Gary Barlow shattered the dreams of X-Factor hopeful Misha Bryan by telling her she won’t win the X-Factor because of wrongful bullying allegations made by his fellow judges. And much has be written suggesting that Misha is too Black to win the competition, while others have pointed out that Black contestants have won in the past. But is there a difference between then and now?

Misha Bryan sings Rolling in the Deep on X-Factor UK

Leona Lewis won the third series of X-Factor in 2006 because Simon Cowell championed her cause; and she is after all bi-racial with coloured eyes and ‘blonde’ hair, which the British public ‘connect with’ more than the attributes of dark-skinned brown-eyed women of obvious African descent. Furthermore, she has a good, commercially appealing Mariah Carey-style voice and with that “international beige” complexion that is said to sell more records even without any talent attached in this supposedly ‘colour-blind’ world. Yet, the programme makers still found it necessary at the time to bring out Leona’s white mother and grandmother just to remind the good British public that Miss Lewis was in fact just one of them, if a little dusky round the edges.

Alexandra Burke, on the other hand, won the fifth series of X-Factor in 2008 largely because of the Cheryl Cole factor. As her mentor, Cole tried every trick in the book to persuade the folks at home to vote for her protégée, which of course indirectly meant a vote for our Cheryl. If you recall back then, Cheryl performed in-between the voting and all manner of other attempts were made throughout the series to persuade us that we were really voting for Cheryl Cole, our new English Rose, to win the competition between judges that year. Who knows how Dannii Minogue must have felt about it all, but for Cowell, it was an absolute Godsend, driving even more viewers to his moneymaking venture.

That’s not to suggest that Alexandra Burke had no talent, she had it in abundance, but those who know how racially motivated Britain can be were waiting with baited-breath to see if a dark-skinned woman of African descent could actually win this thing. That Burke was taller, leggier, and eurocentrically ‘better looking’ than Misha B, false hair ‘n’ all, played an important role. But we were grateful nonetheless to think that change had come to Britain. It is interesting to note that Burke’s career has never gone beyond the highpoint of her X-Factor win or the Hallelujah single that followed it. It seems that after X-Factor, no one really knows quite what to do with her talents, and she has ended up looking like some forlorn drag queen rather than the international artiste we all presumed she would become. But that mantle is reserved for Leona Lewis in the Cowell stable, and even he still believes lighter is brighter, and will no doubt be backing the Leona Lewis clone, Melanie Amaro, now that Drew is out of the runnings on X-Factor USA. But I digress.

Back in Little Britain, and many are wondering what is it exactly that the British public have against Misha B or her gorgeous mentor, Kelly Rowland, and the fact is they’re just too damn dark and too good for this place. And without Simon Cowell or Cheryl Cole to indirectly big them up, just who the hell do they think they are, anyway, with all that brimming confidence as if they’re better than everybody else is. And that’s just it, they are better than everybody else on that show is, and Britain doesn’t like it one little bit. But the good British public will never express their racist feelings outright (as many Americans might), but like Tula Paulinea “Tulisa” Contostavlos, herself a foreigner, they will find some trumped up excuse to justify their envy and xenophobia or simply put it down to they’re just not likeable or like us, meaning “white” or “English.”

In the final analysis, the only bullying that’s taken place on this year’s X-Factor is the bullying of Misha B. But should she win this eighth series of X-Factor UK, we could safely say that Simon Cowell’s moneymaking ‘talent show’ has single-handedly changed the social consciousness and fabric of Britain and Britishness forever. But that’s unlikely to happen me thinks. The truth is that whether Misha wins this show or not, she truly belongs in the USA as an export to Britain alongside the likes of Missy Elliott or the evergreen Grace Jones. Thank God for producers like Jay-Z with the money, power and influence to make her dreams a reality in this so called entertainment business. I’m sure that with a word from his friend Kelly Rowland, he can see Misha’s talent and hear the ca$h tills ringing. Simon Cowell isn’t the only music mogul in town.

Paul Boakye

Writer, editor and marketing specialist who sat on The Power Inquiry. Former editor and CEO of the consumer lifestyle magazine, Drum (UK), and author of five plays published for an academic audience by Alexander Street Press, USA. Recipient of business and writing awards, including prestigious accolades such as advising British government, BBC radio and TV commentator, and invitation to meet Queen Elizabeth II in 2007. Currently works as a communications professional, creating contagious ideas to help great brands change the conversation to their advantage, across the entire Central and West African region.

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In Mr Graham, written and directed by Julius Amedume, a young man comes to terms with his inner demons to troubling consequences. A provocative topic, skilfully handled in this short film.

Really enjoyed this piece of social drama. The scene outside the playground was particularly poignant. Great acting from everyone with a sharp script by Julius.

Brilliantly directed. At once, touching and repugnant.

Mr Graham a short film by Julius Amedume

Powerful stuff.

