The Very Good Agency

The Roots to retire from touring

One of the hardest working live acts around is finally looking at settling down. That’s right; word on the street is that the world’s top hip hop band, the legendary Roots crew, will soon be taking up a residency on The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon. Having re-written the books on how to make hip hop, and, more importantly, put on a show, The Roots have developed a cult following amongst not just hip hop fans, but music fans in general.

It’s an unfortunate reality that lot of hip hop shows these days suffer from poor sound engineering; distorted vocals, and basslines that drown out everything else. The Roots, however, have mastered the art of performing live. Appearing on stage with Black Thought on the mic, undoubtedly one of the best emcees in hip hop history, a guitarist, keyboardist, beat boxer, backup singers , and the almighty afro-ed one, ?uestlove on the drums, The Roots put on shows that send chills down your spine.

America’s cult television talk-show, The Late Show , will be taken over by Saturday Night Live Star, Jimmy Fallon, in 2009. Fallon will replace Conan O’Brien, who is moving into Jay Leno’s spot on The Tonight Show. In a recent interview (posted on youtube but quickly pulled) ?uestlove said that The Roots would be retiring from large scale touring and become the house band from March 2009. Its a big move for the band, but he realises it’s the right time to do it; “I see the possible chance of this being a ‘bigger’ move … but on the real? I don’t know if I want to be 40, on the road and single no more. And with the kids my group has now getting older … it’s harder for the guys to leave more than it was when the kids were 2 and 3. And I can’t even start to go on that path till a woman takes me seriously. And ain’t no one taking a man serious who is in his own home for only three months out the year. I been in my crib since 2006 and I still ain’t unpacked everything yet.”

I personally, have never seen The Roots live, and therefore jumped at the chance when they were announced as one of the headliners for the 2009 Good Vibrations festival; they have been at the top of my list of ‘acts I gotta see’ for years. After hearing this news I’m now counting my blessings, as it seems this may be the last chance to see them for quite some time, if ever again, down this end of the world. So get your tickets now for your chance to witness the legendary Roots crew live on stage, the Sydney festival has already sold out and the others won’t be far away!

You can check out  more from The Roots at:

www.theroots.com

www.myspace.com/theroots

and get your tickets at www.googvibrationsfestival.com.au

…cracked

Tags: Funk, gigs, hip hop, Jazz, Old School, Soul

Bobby McFerrin - Don’t Worry, Be Awesome!

You might remember Bobby McFerrin from his smash hit in 1988 ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’, or maybe from one of the TEN Grammy awards that he has received over his career, but like me you may not have given him much thought lately. From a musical family with his father Robert Sr Mcferrin being the first African American to be a regular in the New York Symphony Orchestra, it is no surprise that Bobby embarked on a musical pathway, the result of his exploration however cannot be understood by any influence or guidance he may have had, creating new realms of possibilty for artists to follow. On Saturday evening I was introduced to a video of a 2005 performance ‘Live in Montreal’ he held showing off his amazing talent for creating vocal pieces of art that defy logic and possibilty. His ability to fluctuate between four vocal ranges, combine accapella sounds with the beat he creates tapping on his chest, and the use of polyphonic sounds in which he creates 2 and 3 part harmonies from one vocal box are just extroadinary, and as for the musical pieces that he creates with these talents - they are just breathtaking…

Check it out:

Bobby McFerrin - Drive

As if his vocal talents aren’t enough, in 1994 Bobby Mcferrin was appointed creative chair of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and has made regular tours as the conductor for symphony orchestra including those from San Fransisco, New York, Philladelphia, Cleveland, Chicago and London.

Not much needs to be said when you have seen his performances, so I will leave those of you who are as inspired as I am can check out more of Bobby at:

www.bobbymcferrin.com

…bs

Tags: Blues, hip hop, Old School, Poetry, Soul

Q-Tip - The Renaissance

Can he kick it again?

