May 2013 BET Music Matters Showcase at SOBs Recap

MAY 14TH FLYER(1)

On Tuesday, May 14, 2013, famed live music venue SOBs played host to the monthly BET Music Matters Showcase, a multi-platform campaign designed to highlight up-and-coming talent that the music network feels could potentially become “the next superstars.” The genres vary from hip-hop to neo-soul, giving audience members a diverse listening experience. And when it comes to determining who’ll the next superstars, BET may be right on the money. Read more of this post

Imani Uzuri Live at the Blue Note in New York on April 1, 2013 [PHOTO RECAP]

A few weeks back, we were privileged to be guests of jazz soul singer Imani Uzuri, who performed a live set of her Gypsy Diaries LP at the legendary Blue Note Jazz club in Greenwich Village In New York City.  We were lucky enough to be sitting right at the stage near the percussionist.  Enjoy our perspective. Read more of this post

White House to Feature Memphis Soul Concert Tonight, April 9, 2013 LIVE STREAM at 6:55PM

Performances at the White House

According to the White House website, the southern tinged soul from Memphis, including many Stax artists, will come to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.   We know our President has soul and this is certain to be an amazing time.   More information below:

As part of their “In Performance at the White House” series, the President and First Lady will invite music legends and contemporary major artists to the White House for a celebration of Memphis Soul music. The program will include performances by Alabama Shakes, William Bell, Steve Cropper, Al Green, Ben Harper, Queen Latifah, Cyndi Lauper, Joshua Ledet, Sam Moore, Charlie Musselwhite, Mavis Staples and Justin Timberlake, with Booker T. Jones as music director and band leader. Read more of this post

Hiatus Kaiyote at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City on March 22, 2013 [EVENT RECAP]

On Friday, March 22, 2013, Australian band Hiatus Kaiyote made their NYC debut at West Village venue Le Poisson Rouge. The band has generated a great deal of buzz and amassed a substantial fan base thanks to efforts like their debut EP Tawk Tomahawk.

Hiatus Kaiyote categorizes their music as “future soul,” which is appropriate given its neo-soul, jazz, hip-hop, and electronic influences. The band itself certainly has an eclectic look, with lead singer/songwriter Nai Palm appearing as if she stepped right out of the pages of a Japanese manga. The other band members – keyboardist Simon Mavin, drummer Perrin Moss and bassist Paul Bender – are a bit more conservative in their personal stylishness. Read more of this post

Big Daddy Kane and Las Supper at the Blue Note in New York City on March 11, 2013 [EVENT RECAP]

From the sounds of this thorough review from The New York Times, hip hop legend Big Daddy Kane and his current “grown up” soulful music explorations with his band the Las Supper are a hit with the Blue Note crowd this past Monday in New York.  Enjoy!

From NYTimes.com:

Last September, at the inaugural concert at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Jay-Z brought out just one guest, Big Daddy Kane. It was the student offering the spotlight to the teacher: a show of respect, of civic pride (like Jay-Z, Big Daddy Kane is from Brooklyn) and a compliment. It was also an opportunity, one that Big Daddy Kane took advantage of, showing in just a few minutes why he was worthy of the gesture, and the stage. Read more of this post

How to Get in to See Prince Perform at La Zona Rosa for Samsung’s Closing SXSW Party on March 16, 2013

Prince

BREAKING NEWS!!!
The Purple One, Prince, will be making a splash at this year’s SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. He will likely be performing his latest single, Screwdriver, and will also likely perform Bambi again like he did recently on the Jimmy Fallon show.  Check out more details below on how you can get in. Read more of this post

The Music of Prince – All Star Tribute on March 7, 2013 at Carnegie Hall with The Roots, D’Angelo and more [VIDEO RECAP]


Last night was a memorable evening for all in attendance at the All Star Tribute at Carnegie Hall in New York City featuring the Music of Prince. As we reported, there was an open audition at the City Winery on downtown Manhattan the night before. The amazing array of talent for last night included D’Angelo, Elvis Costello, Princess (Maya Rudolph’s Prince cover band, Talib Kweli, the band formerly known as The Family, former Revolution guitarist Wendy Melvoin and Eric Leeds from the Madhouse jazz project. Check out a few videos of the performances from last night. Enjoy!
Read more of this post

