http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Tue, 2 Aug 2005 19:17:42 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/ Phillip WinnSunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding. Administration0@blogcritics.org Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/08/02/191742.php sungoddessWhen I was a little girl, living at the bottom of Risk Road on the beach in Barbados, my Auntie Gillian lived a few houses down the beach at Alvaro. Alvaro was a big house, I forget how many bedrooms, but I seem to remember six for some reason. The living room of the house stretched the length of the house and had a twenty foot ceiling (at least it seems that way in my memory). There were French doors that led out to the verandah, and doors that led out into the yard.My brother and I spent a lot of time with Auntie Gillian when we were growing up. Her and UT. It is mostly at Alvaro I got to know UT. It is mostly at Alvaro, UT and I were at the height of our 'war days'. This is all stage setting. In truth I want to tell you that this evening I found a key to my memories of Alvaro. And it was, Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War Of The Worlds. Based on H.G. Wells' novel of the same name, this is an interesting take.Auntie Gillian had a copy of it--in those days it was vinyl--and my brother and I played it almost every time we went over there. We'd sit there, listen, read, play, whatever, but I remember it being in the background during many of our visits (many times many) to Auntie Gillian's house.In fact, it is when we were teenagers and Auntie Gillian and UT were living in Tog Tip in Holder's Hill, that I think I last heard it.So today when I went to Tesco's to get toilet paper and a new toothbrush, I happened to pass the shelf with all the music on it, and there it was... a collector's edition of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War Of The Worlds. I saw it and exclaimed, followed immediately by a pang of grief for Auntie Gillian. I bought it and am listening to it, riding a wave of memories. I'm enjoying it, even though it's been almost twenty years since I've heard it. It's a progressive rock affair, and it's got a Moody Blues feeling too, but that's probably owed to Justin Hayward's involvement. He's not alone, Phillip Lynott of Thin Lizzy, Julie Covington and David Essex provide additional vocals to the saga and Richard Burton narrates.The album is almost hokey 70's... sounds dated, but again, it's been nearly thirty years since it's release. However, this is rock opera..... and it's interesting despite the obvious dating of the sound. If I didn't already have it as part of my childhood's soundtrack, I think I may never have found this album. But as it is, I do and I have, and it's a pleasure to listen to it again after all these years.It's a spooky concept album, and I remember being little and listening enthralled, chills running up and down my spine.That said, this definitely is not for every one. If there ever was an acquired taste, this album falls into that category. However, sci-fi fans, H.G. Wells fans and well, fans of Jeff Wayne might be interested in this interpretation. Music33555@blogcritics.org Tue, 2 Aug 2005 19:17:42 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/07/07/074601.php sungoddessOkay, I am in the middle of some serious shit. This city is under attack. I am in the middle of a terrorist attack.Sources say seven bombs have exploded across the Tube in Central London. Never have I been so glad not to have one fucking place to go today but what's scary is that I was on the Tube all day yesterday!!!I've checked in with some of the people I know to make sure they're okay but some I cannot raise because the phone network is under serious fire. I am quite horrified and wonder if it's related to London winning the 2012 Olympic bid or the G8 conference. I am just sitting here shaking. Like shaky no ass.... believe that. Politics32173@blogcritics.org Thu, 7 Jul 2005 07:46:01 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/06/08/120624.php sungoddessAnthony Hamilton made a debut record for Uptown Records, "XTC",  back in 1996 but when Uptown went belly-up, the album went unreleased. By the time MCA released the album a year later, it went unnoticed and unfortunately has become a rare thing, hard to find anywhere.He signed to Soulife Records and also recorded an album for them, but in 2000 got the call to sing backup on D'Angelo's "Voodoo" tour, to come back and discover that Soulife had also bit the dust, and yet another album went into the vaults.For fans, his Soulife recorded material, incidentally called "Soulife" is to be released June 27 by Atlantic/Rhino Records. Hamilton cowrote the album, and worked with Grammy award winning producer Mark Sparks and it includes a duet with Macy Gray, "Love And War", originally released on the "Baby Boy" soundtrack. I had searched for "Comin' From Where I'm From" from early 2004, but it wasn't until the iPod in April that I bought it as a digital download from the iTunes store--my first such purchase might I add. That proved well worth the wait and  I expect nothing but stellar work from this "Soulife" album.  