I could write a dissertation on how influential Prince has been to all the musicians featured in this video, but that would be digressive and long. Instead I’m going to calmly bug the f*ck out that D’Angelo is on camera talking about Prince (albeit rather briefly). The piece (courtesy of Okayplayer) not only features God D, but also master of Prince-ology Questlove, Bilal (Purple incarnate) and the legendary Elvis Costello to name but a few, all speak on Prince’s impact on them and on music period. Interviews were conducted backstage at the Music of Prince Tribute in New York.
… It certainly feels like something very big is coming from the Purple Yoda this year, don’t know what it is but it’s coming.
A few months ago we popped up a striking record by this up and coming LA songtress, titled ‘Dr. Lock‘. It recalled the vintage zest of Neo-Soul we’d loved and experienced too long ago. That is, right before ‘neo’ sadly turned into tired BBQ music with poor engineering, bland imagery, minimal progression and fell victim to it’s dull caricatures (exceptions being Erykah, Bilal and forthcoming D’Angelo all of whom manage to experiment with relevance). But that’s besides the point. Bago is moving on – here to excite in a realm beyond any 10-year-cycle retro labelling and yank Soul into the present.
‘Remember’, like ‘Dr. Lock’, is again produced by fellow Westcoaster Alexander Spit who himself hints at being a flexible force. In a turn for the neoteric mindset meeting time-honoured grit, the two have managed to take the Shangri-La’s 1964 classic ‘Remember (Walking In The Sand)‘ and turn it into a maybach banger with fat lows, belligerent drums and Bago’s powerful resound echoing like some femme fatale right before she empties the clip. And just when contemporary soul was in need of a trill’er makeover…
Sunday Best, Bago’s produced entirely by Spit, is coming soon.
A sold out night at one of the city’s most credible venues. With much expectation for a little known jazz pianist and much ado about what he could deliver and more importantly WHO he would bring on stage. There was a clear buzz in the atmosphere. Robert Glasper had arrived…
May in the city brings the goliaths also known as The Throne for a full 4 day takeover of the O2. It will also see the return of the reclusive band The XX who will play a string of exclusive dates. And if towering soul is more your thing, ears should be pricked for the sounds of Robert Glasper’s Experiment which is coming to town too. It’s a mammoth month. Get into it over the jump.
Real music is crash protected. Second visual offering from the Experiment’s Black Radio album which is justifiably getting amazing press this week after it’s release. Like the first it’s a text driven beauty featuring the Mighty Mos/Bey and Glasper’s keys are the driving force on this, the title track. Make sure you check out what happened when the Experiment, Lupe and Bilal hit the Letterman Show. Black Radio is already my album of the year. Enough said.
A meeting of true musicianship: one of the greatest keys players in the world (Glasper), his band (Experiment), one of mod Soul’s bravest outsiders (Bilal), and one of mainstream rap’s few genuine lyricists (Lupe). All star cast. Wait for Robert on the grand – effortless mastery.
Robert Glasper Experiment’s massively acclaimed album Black Radio that pretty much features the who’s who of respected revivalist figures from Erykah and Yasiin Bey (Mos Def for those still miffed) to more recently lauded Shafiq Husayn and KING. It’s out now, put your plastic towards unequivocal artistry here.
“That makes me want to start drinking again…”- Letterman
Another live gem from Bilal, this time a rendition of ‘Move On’, a track originally taken off Airtight’s Revenge. Not much need be said on this one, Bilal’s vocals remain inherently original – the man can sing anything and it’d sound damn near flawless. This is the second of four live releases recorded during his ‘Little Ones’ tour last year. Listen and download for free below…
Okayplayer will be premiering a series of one-take acoustic recordings that Bilal laid down while on his ‘Little Ones’ tour in 2011. The songs recorded are among Bilal’s favourites off his critically acclaimed third album Airtight’s Revenge. The first to be released is a delicate rendition of ‘Think It Over’, the remaining three will follow in the next few weeks in the build up to Bilal’s legendary Valentines Day show at SOB’s.
On February 27th, Robert Glasper will release his awe-inspiring new album Black Radio into the world. The 12 track accomplished body of work will feature an array of sensation collaborations from the likes of Erykah Badu, Bilal, Mos Def, Musiq, Lalay Hathaway, Lupe Fiasco, Meshell Ndegeocello and more.
On May 14th, Glasper will being his Experiment to London, specifically to the Barbican, to celebrate his new LP. He will be joined by collaborator Bilal along with a host of other “special guests” – and if my sources hold true (which they will), the artists taking part will drop some jaws (and/or drawers).
Covering the Mongo Santamaría classic ‘Afro Blue’ (made famous by John Coltrane), Robert Glasper enlists Erykah Badu and together they’ve crated a beauitfully soulful contemporary Jazz number. Naturally Badu’s multi-textured vocals suit perfectly. The song comes off Glasper’s forthcoming album Black Radio, which will also feature collaborations from Bilal, KING, Shafiq Husayn, Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def and others – due out in February.
