Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts

August 29, 2013

MUSIC: AfroPunk Weekend in Brooklyn

 

The Skins @ Afropunk


This past weekend at Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn marked the sixth year, long awaited, 2-day Afropunk Festival (August 24th and 25th) and for the first time we (Synch Ladies, Chante and Caprice) were thoroughly delighted and in awe to be in attendance for one of the most culturally diverse festivals in NYC! 

The festival featured brilliant artists from all corners of the rock music genre; garnering a huge community of rocksters from the non-conforming youth to the mature.  This would be a looooooooong read if we named every single artists on the bill, so we'll give you a snippet of who rocked the stage: The Skins (this super polished band of young adults set off the festival with an enormous BANG), Living Colour (how could you NOT have this iconic rock band grace the stage? HUH??), Saul Williams, Questlove, Unlocking The Truth, DJ Hernandez, Wicked Wisdom, led by Jada Pinkett Smith (yes, there was a Will Smith sighting) and a plethora of performers who unleashed a hurtin' from the early afternoon into the wee hours of the night.  Oh and NO, there is no way it stops at JUST the music!!  There was much to do and see, such as the ART WALL canvas featuring works by Ronald Wimberly; rock climbing by the Brooklyn Boulders; delicious grub from a vast array of food vendors (shouting out Phin & Phebes!!) and The SpinThrift Market to "feed your shopping fix" from customized t-shirts to jewelry and everything in between!

In the mist of all the weekend excitement, we chatted briefly about the festival and the legacy of rock music (take a listen here) in all its splendor. 

There is no doubt that we will be back next year and hopefully, SR's Caprice will get a chance to rock the stage with the best of them!  

Until next year AfroPunk and keep ROCK ALIVE!!!



-Synchronized Rhythm

June 2, 2013

MUSIC: Open Mic @ Sam Ash

Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

This past week, Sam Ash Music Store kicked off it's weekly Wednesday's Open Mic night. 

The event featured various musicians and vocalists including Les July (who also starred as the MC), Caprice Starbrite, N'tirzah Al Rephaim, Kizmit (band), The Cynz (band) and others.

It was a great opportunity to be exposed to different genres of rock and soul while strolling down memory lane on the oldies of music's heyday. 

This music series is set to be something grand where a jam session with random musicians who do not know each other can occur at any given moment!

-Chante


Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography

February 24, 2013

EAR CANDIES: BamaLoveSoul Mixes


February has been one of those months where I needed a few more hours in each day to just..breathe!

Well the month is not over just yet and with days to go before March madness arrives (I hope that this not what's truly to come) the folks at Bama Love Soul blessed mine ears with a few of their classic mixes at one site!

From J Dilla to Robert Glasper to Jill Scott to A Tribe Called Quest to Common, the purveyors of music covered all bases with these mixes.

Grab your plate and dig in at http://bamalovesoul.bandcamp.com/music

-Chante

January 1, 2013

2012 RetroSpective: Looking Back to Look Forward

Happy New Year!! Yesterday, as everyone was in a rush to move on from 2012 and embrace 2013, I couldn't let 2012 pass by without recognizing what a great year it was.

Even with acknowledging the tremendous losses (such as legendary icons as Whitney Houston and Donna Summer), the tragedies of the shootings in our communities as in Sandy Hook, the devastation from natural disasters, the politics as usual childish games in DC that impact the lives of my family/neighbors who still remain underemployed or job and the fiscal crisis that continues into the 2013 new year (I could go on), I also witnessed the beautifulness of humanity from my window (especially during the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy) and, connected with so many people and places.

