On The Verge News Blog and Any Other Stuff

Q-Tip: Kamaal The Abstract Finally In Stores September 15 After 8 Year Delay

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:40:00 +0000

Most of us got our hands on a leaked copy of Q-Tip's Kamaal The Abstract about 8 years ago. It is finally being released on Battery/Jive Records on September 15, 2009. The album has been re-mixed and re-mastered with a new track added, "Make It Work". With or without the leak 8 years ago we are still looking forward to this project and we're happy to finally add the official copy to our collections. Can't wait to hear this great album re-mixed and re-mastered!

Q-Tip explains why the record didn't come out 8 years ago...

Track List:

01. Feelin’
02. Do You Dig U? (feat. Gary Thomas & Kurt Rosenwinkel)
03. A Million Times
04. Blue Girl
05. Barely In Love
06. Heels
07. Abstractionisms (feat. Kenny Garrett a.k.a. Truth)
08. Caring
09. Even If It Is So
10. Make It Work
11. Damn You’re Cool (iTunes Preorder Bonus/Vinyl)

Nicolay's "City Lights 2: Shibuya" album, and why NOT to buy it from iTunes

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:48:00 +0000

With the digital release of Nicolay's City Lights 2: Shibuya album, Phonte explains he and Nicolay's beef with iTunes, and why you should not purchase it from iTunes. Also there seems to be a problem with iTunes and the current Foreign Exchange album Leave It All Behind.

Phonte Explains...

CD IN STORES SEPTEMBER 15

*Support retailers that support artists-OTV

N'Dambi "Can't Hardly Wait" To Give You A Free Download of Her New Single

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:08:00 +0000

STAX PRESENTS PINK ELEPHANT FROM GRIPPING SOUL SINGER N’DAMBI
ON OCTOBER 6TH

Every so often, a musical soul emerges from the underground with the inescapable talent; artistry and charisma that marks the arrival a gathering storm. Pink Elephant is the Stax Records debut from N’dambi, a songwriter with emotional purpose and rare honesty. The striking vocalist, pianist and composer from Dallas, Texas, known for her signature afro and fiery style, possesses the intuitive perception and powerful creativity that ensures an essential contribution to modern R&B and soul.

Click here to grab your free download of Can't Hardly Wait and be sure to hit your local retailer to purchase the full length Pink Elephant on October 6.

Check out the hott new video for the single Can't Hardly Wait

http://myspace.com/ndambi
http://twitter.com/ndambi
http://ndambionline.com

"Dirty Money" - The Diddy Definition

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:35:00 +0000

Music Mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs is gearing up to release his 5th studio album via a new trio consisting of himself, former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard, and songwriter Kalenna. Comb's is calling the trio Dirty Money. The new album, Last Train To Paris is slated for release this fall.

“Dirty Money is not about no drug money, illegal money, or anything negative,” says Combs. “Dirty Money is a look, a sound, a movement, a crew. For my new album Last Train to Paris, I wanted to do something refreshing, something unique, something forward for myself as an artist…I’m a team player. I wanted to tell a love story…I couldn’t just tell the male’s point of view.” The bulk of Dirty Money’s work will be heard on Diddy’s Last Train to Paris, which the mogul has previously described as “electro-Hip-Hop soul funk.”

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Click here to view THE DIRTY MONEY "ANGELS" trailer FEAT B.I.G. DIRECTED BY HYPE WILLIAMS

www.lasttraintoparis.com

International Electro Soul Artist Vikter Duplaix Has A FREE Gift For You

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 01:04:00 +0000

International Electro Soul Artist Vikter Duplaix introduces a new single Electric Love and has made it available as a Free Download on his site http://vikterduplaix.com until September 23. Grab it today and spread the word. And as always we are in store for something very special from Mr. Duplaix when his full length album drops. And of course we'll let you know when that will be. We can't wait!

