James Mtume has died at age 76. The songwriter and musician from Philadelphia had a career as a percussionist, leader, songwriter and producer. In 1969 he recorded his first albums as a leader and those endeavors included players like his uncle Albert Heath, Herbie Hancock and Don Cherry. He spentContinue Reading
Journalist, author, musician, band leader and co-founder of the Black Rock Coalition Greg Tate has died at age 64. Tate is recognized as the godfather of hip-hop journalism for his writing in the pages of the Village Voice that started in 1981. His articles were some of the earliest seriousContinue Reading
Madlib’s Shades Of Blue: Madlib Invades Blue Note album was a rare opportunity for the producer to remix and reinterpret music from the label’s catalog. Bobbi Humphrey recorded “Please Put Me At Ease” for her 1975 album Fancy Dancer. The flutist made jazz and funk amicably meet each other withContinue Reading
Canadian cross-genre band BADBADNOTGOOD release fifth album Talk Memory. The instrumental excursion has guest appearnces from Karriem Riggins, Terrace Martin, Brandee Younger and legendary Brazilian composer Arthur Verocai. The band explained the album’s arrival in a statement:Â “It took a year or two of just living life to get toContinue Reading