The eponymous debut album of SugaRush Beat Company was just released in the UK, and it's somewhat surprising that this group is on so few musical radars on both sides of the pond. It isn't so much that they could possibly be as revolutionary as they purport to be -- on their website they hint at redefining modern music -- but that in many ways they are so contemporary. The group, consisting of Rahsaan Patterson, Ida Corr and Jarrad "Jaz" Rogers, has created an album based on hybridity between iconic sounds from the past like '80s synth and '60s soul, playing around with futuristic touches and blurring the lines between a variety of musical genres. Instead of blending them all into a completely unique sound that is integrated into every track, SugaRush Beat Company is a collection of disparate songs, connected by name only.
Estelle has some strong opinions on the increasingly "blue-eyed" face of soul music. She has been commenting on fellow Brits Duffy and Adele and their media dominance in the UK, making headlines across the pond earlier this year for denouncing them as soul musicians. Estelle has strong feelings about press fixation on white soul singers and rightfully wonders why black soul singers aren't being highlighted equally. She really doesn't mince words about her contemporaries or the situation. Tell 'em why you mad, Estelle!
Regardless of the argument that artistry should trump sales when it comes to music, money still matters to major record labels and thus matters to the artists they sign. So it comes as no shock that a record label would be interested in removing the option to purchase singles on iTunes in an attempt to force listeners to buy the whole album instead. What makes little sense, however, is the decision to chose Estelle as a test subject.
We're all well aware of the triumvirate of British blue-eyed soul singers that have a stranglehold on the people's attention right now: Amy Winehouse, Duffy and Adele. All great artists in their own right, but hardly the be all to end all when it comes to soul music coming out of the UK. For those that have yet to experience the wealth of what Britain has to offer, I'd like to invite you to open your ears and experience the soul of Alice Russell.
Alice's music is a vibrant cornucopia of funky sounds. She is a versatile singer who can flow over everything from hip hop, house, jazz, electronic or Latin beats with her strong, bluesy voice. No new jack, she's been making records since 2004 with three discs and a live DVD under her belt. In addition to her solo endeavors, she has lent her vocals to projects by others such as the Quantic Soul Orchestra and Bah Samba. I was actually introduced to Ms. Russell through her work with Bah Samba. Her version of Teena Marie's "Portuguese Love" is one of the sickest soulful house remakes I've ever heard, and she gives Teena some serious competition for the Ivory Queen of Soul crown.
Alice is currently on a mini-tour of the US and Canada through early July. This weekend will find her at Hiro Ballroom in NYC on Saturday and the legendary Bohemian Caverns in DC on Sunday, with future tour stops in Montreal, Toronto, San Francisco and LA, to name a few. Her full schedule can be found on her MySpace page. If you have yet to see Alice Russell live, then act like you know and catch her while she's on this side of the world and welcome her into yours.
Leona Lewis's value has increased exponentially since receiving the Oprah seal of approval.
Radar: "Oprah's domination of our nation's book stores is well-documented and by now simply accepted, but her foray into the realm of music is undeniably frightening."
What everyone is saying is that Leona is the first British female singer in over 20 years to top the US singles charts. We don't feel like confirming this, so, work!
The Daily Star: "Her single outsold '4 Minutes', the duet by Madonna and Justin Timberlake, totally overshadowed Mariah Carey's latest tune and knocked R&B star Usher off top spot."
Leona might need throat surgery to get rid of that pesky tonsilitis.
My Chemical Toilet asserts that Des'ree, Natasha Beddingfield, Lily Allen and Kate Bush are British women that should've had a #1 single in the US before Leona. We know plenty who are inclined to agree.
Maybe three or so years ago when Amy Winehouse was thicker than a Snickers that headline may have had people clamoring to get a peek, but slim shady Amy? Um, not so much. But our girl Wino has taken it all off for a purpose in the April issue of the UK mag Easy Living in a photo spread to raise breast cancer awareness amongst young women. Other British babes to appear in the glossy include actress Helena Bonham Carter and singer Sade. Now that's who I'm sure a lot of folks are trying to see in her birthday suit...again.
And for those hoping to get the full monty from Ames, her naughty bits are covered with black duct tape and a guitar. Sorry to disappoint. I guess. Check out the photo in full after the bounce.
Yesterday afternoon Leona Lewis made her US television debut on the holy grail of daytime TV, The Oprah Winfrey Show. Auntie O had Simon Cowell on and he brought the X-Factor star out to sing her hit song "Bleeding Love." Oprah and her audience ate Leona up with the biggest spoon in town. Although I'm a little tired of this single by now, thanks to her appearance yesterday, "Bleeding Love" has skyrocketed to the top of the iTunes singles chart. (Sorry, Lil Mama and Usher--actually, no I'm not.) Now if Leona could only get some real soulful material to dig into, she'd really impress me.
Nonetheless, this sista is "the real deal" to hear Oprah tell it.
The clip for Estelle's"American Boy" finally premiered this week and the internets are eating it up. The black and white visuals are just as breezy and chic as the song. Estelle is appropriately sassy and retro, letting go to the beat and flirting a bit with Kanye, who wasn't too grand to show up for the shoot. Some more familiar faces also show up: Hi Tek, John Legend, Ryan Leslie, one of the co-nannies from 106 & Park, and some more cats who whizzed by so fast I didn't care to couldn't identify them. But overall it's a satisfying clip--minimal, stylish and fun.