*Thanx for the gift Vikter! Another Masterpiece! - otvnews

Click here to grab your FREE download of Electric Love

Please send Vikter some feedback about his new single

http://twitter.com/duplaix
http://myspace.com/duplaix
http://facebook.com/vikter.duplaix

Brittany Bosco ~ Spectrum 2.0 ~ Free Album Download

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:47:00 +0000

Almost without warning unheard and unseen, Brittany Bosco has created a growing revolution amongst her peers and her contemporaries in Atlanta’s growing, cultural music scene. The Savannah native took the reigns of the pulse coursing through the veins of underground music with her release of the The Spectrum EP in 2008, and has continued to ride this pulse, making it’s vibrations and sound audible to those in the mainstream industry. The recent release of her debut video, “Blues for Blue/Black & White” , as well as a string of performances on both coasts, displays Bosco’s ability to captivate audiences and break boundaries of age, genre, sex, and race. California to Chicago, New York to North Carolina, Bosco’s ability to bend genres and captivate the hearts and imagination of her multitude of supporters is evident. Within a years time, Bosco has received major media recognition, and her fan base has grown exponentially. She has no plan to stop anytime soon.

Brittany Bosco is genre-bending, thought - provoking, inspiring, quirky, passionate, and honest. A diamond in the rough, a truly authentic artist creating her own waves within a sea of mediocrity. Take a look. Take a listen.

Click here to grab the re-release of Spectrum 2.0 w/previously unheard tracks and new features for FREE!

Hip Hop: New Sophomore Digital Track Release from UK's Uprock Recordings

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:45:00 +0000

Some don’t know what happened, some wondered what happened and some made it happen, Yet again!!

The Sophomore Digital Track Release From UK's Uprock Recordings:

Lin Chong Verse Kao Chiu

Featuring: MOTET, PESCI, BREIS AND STEVE AUSTIN

On the strength of their 2009 single When Robots Go To War, Uprock Recordings releases their new single titled, Lin Chong Verse Kao Chiu.

Propelling to the next level, Uprock delivers a track inspired by Chinese Novel, “The Water Margins”. A Novel that also shares the bound between brotherhood, which is exactly what spawnned off a collaboration between these mutual respected MC’s.

Once the track was recorded, Uprock’s producers team couldn’t help but to pass it like a party joint, creating remixes, by music masters, Steve Austin, A.C. Lane, Daz I Kue with the original by Mr. Zarkoff.

Lin Chong Verse Kao Chiu proves that when Uprock delivers quality beats with punch lines by Steve Austin, fine word play by Breis, Pesci’s lyriscism and Motet’s witti one-liners, the collective, lives up to expectation, yet again!

Click Here To Download

Ayra Kip

The Pancake Gallery / Uprock Music Press

We Flip It.

Visit Uprock Recordings on Myspace

Terence Blanchard Group Presents..."Choices" In Stores Now

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:48:00 +0000

Choices is the newest recording from Terence Blanchard, and upon first listen, it's another document of the evolution of the trumpeter and his current band of futurists — many of them plucked from the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, where Blanchard reigns as Artistic Director. The Monk Institute performance program now resides at Loyola University in New Orleans because Blanchard brought it there. He also recorded this music at the Patrick F. Taylor Library, a 19th-century brownstone building with beautiful interior white oak carpentry and woodwork craftsmanship.

Accompanying Blanchard on the album are longstanding 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. Guest artists include writer, speaker, educator and activist Dr. Cornel West, critically-acclaimed guitarist and Blanchard protégé Lionel Louke, and singer, musician and composer Bilal. West performs spoken word pieces on the album with Bilal providing vocals on several of the tracks.

Choices is available in stores and online now!

Actor Antwon Tanner Pleads Guilty to Social Security Fraud in NYC

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:51:00 +0000

NEW YORK (AP) — "One Tree Hill" actor Antwon Tanner has pleaded guilty to selling more than a dozen Social Security numbers for $10,000.

