Yes, you read correctly. There is a now a city deemed “Spice City.” Just when you thought the seven-ingh platform shoes, peace signs, “girl power” theme and pointless movies (such as “Spice World”) were over…well, you were wrong.
Amongst many of the tour stops included on their upcoming reuniting tour, the Spice Girls have announced they will be making a stop in Toronto, Canada. The spicy name for the city was deemed so by the millions of fanatics who grew up with the girl power craze during the late 90’s - and who clearly wish it were still so.
“The Spice Girls announced that Toronto is set to become the chosen Spice City as voted for by legions of Spice Girls fans.The Spice City initiative was set up by the girls to give their genuine fans the opportunity to bring the band to their city for an extra special performance as part of their world tour.”
We were so close to hitting a decade since the girls’ last successful album, too. Think about it - they could have reached a milestone in their lives!
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WatchMojo NewsletterBoston, MA—Known for bringing favored acts like The Juggaknots and Smiley Da Ghetto Child out of obscurity and back into the public eye, Amalgam Digital strikes once again, this time signing Kurious Jorge to the label. On Sept 18th 2007 Amalgam will be re-releasing “A Constipated Monkey” as a prelude to his sophomore album which features Mf Doom on production due early 2008. In anticipation of the re-release and his upcoming sophomore LP Kurious asserts “I’m real glad to be doing these projects with Amalgam Digital. This shits’ gonna be another fun record. That’s my word.”
Banking on the underground success of his singles “Walk Like a Duck” and “Uptown Shit,” Kurious Jorge (the rapper not the monkey from children’s books) released his debut album in early 1994. The album’s subtle mix of underground vigor and flavorful party anthems pleased many of hip-hop’s discerning aficionados. A guest list that included The Hieroglyphics’ Casual and DJ Lord Sear on the mic and a back-from-the-dead Bosco Money from Downtown Science, The Beatnuts and Pete Nice and Daddy Rich on production gave the album a session feel. The album’s wide range of samples, from The Black Byrds to Fifth Dimension, made for a quirky overall musical effect. Kurious does well to play up the strength of his honest style, a concise and careful delivery without sacrificing wit. In the end, the catchy single “I’m Kurious” positions itself as the album’s true watermark, while cuts like “Top Notch” and the B-side “Mansion and a Yacht” featuring Sadat X from Brand Nubian are also bona fide mid-’90s hip-hop jams. Of all the golden era rap records that are known to inspire feelings of nostalgia in today’s jaded listener, it is possible that Kurious’ “A Constipated Monkey” tugs at a b-boy’s heartstrings the hardest as it embodies the naturally positive and joyous attitude that is romantically linked to hip-hop of the past.
In addition, “A Constipated Monkey” Re-Release will feature several hidden bonus tracks (the B-Side classic “Mansion And A Yacht” and “I’m Kurious” Remix) not available on the original pressing.
Kurious Jorge with a J not a G!
It’s been a long time coming, but Median’s Relief, the highly anticipated debut album from Justus League member Median, is only eight short weeks away from landing on store shelves worldwide. The album, which hits stores September 25th on Halftooth Records, features outstanding production from 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Nicolay, Ant B, and more, as well as guest appearances from the likes of Joe Scudda, Chaundon, L.E.G.A.C.Y. and Spectac.
To hold fans over until the September 25th street date, Halftooth Records is offering a FREE mixtape download of Median’s Relief In The Making (mixed by DJ Low Key & hosted by 9th Wonder). The mixtape features production from 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Nicolay, Von Pea, M-Phazes and more, as well as tracks featuring Little Brother, Foreign Exchange, Kenn Starr, Tanya Morgan, Big Pooh and more. Median’s Relief In The Making features more than 60 minutes of head-nodding music from Median, blended seamlessly by Colorado’s own DJ Low Key and hosted by fellow Justus League member and long time collaborator 9th Wonder. The 29 track mixtape features some of Median’s most memorable guest spots and collaborations (”Shorty on the Lookout,” “Back At It Again,” “All That You Are,” “Scars,” “Be Alright,” “Get Ready”), several “best of” Median tracks (”Comfortable,” “Visionary,” “Doing Dances,” “M.A.D. (Median Alleviates The Drama)”), rare and unreleased tracks (”Yeah Right,” “Maglite” ), previews of tracks from his forthcoming album Median’s Relief (”Rize,” “How Big Is Your World?,” “Powershift,” “What Would You Do?”), as well as new and exclusive tracks recorded just for the mixtape (”Straight N Narrow,” “If Then Statement”).
With the recent release of his new chart-topping single “Rize” (produced by Khrysis) b/w “Love Again” (produced by Koen) & “How Big Is Your World?” (produced by 9th Wonder), as well as the release of Median’s Relief In The Making and the forthcoming release of his debut full-length album Median’s Relief, Median is well on his way to proving himself as one of Hip-Hop’s brightest talents and one of Hip-Hop’s future stars.