The Music...its rhythm, lo's and highs move me, change me and take me to a better place. Ledisi and Eric Benet showed us live and in color a "LOVE SERMON", Lili Roquelin showed you her love of the "BEAUTIFUL SUN", Kameron Corvet shouted "F_CK LOVE", ArinMaya urged you to "BE YOU - BE BEAUTIFUL", Peter Hadar serenaded you to "TAKE OFF YOUR VICTORIA", Jesse Boykins III defined why he is the "ZULU GURU", Szjerdene revealed her "PATCHWORK" EP, Navasha Daya sang into your heart about being "REBIRTHED ABOVE GROUND", Dawn Richard unsheathed her "Armor On", Choklate showed us how to be "FLY", LaSonya Gunter blessed us with "LOVE & MUSIC", Jose James teased us for two nights in Harlem and with his "It's All Over Your Body" EP. And in 2012, the masses were introduced to the (not-so) new voices of the independent music movement, Daley, Ginette Claudette, Caprice StarBRITE, Jennah Bell, Tess Santos, Candice Anitra and Lianne La Havas.

Artist: Dawn Richard
The Culture....its the embodiment of a community breathing life into a nation. The tasting of the eateries of Brooklyn at the ultimate foodie event hosted by Brooklyn Exposed, Spike Lee welcomed folks to Brooklyn (once again) in his fictional film "Red Hook Summer" and he strolled us down memory lane with his epic Michael Jackson documentary "BAD25", Martina and Frank showcased abstract art right here in Brooklyn via their amazing art shows at MF Gallery, Harlem hosted the first annual Harlem Arts Festival at Marcus Garvey Park with art located in every crevice of the park, Pachi Tamer introducing the world to his photography series "One Dollar Dreams" that give a voice to those without, the living Hip Hop legend Ice T birthed the documentary "The Art of Rap", musical senses were indulged with the remake of the Porgy & Bess opera, Harlem saw the doors shutter at the HueMan Bookstore; a historic literary resource, Brooklyn witnessed the Great Googa Mooga, Nhojj embraced you into his life with his documentary "Music & the Word", Broadway witnessed the 2012 remake of the "Streetcar Named Desire" on Broadway, Amanda Seales gave her definition of a DIVA in her one-woman play, folks reminisced on the music and history of Bob Marley in the self-titled documentary, exciting folk connected at the Meet the Afropolitans plenary of the Social Media Week annual event.

"Meet the Afropolitans" Social Media Week Event [2012]
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography
The Travel...its the passport to another place to explore the culture, music, language and pulse of the people of that region. The duo of Street Etiquette does it quite well with its new web travel series "Travel Etiquette". Mario Nicholas took us to places less traveled through his "Mario on The Go" web series. And I also trekked the streets of NYC and beyond in my own special way with travel escapades in my hometown via my post on summer sights/sounds and the "How Did I End Up Here?" blog series throughout the year (the last trip ended at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens). Also, I traveled Me to the  Hamptons for the first time for wine, shopping and a bit of exploration of the scenic destination. Lastly, I took a two week journey half way across the world to Hawaii. 

Kona Island in Hawaii [2012]
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography
2012 gave me so much life! The one lesson that I carry into the new year is to live in each moment and be appreciative of what that moment represents - personal growth, indulging of the senses or seeing/hearing something new.

What will you bring from the 2012 year that once was into the 2013 year that has yet to become?

In Peace,
Chante

November 17, 2012

EAR CANDY: Ginette Claudette "GIRL ON FIRE"


Ginette Claudette's cover of "Girl On Fire" by Alicia Keys went viral on Youtube and is amazing. I think she did a superb job - hitting those highs and capturing the power of this song!

Check out the video and download her version below. Be sure to download her free mixtape here.

-Chante


September 30, 2012

FILM: THE ART OF RAP


With his directorial debut, Ice T illustrates the creative and historical foundation of the Hip Hop culture in "The Art of Rap".

If you are a lover of this genre, this documentary will put you in an instant nostaglia - tripping off of the "back in the day" memories when you were growing up in the infancy, crescendo and rebirth of hip hop. But this film serves to, mainly, educate the informed and ill-informed on the definition of an MC, to recognize the equally respected & gifted voices of hip hop, and to dig deeper into the psyche of a hip hop artist - see how they make/create/build within their craft.

I kick myself for missing the chance to have seen this in the theater luckily for me ITunes was on my side. ;)

If you have not seem this yet, you can purchase/rent it on ITunes, Netflix, Amazon, etc. In the meantime, check the trailer below.

