The Black Keys- Turn Blue album review
In case you didn’t know, The Black Keys are an American rock duo formed in Akron, Ohio in 2001. The group consists of Dan Auerbach (guitar, vocals) and Patrick Carney (drums) and Turn Blue is their eighth studio album. The band once again collaborated with Danger Mouse, who co-produced and co-wrote the album. There’s something different about Turn Blue sonically and you can say this album is their most personal album ever. In an interview with Rolling Stones, Auerbach credits Lana Del Rey with influencing him to open up in his songs. “I learned a lot recording with other people and watching them sing about personal experiences,” he said. The album is pretty amazing, the lyric content appears to be strong than ever before and it’s always remarkable to see musicians grow every year and explore musically. Dan’s vocals will remind you why you love The Black Keys in the first place, the diversity in this album will definitely win new fans that can’t stand heavy metal rock music and make the old ones happy. The opening track, Weight of Love carries a load of emotions, it floats for 6:50 minutes and soothes your soul, and it kind of gives you an indication of the new direction that was taken on this album. The album title was chosen as a homage to the “turn blue” catchphrase used by 1960s horror host Ghoulardi. Overall the album is catchy and it sounds like they were having while creating magic in studio. Turn Blue lacks the aggressive tone of garage rock that we are used to expect from The Black Keys but we do embrace change. Lesson learned: remedy for a good album is a heartbreak. Stand out tracks: Weight of Love, Fever and Year in Review Get it on iTunes today here:...
McCoy Mrubata on his musical Journey
Saxophonist, flute player, band leader and composer McCoy Mrubata, who is based in Johannesburg, will be going to KwaZulu Natal to head up a quintet consisting of Durban-based talents Neil Gonsalves on keys, Paki Peloeole on drums, Sibusiso Mkhize on trumpet and Ildo Nandja on bass. For the performance at Tatham Gallery Mrubata will perform with a trio consisting of Neil Gonsalves and Paki Peloeole. The exciting band will perform lots of music from Mrubata’s forthcoming album titled: The Brasskap Sessions Volume 2. It is a special treat for the people of Kwazulu Natala because the album is not officially released yet and the audiences will be getting a little preview plus the album will be available for sale at the shows. 1. You will be in Durban performing music from your forth coming album: The Brasskap Sessions Volume 2, tell us more about the album? I started recording The Brasskap Sessions Volume 2 In 2012 and it’s the second one of the Brasskap series after the 2008 release. The Idea of these series is to bring together generations of musicians and make a rich sound that will appeal to the young and old. The series also helps the young to get accustomed to recording sessions early in their careers. 2. What can your fans expect from it? The Durban fans can expect music that is rich, full of emotions. Most of the songs that we’ll be performing are on the forth coming album and inspired by day to day experiences. 3. How is it different from your other projects? This album is deferent from the previous albums simply because it’s produced by a young producer and pianist, Luyanda Madope. Luyanda brings out a fresh energetic and emotional McCoy sound. 4. Who did you work with on this project? The Brasskap Volume 2 features : Feya Faku , Prince Lengwasa , Jabu Magubane , Paul Hanmer , Tlale Makhene and Louis Mhlanga , the great and a legend Moses Ngwenya , Peter Sklair , Vuli Yeni , Sipho Ndlovu , Mthunzi Mvubu , Mbuso Khoza, Linda Mzimela , Senzo Sikhakhane , Sthe Bhengu from the band H3 , Lindiwe Mxolo , Thembinkosi Mavimbela , Lwanda Gogwana , Ayanda Sikade , Sisonke Xhonti and Sandile Gontsana. 5. You will be performing with Neil Gonsalves and Paki Peloeole, what are you most looking forward to? Performing with great musicians like Neil Gonzavles, Paki Peloeole, Ildo Nandja and Sbu Mkhize is going to be good as I enjoy different Interpretations of my music especially when the musicians are outstanding like these gentlemen. 6. How do you think music has evolved from the days you started to now? The...
Celebrating African Music with MTV
Last week Wednesday all roads led to The Sands, in Sandton for the MTV Africa Music Awards nominees announcement party. The event was star studded, as expected and the atmosphere at the event was phenomenal. Guests were entertained by artists like AKA, Mafikizolo, Professor, Oskido, Yuri Da Cunha just to name a few. It goes without saying that people like free alcohol, which is a good thing because it looks like people have more fun when it is an open bar event. The biggest and brightest contemporary artists from across the African continent were nominated in 14 separate music categories including Best Male, Best Female, Song of the Year, Artist of the Year, Best Group, Best Lusophone, Best Francophone, Best Hip Hop, Best New Act, Best Live, Best Pop, Best Alternative, Best Collaboration & Best International. Broadening the scope of the MAMAs franchise, achievement in non-music fields will be recognised in three new lifestyle categories: “Personality of the Year”, the “MTV Base Leadership Award” and “Transform Today by Absolut”. The MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZulu-Natal will be taking place in South Africa for the first time on 7 June 2014. Due to be held at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC). The event was a success, look forward to the award...
Pharrel Williams’ “Happy” Johannesburg
Last week in an interview with Oprah, we saw Pharrel Williams overwhelmed by the remakes of his hit single, “Happy”. It was videos from all across the continent and different countries except for South Africa. Now there’s a cool video out, made in Joburg by School Of Thought. Watch the video below and be “happy” Crew and sponsors Equipment Sponsorship — Glow (www.glowhire.co.za) Directors: Motse UnbrandedCow and Lungi Molefe Producers: Motse UnbrandedCow, Themba Mbelu and Lungi Molefe Editing: Themba Mbelu DOP – Paul Shiakallis and Threshen Bisetty ( www.behance.net/shizetty) SOT team: Motse UnbrandedCow, Lungi Molefe, Jacques Bezuidenhout and Maxzene Morgan. 1st Camera Assistant – Blessing Ndlovu and 2nd Camera – Masimba Sasa. Photo Credit: http://ind.pn/1f0GrSE...
Celebrate 20 years of Freedom with Under Madiba Skies
In November 2013, 8 musicians came together to interpret the words of Nelson Mandela’s inaugural speech in a special performance where many influences and cultures came together on one stage. French band Gran Kino invited Manelis (DBN), Ayanda Nhlangothi (JHB), Jitsvinger (CPT) and Burni Aman (CPT) to share their vision of South Africa today. The group successfully toured France in 2013 with performances at some of the biggest world music festivals the country knows (such as Festival Generic and The Worlstock Festival). For this year a South African visit (September 2014) and a South American tour (November 2014) are part of the plans of Under Madiba Skies. The team is also already working on their tours for 2015. Several songs were born through meetings between the musicians in South Africa and France. Whether from Durban, rapping in Zulu, from Johannesburg singing with a traditional sweetness or from Cape Town rapping in Afrikaans or in English, the vision is mutual: coming together on one stage, different languages, visions and ideas and, above all, an endless artistic richness. The music weaves itself together with traditional song, rock, hip hop and acoustic piano/voice duets and show the image of their performers: colourful and carrying out values of peace and openness to the world. The project is officially endorsed by The Nelson Mandela Foundation as a Mandela tribute. Listen to Brand New below and share your thoughts on the song: http://snd.sc/1g1RLOm ...
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