Sunday, 18 December 2011
Just Elemental Music's top of the tops 2011
This summary is not available. Please
click here to view the post.
Monday, 12 December 2011
The Just Elemental Music Radio Show: Episode 11
Prince – For You
Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz – Déjà vu (Uptown Baby)
Large Professor – IJuswannachill
The Roots – Make My
Common – Celebrate
BlackStar – Fix Up!
Public Enemy – Night of the Living Baseheads
Souls of Michief – 93 ‘til Infinity
Common – I Used to Love H.E.R (Tall Black Guy Remix)
Eric Roberson - Tale of Two (Tall Black Guy Remix)
Amy Winehouse – Half Time
Amy Winehouse – Our Day Will Come
Lianne La Havas – Age
Hudson Mohawke – Fuse
Julio Bashmore – Battle for Middle You
Marshall Jefferson – Move Your Body
Bamford’s B-boy tribute:
The Blackbyrds – Rock Creek Park
Babe Ruth – The Mexican
Dexter Wansel – Life on Mars
Coke Escovedo – I Wouldn’t Change a Thing
Jimmy Castor Bunch – It’s Just Begun
Badder than Evil – Hot Wheels (The Chase)
Rhythm Heritage – Theme from SWAT
Barry Gray – Space 1999
All the People – Cramp Your Style
The Weeknd – Rolling Stone
Lunice – I see U
Tom Waits – Fawn
The Impressions – I’m So Proud
Otis Redding – Pain in My Heart
Kevin Moore – Speak Your Mind
Erykah Badu – Green Eyes
Monday, 5 December 2011
Monday, 14 November 2011
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Just Elemental Music Radio Show Episode 10: Heavy D Tribute
http://soundcloud.com/thehobbit/just-elemental-music-episode
Heavy D Tribute special:
Tracklist:
Evangelos Yancey Bamford – Heavily Stuffed Aubergine Choppings
Heavy D and the Boyz tribute:
Mr. Big Stuff (Remix)
Black Coffee (Album mix)
Blue Funk
A Buncha N*’s
Eric B and Rakim - Don’t Sweat The Technique
Black Milk Ft. Danny Brown – Black and Brown
The Roots – Make My
Cam’Ron Ft. Juelz Santana – Oh Boy!
Union Ft. Talib Kweli – Time Leak
Drake – Headlines
Drake Ft. The Weekend – Crew Love
Onra – A New Dynasty
Lauryn Hill – Doo Wop (That Thing)
Amy Winehouse Ft. Nas – Like Smoke
Tall Black Guy – You Got to Be a Man (Chop Suey mix)
Lyn Collins – Think (Jski Extended re-edit)
Brass Construction – Movin’
Oliver $ - Doin’ Ya Thang (Original Mix)
Lana Del Rey – Video Games (Joy Orbison remix)
Inner City – Big Fun
Mr Scruff – Feel it!
Kenton Slash Demon - Sun
Mosca – The Way We Were
James Blake – Love What Happened Here
Adrian Younge - Turn Down the Sound
Nancy Wilson - Ode to Billie Joe
Heavy D and the Boyz – Take Your Time
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
HTC Sensation™ XL with Beats Audio™
The HTC Sensation™ XL with Beats Audio ™ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaClh7xiC6A takes the personal music experience to whole new level. Consumers can even send track and music recommendations to friends over SMS, email or share them through Facebook. Its sleek styling and beautiful unibody design makes it the perfect phone for those who refuse to compromise on their mobile entertainment.
For studio sound quality just as the artist intended, just connect the Beats™ http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=KXCK-tCIvTI headphones into the HTC Sensation XL with Beats Audio device and hear the real magic happen as the unique Beats app kicks into action, providing bespoke audio tuning and delicious sound. When it comes to playing games or videos on the daily commute, people no longer need to squint because the HTC Sensation XL with Beats Audio comes with an impressive 4.7" display. It's even easy to stream films and music from the device through the TV or PC at home.
But it's not just its good looks, large display and bespoke sound quality that pack a punch with this smart piece of tech. Its HD video slow motion capture and 8 megapixel camera are perfect for getting creative with high speed shots and its back lit sensor with wide angle lens is ideal for action at gigs or on a night out with friends.
The HTC Sensation XL with Beats Audio is available across operators and in UK stores now!
To experience the HTC Sensation XL with Beats Audio video that everyone is talking about, click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXCK-tCIvTI or for more product specs click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mF0j02SuFw .