Yes he can… after 9 long years, Q-Tip a.k.a. the brother Abstract, has hit back with another solo album entitled ‘The Renaissance’. Q-Tip continues to reinvent himself as well as the benchmark for lyricists throughout the world and has taken his place on the world stage as one of the fathers of modern Hip Hop. Giving so much to the Hip Hop scene through various solo projects, groups including A Tribe Called Quest and more recently The Standard with friend and collaborator Common, & a string of hit features from the late eighties, the mere mention of Q-Tip’s name is enough to interest this fan in this new release, but if that’s not enough, he’s brought along some awesome collaborations on the album including D’Angelo, Norah Jones, & Raphael Saddiq to name a few. Speaking to www.okayplayer.com this week Q-Tip explained the 9 year pause between solo albums… “I think I can speak for myself, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu and D’Angelo when I say that we make music when the spirit is with us. We are a lot who are very observant as well as introspective. We paint intense, colorful pictures, so it takes time.” If it was anyone else comparing  themselves to these amazing, iconic, soulful artists I would just laugh at their arrogance, but it’s not anyone else, it’s Q-Tip, and no-one belongs on your lips in this context more then he does.

Q-Tip Gettin Up

Having re-united A Tribe Called Quest this year for the incredible ‘Rock The Bells’ tour, Q-Tip has dispelled the rumours that they are set to reform permanently on this album with his track ‘A Tribe Called Quest is no more’. Heart breaking although it may be, at least we can continue to bump fresh music as he continues to create his own style of jazz infused, introspective, old school hip hop. This pioneer has paved the way for hip hop to be enjoyed by all walks of life, meshing with so many artists of as many genres in his partnerships over the years, and ‘The Renaissance’ seems to offer the same diversity and creativity as always, opening up the doors even further for hip hop as it fast becomes a dominant force in the music industry.

Q-Tip - Let’s Ride (from his debut solo album Amplifier)

You can check out more of Q-Tip at:

www.q-tip.com

www.myspace.com/qtip

…bs

Tags: hip hop, Jazz, Old School

Yaheard? Blackalicious - Blazing Arrow

If you’ve managed to get to one of the Parklife events currently being held across Australia, then you’d have been lucky enough to witness one of the most legendary underground hip hop crews going round. I’m talking about Blackalicious, Bay Area residents, alongside the likes of Jurassic 5, Lyrics Born and Dilated Peoples, and purveyors of some of the finest hip hop I’ve had the pleasure of listening to. If you’re like me and loathe the way hip hop has slowly imploded on itself over recent years, then you can take heart from the fact that albums like ‘Blazing Arrow’ exist. Timeless, and near flawless are two things that first come to mind. People Under The Stairs got it right with their ‘musical dope’ sample; ‘Blazing Arrow’ is my musical dope, and I get just as high hearing it now as I did when I bought it back in 2002.

The second full-length album from Gift of Gab and Chief Excel, ‘Blazing Arrow’ is an amazing collection of songs that push boundaries, provoke thought, and more often than not, get your head nodding. Blackalicious are part of the ever-diminishing pack of artists that are staying true to their roots, something that is apparent on every track of the album. Featuring a diverse array of guests such as Ben Harper, Chali 2na, Zach De La Rocha, and Gil Scott-Heron, as well as production assistance from Cut Chemist, ?uestlove and DJ Shadow, it is much more a musical journey than an album.

The first five tracks of the album alone will blow you away; you will be listening wondering how it could possibly get any better, only to be struck down by the following track. And the one after that. If I had to write this review in one sentence it would be simply: Good tracks – all of them, bad tracks – none enough said. From the funky organ-laced intro, into the bouncy-bass line of the title track, with its flute and horn-laden chorus and awesome Harry Nilsson sample from “Me and My Arrow”, to the intense chanting hook on “Sky is Falling”; you don’t know what to expect next! What you get is the smooth groove of “First in Flight”, where Gil Scott Heron steps in and blends beautifully with Gift of Gab, his soulful crooning proving he only gets better with age. Chali 2na and Lateef lend a hand on “4000 Miles”, a happy head-nodder that takes the listener on “a journey through music”; Chali 2na bringing his usual imposing bass-packed game (probably the best track he’s featured on, next to Roots Manuva’s “Join the Dots”), and Lateef kills it with his wandering party rhymes.

