Vibes and Stuff

Trailer: Still Bill

2009-10-20T07:16:00.001-04:00

The good folks at Fusicology are showing the Canadian premiere of Still Bill, a documentary on the life of Bill Withers this Friday October 23 at the Bloor Theatre in Toronto. More info here.

Video: Joy Jones - "Over"

2009-10-19T06:29:00.001-04:00

Joy Jones' Godchild is in the running for the most heavily slept-on, fell through the cracks, and insert any other cliche for overlooked here, soul album of the year. Taking it in a few days ago, it's obvious Jones eased into the transition of a full-blown project after years of cameos on progressive soul and 'broken beat' records. Her latest video "Over" highlights her delicate voice and while not entirely representative of the album in sound it definitely captures its experimental spirit. Nice to hear the muted stains of Ronnie Foster's "Mystic Brew" in the background again. Does the "Electric Relaxation" break ever get old? Spotted at Suite 903.

Click Hear: Fashawn

2009-10-16T16:18:00.006-04:00

Boy Meets World, the new album by Fashawn is already generating a lot of acclaim for Fashawn and his fans include the likes of the legendary Large Professor. I dig into his appeal in this week's Click Hear column.

Click Hear : Fashawn

Video: Alice Russell: "Let Us Be Loving"

2009-10-14T09:24:00.002-04:00

About time. A video for the best song from Alice Russell's Pot of Gold album. That being said, the slow-building album version is clearly superior to this video edit.

Video: N'Dambi - "Can't Hardly Wait"

2009-10-07T12:09:00.003-04:00

Nice to see N'Dambi back in action. The former Erykah Badu backup singer has just dropped her new album Pink Elephant on Stax. And if you haven't heard her Little Lost Girls Blues debut from back in the late 90s, it is highly suggested you track it down.

Click Hear: Shafiq Husayn - "Nirvana"

2009-10-06T10:17:00.005-04:00

It's been out a while now, but Shafiq Husayn's "Nirvana" is a track that steadily grows on you until it becomes infectious. Taken from the album Shafiq En’ A-Freek-A which drops this week, it's featured in this week's Click Hear column at Exclaim!

Click Hear: Shafiq Husayn

Previously: Interview: Sa-Ra Creative Partners

Video: Q-Tip feat. Norah Jones - "Life Is Better"

2009-10-06T10:03:00.001-04:00

Guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.

Wax Poetics No. 37: Michael Jackson

2009-10-05T07:03:00.001-04:00

Haven't got my hands on this Michael Jackson issue yet, but there's no reason to believe that this latest issue from the Wax Poetics camp isn't going to be excellent given their impeccable track record.

Click Hear: Rich Kidd

2009-10-01T12:18:00.002-04:00

Rich Kidd is one of the fastest-rising producers in Toronto right now and is featured in this week's Click Hear column.

Video: Amnesia 10-Year Anniversary Recap

2009-09-30T11:46:00.002-04:00

Ian Andre Espinet's Amnesia party in Toronto has been bringing in the secret R&B & hip-hop guests to his one-of-a-kind jams for 10 years now.

A couple of weekends ago, partygoers knew they were going to see Bell Biv Devoe, but they did not know they were also going to see The Jets, Das EFX, Zhane and Nice & Smooth as well. Surprise! Seen at cityonmyback.com

Heavy Rotation: Hudson Mohawke - "Rising 5"

2009-09-29T08:53:00.003-04:00

It's all about the drums. Yes, that's him in the picture and no he's not 14 years old. Taken from the Scottish producer's upcoming album Butter dropping on October 27.

Video: Georgia Anne Muldrow - "Runaway"

2009-09-28T13:18:00.006-04:00

Mere months after dropping the album Umsindo, the prolific Georgia Anne Muldrow is at it again. "Runaway" is the lead single from Early dropping on November 10. Is she trying to Madlib the game? No complaints here. Spotted at www.cantslowdown.net

Previously: Interview - Georgia Anne Muldrow

Live: Maxwell's BLACKSummersNight tour, Toronto, Sept. 25

2009-09-26T16:40:00.008-04:00

Photo by sophistiphunk

The ear-piercing screams that greeted Maxwell as he assumed centre stage at the opening night of the BLACKSummersNight tour are usually the type that might be directed at the latest teenage heart-throb sensations, but it was clear from the beginning of this show that we were clearly dealing with a veteran presence.

Opening the show with a fluid medley of “Dancewitme” and “Sumthin’ Sumthin’” from his debut album with deft backing from his 10-piece band, Maxwell’s ever-smiling visage was projected in black and white on huge screens on both sides of the stage to denote a sense of timelessness; an effect heightened by the throwback sartorial flair of the band.

Given the top-notch nature of his band which included acclaimed jazz musician Robert Glasper, it was a shame that they weren’t given more rope to flex their individual skills. But it was the opening night of the tour and given Maxwell was being constantly distracted with his ear device, it was clear they will probably execute even better shows as the tour progresses.

Within this framework, Maxwell used the space in the large Air Canada Centre well. A runway stage that stretched out to both sides of the floor seats fostered a sense of initimacy with fans, which they giddily took advantage of by excitedly grabbing at his feet and grasping his outstretched hands. Apparently this was not close enough for one lady, who decided to walk purposefully across the stage and stand next to the singer as he began to sing his cover of Kate Bush’s “This Woman’s Work” before she was ushered away by a band guitarist, eliciting widespread laughter while Maxwell delivered one of his more heartfelt readings in a surreal moment.

Indeed, Maxwell, much like support act Common, knows what his female fan base wants and he exploited every body movement for maximum effect with lithe dance moves, splits, crawling across the floor, and popping up from underneath the stage in different spots all being part of the repoitoire. He even strutted down the stage wearing a chain of fan-bestowed panties around his neck during “Cold.”