-Chante


September 16, 2012

EAR CANDY: Choklate "Wide Open"


Choklate got her fans wide open with her latest single from her forthcoming release this fall. This is a tasty, jam teaser that makes you get up off it and work-it-out old school style. 

Love this joint! Looking forward to the release, soon on a playlist near you!

Enjoy!

-Chante


July 27, 2011

HONEY LAROCHELLE: CLEAN LUST & DIRTY LAUNDRY (Mixtape)


DARU JONES - RUSIC RAP RECORDS VOL​.​2 (MIX)


July 24, 2011

Ear Candy in Review: FE + Zo! + Muhsinah + Erick Arc + B. Renee


Zo – Just Visiting Three
He has done it once again with this latest project – a compilation of covers the Zo! way bringing that funky-goodness. This crazy beautiful project was brought to fruition with the help of acclaimed vocalists Phonte, Sy Smith, Anthony David, Eric Roberson as well as lesser known but equally amazing vocalists Jeanne Jolly and Ryan Gant. All we gotta say is “Just Visiting Three” is exceptional hotness! From the first track to the seventh, all you will say is “oh no he did not remake…” (hint: check Anthony David and his BARRY-tone). LOL This cd is classic Zo! Download and Press Play: http://www.theforeignexchangemusic.com/2011/07/zo---just-visiting-three.php


Muhsinah – Gone
We had the pleasure of seeing Muhsinah perform two weeks ago at the Weeksville Garden Party and she recently released her new project “Gone” which is two EPs in one – Urban and Suburban. Released on her 28th birthday, this project is simply profound! In her own words she describes “Gone” as taking “three song ideas and interpret them based on my early experiences in D.C. and VA”. Visit her website to preview and download her latest project: http://www.muhsinah.com/ In a recent email to her mailing list, she revealed a few interesting facts about herself, like she was a band member for Common and they performed at President Obama’s inaugural ball in Chicago. The most awesome fact that had our jaws dropping is that she’s a one woman team - she writes, arranges, produces, composes, records and mixes her own music. Go Muhsinah!!


The Foreign Exchange - Dear Friends: An Evening With The Foreign Exchange
So far on the playlist, its been a Foreign Exchange family reunion – Zo! and Muhsinah have worked with FE on many projects…great artists work well together we see :) Now let’s get to FE’s latest project, which is a bit more intimate release compared to their previous projects. It’s an acoustic, extended live set with a selected few in the audience and FE doing what they do best onstage. When you listen, you feel like you were there in the room laughing at Phonte's comical antics, grooving to the go-with-the-flow beautiful vocals of Sy Smith and Jeanne Jolly, and swaying to the creative sounds by many more guest vocals and musicians whom contribute to this dope project. “Dear Friends….” pays homage to great music birthed from FE's creative unit and the band’s appreciation to their fans. Definitely cop this release on Itunes and check their website for tour dates in your area: http://www.theforeignexchangemusic.com/


Erick Arc – Almost Remembered
Erick reset his own artistic bar. With raw lyrics and his team, the Flatbush Zoombies, on his latest project "Almost Remembered", he brings an edgier sound. We likes and you will too! He has been grinding for years, perfecting his skills as a lyricist and producer, setting his vision of who he wanted to represent in his music – which is simply staying true to who he is and not falling into the “swag” trap. He flew solo for most of the tracks but he did tap the shoulders of vocalists, Glasser and Kaya, on a few tracks adding another versatile layer. Throughout the cd, he discusses the importance of family those who are among the living and those whom he has lost, love relationship madness, the appreciation that he has of his gift to articulate his inner most thoughts in a different way than most in Hip Hop and making an impact on the world with each word spoken. This project proves that Erick is on the path to building something powerful that will be remembered for years to come. Download: http://erickarcelliott.com/


B. Renee – “He’ll Make It Alright” (Single)
This project is in collaboration with Bishop Eric McDaniel & Pentecostal Workshop Choir. This song is no surprise to us to hear from B. Renee. Her inspirational wisdom and soulful rendition of the gospel will help you along the path to healing. We love her music and looking forward to hearing more from this artist! To purchase her music, visit http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/BRenee