One of the major standouts is the furious “Chemical Calistenics”, where Cut Chemist steps in and throws everything at Gab, only to have it thrown back twice as hard. The two battle it out with beats and rhymes, with Gab spitting some incredibly complex lines incorporating the periodic table, really demonstrating his talent on the mic with the ability to change it up mid song and match his flow to the beat perfectly. “Make You Feel That Way” is another really strong track, a dreamy feel-good track with a haunting trumpet sample segregate Gab’s nostalgic verses that touch on all things that “make you feel that way:

“How you felt when you first heard the Daddy Kane,
Rakim, KRS, hey I had that tape,
Cooling out with ol’ girl on a phat ass date,
Find a hundred dollar bill, wow man that’s great,
Get promoted at your job up to management,
Plot a long time finally your plan has made it,
Time I feel I wanna shout, man its real that way,
When I think of things that make you feel that way”
“Nowhere Fast” is solid with ?uestlove’s cracking drumbeat, Chief Xcel’s cutting and Gift of Gab’s devastating rhymes tearing up the track, and the Ben Harper feature “Brain Washers” is not-so-surprisingly good also. Really though, I could sit here and tell you about each individual track; “Paragraph President” and “Aural Pleasure”, featuring the funky and soulful Jaguar Wright on the hook, are must listen tracks for sure also.

Gift of Gab is a bit of a ballsy name to call yourself really, when you think about it. But if anything, this is an understatement in this case; Gab is so fresh, creative, deep and profound in his rhymes, he is easily one of the most skilled and technically refined rappers you’ll ever hear. On a technical level, his flow is smooth as silk, his wordplay is intricate without going over your head, and his command and delivery are excellent, he effortlessly changes up his rap style depending on the song’s concept. And his combination with Chief Xcel is something special, the diverse production styles across the album really do take you on a journey, with little segues between many of the tracks that keep the album flowing brilliantly, such as the trademark DJ Shadow breakdown after the De La Soul inspired “Paragraph President”. He creates a cohesive sound that’s organic as well as progressive, lush and atmospheric, and the assistance he receives from outside producers can only be described as touches of genius. Yes, it’s safe to say the production is almost as brilliant as the rapping.

I’m happy to call this one of the most inspiring hip hop albums I’ve ever heard, it was released at a time when I was searching for exactly what it offers, and it has subsequently shaped my hip hop tastes since; another fine example of hip hop being made for the right reasons. I would recommend ‘Blazing Arrow’ to people that aren’t usually hip-hop fans, to those that still think hip hop is all about bling, bitches, and gangsterism; this album will go some way to clearing that misconception for sure. Full of soulful grooves, liquid beats and thoughtful lyrics, ‘Blazing Arrow’s’ well-delivered fusion of melodic funk, jazz and hip hop creates one of the richest, most captivating albums ever released.

If you are lucky enough to be in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch, then you can still catch Blacklicious in October touring with Gift of Gab’s new side project, The Mighty Underdogs. Always one to rock the party, Gift of Gab is sure to put on a performance that is not to be missed, so get your tickets now! Check out the dates below
9th Oct - Auckland at Fu
10th Oct – Wellington at San Fran Bath House
11th Oct – Christchurch at the Civic

You can hear more of Blackalicious at

www.myspace.com/blackalicious

…cracked

Tags: gigs, hip hop, Old School

Almost Forty Years Too Late?

I’ll start this piece with a broad and inflammatory statement; there is no justice in the world, especially the world of music, but maybe there is karma? The evidence for this opinion is an artist, who’s 1970 album has only recently received the worldwide praise it deserves. Regular and observant readers will have noticed this site’s content can be quite eclectic with content that can focus on about both up-and-coming and established groups. We occasionally look back at classic albums from years gone by, but today we will go back a little further.

