Thelonius Monk; The Life & Times of An American Original

I’ve just picked this up. It’s quite a riveting and fascinating insight into the work and lifetimes of the high priest of Bop, Thelonius Monk.

‘MORENIKE’

We’ve just completed the first half of the video shoot for , ‘Morenike‘ and currently working on post production. ‘Enjoy.

UNTOLD STORIES; NIGERIA’S BURMA VETS

British documentary makers Robin Forestier-Walker and Oliver Owen have been tracing Nigerians who fought against the Japanese in Burma during World War II. On VJ Day, the anniversary of victory over Japan, they tell the veterans’ story.

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ONLY BUILT 4 CUBAN LINX, Vol 2.

Hip Hop needed this and the ‘Chef’ brews quite a feast on this tasteful blend of beats and rhymes. With Dre, the green eyed bandit and the GZA at the helm, the production was bound to be airtight. Enough of the auto tuners already. Acknowledge and support. Click on the image above to preview and purchase.

STILL BILL

I sure dug me some Bill Withers. My old man dropped brought along a well worn copy of the ‘Still Bill’ album with him to Lagos when we returned home in ‘74. It was definitely a household favorite alongside the music of Fela, Marvin Gaye & Sunny Ade.

The new documentary ‘Still Bill‘ directed by Damani Baker & Alex Vlack, is an intimate portrayal of the legendary singer, songwriter who walked cold out of showbizz in the 80’s at the height of his popularity.

BLITZ!

Ghana’s finest, BLITZ The Ambassador, finally drops his long awaited masterpiece and believe me, it’s a refreshing and riveting piece of work. In this musical age of pseudo, 1980’s, half baked, music gimmickery we’re constantly being force fed, ‘STEREOTYPE‘ delivers on many levels and should do relatively well with your support and basket mouth marketing. Kindly tell a friend, buddy, aficionado, lover, foe…. all about it.

AFROBEAT CONCERT

Come one and all to check out the new pioneers of Afrobeat; Wunmi, Kofo The Wonderman, ASIKO & Rich Medina throw down live, heavy and in a Naija way at Le Poisson Rouge. Details above

THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND

Young Malawian pioneer, William Kamkwamba, overcomes insurmountable odds to defy convention and build a windmill capable of generating enough power to light up four bulbs and two radios in his little home.  Read all about it in his forthcoming book to be released in September ‘09. Available for pre-order from Amazon.

BEAMED FROM TOMMORROW – SUN RA

The maveric intergalactic musician Sun-Ra never ceased to intrigue me. There’s a great exhibition of some of his previously unseen paintings, drawings, manuscripts and emphemera, showing at the Chicago Institute of Contemporary Art through August 2nd.

This exhibition examines how Ra and his dynamic, continually-evolving ensemble, the Philadelphia-based Arkestra, crafted both their otherworldly image and fiercely independent approach to self-production. Don’t miss this.

SIGN OF THE TIMES

I came upon this in yesterday’s edition of the New York Times. It’s interesting to see how these dire economic times are affecting us artist’s. Interestingly enough, it appears to be business as usual for the majority of us given we have far too often had to live on meagre/modest means whilst having to stay afloat, remain relevant and yet continue to make bold artistic statements.

A few of the lucky ones amongst us have caught a break here and there and lived off of our art. I, for the most part believe great works of art have come out of our most trying moments as human beings. I can’t wait to see, hear, feel what the effects of this global economic downturn would have on the creative minds amongst us all. Come rain or shine, I’ll continue to wail, rejoice and moan the blues as I feel and hear it within.