[Review] Childish Gambino "Awaken, My Love!"
Awaken, My Love! is proof that Donald Glover can do absolutely anything in entertainment, and truthfully you'd be the odd man out if you didn't like it. He can rap, stand up comedy, sing, act, write TV shows...seriously anything, and it's all above average. Awaken, My Love! is no different. This album is throwback soul and it's probably going to lose a lot of his younger fans. But who cares man, it's dope!
This album reminds me of the documentaries I've seen about the '60's movements and the free love, and the sounds of that era. I listen to this and visualize women burning bra's, the Panthers marching [or "rioting"] and soul singers overdosing on heroine ["Boogieman" and "Zombies"]. It's soul power for the new millennium and it's a great message in song on this album ["Have Some Love" and "Stand Tall"]. Your uncle is going to want to burn his reefer slow to this, and your parents are going to get up and slow-dance after hollering, "HEEEEYYYYYYY! This real music right here!"
You might be able to leave it in when "Terrified" comes on. Just a thought.
Awaken, My Love! is the love child of Prince, Hendrix, Pharrell, Sly, The Family Stone and Lenny Kravitz. I couldn't really pick a "must-listen-to song" for this project. You really just have to let it play, and if you got an ounce of soul in you; You're going to like it. In a time where a lot of R&B sounds like melodic rap on a trap beat and the running theme is "f**k these h*es, if I can't f**k these h*es", Childish Gambino gave us a timeless album that is going to resonate with you on a day when you're in a "I don't want to hear that bulls**t" mood.
Not many artists can capture a sound from an era they weren't born in yet, make it sound current. But, somehow Childish Gambino managed to do that phenomenally with this album. This is a far cry from Camp, Because The Internet and STN MTN/Kauai, but the instrumentation, production and vocals front to back on this album are amazing!
With all the respect in the world, this album is dope and many will give this critical acclaim. Many people will probably tell you that you need to listen to this album. I wholeheartedly agree, but I'd still much rather hear 'Bino rap. Here's to hoping a great project with BARS is on the way in 2017.
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Just wanted to share that because it's one of the greatest covers ever in life. Donald Glover can really do anything, dog. It's unfair. It's just unfair.
[Songs of the Day] 3/6/14 (Feat. Mac DeMarco, Big K.R.I.T., St. Vincent & More)
Thursday brought about some new heat to warm our nasty March and leading things off we have a pair of tracks dedicated to another world. Along with the announcement of a "Game of Thrones" mixtape titled Catch The Throne, due out tomorrow came two tracks, Wale's "King Slayer" and Big Boi's "Mother of Dragons", stay posted for the rest of the tracklisting. Big K.R.I.T. continued his solid flow of new content by teaming up with Childish Major for another cinema-inspired track in "Wolf of Wall St.". Chuck Inglish teased his upcoming album with a very dope track with fellow Chicagoan Chance The Rapper for "Glam" which will wear out your repeat button in a hurry. A couple dance numbers got in the mix with Nick Nikon's "100 Deep" and a remix of M.I.A.'s "Y.A.L.A." anthem by Falcons. Mac DeMarco continued to prove why he's a rising star with his latest, "Brother" and St. Vincent once again showed she can do no wrong on "Del Rio". Columbia College's AEMMP Records released another track from their upcoming album, La Collection, produced entirely by C-Sick. The track, "All Love" features Taylor Bennett, NoNameGypsy & Nick Astro. Check everything out, streaming below.
Track of the Day: Chuck Inglish: "Glam" (Feat. Chance The Rapper)
Wale: "King Slayer"
Big Boi: "Mother of Dragons"
Big K.R.I.T: "The Wolf on Wall St." (Prod. Childish Major)
Chuck Inglish: "Glam" (Feat. Chance The Rapper)
Nick Nikon: "100 Deep"
M.I.A.: "Y.A.L.A." (Falcons Remix)
Mac DeMarco: "Brother"
C-Sick: "All Love" (Feat. Taylor Bennett, NoNameGypsy & Nick Astro)
St. Vincent: "Del Rio"
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[Video] Lili K & Peter CottonTale Perform "Highlight The Moon" at Truth Studios
It's been a minute since Lili K and Peter CottonTale got together to produce one of the my favorite jazz/soul albums of the past couple of years in Metal Petals, the 2012 release that established both artists as names to know, especially among the fertile and growing Chicago scene. The pair linked up while in Los Angeles at Truth Studios to re-hash one of the more sonically-rewarding track on the project in "Highlight The Moon" which gets a more down home, instrumental feel here with CottonTale on the keys. Lili shows off the voice we all know and love, while also demonstrating new tweaks in her vocals that make the latest version of "Highlight The Moon" ever more entrancing. The Milwaukee-born songstress has played in the background quite a bit as well, adding her vocals to tracks by Chance The Rapper and Vic Mensa on their latest projects Acid Rap and Innanetape, but here she continues to prove that she is a solo force behind the microphone. Lili and Peter are both back and forth from the coasts as they work on her follow-up to last year's My Favorite Things EP. Watch the full video, streaming below.