HTC UNLEASHES THE HTC SENSATION™ XL WITH BEATS AUDIO™
Beats integration, combined with amazing 4.7-inch display, introduces powerful entertainment experience
LONDON - October 6, 2011 - HTC Corporation, a global designer of mobile devices, today unveiled the HTC Sensation™ XL with Beats Audio™. This latest innovation is the result of the new partnership between HTC and Beats announced in August and takes mobile entertainment to a new level with an amazing 4.7-inch screen and a specifically optimised audio experience. The HTC Sensation XL joins the HTC Sensation XE to provide customers with a strong line-up of HTC smartphones integrated with Beats Audio.
"With Beats Audio, the HTC Sensation XL continues HTC's commitment of delivering the best audio possible on your phone whether you're listening to music, watching a movie or playing a game," said Peter Chou, CEO, HTC Corporation. "This is an amazing example of why our partnership with Beats makes so much sense for customers today and into the future."
"HTC is an incredible partner and has completely embraced our desire to make the music experience on the mobile phone as powerful and as rich as it can be," said Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of Beats by Dr. Dre.
Design, Performance and Stunning Audio
With the 4.7" screen, slim 9.9mm design and Beats Audio integration, the HTC Sensation XL was specifically created to deliver the best entertainment experience with stunning audio and visuals for music, movies and games. The HTC Sensation XL features unique audio tuning by Beats that ensures customers will hear their music as the artist intended.
Unique to HTC phones, the HTC Sensation XL includes new lightweight urBeats™ headphones, created exclusively to integrate with the Beats' audio profile on the device. The built-in microphone makes hands-free calling easy and the on-cable remote control allows customers to pause, advance or rewind, and to answer a call mid-track.
Customers can also send music recommendations and track information to friends over SMS, email or through their Facebook profile. To allocate the perfect audio alert to an incoming call or message from friends and family, use the ringtone trimmer to edit a music track and add it to a friend's contact profile.
HTC Watch
HTC Sensation XL integrates HTC Watch, an application and service that puts an entire library of the latest premium movies and TV shows right at your fingertips, letting people discover the latest video content in an easy and visually engaging way. HTC Watch uses progressive download technology that makes it possible to watch videos without waiting for a huge file to finish downloading. HTC Watch offers the choice of renting or buying videos, and, if purchased, lets customers watch them on up to five different HTC devices.
Capture the moment
The HTC Sensation XL boasts an 8MP camera, featuring a f/2.2, 28mm wide-angle lens with BSI sensor to fit more of the scene into every shot and for better low-light performance. In video mode, the HTC Sensation XL enables customers to record a perfect moment with stunning clarity and incredible stereo sound - perfect for sharing on YouTube, Facebook or a TV.
Availability
HTC Sensation XL will be available across EMEA and Asia Pacific from early November. In EMEA, HTC will also be offering a limited edition bundle that includes special edition Beats Solo headphones.
About Beats Electronics LLC
Established in 2006, Beats Electronics is the brainchild of legendary artist and producer Dr. Dre and Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records Jimmy Iovine, who set out to develop a new type of headphone with the capability to reproduce the full spectrum of sound that musical artists and producers hear in professional recording studios. For more information, please visit http://beatsbydre.com.
About HTC
HTC Corporation (HTC) is one of the fastest growing companies in the mobile phone industry. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC creates innovative devices that better serve the lives and needs of individuals. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2498. For more information about HTC, please visit http://www.htc.com/ http://www.htc.com http://www.htc.com/ .
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Just Elemental Music Radio Show: Episode 9
http://soundcloud.com/thehobbit/just-elemental-music-episode-9
The Just Elemental Music Radio Show: This weeks special guests are Zara McFarlane and Cookie Pryce.