Pump Me Up: D.C. Subculture of the 1980s [EVENT]

Event Dates:  February 23 – April 7, 2013
Location: Corcoran Gallery

TICKETS

Having grown up in Washington, D.C. in the 80′, soulhead.com founder Ron Worthy saw many of these posters walking to and from school.  At the time, the city was engulfed in a major war against crack and the city’s resident’s needed a much needed escape from the dangers of the streets. And while many of the go-go shows that were being advertised did not provide the safest environment to party, they did encourage a sense of community and appreciation for the groove, which we can’t ignore.

More from the Corcoran:

Pump Me Up: D.C. Subculture of the 1980s is the first exhibition to explore the thriving underground of Washington, D.C., during the 1980s, giving visual form to the raucous energy of graffiti, Go-Go music, and a world-renowned punk and hardcore scene. Read more of this post

The Soulquarians: Brothers in Arms (D’Angelo and Questlove) at Brooklyn Bowl Live – 3/4/13 VIDEO RECAP + SETLIST


Celebrated venue, Brooklyn Bowl, hosted an amazing collaboration last night. Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and neo soul legend D’Angelo tore the roof off the sucker.  Enjoy!

Event Details:  March 3, 2013 @ 9PM at Brooklyn Bowl

Read more of this post

Nina Sky Live at 285 Kent Tonight! 2/7/13 in Brooklyn, NY

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Artist: Nina Sky
Supporting Acts: Kitty Pryde, Chippy Nonstop
Venue: 285 Kent, 285 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn, NY Directions
Time: 8p
Price: $10

We really want to hit this tonight. Looks like a good show. And who doesn’t like ‘Move Your Body’? Enjoy.

From the Village Voice:

The first sisters of reggaeton and dancehall—best known for their hit “Move Ya Body” and hooks on N.O.R.E.’s “Oye Mi Canto” and “Mas Maiz,” as well as Major Lazer’s “Keep It Goin’ Louder”—Nina Sky (a/k/a Nicole and Natalie Albino) returned last summer with the stellar r&b-influenced mixtape Nicole & Natalie. Who knows what they’ll be playing tonight at 285 Kent, where they share the bill with rappers Kitty Pryde. The former just released her D.A.I.S.Y. Rage EP, the official follow-up to YouTube favorites like “Okay Cupid” and “Orion’s Belt”; the latter, if nothing else, raps over some elastic Bay Area post-hyphy beats. The only guarantee is that you’ll break a sweat.

 

John Legend Live at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival January 26, 2013

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We loved this great performance this past weekend by soul music star, John Legend, who was one of the top acts, along with Mary J. Blige and Dionne Warwick, featured at this year’s Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, which is held each year on the island and features top talent from the world of R&B, Soul, Jazz and other related genres.  This solid footage includes Green Light and Best You Ever Had  Read more of this post

Prince to Hold Open Rehearsals at Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis January 16-18

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BREAKING NEWS: Prince to have open rehearsals in Minneapolis

from Prince.org:

PRINCE AND THE NPG ARE HAVING AN OPEN REHEARSAL AT THE DAKOTA JAZZ CLUB!!!

The group Fun. has rented out Paisley Park so rather than stop rehearsals Prince decided to move the band downtown

Witness 1st hand what happens as Prince and The New Power Generation gear up for their next tour. (We told you 2013 was going to be big!)

Here is a list of what will be going down at the Dakota Jazz Club this week:

Wednesday Night Soundcheck: New drummer audition and Improvisational Music. Also, DJ Rashida will spin new, unreleased music.

Thursday Night: JAM!!! (consider this the afterparty vibe)

FRIDAY: …….Surprise!! (don’t miss this!)

Minneapolis, sounds like you are in for a FUN FUNKY Time!!!!
Also, on Wednesday night, 9 Central, there will be a spreecast with Drfunkenberry. Last week’s show was watched by 35,000 people so far.

Make sure to tune in HERE.