Paul Boakye

Writer, editor and marketing specialist who sat on The Power Inquiry. Former editor and CEO of the consumer lifestyle magazine, Drum (UK), and author of five plays published for an academic audience by Alexander Street Press, USA. Recipient of business and writing awards, including prestigious accolades such as advising British government, BBC radio and TV commentator, and invitation to meet Queen Elizabeth II in 2007. Currently works as a communications professional, creating contagious ideas to help great brands change the conversation to their advantage, across the entire Central and West African region.

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If there’s ever an important message and lesson learnt from this documentary-style film, exploring and charting 70 years in the life of Lee ‘ Scratch’ Perry, it’s to avoid being too forth-giving and bearing the burden on your back for more than you can carry. Invite few into your world of spiritual and monetary success, according to the captivating film documenting 70 years of Bob Marley’s mentor, because those who don’t deserve your invitation will surely be the cause of your downfall. Failure to adhere to the aforementioned warnings will leave you with two options; to reinvent yourself to survive or accept your demise and disappear into irrelevance. Luckily, for Mister Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, he chose the former.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-VTECPHD9E

The Upsetter film was written, directed and produced by independent filmmakers Ethan Higbee (Red Apples Falling, The Anti-Fascist, Basedworld) and Adam Bhala Lough (Bomb The System, Weapons, The Carter), who over seven years in-the-making, seemed to be the only fortunate folks to recently catch up with Lee for the coherent one-on-one interviews featured in the film, which contributed heavily towards making it one of film’s many highlights and comparable to past rare music-related footage from the beginning of Perry’s career, bits of, which are seen on most well-documented historical reggae films. From Lee’s early childhood, the movie unfolds chronologically moving the viewer from Lee’s introduction to the Jamaican music industry, to his relationship with Bob Marley, to the rise and fall of his once vibrant Black Ark studio, to his temporary ‘disappeared’ stage of depression and drinking, and seeking his refuge to Switzerland with a new life, wife Mireille, new family (including 2 kids) and a new lease on re-launching his music career, as a solo artist.

Lee 'Scratch' Perry

Narrated by Oscar-winning actor Benicio Del Toro, The Upsetter film captures magnificent still photography and unseen video of yesteryear and today that, even as fast as they flash across the screen, muster-up a million thoughts asking yourself – “how was life in the past for Jamaicans? What truly shaped the many musical geniuses from such a small island in the Caribbean, impacting and influencing the many gems we know and possibly take for granted as ‘popular’ or ‘underground’ music of today?” Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry creatively pushed us forward by inventing his own unique formula in productions, propelling hundreds of hit-records behind the vocals of such artists as Max Romeo, Bob Marley, Junior Murvin, Junior Byles and The Congos, just to name a few. He was definitely at the forefront of this golden time, laying the foundation for the purest and most original forms of electronic music and hip-hop, before of course these genres even adopted their names or had an established industry behind them.

But besides an obvious focus on the spark in music technology led by Lee, Jamaican lingo and lifestyle, Lee’s depth of religious fanatical behavior, his fascination with painting art, his non-reggae production credits featuring The Clash, Beatsie Boys, Paul McCartney (all of whom are featured in this flick) and his bizarre display of humor, of which there’s lots within the movie to absorb, one of the most powerful aspects of this film is how and why Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry has become who he is – father, husband, singer, songwriter, producer, poet, painter, genius and madman aka ‘Pipecock Jackxon’, ‘Super Ape’, ‘Ringo’, ‘Wonder Man’, ‘Jamaican E.T.’ and many other monikers. On the surface, he appears to be a misfit or completely insane, but nobody remains married, raises a family and continues to record, tour, win a Grammy and remain as musically relevant 40+ years after his career took flight. Unless… well I won’t give away the most bizarre piece of insight Lee hints at throughout parts of the film, enabling him to escape his own demons, outside parasites and other earthly-bound human hindrances, in order for him to live successfully in whichever planet he pleases.

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry recently celebrated his 75th birthday. To view the trailer for The Upsetter and for more details on the release and the upcoming screenings, please visit: www.theupsettermovie.com

DJ Pelau

Marlon Regis aka Mr. Marlon aka DJ Pelau (pronounced “Peh-Laow”) is a multi-talented music stylist/writer that has always lived being surrounded by rich music via life’s travels. Whether in his youthful days on the festive, multicultural streets of his birthplace in Trinidad, or his adopted homes of Atlanta, New York City and now currently Los Angeles, the direction of his music through DJing or producing compilations first aims to connect to the people. With an unwillingness to limit himself to one particular genre or social scene, insisting each must possess some type of soul, style or conscious sense of spirit, you can expect a wide ranging onslaught of tracks from afro-house music, nu jazz, to reggae, afro-beat, brokenbeat, soca and even those hovering hybrids/mash-ups finding their way to solid definition. By trying to first understand how to always set that perfect ambiance through music, over the years his humility to adapt and please fused together with his visionary nature to shape listeners progressively with new music, has translated into his colorful, customized music selections or mixtapes finding a constant rotation at well-established stores, restaurants and hotels such as Prada, 7 For All Mankind, Sean John, Guess?, Runway Boutique, Gonpachi, Westin Resorts, W Hotels and many more…

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The 14th Annual Friends and Family Party kicked of Grammy Weekend on Friday in Hollywood at Paramount Studios, sponsored by EA Sports and Rock the Vote. Any time you hear of a party on any studio lot, be prepared for a true night out in ‘Tinsel Town’!