The deeply impressive  "Comin' From Where I'm From", led me to do a little Limewire work and I found his "XTC" album, which is as well made as "Comin' From Where I'm From". The weirdest thing is that you're listening to Anthony Hamilton across a decade of making music. Despite the time span, there is not a wasted note in either "XTC" or "Comin' From Where I'm From". This is grown up music. His consistency is quite astonishing. From the get go, there is no wishy washy, no album fluff, not a single bland or banal lyric, not a track that the music doesn't come together on. That's a rare acievement for an artist so long ignored. "XTC", still sounds fresh almost nine years later.Although Hamilton is compared to the likes of Bobby Womack, Bill Withers and Curtis Mayfield, his sound is classic without needing to be attached or compared to any of the old soul greats. It's a pleasure to listen to him with new ears, and allow his immense ability to speak for itself. In short, Hamilton's voice is unique and his talent makes for some the most sublime listening in recent R&B history. He may have been overlooked for long, but being the sister of an overlooked musician, it gives me great hope that the artists most worthy of attention can receive it. To be lost and obscure, and found... such a marvellous revelation and I for one am glad to have finally settled into this anti-hero of R&B. Do it, buy it... you love soul deep, gut wrenching, baby making music... this is the brother in spades.My copy of "Soulife" is already on pre-order at Amazon.co.uk, and I understand from scanty information available, that it is well worth the wait, now five or six years overdue. Like I said though, I expect no different. This is no precarious sitting pretty artist, his recordings assure him a place in the history of soul music. Music30728@blogcritics.org Wed, 8 Jun 2005 12:06:24 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/04/14/164926.php sungoddessLast Friday as I was riding the bullet (the fast train) to work, I was flipping through a copy of the Metro, the free newspaper distributed at all the train stations in London.In the entertainment pages was a spread on this Cuban rap group called Orishas. Of course, I read every word of the article, absorbed by the review/preview; they were performing in London this weekend. I am now seriously disappointed that I didn't know in advance, since I have rampaged through the iTunes Music Store, and now find myself enthralled with this unique music.In the Metro article they're described as: "And so the disparate sounds of these separate cultures, in these alchemists' hands, turn into something that sounds natural and organic, something that works in front of Latino, hip hop, pop or rock audiences and that serves as a vehicle for their pointed social commentaries."I have kind of backward engineered my now passionate attraction to this music. I read about their London gig in the Metro, then as I was searching the iTunes music store (and Kazaa) for Orisha music, their stuff just started coming up. So after two days of buying and downloadings, I have fallen in love with their sound, their flow, their musicality. The four-man group started in the late-90s, by two young Cubans, Ruzzo and Youtel. They moved from the island to Paris, in a rapper exchange programme and once they grew to their current configuration, released A Lo Cubano, in 2000.What moved me is on their debut album, they open with a benedicion... a mojuba. An old santero chants his praises for the Orishas in turn. Once he's done, such a blend of music occurs that it's hard to distracted by the fact that I have very little idea what these dudes are singing about.It doesn't matter. Often enough in listening, I hear the names of the Orishas called out, and it is enough to make me realize that these cats are singing about my faith; 'representing' our culture as West Indians, as Orisha devotees and certainly as lovers of music.The only other album I could find, Emigrante, is equally as brilliant. They've released a new album in March, El Kilo, but it's not available for download yet. Solid percussion and full throated singing features as much as rapping and scratching, and the flow is impeccable. There is a true base Cuban son and merengue base built upon with hip hop back beats, beutiful melodies and a real mix of grittiness and silkiness... it's a fascinating blend. The music is sophisticated, while blending African rhythms in with a very modern hip hop sensibility.This is dance music, true, but I think if I spoke more Spanish I would get more from the experience. I understand that the group