Tanner told a federal judge in Brooklyn on Friday that he was a middleman, selling numbers someone else provided. He and his lawyer didn't comment on how he got involved in the scheme.

Tanner is expected to get as much as a year in prison at his sentencing, set for Nov. 20.

The 34-year-old actor was charged in April with selling 16 Social Security numbers and three bogus Social Security cards.

Tanner plays the character Skills in the CW series. Representatives for the network didn't immediately return a telephone call Saturday.

Tanner also appeared in the 2005 movie "Coach Carter," starring Samuel L. Jackson.

MJ Footage Film Gets Two-Week Limited Run

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:42:00 +0000

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Michael Jackson film built around rehearsal footage left behind after his death will be released in a limited two-week theatrical engagement worldwide.

Distributor Sony announced Thursday that the release date for "Michael Jackson: This Is It" has been moved up to Oct. 28, two days earlier than previously announced. Tickets go on sale Sept. 27.

The studio also announced longtime Jackson collaborator Kenny Ortega is directing "This Is It," which offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Jackson preparing for a series of London shows he was rehearsing when he died June 25.

Ortega had been working with Jackson on the "This Is It" concert tour, which had been planned as a colossal 50-show engagement at London's O2 Arena. His other credits include the "High School Musical" movies and an upcoming remake of "Footloose."

"This film is Michael's gift to his fans," Ortega said. "It's a very private, exclusive look into a creative genius's world. For the first time ever, fans will see Michael as they have never seen him before — this great artist at work. It is raw, emotional, moving and powerful footage that captures his interactions with the 'This Is It' collaborators that he had personally assembled for this once in a lifetime project."

Sony paid $60 million for rights to the film, which will be drawn from more than 100 hours of footage shot in Los Angeles between April and June as Jackson prepared for the concerts that were to begin in July.

The filmmakers initially intended to include some 3-D footage but have dropped that plan. The film will show Jackson working with singers, dancers, musicians, choreographers and special-effects experts, Ortega said.

New Music and Video from Mary J. Blige from "More Than A Game" Soundtrack

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:38:00 +0000

Mary J. Blige's Stronger is the lead single from the official soundtrack for the true-life coming of age story about LeBron James & his high school teammates, "More Than A Game".

MORE THAN A GAME SOUNDTRACK IN STORES SEPTEMBER 22

Five talented young basketball players from Akron, Ohio star in this remarkable true-life coming of age story about friendship and loyalty in the face of great adversity. Coached by a charismatic but inexperienced player’s father, and led by future NBA superstar LeBron James, the “Fab Five’s” improbable seven-year journey leads them from a decrepit inner-city gym to the doorstep of a national high school championship. Along the way, the close-knit team is repeatedly tested—both on and off the court—as James’ exploding worldwide celebrity threatens to destroy everything they’ve set out to achieve together. More Than A Game combines a series of unforgettable one-on-one interviews with rare news footage, never-before-seen home videos, and personal family photographs to bring this heart-wrenching and wholly American story to life.

MORE THAN A GAME IN THEATERS OCTOBER 2

4hero Presents...'Extensions' coming in October

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 01:10:00 +0000

4hero presents a compilation of original previously unreleased cover versions of their music, reinterpreted by a selection of hand picked artists. When presented with the idea of doing another remix album they felt a need to do something new and fresh, rather than calling up the usual remix suspects and getting dance floor club mixes 4hero have put together an album that would happily sit on the shelf of a 4hero fan. For this project they’ve sought out a range of forward thinking outﬁts, orchestra's & producers including some new discoveries to cover their music. 4hero played their part in the music supervision including some recording, mixing and co- producing tracks on the album making the project that much more special to the 4hero fan base. The result is cinematic and dynamic in structure and styles. 4hero are well known for pioneering new electronic music genres including Jungle/D&B, Broken Beat and Nu Jazz. The “Extensions” recordings are the best way to define Nu Jazz.

