a great year…
SoulTalk “Interpretations” Interview Series continues Sat. March 3: Live interview with singer/songwriter Angie Stone
My “Interpretations” SoulTalk interview series continues this Saturday, March 3rd, at 10 pm EST, with singer/songwriter Angie Stone.
The forthcoming “Interpretations” CD includes ten Earth, Wind, & Fire classics performed by Chaka Kahn, Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi, Angie Stone, Bilal, Dwele, Mint Condition, Meshell Ndegeocello, Musiq Soulchild, and Kirk Franklin.
The SoulTalk artist interview airs live every Saturday at 10 pm EST as the second hour of Deb Hind’s new PlanetSoul radio show on WMNF 88.5 FM. You can listen to the live stream of the entire show at http://www.wmnf.org/. (Note: you’ll need to have WinAmp loaded prior to listening – visit http://www.winamp.com/ for free download.)
Performed by Rahsaan Patterson
Produced and composed by Jamey Jaz and Rahsaan Patterson
Copyright (c) 2007
Used by permission.
Terms & Conditions
Copyright (c) 2007 PlanetSoul LLC
All Rights Reserved.