Video Pick: The Visitor-V Bozman

Flashback Friday: Dukey Stick-George Duke

George Duke is known primarily as a keyboardist and musical innovator as well as a composer, producer and singer in jazz and mainstream musical genres. He made a name for himself the release of the album “The Jean-Luc Ponty Experience With The George Duke Trio”. He was also known for thirty albums to his credit and his collaborations with other musicians, Frank Zappa, among others. Duke attended Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley before earning a bachelor’s degree in trombone and composition with a minor in contrabass. In 1967, he experimented with jazz fusion by playing and recording with Jean-Luc Ponty, as well as performing with the Don Ellis Orchestra and Cannonball Adderley’s band, while getting acquainted with Frank Zappa. Duke appeared on several Frank Zappa albums during the 1970s. He was also prominent in the R&B genre, releasing the singles  “Dukey Stick’ and “Reach For It”. Duke died on August 5, 2013 in Los Angeles of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He was 67.

In The News

Singer Akon is ready to make a comeback. During an interview with the Associated Press, he revealed that he intends to release his first studio album in seven years through a new app. The app is called Stadium, which will allow fans to stream his songs free. The catch is they’ll have to deal with ads. If they click on them or share them with Facebook friends users will earn credits. The credits can be used to buy ringtones, wallpapers and Akon-styled emoji. Admirers can also unlock more songs and unreleased videos. Akon’s first four albums for Stadium will cover different genres: world, house, urban and reggae. The Associated Press reported that his next album will be released before March 2016. It hasn’t been confirmed whether it will be through standard digital and physical releases on Atlantic Records. Akon wants to make his music available for streaming legally. By going the independent route, he intends to serve his 60 million followers on social media. According to Akon, 200,000 people have registered for the Stadium app. It’s set to be released in a few weeks. Rapper Rick Ross has just completed a remix for singer Adele’s “Hello”. The Maybach Music Group bawse not only inserts his signature flow on the track, he also drops a somber 16 bars about the highs and lows of fame. Adele, meanwhile, has been ruling the Internet since the release of the sepia-colored visual for her comeback single, which has earned more You Tube views than “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”. That’s 50 million views within the first 48 hours of it’s release, according to You Tube. Former President George W. Bush and rapper Kanye West haven’t had a wonderful relationship, primarily due to West calling Bush out during a Hurricane Katrina telethon a few years ago. Bush would later call the incident “one of the most disgusting moments of my presidency.” Hilary Clinton has stated that she’ll get behind him if she decides not to run for reelection. Donald Trump stated he hopes to run against him someday. However, during his retirement, the younger Bush doesn’t have to be as diplomatic. When website TMZ asked him about West’s presidential bid, he just laughed.

Video Pick: Set Me Free-Leela James

Leela James is definitely an artist who has brought back real R&B.

In The News

A lawsuit has been filed against singer Aretha Franklin for unpaid homeowners fees on a condominium in suburban Detroit. Hills of Lone Pine Association says it is owned more than $11,500. The Detroit News reported that the association has filed a lawsuit to foreclose on the Queen of Soul’s property in a gated community in Bloomfield Hills. The lawsuit names Franklin and two other companies that hold mortgages on the $7000,000 condo. Franklin stated to the newspaper that she owns the condo but does not live there. She believes she has been overcharged for years and only paid what was “credible and legitimate’. She added that her attorney is working on the dispute. Although it doesn’t seem possible, pioneering hip hop duo Salt-N-Pepa will celebrate their 30th anniversary next year. The American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers ( ASCAP) honored the group during its seventh annual Women Behind The Music series yesterday at Surbrosa in New York City. The Grammy award winning group is responsible for such classics as “Push It”, “Expression”, “Let’s Talk About Sex”, “Shoop” and “What A Man”. Cheryl “Salt” James stated, “Time goes by so fast. But we’re learning to embrace that we’ve been in the business and lasted this long. We’re blessed to still be here, relevant and loved.” She and Pepa reunited with bandmate Dee Dee “DJ Spinderella” Roper in 2007 after disbanding in 2002. The group appeared on a Halloween themed episode of Bounce TVs “Family Time”. Actress KeKe Palmer has released her new single “I Don’t Belong To You”, a moody R&B slow jam along with a steamy music video. In the black and white visual, Palmer is cruising for something other than the trifling, possessive boyfriend causing her too much trouble. The singer/actress brought in Cassie for a Sapphic ending.