However, as he began to talk to the crowd, his hoarse voice was evident and he revealed to the crowd in the three-quarters full venue that he considered cancelling the show. To his credit, he battled on gamely and tellingly hoisted the microphone in the air as a signal to the crowd to sing the lyrics intermittently during the show perhaps when he doubted his own ability to do so on tracks like “Pretty Wings” delivered replete with white paper feathers cascading onto the crowd below.

The one moment when the crowd really joined in unison was during the encore of “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wander)” singing the entire first verse accapella before his band took over. At that point, it looked like Maxwell didn’t want to leave the stage, yet he and the band had nothing left to do except pass the microphone for each band member to introduce themselves.

While deferring well-earned credit to his band, it was the one slightly awkward moment in an otherwise professionally delivered show, where Maxwell seemed like the giddy newcomer rather than the seasoned and polished performer he proved he clearly is.

The Roots: How I Got Over [Trailer]

2009-09-25T10:38:00.006-04:00

If The Roots were trying to downplay the celebratory nature of their performance of this song on the Jimmy Fallon late night show and the complacency that could be conveyed from the album title How I Got Over, this short preview pretty much punctures those theories. Nobody's smiling. [@Rakim]

Manifesto 2009 round-up

2009-09-25T09:59:00.004-04:00

Producer 9th Wonder proclaims Toronto the 'Hip-Hop capital of the world' after attending Manifesto.

1LoveTO checked out the Manifesto art show down at 52 McCaul...

D.C.-based blog The Couch Sessions did a thorough job reviewing the event itself and the Reflection Eternal headlining set.

And finally, Rich Kidd and friends (Saukrates, Tona, King Reign and more) perform tracks from Rich Kidd's latest mixtape at the Manifesto after party. Footage courtesy of The Real Frequency.

Click Hear: Electric Wire Hustle

2009-09-24T10:12:00.005-04:00

This week, my Click Hear spotlight is on New Zealand's futuristic trio Electric Wire Hustle.

Electric Wire Hustle - Chaser

Click Hear: Ian Kamau

2009-09-21T11:13:00.003-04:00

My latest pick for Exclaim's Click Hear section is Toronto MC Ian Kamau's "Somebody (I Am)" from his latest mixtape September Nine Mixtape Vol 2.

Read: Click Hear: Ian Kamau

R.I.P. Roc Raida

2009-09-20T13:00:00.002-04:00

Although it had been circulating that DJ Roc Raida was in the hospital, news of his death yesterday was a complete shock to many. A highly influential DJ, turntablist and producer, Roc Raida inspired many to get behind the decks while never clamouring for the spotlight. As a member of the X-Ecutioners, he was the one most aspiring DJs looked towards (courtesy of his DMC Champion status) but he never seemed to want to make himself seem more important than the others in his crew.

Years ago, I did interview Total Eclipse and Mista Sinista from the X-Ecutioners crew, but I never met Roc Raida until a couple of years ago at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto when he unexpectedly backed up Lord Finesse at a show. The people who hasd come to the show had no idea Roc Raida was going to be behind the decks and it was a bonus to see him and Lord Finesse go back and forth in an obviously well-oiled but humourous DJ battle. No prizes for who won, (but Lord Finesse's DJ skills are slept on btw).

After the show I spoke to Raida for maybe a minute, but what struck me immediately was that a guy who had accomplished so much in a very competitive and battle-oriented field was very humble, gracious and self-effacing. Respect due.

For an indepth analysis of Roc Raida productions and analysis check Unkut's A Salute to Roc Raida.

The Making of 'Let Your Backbone Slide'

2009-09-18T14:02:00.001-04:00

From the Manifesto Guidebook. Illustration by Kagan McLeod.

Manifesto 2009

2009-09-18T13:58:00.003-04:00

The event just keeps getting bigger and better.

The festival is already underway, coming to a climax on Sunday at Nathan Phillips Square. For all the info check http://www.themanifesto.ca.

Interview : Dalton Higgins

2009-09-17T10:35:00.001-04:00

Been quiet around these parts for a little while because of a recent move, but I did have the chance to speak to Toronto author Dalton Higgins about his new book "Hip Hop World" a couple of weeks ago. Higgins explores topics that aren't often explored in the cultural analysis of the genre which is now indisputably a global phenomenon and injects his provocative opinions into the proceedings.

Interview: Dalton Higgins

Click Hear: The Lytics

2009-08-07T09:52:00.003-04:00

This week's Click Hear column at exclaim.ca looks at The Lytics from Winnipeg.

Spinna's Sonic Smash

2009-08-07T09:41:00.002-04:00

A brief DJ Spinna overview and interview link are over at Cityonmyback.com.

Interview: Georgia Anne Muldrow

2009-07-30T08:20:00.002-04:00

"There are spiritual laws that will sustain your refrigerator if your message is true."

Georgia Anne Muldrow chats about new record Umsindo and family in the August issue of Exclaim!

Article: Georgia Anne Muldrow's Family Ties

Montreal Future Soul: Sarah Linhares

2009-07-29T11:58:00.004-04:00

Does anyone call this stuff broken beat anymore? Sarah Linhares just dropped her debut EP Messages From the Future, and the bio circulated by the good folks at Public Transit Recordings brands Linhares' sound as Future Soul. No matter. Evidently, the proof is in the pudding, so to get a vibe of what her music sounds like, check out the RBMA Sarah Linhares radio show linked to here last week and check out my Click Hear feature on Linhares at Exclaim.ca.

Click Hear: Sarah Linhares - "Step Up"