Katerina Graham @ 14th Annual Friends N Family Grammy Event at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles - Feb. 11, 2011.

This night was hosted by music management group AAM’s Mark Beaven and Andy Kipnes, and more than 20 top music executives. UV Vodka and Red Bull provided the beverages for the bar while live performances by Yelawolf, Kid Sister, and Jermaine Dupri fueled the excitement of party goers, who really turned out to be over 3000 of the music industry’s heavyweights who came out decked off, as if to compete against their coastal rivals strutting around in another ‘place to be’ as part of New York’s Fashion Week. There was even a John Lennon Educational Tour Bus parked outside the sound stages, which turned out to be a super cool mobile recording studio and HD production facility that travels throughout the year bringing hands on music and production education to students. www.lennonbus.org

An exclusive closing set by DJ Muggs and Mix Master Mike nicely rounded out the evening. Perez Hilton hung with Paris Hilton backstage; Jermaine Dupri and Kid Sister took in Tinie Tempah’s set next to the stage; while some used the opportunity to break free and loose from their ‘industry’ mode, making for one of the less pretentious atmospheres in Los Angeles, yet still being a party where most of everyone are somewhat ‘in the know’ and set new trends in music’s creative process. Living the best balance between normal and ‘Hollywood’, the night was truly reflective of the ‘FnF’ theme.

“This year, our 14th Annual Friends ‘ N” Family event, was our  biggest yet,” says Mark Beaven who’s baby this is.

Performers for the night include Caroline D’Amore, The Cataracs, Dirty Vegas (DJ Set), DJ Cam, DJ Muggs, Jermaine Dupri, Kid Sister, Mia Moretti and Caitlin Moe, Mix Master Mike, Oh Land, Priscilla Renea, Taryn Manning, Tinie Tempah and Yelawolf. Whilst amongst the other celebrities in attendance who just mingled and chilled, the event saw La Roux, Lil Wayne, LMFAO, Mario, Mya, Oh Darling, Omarion, Ron Jeremy, Sam Sparro, Sasha, Scott Weiland, Tila Tequila and many others pass through!

DJ Pelau

Marlon Regis aka Mr. Marlon aka DJ Pelau (pronounced “Peh-Laow”) is a multi-talented music stylist/writer that has always lived being surrounded by rich music via life’s travels. Whether in his youthful days on the festive, multicultural streets of his birthplace in Trinidad, or his adopted homes of Atlanta, New York City and now currently Los Angeles, the direction of his music through DJing or producing compilations first aims to connect to the people. With an unwillingness to limit himself to one particular genre or social scene, insisting each must possess some type of soul, style or conscious sense of spirit, you can expect a wide ranging onslaught of tracks from afro-house music, nu jazz, to reggae, afro-beat, brokenbeat, soca and even those hovering hybrids/mash-ups finding their way to solid definition. By trying to first understand how to always set that perfect ambiance through music, over the years his humility to adapt and please fused together with his visionary nature to shape listeners progressively with new music, has translated into his colorful, customized music selections or mixtapes finding a constant rotation at well-established stores, restaurants and hotels such as Prada, 7 For All Mankind, Sean John, Guess?, Runway Boutique, Gonpachi, Westin Resorts, W Hotels and many more…

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In the pretty Polish town of Olesnica, there is a particular library. Please allow me to introduce you to:

The Foreign Language Social Library (a part of the Glowinskis’ Library) is a very special one in part because all of the library’s books, as well as its huge gallery of illustrations (digitals and pictures), have been donated by not only the illustrators and writers themselves, but also by librarians, publishers and people with large hearts from around the whole world.

I would be honoured and delighted if you would consider donating anything of your work to our library. Your own book (with autograph or dedication), illustrations, and the like, would be most appreciated by our readership and by me personally.

The Glowinskis’ Library lends books at no charge, and I work in the library as an unpaid volunteer. We depend entirely on people like you – large hearted people who love the printed word, books and illustrations – to make what we do possible.

