WritingSchmiting for 7/22/07

That handsome fella above would be Philly MC Equinox. That picture is really just a hardcore persona, because he's nice as hell..well, to me he is. Equinox was the 215 Wordplay I did this week. I am going to try and branch out from people I know and the DJ/MC type. We'll see how that works. My other 2 assignments were for Citypaper I got and had to turn around in about 15 hours, but I got it done. One is the iStandard producer showcase and other is Maze and Frankie Beverly. Anyway...I am outta Philly for a few days. Can't wait. Anyway, enjoy. xoxo

215hiphop Wordplay with Equinox, 7/25/07:http://215hiphop.com/features/wordplay-wequinox/#more-198

Maze and Frankie Beverly, Philadelphia Citypaper, 7/26/07 (scroll down in link):http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/07/26/soundadvice

iStandard Producer Showcase, Philadelphia Citypaper, 7/26/07 (scroll down in link):http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/07/26/soundadvice

Sunday Sweet Tooth - July 22, 2007

This week is something not so new and then 3 things that are new. It's a beautiful day outside, but I have so much little stuff to do that I'll probably just go for a run later and that's it...Anyway, check out these artists and enjoy...LEAVE COMMENTS and feel free to give me suggestions..I love discovering new music! xo

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For Lovers, Dreamers and Me by Alice Smith, Genre: pop/soul

Fantastic. This album came out awhile ago, and I did a review on it, which I can't find right now, but anyway...I saw her live for the third time this past Wednesday. Her voice is indeed a hate or love. I don't think it is anything that you can grow to love. Instantly upon hearing 'Love Endeavor', I knew I'd be a permanent fan. Her voice is very powerful. Her lyrics are standard, but when she sings the emotion comes out. Nice woman too. Check out 'Woodstock', 'Fake Is the New Real', and 'Secrets'. It's just something different, but I hope you dig it: http://www.giantstep.net/releases/794/ and www.myspace.com/alicesmith

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*NEW* Disrespectful by Chaka Khan featuring Mary J. Blige, Genre: R&B

Chaka, Chaka, Chaka - woooooooooooooahhhh. This song is from her upcoming album due out in September. I heard the entire song with Mary J, but on Chaka's MySpace you can only hear a snippet, but it's a good snippet. If you do get to hear the entire song, don't be put off by the typical and boring beginning, it gets better. This is definitely a dance song..it is stank type funky with Chaka hitting that high volume note. It can be mistaken for a little screaming, but all I want to do is get down to it. I can't wait to get this on MP3. I went to download it and it was gone...dang! Chaka still has it...for real. The song is here: www.myspace.com/officialchakakhan

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Bob Marley and the Wailers: Roots, Rocked, Remixed, Genre: Reggae/Dance

I don't know...I must admit that I'm not a big fan of reggae really, but I do dig Marley and company for their ability to crossover and still be true. However, I don't think that these remixes really sound smooth. It's a mesh between dance and reggae that I still am out to see about. While I appreciate the effort, it is going to take me some time to digest and listen to the whole thing completly, but because I respect Marley and some of the remixers, Imma give it a chance. Listen here: http://www.giantstep.net/releases/1490/

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Billie Holiday Remixed and Reimagined, Genre:Jazz/Dance

I love Billie Holiday. Her voice is just timeless, her mood, emotion and the way she can relate to so many situations through her music. I really dug the Nina Simone Remixed and Reimagined, so I was looking forward to this. While some of the tracks should have been left alone, I think that this release of updated remixes opens up a brand new audience to Ms.Holiday. Listen to three of these remixes here: http://www.giantstep.net/releases/1477

Writing articles week of 7/16/07

This week has been a bit subdued. A dear friend at work asked me what was wrong because I don't seem balanced. I am all good. Just chillin...but good! Tonight is the Alice Smith show. I am excited for that. This week, I wrote 4 things for the Philadelphia Citypaper. I decided not to write a review on the Mark Ronson show for a few reasons. Great show though. Anyway, looking forward to seeing Raul and Chrisette tomorrow! There is an article on that (Musiq headlines, but have seen him a few times and just not into him anymore). Wrote something on George Clinton (that man is still going), Noveau Riche (great band) and the Indie Rock Bingo event. Enjoy and I swear..some streaming is coming soon (Billie Holiday remixes!!!). xo

Indie Rock Bingo, Philadelphia Citypaper, 7/19/07:
http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/07/19/just-do-it-2

Musiq,Chrisette Michelle, Raul Midon, Philadelphia Citypaper, 7/19/07: http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/07/19/musiq-soulchild-chrisette-michele-raul-midon

George Clinton, Philadelphia Citypaper, 7/19/07: http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/07/19/soundadvice (Scroll down)

Noveau Riche, Philadelphia Citypaper, 7/19/07: http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/07/19/soundadvice (Scroll down)

Writing for week of July 9, 2007

My bad for this being a few days late. Blame the Mark Ronson concert in New York and the four Citypaper articles, which are appearing this week. But anyway, I have the Sweet Tooth to do also, and to make up for the tardiness, I have some treats that I'll put up tomorrow. First of all, TV on Sunday nights suck! Anyway, the only thing I wrote for last week is the Wordplay with Philly based producer, Cimer Amor. He is a friend and such a kind soul, so I enjoyed giving him some love. Hope you enjoy it too. Oh, saw Donnie in concert this week also - amazing!

xo

Wordplay with Cimer Amor, 215hiphop.com, July 11:

http://215hiphop.com/interviews/wordplay-wcimer-amor/#more-194

Sunday Sweet Tooth....on Monday :0









This is a day late because I was on my laziness yesterday. I was emailing contacts all day for Cover Your Lover stuff for World AIDS day and before I knew it I was boring myself watching The Good Sheppard. Atleast it had Matt Damon in it and a few other cute pale boys.

