“Karibu” by African guitarist Lionel Loueke [Review]

Tags

African American, African Music, Blue Note Records, Fusion, Guitar, Jazz

Lionel Loueke, Karibu

Occasionally as music collectors, we stumble into intriguing album titles by extraordinary artists. With that said, “Karibu” means “welcome” in Swahili. The multi-talented guitarist Lionel Loueke from Benin, West Africa returns with another engaging album and his Blue Note Records debut. On this effort, he skillfully guides his energy from an exploratory perspective that is blanketed with a canvas of enticing influences, textures and nuances colored by his international travels.

Like many of his contemporaries, Lionel spent his educational years at the Berklee School of Music in Boston. Before his tenure at Berklee, he studied at the prominent National Institute of Art. Admittedly, this is the first record that I’ve owned and listen to in its entirety by Lionel. Nevertheless, I’ve heard Loueke on numerous recordings and most recently the album of the year “Letters to Joni” by Herbie Hancock.

OBAMA: FROM PROMISE TO POWER by David Mendell [Book]

Tags

African American, Barack Obama, Books

Barack Obama, Promise to Power

A compelling look at the intense run with hope for the American dream by democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, an African American senator from Illinois.

“Top journalist David Mendell, who’s been tracking Obama’s career from the early days, has been granted full access to the inner workings of the Obama campaign. Through interviews with those who know Obama best, including his wife, Michelle, Mendell paints an intensely vibrant, incredibly intricate portrait of a man who’s devoted his life and career to serving the American people.” –  Black Expressions.com

“My Cup Runneth Over” by Annie Lee [Art]

Tags

African American, African American Art, Annie Lee, Art

Once again, we’re grateful for the opportunity to share with another prolific African American artist. Today, we have for you “My Cup Runneth Over” by Annie Lee.

“Annie Lee is an internationally acclaimed artist and gallery owner known to art collectors the world over. Lee learned the ability to focus and stay on task from her childhood, because back then things were done on schedule–laundry on Monday, ironing on Tuesday, and so on.” – Grandpas Art

..:: Source: Grandpasart.com ::..

Lizz Wright, Salt [Revisited]

Tags

African American, Female Jazz vocalist, Jazz, Verve Records

Lizz Wright, Salt

In retrospect, we can always choose to rejoice or criticize music by various artists we encounter. For me, this certainly not the artist to say slanderous things about, in fact why even waste time. With this project [Salt], I still enjoy the elegance, strength, beauty and maturity that resonate from within the anointed voice of the truly gifted Hahira, GA native Lizz Wright.

Jeff Coffin Mu’tet, Mutopia [Nu Jazz]

Tags

Bela Fleck, Fusion, Jazz, Saxophone

Jeff Coffin Mu'tet, Mutopia

Jeff Coffin, well-traveled saxophonist/composer, and two-time Grammy Award winning member of Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, rejects all labels and categories other than “music” and “musician.”

The idea for this recording had been bouncing around in my head for a while and I felt like it was a matter of certain elements lining up to make it happen. I was able to get Roy “Futureman” Wooten (also of the Flecktones) on drumset, Kofi Burbridge (Derek Trucks Band) ..boards and flute and Felix Pastorius on electric bass for a short tour in late 2005 and realized almost immediately that, to me, we had something very interesting and special going on as an ensemble. – Jedd Coffin Mu’tet – Myspace.com

Herbie Hancock, “Cantelope Island” [Video]

Tags

Fusion, Jazz, Video, YouTube

You already know it, Mr. Hancock can seriously jam. This once in a lifetime rendition features: Pat Metheny, Jack DeJohnette, and Dave Holland on “Cantelope Island.” Check out this Vid from YouTube and please do enjoy!

10 Essential Gadgets for Students [Educational]

Tags

Gadgets, School, Students, Technology

You’ve probably already heard from your kids, nieces and nephews about the really neat stuff they have to have this upcoming school year. Well, help is just in time from the fine folks at ZDNet. They recommend a host of cool gadgets that may or not apply suitably to your needs.

Go here, for more information from ZDNet.

Also, for the computer novice who are always looking for something “Free.” ZDNet recomends a nifty application  HDDScan which is a utility that diagnoses your hard drive’s ills.