Click here to preview tracks

Pre-Order The New Eric Roberson "Music Fan First" Album Releases August 25

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:34:00 +0000

August 25th will mark the release of Eric Roberson's sixth album entitled Music Fan First. The album will feature 17 new songs with guest appearances by Slum Village, Geno Young, Wayna, Lalah Hathaway, W. Ellington Felton, Sy Smith and many more.

Click here to pre-order your copy of Music Fan First. Pre-order now for your chance to recieve a signed copy by Erro himself!

Famed Author E. Lynn Harris Dead at 54

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:33:00 +0000

Renown author E. Lynn Harris passed away on Friday, July 24, at the age of 54, according to the Arkansas Times.

The celebrated author's personal assistant confirmed that his health had declined but would not provide any details as to what caused his death. Harris was in the middle of a West Coast book tour. His best-selling novels such as "Invisible Life" depicted African-American gay community in a unique way and exposed the down-low phenomenon of athletes.

Read the full story at Essence

Beastie Boys' Adam "MCA" Yauch Has Been Diagnosed With Cancer, Tour Canceled, Album Delayed

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:57:00 +0000

The Beastie Boys' Adam "MCA" Yauch has been diagnosed with cancer and will undergo surgery, he announced in a video posting on the group's website July 20. The band has canceled its summer tour plans and delayed the release of its forthcoming album, Hot Sauce Committee Part 1, in order to allow time for his recovery.

In the video Yauch announces that he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his left salivary gland last week, and while it is localized to that area and is treatable, immediate surgery is required. According to Yauch, his vocal chords are not affected, and he is expecting to make a full recovery.

"Hot Sauce Committee Part 1," the group's eighth album, was originally scheduled for release on Sept. 15. The set will include 17 tracks, including "Don’t Play No Game That I Can’t Win" featuring Santigold and "Too Many Rappers" featuring Nas.

EMI, the group's label home for all but its debut release, issued this statement: "Our thoughts, love and prayers are with Adam Yauch, his family and the Beastie Boys. The most important thing is to allow Adam to focus on staying healthy. We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery."

VIBE Magazine Closes

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:16:00 +0000

On Tuesday June 30, Steve Aaron, Vibe Media Group's chief executive officer, announced that Vibe, the 16-year-old urban music and culture magazine, founded by entertainment mogul Quincy Jones in 1992, was folding immediately and will no longer produce print issues or publish its website, Vibe.com.

In a statement to the staff, Aaron said, "The collapse of the capital markets has impacted us greatly. Over the past several months, we have actively pursued investment resources while working intensively with our bank to find a solution. But the deal market right now remains very poor and at the end of the day, the lack of investment resources to restructure the huge debt on our small company has made this outcome become a reality.“

Danyel Smith, former chief content officer of Vibe Media Group and editor in chief of Vibe, issued this statement:
"On behalf [of] the VIBE CONTENT staff (the best in this business), it is with great sadness, and with heads held high, that we leave the building today. We were assigning and editing a Michael Jackson tribute issue when we got the news. It’s a tragic week overall, but as the doors of VIBE Media Group close, on the eve of the magazine’s sixteenth anniversary, it’s a sad day for music, for hip hop in particular, and for the millions of readers and users who have loved and who continue to love the VIBE brand. We thank you, we have served you with joy, pride and excellence, and we will miss you."

With the closing of the title, effective immediately, there now remains no large circulation print publication dedicated to covering hip-hop, R&B and fashion on a mainstream level.

Vibe's influence and impact on the worlds of hip-hop and R&B has been both immense and enduring.