Track-list:
Ananda Shankar – Missing You
Miles Davis – All Blues
Vince Guaraldi – Oh, Good Grief
Zara McFarlane interview and songs:
Zara McFarlane – More Than Mine
Zara McFarlane – The Children and the Warlock
Zara McFarlane – Blossom Tree
Alix Perez and Sabre – Solitary Native
Calibre – Ugly Duckling
Omar – There’s Nothing Like This (Hobbit's Uptown Top Skankin' chop)
Half Pint – Greetings
Rupie Edwards – Ire Feelings
Tommy McCook and the Upsetters – Cloak and Dagger
Terror Danjah feat. DOK – Morph2
Mosca – Bax
Lapalux – Quick Kiss
Samon Kawamura – One and One
Falty DL – Can’t Stop the Prophet
King Geedorah – Fazers
The Cookie Crew – Females
Cookie Pryce interview
Main Source – Looking at the Front Door
BlackMoon – I Got Cha Opin (Album mix with a Hobbit twist)
BlackMoon – I Got Cha Opin (Remix)
Camp Lo – Luchini
Jade – Don’t Walk Away (album walk)
Brianna Colette – I’m in love (produced by Lewis Parker)
El Anthony – That’s What My Lady Said
Ray Barretto – Pastime Paradise
Jimmy Savile montage...
Sunday, 23 October 2011
Sunday, 16 October 2011
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
The Just Elemental Music Radio Show: Episode 7
Just Elemental Music Episode 7 by The Hobbit
Richard "The Hobbit" Bamford's Just Elemental Music Radio Show:
This weeks' guest is Mark Devlin with a HipHop Classics mix.
Track list:
Sylvia - Sweet Stuff
Dexter Wansel - The Sweetest Pain
Alberto Forzan - There's Nothing Like This (acoustic)
Emile Sande - Heaven (acoustic)
Anita Jo Bracie - Rollin' at the Roller Disco (Rico's rankin skankin' ol' 'eap o' 'obbit reworkin')
Bibio - Lovers Carvings (Letherette Remix)
Jill Scott - Golden (Freddie Joachim Remix)
Exile - Klepto
Roots Manuva - Revelation
Azealia Banks and Lunice - Runnin
Arp101 - Groove
Dam Funk - Forever
Martyn - Popgun
Orbital - Impact
Switch - I Still Love You feat. Andrea Martin
Lanu - Rooservelt Blues
Slugabed - Sun Too Bright
Lou Rawls - You'll Never Find (Womack Rework)
T.I.S - J'ai besoin (kronos remix)
MARK DEVLIN REVIVAL MIX:
LL COOL J - MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT
PETE ROCK & CL SMOOTH - THEY REMINISCE OVER YOU
BRAND NUBIAN - PUNKS JUMP UP TO GET BEAT DOWN
ERIC B & RAKIM - I KNOW YOU GOT SOUL
PUBLIC ENEMY - REBEL WITHOUT A PAUSE
A TRIBE CALLED QUEST Featuring BUSTA RHYMES - SCENARIO
JAY-Z Featuring FOXY BROWN - AIN’T NO N*GGA
KRS ONE - SOUND OF DA POLICE
BIG PUN/ FAT JOE - TWINZ
BIG L Featuring BIG DADDY KANE - PURE PLATINUM
A TRIBE CALLED QUEST - CHECK THE RHIME
NOTORIOUS B.I.G - LIVE FREESTYLE
NOTORIOUS B.I.G - UNBELIEVABLE
GANG STARR - MOMENT OF TRUTH
James Pants - Mangoes
Cutty Ranks - Limb by Limb
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Saturday, 1 October 2011
Friday, 23 September 2011
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Sunday, 18 September 2011
Friday, 16 September 2011
Saturday, 10 September 2011
Friday, 9 September 2011
GIRLS: ‘FATHER, SON, HOLY GHOST’ (Fantasytrashcan / Turnstile). A review by 7's.
When they stop trying to display just how well they know the great American Pop Songbook, when they shoot truly from the hip they really hit the target. When they take the vintage influences of their choice and use them as a jumping off point, rather than just plain aping what’s gone before, then O Lordy it works. But this carbon copy shtick just ain’t gonna fly. And listen up, the boys in Girls, you don’t gotta do it.
They know their stuff, and if you’ve liked anything between Pet Sounds and The Besnard Lakes Are on Fire then you’ll get this, but I’m still torn, kinda. Playing spot the influence gets old pretty quick, and it gets in the way. Let’s be clear though; this is the 3rd record these San Fran fellows have released, and they’d still be telling tales of sun-kissed unrequited love regardless of whatever the cool kids are listening to. But sure jumps around stylistically; during Die you can actually hear them growing beards and turning into Black Mountain (not a bad thing, but why the full-moon were-bear-bunch response amongst these here songs), but who do you wanna be? My point is this – they’re within reaching distance of The Soft Bulletin, Deserter’s Songs and the like – pieces of work that embodied what Gram Parsons called ‘Cosmic American Music’; a style, a vocabulary that embraces the musical folk art of the USA, and attempted to take it forward. But you‘ve got to follow through – it’s not enough to just show us your workings in the margins. Fleet Foxes do the same damn thing, steering up into the stars before inevitably collapsing into a pile of Crosby Stills & Mash (sic). Stop being fans. Stop showboatin’. Be yer own heroes.