Amy Winehouse's performance on the Grammy Awards 50th anniversary show has been the talk of the town, and after being on GrAmy Watch here at SoulBounce, we definitely got caught up in the hype and sat through that dreadful show patiently waiting for her to come on.
Although Wino's performance wasn't the hot mess that it could have been, it did provide some priceless moments and evidence that Amy is straight ghetto. She's like the British Fantasia with a fifth of gin and track marks. Between her offbeat weeble-wobble dancing and singing with her tongue planted firmly in her cheek, she was quite a sight and sound. But it was her multiple shout outs to her jailbird husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, that solidified her gangsta.
When she shouted "MY BLAKE!" in the middle of "You Know I'm No Good" or when she changed the line in "Rehab" to "I'd rather be
at home with my Blake" or later when she thanked "my Blake incarcerated" during her Record of the Year acceptance speech, it was crystal clear that Amy is truly sprung a ride or die chick. Here's to her continuing to clean up her act so that the latter doesn't happen prematurely. We're sure that Ray Ray and Joe wouldn't want that either.
After topping the charts in her native UK, Leona Lewis is prepping for a US blitz this spring. To that end, she shot a new video for the first single "Bleeding Love" that premiered Tuesday online. But you may say to yourself, doesn't she already have a video for "Bleeding Love" out? Why, yes, she does. But lest you get it twisted, that was the UK version, and this waste of time and money is the US version. I'm sorry, but even with its New York City setting, this video is about as exciting as stripping wallpaper. I literally fell asleep with my eyes open while watching this. This clip added nothing to the song and didn't improve upon the original whatsoever. At least she's pleasant to look at and listen to.
One way to describe Brixton's newest chanteuse on our radar is that she possesses an earthy, organic sound that feels real..because it is. Repping for England, teenaged-angst, and all those girls do not shy away from keeping it "healthy," nineteen-year-old Adele has been compared to fellow Brits Dusty Springfield and Amy Winehouse, whose performing arts high school in London Adele also attended. Beating out other musicians from all genres, Adele snagged the top spot of the BBC's Sound of 2008 poll recently. Of note, Corinne Bailey Rae snagged the 2006 poll's top honors, and we all know the acclaim she garnered for her debut CD. Now signed to XL Records, home to artists The White Stripes (whose "Seven Nation Army" bassline is one the sickest basslines ever recorded), Dizzee Rascal, and Radiohead (wow!), Adele will be one to watch as this new year pushes forward. Don't say we didn't tell you. The video of her debut single "Chasing Pavements" with its clever choreography is after the jump.
The eponymous debut album of SugaRush Beat Company was just released in the UK, and it's somewhat surprising that this group is on so few musical radars on both sides of the pond. It isn't so much that they could possibly be as revolutionary as they purport to be -- on their website they hint at redefining modern music -- but that in many ways they are so contemporary. The group, consisting of Rahsaan Patterson, Ida Corr and Jarrad "Jaz" Rogers, has created an album based on hybridity between iconic sounds from the past like '80s synth and '60s soul, playing around with futuristic touches and blurring the lines between a variety of musical genres. Instead of blending them all into a completely unique sound that is integrated into every track, SugaRush Beat Company is a collection of disparate songs, connected by name only.
Estelle has some strong opinions on the increasingly "blue-eyed" face of soul music. She has been commenting on fellow Brits Duffy and Adele and their media dominance in the UK, making headlines across the pond earlier this year for denouncing them as soul musicians. Estelle has strong feelings about press fixation on white soul singers and rightfully wonders why black soul singers aren't being highlighted equally. She really doesn't mince words about her contemporaries or the situation. Tell 'em why you mad, Estelle!
Regardless of the argument that artistry should trump sales when it comes to music, money still matters to major record labels and thus matters to the artists they sign. So it comes as no shock that a record label would be interested in removing the option to purchase singles on iTunes in an attempt to force listeners to buy the whole album instead. What makes little sense, however, is the decision to chose Estelle as a test subject.
We're all well aware of the triumvirate of British blue-eyed soul singers that have a stranglehold on the people's attention right now: Amy Winehouse, Duffy and Adele. All great artists in their own right, but hardly the be all to end all when it comes to soul music coming out of the UK. For those that have yet to experience the wealth of what Britain has to offer, I'd like to invite you to open your ears and experience the soul of Alice Russell. 
Leona Lewis's value has increased exponentially since receiving the 
One way to describe Brixton's newest chanteuse on our radar is that she possesses an earthy, organic sound that feels real..because it is. Repping for England, teenaged-angst, and all those girls do not shy away from keeping it "healthy," nineteen-year-old Adele has been compared to fellow Brits Dusty Springfield and Amy Winehouse, whose performing arts high school in London Adele also attended. Beating out other musicians from all genres, Adele snagged the top spot of the BBC's Sound of 2008 poll recently. Of note, Corinne Bailey Rae snagged the 2006 poll's top honors, and 
