Legendary producer and singer Smokey Robinson received the prize for excellence in songwriting.
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Concert Review: Lido’s ‘Everything’ Tour (San Francisco, 11/02/16)
Norwegian producer and songwriter Lido (known for his work with Chance the Rapper, Halsey, ASAP Ferg) leaves the crowd in San Francisco absolutely breathless after the first night of the must see 'Everything' Tour, taking place in unique and beautiful spaces across the U.S.
Read More »Music Review: NRBQ – ‘High Noon: A 50-Year Retrospective’
NRBQ are every bit as adventurous as they were as a young bunch of guys playing around at the Adams home some 51 years ago, even though Terry Adams stands alone as the only band member spanning the timeline from then to now. How he’s been able to hang on to the energy and charming irreverence that permeates this box of collected performances (both studio and live in concert) is a testament to his continued enthusiasm and love of music.
Read More »Music Review: Gwen Hughes – ‘Native Land’
Gwen Hughes captures the ups and downs of her passage through life with profound authenticity, and revealing honesty.
Read More »Music Review: Fela Kuti – ‘Box Set 3’ (Curated by Brian Eno)
After countless listens, I feel as if I both know Fela Kuti more than I ever knew any other African artist before, and also how little I appreciated the struggles and injustices that take place across the world in other people’s hometowns or communities. It takes a strong light to shine down on some of the darkest days in the shadow. Thank god Fela Kuti burned as bright as he did for our awareness.
Read More »Music Review: Janet Jackson’s ’20 Y.O.’ at 10 ― A Retrospective
A decade removed from its release, '20 Y.O.' stands as a confident display of Jackson’s sharpened skills worth rediscovering.
Read More »Music Review: Macy Gray ‘Stripped’ on Her New Album
With 'Stripped', Macy Gray marries her songwriting and interpretive skills in one place. The new album acts as proof that Gray's style has become its own blueprint on making, and playing, by one's own set of artistic rules to achieve longevity.
Read More »Can’t Turn It Off: The Nu Shooz Interview, Part 1
Between 1982 and 2016, Nu Shooz recorded six LPs and an EP. Their most recent effort, 'Bagtown' (2016, NSO Music), is the culmination of much musical study in understanding the distance and intimacy between pop and R&B. Both Valerie Day and John Smith discuss the birth of Nu Shooz, their biggest hit "I Can't Wait" and more in this exclusive interview with Blogcritics!
Read More »Can’t Turn It Off: The Nu Shooz Interview, Part 2
Between 1982 and 2016, Nu Shooz recorded six LPs and an EP. Their most recent effort, 'Bagtown' (2016, NSO Music), is the culmination of much musical study in understanding the distance and intimacy between pop and R&B. Both Valerie Day and John Smith discuss the birth of Nu Shooz, their biggest hit "I Can't Wait" and more in this exclusive interview with Blogcritics!
Read More »Music Review: John ‘Papa’ Gros – ‘River’s on Fire’
While many of these 11 songs roam well beyond the traditional sounds of New Orleans R&B, they're bathed in the spirit of that most musically magical of cities.
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