Video SoulBounce
Get Into The Noisettes & Their 'Wild Young Hearts'
I will admit that Afro-Punk is a genre of music I have overwhelmingly slept on. It has all the elements of music that a grrrl like myself would enjoy (Rock, Black folks who can sing, interesting outfits, and wanting to stick it to the Man). Yet I invariably find myself at a loss for naming any worthwhile bands besides Bad Brains, Fishbone, and Saul Williams on his Niggy Tardust album. Enter The Noisettes. Not only is the lead singer and bassist Shingai Shoniwa stunningly fierce, but she prowls the stage with a combination of Joan Jett's and Eartha Kitt's attitude. Add to that a voice that's melodically sound and vaguely reminiscent of Siouxsie Sioux and you get quite a nice twist for all of those Denise Huxtable girls who just want to rock out sometimes. Their lead single "Wild Young Hearts" from their second album of the same name is below. Just be sure to give us some props when you want to drop their name to your friends to prove how avant garde you are.
Soul On Film
'Black Dynamite' Depicts SoulBounce Header Graphic in Shocking Live-Motion!
You know what kind of movies we love here at SoulBounce? The ones where the hero throws a punch but you don't hear it land until ten seconds later. We hope this is the case with Black Dynamite, a spoof of the Blaxploitation genre film starring Michael Jai White, who also co-wrote. If you're anything like us, you're probably pulling up the rear on the late bus, since the film's trailer has been online for a little while now. But don't feel bad, it will probably head straight to DVD after it does Sundance later this month. Here's the synopsis followed by the trailer, after the bounce:When "The Man" murders his brother, pumps heroin into local orphanages, and floods the ghetto with adulterated malt liquor, Black Dynamite is the one hero willing to fight all the way from the blood-soaked city streets to the hallowed halls of the Honky House.
Interviews
Behind the Groove with Maiysha
One of our favorite finds in 2008 was Bounce-Worthy songstress Maiysha. Not only did she take us by surprise with her arresting beauty and bonafide talent, but she also caught the ears of many others including the Grammy Award committee who nominated her for the Best Urban/Alternative Performance for the single "Wanna Be." Pretty impressive for an independent artist whose debut album was seven years in the making.
I recently had the opportunity to chat with Maiysha about her music and modeling career, her background and influences, and where she's been and where she wants to go. Not to sound clichéd, but she is truly a beautiful person inside and out. She is quite deserving of her Grammy Award nomination, and although the competition is stiff, I'm personally pulling for her to come out victorious at next month's ceremony. After listening to this episode of Behind the Groove, you may just find yourself rooting for her, too.
Behind the Groove with Maiysha
Click here to download the interview [Subscribe via iTunes]
A Soulful Noise
3 Albums in One Year? Prince Might Be the One to Pull It Off
As you've no doubt heard already, our favorite former freak turned strident JW, The Artist Formally Known As Sane Prince is threatening promising to release three full albums in 2009. There's even a fresh new website heralding this phenomenon. After 2008 came and went with only one entry into Badu's New Amerykah trilogy and a couple of years went by without any of the magnum opus promised to us by Maxwell, it's not a little difficult crafting this blog entry without a healthy dose of side-eye juice. However, unlike Badu and Maxwell, Prince isn't beholden to a major label, so he can pretty much flood the market with his purple prowess and at least break even on the strength of his name. However, it remains to be seen if anyone outside of his die-hard core will bite, even with the proposed appearance of Q-Tip. [BB]
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: When You Get The Notion, Put Your Backfield In Motion
- Looks like Warner Brothers still has its hands in Talib Kweli's Blacksmith label after all. [BB]
- Check out one of the most comprehensive "R&B in 2008" wrap-ups ever--on a Hip Hop site. [KN]
- Will more Hip Hop artists continue to embrace R&B/Pop fusion in 2009? [XXL]
- Looks like Kanye West can successfully convince his sheep to cop The Renaissance. [KW]
- Who's keeping the A&R alive these days? [P&H]
First Spin
'If You Fall' For Dru Hill, That's On You
As the rest of us are two-stepping into the new year, Dru Hill is back again, and taking a decidedly different approach. Known for their ballads, the guys are aiming for play at the clubs with the newest single entitled "If You Fall" that leaked last week from their Dru Hill: "If You Fall"
A Soulful Noise
India.Arie's 'Love & Politics' Is Happening, And Here's The Tracklist To Prove It
India.Arie has been working hard in during the nearly three years she's not released a studio album, the fruits of which were her own record label (Soulbird Music) and its first release (Anthony David's Acey Ducey). Those of us longing for tastes of what Love & Politics will offer were somewhat satiated late last year when the first single, "Chocolate High," hit the internet. Since lately anticipated release dates frequently roll by without any wish fulfillment, the February 10th due date won't be real until Love & Politics is safely purchased. As a gesture of good faith, and to keep our interests piqued, the tracklist was made available over at Billboard. Check it out after the bounce!
First Spin
Yes, Tortured Soul, We Did 'Miss' You
It's been almost three years since Tortured Soul unleashed their live House music onto the masses with their debut album, Introducing. Now that we've all had more than enough opportunity to catch them live or listen to their In Transit EP released last year, their reintroduction to our eardrums could not have come at a more opportune time. Did You Miss Me? poses a question that is easily answered (YES!) and comes complete with some lounge-worthy, Motown Sound-influenced, and of course the danceable House jams that we've all come to expect form the Brooklyn-based trio. Be on the look out for it March 6, 2009. In the meantime, quell your thirst with some snippets from the new album below.
Tortured Soul: "Did You Miss Me" (snippet)
Tortured Soul: "See You More" (snippet)
Morning Soul
Morning Soul: Feel Like Bustin' Loose
- Jay Smooth makes the case that with Hip Hop beefs, peace is definitely the word to play. [ID]
- Crickets chirp and doves cry now that Dru Hill are once again on the comeback trail. [UD]
- Lil Wayne narrates a pretty amazing and inspirational Gatorade commercial. [YT]
- Jennifer Hudson's fans are reportedly clamoring for her return to the spotlight to sing the national anthem at the presidential inauguration. [EW]
- Get to know some critics' choices for best Hip Hop albums of 2008. [HHC]
Letter From the Editor, Looking Back
2008
Well would you look at that? Goodbye, 2008! Oh how you made us so proud and so ashamed in so many ways!
Jazzy Ways, Relax in Paradise
Freddie Hubbard (1938-2008)
Freddie Hubbard: Jazz Great Dies After Heart Attack [BV]
Freddie Hubbard [Wiki]
Admin Announcements
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Relax in Paradise
Eartha Kitt (1927-2008)
Eartha Kitt, Sultry 'Santa Baby' Singer, Dies [ABC]
Eartha Kitt [Official][Wiki]
SoulBounce Elsewhere
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