Soul Fixin'

it's a shame.
Raphael Saadiq can do no wrong in my eyes. His last album, The Way I See It, is living proof. The Soul Man recently paired up with Levi's Pioneer Sessions, an effort to allow contemporary artist to record the songs that inspired their sounds. It's no surprise Mr. Saadiq picked the Stevie Wonder penned, Spinners' classic 'It's A Shame.' Raphael Saadiq fails to disappoint with this remake. It's not easy remaking a classic but Mr. Saadiq proved his self once again. Check out the remake below, it would be a shame not to.

Soul Fixin'

motown mixed up.

download

Check out DJ Expo's live Motown Tribute mix.

Soul Fixin'

celebrating motown.
If you happen to be in the L.A area on 4.21.10 check out Devil's Pie Motown Tribute @ the Verdugo Bar featuring DJ EXPO & house DJ's Phatrick & Roza.

Soul Fixin'

Stevie Tries to Say 'Goodbye'
Michael Jackson's lifelong friend and former Motown label mate, Stevie Wonder, took time out of his recent Kansas City concert to pay tribute to the King Of Pop. Wonder, a fellow child singing sensation, delivered a moving tribute via talkbox. Before singing the emotional charged 'Never Can Say Goodbye' Stevie spoke of his dear friend. Click play and see for yourself.

Soul Fixin'

Get Ready For Stevie Live!!!

Here's some good news. Actually, it's very good news. The good folks at Industry Soul have let the word out. Stevie Wonder, one of music's few geniuses, will release his first official concert DVD. The concert was filmed at London's o2 Arena, a stop on Stevie's 2008 European tour 'Wonder Summer Nights.' Stevie, backed by a 14 piece band, covers classics such as 'Cherie Amour,' 'Higher Ground,' 'You Are The Sunshine of My Life,' 'Living For The City,' and 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours.' The DVD hits stores March 10. Check out the 23 second promotional preview below.

Soul Tracks

I was digging through the crates looking for a song that captures my feelings of pride and joy in the aftermath of Barack Obama's historic moment. In the process I stumbled upon Stevie Wonder's 1972 release Music Of Mind. The album was a clear expression of Stevie Wonder, he broke away from the standard Motown formula and displayed his musical ambitions. Music of My Mind marked the beginning of Stevie's classic period ending with 1976's Songs In The Key Of Life. The delightful 'Happier Than The Morning Sun' sums up my post inauguration feelings. Barack Obama is my President and I'm happier than the morning sun. The song, an escape from Stevie's trademark funky sound, slips into Stevie's other musical personality. Simple yet eloquent, the song transcends time and space, taking the listener on an euphoric journey through the mind.
Stevie Wonder 'Happier Than The Morning Sun'

Soul Fixin'

The Black Woodstock
Back in the summer of '69 artists from the worlds of gospel, jazz, blues, and soul made a pilgrimage to Harlem, the mecca of black culture, to perform at the six day Harlem Cultural Festival. 100,000 black folk crowded the northern end of Central Park in the blistering heat.Emceed by Jesse Jackson, the festival, what some now call "The Black Woodstock" or "Harlem 69", included performances by Mahalia Jackson, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Staple Singers, Stevie Wonder, Sly & The Family Stone, Nina Simone, and others.

Fortunately, the concert was filmed by television producer/director Hal Tulchin. Tulchin intended to package the footage for a television network back in '69 but was told "time and time again...there's no interest in putting on a black special." Tulchin has teamed up with filmmakers Morgan Neville and Robert Gordon to edit 50 hours of footage into a feature-length film featuring performance footage and interviews with surviving participants. Unfortunately, the group has been struggling for the past 18 months to gain funding for the film.

Neville describes the concert as "tension between soul and funk, civil disobedience versus Black Power, the tension of Harlem itself at the time." At the time Harlem was likened to the vigilante Old West. Two former aides of Malcolm X had recently been shot-one fatally. The NYPD declined to provide security for the 6 day event. Security came from the Black Panthers, 21 of whom had been indicted for plotting to bomb Bloomingdale's, Macy's and other stores in Manhattan to mark the assassination of MLK.

Sporting an afro and dashiki, soul brother #1 Jesse Jackson spoke at the festival:
"As I look out at us rejoice today, I was hoping it would be in preparation for the major fight we as a people have on our hands here in this nation. Some of you are laughing because you don't know any better, and others laughing because you are too mean to cry. But you need to know some mean stuff is going down. A lot of you cant read...but you have the mental capacity to read the signs of the times."

"The Soul of Nina Simone," a CD/DVD compilation contains footage from the event. The compilation includes four songs Simone performed during the festival.

Video Soul

"that girl thinks that shes so bad
she'll change my tears from joy to sad
she says she keeps the upper hand
cause she can please her man..."

