Whitman Books Releases - 'Michael Jackson: The World Says Goodbye to the King of Pop' | Hard-cover
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Whitman Publishing
Sharon Roses' New Single, "L.O.V.E." Hits iTunes Next Week
Each summer, a song emerges that ultimately becomes an anthem for warm summer nights, barbeque parties and trips to the beach. Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’, Beyonce's 'Crazy in Love’, and Leona Lewis’ ‘Bleeding Love’, were all worthy contenders.
This summer, new UK urban R&B/pop act Sharon Rose will release her super fun and universally appealing debut single, L.O.V.E, to digital media outlets next week and it could easily be a blockbuster summer single.
Written by Sharon Rose, L.O.V.E (out on Monday 6 July 2009), is a clever mix of R&B and soul that gives a nod to 80's pop. The song is held together by a sweet pop melody, an infectious hook and a heartfelt ode to falling in love for the first or possibly, second, third or fourth time.
"L.O.V.E is a song for everyone that has ever been in love," says Sharon. "Falling in love is an exciting thing and this song captures that dizzying magical enchanted feeling so well. L.O.V.E is also a song of significance, you know, because you don’t always feel like loving the person you love, there are days when they get on your nerves and make you just want to scream. L.O.V.E is a reminder that love is a choice. I hope people will strive for unconditional love after hearing L.O.V.E."
With a soulful and mature voice often compared to the likes of Beyonce and Jill Scott, Sharon Rose has already developed a bit of a reputation on the live scene, where she’s a regular at venues such as the Jazz Café, Pigalle Club and The Brixton Jamm.
She recently won the MSN Unsigned podcast competition and is currently in the studio recording her new album, still untitled, due out in Spring 2010.
More info at: www.sharonrosemusic.com
StreetBrand
Terence Blanchard | Choices (Coming Aug. 18th, 2009)
Terence Blanchard's New CD Choices
Set For Release August 18th on Concord Jazz
Follow-up To Grammy Winning ‘A Tale Of God's Will (A Requiem For Katrina)' Is First Complete CD The World-Renowned Trumpet Player and Film Composer Has Recorded In New Orleans and Features Guests Dr. Cornel West and Bilal
"Life is all about expansion and evolution. We make choices every day, none of which are right or wrong. They are simply choices that allow us to explore the variety of what's before us." -- Terence Blanchard
New Orleans, Louisiana. Choices, the new CD from three-time Grammy award winning trumpet player and composer Terence Blanchard, is set to be released August 18th on Concord Jazz. Recorded in March in Blanchard's hometown of New Orleans at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Choices addresses the choices we all make in life - both as a society and on a personal level. Blanchard will premiere Choices at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans on July 31st.Accompanying Blanchard on the album are long standing band members Fabian Almazan on piano, Derrick Hodge on bass and Kendrick Scott on drums, along with newcomer Walter Smith lll on saxophone, all of whom wrote significant track contributions to the CD as well (a complete track listing is attached to this release.) Guest artists include writer, speaker, educator and activist Dr. Cornel West, critically-acclaimed guitarist and Blanchard protégé Lionel Loueke, and singer, musician and composer Bilal. West performs spoken word pieces on the album with Bilal providing vocals on several of the tracks.
Said Blanchard, "When the spoken word idea came to mind, Dr. Cornel West was the first person I thought of. I've always been a fan of his philosophy -- the stances he's taken and the causes that he has championed throughout his career -- and I thought what better person could I find to put a lot of these ideas into words that can work in this particular musical situation. Bilal on the other hand is a great vocalist and while recognized more as an R&B soul singer, he is a huge fan of Jazz and is very knowledgeable when it comes to the history of music. Bilal is an extremely accomplished, creative and talented musician and it just seemed natural that he should be involved with the Choices project."
Added Dr. West, "Choices...what kind of human being you're going to be. How are you going to opt for a life of decency and compassion and service and love. What goes into that kind of choice. That's the human challenge. To be part of this album is an unadulterated joy because no doubt about it, music for me is continuous of life -- to be able to live the kind of life that I live on the certain kind of Socratic calling of raising unsettling questions. To be able to be in conversation and on an album with Terence Blanchard, that's serious business...I mean, that's...that's a beautiful thing."