So how come I’m still listening? Because ‘Alex’, ‘Die’, and ‘Vomit’ are modern classics. Yeah, I said it; rub on yer modern. Because ‘Father, Son, Holy Ghost’ is often pretty as hell, and when they give from their heart, it goes straight to yours.
7’s
The Coup’s Party Music: Originally released on September 11th 2001. A reflective review by Richard Bamford
Back in the hazy days of summer, 2001, The Coup planned a symbolic attack against the World Trade Center. Their target wasn’t the actual towers themselves though; their target was capitalism. The representational attack was being made as a protest against a culture that celebrated mindless consumption, gratuitous greed, and an insurmountable gulf between the classes.
As we all now know, Boots Riley and DJ Pam the Funkstress weren’t the only people planning a similarly symbolic attack. The latter, though would go far beyond a controversial photo and an album filled with incendiary lyrics.
The attack on the twin towers, 9/11, occurred before Warner Music and The Coup released Party Music; the original cover was, however, finished in June 2001. Though they were investigated by the FBI, they were quickly cleared of any wrongdoing. They did, though, have to redesign the cover. The newer cover was far more subtle: while it appears to be a celebration of Courvoisier and lust, it’s actually a symbolic call to arms. Did anyone spot the gas’ can sitting next to the martini glass?
While tracks like "5 Million Ways to Kill a CEO" and "Lazymuthafucka" pack a powerful punch even ten years on, I wonder: how many people heard their messages after all the controversy, shock and horror of the attack, and their new found fame, based purely on the hullabaloo surrounding the artwork of the original album cover?
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Saturday, 27 August 2011
Thursday, 25 August 2011
Monday, 22 August 2011
Sunday, 21 August 2011
J.E.M RECOMMENDS
An evening of live music and discussion with various perspectives and voices from Musicians, Thinkers, Writers and Spoken Word Artists to Community Members in aid of providing an alternative narrative to the mass media lead perspective / explanation behind the recent riots.
Open The Gate, London N16 opens it's doors on Sunday 21 August 2011 to a brilliantly inspiring line up of performances from the likes of Mangaliso asi, Cherri Prince, Madame Pepper, Danny Thompson, Native Sun (Mohammed Yahya & Sarina Leah), El Crisis, Nekz, Poetic Pilgrimage, Umanyano and Zena Edwards + more.
During this FREE event, there will be donations made with the intention of raising awareness and funds for youth development charities and centres.
A Narrative Of Unrest
Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm (12am finish)
venue: Open The Gate, 33-35 Stoke Newington Rd. Dalston, London N16 8BJ
Featured artists on the night:
Zena Edwards
Mangaliso Asi
Danny Thompson
Native Sun
(Mohammed Yahya & Sarina Leah)
Cherri Prince
Umanyano
Poetic Pilgrimage
El Crisis
Madame Pepper
Nekz
+ More including speakers
Just Elemental Music Radio Show Episode 4: BBE Records Mix spesh
Just Elemental Music Radio Show Episode 4: BBE Records Mix spesh by The Hobbit
JEM Radio Show Episode 4 Track List:
Can We Pretend – Bill Withers
Telephone Call – Bill and Kori Withers (live)
Run and Hide – The Bullitts featuring Jay Electronica
Weirdo – The Bullitts
Soul On Top – Karriem Riggins
Water No Enemy – Tall Black Guy
Gotta Have It – Kanye West and Jay Z
Legendary Weapons – The Wu Tang Clan (Ghostface, AZ and M.O.P.)
