Take Me to The River New Orleans showcases some of the best moments from one of the world’s musically passionate cities
In the documentary Take Me to The River: Memphis, filmmaker Martin Shore envisioned the city’s music’s powerful nuggets through the lens of an already seasoned musician. Several years later, Shore visits yet another musically potent landmark on Take Me to The River: New Orleans (NOLA) exploring the Big Easy’s resilience
Rhythm Tribe
“You Can’t Take Me Down”
(DanceMaster.com)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
Back in the `80s when I was playing drums in a couple of local L.A. bands, I ran into a group called Chain Reaction that had a unique approach to Dance Music as it stemmed from a fusion of R&B and Latin elements.
“Party Train” Meets “Love Train” at Historical Charlie Wilson & O’Jays Double Bill
A Concert Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
August 3, 2018
The world-famous Hollywood Bowl was the venue for a bittersweet time capsule of Black Music History on Friday, August 3, as former GAP Band lead singer Charlie Wilson headlined a triumphant generations-leaping show – his first time with an orchestra – with the mighty O’Jays trio celebrating its 59th anniversary as the opening act and what may be their final time performing in Los Angeles as they are said to be retiring at the end of 2018.
Playboy Jazz Festival Celebrates 40th Anniversary at The Hollywood Bowl
by A. Scott Galloway
Under clear blue skies, 80-degree temps with a sweet breeze blowin’ on both days, the “Playboy Jazz Festival” celebrated its 40th anniversary with days split almost squarely between World Music leaning on Saturday and Jazz on Sunday.
Saturday June 9 began with the traditional Los Angeles County High School For The Arts Jazz of promising young students followed by Columbian party band Monsieur Perine’. Things got really interesting when blind 17 year-old organ prodigy Matthew Whitaker and his trio wowed the crowd with the passionate and eclectic set list of his original “Play it Back,” the `60s pop hit “More Today Than Yesterday” by Spiral Staircase made famous on the jazz side by Charles Earland, the Brazilian gem “Mais Que Nada,” John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme,” and the finale of a dual medley of Earth Wind and Fire’s “In the Stone/September” with Stevie Wonder’s “As/I Wish” – what a prodigious talent and people-pleaser.
Matthew Whitaker
Dave Koz & Larry Graham Come Out Smokin’ But OHIO Players Bring The FIRE – “Smooth Summer Jazz” at Hollywood Bowl – Sunday August 20, 2017
Concert Reflections and Photographs by A. Scott Galloway
I have to fess up, I thought saxophonist Dave Koz was just another smooth jazz softie. He started out proving me right when he opened his headlining set with the Judy Garland evergreen “Over the Rainbow,” tongue-in-cheekily “overblown” to my expectation. But a funky thing happened at the big finish.
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah | Ruler Rebel
by Brent Faulkner
New Orleans born and bred musician Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah gives a total new meaning to the word, stretch. In 2015, the now 34-year old jazz trumpeter released an album entitled Stretch Music. Furthermore, Stretch Music serves as Scott’s subsidiary of record label Ropeadope.
Charles Bradley | Changes
Daptone Records
by Peggy Oliver
For a particular singer who was living the hard knocks life as captured in the 2012 documentary entitled Soul of America, Charles Bradley always expressed himself without any qualms. Known for many seasons as a James Brown impersonator from the mid-nineties, this surefire survivor of his past surroundings who outright bore his soul musically struck a wonderful chord with the powers that be at Daptone Records, a revivalist label that first brought us Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings and Lee Fields, amongst others.
Rob “Fonksta” Bacon
“Cause & E-Funk”
(Fonkstarr Productions)
An A. Scott Galloway Song Reflection
Rob Bacon is among the music industry’s most sought after guitarists in the studio and on the road for bringing fiery uncut funk to everything he does – from Brian Culbertson to Chaka Khan (who he’s touring and recording with as I type) – thus his nickname, “Fonksta.”
The Sunday Morning Book Review by A. Scott Galloway
Maurice White with Herb Powell – “My Life with Earth, Wind & Fire” (Amistad)
The mystique of Maurice White contributed greatly to the rise, the fall and the rebirth of the dynamic, inspirational and genre-bending band he dreamed up and brought to life as Earth, Wind & Fire. That vibration made him – as a superstar, a bandleader and a curious lead singer/sex symbol…
Inaugural L.A. Soul Music Festival Provides Top Talent In A Casual Outdoor Atmosphere
Concert Reflections and Photographs by A. Scott Galloway
Southern California inaugurated another 3-Day outdoor summer music weekend event with “The L.A. Soul Music Festival” last week – a program targeting grown folks that love their soul music on the smooth, sexy and contemporary side. It took place on an under-utilized area of Griffith Park near the Gene Autry Western Museum, conveniently just off the 5 Freeway with plenty of blessedly free parking. Reasonably priced and punctually executed, each day of the festival from Friday to Sunday delivered 5 name acts between 6pm and 11pm with a DJ and emcee between each act keeping things lively and flowing.
Crowd