Please visit our website to see who else has generously agreed to donate a small item of work to represent them at our library.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

With best regards from Poland,

Tadeusz Glowinski
Librarian

GLOWINSKIS’ LIBRARY
ul. Waly Jagiellonskie 20
56-400 Olesnica
Poland – Polska

Tadeusz Glowinski

I graduated study on the University of Wroclaw on speciality Librarianship and Information Science. I worked many years as a teacher in secondary schools (after graduated The Study of Teachers in Wroclaw and High School of Engineers in Opole). I graduated as well Technical School in Sanok. Before I had been finished Elementary School, I had to be born. It was on 13-th of January, 1944, in Jedlicze near Krosno.

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MILES DAVIS, Bitches Brew Live (Legacy/Columbia)

Cargo: live jazz

Packed like: Miles Davis’ trumpet is still alive in 2011, forty+ years after this recording.

Taxes: Ain’t nothing more romantic than the element of surprise, the thrill of spontaneity and the class of jazz music to set the mood. Since you cannot dine out or hit the town to actually catch Miles live, the next best step is to invite his (live) music into wherever your privacy permits. This LP is like a live version to his classic 1970 release, Bitches Brew. In fact, some of these live versions to songs such as the album starter, Miles Runs The Voodoo Down, Spanish Key, Sanctuary and his title track, recorded live here for this LP were performed at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1969, nine months before the actual original release of Bitches Brew, and in front of the 600,000 people at the Isle of Wight Festival (UK) in 1970, four months after. The liner notes include exclusive festival photos of Miles both on stage and behind-the-scenes backstage, with his typical unassuming glare into the lens of the camera and always decked off in some of the funkiest apparel. Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be set with music so stereotypically romantic, especially when you surrender to the evolution of the groove by one of the world’s greatest. Good luck brewing…

Rating: **** 1/2

JAZMINE SULLIVAN, Love Me Back (J)

Cargo: soul, R&B, dancehall-soul

Packed like: eleven of today’s marquis R&B/soul songs, setting the bar so sky-high!

Taxes: If anyone of your naysayer-friends asks whatever happened to modern R&B/soul of this generation being taken seriously and having a high standard, point to this LP by Jazmine Sullivan with confidence, picking any song from the Missy Elliot-produced Holding You Down (Goin’ In Circles) to her 10 Seconds produced by Salaam Remi, and rest your case. If that’s not enough, show them how she flings it back to the 1980s ‘Purple Rain’ style on Don’t Make Me Wait, exposing her xxx-rated and bold request – no strings attached fellas! So what you waiting for? Take a dive into this blacker-berry, and sip her soulful nectar of talent on just some of the other gems such as U Get On My Nerves feat. Ne-Yo, Stuttering and Luv Back, leaving you without a doubt that Jazmine’s vocal style and skill delivers what’s relevant to your heart, soul and mind. Definitely one of the best for the end of 2010, well into 2011 and beyond…

Rating: *****

VARIOUS ARTISTS, Bossa Nova Around The World (Putumayo)

Cargo: bossa nova ballads, grooves and classics…

Packed like: the artists, no matter their ethnicity/nationality, perfected Brazil’s art form

Taxes: The concept is simple – pool together some of the most talented artists from around the world who, despite their non-Brazilian heritage or background, sing and play the bossa nova genre as well as anyone. And when Nancy Viera & Tito Paris on Esperanca de Mar Azul begin to place their thumbtack on Cape Verde and Portugal on the map with this brilliant offering, Rio never seemed so close. Sang in French and English, up next is Didier Sustrac on Tout Seul as well as Tom & Joy on Meditation, both artists from France who make bossa nova so fluent-sounding voiced in French, it seems almost like part of its origins despite the absence of the art-form’s Portuguese linguistics. The romance, unforced sexiness and utmost class within the song-choices, melodies and musicianship here on this LP continues to the highest level through other artists such as 2raumwohnung from Germany on Melancholisch, Hilde Hefte from Norway on Vakker Natt and Stacey Kent & Jim Tomlinson from the USA/UK on So Nice, all songs that swell your heart with emotions so strong, it’s hard not to cry while tears fall from your eyes – in joy or in pain.

Rating: *****

CORINNE BAILEY RAE, The Love EP (Capitol)

Cargo: pop, rock, soul

Packed like: classic covers from her favorite artists such as reggae’s king & pop’s prince

Taxes: After the release of her critically acclaimed LP of 2010, The Sea, ain’t nothing wrong with toying around with the idea of resting your pen, to instead dig-up the classics that shaped and influenced your artistry. Bringing her own style and vibe to the table, Corinne on the lead off this EP, does exactly that to Prince’s I Wanna Be Your Lover, making it a bit more modern, yet still keeping it funky. But she totally slows down the pace of Bob Marley’s Is This Love, into this juke joint, bluesy nightclub feel, making her emotions soak richer and deeper into your skin. With a few others, including the cover of Paul McCartney & Wings’ My Love, you won’t be second-guessing your partner’s mutual mood as your soundtrack to cuddle-up for HUGE hugs, with this CUTE EP…

