These days it’s rare to find a new reggae act who embodies the genre’s traditional roots. But such is the case with Rootz Underground, a six-man band formed 10 years ago out of “di yard” — Jamaica. They not only sound right, but act right, singing conscious lyrics of justice…
Brian Hunker likes to keep it simple on the decks. “I take a decidedly uncreative approach,” he says. “No fancy beat-matching. No mashups. No special effects. I just select one song I really like and let it play. When that song ends, I play another one. That’s it. I like…
According to Neil Tennant of Pet Shop Boys, America is the only country in the world in which the seminal electro-pop duo is regarded as a relic of the ’80s. In fact, the singer says, the official EMI research he’s been shown suggests that the typical PSB listener is 27…
Last Sunday marked the second installment of longtime local promoter Mark Pollack’s “Can I Say Sunday” series at Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale. Conceived as a vinyl record swap, music-movie screening, and show, the event again came together brilliantly in the inviting surroundings of this former Methodist church. The evening…
From the countryside of Jamaica, reggae legend Bunny Wailer picks up his land line with a bombastic introduction that would make any reggae disciple tremble in humility. “Greetings, this is Bunny!” The static-ridden connection reverberates like his 1981 classic dub tune “Rise and Shine.” Born Neville O’Riley Livingston, Bunny, along…
Just before midnight on a recent Saturday, my two good buddies and I walked through the valet lot, gawked at the impressive collection of Ferraris, and moseyed into the ritzy W Hotel. Past the lobby’s sleek white couches, giant glass vases, and two-story fountain, we found the doors of swanky…
In the vast suburban everywheres of the North, there is a surplus of Sublime-obsessed white boys who smoke reefer as if it were a bodybuilding supplement for the brain. They jam incessantly, knocking out funky pseudo-ska while backed by their great-aunt’s analog drum machine. And during band breaks, each individual…
In case you missed the film La Mala when it played in Miami-Dade College’s Muestra de Cine Cubano in May, the opportunity presents itself once again to catch this flick. The movie is based on the life of legendary Cuban singer, La Lupe, played by singer-songwriter and pianist, Lena. For…
via ArtOfficial Music’s FlickrLocal live hip-hop favorites ArtOfficial are officially on the verge. Part of this is because the band is all over the social network, on just about every site you can think of. Even Flickr. While looking for Flickr photos of shows from the past weekend, I found…
To read the previous installment of Jacobs Ladder’s tour diary, click here. These are the on-the-road chronicles of Miami band Jacobs Ladder as it completes its ninth national tour, brought to you by bassist Sammy Gonzalez.Bands, if you’re heading out on the road and want to share your own tour…
Dialed In is a weekly column on Crossfade tracking the top-ten lists on South Florida’s campus radio stations. Click here to view the top tracks from previous weeks.Top Ten Albums for the week of August 23 – 28La Roux is a British-electropop-synth duo that has been holding steady at the…
Ever since wandering away from the pseudo-industrial barrios of their native Uruguay almost a half-decade ago, the dark, druggy boys of Monoblock — Martin TC and Guikle — have survived and thrived by zigzagging through the secret underground tunnels that connect all international party meccas. Thus far, the techno-house experimentalists…
PL0T resident DJ Alejandro Sab has been quite active in the last couple years, playing along some of the finest underground EDM talent we’ve had in Miami, such as Konrad Black, Ryan Elliot, Alexi Delano, and Camea. Besides his DJ accolades, Sab has also delved head-on into collaborative production work…
photo by Jipsy, nefariousgirl.comTo read past installments of Diary of a Flasher, click here. Behind every gallery I post, there are some interesting stories, especially when I am shooting a party or event at my free will. Not only do I see people as more interesting, but the entire experience…
Being a Miami native, I’m always curious to hear what folks think about my hometown. And, as you might suspect, I’m not afraid to ask. When it’s bold-faced name folks, I get even more curious. Not that their thoughts are any more or any less important than those of plain…
via myspace.com/xplicitmiamiMiami rapper Xplicit’s biggest in-roads in the industry so far have been as a songwriter. His biggest score so far has been a co-writing credit and appearance on the hook of Diddy’s new single “Diddy Bop,” and he’s worked with most of the local heavyweights. (Here’s an old Crossfade…
Last week, you totally blew it, missing the jumpoff for Dade County hustler Pitbull’s impending album Rebelution. (I mean really … Where is your civic pride? The guy carries the keys to our city.) You missed a backdoor taste of club bangers like “Calle Ocho,” “Hotel Room Service,” and “Krazy”…
via myspace.com/prettyrickyThe end of the millennium has been pretty rough on the Carver Ranches-birthed R&B group Pretty Ricky. First, last year original Pleasure P quit the group to pursue a solo career. His single “Boyfriend #2” peaked at number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 — a higher position than…
¡Mayday! The Thinnest Line (Self-released)maydayonline.com This five-track EP is rife with sexy rhythm and blues, with elements of funky hip-hop and solid live instrumentation behind it. It gives an overall lounge feeling for the casual cool cat that dresses well and knows how to order a drink right. The collective…
It’s been 22 years since Rodney Mayo bought an old Salvation Army soup kitchen at 518 Clematis St. in West Palm Beach and converted it into the punk-rock institution it is today. So to celebrate, the king of Palm Beach nightlife put together an extravaganza last Saturday featuring some 20…
Crüe Fest 2, the ragtag summer tour headlined by the infamous Mötley Crüe, hits Cruzan in West Palm this Thursday. And if frontline reports are to be believed, this year’s edition promises to surpass last year’s rock ‘n’ roll madness. And that’s quite a feat. For this go-’round, the tour…
I’m not a girl, not yet fit to be a mom: Paparazzi photograph Spears in February 2006 driving with son Sean Preston in her lap, and moms across the globe go apeshit. In May, Spears is seen almost dropping her little bundle of joy while leaving the Ritz-Carlton in New…