Ticket info update:

http://sa1.seatadvisor.com/sabo/servlets/EventSearch?presenter=DAKOTA

Wednesday nite $70, Thursday nite $100-$150, Friday nite $200-$250

*TICKET UPDATE*

According 2 Citypages Gimme Noise the tickets go on sale at 11am NOON

http://blogs.citypages.com/gimmenoise/2013/01/prince_rehearsal_shows_dakota_jazz_club.php

Gilles Peterson Worldwide Awards 2013 Preview FULL STREAM

Gilles Peterson 2013 Worldwide Awards
Gilles Peterson is one incredible tastemaker across the pond and Worldwide. For those not in the know, he chooses the best of the best each year for his Worldwide Awards. The list always features artists who are bubbling up in the underground. This is one enjoyable listen for sure. Read more of this post

Classic Whitney Houston Live from Washington, D.C. (DAR Constitution Hall, March 10, 1997) FULL CONCERT

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Shot in a very intimate fashion, this incredible concert performance captures the brilliance of Whitney Houston as a singer and performer. This is CLASSIC WHITNEY. From the opening shot where she walks through the crowd to the stage to the final notes and cheers for encores, you can really feel the power of this legendary voice, which we lost earlier this year. She captivates the audience with her classics as well as a medley of her aunt, Dionne Warwick‘s, hits. Enjoy this one evening or weekend morning.

Here is more about the concert from Wikipedia:

Classic Whitney, Live from Washington, D.C., were special live concerts by Whitney Houston featuring many of her greatest hits, as well as gospel favorites and songs saluting some of her influences including Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross. The concerts were held at historic DAR Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. on October 3 and 5, 1997. 2nd night concert was broadcast live via HBO, which was her third HBO special. (First was “Welcome Home Heroes with Whitney Houston” in March, 1991 and second, “The Concert for A South Africa” in November, 1994.) Whitney and The Whitney Houston Foundation for Children donated the proceeds, over $300,000 from ticket sales to the Children’s Defense Fund, a national non-profit organization devoted to providing a voice for all children of America, particularly poor, minority and disabled children. Houston said her one-woman show was especially significant because it was occurring during the 100th anniversary of acclaimed opera singer Marian Anderson’s birthday. Houston dedicated her performance to Anderson’s memory and her historic attempt to perform in 1939 at Constitution Hall, where she was banned by the Daughters of the American Revolution(DAR).

Whitney Houston performed more than 20 songs in these concerts, including such hits as “I Will Always Love You”, “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” and “Greatest Love of All”. She was backed by a 35-piece band and orchestra with an entire string section. DAR Constitution Hall seated more than 2500 people for the performance, which employed 14 cameras. In addition, the backdrop featured images projected on five screens, setting an elegant and understated tone. Houston’s special was the first performance since the renovation of the legendary hall.

Set list

1. “I Will Always Love You”
2. “I Know Him So Well” (with Cissy Houston)
3. Dionne Warwick Medley:
“Walk On By”
“A House Is Not A Home”
“I Say a Little Prayer”
“Alfie”
4. Aretha Franklin Medley:
“Baby I Love You”
“(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone”
“Ain’t No Way”
5. Tribute to Sammy Davis Jr.:
“Mr. Bojangles” (feat. dance solo by Bobby Brown)
6. Tribute to United States great men:
“Abraham, Martin and John”
7. Diana Ross Medley:
“God Bless The Child”
“Endless Love” (duet with Gary Houston)
“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”
“The Boss”
Missing You”
8. Tribute to George Gershwin:
“I Loves You, Porgy”
“Porgy, I’s Your Woman Now”
“Summertime”
9. “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” (BeBe Winans, Monica and Shirley Caesar joined in ad-lib of song’s finishing part at 2nd night concert.)
10. “I Love The Lord”
11. “I Go to the Rock”
12. “Greatest Love Of All”
Encore
13. “Amazing Grace” (saxophone solo by Kirk Whalum)
14. “Step By Step”
15. “I’m Every Woman”

 

2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees including Donna Summer, Quincy Jones and Public Enemy

We are proud of all of the inductees to this year’s class of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees.  For years, many non-maintstream rock groups were ignored in this annual award show.  However, in recent years, we have seen a number of hip hop and classic soul artists emerge as inductees.