In a whirlwind six-years, 9th Wonder has already been a vital-cog in the success of Little Brother, been hailed as one of Hip-hop’s most ingenious producers, started a “Hip-hop in context 1973-1997” course at his alma-mater North Carolina Central University (alongside Chris Martin from Kid N Play) from the ground up and participated on a Grammy Award winning LP (Mary J Blige’s 2005 The Breakthrough) and worked with two other Grammy Award winners (Jay-Z and Destiny’s Child).
In addition to crafting the beats for Little Brother (2003’s The Listening & 2005’s The Minstrel Show), 9th Wonder has gone on to become one of Hip-hop’s most sought after producers, working with a wide-array of artists such as; Jay-Z, Destiny’s Child, Mary J. Blige, Lloyd Banks, Mos Def, De La Soul, Memphis Bleek, Jean Grae, Masta Ace, Murs, Buckshot, Masta Ace, Royce 5’9, Ras Kass, Consequence, Saigon, Sean Price and his Justus League cohorts among others. The vast diversity of the artists and genre’s 9th Wonder has worked with and in further demonstrates his ability as one of the most talented artists in music today; as his sound is infused with soul loops and jazz sentiment. 9th’s background in classical music and music theory gives his music a sonic breath and maturity that surpasses his years. Like the jazz greats Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk, 9th “feels” his music and because of that intimate connection, he creates a sound that transcends Hip-hop, and becomes one with soul, jazz and R&B.
While 9th Wonder may have previously spent the majority of his time collaborating for other artists or in a group-setting, on 10-09-07 he finally strikes out on his own with his debut LP Dream Merchant Vol. 2. Littered with some of the finest established lyricists (Saigon, Royce 5’9, Mos Def, Memphis Bleek, Jean Grae, Camp Lo, Buckshot, Sean Price) Hip-hop has to offer, alongside some of the most-promising newcomers (Skyzoo, Torae, Joe Scudda and Kidz In The Hall’s Naledge) and former group-members (Little Brother) as well, making Dream Merchant Vol. 2 is a sonic and lyrical tour-de-force. When it came time to decide who he would collaborate with on Dream Merchant Vol. 2, as 9th relays the formula was pretty simple “basically it came down to who wanted to work with me. I wanted to work with a group of artists where some you had heard of and some you haven’t, but all in all wanted to work with me, without having to go thru 50 different people to get to the artist. The artists that are on the album are cats who genuinely wanted to do music with me. That was more important to me then anything else.
Though Dream Merchant Vol. 2 is 9th’s debut, the concept for the LP was masterminded many years ago and like many things in 9th’s life, devised by fate “this record means allot to me! The crazy thing is, the actualization of Dream Merchant is an idea that is six-years old. My Uncle Fred has crazy records; he was an avid collector from his days in NYC back in the 70’s. Back in 1987, I went to visit him and my Aunt, they lived in the South Bronx (East 169th and Grand Concourse) and it was my first trip to NYC. I was only there for a week when the newspapers flashed “Scott La Rock killed” (crazy right). In 1991, my Uncle and Aunt moved to Winston Salem (North Carolina) and I was working in a UPS call-center in High Point (North Carolina) and made a crazy decision to quit my job and pursue music full-time. I went to visit my Uncle Fred afterwards, because I remembered all of those records he had when I was a kid. I went downstairs and the first record I pulled out of the crate was Jerry Butler’s “Dream Merchant.” I though the title was so fly, that I decided to do a compilation album with me doing all the beats and cats I knew that rhymed. I think more then anything; fate sparked my decision to do this all the way—just from that cover and that moment.”
While 9th is shouldering a lot of expectations from critics and fans alike for his debut, he has a more subtle goal for the project, as he laments “I put expectations to the side and just focused on giving the people something to listen too that they can enjoy.”
9th Wonder’s Dream Merchant Vol. 2 will be released on October 9th, 2007 on Six Hole/Hall of Justus Records, so save the date for 9th on the 9th!
Arista/SONY BMG recording artist Barry Manilow revisits the songs of the decade that launched his career - the Seventies. THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE SEVENTIES is the next release in a best-selling series of tribute albums of popular music which includes The Greatest Songs Of The Fifties and The Greatest Songs Of The Sixties, whose cumulative sales with Ultimate Manilow have surpassed 5 million units. THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE SEVENTIES will arrive in stores on September 18th in two distinctly unique packages, one an 18-song CD; and the other a two-disc set containing a 14-song Dual Disc (audio and video layers) plus a 9-song bonus CD.
THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE SEVENTIES continues the productive and successful reunion between Manilow and Clive Davis, Arista founder and BMG U.S. Chairman & CEO. Davis has been Manilow’s hitmaking collaborator on virtually all his recordings, since they first worked together on “Mandy,” his debut #1 single as the first artist signed to Arista by Davis in 1974, the first year of the label’s existence. The two produced The Greatest Songs Of The Fifties and The Greatest Songs Of The Sixties together, and that magic has carried over to the new album as well.
Comments Clive Davis: “No one can reinvent these great classics better than Barry Manilow. He breathes new life and vitality into these truly wonderful songs and they sound fresh and timeless. We continue on the mission to bring to a new generation the great songs of a different era.”