Rating: *** 1/2

THE ELECTRIC, Life Is Moving (OGS)

Cargo: nu soul, nu funk, hip-hop, electro-soul, broken-beat…

Packed like: life’s all about beats n rhymes, soulfully-voiced+futuristically-electrocuted

Taxes: Born out of an international tour by DJ Vadim, who formed The Electric by wiring-up emcee Pugs Atomz from Chi-town and soul-stress Sabira Jade from the UK, their “Overloaded” onslaught packs a high voltage that cross-connects soul, funk-filled bass lines and expert rhymes to activate any sound system. Even at times when the trio falls back into their retro-soul of organic horns on So Now You Know, their sound is powerfully charged and destined to damage your speaker. Amongst the LP’s most electrifying songs, definitely plug in Beautiful feat. Yarah Bravo rippling the positive energy to uplift even the loneliest of souls, and then there’s their honor of the chorus-hook to ATCQ’s Stressed Out on their version titled Hands Up, just a few amongst other bright lights such as Electric Company, Let’s Celebrate feat. Wes Restless and the LP’s closer, Music Is Addictive. Indeed, it is…it is.

Rating: ****

ELIZA DOOLITTLE, Eliza Doolittle (Capitol)

Cargo: pop, soft-rock, retro-soul, folk and ska…

Packed like: a spanking brand new, yet vintage-styled n’ old fashioned, voice to adore

Taxes: On her self-titled debut, London-born Eliza Doolittle might tempt casual music fans to associate her brand to Amy Winehouse or even Lily Allen, but this 22-year old comes with way less drama or baggage, and co-wrote each of these 13 songs here, including the singles Pack Up and her witty, sex-craving Skinny Genes, which makes her shine a cut-above-the-rest for inking some potential hits for herself. This is such an ideal LP to intimately share, enjoy and show-off smiles to your special one(s), all made so possible by feel-good tracks such as Mr. Medicine and Rollerblades, but I must warn also, that when her soulful blend of folksy, bluesy songs hit, it can also make you tear-up while pondering over tracks such as Police Car, Missing and ESPECIALLY So High, probably one of those songs where the words just cut like a knife – make that a cutlass or machete – right through your poor, yearning heart…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoyGsV7RQaU

Rating: ****

DJ Pelau

Marlon Regis aka Mr. Marlon aka DJ Pelau (pronounced “Peh-Laow”) is a multi-talented music stylist/writer that has always lived being surrounded by rich music via life’s travels. Whether in his youthful days on the festive, multicultural streets of his birthplace in Trinidad, or his adopted homes of Atlanta, New York City and now currently Los Angeles, the direction of his music through DJing or producing compilations first aims to connect to the people. With an unwillingness to limit himself to one particular genre or social scene, insisting each must possess some type of soul, style or conscious sense of spirit, you can expect a wide ranging onslaught of tracks from afro-house music, nu jazz, to reggae, afro-beat, brokenbeat, soca and even those hovering hybrids/mash-ups finding their way to solid definition. By trying to first understand how to always set that perfect ambiance through music, over the years his humility to adapt and please fused together with his visionary nature to shape listeners progressively with new music, has translated into his colorful, customized music selections or mixtapes finding a constant rotation at well-established stores, restaurants and hotels such as Prada, 7 For All Mankind, Sean John, Guess?, Runway Boutique, Gonpachi, Westin Resorts, W Hotels and many more…

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From the Tony Award winning Broadway musical FELA! – a provocative and wholly unique hybrid of dance, theatre and music, exploring the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti – the FELA! Original Broadway Cast Recording documents the magic of the hit Broadway musical.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB0GepZMzKU

The FELA! – Original Broadway Cast Recording features the incomparable Sahr Ngaujah as Fela singing with members of the irrepressibly funky Antibalas. All 16 of the Fela compositions that are performed on stage each night, leaving sold-out audiences astonished and breathless at the end of every show, are on the record as are several songs performed by Funmalayo (Fela’s mother) as played by the Tony-award winning Lilias White, and Sandra Izadore (Fela’s American girlfriend) as played by Saycon Sengbloh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ8AWwqzMx0

The record was produced by the Grammy-nominated, Robert Sher. See the making of the Grammy nominated album above.