Serial Killa – Snoop Dogg
Everything in its Right Place (featuring Erro) – Osunlade
Nina Cares – Life Boogie
Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh) (Remix featuring Busta Rhymes and Fabolous) – Lumedee
Doctor’s Darling Dub (Night Nurse) – Seeed
Ancient Dub – King Tubby
Western Dub/Conversation Riddim – King Tubby meets The Scientist
It’s Good to Have The Feeling – Tippa Irie
Sacred Frequency – Machinedrum
Wispa Bar – Dego
Hold On – SBTRKT
Perfection – Sub Motion Orchestra
La La – Stepkids
Cbat – Hudson Mohawke
Drop it Like It’s Hot (Featuring Pharrell Williams) – Snoop Dogg
Sitting on the Couch Turning into Stone – James Pants
Strawberries (AM E.P.) – Freddie Joachim
BBE Records Mix by Chris Read:
Come Back Home – Al Kent
Music in Me (Come Alive) – DJ Spinna featuring Shaun Escoffery
Rock Wit U (Osunlade Yaruba Soul Dub) – DJ Jazzy Jeff featuring Erro
Stop – Madlib
The Way I Live – Madlib featuring Stacy Epps
Soul Ship Interlude – Space Invadas
Creep – TLC
.
Friday, 12 August 2011
FROM PHILLY WITH LOVE...?UESTLOVE INTERVIEW
As far as music accolades go, particularly in this social network obsessed age in which we currently exist, to be named number 2 (picked only to the top spot by Kanye West) amongst the ‘Top 50 Tweeters in Music’ by none other than Rolling Stone is no mean feat.
In Rolling Stone's write-up about why you should follow ‘The legend of ?uestlove's hyperactive Twitter account’ which it claims ‘runs far and wide, and for good reason’ is that it is, "presented in unfiltered stream-of-consciousness style — full of stray observations, gentle shit-talking, and great tips on songs — the feed is a constant marvel".
As a huge fan and @questlove follower, I completely agree, and in a tweet treat moment, I watched on my timeline as a new twitter follower @questlove (Questo of The Roots) tweeted @ThutoMali happy birthday! It is safe to say my heart momentarily stopped - in a good way.
With possibly the coolest Twitter profile picture, stood side by side with US president Barack Obama, to paraphrase rising urban music sensation B.o.B’s lyrics from The Biz, ‘really I aint famous until Obama knows my name’, which it would appear in the case of ?uestlove he does. The Roots co-founder and drummer’s Twitter bio reads ‘your favorite twitterer's favorite music snob’ (originally hailing from Philadelphia, hence the American spelling). It was indeed his vast knowledge and love of music that was the basis of his special friendship, which began on Twitter, with none other than Amy Winehouse, who he described as his ‘Skype buddy’, and with whom he shared 'constant weekly and even daily' chats and where just seventeen hours before died, she had left him a message.
On hearing the news of the singer’s death, he was naturally 'devastated', and in fact in his own words, ‘It took me out of commission for about three days’. “I was in denial for like two hours and the first thing I ran to was my Skype, and she [had] left me a message, I guess like seventeen hours before, wanting to play me something. She was like ‘ahh man I got to call you, you got to hear something’.
He is said to be even more crushed, as despite never discussing anything personal, she had indeed entered his ‘personal realm’ or musical inner circle which he ‘really wasn’t expecting’. “I had such admiration for her as an artist, and as a singer she is one of my favourites ever. I felt like a minion, like wow you really respect my opinion about music – I am so honoured.
“I think that the reason why we hit it off so well, which is kind of a double edge sword, is that all we talked about was music. I’ve got to be honest; sometimes those conversations were just a little weird, depending on her mind state and frame at that particular time. I will say that in the last two months, that was the most straight and coherent that my communication has ever been with her".
The mutual fans of each others work, which would later become friends, shared many a conversation in which they educated each other on their varying musical passions, “she would tell me a lot about 40s jazz that I didn’t know about, and I educated her on the likes of J Dilla and all that stuff, and so then it would be like, here is something that you don’t know about”.
It is hard to imagine that the percussionist, producer and musical director behind a diverse roster of musical collaborations with artists such as Erykah Badu, Common, John Legend, Jay Z and even home grown talent such as Duffy and there was also the hope of working with Amy Winehouse, to projects including Chappelle’s Show and Fela! on Broadway, not already knowing virtually everything there is to know when it came to his specialist subject.
Having gown up in the backstages of live musical shows as he toured with his father Lee Andrews of 50’s doo-wop quintet Lee Andrews & the Hearts, even making his first drumming stage performance just aged seven and musical director debut at thirteen. It was back in ’87 that Ahmir Khalib Thompson aka ?uestlove (pronounced Quest Love) and friend Tariq Trotter (Black Thought), then high school students at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, came together and founded a band named The Square Roots (later dropping ‘square’ to become simply The Roots) - the band he not only co-founded but propelled him into the worldwide music consciousness.
