Eleven-times-nominated, two-time Grammy winner Common, 36, is still best-known for his socially conscious rhymes on albums like Be and Finding Forever, but that probably won’t be the case for long. Like so many rappers, he’s been bitten by the proverbial acting bug. Last year, he appeared in the shoot-’em-up Smokin’…
With Independence Day right around the corner, we’ll all be debating what songs qualify as the most patriotic ever recorded in these here United States. Or at least songs that wanted to be on such a list. This is what we came up with. “America” — Neil Diamond: Diamond is…
Neo soul, indie soul, retro soul, or whatever you call it comes ‘n’ goes in waves. And these days, the waves are definitely cresting. There’s Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Erykah Badu’s dazzling return, Quantic Soul Orchestra, the wah-wah grit of Philly’s Blue Method, and even them smooth, blue-eyed Brits:…
“I have a hard time with modern technology,” says Brazilian icon Gilberto Gil, describing the theme of his latest CD, Banda Larga Cordel. “I admit that I use it with moderation, but I am nevertheless fascinated by it.” This awe was the inspiration for his first disc of original material…
One of two surviving members of the Fab Four, the former Richard Starkey has become a global music legend, mainly because the entire world knows him as Ringo Starr. Within the Beatles, he was relegated to a mostly supporting part, taking the spotlight for the occasional vocal, some comic relief,…
Cute Is What We Aim For is likely the perfect 21st-century pop band. Almost purpose built for short-attention-span marketing campaigns, the four gents in CIWWAF focus so heavily on pop sheen, hooks, and scenester touchstones that it’s often difficult to figure out just what the sum of the parts is…
The pale, delicately boned wraith known as Peter Murphy gained his seat as an anointed dark king in the 1970s and ’80s as frontman of the legendary Bauhaus. Channeling the glam theatrics of David Bowie by way of the morgue, Murphy was drama incarnate, a Count Vlad lookalike who sometimes…
Alonzo Mourning is a man of many trades. He rebounds, he blocks shots, and he flexes his muscles with more passion than Adonis in front of a full-body mirror. But it’s Zo’s legacy off the court that makes him a Renaissance man. He has survived a kidney transplant, he has…
To me, the word hurricane conjures up thoughts of fruity rum cocktails, utter destruction, and complete inconvenience (not necessarily in that order). I’ve seen news footage of the devastation leveled by Hurricane Katrina, and I can’t ignore local whispers of the extended power outages Wilma caused. Frankly, I don’t have…
(Travis McCoy, from mtv.com) Yesterday’s Warped Tour stop at Maryland Heights’ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater wasn’t all sunburns, music and fun for one of the bands. Gym Class Heroes front man Travis McCoy was arrested after tussling with a fan who had been heckling him during his band’s day-closing set. Sergeant…
The Electric Bunnies Chewing Gum (Florida’s Dying Records) The Electric Bunnies’ music makes me feel like I’m beating off to pornography while my wife sleeps in the same room. Good thing I ain’t married and can enjoy the Electric Bunnies in public. Wow! It’s a solid follow-up to the Eskimo…
Jose El Rey If you haven’t seen local artist Jose El Rey perform live yet, you are missing one of the best spectacles out there. He easily won my heart over when I saw him perform at White Room earlier this year. And when he gave his cousin (niece?) Yarisleydi…
So thanks to my girl, Afrobella, I was reminded that today is the anniversary of R&B legend Luther Vandross’ passing. The soulful singer who turned the entire urban music world on his ear for 20 years was only 54 at the time of his death in 2005, but he left…
The folks at the Verve Music Group are trying to make sure that the great jazz vocalists of yesteryear are never forgotten. So for the last six years, they’ve been creating a stellar remix series where they select some of the world’s most respected DJ’s and crate diggers, give them…
So Independence Day is right around the corner. Of all the music gigs taking place in South Florida over the three day weekend, arguably, the one that’s creating the most buzz is 2 Live Crew’s upcoming performance at the Vagabond this Thursday night. It’s been awhile since a lot of…
Bryan Falla Wisin Y Yandel Saturday, June 28, 2008 American Airlines Arena Better Than: Watching your mom and dad grind inappropriately to “Noche de Sexo” at last year’s New Year’s party. By 8:45 p.m., the arena had filled up almost entirely and the crowd was antsy. With every cadence, every…
Sayre Berman Keyshia Cole Lil’ Wayne, Keyshia Cole, Akon and more at SummerFest 2008 Saturday, June 28, 2008 BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise Better Than: Throwback hip-hop fest Power House from the ‘90s with a side of Pop Rocks and OE. For South Florida hip-hop enthusiasts, Saturday night’s South Florida SummerFest 2008…
The excellent New York quartet Locksley opens for Rooney tonight (along with the Bridges) at Revolution. Still unsigned, thanks to their catchy Brit-inflected power pop, and a fierce penchant for self-promotion, the band already boasts an enviable string of high-profile television appearances and tours. Here’s what I had to say…
If you’re not familiar with local avant jazz guru Kenny Millions, then you’ve got some catching up to do. The man is a saxophone virtuoso and if you listen to his music, without knowing anything about his storied past as a musician in other cities, you get the sense that…
Nic Fanciulli In a sort of last minute booking, British DJ extraordinaire Nic Fanciulli is stopping by the Vagabond Saturday night for its Back Door Bamby party. Don’t know who Fanciulli is? Well let me expand your musical knowledge. He’s a British house DJ that is associated with acts like…
When I was young, my parents took me to Hawaii. I remember wholesome family fun there, swimming in the ocean and visiting some volcanoes. We checked out both Maui and Oahu, but all in all, we didn’t do anything more exotic than drink from a coconut or search for seashells…
Acclaimed singer/songwriter and budding film star Teddy Geiger seems to have stumbled upon a special formula for success in the entertainment industry. For the 19-year-old, music may have been his first passion, but it was landing a role on the short-lived CBS TV show Love Monkey that brought Geiger to…
