April 14th, 2008 by Pete
They bill themselves as “the unheralded emperors of Instrumental Staten Island Afro-Soul”. They are white, they are bearded, and they know how to get down in that old school “Dirty Harry” kinda way (this could fit right into ‘The Enforcer‘). Check ‘em out….
The Budos Band - Chicago Falcon (mp3)
From….
Links: Official Site | MySpace
Posted in Funk, Rock, Soul | No Comments »
March 30th, 2008 by Pete
While a mass of humanity took in Fergie’s (disappointing? gasp!) set across Town Lake at the Tempe Music Festival, we smart ones were filing into the Marquee Theater to take in D.C. / Brooklyn artist Citizen Cope. It was billed on the venue’s web site as “an evening with no support”. But I was pleasantly surprised when a tall, slender female figure took the stage at 8:10 and tore the roof of the joint with a short four song set…
Posted in Local, Reggae, Rock, Soul | 1 Comment »
March 27th, 2008 by Michael
When you start seeing and hearing this young lady everywhere you can tell your friends that you heard it here first. And while there is an overwhelming urge to call Duffy ‘the next Amy Winehouse’ I’d rather like to think of her without the comparison. Sure, there is the whole 60’s inspired soul singer thing and the amazing voice but that’s where it ends. From the bluesy “Syrup & Honey” to the Motown rave-up “Mercy” this is finely crafted soul that exceeds the hype that is building around it.
If it’s any indication of the quality I’ve had her debut album Rockferry for less than 24 hours and I’ve listened to it at least three times. It won’t see it’s US release until May 13th, but you can pre-order the record via Amazon. In the meantime have a listen to the next single (and my favorite track on the record) “Warwick Avenue”.
Duffy – Warwick Avenue (MP3)
Pre-Order Rockferry: Amazon
Links: Official Site | on Last.fm | on MySpace
Posted in BritPop, Soul | 3 Comments »
November 22nd, 2007 by Michael
I wanted to take the opportunity on this day of thanks to extend my warmest wishes to the friends of Ickmusic. I also want to thank Pete for allowing me to take up space on his little corner of the internet. And I’d be remiss if I did not thank all the friends and folks who read and leave the occasional comment. To share my thanks and spread the love here is the brilliant Robert Randolph & The Family Band performing “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” live.
Robert Randolph & The Family Band – Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (MP3)
Link: Official Site
Posted in Funk, Soul | 1 Comment »
November 2nd, 2007 by Michael
Soul cannot be manufactured, produced or processed; sold, bought, or processed (you get the point). Real soul is something you feel and something that Raul Midón has in spades. On his new record World Within a World he displays it with such abandon that it’s damned near heartbreaking. Blending pop, soul, jazz and touches of latin roots, Raul paints with his syncopated, flamenco- and jazz-infused approach to the guitar. His voice gives the impression of a man three times his age. It got more than a couple of spins on my iPod during the flights to and from Hawaii. If you are looking for neo-soul with a pop feel, pick this record up today.
Raul Midón - Pick somebody up (Windows) (Quicktime) (Real)
Buy: World Within a World
Link: Official Site | MySpace
Posted in Acoustic, Soul | No Comments »
September 24th, 2007 by Michael
Epic Records has signed Ickmusic Favorite Alice Smith and will re-release her debut record “For Lovers, Dreamers & Me” on October 30th, 2007. I can’t say enough that this is essential listening for all fans of music. Once details are available you can be sure we’ll share them, in the meantime here’s a stream of “New Religion” for your listening pleasure…
Alice Smith - New Religion (Windows Media) (Quicktime)
Link: Official Site | MySpace
Posted in Soul | No Comments »
September 6th, 2007 by Michael
Two masters of their craft.
Posted in Opera, Soul | 1 Comment »
September 4th, 2007 by Pete
Speaking of Ms. Winehouse, who Michael mentioned in his Sharon & the Dap-Kings post (the Dap-Kings also being Amy’s backing band on Back to Black
I’m pulling for her. Though her voice harkens back to the 60’s soul singers, there’s something that’s fresh and original about her. I’m bummed that she cancelled her upcoming tour dates. I was excited about catching her in Austin. But the important thing is that she gets her shit straight, and judging by her performance of “Love is a Losing Game” Tuesday night, I think she’s on her way. Though I don’t think that classy husband of hers is doing any good….
Posted in Pop, Soul | 1 Comment »
September 4th, 2007 by Michael
100 Days, 100 Nights by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings could very well have been recorded and released in 1965. This record absolutely drips in the southern fried soul of the ‘good ol’ days’, though this record will undoubtedly (albeit criminally) be compared to more recent outings from Amy Winehouse. The fact that these ladies share a backing band is where that comparison should end. Where Amy is a profitable facsimile of soul, Sharon is soul, pure and simple. Hell, even their record label is kickin’ it old-school and releasing 7” singles and refers to their roster as a “stable”.
The lead off track “100 Days, 100 Nights” finds Sharon in full-on vamp mode bemoaning the whereabouts of her man. And when she slows it down to a bluesy half time bridge you feel it. Elsewhere on the record you can find Sharon echoing Aretha (“Nobody’s Baby”), Otis (“Humble Me”, “Tell Me”) and Carla Thomas (“When The Other Foot Drops, Uncle”). And it needs to be said that The Dap-Kings stand as a modern day equivalent to Booker T. & the M.G.’s or The JB’s. The full record does not drop until the end of the month, but here’s one to tide ya’ll over.
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – 100 Days, 100 Nights (MP3)
Buy / Pre-Order: 100 Days, 100 Nights
Link: Official Site | MySpace
Posted in R&B, Soul | 2 Comments »
August 28th, 2007 by Michael
I’ll be honest here, I did not know much about Marcus Miller before I decided to write this piece. I only knew him as the bass player for Miles Davis. Let’s see what Wikipedia has to say:
… a jazz musician, composer and producer, perhaps best known as a bass guitarist with Miles Davis, Luther Vandross and David Sanborn. Miller is classically trained as a clarinetist, and also plays bass clarinet, keyboard, saxophone, and guitar, and is a capable singer.
Well hot damn! He’s won a Grammy for his solo efforts and has played with a veritable “who’s who” of Jazz and Blues musicians. I stumbled upon his latest release while browsing through my Miles Davis links. It immediately grabbed me with it’s raga-inspired lead off track “Blast” and held me down tight delivering funk, soul and some of the tightest bass licks I’ve heard. Here’s a sample of the soulful side of this record featuring the beautiful Corinne Bailey Rae covering the 1977 Deniece Williams track “Free”.
Marcus Miller (feat. Corinne Bailey Rae) – Free (MP3)
Buy: Free (I highly suggest checking your local jazz/soul shop first!)
Link: Official Site | MySpace
Posted in Funk, Jazz, Soul | No Comments »