Special pre-order campaigns for THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE SEVENTIES at the www.manilow.com website will ensure fans of receiving the new album in its very first week of release.
THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE SEVENTIES is a fan’s dream wish-list of favourites covering both sides of the Atlantic, from The Beatles’ “The Long And Winding Road,” to Elton John’s “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word,” as well as duets with Melissa Manchester on Carole King’s “You’ve Got A Friend” and with Rosie O’Donnell on Elton John’s “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.” Other selections include Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” the Hollies’ “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,” Albert Hammond’s “It Never Rains In Southern California,” and The Carpenters’ “(They Long To Be) Close To You.”
Manilow’s tributes are flawlessly performed and arranged, starting with an homage to the Barbra Streisand’s “The Way We Were,” Frankie Valli’s “My Eyes Adored You,” the Bee Gees’ “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart,” and the Christopher Cross masterpiece “Sailing,” produced by Walter Afanasieff.
The 18-song single CD package of THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE SEVENTIES presents Barry Manilow’s new versions of 10 classic songs by other artists from the ’70s, plus first time ever, stripped-down acoustic versions of eight of his own titles. These range from “Mandy,” “I Write The Songs,” and “Could It Be Magic?,” to 1976’s “This One’s For You” and “Weekend In New England”; from 1978’s “Can’t Smile Without You” and “Copacabana,” up to “Even Now” and “Somewhere In The Night.”
The two-disc package of THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE SEVENTIES contains a Dual Disc (CD + DVD) with new versions of 14 classic non-Manilow songs from the ’70s on the audio layer, and “The Making of the Album” with Barry reflecting on the great music and the decade on the video layer. The bonus CD will contain stripped-down acoustic versions of nine Barry Manilow titles.
THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE SEVENTIES follows two hit albums released last year: The Greatest Songs Of The Fifties (released January 31) and The Greatest Songs Of The Sixties (released October 31), making 2006 the first year since 1981 that Manilow had two albums of new material top the charts in the same calendar year.
Oakland, CA, August 8, 2007 – Nearly two years since the release of their critically acclaimed sophomore album The Minstrel Show, North Carolina’s Little Brother returns with Getback, a slim and trim 11 track album slated for release this fall on ABB Records.
The new album features production from Illmind, Hi-Tek, Nottz, Denaun Porter and 9th Wonder, as well as guest shots from Lil’ Wayne (the playful “Breakin My Heart”) and fellow Hall of Justus family members Jozeemo and Darien Brockington, (the bittersweet thump of ‘That Ain’t Love’ and the vibrant ‘Two Step Blues’ respectively).
The inspiration for Getback came out of a desire to “get back” to the original reason Little Brother wanted to make music in the first place; simply for the love and fun of it. Frustrated with “the industry”, they wanted to return to that place in their hearts that made them want to create music. “When I sat down to write my first rhyme I didn’t say, ‘Maybe if I write this, the people at Clear Channel will love me…I never gave a sh*t about that…so when I saw myself caring about that, I knew it was a problem and I had gotten away from the original reasons why I started making music.”
The album is a return to basics for the group and hope this time around the real focus is on the music itself and not what label they’re on, how many records they’re going to sell or who’s in the group. “I think this is the closest we could get to the feeling and energy we had when we made our first record” says Rapper Pooh “Back in 2001 no one knew who we were or that we were even making music. Fast forward to 2007, fresh off Atlantic, the three man group now a duo, people either counted us out or don’t know what to expect anymore. That gave us the freedom to be just that, free.”
Formed in 2001 at North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC, Little Brother has become one of the premier names in soulful hip-hop. With influences that range from the expressive boom bap of A Tribe Called Quest to the rugged back and forth chemistry of EPMD, the group’s members, Phonte and Big Pooh, have become essential names in hip-hop circles worldwide.
Little Brother released their debut album, “The Listening,” on ABB Records in 2003 to widespread critical acclaim. After receiving props from hip-hop luminaries such as Pete Rock and DJ Premier, and touring nationally and internationally with the likes of Hieroglyphics and The Roots, the group signed a deal with Atlantic Records in 2004. Their sophomore effort, “The Minstrel Show,” was released on Atlantic in 2005 to a mass of critical praise and media controversy. The video for ‘Lovin It,’ “Minstrel Show’s” lead single, was deemed ‘too intelligent’ by the BET network and was subsequently banned. Similarly, the group’s 4.5 mic rating in Source Magazine was challenged for political reasons, forcing the magazine’s editor-in-chief Fahiym Ratcliffe to resign from his position.
After the release of “Minstrel Show,” the group released a pair of stellar mixtapes; “Separate but Equal” with DJ Drama (2006) and “And Justus for All” with DJ Mick Boogie (2007). Boasting collaborations with Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Kardinal Offishall and Ray Cash, “And Justus for All” continued Little Brother’s long running streak of critical admiration, receiving an XL rating in XXL Magazine, and made free to the public via internet download. Shortly after the release of “Justus,” Little Brother left the Atlantic label.
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