is heavily influenced by Santeria--obviously from their name--and would love to see if this contemporary yet traditional sound evokes the traditions I and millions of others hold so close to my soul.As an young Orisha devotee, finding music that reflects my political, spiritual and emotional ideals is rare. I can pick out words here and there, but I wish I understood more.As it is, this is the kind of music that grows on you, and gets better and better with repeated listening.This might be a nudge I need to go do a Spanish course. Music28161@blogcritics.org Thu, 14 Apr 2005 16:49:26 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/10/26/084733.php sungoddessIst, a UK-based eclectic indie-rock band, lost its bassist Mark "Detroit" Robbins on Sunday. Ist lead singer, Kenton Hall posted a short note to his blog today, informing the Journalspace.com community of his passing. He collapsed and died of an apparent heart attack in the Hall's arms. He was 31 years old.Ironically, Ist launched a grass roots campaign on Journalspace.com last week, that generated a lot of interest, favourable commentary and reviews of the group's debut album, "Freudian Corduroy" from a wide cross section of the Journalspace community. This reviewer was asked to submit a review of two songs off the album, as participation in a small competition. This reviewer won, along with a few others, and includes the reviews in this post.Similarly Inclined by Ist Freudian Corduroy What struck me first about this single is the Caribbean sound. It may not have been intentional, but the it's the brass, the guitar licks, and the phrasing both verbal and instrumental that makes this reviewer harken to home.The brass, with it's marvellous intonation, could have been taken from some classic calypso tune from the 50s or 60s, maybe even as late as the 70s or some nicely grinding Latin-flavoured business from any era. The guitar licks could be something the Wailer's did in the early days. The combination makes for something interesting I've never heard before. It has both a classical and contemporary feel.By far, the brass is one of the most interesting aspects of the song, for rarely does one hear such in this kind of music. Being a fan of big brass, I really enjoyed this element the most and particularly liked the vocal pacing and phrasing of the singer.Speaking of 'kind of music': Being this review was by invite, for a band about to release its debut and from an area I'm not physically located, thus never hearing them play live, I find myself in the difficult task of 'placing' this music. I am happy to report that I cannot. Genre bending music is ever my favourite 'kind of music' and this band certainly bends the tried and true, and steps beyond the formulaic.Lyrically, I found myself smiling. Not because the lyrics are necessarily satirical, although there is sarcasm enough, but because I indentified with the sentiments expressed. Maybe it's just the moment in time I find myself. 'Can't judge a single thing you do; Given half the chance I'd do the same thing too.'After repeated listenings, this song is creating the need to find this band's next gig and show up with some kind of posse to lime and dance. Shucks, I want to hear the whole album now.This Is Where We Came In IST (Freudian Corduroy)This is the kind of the classic rock n' roll you hear on the radio these days. Not the nefarious formula whore type, no this is the kind of stuff that makes your insides churn, and make you wonder what else the band has in store. More radio-friendly that 'Similarly Inclined', ist shows it's radio friendliess in this track. This song's major strength is the lyrics and the singer's plaintive primal voice. The singer's voice, has a kind of world weariness that anyone who has loved, lost and left the bitch behind, will identify with strongly. We've all been too tired to write about the bullshit. As you listen, lyrical imagery is conjured, both frustration and empathy is evoked with it's alternately delicate and crashing cymbals and guitar solo blazing underneath a sung-spoken declaration.My right foot, which wishes it played drums in a rock n' roll band, refused to be still during the ten or fifteen times I played it.This is my kind of rock n' roll; emotive, singable interestingly paced and delivered music.To read more about the band, go here. To read more about kentonist go here. To listen to the "Similarly Inclined", go here, to listen to "This Is Where We Came In", go here.The Istian community is shocked and greatly saddened by this loss. Music21439@blogcritics.org Tue, 26 Oct 2004 08:47:33 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/09/03/191907.php sungoddessDirector: Fernando Meirelles, Katia Lund Writer: Bráulio Mantovani Stars: Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino da Hora, Matheus Nachtergaele, Philippe Haagensen , Seu Jorge, Johnathan HaagensenRocket (Alexandre