Back then they played around school, the same school incidentally attended by group Boyz II Men and jazz guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, and on the sidewalk, and later at talent shows (with
?uestlove's drum kit backing Black Thought's rhymes). The duo later hooked up with rapper Malik B and initially Josh Abrams on bass who was later replaced by Leonard Hubbard and Scott Storch on keyboards, moving from the street to local clubs, The Roots became a ‘highly tipped underground act around Philadelphia and New York’.
Yet it was their decision to move to London, where they caught the attention of BBC Radio 1’s Gilles Peterson, who ?uestlove describes as being ‘like urban and hip hop music’s version of John Peel if you will’ that The Roots got their first real break. “He championed us so hard that basically the respect that he had amongst other A&R people, if he says that something is great, people gravitate towards it. That really made getting our record deal in America that much easier.
“That was our plan. We decided to save all of our publishing money get flat in Kentish Town, off Queen’s Crescent and London was our home for three years. Even now when I go there, the label has these cars for us and tour guides and I am like Yo this is my crib, am hopping right on the tube, going record shopping on the other side of London and getting some Jamaican food - I still consider that my third home”.
London may well be considered as his third home, but the States is very much his first home, and one of the key factors behind the decision which is said to have began as a bluff and running joke between them and their former Chappelle’s Show boss Neal Brennan, but has seen The Roots become possibly the coolest house band in TV history as they are in fact the band for ‘Late Night with Jimmy Fallon’. “We were on the road so much that we were strangers coming home. Some of us have kids and it is one thing when they are two and three years old and you might miss a ballet recital or kindergarten, but there is really no getting out of explaining why you’re not there for football practise or their first basketball game, when they are ten and eleven years old.
“So we wished there was a way for us to make a living and not have to leave home all that much. For most American entertainers the only answer to that question is Las Vegas…The idea of doing just one show, in one place every night was a little scary, and I don’t think that any of us were willing to uproot to Nevada to do that for like a year round".
The huge gamble to join ‘Late night with Jimmy Fallon’ team seems to have paid off and given the group the stability that they craved. As their iTune’s blurb states ‘…popular success has largely eluded The Roots’ even with a healthy international fan base, as ?uestlove himself says ‘it has taken us about 20 years to make a living off this’, with many hip hop acts still touring and ‘performing for pennies’. “The thing was when we took that gig, we didn’t even consider that this could benefit us more, this can expose us to a whole line of people that didn’t even know us, and we never even thought of that, we just thought that the priority was that we connected with our families”.
“The best thing about it is the fact that, there are a lot of pay offs, but that it provides us with a consistency that we have never had before as a band. We rehearse every day; we have never rehearsed as a band when we were The Roots between ’93 and 2009. We never once rented out a studio and rehearsed a show – we never had to, e just did shows every night and it was ever evolving on stage”.
It is this style of performance which earned The Roots the Rolling Stone vote as ‘one of the twenty greatest live acts in the world’. On the cusp of celebrating 25 years in the game, the Grammy Award winning group, credited with ‘shape shifting Hip Hop creativity’, make their return to London for their first headline show in the capital for two years at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo on 19 August. ?uestlove is however not giving away any hints as to what fans can expect, “I never hype up a show. Just know that we always put one hundred percent effort in everything that we do. I think our shows are the best that they have ever been. As I said earlier, London holds a very special place in our hearts; it was London that helped us get established and started, so we know for certain that it will be an amazing experience”.
It has certainly been a journey since the release of the band’s first major label album, Do You Want More?!!!??! (January 1995), and the bands 1999 single ‘You Got Me (featuring Erykah Badu) would go on to win them the Grammy Award for Best Rap performance by Duo or Group (2000). As they currently work on their thirteenth album UNDUN, which of course, ?uestlove followers on Twitter were treated to a sneak peak of one of their first recording sessions for the project anticipated for release in November this year, what is the future for The Roots? “We are now better musicians, and better song writers and better producers – this is what we needed. I feel like we are a new band all over again. Right now we are working on our thirteenth record but I really feel like this is our third record, I feel like now The Roots are realising they have arrived – it is weird to see it that way but that is how I see it”.
The Roots are at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo on Friday 19 August 2011, for tickets and further info: www.meanfiddler.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk
?uestlove is playing a three hour exclusive DJ set at East Village, 89 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3HX courtesy of The Doctor’s Orders: www.thedoctorsorders.com
Here at J.E.M we have some real exciting Tooty Booty for you in the form of two tickets to The Roots plus special guest Kano at HMV Hammersmith Apollo on Friday 19 August 2011. All you have to do is get the correct answer to the question below to us @: jemcomps@gmail.com by Wednesday 17th August 2011 – Good Luck!