Soul Singer CHOKLATE Set To Debut First Official Video on BETJ Wednesday June 24

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:00:00 +0000

On the heels of the most eagerly anticipated sophomore album in indie soul music, Seattle Soul Singer CHOKLATE gets ready to debut her first official video from her new album on BETJ's Soul Sessions on Wednesday June 24. The video for Sun's Out from the CD To Whom It May Concern was shot on location in Los Angeles and is directed by Jon Genius. Special guest cameo appearances are made by veteran actor/singer Malcolm Jamal Warner(Cosby Show, Malcolm & Eddie) and Sun's Out song/album producer Vitamin D.

Check out BETJ on Wednesday June 24, 2009 to catch the video debut of Sun's Out from the new CHOKLATE CD To Whom It May Concern. Check your local listings for air times.

Visit CHOKLATE at:

Official CHOKLATE Website
Myspace
Facebook
Twitter
iseecolor
reverbnation
Choklate U.S. Street Team
Choklate UK Street Team

CHOKLATE To Whom It May Concern is available at:

Fye.com
itunes.com
amazon.com
target.com
bestbuy.com
fatbeats.com
dustygroove.com
cduniverse.com

Ledisi Returns For Soulful New Album August 18

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:15:00 +0000

'TURN ME LOOSE' Out August 18 on Verve Forecast

Soul singer/songwriter Ledisi promises a to keep it "raw, spiritual, uninhibited, and aggressive, and tell it all" with her new album 'Turn Me Loose' (out Aug 18th on Verve Forecast). 2007 GRAMMY Best New Artist nominee Ledisi (rhymes with legacy) took the world by storm with her chart-topping Verve Forecast debut 'Lost Found, ' but says the new record is all about "the desire to be free and embrace change."

Ledisi wrote and produced along with an all-star cast of producers of Jimmy Jam Terry Lewis, Raphael Saadiq, Chief Xcel, Chucky Thompson, Ivan and Carvin, Lorenzo Johnson, Fyre Department, and 'Lost Found' producer Rex Rideout to give her that "freedom sound" she was looking for, something she's already known to bring to her live performances.

Though many have praised Ledisi's sound, "a mix of contemporary urban, but her training and love of classic jazz and R show through, and her love of scatting has become signature, " (LA Times, 2/6/08), she says 'Turn Me Loose' was heavily inspired by listening to the raw soul/funk music of Buddy Miles' 'Them Changes' over and over again for two months. "I cried when I first heard this album in 2008. I cried because I heard and felt the pain, the spirit in his voice it moved me. I wanted that freedom I heard in his voice. I wanted to scream and give my all without thinking, " she explains adding, "I studied Buddy's life and his music, which led me back to Mr. Jimi Hendrix, Mr. Prince, Mr. Sly, Mr. Fela Kuti and Mr. James Brown. I heard FREEDOM in their music." Of the fourteen tracks on 'Loose', Ledisi wrote or co-wrote all but the cover of Buddy Miles' "Them Changes."

Ledisi will preview songs from 'Turn Me Loose' on the road this summer including July 4th at the Essence Music Festival.

Ledisi's 2007 major label debut 'Lost Found' garnered the Bay Area resident two GRAMMY nominations including Best New Artist. The recognition led to a series of high-profile appearances in 2008 including performances at the JVC and Monterey Jazz Festivals and the Essence Music Festival where she performed with Patti LaBelle, a role in the George Clooney film Leatherheads, a song in the Tyler Perry film Meet The Browns, a performance with Prince at Coachella and on the Tonight Show, and a BET award nomination. Her powerhouse voice and stories of everyday struggles and triumphs have made such a strong connection with fans.

Kelis: I Have Run Out Of Money

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:38:00 +0000

According to reports R&B singer Kelis claims estranged husband, rapper Nas, has left her high and dry ... not offering her a penny in the wake of her impending birth ... and she says she's broke -- "I have run out of money."

Kelis filed legal papers claiming Nas isn't paying her support, pre-natal expenses --nothing, even though she claims he is filthy rich.

