articles for week of 11/26/07

Hello - I recently joined Facebook. I'm finding so many college people on there, as MySpace I find more high school people. Anyway, I am feeling a bit lumpy, so I gotta hit the gym, but before I do..check these out. I wrote about the Redman show that is coming up on Friday. If you are reading this and want to go, see me on how you can get half off tickets. I also wrote about Bodyrock, which returned last week with DJ Skeme Richards. Enjoy both!xo

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Redman, Philadelphia Citypaper, 11/29/07:

http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/11/29/redman

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Bodyrock w/DJ Skeme Richards, Philadelphia Citypaper Critical Mass, 11/28/07:

http://criticalmass.blogs.citypaper.net/blogs/mu/2007/11/28/bodyrock-w-dj-skeme-richards-nov23-m-room/

article for week of 11/19/07

Happy Thanksgiving! I can't wait to eat tomorrow. This week saw me doing a review on the new Amp Fiddler album (see post below this) and a write up on the Low Budget Crew show, which includes Kev Brown, Oddisee, Ken Starr and State Store. That's it! Be sure to also check me out over at www.myspace.com/coveryourlover

xo

Low Budget Crew, Philadelphia Citypaper, 11/21/07:

http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/11/22/low-budget-crew

Amp Fiddler - Afro Strut Review

Amp Fiddler

Afro Strut

Released: Sept.2007

More info including where to buy: http://www.giantstep.net/releases/1654

The latest slice of music by the multi-talented Amp Fiddler contains a healthy dose of funk, soul and dance. Aptly titled, Afro Strut, Fiddler mixes up styles, tempos and vibes to provide an overly satisfying listening experience.

The groove starts with opening track, 'Faith', and it never lets up. The song’s serious bass line lays the undertone for a solid offering. Saadiq’s contribution is definitely heard. The vibe then transitions when Fiddler teams up with breakout star Corinne Bailey Rae on up-tempo vintage track, 'If I Don’t.' The sections where they are singing in unison, like the second part of the chorus give the song an innocent and school crush feel. Some other standouts worth mentioning are 'Right Where You Are' (the beat that comes in around the 35 second mark fits perfectly), 'Ridin', which has both house and disco elements, and 'Come See Me', a track that has Fiddler showing off his falsetto over a laid-back beat - very slick and smooth.

Before getting to my favorite track, I gotta give props for the Jimi Hendrix cover of 'Hey Joe'. This is a dangerous move, afterall…it is Hendrix. Fiddler embodies the original with the vocals and even the rock sound. There are a bit of new millennium generated sounds thrown in, but they aren’t that bothersome truthfully.

I mentioned that I had a favorite and that would be, 'Heaven', featuring soulstress Stephanie McKay. The way the song opens gives me chills…it is haunting and uplifting. McKay and Fiddler make a beautiful combination. The song is soft and speaks of finding solace in tough times – something everyone can definitely relate to.

Afro Strut was released at the right time. Fiddler’s experience and talent with various instruments and with different bands show through the crisp clean sound and production. There are parts within songs where I am just surprised and touch by the adlibs, a hit of a key or stroke of a guitar.

The CD just feels good and I actually play it the entire way through. Can’t think of when the last time I said that about a male funk or soul release.

articles for week of 11/12/07

2 reviews this week. 1 that was easy - Spinderella at Fluid and one that was hard - Stevie Wonder at the Wachovia. Reviewing a DJ is as easy as saying how they did and a few songs they played, but reviewing a LEGEND was a bit harder because I am just afraid of missing or messing something up, but it is my opinion and my review, right? Hope you enjoy them both. The Stevie one has 2 You Tube clips so check it fo' real...xo

Stevie Wonder Concert Review, Philadelphia Citypaper Critical Mass, 11/14/07:
http://criticalmass.blogs.citypaper.net/blogs/mu/2007/11/14/stevie-wonder-nov8-wachovia-center/

DJ Spinderella Review, Philadelphia Citypaper Critical Mass, 11/12/07:
http://criticalmass.blogs.citypaper.net/blogs/mu/2007/11/13/dj-spinderella-nov9-fluid/

writing for week of 11/5/07

Last week was so crazy that I didn't get to put these up until today. I have so much writing to do...the Stevie Wonder concert review being one of them..WOW..he was AMAZING, and I don't use that word lightly. Anyway, time is short...I wrote about this party Clayton and I went to with a bunch of DJ's, but we only got there in time for ?uestlove! Also gave a little preview to the Spinderella DJ party, which was dope...gotta do that review too, and the last one I did was a write up for the hip-hop band, Philly Slick, who had their album release party over the weekend.

Enjoy, Deesha

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DJ Spinderella, Philadelphia Citypaper, 11/8/07 (scroll down):

http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/11/08/soundadvice

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DJ ?uestlove, Philadelphia Citypaper Critical Mass, 11/5/07:

http://criticalmass.blogs.citypaper.net/blogs/mu/2007/11/05/dj-uestlove-nov-3-silk-city/

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Philadelphia Slick, Philadelphia Citypaper, 11/8/07:

http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/11/08/philadelphia-slick

Writings for week of 10/29/07

Hello - Happy November! October went by so fast. This week, I wrote 4 things, all for the Philadelphia Citypaper. This week was the 2007 Choice Awards and while I only penned 3 things, I felt confident in those 3. The due date for them creeped up so fast on me this year that I didn't have proper time to think about them..my fault! But, the ones that did win from me were Lady B, Misia Denea and Freshout Media. I will just put their write-ups below, since it is all under one link. The other thing I wrote was a review of the Alice Smith concert last night, which I went with Clayton to. She was amazing..no doubt! Alright..gotta go do work for Get Well Philly..if you don't know what that is, check here: www.myspace.com/getwellphilly. Add us if you have MySpace. BTW - I am listening to the new Amp Fiddler....WOW - love it! Until next time, Deesha

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Alice Smith Concert Review, Philadelphia Citypaper Critical Mass, 11/1/07:

http://criticalmass.blogs.citypaper.net/blogs/mu/2007/11/01/alice-smith-world-cafe-live-nov-1/

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Philadelphia Citypaper 2007 Choice Awards, 11/1/07:

http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/11/01/a--e-nightlife

Best Dancing/Activism Machine

There really is no stopping dancer/activist Misia Denea, who's always turning the spotlight on issues such as Hurricane Katrina, wrongful imprisonment, domestic violence and war. Her dedication and determination have taken her around the world to teach, dance or participate in community workshops. If you've been to an urban grassroots fundraiser, rally or protest this year, Denea was probably right there alongside you with an open heart and/or dancing feet. —DD

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Most Likely To Be Around In 10 Years

Truthfully, Philly has enough art, culture, music and promotion-type companies, but not enough of them come correct. Enter Freshout Media, a company that purposely seeks out left-field venues and artists to create something new and innovative. From taking over the South Street Whole Foods rooftop to helping bring Pharoahe Monch to shows at World Café Live, Freshout has established itself as the optimistic future of the Philly party and arts scene. They work damn hard to represent. www.freshoutmedia.com. —DD

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Longest Comeback We All Saw Coming

For most hip-hop heads in the 27-to-38 age range, Lady B served as a soundtrack to their adolescence. When her voice dropped off commercial radio in 2002, fans had the choice of following her to Sirius Satellite or hunting for a new queen of the airwaves. Now, after years of petitions and e-mails, Lady B is back on the dial, playing classic hip-hop and R&B on The Basement Party on WRNB. Radio's good again, if only for four hours a day. Mon.-Sat., 3-7 p.m., WRNB 107.9 FM, www.1079wrnb.com. —DD