2008 Urban album round-up

Way too many to mention...so I pointed out the select few....

VV Brown @ Hoxton Bar and Kitchen

She squeaks, twirls and shivers along to her nostalgic tunes. Miss VV's certainly knows how to work a stage...! Review's just here.

The Holiday starts Here :)

Merry Christmas everyone - I'm having a much deserved fortnight off but I hope you all enjoy the season and look ahead to 2009 with zeal :)

Best Urban gig of 2008

I told the Indy it was Raphael Saadiq @ the Jazz Cafe in November. And it most certainly was (imo) :)

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/the-best-gigs-of-2008-1203516.html

Prophet Brian Carn

...Heard alot hype about this youngun, but saw him myself @ evening service (at my Church, Ruach Ministries) and the dude is seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeriously Blessed.

Why romantic comedies ruin your love life (from today's Metro)

Getting all misty-eyed over You've Got Mail can ruin your love life.

Fans of romcoms run the risk of believing there is a perfect partner out there for them or that their current squeeze should somehow know what a loved one needs without having to be told.

'The problem is that, while most of us know the idea of a perfect relationship is unrealistic, some of us are still more influenced by media portrayals than we realise,' said Dr Bjarne Holmes of Edinburgh's Heriot Watt University.

I can honestly say...True stories.

American Boy

I'm posting in homage to one of the greatest tunes of 2008. (Loved Estelle's, but Sam's is SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET)

Ice, Ice baby: Katie Paterson's ice record, which plays the sound of melting ice caps

Britain's most creative young talents - The Independent December 16, 2008

Sitting on the judging panel for Creative 30 (www.creative30.net) was fun, although I was personally backing 20-year-old photographer Harley Weir to win the £10,000 (sister's devoted to film, and her pics are scandalous but BADDDD! http://www.flickr.com/photos/quier/). But Paterson and Chamber are impressive....especially pseudo-scientist Paterson, who's gonna be famous one day, mark my words.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/britains-most-creative-young-talents-1097319.html

Racist, Ignorant or just plain strange?

Er....thanks for the tip-off Mr O.

Illa J - Yancey Boys

Hot LP, by Dilla's lil bro Illa J. It's easily one of the best kept secret's of 08. Here's the verdict.

Seven Pounds

I'm exhausted. So, even though I dozed off mid-way through this emo-drama, I still left the screening feeling this film's too deep to blog about (and, on that note, Sony's slapped a heavy embargo on journos anyway, so I can't leak, while the rest of the world can)....and I'll most certainly need to watch it again.

P.S - Thanks K.Hart for the hook-up.

www.sevenpounds.com

Fiddler On the Roof

...Watched this again today, and I can hand on heart say this is my 2nd most favourite film of all time (1st being The Colour Purple)...remember watching FOTR as a kid, and 20 years on, it still cracks me up...I must see the musical one day.

Master Shortie: A Little Briton - The Independent December 5, 2008

I find his music rather addictive, like Tropical Skittles...yet it's way too much for anyone who's long traded in their slinkys and slap bracelets for kente cloth and Tiffany (and I'm getting there :)

But that's just me.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/master-shortie--a-little-briton-1052188.html

Akon - Freedom

....hmmmm. I've spent my weekend doing better things, meditating on this album wasn't one of them (cause "Beautiful''s now stuck in my head). Darn repetitive, whiney pop. Bane of my existence, really...and yet, I'm always merciful....review's just here.

Roachford and guests @ Unplugged Sessions: Stratford Circus November 14, 2008

Forgot to post this up - It was a really good show!!!! :)

http://www.urbandevelopment.co.uk/index.php?action=news&id=139

Princesses of pop: The new generation taking over the charts - The Independent December 1, 2008

So my recent spell in A&E (long story) means I can blog today as I've had to stay home from work. Anyway, twas fun to research and write...my money's on Lady Gaga...

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/princesses-of-pop-the-new-generation-taking-over-the-charts-1042375.html