Hey there, all - I got this information from one of my peoples and wanted to spread the word. Get some interesting rock, eletronica and soul music as well as help out the cause in Darfur region of the Sudan in Africa (which as a world conflict isn't really getting coverage on the mainstream media like it used too, hmmm) at the same time.
Seems like good looks and intentions to me that should be promoted.
Waxploitation has put together a benefit music CD for Darfur with rare and exclusive songs from Animal Collective, The Black Keys, Bloc Party, Bright Eyes, Cornelius, The Cure, David Sylvian, Death Cab for Cutie, (International) Noise Conspiracy, The Shins remixed by Clint Mansell, Spoon, Teargas & Plateglass, Thievery Corporation and Travis.
100% of the proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders, Human Rights Watch and Oxfam America.
Zhane was part of that spurt of female singing groups in the 1990s - it felt like there you could walk around the corner and trip over some random R&B ladies doing duets, trios and quartets then who could actually sing and do a little dance routine at the same time (note the "at the same time" please) with a lack of studio magic, vocoders and or Final Cut Pro (for those video heads - you know you see someone dancing all hard then all of the sudden you see the lead singer's head on a body that's not theirs...I don't think so).
They had 2 albums put out together, Pronounced Jah-Nay (1994) and Saturday Night (1997) along with various appearances with artists such as Busta Rhymes, Flavor Unit and De La Soul. Zhane also did the remake of "Shame" for the Low Down Dirty Shame Soundtrack (which for me was WAY better than the actual movie, bleh at the Wayans' clan for that) and work on other music compliations.
I always liked the interplay and harmony that they had in their songs - the arrangments weren't too overblown, but folks still still dance hard as hell or do the mellow head nod/two-step to their joints.
At the present, both ladies who were in the group (Jean Baylor - known as Jean Norris at the time of the group - and Renee Neufville) are now doing various solo projects - check the MySpace pages below to see what's good (pretty solid music on both ends, actually).
Here are videos of some of my favorite songs by the ladies - hope you enjoy! :)
Saul Williams is if nothing else an interesting character when it comes to the spoken word and music realms.
I got this info from one of my peoples and wanted to spread the information around, if for no other reason, you can get some free to cheap (your choice) music to listen to from a quality artist.
The FADER Label, the recording branch of The FADER, today announced the release of the new recording by esteemed poet, artist and musician Saul Williams: The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!.
Produced by Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), the download will be available for free (note from DJ Fusion - FREE!) or for a $5 contribution to support the artist.
There will be no additional options given for purchase of the album.
Musicane, a tool that enables artists to sell their music, will handle fulfillment, processing, bandwidth and customer service. Those who pay will have the opportunity to choose between three download formats: 192kbit/s MP3, 320kbit/s MP3 and Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC), a format that doesn't remove any information from the audio stream--full CD quality.
A full description of each file format with pros and cons will be available on the site. Those that don't contribute will automatically get the192kbit/s MP3.
All versions are 100% DRM free and will include a PDF with artwork and lyrics.
Williams' fans will also be able to embed Musicane's viral player on their own blogs or profiles, which will broadcast live-updated video messages from NiggyTardust and also contain the option to download or buy the album.
"The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust! is the lovechild of Trent and me," says Williams. "The Niggytardust concept sets me free to do more on stage with costume, etc. than one might expect from a regular Saul Williams show. It allows me to put my theatre training to use. I've also thought long and hard about all the discussion surrounding racial epithets etc. and chose this title as a means of furthering the dialogue while also showing how creativity will outlive and outshine hatred of any kind."
"Working on this project was a real pleasure. Saul was interested in breaking boundaries, crossing genres and defying expectations and we learned a great deal from one another in the process," says Reznor. "After my own recent dealings with record labels we decided to release it directly to the fans. There are obvious similarities in how Radiohead just released their new record and the way we've chosen to. After thinking about this way too much, I feel we've improved upon their idea in a few profound ways that benefit the consumer."
The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust! Track Listing:
Black History Month Convict Colony Tr(n)igger Sunday Bloody Sunday Break NiggyTardust DNA WTF! Scared Money Raw Skin of a Drum No One Ever Does Banged and Blown Through Raised to be Lowered The Ritual
Here's some extra Saul Williams' sites and whatnot to check out:
Saul Williams on Def Poetry Jam Performing "Coded Language"
Saul Williams Doing Not In Our Name (Pledge of Resistance)
The cover for this upcoming Mary J. Blige album that's supposed to be jumping off in December of 2007, Growing Pains, looks pretty cool, kind of on some old school soul, "I'm Getting My Grown Woman On" action.
The single on the airways, "Just Fine", is pretty cool little dance joint - I'm just content that she's kind of slowing down on the "I'm depressed/angry/upset as hell" dynamic on her songs no matter if they were slow or up-tempo (which I guess is due to some good changes happening in her life, thankfully).
She's always good for remixes though, even on the songs I wasn't as crazy about on her albums - I'm waiting for someone to make it hot on the House Music so I can cop that 12"/CD/mp3 in due time.
Here's the Just Fine video with Mary J. getting a little bit of her dance on - what do you all think:
Got some new Hip-Hop videos in the mix from Dungeon Family member Witchdoctor and Mobb Deep associates Infamous Mobb from their upcoming albums (Diary Of An American Witchdoctor and Reality Rap, respectively).
I'm DJ Fusion, a short (5 feet tall), above average looking Black-American female DJ, writer and photographer in my early 30s.
I'm originally from the Prince Georges County, MD, now going back and forth between New Jersey and the DMV (DC/MD/VA).
Since 1998, I've been doing my syndicated radio show, The FuseBox Radio Broadcast, bringing the best of Black Music from all over the world along with news, interviews and commentary.
Check out what's happening with the syndicated FuseBox Radio Broadcast at our official website, http://www.FuseBoxRadioOnline.com!
PLEASE feel free to donate any amount you can to maintain the upkeep of the BlackRadioIsBack.com website, the syndicated FuseBox Radio Broadcast and both media outlets' various hosting fees, etc. for to be spread to the world if you can...any amount helps!
We're very thankful for your support! :)
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