Anyway, I have four recommendations that are all slightly different - hope you find one that sticks to you.

DJ Shurikan, Genre: House, Electronic

Okay, let me keep it real. I put this in here because he is fine as hell (white boy with blue eyes above). I mean..damn..I mean...wow! Could you imagine if I heard his accent? *faint* Okay, so off to his music. My favorite that I've heard was his tribute to J-Dilla, which is on his myspace page. What I dig about it is the groove and the mellow vibe about it. If you don't find yourself nodding your head just a bit, then you might want to check your pulse. Some producers and beat makers may not think it's all that..but I'm not either, so I do. Go add him as your friend and listen here: www.myspace.com/shurikan



Album: In My Element, Robert Glasper, Genre: Jazz

I picked this one immediately after Shurikan because this album also has a tribute to JDilla, that is really, really nice. It's called "JDillalude". It starts off with phone conversation, but then moves into a nice piano number overtop of a freshly laced beat. Other tracks to check out on there are "Y' outta Praise Him" and "F.T.B.". The entire album just feels good. I can throw it on while cooking, cleaning or entertaining. It's very chilled, but not boring and puts the instrumentation back in jazz...that piano..that piano..you must hear: www.myspace.com/therealrobertglasper



Elizabeth Shepherd Trio, Genre: Jazz

I was on a jazz kick this week really, and I'm so happy my dear friend in Germany (Hi Karen) put me on to Elizabeth Shepherd. She is out of Canada and I think her voice is unique, sweet and rare for a female jazz singer. I mean, not like extraordinary, but something about her manipulating notes and words makes me a fan. I currently am really diggin' the "Just Gettin' By" remix (I love how the progression of the beat sound gives it a dance feel), and "Midnight Sun" (very light, innocent and when the chorus picks up - stellar), and "Four", but that is because of the dancing. I'd love to see her live and I will. By chance, I'll be in Canada the weekend she is performing...lovely. I can't wait. Check her here: www.myspace.com/elizabethshepherd
and the video for "Four" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZYpNi9nTW4



Song: Steppin', Reel People, Genre: Soul/Hip-Hop

As I typed that I thought to myself what classifies soul as soul and not R&B and when did soul become a genre? Anyway...I got this passed on through an Italian friend (Costa Grande) - so Gratzi..wait, is that how you say thank you in Italian? I am so off course. I really love this song. It gripped me immediately, with the exception of the rap which sounds kind of out of place and I can't place who the MC is, but anyway...Vanessa Freeman chill relaxed singing on this track combined with the subtle breaks does it for me. Plus the positive message came at a time where I needed it. I think that this song serves as a motivation and the end of the track has a very smooth ending. I just really dig it, and hopefully you will too: www.myspace.com/reelpeople



Now off to that heat. Please leave comments and stuff!



Much love, DD

Articles for week of July 2, 2007

Hello and happy 4th of July to my fellow USA residents. It's beautiful in Philadelphia right now. Festivities everywhere and weather perfect. I am off for a run, but wanted to post these up first. This was a tough week of writing. I took up the challenge of interviewing Michael Eric Dyson who is a hip-hop noteworthy. I don't want to run down his resume, but this man is pretty fierce and opionated. He's challenged Bill Cosby and the ladies of the View (on air). He's written about Tupac and Marvin Gaye (just google him). First of all, I've never interviewed an author (it is usually musicians), never did a Q and A type interview for Citypaper and also hadn't read this particular book. It didn't get to me in time. Next, he talks and I mean a lot...so at the end of the interview I had 1200 words, which I had to somehow squeeze to 500! Editing someone like him isn't easy because everything is connected, and so if you pull one sentence, the ones around it don't make sense. And this isn't some indie musician I was messing with, so I really couldn't be lazy with it. And, we had to do the interview on the phone, so I was working off of a recorded phone conversation! I worked on it hard for days and turned it in a day late (sorry Monica), but ahhh...it's here and I am so happy with how it turned out. I will go see him on Tuesday also. Not that this man is so uber elite that I was scared. I was more worried about represented him correctly. Interviewing him was a huge step for for me...*wipes off forehead and breathes*

Philadelphia Citypaper, Michael Eric Dyson, 7/4/07:
http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/07/05/hiphops-hero


My next challenge was the people who are doing this DJ Aktive party. Aktive is an ill ass DJ and that is why I wanted to write it up. Never have I asked my editor to pull a write up, but after dealing with the promoter, I asked him to. Information was missing and attitude was flying and I really don't play that especially on a deadline. But, my editor didn't listen and ran it...atleast it is small and I didn't spend a lot of time on it...headache!

Philadelphia Citypaper, Welcome to Hollywood party, 7/4/07 (scroll down):
http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/07/05/soundadvice

Next was MC Lightborn. He was a pleasure to talk to about his album. This write up is for his album release party which is this weekend. I won't be able to make it, but I wish him luck! Mad chill dude. Oh, this says that Elisa Ludwig wrote it...but I did! Not a big deal!

Philadelphia Citypaper, MC Lightborn album release party, 7/4/07:
http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/07/05/lightborn



I also got to write up a review for Mark Ronson's Version album. It's actually pretty good. Then I read somewhere that he believed Eminem was the Bob Dylan of rap and Tupac was basically repetitive or something. Ummmm...Ronson, Ronson, Ronson...my dear boy - someone told you wrong. I'm also going to see him (along with Stuart Zender) in New York next week. Yay for concert, ick for being broke..ha!

Giant Step, Mark Ronson Review, 7/7/07:
http://www.giantstep.net/features/184

That's it!

xo