Yes ESKA!
Nice chords, on repeat.
The Beyond/Where the Giants Roam
Liking the new Thundercat LP, and my, hasn’t he collaborated with some greats: Herbie H, FlyLo and Miguel Attwood-Furgson, (quite a few of them are buddhists – just saying).
Alright
Gwarn Kendrick!
Good news news
For some time now, I’ve been really fed up with hearing about (mostly) bad news via the media, so typed ‘good news’ into my browser a few weeks back,
I came across this website, The Good News Network.
I like the following news stories:
1. Five Things We Need To Teach Our Girls About Female Friendships
2. Retiring Teacher Steals the Show With Hip-Hop Dance Moves, Teens Go Wild
3 . Although my roman catholic days ended with secondary education (I have BIG problems with the church’s views on homosexuality, abortion etc.), I found this news story quite moving. Watching the pope pull up in a rather humble blue ford focus, to bless a disabled woman tweaked the old heart strings. There was no media, no agenda to him stopping the car, I just saw a man using his position to genuinely care for people. That moved me.
I’m So Glad You’re Dorothy
RIP Dilla.
Discovered Dilla’s gem via Jill Scott’s latest offering:
Drums are sampled from The Detroit Emeralds:
Ten black composers you should know about
http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jun/02/ten-black-composers-whose-works-deserve-to-be-heard-more-often
Mbongwana Star
“Mbongwana Star (‘Mbongwana’ meaning ‘change’) are a newly formed band from Kinshasa, Congo. Tired of the pre-conceptions around African music, they’re creating their own identity, fusing traditional Congolese rhythms with post punk and electronics. Full of energy and utterly original, here’s a brand new track from their forthcoming album.”
Liking the trippy psychedelic grooves. On the wish list.
It’s great to learn that Congolese musicians are fighting against ‘pre-conceptions’ about African music.
And what, with all the heinous activity happening out it’s great to hear such well crafted music. Enjoy!
Cardew
Connecting with this very much today!
Planet For Sale
Feeling the spacey chords, simple harmonies & goosebumps at the start.
I really like the low sustained notes sung at the beginning and the vibe is fire!
You are the protype
Outkast day!
“I hope that you’re the one
If not, you are the prototype
We’ll tiptoe to the sun
And do thangs I know you like”.
Yes Andre 3000!
Addressed to Erkah Badu’s ma:
the politics of friendship
many hands make light work is a piece about sharing the load.
props to all musicians involved; loz, anton and james.
thanks to cheryl at grand union and the grubby mitts for asking me to be the support act.
for its first incarnation we did well in such a short space of time and yay we didn’t burn down minerva works!
thanks to photographer david rowan for some top photos!
String Arrangements
I have been asked to compose string arrangements for Lizzie Emeh’s new LP. I thought I’d find this quite easy as my compositions tend to be quite melodic, oh how naive of me!
So as the stress levels have increased (writer’s block) – I decided to take a day off working on the tracks, start a 6000 word research essay due in 3 weeks (!!), and listened to great string arrangers. Whilst figuring out how to create arrangements for Lizzie’s tracks, I have enjoyed working on the texture/warmth/subtleties. What I have found challenging is being bold at the right moment. Thanks to Mark at Heart and Soul for being patient with me and giving me this opportunity. Time to step up now!
Listen and learn from great string composer-arrangers:
Patrice Rushen
Rod Temperton
Will Malone
Will Gregory
Lalo Schifrin
Glen Page
David Van DePitte
David Whitaker
Adrift
Image by Ruby’s Treasures.
As part of my Masters degree, an opportunity arose for Birmingham Conservatoire students to be paired with English students from Warwick University. I co-wrote a piece for string quartet and soprano and it is being performed at 9.15pm at Warwick Arts Centre, after their Nocturne performance. The piece is called Adrift and the words are written by Warwick Uni student/poet Miss Ella.Here’s a wee snippet, I am still buzzing from how beautifully the Coull Quartet and Sophie Pullen performed in today’s rehearsal!
Chef Concertino
At the start of the year, I was fortunate to have an orchestral piece called “Chef Concertino” performed at Birmingham Conservatoire. The composition department has an annual competition where composition students can submit works to be performed; the best 6 are chosen.
My performance incorporated two passions: food and music. It featured my chef uncle and Graeme Rose from Stan’s Cafe. It was a good first attempt and a lot of work went into it. I would make more tweaks if I had time, such as more interaction between orchestra and chef, but there’s only so many hours in the day.
Have a listen:
X
(Photographer Vanley Burke with curator Ian Sergeant)
‘X’ was revolution no. 20, under the Free School events curated by Ian Sergeant. It was inspired by an intriguing, enthralling and what John L. Williams calls a tragicomic story of black political activist Michael X.
Initially Ian Sergeant wanted a performance inspired by black British politics in the Midlands. Shamefully, knowing very little about black British politics I penned some ideas for an audio-visual performance, calling in artist and musician Matt Watkins to assist. Ian had just started reading the John L. Williams book and quite quickly his ideas changed…. Michael X became the focal point. I have to admit, I was resistant, having reservations because I was invested in the first idea, but once I read the biography it all made sense. I am glad Ian made that change! Read More …