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[Video] Kelis: "Jerk Ribs"
Kelis has been somewhat quiet for awhile. Since marrying Nas, the "Milkshake" singer hasn't been heard from much, save for a string of well-received but commercially disappointing albums between 2009-2012, Kelis seemed to have faded into the background after a career that garnered her two Grammy nominations, 10 top ten UK singles and tours around the world. That is, until recently when she announced her first four U.S. shows in four years with the release of her video for "Jerk Ribs" off her album, Food due out April 22. The Le Cordon Bleu-certified chef, who also announced the unveiling of a cooking show on The Food Network, "Saucy and Sweet" which premiers February 26th at 8:30 EST, lives a slice of life piece in her latest visual offering as well, with cameras following her from here to there. Along with the SXSW sets announced, Kelis plans to make her presence known in Austin this year, as she will be manning her own food truck and cooking for fans and patrons of the festival on March 13 & 14. Follow her at @IamKelis for updates on where she'll show up!
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SXSW DATES
Wednesday, March 12 - NPR @ Stubbs
Thursday, March 13 - Filter @ Clive Bar
Friday March 14 - Hype Hotel @ 505 7th St
[Video] The O'My's: "Sweet Love"
The O'My's are easily one of the most soul-packed bunch in Chicago. Led by Maceo Haymes and Nick Hennessy, the band has seen its stock grow since releasing their latest album, A Humble Masterpiece late last year via RH and playing a host of high-energy sets around their hometown and beyond. Yesterday, playing on the "love is in the air" vibes of mid February, The O'My's crew dropped their latest visual for the song "Sweet Love" off their latest release. The video, directed by Dan Moraru, details what it's like when a friend of yours falls in love, worse yet, a roommate and what that means for everyone he was friends with. Check out the full video below.
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[Video] Mike Golden & Friends: "Every Morning Love"
Well, if you haven't heard, love is in the air. Adding to the Valentine's Day spirit is Mike Golden & Friends out of Chicago. The soul rock group adds another layer to the already heightened sense of the four letter word with another well-crafted video from the talented Elijah Alvarado. Never one to do things the same twice, Alvarado begins the video with Golden beginning a wall of dominoes, which then pace the first few moments of the visual depiction of the band's song "Every Morning Love", eventually sparking a mechanism, seemingly out of the opening scene of The Sandlot, that announces the title in one of the most creative ways I've ever seen it done. Remember when the song title and artist name were just white writing in the bottom left corner? It's 2014, people. Basically, Golden and Alvarado set up a girl's dream Valentine's Day morning set to a single off the band's latest project, Utopia. Check it out below.
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[Songs of the Day] Peter CottonTale's Valentine's Day Love Jams
Valentine's Day is nothing without the music. Sultry sounds and smooth beats can go a long way towards setting the perfect mood on your February the 14th, and few know this better than the one and only Peter CottonTale. When deciding on who to turn to for a romantic mix of music to get listeners in the mood for tonight, CottonTale, who evokes thoughts of old school jazz and soul music with his own production, seemed like a logical choice. With an eclectic taste, the Acid Rap crafter put together a group of songs that can give even the stiffest of dudes some swagger in their step. The playlist is available on Spotify, so feel free to take CottonTale with you as you venture out into the night. Without further ado, I give you "Peter CottonTale's Valentine's Day Love Jams".
[Video] Charles Bradley Announces Tour
The "Screaming Eagle of Soul Music" himself, Charles Bradley is one of the my favorite, and most refreshing stories of making it against the world's forces. The 65-year-old crooner has found success late in his life, garnering attention at 2011 SXSW on the strength of his debut project, No Time For Dreaming and a rousing string of performances. Last year he followed that up with the critically-acclaimed Victim of Love, continuing to show a lost generation the ways of soul. Yesterday Bradley announced his touring plans for 2014 alongside a video of him performing his song, "Confusion" live on Soundcheck. Tour dates can be found after the video.
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Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires Tour Dates
Feb 05 Northampton, MA - Pearl Street
Feb 06 Providence, RI - The Columbus Theatre
Feb 07 Boston, MA - House of Blues (with Galactic)
Feb 08 Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory (with Galactic)
Feb 22 Wellington, New Zealand - NZ Festival (James Cabaret)
Feb 23 Wellington, New Zealand - NZ Festival (James Cabaret)
Feb 25 Perth, Australia - Perth Festival
Feb 28 Adelaide, Australia - Adelaide Festival (Free Opening Night Festival)
Mar 01 Canberra, Australia - National Portrait Gallery (Enlighten Canberra - FREE)
Mar 02 Sydney, Australia - The Basement
Mar 03 Sydney, Australia - The Basement
Mar 04 Brisbane, Australia - The HiFi
Mar 06 Melbourne, Australia - Corner Hotel
Mar 07 Melbourne, Australia - Melbourne Zoo Twilights
Mar 08 Meredith, VIC, Australia - The Golden Plains Festival
Mar 09 North East Tasmania, Australia - Panama Fest
Mar 12 Singapore - Mosaic Music Festival
Apr 22 Cleveland, OH - The Beachland Ballroom
Apr 23 Ann Arbor, MI - The Blind Pig
Apr 24 Louisville, KY - Headliners Music Hall
Apr 25 Nashville, TN - Exit/In
Apr 30 Austin, TX - Stubb’s
May 01 New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jacks
May 02 New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
May 03 Houston, TX - Houston International Festival
May 09 - May 11 Atlanta, GA - Shaky Knees Music Festival
May 15 San Francisco, CA - The Regency Ballroom
May 17 Los Angeles, CA - Fonda Theatre
May 18 Dana Point, CA - Doheny Blues Festival
May 29 Barcelona, Spain - Primavera Sound