DJ Pelau

Marlon Regis aka Mr. Marlon aka DJ Pelau (pronounced “Peh-Laow”) is a multi-talented music stylist/writer that has always lived being surrounded by rich music via life’s travels. Whether in his youthful days on the festive, multicultural streets of his birthplace in Trinidad, or his adopted homes of Atlanta, New York City and now currently Los Angeles, the direction of his music through DJing or producing compilations first aims to connect to the people. With an unwillingness to limit himself to one particular genre or social scene, insisting each must possess some type of soul, style or conscious sense of spirit, you can expect a wide ranging onslaught of tracks from afro-house music, nu jazz, to reggae, afro-beat, brokenbeat, soca and even those hovering hybrids/mash-ups finding their way to solid definition. By trying to first understand how to always set that perfect ambiance through music, over the years his humility to adapt and please fused together with his visionary nature to shape listeners progressively with new music, has translated into his colorful, customized music selections or mixtapes finding a constant rotation at well-established stores, restaurants and hotels such as Prada, 7 For All Mankind, Sean John, Guess?, Runway Boutique, Gonpachi, Westin Resorts, W Hotels and many more…

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Ghanaian reggae star Rocky Dawuni continues to lift his global profile since the release of his critically acclaimed new album Hymns for the Rebel Soul. The album has been nominated for a prestigious NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding World Music Album.”

Since its release in May 2010, Hymns for the Rebel Soul has received praise and extensive radio play for various tracks on the album. African Reggae Fever and Download the Revolution were subsequently featured on EA Sports, FIFA World Cup and FIFA Soccer 2010 video games, which have sold millions worldwide.

The Roots Reggae singer has also graced various stages around the world in 2010, including the Vatican sponsored “JOSPFest” in Rome, “WE Day” in Canada and the recent “Freedom Awards” with Jason Mraz. Also nominated in the same category are Oyo (Angélique Kidjo), The Imagine Project (Herbie Hancok), The Sound of Sunshine (Michael Franti) and Vocabularies by Bobby McFerrin.

The 42nd NAACP Image Awards will be held on March 4 2011 and telecast live on the FOX channel. The awards have 53 competitive categories in the fields of motion picture, television, recording and literature. Good luck Rocky!

DJ Pelau

Marlon Regis aka Mr. Marlon aka DJ Pelau (pronounced “Peh-Laow”) is a multi-talented music stylist/writer that has always lived being surrounded by rich music via life’s travels. Whether in his youthful days on the festive, multicultural streets of his birthplace in Trinidad, or his adopted homes of Atlanta, New York City and now currently Los Angeles, the direction of his music through DJing or producing compilations first aims to connect to the people. With an unwillingness to limit himself to one particular genre or social scene, insisting each must possess some type of soul, style or conscious sense of spirit, you can expect a wide ranging onslaught of tracks from afro-house music, nu jazz, to reggae, afro-beat, brokenbeat, soca and even those hovering hybrids/mash-ups finding their way to solid definition. By trying to first understand how to always set that perfect ambiance through music, over the years his humility to adapt and please fused together with his visionary nature to shape listeners progressively with new music, has translated into his colorful, customized music selections or mixtapes finding a constant rotation at well-established stores, restaurants and hotels such as Prada, 7 For All Mankind, Sean John, Guess?, Runway Boutique, Gonpachi, Westin Resorts, W Hotels and many more…

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Concert of soul-infused country-folk singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne and his band, recorded at St Luke’s in East London at the conclusion of a UK tour in 2007. Bolstered by specially assembled string and brass sections, it features familiar favourites like Trouble and Jolene, alongside tracks from the album Till the Sun Turns Black. Also featuring Three More Days and Can I Stay?

The Gossip in the Grain artist Ray LaMontagne is returning to the stage once again surrounded by dates throughout the country as the singer /songwriter earns yelps and hollers from folk fans from sea to shining sea. The man, from Nashua, New Hampshire, has a husky voice that leads comparisons to Van Morrison and Tim Buckley, with a younger appeal via an unshaven face and flannel.

The beats feel so effortless as a modern twist brings back memories of old school pop tunes with trumpet motifs and a throwback to The Big Chill. While the lyrics, written by LaMontagne, still represent the ever so familiar longing and loneliness of love, the upbeat style via jazz instruments and funky folk make their true meaning nearly absolute. Though you may want to pick up a banjo yourself and start jamming with these seemingly approachable men, just wait for StubHub’s version of the next best thing – Ray LaMontagne tickets to see this indie, Reebok-wearing fellow jam out live on stage.

The singer’s first effort with RCA appeared in 2006, Trouble, and was followed up by 2007′s Till the Sun Turns Black. Each and every album, though equally focused on the impressive vocals of this perennial traveller (after his parents split, his mother marched Ray and his six siblings across the country looking for work), is an entirely new platform of which LaMontagne is exploring.

Perhaps the most explosively impressive from Gossip in the Grain are You are the Best Thing and Meg White, named for The White Stripes’ drummer. “It was time to open up a little bit more, not be quite so reserved in my choice of songs that I wanted to record,” LaMontagne admits on his site. This album was the first not to be completely developed by LaMontagne himself, who saw bassist Jennifer Condos and guitarist Eric Heywood help out, while Johns provided his expertise in several instruments. Leona Naess also provided the backup.

