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Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Patti Austin Sings for Godfather Quincy Jones

The 14th Annual Bermuda Music Festival takes place on Thursday, October 29 through Saturday, October 31, 2009.

Erykah Badu, James Ingram, Wyclef Jean, John Legend, Michael McDonald, Kenny Rogers, Naturally Seven, and Patti Austin are scheduled to perform.

Austin’s godfather, Quincy Jones, will be there too to join the fun and introduce the artists.  Patti performs on Friday, October 30.

The Saturday night Halloween program will feature a special presentation of Michael Jackson’s Thriller video.

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Posted by King on 09/29 at 07:30 PM
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Thursday, September 24, 2009

The New Michael Jackson Song - This Is It

On Tuesday, October 13, 2009, a brand new Michael Jackson song, “This Is It,” will be released.

An international debut of Jackson’s double CD This Is It happens Monday, October 26.

Finally, according to an official MichaelJackson.com release, north America gets the twin-disc This Is It on Tuesday, October 27th.

Michael Jackson’s This Is It, the movie, hits theaters for a two week only limited engagement on Wednesday, October 28th.

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Posted by King on 09/24 at 12:00 AM
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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

George Benson Releases Songs and Stories

George Benson likes to throw rigid music categories out the window when he describes himself as “an entertainer” at heart.

During his successful career, George has repeatedly walked across ‘genre street’ bridging jazz, classic soul, and straight ahead R&B.

The new George Benson album, Songs and Stories, scheduled for an October 2009 release, leans toward the pop mainstream with tracks written by among others James Taylor, Smokey Robinson, Lamont Dozier, Bill Withers, and Donny Hathaway.

In reading through the official George Benson biography on his website, it’s clear that he has paid his dues excelling in a variety of award winning roles as both a guitarist and vocalist.

Benson’s hits are well known:  “This Masquerade,” “Give Me The Night,” “Inside Love.” A novelty favorite of mine is 1975’s “Supership,” a danceable ditty complete with ocean liner horn sound effects.

Songs and Stories continues the George Benson legacy with these tracks:


  1. “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight”
  2. “Family Reunion”
  3. “Show Me The Love”
  4. “A Telephone Call Away”
  5. “Someday We’ll All Be Free”
  6. “Nuthin’ But A Party”
  7. “Come In From The Cold”
  8. “Exotica”
  9. “Rainy Night In Georgia”
  10. “One Like You”
  11. “Living In High Definition”
  12. “Sailing”

Join Mr. Benson as he continues his international 2009 tour:

  • October 22, 2009 Westbury, NY – Westbury Music Fair
  • October 24, Detroit, MI – Masonic Center
  • November 12, Yerevan, Armenia - National Academic Opera and Ballet
  • November 14, Moscow, Russia – Kremlin Palace
  • November 16, Baku, Azerbaijan – Heydar Aliyev Palace
  • November 18, Dubai, UAE – Emirates Golf Club
  • November 19, Manama, Bahrain – Venue to be announced
  • November 22, Rome, Italy – Sala Santa Cecilia
  • November 23, Naples, Italy – Teatro Augesteo
  • November 24, Bari, Italy – Teatroteam
  • November 25, Catania, Italy – Teatro Metropolitan

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Posted by King on 09/22 at 08:00 PM
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Thursday, September 17, 2009

The Pointer Sisters Keep their Trio Together

The beat goes on for The Pointer Sisters, despite the loss of June Pointer in April, 2006.

There’s strength in the family when multiple generations can sing together to create harmony in the name of beautiful music.

Issa, (on the right, with Ruth (left) and Anita Pointer (middle) is Ruth’s daughter.  Issa officially joined the group in 2003, and was 7 years old when the Pointer Sisters toured in 1985.

Read the compelling Issa Pointer story on the official Pointer Sisters website.

Catch the Pointer Sisters Saturday, September 26, 2009, at Bally’s in Atlantic City, NJ.

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Posted by King on 09/17 at 12:00 AM
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Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Jennifer Hudson Celebrates Oz with a free NYC Concert

Jennifer Hudson, along with ?uestlove of the Roots, are scheduled to perform songs from The Wizard of Oz, in honor of the 70th anniversary of the historic 1939 movie.

The free outdoor concert in New York City’s Central Park, Tuesday, September 29, 2009, at 7:30 pm is being sponsored by the online movie rental company Netflix.

Following the concert, there will be an outdoor screening of The Wizard of Oz. (8:30 pm - Rumsey Playfield).

Have lots of bandwidth?  Netflix says you can watch the movie online (no charge) on Saturday, October 3, from www.netflix.com/wizardofoz.