Kelis is asking the judge to order Nas to pay spousal support, child support, all pregnancy-related expenses, and one-half of all medical expenses after the child is born. She also wants $3,500 for the baby nurse after the child's birth, and $20,000 for strollers, cribs and other baby supplies.

Kelis says, "My survival is based on [Nas'] will at this time. If he does not want to pay for an expense, it does not get paid." The couple was married in 2003. The baby is due this month.

Kelis says she's entitled to maintain the lifestyle to which she became accustomed during their marriage -- they have five homes, fly first class, go to fancy restaurants, and on and on.

Kelis's lawyer, Laura Wasser, says in a separate declaration she's asked Nas to ante up some money for Kelis and the unborn baby but he hasn't responded.

Usher Files For Divorce From Wife Tameka Foster

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:21:00 +0000

R&B singer Usher filed for divorce on Friday June 12 from Tameka Foster Raymond, his former stylist, less than two years after their glitzy wedding at a Georgia resort.

The 30-year-old Grammy-winning artist, whose real name is Usher Raymond IV, filed the petition in Superior Court in Atlanta.

Records posted to the court's Web site did not give any details about the split between the R&B star and his wife, who were married in August 2007.

About 200 people attended the wedding between the two at resort built in the style of a 16th-century-style French chateau on 3,500 hilly acres outside Atlanta.

They have two young sons, 1 1/2-year-old Usher Raymond V and 6-month-old Naviyd Ely Raymond. His wife has three children from a previous marriage.

Raphael Saadiq Gets Ready To Release First-Ever Concert DVD

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 04:01:00 +0000

Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter/producer Raphael Saadiq is set to release his first-ever concert DVD entitled Raphael Saadiq: Live From the Artists Den, which comes out July 21 from Artists Den Entertainment and Columbia Records.

The 18-track performance was filmed on December 3 during a private show at the Harvard Club of Boston. Portions of it aired on the "Live at the Artists Den" Public Television series, but the DVD will feature songs not included in the broadcast plus bonus interview clips. Public Television will make the DVD available as a pledge drive promotion at publictelevisionrocks.org for 30 days before the street date.

Aside from touring and promoting his lastest CD The Way I See It, Saadiq has been doing a bit of production work nailing down tracks with Ledisi, Fantasia and Mary J. Blige. He has also been working on a movie score for the upcoming film "Holy War."

Track list for "Raphael Saadiq: Live From the Artists Den" includes:

01. 100 Yard Dash
02. Love That Girl
03. Keep Marching
04. Thinking Of You
05. Living For The Weekend
06. Dance Tonight
07. La La
08. Sure Hope You Mean It
09. Charlie Ray
10. Be Here
11. Still Ray
12. Just One Kiss
13. Oh Girl
14. Let's Take a Walk
15. Big Easy
16. Staying In Love
17. Love That Girl (Reprise)
18. Skyy, Can You Feel Me

SPIN Celebrates 'Purple Rain' 25th Anniversary With Free Tribute Album

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 03:12:00 +0000

On June 23, 2009 SPIN magazine's July issue will hit newsstands with an all out 25th Anniversary Celebration of Prince's Purple Rain. The issue will feature a comprehensive oral history of the film and album and a free downloadable tribute that features nine bands doing song-for-song covers of the record's classic tracks.

The album entitled Purplish Rain, boasts cover contributions from Apollonia, the one-time Prince protegee who starred in the film. Her cover of "When Doves Cry" was recorded with Greg Dulli and his band, the Twilight Singers. Other cover contributions on the album include Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings doing "Take Me With U," Of Montreal's take on "Computer Blue," a punk-mariachi version of "I Would Die 4 U" and Lavender Diamond's rendition of the title track. See full track list below.

The full downloadable album will be available via SPIN.com when the magazine hits newsstands on June 23. The album download is free, but a clue from the magazine article will be required for access.

