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Showing posts with label Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

MENAHAN STREET BAND - Take the Road By Walking


Menahan Street Band consists of members of Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Budos Band, and other bands who producer Thomas Brenneck brought together to "record hits" in his Bushwick apartment. In fact the band is named after Menahan St. in Bushwick.

"Led by Dap-Kings/Budos Band guitarist Thomas Brenneck, the album is, as THE FADER puts is, "filled with untouched palettes waiting to be sampled," while XLR8R says "most of the all-instrumental tracks waver between Motownish and Stax/Volt-esque flavor; the mood is very 'Soulsville'-era Isaac Hayes-meets-The Funk Brothers. Crisp, tight ensemble playing defines tracks like 'Tired of Fighting' and 'The Contender'...this is a must-have.""

The new album Take the Road By Walking hits stores today. The title track was sampled by Jay-Z last year on his hit "Roc Boys". Check out the original...

Menahan Street Band - Make the Road By Walking (mp3)

"There must be something in the water in Brooklyn these days that has kept this family of musicians going. Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson, Kanye West, Ghostface Killah, The Hitmen, Wu-Tang Clan, Al Green, Nas, and now Jay-Z all coming to the same bunch of guys in their homemade studios in Brooklyn to get the stuff that today’s biggest records are made of. However, this is far from a pop record. Make the Road by Walking is a soulful exploration by a talented young group of musicians into the possibilities of instrumental music; an original, personal, and uncompromised creation that embodies the sound of a select group of musicians in one distinct place, at one particular moment in time. “This album is kind of a window into our world on Menahan Street,” says Brenneck. “In a way, we’re simply the street’s unofficial house band.”"

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Outside Lands Fest Kicks Off in San Francisco

The inaugural Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival gets underway Friday, boasting a very herb-friendly lineup and seemingly tailor-made for its location at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Radiohead and Beck headline the first night, which also includes The Black Keys, Cold War Kids, and Black Mountain. Then things get really "herbal" over the next couple of days. I mean, Tom Petty, Jack Johnson, and Ben Harper? Expect a lot of mandles, drum circles, and cannabis clouds. But some highlights are indeed tucked in between the tye-died lines. Liars will bring their apocalyptic madness on Saturday, while Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings will blow minds with their stunning soul revue on Sunday. But in the end, the weekend belongs to Radiohead.

More info at sfoutsidelands.com.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Coachella Coverage


As always, Coachella was an incredible event, showcasing over 100 bands and DJ's. Beth Gibbons proved a bonafide rock star as she led Portishead in a stunning comeback performance. The Black Lips and Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings were on fire (some literally), providing a stealth alternative to Jack Johnson on the main stage. M.I.A. had a diva moment when she brought the show to an uncomfortable halt, at which point the "diva moment" turned into a full-on meltdown. And of course, Prince was amazing, sharing the stage with Morris Day and The Time for a pair of songs, then with Sheila E for her classic "Glamorous Life".

THE BLACK LIPS, Mojave Tent



The Black Lips were one of the highlights of the weekend, tearing up the Mojave tent with their rowdy rock 'n' roll. The boys ended their set by lighting their guitars on fire before they all-out destroyed them and threw the mangled guitar limbs into the crowd.

HOT CHIP, Sahara Tent


Hot Chip proved they can command the gigantic Sahara tent as good as anyone (Daft Punk aside). Their live set was high energy and the packed tent didn't let the scorching heat diffuse their enthusiasm. Fueled by percussive outbursts, this was a hot and sweaty dance party that had everyone moving.

LOVE & ROCKETS, Outdoor Stage


Much to their fans' delight, Love & Rockets made a solid return to the stage, rocking through classics like "No New Tale to Tell", "Ball of Confusion", and "No Big Deal". The songs sounded remarkably tight and fresh and the light show was perfectly suited to the bands style and tone.

M.I.A., Sahara Tent


Meltdown aside, when MIA was on she was on, but the show overall was very rough. She played the rock star, wearing a platinum wig and strutting around the stage like a fierce diva. But I think her show at Terminal 5 last October was far, far superior.

***

I'm still in LA, but hope to post some more pictures soon.

-all photos ©2008 by Scot Bowman

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Countdown to Coachella - 9 Days...



SHARON JONES & THE DAP KINGS, Bushwick, Brooklyn


Honestly, I think this is the act that I'm most excited to see. Not only have Ms. Jones and her Dap King's recorded all three of their amazing records just around the corner from my humble apartment in Bushwick, but these records have grown on me in a way I can't use words to express. When I listen to these records I feel like I'm 14 years old again, rediscovering the passion that music can convey.

Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights (music video)


YO MAJESTY, Tampa, Florida


Yo Majesty first rocked my world when they opened for CSS last summer at the Fillmore East in New York. These chicks from Tampa, Florida know how to move a crowd. They have been known to strip off their tops on stage, prance around with Beth Ditto, and most importantly, make jams that recall the 2LiveCrew era of hip-hop. Do not play the following video at work or around right wing relatives...but be there for their performance at Coachella. No one will tell.

Yo Majesty - Club Action (music video) - NSFW!!!


SPANK ROCK, Philadelphia, PA


Spank Rock has been very busy the last year. When not remixing or opening for Bjork, getting nasty with Bangers & Cash, or helping a sister out, Spank Rock has a vital career of his own. Check out his 2006 debut LP YoYoYoYoYo. This should be off the hook.

Spank Rock - Rick Rubin (music video)'

BONDE DO ROLE, Sao Paulo, Brazil


This one should be really interesting. I may be biased (I do have a photo of Marina framed over my desk), but how can this group go on without its lead woman? Marina left the band recently and has been replaced by not one, but two new lead females. I saw these guys almost two years ago in San Francisco and they were fantastic. But I have no idea how the recent shake up of the band will effect its sound and overall show. I'll be there to find out.

Bonde do Role (w/ Marina) - Salta O Frango (music video)

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

The Sky Report Turns 1


A week ago today, The Sky Report had it's one year anniversary...and I forgot! But we got a great gift just in time for the occasion...a nomination for Best Music Blog at the Hey Nielson/Billboard.com Best Music Blog contest. The competition is incredibly stiff, so if you have a minute, please click the link and vote for The Sky Report.

Thanks to everyone who reads this blog. It has been very motivating to see that people actually read what I have to say about music.

Also, I'll be DJing on my laptop Thursdays in Bushwick (current or former stomping ground of Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, White Rabbits, Amy Winehouse, Santogold) at the new Northeast Kingdom downstairs lounge. Every Thursday from 11-2...L Train to Jefferson...18 Wyckoff @ Troutman...if you live in NYC, come by and say hi.

And please take part in the Best Album of 2007 poll at the bottom of the scroll.

Thanks
Scot

Friday, November 02, 2007

NEW VIDEO FRIDAY

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights


Panda Bear - Comfy in Nautica


Liars - Houseclouds


Holy Hail - Cool Town Rock


The Softlightes - The Microwave Song


Black Dice - Kokomo