Rodrigues) is a young boy born into the sadness and unending poverty of City Of God, a housing project favela in Rio's de Janeiro.In the favela desperation overtakes hope and the only work to be acquired is illegal and couched in violence. His older brother is a part of The Tender Trio, hoodlums who rob gas trucks and motels and one by one are taken down by corrupt Third World cops and the circumstances of the favela. Rocket's growing years sees peers he played football in the dust with, turn from petty theft to giggling psychotic murderers. Rocket, as a teenager, harbours ambitions of being a photographer. He isn't made of the stuff that is required to become either a full blown gangster or even a petty criminal. However he somehow seems to be in the middle of the action in the favela, yet he also manages to exist outside of it.Lil Z (Leandro de Hora), is an atypical child of the favela. He cannot read or write, and hopeless hunger warps his thinking and deadens his soul so significantly, all innocence burns away and he quickly turns to murder and drug dealing with maniacal and power hungry aplomb. He goes to a Candoumble priest to get protection and empowerment from Baba Exu (Esu/Eshu) and then proceeds to systematically wipe out all opposition to him taking over as drug overlord in the City of God. Lil Z's career, fueled by his ruthlesness, eventually escalates into a full scale gang war in the streets of City of God. Rocket and Lil Z are the same age, and their lives overlap throughout the story, often with hilarious and stomach churning episodes. Rocket manages to acquire a camera, and although he prefers to take pictures of Angelica, who he hopes to lose his virginity with, he ends up taking pictures of the gangs as they pose with heavy artillery. These pictures come to the attention of a newspaper and launches his career.Lilting camera work, clever angles and freeze shots; a weaving but brilliant storyline, this film is packed with both horrifying violence and uproarious funny moments. City of God is a frightening yet entertaining slice of life in the favelas of Rio De Janeiro. You get the sensation of a documentary, maybe because the majority of the cast are real favela dwellers, recruited from the streets to play roles in the film. You watch as the actors run through streets with garbage piled high on both sides; watch as children commit violence without breaking a sweat. You can see this film is a mirror of real events, because a film with this kind of authenticity is rare.As death ridden as this film is, as violent and scary, it is not without it's measure of hope. Rocket sees his world differently, and his alternate view opens a road for him to pass through this violent environment unscathed and with a job many of the favela children have no hope of attaining. He gets to follow his dreams into a different life. The director, Fernando Meirelles finds a way to humanise even Lil Z, whose complete lack of conscience and his stunted emotional development are two sides of the same coin. Meirelles' marvellous eye for composition and his unrelenting exposure of a world most of us are fortunate enough never to encounter, make him an unsung hero and well deserving of accolades.The film is brilliant from beginning to end, and keeps the blood pumping.Laughter at the main cast's antics is quickly followed by stomach clenching moments, but at no point does the grittiness of this story let up. One of the best made films seen in recent times.Based on a true story written by Paul Lin.In Portuguese with English subtitles. Video19440@blogcritics.org Fri, 3 Sep 2004 19:19:07 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/08/30/150117.php sungoddessSia Amma is Down for the Count Writer/Performer of "What Mama Said About 'Down There' Encourages Dialogue about SEX between Mothers and DaughtersSan Francisco, CA---Live entertainment takes a sharp downward turn on September 10th as "What Mama Said About 'Down There'" launches its one-month run at the Burie Clay Theater at the African American Art & Culture Complex at 762 Fulton Street in San Francisco.Largely political, a bit clinical, inherently sexual and utterly unforgettable, "What Mama Said About 'Down There'" is the latest performance piece from writer/performer/activist Sia Amma. Directed by Gloria Weinstock, the lighthearted comedy takes a trip "down there" to get the lowdown on what mothers say (or don't say) about those "nether regions" and the effect their communication style has on their daughters.Armed with insight, biting wit and gentle humor, the play features a lively multicultural female cast and a "True Confessions" presentation format that takes a page from beauty parlor fodder of the 50s. As the play unfolds, Amma takes fifties-style sexual repression out for a spin and hangs it up to dry."What Mama Said About 'Down There'" utilizes the art of playful storytelling to spotlight sexual