31. October 2008 by admin.

We’re still on a musical high from the sizzling performances we experienced at The Rendezvous this past Monday (October 27th). We give major kudos to Marko Nobles of Injoy Enterprises for the evening’s amazing line-up! It was such a majestic evening that if you didn’t come through to pay your respects to some of the most talented artists in the independent circuit, then you missed a helluva night!

The night was co-sponsored by “Bacardi Gold Live” who provided the crowd with free drinks; and we most definitely took advantage of that perk! First performer was Brooklyn-bred, R&B, Reggae artist, DIONNE BLAIZE, who ushered in the evening extravaganza with her addictive Caribbean infused grooves, compelling vocals and superb stage presence. She ended her set with a song entitled, ‘RISE UP’, dedicated to the unspeakable tragedy of Jennifer Hudson and the amazing triumph of Barack Obama’s presidency nomination. Visit her official website at Dionne Blaize Official Website

Next up, was Harlem’s own, MIKA, who we’ve seen shower the stage with her loveliness and beautiful vocals on countless occasions. With her rich eclectic R&B flair, there is no mistaken that this songstress is headed down a path of musical greatness. Check her out on MySpace @ www.myspace.com/harlemmika

The next performer, SOUL CYCLE, hailing from Brooklyn, took it up a notch with their world fusion brand of rhythms incorporated with jazz, hip hop, funk, gospel, latin and reggae. They moved the crowd with selections never before played live and we must say that it was definitely a treat to experience their musicianship! If you’re curious about this band and want to find out why we give them 2 thumbs up for their exceptional performance, then head to the Blue Note, November 14th and you’ll understand why these gentlemen deserve an abundance of accolades. Check them out on MySpace @ www.myspace.com/soulcycle

The featured performer for the evening, YAHZARAH aka PURPLE ST. JAMES, was introduced by a good friend of Synch Rhythm, and a talented artist in his own right, RUSSELL TAYLOR; both taking the trip all the way from Washington DC to give us a performance of a lifetime. The anticipation grew as we waited with baited breath for YAHZARAH to take her place at the mic; and when she appeared, she commanded your attention and electrified the stage with her charismatic presence; setting off an explosive musicality throughout the Shrine into the streets of Harlem! Her boisterous vocals echoed as she shimmied in a sexy gold dress; bringing the crowd to their feet from her infectious energy! We now know why she is one of the most sought after vocalists in the industry! Check her out on MySpace @ www.myspace.com/yahzarah It would be in your best interest to make your way to The Rendezvous which happens every last Monday of each month! For more info, visit Marko Nobles @ InJoy Enterprises.

Check out the slideshow:

http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd224/SynchRhythm/?action=view¤t=7f9b7ad2.pbw

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25. October 2008 by admin.

Our prayers go to Jennifer Hudson and her family at this tme in light of the recent tragedy that’s befallen them. For those that are unaware, please read the following:

 The mother and brother of the Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson were found shot to death inside her mother’s house on the South Side of Chicago on Friday afternoon, and the police were said to be looking for her 7-year-old nephew.

The police confirmed that Ms. Hudson’s mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, 57, was one of the victims, the ABC affiliate WLS reported on its Web site. A neighbor reportedly told the entertainment Web site TMZ that the other victim had been identified as Ms. Hudson’s brother, Jason S. Hudson, 29.

The police said they were searching for Ms. Hudson’s nephew, Julian King, who had been reported missing on Friday morning.

According to TMZ, the police were searching for a man identified as William Balfour, the husband of Ms. Hudson’s sister, Julia, who they said could be with the missing boy 7-year-old. Mr. Balfour reportedly listed the address of Ms. Hudson’s mother in the Englewood neighborhood as his place of residence within the last year. The Web site also reported that according to the Illinois Department of Corrections, Mr. Balfour is on parole after serving time in prison for attempted murder.

WLS reported that neighbors told the police they heard shots fired on Friday morning.

But it was not until Friday afternoon that a family member found Ms. Donerson in the living room and left the house to call the police, the television station reported. When they arrived at the house, they found Mr. Hudson in a bedroom.

The police said that there was no sign of forced entry at the house, and that the shootings were the result of a domestic dispute.