What is the name of the 2002 hip hop themed romantic comedy starring Sanaa Lathan, Taye Diggs and Mos Def which The Roots feature on the sound track and what is the title of The Roots joint featuring Common that is featured in the opening sequence?
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
THE REAL DEAL ROUND UP
It has been an eventual month here at the Just Elem
ental Music towers and of course within the worldwide music community. There were celebrations as J.E.M's first lady came of age with a special birthday tweet from none other than ?uestlove of The Roots! We partied on the Croatian shore where we caught up with artists such as Little Dragon (pictured). On a more sombre note, sadly there were tragic commiserations as we remembered the talented but troubled songstress Amy Winehouse with a series of tribute interviews: http://justelementalmusic.blogspot.com/2011/07/frank-to-black-fond-farewell-to-amy.html
The hobbit and I have been taking on the airwaves with Rich's Just Elemental Music Radio Show on http://www.blogger.com/www.spaceinvaderradio.com, and my guest appearances on Colourful Radio and BBC London 94.9 Kath Melandri Show - watch this space there will be more where that came from!
J.E.M has gone from our usual haunts of the Jazz Cafe to catch the Last Poets (10 July), and indigO2 for a real treat in the form of Ice Cube and Naughty by Nature (Tuesday 12 July) marking 20 years in the hip hop game, to the beautiful shores of Petrcane in Croatia for the Soundwave Festival! A Super time was had! There was plenty of backstage action and great interviews with Channel One Sound System, Swedish sensation Little Dragon and one of my favourite DJs, Mr. Thing (check out my full British hip hop Mr. Thing feature: http://www.britishhiphop.co.uk/features/interviews/mr_thing_-_it_s_a_dj_thing.html
There are more Soundwave goodies to come in the next in our J.E.M Festival Special and a reminder of how we got down at Wireless which kicked off our festival season. This week marked the start of Sziget (8-15 August) with an mega line up of world class artists from home grown favourites The Prodigy and Dizzee to mega star headliners such as Prince (or what ever he is calling himself these days). 
J.E.M does indeed have a Sziget festival pass, and there is still almost a week of festivities to go so watch this space…..
No sooner had I touched down back in Blighty, I was treated to a chat with drummer, producer and member of The Roots ?uestlove about the groups forthcoming London show at HMV Hammersmith Apollo (19 August), his love affair with the capital which he calls his 'third home' and his special musical bond and friendship with Amy Winehouse. Check out my ?uestlove interview and this month's extra special Tooty's Booty – coming real soon!
Just Elemental Music is not just all hip hop, reggae, jazz, house and electro, we can mix and blend as we proved by hob knobbing with glitterati at Glyndebourne for a modern twist to Handel's classic opera, Rinaldo. Continuing our jaunt with the Arts, it was straight down to The Barbican for BBE: Touch - mesmerising. See the full J.E.M Live review: http://justelementalmusic.blogspot.com/2011/08/jem-live-review-bbe-touch.html
On the music release front there was the re-release of UK Soul legend Omar's Sing (if you want it) 18 July 2011, which thanks to the lovely guys at Tru Thoughts I was treated to a copy. The album is a mix of Omar's signature style and new material adding a fresh dimension with his floor filler ‘Dancing’ which sees him collaborate with UK bass artist Zed Bias. This week it's all about Jay Z and Kanye West and Watch The Throne (watch full stream right here on J.E.M). 
Finally as reported first right here on Just Elemental Music, sadly there will be no Q Tip at the indigO2 on 26 August. Due to 'unforeseen circumstances' ATCQ founding member has had to cancel his hotly anticipated show. It is also looking like there is a question mark over whether Notting Hill Carnival will go ahead this year following the widespread rioting and destruction that has rocked not only my home town of London but has spread as far as Birmingham and West Midlands, Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester and Salford. This is not what brother Malcolm meant when he said 'by any means necessary' - this is entirely something else!
If you want to help and come together to make a positive contribution to this situation, follow @Riotcleanup on Twitter as well as @CleanUpTheEndz, @RiotCleanUpManc and @riotcleanupwolv.