Video Pick: Cry, Cry, Cry-Judith Hill

Judith Hill is a singer/songwriter from Los Angeles. Her voice has been described as distinctive and soulful with an earthy quality that makes it unique. She has provided background vocals for Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Josh Groban. In March 2013, Hill became a contestant during the fourth season of NBC’s “The Voice”. Hill was eliminated during the Top 8 of the show. Her elimination was the most shocking of the show. Hill worked the Prince on her debut album “Back In Time”

In The News

Prince is giving social media another shot. The legendary rocker, who had a brief alliance with Twitter and Facebook last year, has launched an Instagram account. The reclusive musician cranked up his Princestagram (Jimmy Fallon is to be thanked for the name) where he posted 88 items in two days. In a sign that he may have finally gotten the hang of social media ( and that his sense of humor is still intact) he posted several career related memes on his page, including Dave Chappelle’s infamous portrayal of the master/singer/songwriter/musician. He also shared several live shots, cover art shots and older publicity shots as well. Prince took to social media when  he released the albums “Art Official Age” and “Plectrumelectrum” in 2014. After both albums reached number one on the Billboard charts, the artist abruptly dismantled his Facebook and Twitter accounts, his brief and sometimes awkward flirtation with social media seemingly over for good. Prince’s fresh start on Instagram follows the release of “HITNRUN Phase One” last month. It’s his thirty-eighth studio album. He earned his 25th top 10 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums with the No. 8 debut of the set. While considering his growing commitment to activism, Pop/R&B singer Usher only needed to look at Harry Belafonte seated beside him to know how much more he could give. The two engaged in an hour long conversation moderated by Soledad O’Brien, which was  held at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan. Near the end of the conversation the subject was turned to politics and social causes when someone asked if Usher and Belafonte would duet together. Usher stated that he’s tried to get Belafonte in the studio to no avail. Belafonte interjected that there’s a reason for that. He had a stroke that weakened his vocal chords.

Video Pick: Love Me Back-Kenny Lattimore

Singer/songwriter Kenny Lattimore is back.

Flashback Friday: Which Way Is Up-Stargard

Heavily influenced by LaBelle and The Pointer Sisters, Stargard was a female R&B trio best remembered for performing the theme song to the Richard Pryor film “Which Way Is Up?’. The group’s original three woman line up consisted of Debra Anderson, Rochelle Runnells and Janice Williams. The group didn’t go for the breathy, girlish vocals the Supremes and the Three Degrees were known for, instead favoring robust, aggressive belting and brought a gospel like passion to it’s disco, soul and funk. Stargard was signed to MCA Records when its first single, the ultra funky “Theme From Which Way Is Up?” (written and produced by Norman Whitfield), reached number one on the R&B charts. Their debut album was released in early 1978, and later that year the label released the groups sophomore album ‘What You Waitin For”. The album’s titled track became another Top Ten R&B hit. However, after that, Stargard lost it’s commercial  momentum. Stargard left MCA for Warner Bros. and released its third album “The Changing Of The Guard”. The album contained the single “Wear It Out”, produced by Verdine White and Robert White. Unfortunately, the album didn’t do as well as it should have. In 1980, Debra Anderson left Stargard and the group continued as  a duo. The Norman Whitfield produced “Back 2 Back” was released followed by “Nine Lives”, which was produced by Rochelle Runnells. Neither album received a great deal of attention and in 1983, Stargard broke up.

In The News

Judith Hill has been in the music industry for some time, however, some may have not noticed. Her resume includes a duet with Michael Jackson, appearing in the Oscar winning documentary “20 Feet From Stardom” (winning a Grammy in the process) and an appearance on “The Voice”. She has also opened for Josh Groban and John Legend. The 31-year-old singer/songwriter is just getting started. Today, she releases her debut album “Back In Time”. The Los Angeles native worked closely with mentor Prince on the album. “Back In Time” was the result of jam sessions between Prince and Hill at the music legend’s Paisley Park Studios in Minnesota. Her performance of “Cry, Cry, Cry” on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” is clear indication that Hill has created an album filled with emotion and soul. Singer The Weeknd has plead no contest to punching a Las Vegas police officer in January. The singer/songwriter entered his plea on Wednesday, according to TMZ, avoiding jail time as long as he complies with the judge’s orders. Per the judge’s ruling, The Weeknd, born Abel Tesfaye, will have to complete anger management, an alcohol evaluation and 50 hours of community service, which he will be allowed to do in Canada. He will also pay $1,000 to an injured police fund. Tesfaye was arrested in January on one count of misdemeanor battery of a protected person following an altercation at Las Vegas’s Cromwell Hotel. Ceelo  Green says he has grown personally and professionally and would like to return to “The Voice”. An original coach when the show first aired in 2011, Green left last year after facing charges of a felony drug case. He pleaded no contest to giving a woman ecstasy at a dinner and recently completed his sentenced community service. He remains on probation. While he hopes to return to television, Green says his priority is getting reacquainted with the music industry.