The Rev. Willie Davis, pastor of the Progressive Baptist Church, where Ms. Hudson and her family were members, said that despite her daughter’s celebrity, Ms. Donerson chose to stay and live on the South Side, WLS reported.

“That says a lot about the fact of the kind of family Jennifer comes from,” Mr. Davis was quoted as saying. “They’re a family of faith. They want to be attached to their roots.”

Church leaders said they were told that Ms. Hudson was flying home to Chicago from Tampa, Fla., according to the television station.

In 2007, Ms. Hudson won an Oscar for best supporting actress in her role as Effie White in the film “Dreamgirls.”

 Courtesy of NYTimes.com

Please send your prayers to the Hudson family

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16. October 2008 by admin.

So I didn’t get to watch all of the debate. I ended up watching some and listening to the rest on radio. All the talk leading up to the debate was what Sen. McCain (The War Hero) had to to do win this debate and the need for him to win handily to beat Sen Obama (The Rock Star) as his lead in the polls is almost insurmountable with less than three weeks to go in the election. The major topic of the debate seemed to be Joe The Plumber who Sen. McCain referenced and then became the analogy for the “general working man/woman” of the U.S.

What I’m trying to figure out is how did Joe The Plumber get to be everyman. Is a Plumber’s issues the same as a teacher’s or a firefighter’s or a secretary’s? That notwithstanding it was fascinating to watch/hear this debate and then hear the pundits determine what chances the candidates have to win the Presidency of the U.S. as a result. Many people still feel that Sen. Obama is in the driver’s seat and are very close to saying he can’t lose.

 There are two problems with that. One is that Vice President Al Gore “won” the popular vote by 500,000 in 2000 and lost the election. Second is that Sen. Obama is Black and this election is in America. I know that everyone feels like the color of his skin shouldn’t make a difference and it shouldn’t but it does. No matter what the polls say whether Obama is up by 7, 8, 10 or more points in the polls. People still have to go behing the curtain and pull the lever.

 There have been reports by the AP and others (see this link http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/bawnews/movingamerica08/whitesobama923) that when Whites go to the polls on November 4th, though they say they are colorblind and support Obama, they may very well decide that they can’t really afford to have a Black President.

So what do we all do. Well, like the moderator of last night’s debate said, “Now Go Vote! It’ll make you feel strong!” I would add vote with your heart, your head and with the best interest of your future in mind.

That’s for Joe the Plumber, Sharon the teacher, Rhonda the Police Officer, Mike the Sanitation worker and all of us.

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10. October 2008 by admin.

So Raphael Saadiq (above) has a new cd “The Way I See It” and he recently performed twice at SOB’s in New York City. The second show of which I was able to attend. I’ve been a fan of Raphael for many years now as many of you probably are as well but I have never seen him perform live.

Now I can’t imagine not seeing him live. The show was structured to fit the album which is a direct homage to the Soul music of the ’60’s and early ’70’s. The music of Motown in particular. From the very beginning of the set where Raphael was introduced and a recording of the late Marvin Gaye singing the national anthem at the 1982 NBA All-Star Game was played we knew this was going to be something different. The the band started playing and the background singers hit the stage doing choreographed moves that was inspired directly from The Temptations and other groups of that era. Raphael came out and the music sounded just like the songs that we listened to our parents play from that Motown age. Raphael’s voice was perfect for the sound and he was dressed the part, suit, tie and glasses that made him look a little bit like a young Marvin Gaye. If you’ve seen the video for his single “Love That Girl” (watch the video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMiBL5BgW7Q), he looks like that.

Let me not give you the impression that this was some type of retro show. I t was a show that made clear that Raphael Saadiq is a true soul man for this generation. He sang all of the songs that we know and love from his days with Tony! Toni! Toné!, Lucy’s Pearl, and songs from his solo cd’s “Instant Vintage” and the overlooked yet incredible “Ray, Ray.” The great thing is how all the songs fit into that classic soul sound. As I mentioned to someone who had seen the show the first night he performed at SOB’s, it goes to show that he has always had that sound, all of his music is created in that timeless way that harkens back to the days of Motown or the music of Al Green in his prime.