LaMontagne’s family was raised around the country and when he finally finished high school began working in a shoe factory in Maine. It was thanks to the single Treetop Flyer by Stephen Stills that the folk artist decided to begin making music, and before long LaMontagne had recorded a ten-track demo that reached Jamie Ceretta at Chrysalis Music Publishing. As if by magic, the demo was quickly approved and LaMontagne began recording with Johns.

Howie

My name is Howard, I'm a solicitor and I live in London. I've always enjoyed writing in my spare-time and Colorful Times gives me the opportunity to muse on about most of my heroes.

PIGEON JOHN, Dragon Slayer (Quannum Projects)

Cargo: alternative rap, future-blues, comedic soul…

Packed like: an episode of cartoon characters unfolding right before your EARS…

Taxes: Born in Omaha, Nebraska but raised on the testy, mean streets of Inglewood and Hawthorne in Los Angeles, Pigeon John brings forth his 5^th solo LP, flipping his explicit and unapologetic rhymes of wit in his typical Cali-accented, higher-pitched drawl. But he hardly raps on this record as much as he did on others in the past, and this is why this isn’t an underground hip-hop record. Produced by John himself with the aid of Herve Salters (General Electriks), surprisingly it’s when he doesn’t rap but gently sings on songs such as “Davey Rockit” and “Dude, It’s On,” perfect for a long drive with cliffs and beaches in the background along the coastline, John’s remarkably graphic in the smoothest and most descriptive way. Though his energetic, bouncy and knee-jerk flows over retro-styled alternative/swing grooves on “The Bomb” stands out and kicks off this LP, reminding you of his forte live stage show (more than worthwhile to see), the majority of this album really rocks when the slow-to-mid-tempo brilliant, witty and comedic stories playfully unfold and touch on topics such as chores left undone on “To Do List,” bitterness of love gone bad on “Ben Vereen” and celebrating a lil’ success on “Butter Soft Seats,” all mostly sang over delectable, thick and nourishing blends of blues, soul and alternative rock.

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

¡MAYDAY!, Stuck On An Island (¡Mayday! Music)

Cargo: alternative hip-hop, hipster-pop, nu soul…

Packed like: one of those complex hip-hop bands dwelling on anti-simplified grooves…

Taxes: Following up their recent 2009 Technology EP release, their new Stuck On An Island is actually ¡MAYDAY!’s 2^nd full-length LP, and with Lil’ Wayne proclaiming himself the ‘next’ member of this six-man band, emcees Wreckonize and Bern Biz trade raps of clarity, many times harmonizing their rhyme-flows and chorus-hooks over potent, alternative numbers such as on the album opener “I’ll Be Gone,” and “No 1’s Looking,” just two of their rock n’ roll-soulful, up tempo bangers. When they’re not crowd-surfing and ripping to shreds their electric-guitars off rooftops on South Beach’s Ocean Drive with others such as “Worst Case Scenario” and “Pass The .45,” they cool down the pace roping in sexy dancehall-pop songstress Jovi Rockwell for “On 2 Somethin,” type up truly calming messages on “Technology” and then seem to gel “Picture Perfect,” to me the LP’s ultimate winner I wish there was more of – where soul, funk and rap find an alternative route off their deserted isle…

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

JED & LUCIA, Super Human Heart (Ubiquity)

Cargo: chill-out, electronica, acoustic-lounge, trip-hop, folk…

Packed like: Jose Gonzales, Quadron, cotton-candy and marsh-mellows (not groups)…

Taxes: JED (Mark Reveley) and LUCIA (Emma Lucia) aren’t completely new to the scene, starting off in 2005, to then release their 2006 debut LP, Candles In Daylight. On this latest offering, lead by their single “The Dark,” there’s such an atmosphere painted with this cut, you’ll wish every song on the LP fell into this complex vein of perfectly wired electronic blessings. On layers of spacey highs and lows, Jed & Lucia both simultaneously sing against a light trip-hop backdrop of beats. Gosh, this song’s the future. But many of their offerings border on the backwoods, or feel like pastoral creations from a farm-like acoustic and minimalist approach, on cuts such as “You Were Made of Stone” and “On Lockdown”. Whilst on others such as “Painted Stairs” and “California” you’re first shown your clear visions of evidence made from those flying saucer landings leaving printed shapes onto those open farm lands, as Lucia sings her folky vocals over Jed’s high-tech gadgets, scaring off anything that doesn’t belong on planet earth, or can’t withstand their depth of heartfelt humanness…

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

AEROPLANE, We Can’t Fly (Ultra)

Cargo: pop, dance, Italo-disco, psychedelic

Packed like: a fine-looking plane on the outside, slick interior too, but unable to travel far