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art's Patrick F.Taylor Library was chosen for the recording due to its outstanding acoustics as well as its historical importance to the city of New Orleans. The Library, completed in 1889 and a survivor of both hurricanes and decades of neglect, is the only existing building in the South designed by New Orleans native H.H. Richardson. "There couldn't have been a more perfect place to record this project," says Blanchard,"The Library itself is a survivor as is this city. While my last album (the Grammy-winning A Tale Of God's Will (A Requiem For Katrina) stemmed from Katrina's pain and destruction, Choices will be a celebration of all that has survived and more."
Blanchard has established himself as one of the most influential jazz musicians and film score masters of his generation, a member of a jazz legacy that has shaped the contours of modern jazz today. With more than 29 albums to his credit, as a musician Blanchard is a multi-Grammy Award winner and nominee, winning earlier this year for his instrumental solo for "Be-Bop" on Live At The 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival. In addition to receiving the award, Blanchard performed live on the telecast along with other New Orleans artists including Lil' Wayne, Allen Toussaint and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, who were all joined on-stage by singer Robin Thicke. In 2008, Blanchard also won a Grammy for his CD, A Tale of God's Will (A Requiem for Katrina), a beautifully haunting and impassioned song cycle about Hurricane Katrina and the ravages incurred upon the City of New Orleans and its residents.
As a film composer, Blanchard has more than 50 scores to his credit and received a Golden Globe nomination for Spike Lee's "25th Hour." In 2008 he completed the score for Lee's "Miracle at St. Anna," as well as the soundtrack for Darnell Martin's "Cadillac Records." Other film music written by Blanchard includes Kasi Lemmons' "Eve's Bayou" and "Talk to Me," Oprah Winfrey's "Their Eyes Were Watching God," Tim Story's "Barbershop" and Ron Shelton's "Dark Blue." He is currently working on the score for George Lucas' "Red Tails" and has already completed musica contributions for the score on Disney's "The Princess and the Frog,"set for release this fall.
As Artistic Director of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, which he was instrumental in relocating from Los Angeles to New Orleans, Blanchard works with students in the areas of artistic development, arranging, composition and concert programming. He also participates in master classes around the world as well as local community outreach activities in his beloved hometown of New Orleans.
The release of Choices will be accompanied by a worldwide tour featuring Terence and his band.
Muse Media
Vickie Winans Releases New CD - "How I Got Over" & New TV Series "A Time To Laugh"
VICKIE WINANS REBOUNDS OVER PERSONAL TRAGEDY
WITH NEW BET TV SERIES “A TIME TO LAUGH”
AND A DYNAMIC NEW CD ENTITLED “HOW I GOT OVER!”
First Music Project in 3 Years Hits Stores August 4, 2009
The Hardest Working Woman in Gospel, Vickie Winans, has overcome a lot since her last CD was released in 2006. Since then, Winans’ beloved mother Mattie Bowman passed away and Winans departed from Verity Records to launch her own Destiny Joy recording label. After surviving those trying times, Winans has rebounded triumphantly. “God has been good to me,”says the seven-time Grammy nominated singer. “I give Him all the praise. He’s stayed with me and held me up when I couldn’t hold up myself. There are so many great things happening that I just have to say that it’s because of God that I made it over.”
How I Got Over is the name of Winans’ forthcoming self-produced CD that hits stores on August 4, 2009. The eleven-song project is a mix of traditional and urban contemporary songs. Her first radio single, “How I Got Over” is Winans’ personal testimony. Taking a line from an old hymn classic favorite, Winans creates a brand new song that celebrates her victories, faith and trust in God. It opens with an upbeat, but old school church flavor and breaks down into a contemporary vamp before closing with her nephew, Tim Bowman Jr. laying down some jazzy scats that would make Ella Fitzgerald stand up and applaud. The project is rounded out with a brilliant dance song “Heyyy” (featuring Tye Tribbett), “Release It” (a tear jerking ballad), and “Swoop” among others.