People can also donate bedding, clothes etc to help those made homeless by the London riots at Apex House, 820 Seven Sisters Road, London N15 5PQ, and Tottenham Green Leisure Centre, Town Hall Approach Road, Tottenham N15.
People can also donate bedding, clothes etc to help those made homeless by the London riots at Apex House, 820 Seven Sisters Road, London N15 5PQ, and Tottenham Green Leisure Centre, Town Hall Approach Road, Tottenham N15.
The ‘End the Violence Campaign’ founded by artist, producer, writer and teacher Artcha, was formed specifically to ‘educate young children and adults about focusing their energy in a positive way’ across several London boroughs. The hope of the campaign is to address issues such as gang violence and the kind of scenes we have been witnessing up and down the country in recent days. Check out the ‘End the Violence Campaign’ on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/etvcampaign/
There is a really interesting article and petition circulating entitled, ‘A CALL FOR MORE UNDERSTANDING AND LESS MORALISING’ which seeks to ask the fundamental questions in understanding the bigger picture behind the rioting which has swept across several of the UK’s major cities. As scholar and anti-racist activist Paul Gilroy so eloquently tweeted: ‘When did ritual condemnation become the entry ticket into official public discourse?’ check out the full article and petition: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/a-call-for-more-understanding-and-less-moralising.html
Spread the positivity good people!
Until next time.........
Peace, Toots x
Photography ©
Ice Cube – Akin Aworan, Last Poets – Thuto Mali, Soundwave - Rob Percy & Thuto Mali, BBE: Touch – Jonnie Malachi
Until next time.........
Peace, Toots x
Photography ©
Ice Cube – Akin Aworan, Last Poets – Thuto Mali, Soundwave - Rob Percy & Thuto Mali, BBE: Touch – Jonnie Malachi
Monday, 8 August 2011
J.E.M LIVE REVIEW: BBE: TOUCH
There is nothing that can captivate me quite like dance. Whether it is a dancer on a podium or Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, I am guaranteed to be transfixed. This is perhaps because, as a little girl aside from my love of music, that is truly what I wanted to be, a dancer.
Imagine then the fusion of fluid creative chorography, with an edgy and original score, and the odd comedic twist thrown in for good measure, and you have the perfect formula for a hit show. Boy Blue Entertainment (BBE): Touch, not only delivered, but was the perfect marriage of music and dance, of composer (Michael Mickey J Asante) and choreographer (Kenrick 'H20' Sandy) into a breath taking fusion of colour, movement and sound. It is unsurprising that BBE: Touch’s short The Barbican run (28 – 30 July 2011), required additional dates to be added due to popular demand.
The opening montage of clips taken throughout the years, a favourite amongst urban music artists, hinted at the flavour of this multi-sensory showcase and experience. For those unfamiliar with BBE and even seasoned fans of their previous work including the Olivier award winning Pied Piper, Touch was an
up close and personal glimpse, within the intimate setting of the Barbican pit, at the men behind a ten year legacy born out of their clear love and passion for music and performance art. It was also an opportunity to see Mikey revisiting his dance roots, for the first time in several years.
The JFK quote “Conformity is the jailer of freedom", was amongst many projected throughout the show, and there was without doubt no evidence of conformity within their collective and individual performances.
Sandy was graceful yet powerful, muscular yet elegant and imaginative at every turn in his collage of multiple dance disciplines. Guest performers Bradley Charles and Rachel Kay added another dimension to this well rounded performance.
Asante, who I have had the pleasure of interviewing previously, is a renowned and accomplished beat maker, which he demonstrated so spectacularly in one of the show’s main highlights were he created beats from sounds collected from the audience. As he went to work, it was reminiscent of a scientist in a lab putting together the perfect formula from raw materials.
The key motivator for the BBE Co-founders and Artistic Associates of The Barbican has always been a love of what they do and that shone through in a glorious Technicolor. BBE Touch was indeed ‘innovating’, ‘inspiring’, ‘pioneering’, ‘versatile’, ‘energetic’ and a rare and worthwhile treat.
Catch both Kenrick ‘H20’ Sandy and Michael ‘Mikey J’ Astante in Channel 4’s One Man Walking, Monday 15 August, 10:30pm.
Part of Channel 4’s Street Summer season, One Man Walking is the powerful exploration of some of the intensity and challenges of life in the metropolis, as told through the expression of raw dance styles such as krump, hip hop and parkour set in the streets of London.
Touch photography (c) Jonnie Malachi
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)