politics, social codes and hidden issues at the root of what's "down there". By initiating dialogues and diffusing tension with humor, the play hopes to serve as a bridge to frank discussions of sexuality and more honest communication between mothers and daughters. "Down There' is the companion piece to "Clitoris Celebration-Think Outside the Box", its subject matter style bearing witness to Ammas' flair for wry humor and penchant for communication. The founder of Global Women Intact (GWI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending female circumcision through education, information and outreach, Amma has witnessed firsthand the most brutal examples of damages borne by misinformation, silence, fear and ignorance.Calendar InformationDates: Fridays and Saturdays, September 10-11, September 17-18, October 1-2 and October 8-9 2004.Time: 8 p.m.Location: African American Art & Culture Complex The Buriel Clay Theater 762 Fulton Street (near Webster) San Francisco, CA 94102Cost: Sliding scale: $12-$20. Tickets are available at the door or at www.celebrateclitoris.com Free parking is available.Press Contact: Ave Montague avem@sbcglobal.net (415) 346-0199Time: 8 p.m.Location: African American Art & Culture Complex The Buriel Clay Theater 762 Fulton Street (near Webster) San Francisco, CA 94102Cost: Sliding scale: $12-$20. Tickets are available at the door or at www.celebrateclitoris.com Free parking is available.Press Contact: Ave Montague avem@sbcglobal.net (415) 346-0199 Culture19234@blogcritics.org Mon, 30 Aug 2004 15:01:17 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/08/30/145538.php sungoddessEduca Vision, Inc. is proud to announce a new imprint, Caribbean Studies Press, focusing on scholarly texts and references in Caribbean Studies. Subjects of particular interest include anthropology, archaeology, biography, economics, religion, sociology, and visual and performing arts.Caribbean Studies Press has been established as a new and independent English-language publisher of scholarly information and discussion about the Caribbean and its diaspora. The press is committed to providing affordable resources for academic professionals, students, and libraries. As part of this goal, Caribbean Studies Press fosters collaboration with its authors and editors and maintains accelerated production schedules.The Press is currently soliciting manuscripts in the field of Caribbean Studies for publication. Particularly welcomed are pan-Caribbean perspectives, critical studies and analyses, and original scholarship in the social sciences and visual and performing arts. Ideas for possible book projects are also welcomed. Caribbean Studies Press has a webpage, www.caribbeanstudiespress.com, with a catalog of new works in Caribbean Studies from Educa Vision, Inc. In addition, new releases in Caribbean Studies from other publishers are also represented, which indicate some of the interests of Caribbean Studies Press.If you are interested in discussing publishing or book projects with Caribbean Studies Press we'd like to hear from you.Contact: caribbeanstudiespress@earthlink.net Books19232@blogcritics.org Mon, 30 Aug 2004 14:55:38 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/08/24/073729.php sungoddessThe informative new nonfiction anthology, State Of The Race: Creating Our 21rst Century: Where Do We Go From Here?, edited by Jemadari Kamara and Tony Menelik, published by Der Meer Diaspora Press (Boston 2004) contains important essays by Ali Mazrui, Marimba Ani, and many others.The book's foreword is described as lucid and compelling, and as must-read essay by Assata Shakur. It is being asserted that every person of color should read her foreword's sub-sections on: Our Past Our present The Elections Globalization And The 1990's Invisible Chains Race & ClassState Of The Race: Creating Our 21rst Century: Where Do We Go From Here? ISBN 0-9720149-0-X Published by Diaspora Press 27 East Concord Street Suite 1 Boston, MA. 02118Source: E-Drum Books19003@blogcritics.org Tue, 24 Aug 2004 07:37:29 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/08/23/122618.php sungoddessHere's an opportunity for any talented poets out there to get themselves on HBO's Def Poetry.They are accepting two poems performed in front of a live audience on video tapes or DVDs (no audio cassettes accepted.) Poems must be no less than five minutes in length. Group performances are also being looked at with the same restraints. No bio is necessary, but name and contact information is.Deadline for submissions is September 21st. Send DVDs/Video tapes to:Shihan Van Clief c/o Def Poetry 5923 Willoughby Ave #1 Los Angeles, CA 90038 While there are some poets who aren't inclined to submit a tape, please spread the word as there maybe someone good in your neighborhood who could use the exposure. Check out: http://www.shihanthepoet.com Video18960@blogcritics.org Mon, 23 Aug 2004 12:26:18 EDT