Category Archives: Reviews

CD Review: “Big Apple Blues” – Tomás Doncker and Yusef Komunyakaa Join Forces to Extend the Blues Tradition

Tomas Doncker Band CD coverArtist: Tomás Doncker Band
Title: Big Apple Blues
Label: True Groove Records
Genre: Blues/nu blues

CD Review by Dawoud Kringle

Let’s face it; the blues have been done to death. Far from its African roots, its American tradition, during the 60s and beyond, the blues were looted by the (sometimes well meaning) British and Americans. With only a few exceptions, it seemed to have been squeezed for every drop of essence it had, and what was left was sustaining mostly unimaginative musicians who were seduced by its romance and deceptively simple musical structure, and die-hard traditionalists who struggle to preserve the tradition.

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Music Actvism: Defend Artist’s Rights – Economic Justice in the Digital Domain! A Benefit for Content Creators Coalition!

Crossing The LineDate: October 18, 2014
Venue: The Roulette (NY)

Event review by Dawoud Kringle

“Google is in the process of systematically destroying our artistic future. If the creative community doesn’t intervene now, we will be bound to a multigenerational clusterfuck that will take 40 to 50 years to unravel.”
(Kurt Sutter; from a guest column in Variety Magazine).

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Concert Review: Felabration! – New York’s Official Felabration Party featuring Chop & Quench (the Fela! Band), Debo Band, ?uestlove, presented by Okayafrica

Date: October 15, 2014
Venue: Le Poisson Rouge (NY)

Concert review by Dante Mann

A birthday tribute to the late renowned Nigerian artist and activist Fela Kuti on October 18th brought together a diverse crowd and fun mix of performers for a night of extraordinary music.

Photo by Dante Mann

Photo by Dante Mann

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Event Review: #IRespectMusic – Music Activism Event at the Legendary Bitter End Club

I Respect Music imageDate: October 14, 2014
Venue: The Bitter End (NY)

Review by Dawoud Kringle

“We artists and musicians have the right to expect from our profession what others expect from their professions. That through hard work and determination, perspiration and inspiration, we’ll have the same fair shot to realize our dreams, answer our callings, support our families. I respect my profession. I respect artists. I respect music.”

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Concert Review: Mark Rogers and Mary Byrne…showcasing an eclectic modern folk sound with a southern noir sensibility

Date: October 14, 2014
Venue: Rockwood Music Hall (NY)

Concert Review by Dante Mann

Photo by  John Greco

Photo by John Greco

It is rare when two folk musicians can keep a room’s rapt attention and intimately engaged for the entirety of a performance. These Georgia-to-New York transplants, Mark Rogers and Mary Byrne accomplished such a feat last Tuesday, kicking off a tour in support of their beautifully titled new album I Line My Days With Your Weight.

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