The 10-page oral history was compiled and written by Brian Raftery, who spoke to most of the key participants in the original project, including Wendy and Lisa, other members of the Revolution and the Time, Bob Cavallo (the film's producer and Prince's manager at the time), director Albert Magnoli, and the original screenplay writer William Blinn. Prince and the Time's main man Morris Day did not participate.

Purplish Rain Tracklist:

1. "Let's Go Crazy" RIVERBOAT GAMBLERS
2. "Take Me With U" SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS
3. "The Beautiful Ones" FOL CHEN
4. "Computer Blue" OF MONTREAL
5. "Darling Nikki" CHAIRLIFT
6. "When Doves Cry" THE TWILIGHT SINGERS
7. "I Would Die 4 U" MARIACHI EL BRONX
8. "Baby I'm a Star" CRAIG WEDREN
9. "Purple Rain" LAVENDER DIAMOND

Lauryn Hill Cancels All European Tour Dates For This Summer

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 01:40:00 +0000

According to the Associated Press, Lauryn Hill has cancelled all of her European tour dates scheduled for this summer. Hill pulled out as Stockholm Jazz Festival headliner. Liisa Tolonen, spokeswoman for the Stockholm Jazz Festival, says the artist's agent informed the festival late Tuesday that all performances in Europe by the former Fugees singer have been canceled. This includes shows in Sweden, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France, and Austria.

Tolonen said Wednesday the agent cited health reasons for the cancellation but declined to give more details.

The tour would have marked a comeback to stage by Hill who has kept a low public profile in recent years. She was the planned headline act for the Stockholm Jazz Festival, one of Sweden's biggest music events.

"Classique" Will Downing in Stores June 16, 2009 - View New Video

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:44:00 +0000

Taking his inspiration from the French term CLASSIQUE – an author, artist or work of art, of the highest excellence – Will Downing returns with his 14th collection of sensual grooves and true love primers. CLASSIQUE is his second album for Peak Records and a triumphant encore presentation following the challenges he faced creating his Peak debut, AFTER TONIGHT (recorded while battling the muscle disorder Polymyositis). Back in top form, Downing’s sensitive touch is felt throughout the project - singing, writing, arranging and producing.

CLASSIQUE is quintessential Will Downing from start to finish…a quiet but emphatic statement on the strength and confidence this Brooklyn native has garnered as he celebrates his 20th anniversary as “The Prince of Sophisticated Soul”

Tracks:
1. Ride
2. More Time (Tic Toc)
3. Something Special
4. Just Think About It 4:21 5. I Won’t Stop
6. Love Suggestions
7. I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby
8. Let’s Make It Now
9. Baby I’m for Real
10. Statue of a Fool

Prince Needs, Refuses Double Hip Surgery

noreply@blogger.com (ON THE VERGE NEWS BLOG AND ANY OTHER STUFF) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:22:00 +0000

Entertainment columnist Roger Friedman is reporting that Prince now has two bad hips and is in desperate need of double hip replacement, yet continues to refuse surgery based on religious grounds.

Prince, in keeping with the his Jehovah's Witness faith, does not believe in blood transfusions, according to Friedman.

The entertainer made an unscheduled appearance at the Apollo Theater’s 75th anniversary celebration to toast Patti LaBelle, and a source who was backstage with him said he was walking around "in a lot of pain." “He’s popping pain killers and hoping it will all go away,” the source added.

According to Friedman, news of Prince needing a hip replacement first surfaced in 2005. "He declined. Then again in 2007 and 2008 came more reports that he’d finally agreed to 'secret surgery,'" the columnist wrote.

"Now the diminutive R&B star is walking with a diamond-studded stick to keep him upright. It’s the same stick I saw him with two nights ago at a post-Tony Awards bash."

If all of this is true, Prince's two ailing hips couldn't keep him from appearing at the Apollo Monday night to honor LaBelle, whom he referred to as, "My mother, my teacher, my cook and my stylist." He added, "She taught me so much. I love her with all my heart, and I'm here for her."