New DVD Documentary to Feature The Late Michael Jackson | "The Trial And Triumph Of The King Of Pop"
 Rock City Entertainment, Elbow Grease Productions and MVD Visual are pleased to announce the release of Michael Jackson - The Trial and Triumph of The King of Pop for worldwide distribution on August 11, 2009. With the world still reeling from the unexpected and tragic passing of Michael Jackson, a forthcoming DVD will focus on the bright side and explain some of the complexities in this musical icon's life. Titled The Trial and Triumph of The King of Pop, this 76-minute documentary will examine (and go behind the scenes) of when the singer went to trial on child molestation charges, and was eventually proven not guilty by the court of law. Wilson Ebiye, President and CEO of Rock City Entertainment states, "Michael Jackson was the greatest entertainer of all time. We want to help preserve his legacy of love and kindness that is evident in his music. Our goal with The Trial and Triumph of The King of Pop was to clearly establish the fact that Michael was found not guilty of child molestation in a court of law. The King of Pop will continue to live through his music." The Trial and Triumph of The King of Pop features appearances by a wide-ranging cast of characters, including Kanye West, Jermaine Jackson, Tom Mesereau, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Jon Voight, Fantasia, Mo'Nique, Aphrodite Jones and Linda Deutsch. Long considered one of rock/pop's biggest stars, Jackson first rose to prominence as a member of the Jackson 5, before launching a massively successful solo career, which culminated in one of the biggest-selling blockbuster albums of all-time, 1983's Thriller, which spawned such hit singles/videos as "Billie Jean," "Beat It," and the title track. Jackson was on the comeback trail at the time of his passing, as multiple dates of proposed Jackson performances at London's 02 Arena had sold out. Pearl Jr., the director of the film, states, "Elbow Grease Productions is continuing on the same path as before the death of the King of Pop. We have always believed the world deserves to know the true facts in the cases against Michael Jackson... that mission will continue." |
A Word From Berry Gordy About Michael Jackson...
Michael Jackson 1958-2009
Statement from Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy is the founder of Motown and the man who first brought us Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5. The Jackson 5 were signed to Motown and they became the first act to have their first four major label singles ("I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save", and "I'll Be There") reach the top of the American charts. Michael Jackson then went on to release his first solo albums, which included 'Got To Be There' and 'Ben',through Motown too. Below is a statement from Berry followed by anexclusive competition to win some of Michael's classic music:
I am shocked beyond words. It's like a dream - a bad dream. This cannot be! How can Michael Jackson not be here?
As a kid, Michael was always beyond his years. He had a knowingness about him that was incredible.
When I first heard him sing Smokey's song, "Who's Lovin' You" at 10years' old, it felt like he had lived the song for 50 years. Somehow,even at that first meeting with him, he had a hunger to learn, a hungerto be the best and was willing to work as hard and as long as it took.
I had no concern about his ability to go to the top. He was like myson. He had warmth, sensitivity and two personalities. When he was noton stage, he was loving, respectful and shy. When he WAS on stage, hewas so in charge you would not believe he was the same person.
Michael was and will remain one of the greatest entertainers that everlived. He was exceptional, artistic and original. He gave the world hisheart and soul through his music.
I extend my sympathies to Joe, Katherine and the entire Jackson family. My prayers are with them.
Berry Gordy
Founder, Motown
June 25, 2009
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The 'BET AWARDS '09' Stands as the #1 Cable Telecast of the Year, Drawing Almost 10.7 Million Total Viewers
| The 'BET AWARDS '09' Stands as the #1 Cable Telecast of the Year, Drawing Almost 10.7 Million Total Viewers | ||||||
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BET Networks
Calvin Richardson | Facts of Life: The Soul Of Bobby Womack (Coming Aug. 25th, 2009)
CALVIN RICHARDSON DELIVERS FACTS
OF LIFE:
THE SOUL OF BOBBY WOMACK
Calvin Richardson is one of the most reliable keepers of the soul-music
flame.” – USA Today
Calvin Richardson is all about soul. Having come of age in the hip-hop era, he is nonetheless totally dedicated to carrying on great traditions of classic soul music into the contemporary era and the future. So it makes perfect sense that Calvin would want to do an album of his interpretations of songs by Bobby Womack, the legendary singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer known as “the street preacher.” Revered by many and recently elected to the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall Of Fame, Bobby Womack—who was mentored by Sam Cooke —helped define soul music. Womack enjoyed a fifteen year run of major hits as an artist while such notables as Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, The Rolling Stones, George Benson (he wrote Benson’s signature hit “Breezin’”), Millie Jackson, Janis Joplin and countless others have had hits with his songs. Indeed Calvin himself covered Bobby’s “I Wish He Didn’t Trust Me So Much” on his debut album. For that reason, Calvin embraced the idea of recording an album of Bobby Womack songs. The concept was to record the old school way, with live musicians in the studio. The splendid results are heard on Facts Of Life: The Soul of Bobby Womack, Calvin Richardson’s fourth album, to be released on August 25, 2009 by Shanachie Entertainment.