I don’t remember Raphael doing a lot of performing over the years, particularly as a solo artist. He has released his cd’s independently until now and became the first solo artist to receive Grammy Award nominations as an independent artist, but this time his cd is on Columbia Records and though the record business is in serious crisis mode this should be one that Columbia can slam out of the park. The cd is great and the live show is incredible. Energetic, Fun, filled with great music, not a dull moment at all and the musicianship is outstanding.

Raphael is scheduled to tour with John Legend in November and December (see dates here http://www.raphaelsaadiq.com/ click on calendar) and I urge all lovers of great music to check it out. John Legend better be on his game because if he’s not then Raphael is gonna steal the show every night!

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8. October 2008 by admin.

The Rhythm And Soul Blog is Back!!!! We’ve changed things up a bit as those who visited our blog previously can see. It is definitely for the better and we hope you agree.

We kick off this new blog space with a report on our participation in the 3rd Annual International Soul Music Summit in Atlanta, GA on September 12 & 13. The International Soul Music Summit is an event created by Terry Bello (pictured here during our live broadcast from the event)

 to provide mainstream, emerging and independent soul artists, retailers, consumers and executives with information, networking opportunities, and technology on how to build noteworthy careers while continuing to make passionate, timeless music.

This was my first year attending and it was an incredible success. The artists, DJ’s, label execs, promoters, etc. who came from around the country and around the world were mind boggling. The connections that you make or even reconnections are what made the trip worthwhile.

Here’s an example: On the first day of the Summit I had the honor to sit on a panel (the very first panel in fact) with a number of great people to discuss the topic of Music, Media and Marketing. Some of the persons on that panel were Jawar of The JaWar Group, Thornell Jones of Hidden Beach Records,  Norman Mayers of Nu-Soul.com - and one of the producers of the “Strictly Social” Music Series, Lucy Beer from Elemental Consulting and 0another producer of the Strictly Social Music Series, Miles Anthony of Righteous Music Media (Manager of independent artist Darien),  and a number of others including Manny Alexander from the Uniworld Group.

 When we were all gathered outside we met one another and talked for a bit. When I introduced myself to Manny Alexander he said “Hey I remember you.” I must admit I didn’t remember him immediately and he then reminded me how our paths crossed. A few years back he was the manager of the talented independent artist Gaielle and he and I were speaking as I was trying to produce a show in NYC and we were trying to have Gaielle perform during the show. I was pleasantly surprised to be reconnected with him and even more pleased that he remembered me.  I was further taken aback during the panel when Manny shared a point about the importance of professionalism and presentation and reference ME as an example. He talked about the fact that we had only spoken a couple of times a couple of years ago but that I had made an impression on him and he remembered me based on my presentation. WHAT AN INCREDIBLE BEGINNING OF THE SUMMIT FOR ME!

 The Summit only got better from there if that is even possible. I moderated two additional panels served as a panelist for another and of course we broadcasted live on both days. The broadcasts were a great deal of fun as I was joined by Mama Soul and DJ BlackIcon1 from the Musical Pathways Show on RhythmAndSoulRadio.com. We had the opportunity to interview a number of artists who were there for the Summit that we feature regularly on the station and some artists we were meeting for the first time. It was an incredible experience and we are so glad that so many folks took the time to chat with us. Some of those folks include (in no particular order) Big Brooklyn Red, Steve Wallace, TNT (Trish ‘N Tom), Mike Ashley, Heston, Jarrad Anthony, Darien, Tony Rich, Thornell Jones, Chris Rob, Cherisse, Phillipia, Water Seed, Kahlee Star, Jason Orr, Julie Dexter, Dionne Farris, Wildmann, Hasan Brown, Asaada and a number of others.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words so click the link below and take a look at this slideshow to give you an idea of what took place at the Soul Summit in Atlanta this year.

 http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/aa177/injoyenterprises/?action=view¤t=24f7dd95.pbw

I haven’t even gotten to the evening performances yet. There were approximately 40 artists who performed at over the 2 nights.

Suffice to say that the Summit was a great success. We’ll talk more about it over time and more importantly we’ll be back there next year and we plan on taking you with us. You ready???

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