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Album Review – Quadron’s “Avalanche”
By: Josue “Josh” Alvarez Mapp (a.k.a. DJ Mappquest)
Quadron is one of those artists you are not listening to, but definitely should (if you are listening to them, fantastic). “Avalanche” is the group’s second foray in the music world, following their equally solid effort in their self-titled album. Perhaps this review is biased since one of my personal favorite genres currently happens to be neo-soul, but I digress… [Read more…]
The interview with Dime (Zae Martinez) from the group the Classiks was not only inspirational but extremely heartfelt. The interview opened up with one of the original songs that got me in tuned with the group of “how bad do you want it”. Continuing into the interview I was able to get deep and personal with the artist in finding out his motivations and aspirations to continue in the very challenging and competitive music world. He several times, over and over, said it was due to his family and friends that his motivation to continue with his work prevailed. He said he began as a teenager between 13 and 14 years writing and rapping, and at the age of 21 he paired up with his best friend/brother Big Daddy Real/Sammy. [Read more…]
For those looking for a new find, let me point your attention in the right direction. On May 22nd, a group by the name of The Endangered released a self-titled EP. The best thing of summer is always finding a new band or artist to throw into your circulation of music. Well this summer you should check this band out.
The band is composed of vocalist Maiya Sykes, guitarist Nick Block, bass Frank Abraham, and drummer Gene Coye. The EP has a solid five songs that are all great: “Broke Heart,” “Calling On You,” “You’ll Be Mine,” “Dollars,” and “Mistakes.” Each song, in my books, is a solid, fantastic addition to the rhythm and blues genre. The bands leading single is “Calling On You,” which was released prior to the EP and it even has a music video made for it. However, “Broke Heart” is another solid song to divert your attention to. [Read more…]
It wouldn’t be foolish to think that after May 2008, you figured Bobby Womack was done making and producing new music. I thought so too. It was a great run through the decades with signature, classic, and iconic music. For avid fans out there, I do not need to dive too much into what songs make Bobby Womack, Bobby Womack. For those unfamiliar with Womack, however, you should look into said album, “The Best of Bobby Womack – The Soul Years.” “The Soul Years” being the best of everything Womack has to offer…until now.
Bobby Womack released “The Bravest Man in the Universe” on June 8th. It is soulfully wonderful (all pun intended). I am not going to lie though, the cover made me try to bend my thumb that way, but to no avail. In any case, the music of this album is moving and does great justice to the genre. Every once in a while I think that rhythm and blues and soul is a dying breed in music, but artists like Womack bring it all back. [Read more…]
Unlock your mind is not only a catchy saying it is also the title for brass band The Soul Rebels. The band hails from New Orleans and sounds is evident and amazing. From track one to thirteen this album is Mardi Gras and hip hop on disc. The first track entitled 504 states where the band got its roots and its influence. The Rebels have been together since the mid 1980’s but they sound contemporary without forcing it. The band is able to blend jazz, pop, hip hop,funk, R&B and even a portion of blues into this album. [Read more…]
Music Review: Trey Songz – “Inevitable” EP Review
By: Josue “Josh” Alvarez Mapp (a.k.a. DJ Mappquest)
Tomorrow, November 28th, will be Tremaine Neverson, more commonly known as Trey Songz, birthday. On this day, also, will be an EP release from him with 5 tracks: 1. Top of the World, 2. What I Be On, 3. I Do, 4. Outside (Part 1), and 5. Sex Ain’t Better Than Love. When I heard about this, I got fairly excited as I love Trey Songz, partially because he is one of the last well known R&B singers left.
It’s time to start missing the nineties in earnest.
I have personally found most of the popular party music of the oughts to be appallingly un-fun. Pop stars like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera were obviously processed, and especially in Britney’s case, overly-sexualized while vehemently denying the fact that they were. Eminem, an inescapable presence in the last ten years, was first refreshingly frank, then gradually wore out his welcome by staying so misanthropic that we all had to conclude his whole persona was an act. Basically, the last decade lied to our faces and expected us to be “sophisticated” enough to get the joke.
Enough of that. [Read more…]
Weather is Me’Shell Ndegeodello’s grown-up album.
It’s always a little sad when formerly rebellious, iconoclastic artists start making music that seems safer, the kind of albums you could play at a dinner party with your parents. But it may be a bit early to break out some Ndegeocello along with the good dishes. Weather is mellow, no doubt; it leaves behind both the jarring sonic experimentation and the frank political lyrics of Ndegeocello’s previous releases. But there is still plenty that is sexy and unsettling, or unsettlingly sexy. In other words, this is still a Me’Shell Ndegeocello album. Hide your parents. [Read more…]
As the weeks progressed, and the experience ever growing, slowly evolving into what I hope will be a descent show, I felt a little bit more confident as I entered into the KSSU radio station. Compared to the first time, this time I was more calm, collected, relaxed as well as prepared for my show and speaking on the mic wasnt as hard as I would have thought either. [Read more…]
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