By Jon Bream/Minneapolis Star Tribune

She has recorded with hip-hop stars Jay-Z, Nas and the Roots, performed three times on David Letterman’s show and earned a gold record for her debut album. But rising R&B star Chrisette Michele’s biggest honor came two weeks ago. She received her college degree.

“I went to the graduation ceremony, embarrassed in that big ugly black cape that I took off as soon as we finished, but I wore the hat around all day,” said the New York singer/songwriter.

After she signed a recording contract with Def Jam two years ago, she got sidetracked from her studies at Five Towns College on New York’s Long Island. But she recently went back to finish the final 20 credits. “I still had to take science and math - all the classes that you need for your degree that you didn’t feel like doing in the beginning,” she explained last week by phone while running errands.

Her degree is in vocal jazz performance. One of her projects was writing and directing a music video of “Love Is You,” the current single from her debut disc, “I Am.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Please enable Javascript and Flash to view this Flash video.

“Evil Urges” by My Morning Jacket

Four stars out of five

“Evil urges, baby,” squeals Jim James in the title track of his band’s fifth studio album. “They be part of the human way!” A slinky funk strut delivered in Prince-like falsetto that blows up into a proggy Southern-rock guitar duel, “Evil Urges” rallies you to “Dedicate your love to any woman or man/No racial boundary lines, no social subdivisions” and notes that “evil” is often in the ear of the beholder. -Will Hermes, Rolling Stone

See Rolling Stones‘ Web site for the complete review.

Click here to purchase “Evil Urges.”

While Madlib is no stranger to collaborating with some of music’s more talented artists like the late  Jay Dee and MF Doom, the producer/emcee traveled south of the Equator to find his latest partner in crime.

Jackson Conti is a project between the California native as Otis Jackson Jr. and Ivan “Mamão” Conti, who is known for his work with the Brazilian band Azymuth.

Their album, “Sujinho,” is a blend of the various styles of Brazilian music as well as soul, funk, and jazz.

Read the rest of this entry »

Please enable Javascript and Flash to view this Flash video.

Verve Records released it latest installment of the Remixed series on Tuesday, May 27.

The compilation features legendary R&B acts like Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Samone and Roy Ayers being remixed by the likes of Diplo, 9th Wonder, Antibalas, and the Cinematic Orchestra to name a few. 

Tracklisting:

1. Dinah Washington “Cry Me A River (Truth & Soul Remix)”
2. Nina Simone “Gimme Some (Mike Mangini Remix)”
3. James Brown “There Was A Time (Kenny Dope Remix)”
4. Marlena Shaw “California Soul (Diplo/Mad Decent Remix)”
5. Nina Simone “Take Care Of Business (Pilooski Remix)”
6. Astrud Gilberto “Bim Bom (Psapp Remix)”
7. Anita O’ Day “Tenderly (Mocky Remix)”
8. Sarah Vaughan “Tea For Two (Chris Shaw Remix)”
9. Patato & Totico “Dilo Como Yo (Antibalas Remix)”
10. Willie Bobo “Evil Ways (Karriem Riggins Remix)”
11. Roy Ayers “Everybody Loves The Sunshine (9th Wonder Remix)”
12. Ella Fitzgerald “I Get A Kick Out Of You (Cinematic Orchestra Remix)”

Al Green, “Lay It Down” (Blue Note)  

By Amy Linden/The Associated Press

If Al Green’s “Lay It Down” sounds familiar, it should. Much like his 2003’s comeback CD I Cant Stop, this is an homage to and re-creation of Green’s ‘70s glory days. That’s when the quintessential love man, with producer Willie Mitchell, delivered classics like “Let’s Stay Together,” and “Call Me” that inspired millions: That apparently included James Poyser and The Roots Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson, who, (with Green) produced this joyful if somewhat uneven CD.
The intentions are good. Green’s vocals are still sanctified and sexy - witness the slinky “I’m Wild.” Likewise the mournful title track, “No One Like You” shout out to Green’s 1972 gem “Love And Happiness,” and the proliferation of Hammond B3 organs makes this an old school dream; which is part of the problem.
While no one is expecting Lil Wayne on the hook, the participation of stylists like Thompson and Poyser - along with fellow acolytes John Legend and Anthony Hamilton (who almost steals the jazzy “You’ve Got The Love”) - implied that Green’s trademark sound might be guided into a new direction. Not doing so doesn’t make “Lay It Down” any less soulful- it just makes it a bit too safe.
CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: Buoyed by guitars with a juke joint twang and a finger-popping chorus, Green preaches about the transcendent power of love on “Standing in the Rain.”

Please enable Javascript and Flash to view this Flash video.

Please enable Javascript and Flash to view this Flash video.

Please enable Javascript and Flash to view this Flash video.

Al Green returns this week with his latest album, “Lay It Down,” off Blue Note Records.

The R&B legend collaborated with several of today’s young hip-hop producers and R&B artists including drummer Amir “?uestlove” Thompson of The Roots, John Legend and Corinne Bailey Rae.

Check out this feature from Nate Chin of The New York Times as he sits down will Green and the various contributors to his album due out Tuesday, May 27.

To purchase the album from Amazon.com.