A few years ago I had the pleasure of getting to know the fantastic Hip Hop Soul duo Backpack Jax who are based out of Nantes, France. Mauikai and Boogie are now poised to bring a fantastic International Tour here to the East Coast of the U.S. where they have teamed up with the KLP Dance Troupe. The aptly titled French Connexion Tour seeks to highlight the influence that Hip Hop has had on French Culture. Through various partnerships 95% of the tour has already been underwritten but help is still need to secure the remaining 5% that will insure the tour is a success! As is often said “This is the part we all can participate” so make sure to head over to their Indiegogo site to get all the details and of course you generous donation will not go unnoticed, plenty of offerings from all access to signed merch based upon your contribution level. So as I always say: Don’t tell a friend, tell two or three hundred!!!
Hey Family, indeed it is better to give than receive, so Grown Folks Music is giving away three (3) combo packs consisting of the new CDs from Jazz greats Phil Perry and Marion Meadows. Stay tuned to our Facebook page on April 11, 12, and 13 at 8pm EST each evening for a trivia question. Be the first to answer correctly when we post the question on Facebook and win the combo pack! It’s that simple, but you gotta check us out at www.facebook.com/GrownFolksMusic1 to win! One winner per evening.
I’ve always held Tony Rich in the highest regard as a singer/songwriter. To me he has this impeccable talent to convey these rich textures of emotion and make you feel like he’s writing from your personal journal. A perfect testament to this virtue is Tony Rich’s NEW single, Fade Away. This song, told from a man’s perspective, displays the melancholy and mixed emotions that can often happen within a break up. Hearing this song leaves my heart anxious to hear his upcoming album, Speak Me due to release this summer. Matter of fact, you can get “a taste” of the upcoming album, pre-order your autographed copy and instantly download Fade Away by going to The Tony Rich Project now on Hidden Beach Records!
The family group DeBarge had the looks, the vocal talent and the backing of Motown that vaulted it quickly to the top of the Pop and Soul worlds in 1982. However, demons arising from a rough and dysfunctional family history ultimately caused the group to implode, and the group disappeared in the mid 80s nearly as quickly as it came.
The eight DeBarge children grew up in a volatile bi-racial home, with a violent, abusive father and devoutly religious mother. The family moved from inner city Detroit to conservative Grand Rapids, Michigan, to be near extended family, but violence and drug addiction remained close. Older brothers Bobby (a tremendous singer) and Tommy found success as members of the popular Motown group Switch (“There’ll Never Be,” “I Call Your Name”) and they paved the way for their younger siblings Bunny, James, Mark, Randy and Eldra to be signed by Motown in 1981, under the group name The DeBarges. (more…)
The Foreign Exchange has done it a again. They never stop pushing the boundaries and have proven yet again why they have the following of very loyal fans, like us here at GFM, that they do. First off let me say this isn’t your typical remix album. We’ve all heard the remixed track where someone has thrown a few extra drum beats here, chopped and screwed the chorus there and you can easily recognize the song within the first few bars. Remixes shouldn’t be typical by definition any way should they? The Reworks album is massive boasting twenty one tracks and is clearly a labor of love. In true Nicolay style, he has allowed some of the most talented, inventive, and dare I say “indie” composers, bands, and vocalists have their way with many of the tunes in Nicolay’s expansive catalogue. The entire Reworks album was a chicken dinner (winner) for me so it’s very difficult to pick and choose just a few tracks to share but here goes…
In no particular order here’s a sample my favorite remixes off the album. -The Last Fall (Focus…+FE Experience) Dub-step with a touch of sophistication type of jam. The strings are a superb addition! There many delicious layered sounds in this track.
-All the Kisses feat. Paris & Amber Strother of KING (Ahmed Sirour Remix) I’ve always loved the original of this song as is…What Ahmed has done with this song is equally amazing. The arrangements are are intense and have a strong Afro-Latin beat influence…there’s even steel drums being played in this one.
-Flight of the Blackbyrd feat. Phonte (4Hero Remix) Okay so when I saw 4Hero’s name listed on the track I was already won over. 4Hero owned this song by putting their own finger prints all over this.
-Games You Can Win feat Kenna (Nicolay Remix)…I have an RJD2 station on Pandora I listen to regularly so to see one of his tracks on a +FE album does nothing but good things for me. This track isn’t a typical +FE- This is why I enjoy Nicolay so much…he just wants to put out great music…period. #FortheLoVeofAllMusic
Beautiful songbird Lianne La Havas never ceases to impress me. The new video for the song “Elusive” not only features Lianne displaying her acting chops but is presented in such a way; you can’t help being wrapped up in the love affair portrayed in this emotive song. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Be sure to have a listen and purchase Lianne’s album entitled Is Your Love Big Enough on iTunes, eMusic.com, Amazon.com, or any well stocked music store.
Lianne La Havas Official Webpage:www.liannelahavas.com
Pianist, songwriter and vocalist Abiah has been under the radar far too long. Abiah has received raving reviews for his album Love As a Ballad from music enthusiasts much like yourselves. Robert Glasper is a relative of Abiah and is featured on several tracks of the album. So in keeping with the mood of the season, I’d be remised if I didn’t in the very least, shine a spot light on this man’s body of work. The arrangements are so well put together, thoughtful, and in the case of Abiah’s remake of Prince’s “Doves” downright inventive! Check out his entire album as it will be a pleasure to sit back and really enjoy.
Website: http://www.abiahmusic.com/
Abiah’s Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AbiahMusic
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/abiahmusic
Have a listen to Abiah’s interpretation of Doves by clicking on the Youtube video below.
If you’re looking for a different type of Valentine’s Day treat here’s a French confection for your ears. I’ve been listening to Evil Needle’s Mood album since its release in October 2011 and it continues to put me in a great place. The warm synth chords and sleepy base lines help Evil Needle’s Mood album create an atmosphere for relaxation and romance. Happy Valentine’s Day it’s a Celebration. #FortheLoVeofAllMusic
Check out his Webpage and his entire discography: http://evil-needle.com Get Into the Mood Delight-