The story of Detroit born musician Sixto D. Rodriguez goes like this: in 1970 he recorded the sublime album “Cold Fact” which he followed up the next year with “Coming From Reality”, Both records were released on a recording label that folded in 1975. After the limited success of both albums in the American market, he gave up on his musical career and drifted into relative obscurity. This caused many rumours about his possible demise ranging from suicide (on stage), to drug addiction, and even that he was in prison for killing his wife. All of this was of course untrue, he had just given up on achieving musical success and dropped out of the game. What he didn’t know was he had gained a cult following in countries like South Africa and Australia, where his imported albums had sold well. He ended up touring around Australia in 1979 and 1981 and releasing live recording of these shows. It wasn’t until the late 1990’s, while he was working as a labourer in Detroit, that his daughter discovered through the internet, that his fan base in South Africa was trying to track him down via an online campaign, “The Great Rodriguez Hunt”. A decade later, the 66-year-old singer/songwriter is still alive, well and touring. Lately his original masterpiece “Cold Fact” has been released again to speak to a whole new generation. He is now gaining attention from all over the world, by people amazed that a talent like this could remain unknown for so long. Some have argued that he is the equal of his contemporaries such as Bob Dylan, John Lennon and Neil Young; musicians whose well-crafted songs and political lyrics turned them into household names, cemented their fame and left an impact on the popular consciousness. Recognition doesn’t always come when it should.

Since hearing about “Cold Fact” only recently, I have put it on high rotate, as it not only sounds musically great almost forty years on, but the lyrics seem just as relevant as ever. For example from the tune titled “This Is Not A Song, It’s an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues” :

“The mayor hides the crime rate
council woman hesitates
Public gets irate but forget the vote date
Weatherman complaining, predicted sun, it’s raining
Everyone’s protesting, boyfriend keeps suggesting
you’re not like all of the rest

Adultery plays the kitchen, bigot cops non-fiction
The little man gets shafted, sons and monies drafted
Living by a time piece, new war in the Far East
Can you pass the Rorschach test?

It’s a hassle it’s an educated guess.
Well, frankly I couldn’t care less.”

Although Rodriguez is described as a folk musician I wouldn’t really call this a folk album. For example, the song “Only Good For Conversation” starts with a riff that could have been from a Deep Purple song. It is more like gentle rock music, with acoustic guitars surrounded by psychedelic and orchestral overdubs, but every song is different and has it’s own story. The song “Sugarman” which seems to have become his signature tune, is about the realities of inner city drug-dealing, and has the lyrics:

“Silver magic ships you carry
Jumpers, coke, sweet Mary Jane

Sugar man you’re the answer
That makes my questions disappear”

It’s almost criminal it’s taken so long for this album get the attention it deserves. Although you’d expect it to be dated by it’s age, it is still as fresh and crisp as anything I’ve heard recently. The reason I see it’s lyrical content as so relevant, is that the time when it was originally released, was a time that promised so much in terms of societal change. There was obviously great turmoil and uncertainty, with the backdrop of the Cold/Vietnam War and the notion of a social revolution promising so much, but which in hindsight delivered so little. We’ve probably heard about the apparent social change aiming to break the bonds of conformity, the general growth of anti-establishment feelings amoung youner people, that caused a generational riff but never quite put the peace and love into society, that was expected. I see our current stage of history to be very much like this, funny how everything repeats. In an age where we are looking for solutions to contemporary crisis’s and we are searching for another way of finding “change and hope”. In this way, all the issues raised in the album “Cold Fact” are still as relevant and topical. So if you’re interested in conscious lyrics that are not afraid to take a political stance, then definitely give this album a try. It has a point-of-view, but at the same time doesn’t try to club you over the head with it. So all this proves to me that protest singers aren’t dead, they’re just sleeping.

Official Reissue 2008

Cold Fact Daily Music Guide Review

“But thanks for your time
Then you can thank me for mine
And after that’s said
Forget it”
(Forget It - Rodriguez)

…Yossarian

Tags: folk, Old School, Political