This year, we are especially happy to see recently passed disco and R&B legend Donna Summer along with bluesman Albert King ,  legendary producer/arranger/musician Quincy Jones, and, of course, hip hop pioneers, Public Enemy among the list of inductees.  Also, shout out to the inductee Lou Adler for producing the cult classics, Cheech and Chong‘s legendary Up in Smoke and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and changing the World forever.

Check out the full list below:

2013 Grammy Awards Nominations and Predictions

We are happy for all of this year’s Grammy nominees but especially Kanye West, Jay-Z and Frank Ocean, all of whom have been featured on this site.  The Grammy Awards may be politically charged at times, but it is still the preeminent award show for music and attracts a global audience and hosts some of the most memorable performances in music history.  As such, we are very excited to present this year’s nominees and our predictions. (note: given the extensive list of categories, we will only focus on those categories and awards which we feel are most relevant to the soulhead community)

Event Details:
55th Annual Grammy Awards
February 10, 8pm EST
CBS (check your local listings) Read more of this post

Rick James – Super Freak Live in Concert in Germany 1982 + RECAP

Rick James was one of the most important singers, bandleaders, songwriters and musicians of our time.  This documentary, which was released in 2005, illustrates his virtuosity as a performer.   Enjoy it even if you are not staying in on a Friday night.

Description:

This concert film was shot in Essen, Germany on Rick’s first tour of Europe; right before his career took a serious nose-dive. It is no secret that James, who died in 2004, was fond of dissipation and the drugs and drink would very shortly take their toll on his music. Ironically, this film opens with James backstage, taking hefty swigs off what appears to be a bottle of Courvoisier while waiting for his Stone City Band to finish their intro. Read more of this post

Brooklyn Funk Fest @ The Paper Box in Brooklyn, New York November 28 – December 1, 2012 [EVENT]

Title: Brooklyn Funk Festival
Venue: The Paper Box
Address:  17 Meadow Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206 Directions
Date:  November 28 – December 1, 2012
Time: 7p – 4am each night
Headliners:   Stepkids, HeaVy, Emefe, Zozo Afrobeat, BAM! and many others
Hosted by:  Afrika Bambaataa
Tickets:  $15 pre $20 day of show or $40 festival pass BUY
Age: 21+

This looks like a must attend function happening this week in Brooklyn. Featuring one of the most fun bands anywhere, HeaVy, this will surely be a great time. We highly recommend this.
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Centric Presents “The Soul Train Awards 2012″ [VIDEO RECAP]

Last night’s BET televised and Centric produced Soul Train Awards, which was deftly hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, were really incredible.  Despite missing some of the Sunday evening football games, we watched, sang and rejoiced with the lot of incredible performances that were featured.  Among those performing were soulful superstars Stevie Wonder, Tyrese, Tank, Anthony Hamilton, Leah LaBelle, Fantasia, and Charlie Wilson among others.    New Edition brought down the house with a rousing medley of hits from their heyday including a Bobby Brown led Mr. Telephone Man and a seat clearing rendition of their classic If It Isn’t Love.

We’ve compiled the best of the web for this recap in case you missed it.

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Loose Ends Live at The Warner Theater, Washington, D.C. November 10, 2012 RECAP

We are pleased to bring you photos from this past weekend’s incredible show by British soul legends, Loose Ends, who performed with a full band (sans founding members Carl McIntosh and Steve Nichol) and serenaded the D.C. crowd with their most notable songs. Lead singer, Jane Eugene, sang her heart out and brought back some incredible memories. For a singer who has not performed in the States in years, it was an amazing display of talent and vocal prowess. From Urban AC classics like “Slow Down” and “Hanging on a String” to a resounding rendition of “You Can’t Stop The Rain”, this group came to play and left the crowd wanting more. If you are fortunate enough to have them come to your town, get involved and support this group’s resurgence.
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Soul Man by Sam & Dave, from #SoundHound http://t.co/XfMDpw9Wfq