New R&B Star CHANJ Pays Tribute to Michael Jackson, sings "I'll Be There"
CHANJ
Time For Chanj - This September
Alistair Records
www.myspace.com/chanjmusic
www.twitter.com/chanjmusic
ThinkTank
Jay King Releases New CD - "Open Book"
Club Nouveau sold over ten million records, toured worldwide, charted eleven Billboard hit singles and garnered numerous awards and prestigious nominations with hits that included "Jealousy," "Situation #9, "Why You Treat Me So Bad," and the remake of Bill Withers' "Lean On Me."
Forever the maverick, King is also credited with creating a new chapter in music history by independently producing, pressing, marketing and promoting the biggest selling 12-inch single in history, "Rumors" by the Timex Social Club. He paved the path for independent record companies and was actually a forerunner to the current state of the music business, initially demonstrating the true power of the committed artist operating outside of the confines of the major label.
Unlike many past musical wonders however, King is undaunted by the newest wave of changes on the music horizon and is once again forging new inroads. With his first solo CD "Open Book," on King Jay Nouveau Music he proves himself still a true chameleon, remaining current and relevant to the times with an adult contemporary offering that is textured with the mature tonality of pure love.
A ten song adventure through adult contemporary, the musical escapade provides the textures of love,life and spirit. Working with musical powers such as Larry Dunn of Earth, Wind and Fire, guitar virtuoso Tony Dewayne, saxophone wizard Cal Bennett and veteran industry staple John Barnes, Jay has created a masterpiece in the realm of an audio experience that is a destined to become a standard for all time. Tracks like "I Would Die For You" and "I Have a Way with the Woman" ring like timeless classics.
In addition, King hosts his own Blogtalk radio show and has launched a new web series, "Up Close and Personal," which broadcast live from the Kulak Woodshed in North Hollywood, CA. Revealing yet another dimension to his musical master mind, "Up Close and Personal" is an intimate peak into the lives and personalities of some of music's most unheralded heroes. The two-hour webcast is a one-on-one conversation set in a music studio/coffee house atmosphere,where guests reveal untold anecdotes, behind-the-scenes revelations and inspiring tales about their musical paths.
On Thursday, July 2 from 8:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m. PST, the first family of jazz, the Laws Family will take the hot seat at the Kulak Woodshed with King for an unprecedented discussion about their rich history and contributions to the annuls of jazz. With over 30 years in the limelight, and over 50albums between them, this will be a first for Ronnie, Eloise, Hubert and Debra Laws! The interview will broadcast live on the web at www.kulakswoodshed.com .
With his Blogtalk radio show at www.BlogTalkRadio.com/Jay-King,King ventures off the music trail to get topical about subjects spanning the field of social issues covering topics such as child rearing to gang-banging to corny pick-up lines. Every Sunday, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. PST, he is joined by co-host/sidekick Robert Redwine in an interactive medium of lively discussion and debate.
"The music business will never be the same again," cites King, "and neither will the world for that matter. So as veteran artists it's vital that we keep reinventing ourselves. The World Wide Web is just that, its world wide. I'm now able to develop a new platform and reach an even more diverse and wider fan base via the social networking sites. I tell older artists all the time, don't complain about the state of the industry, but jump in and get with it. I am having the time of my life."
Jay King can be accessed at www.jayking.ning.com , www.tagged.com/jking3 and www.myspace.com/jayking3music. "Open Book" is available on the Internet and wherever great music is sold !
Jazzmyne PR
NBA Legend Magic Johnson Remembers Michael Jackson...
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Magic Johnson Enterprises
Michael Jackson suffers Cardiac Arrest...passes away
According to news reports from TMZ.com & various sources, we have just learned that one of the greatest singers of our time, Michael Jackson has suffered a cardiac arrest & died this afternoon. The team here on The Urban Music Scene is stunned & shares our prayers to his Family, Friends, etc. We will keep Y'all posted as the news gathers...
Hebert-Carrington-Media Announces Preview of New Website for Terri Lyne Carrington
ANNOUNCES TODAY'S INDUSTRY PREVIEW OF THE NEW WEBSITE OF PRODUCER & MUSICAL ENTREPRENEUR: TERRI LYNE CARRINGTON
(BOSTON, MA / WASHINGTON, DC) Hebert-Carrington-Media announces the industry preview of Terri Lyne Carrington's new website:
The new website is being launched to support Terri Lyne's new CD: "More to Say ... (Real Life Story: NextGen)", a vibrant and grooving concept album that is both a homage to classic R&B jazz ... and a look ahead to her vision of the future of mainstream jazz-inflected music.