We don’t know what songs Jennifer Hudson and company will be singing in Central Park, but here are the top 5 songs from the original Wizard of Oz soundtrack:

  • “Follow the Yellow Brick Road”
  • “We’re Off to See The Wizard”
  • “If I Only Had a Brain”
  • “If I Only Had a Heart”
  • “Over the Rainbow”

Judy Garland lit up the silver screen with her version. Now listen to 30 seconds of Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles singing “Over the Rainbow,” followed by 30 seconds of Michael Jackson’s “Ease on Down The Road” from the Wiz (1978).

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Posted by King on 09/15 at 12:00 AM
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Thursday, September 10, 2009

Kool & the Gang Fall Tour

Kool & the Gang take it to the stage this fall as they continue their 2009 tour.

Mr. Bell and company still receive a lot of well deserved press.

Scan through several relatively recent reviews in Kool & the Gang news at their official website.

There are several very good early Kool & the Gang albums (pre 1979 Ladies Night).  I recommend their jazzy 1969 debut release, Kool & the Gang, and 1972’s underrated funk frolic: Music Is the Message.

Kool & the Gang are excellent live, so check them out when they come to your town.

  • Friday, September 18, 2009 Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts Cerritos, CA
  • Friday, September 25, Tropicana, Atlantic City, NJ
  • Saturday, September 26, Tropicana, Atlantic City, NJ
  • Sunday, September 27, Hollywood Bowl - Disco Fever 3, Los Angeles, CA
  • October
  • Friday, October 2, Gretna Heritage Festival, Gretna, LA
  • Saturday, October 3, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Biloxi, MS
  • Monday, October 12, Epcot Center, Lake Buena Vista, FL
  • Tuesday, October 13, Epcot Center, Lake Buena Vista, FL
  • Saturday, October 17, US Airways Center Phoenix, AZ
  • Thursday, October 29, Steel Arena Kosice, Slovak Republic
  • November
  • Thursday, November 12, El San Juan Hotel & Casino, San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Posted by King on 09/10 at 12:00 AM
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Tuesday, September 08, 2009

La Toya Jackson Ties New Song to MJ Charity

Downloads of La Toya Jackson’s new song, “Home” will benefit her late brother Michael’s favorite charity, Aids Project LA (APLA).

“Home" is also the first video La Toya has done in the past 20 years.

An official La Toya release says that Michael personally supported and donated to APLA, and it was a charity that he strongly believed in.

In the spirit of carrying on Michael’s legacy, La Toya and JaTail Records/Bungalo/Universal have teamed up to assist APLA.

Watch a portion of La Toya Jackson’s “Home” video on her official blog.

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Posted by King on 09/08 at 07:00 PM
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Thursday, September 03, 2009

B.T. Express Beat Non-Stop Groove

Brooklyn, New York’s B.T. Express are remembered for their 1974 classic soul hits “Do It (’Til You’re Satisfied)” and “Express."

They chugged along the funky ‘dance-music’ track conducting 8 energetic albums including Non-Stop, their 2nd release, shown here.

Listen to 30 seconds of the underground favorite, “Peace Pipe,” the first track on Non-Stop.

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Posted by King on 09/03 at 06:30 PM
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Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Blue Magic - Major Harris - Margie Joseph Live

Here’s Blue Magic, Major Harris, and Margie Joseph on stage at the Latin Casino dinner theatre in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Bill Thompson, an entertainment writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer in a 1975 article described their appearance: “there was an Atlantic Records Company musical extravaganza and recording session Monday night that would make Caesars Palace in Las Vegas seem like a coffee shop."

Thompson added “the show began with the orchestra playing the sound track of the movie Jaws, along with a film introduction of the recording stars, and it ended almost two hours later with a standing ovation."

The Latin Casino is long gone.  Subaru of America headquarters now occupies the Cherry Hill, New Jersey space.  However, the double album recording of this event, released in 1976, lives on with many outstanding tracks.

Major Harris, of “Love Won’t Let Me Wait” and the Delfonics fame, sings solo, and in tandem with either Blue Magic or Margie Joseph.

The performers sing their own songs, along with covers from Barry White, and versions of Gamble and Huff Philadelphia International hits including “I Love Music” and “Bad Luck."

Blue Magic, Major Harris, and Margie Joseph Live is an enjoyable mix of classic soul memories.

In 2007, Major Harris released his version of “My Cherie Amour,” the Stevie Wonder hit.

Listen to 50 seconds of Major singing “My Cherie Amour."

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Posted by King on 09/01 at 07:00 AM
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