Soul Fixin'

Obama's Big Night In the words of Betty Wright "tonight is the night." 45 years ago, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his 'I Have A Dream' speech at the March on Washington. 1963 was also marked by the assassination of Medgar Evers and the bombing of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham that resulted in the deaths of four little girls. 45 years later, black man, Barack Obama, will deliver the most important speech of his political career as he formally accepts the Democratic nomination. A historical moment indeed. Obama will stand before 75,000 people at Invesco Field in Denver, Colorado. Hopefully, this Presidential hopeful will offer us more than a mere dream. Obama must deliver a plan to solve the numerous problems facing this nation.

In memory of Dr, King's historic 'I Have A Dream' speech, the DNC will offer a tribute to the civil rights leader that will include Rep. John Lewis, Rev. Bernice King and Martin Luther King III.

Jennifer Hudson has been handpicked by Obama to serenade the crowd with her rendition of the national anthem. The convention will end on a soulful note, Obama family favorite Stevie Wonder, John Legend, and Will.i.am are scheduled to close the show.

Soul Fixin'

Obama Covers Rolling Stone
Presidential hopeful Barack Obama is covering the latest issue of Rolling Stone magazine. In an in-depth interview Obama discusses the youth vote, the music on his iPOD and his top three priorities as President.

Speaking of music, Obama is a self proclaimed 'Stevie Wonder geek.' "When I was at the the point where you start getting involved in music, Stevie had that run with Music Of My Mind, Talking Book, Fulfillingness' First Finale and Innervisions, and then Songs in the Key of Life. Those are as brilliant a set of five albums as we've ever seen" explained Obama.

A wide array of artist including Jay -Z, Bruce Springsteen, Earth, Wind and Fire, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Howlin' Wolf, Sheryl Crow, and Bob Dylan share space on Obama's iPod.

Soul Fixin'

At the age of 58 Stevie Wonder is busier than ever. In the midst of a tour, Stevie is working on two albums and rumors of a third album are spreading. In honor of his late mother Lula Mae Hardaway, Stevie is working on The Gospel Inspired By Lula. "Some of it is going to be traditional gospel but some of it is going to be ... I'm trying to do some (different) stuff," Wonder explained. "I might do something in Arabic. I might do something in Hebrew. My whole thing of the title is just saying 'Spreading the good word, the message." Stevie plans on releasing the album January 11 to commemorate what would have been Lula Mae's 77th birthday. Stevie is no Aretha but he can surely sing the gospel, peep Stevie singing "I Won't Complain" at Luther's funeral in the video below.

Through The Eyes of Wonder, the second project, is described as a performance piece that reflects Stevie's experiences as a blind man. "What I want to do with our live performances is to create visuals that [give] my take on how I see the world and how most various things affected me," he explained.

Stevie did not deny or confirm rumors of a possible duet album with Tony Bennett covering the songs of Marvin Gaye produced by Quincy Jones."I'm the last one to hear about it and the first one to agree. Definitely Tony and I talked about doing some stuff together. And Quincy and I have always wanted to work together on a project."So if this is something that Quincy is doing and Tony and everyone has decided to kind of go in that direction ... obviously I'm a great fan of Tony Bennett and I've been since a little kid, you know, so I'm excited to be a part of it."

Soul Fixin'

June Is Black Music Month
Our beloved President, George W. Bush, has proclaimed June 2008 as Black Music Month. Who said George Bush doesn't like black people? In an official proclamation, President Bush said "throughout the course of American history, black musicians have used their great talents to share the richness of the African-American experience and to develop a uniquely American style of music enjoyed throughout the world. This month, we honor the pioneers of African-American music and today's contemporary artists who have enriched the lives of people everywhere."

In honor of Black Music Month, Public Soul Announcement takes a look back at some memorable album covers.

Video Soul

Soul Fixin'

June Is Black Music Month
Our beloved President, George W. Bush, has proclaimed June 2008 as Black Music Month. Who said George Bush doesn't like black people? In an official proclamation, President Bush said "throughout the course of American history, black musicians have used their great talents to share the richness of the African-American experience and to develop a uniquely American style of music enjoyed throughout the world. This month, we honor the pioneers of African-American music and today's contemporary artists who have enriched the lives of people everywhere."
In honor of Black Music Month, Public Soul Announcement takes a look back at some memorable album covers.

Soul Fixin'

BET HONORS
If you thought you were too cool to watch BET Honors, BET's new award show, you missed out on a good show. BET Honors honored Alicia Keys, Richard Parsons, Dr.Cornel West, Tyra Banks, Maxine Waters and Janice Bryant Howroyd. Raheem DaVaughn, Jill Scott, Stevie Wonder, Ne-Yo, John Legend and Gladys Knight performed. Stevie, John Legend, and Gladys gave an AMAZING performance. I couldn't find future air dates, I'm sure BET will air the show 1,000 times so be on the look out!!! You can also check out The BET Honors website and watch the entire show online.