For one week, the entire CD will be streamed for the Industry to experience in the manner it was created. Terri Lyne executive produced, arranged and wrote or co-wrote most of the 15 tracks.
The CD is an organically created concept album that encompasses a broad range of musical styles, including funk, silky smooth R&B, Neo-Soul, Latin, and classic jazz.
Terri Lyne says: "I am following up on my Grammy-nominated first CD: "Real Life Story," with more liberty to try some new music with one consistent quality: that the music feels good, that you can tap your foot to it, that it's danceable ... a groove record ... I wanted to create a sophisticated listening experience that cuts across musical categories. I also brought all parts of my musical personality to the CD to make it a look back to classic '70s/80s R&B Jazz and a look forward to what comes after Smooth Jazz.
While many recordings in recent years have featured noteworthy side personnel handpicked by a record label to boost a CD's profile, on More to Say ... (Real Life Story: NextGen), Terri Lyne performs with friends and colleagues with whom she has been working with in her 20-year-plus career.
Terri Lyne says: "I brought on board my friends George Duke, Everette Harp, Kirk Whalum, Christian McBride, Dwight Sills, Greg Phillinganes, Jimmy Haslip, Patrice Rushen and Lori Perry to contribute their sophisticated, soulful and funky voices ... Just listen to songs from the CD like 'More to Say,' 'Everyday,' 'Favorite Lullaby' 'Sherwood Forest', and Let it Be' ... I wanted that sound for this album. But I also wanted to add a different aesthetic to the mix, which is why I enlisted Danilo Perez and asked Anthony Wilson to join after recording with him for Diana Krall."
In addition, Terri Lyne enlists esteemed vocalists Nancy Wilson and Les McCann - two legends that she has known since childhood - to sing on her album. Wilson joins Terri Lyne on 'Imagine This.' Terri Lyne calls it a "dream come true" session for her. "If someone had said to me that Nancy Wilson would sing a lyric I wrote on my next CD, I probably wouldn't have believed them," she says. McCann sings a duet with Terri Lyne on the modern blues 'Hold Me Again.' "I used to sit in with Les when he would come to Boston. He was always very supportive, and I love his voice and his music because it is so soulful. The jazz legacy is so important to me, but I'm also a part of the groove tradition, where R&B, funk and hip-hop are important as well."
Next week, Hebert-Carrington-Media will formally launch Terri Lyne's site, and also will launch its ground-breaking digital marketing and media distribution platform.
DL Media
Jazz Pianist Marcus Johnson Breaks Out at #5 on Billboards' Contemporary Jazz Charts
International Jazz Sensation Marcus Johnson Ranks #5 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts  Marcus Johnson IS Poetically Justified. Award winning jazz pianist Marcus Johnson's latest album Poetically Justified has debuted at #5 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts within fifteen days of the albums release. Known for his unparalleled success as a composer, producer, record-label founder and businessman, Johnson's eleventh solo jazz record was released on June 2, 2009. In a recent interview with the Washington Post Magazine, Johnson best describes his philosophy in his own words: "In everything you do and dream, know it is possible. Know that you can and will be successful, keep the determination and persistence...and know that with all of this and faith, you will have a long Poetically Justified Journey." Best described as a combination of urban jazz with a slice of funk, Poetically Justified features collaborations with industry greats such as R&B legend Miles Jaye, Maysa of Incognito and Grammy-nominated saxophonist Najee. No stranger to success, Johnson's previous albums FLO: Chill, FLO: Romance, FLO: Standards and The Phoenix also ranked on Billboard's Top 10 Jazz Contemporary Charts. Johnson's musical masterpiece was produced through his independent label Three Keys Music, a division of Marimelj Entertainment Group. Johnson's educational background compliments his successful career as both an artist and entrepreneur. Upon graduation from Georgetown University where he completed a dual JD/MBA program, Johnson embarked on a mission to make a difference in the world through music. About POETICALLY JUSTIFIED Poetically Justified is available at Borders, FYE, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Best Buy and online. "This Place Hotel" will mark the albums first single. For additional information, please visit the Three Keys Music website at www.threekeys.com or www.marcusjohnsonmusic.com Luxxery PR | |