Taxes: I’m not surprised by the title to Italian-Belgian duo Aeroplane’s debut LP, but what’s surprising is the fact that over the last couple of years they’ve proved to the world that by handling some damn good groovy remixes for artists such as Grace Jones, MGMT, Chromeo and others, on their own album it seems like most of these tracks could use some serious reworking themselves. Struggling to yet find an unmistakable winning jam here, my ears definitely gravitated naturally to the title track, where they bridge elements of reggae and electronica for a simple and trans-Atlantic 1980’s trip. After this, I’m so ready to pack my Pan-Am bags with this one, and as I was getting really excited boarding to even another infectious, now soulful and cinematic groove in “Caramellas,” it’s the rest of the majority of other offerings such as “Superstar,” “London Bridge,” “My Enemy” and “Fish in the Sky” that leaves me wondering just why this plane won’t take off already? Maybe the pilots are just too busy in the cockpit working on other things? Which makes me ask, where’d those gorgeous flight attendants disappear to anyway?

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

SYSTEMA SOLAR, Systema Solar (OneRPM)

Cargo:            Colombian hip-hop, dub, electro-cumbia, Afro-Latin/Caribbean broken beat

Packed like: a new musical movement that’s more addictive, yet still from Colombia!

Taxes: Systema Solar is Colombia’s pride and joy, releasing their highly anticipated Latin American gem, of the same title. Just as sound systems are to Jamaican street youth, pikos are to Colombia’s Caribbean coast, blasting the hip-hop infused funk such as “Bienvenidos” onto the beaches and streets, unifying the youths with a common sense of purpose for better living, against corruption and stained poverty-stricken conditions. The fury of this music is basically – let’s get this stain removed once and for all – if not we’re not going to suffer – we’ll celebrate before we hate each other and kill over it. And it’s best felt on other festive tracks such as “Ya Veras,” “En Los Huesos” and “Mi Kolombia” bridging the traditional cumbia chants with DJ scratching against the backdrop of accordion melodies. While on “El Majagual,” the electronic reverb boosts the heart and soul of Afro-Colombian funk to the forefront of Latin American music youth culture, showcasing verbena – the good-time celebratory spirit guiding parties from tiny hamlets to big city life. If inland within Bogotá it’s gangsta, Systema Solar is the complete opposite as a musical-visual outfit, injecting their versions of house and dance music with club-ready grooves from “Sin Oficio” and “Oye,” to more of the traditional cumbia/reggae grooves for serious wining and gyrating of waistlines on the beach in songs such as “Fayaguaya aka Firewire,” which is set in that Calypso flavor, hot enough to sweep any tropical territory with a flashing repeated red alert reading – ‘dancefloor occupied, dancefloor overheating, dancefloor on fire’!

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

SISTER SMILE: The Tragic Tale Of The Singing Nun (MVD Visual) – DVD REVIEW

Remember that 1963 American pop #1 hit, “Dominique” by Luc-Gabrielle (credited at the time to Soeur Sourire)? Probably not huh? Well, there was once this No. 1 pop hit, a pretty cheerful and delightful sing-a-long song, taken from the LP The Singing Nun, an album that actually sold 1.5 million copies to boot. What’s not so cheerful – and probably perfect for this Halloween season – is this Roger Deutsch film, Suor Sorriso that captures the tragic life following the singing nun’s pop hit success, especially after she’d left the convent. Portrayed by actress Ginevra Colonna, this singing nun runs a shelter for wayward girls with another ex-nun, Simona Caparrini, and of course as you’d predict since being away from and not attached to the convent any more, sin sets in and the two enter into a passionate, turbulent and in the end, destructively fatal affair. Sex, drugs and demons flourish throughout this Italian-language film, and with heaven nowhere in sight, the brilliant cinematography makes their hell ‘bloody’ enjoyable to watch.

DJ Pelau

Marlon Regis aka Mr. Marlon aka DJ Pelau (pronounced “Peh-Laow”) is a multi-talented music stylist/writer that has always lived being surrounded by rich music via life’s travels. Whether in his youthful days on the festive, multicultural streets of his birthplace in Trinidad, or his adopted homes of Atlanta, New York City and now currently Los Angeles, the direction of his music through DJing or producing compilations first aims to connect to the people. With an unwillingness to limit himself to one particular genre or social scene, insisting each must possess some type of soul, style or conscious sense of spirit, you can expect a wide ranging onslaught of tracks from afro-house music, nu jazz, to reggae, afro-beat, brokenbeat, soca and even those hovering hybrids/mash-ups finding their way to solid definition. By trying to first understand how to always set that perfect ambiance through music, over the years his humility to adapt and please fused together with his visionary nature to shape listeners progressively with new music, has translated into his colorful, customized music selections or mixtapes finding a constant rotation at well-established stores, restaurants and hotels such as Prada, 7 For All Mankind, Sean John, Guess?, Runway Boutique, Gonpachi, Westin Resorts, W Hotels and many more…

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