Jimmy Smith | Midnight Special

Tags

African American, Blue Note Records, Blues, Jimmy Smith, Organ, Soul Jazz

I concur,  jazz writer/critic Scott Yanow says he highly recommends this prolific out of the box groove because it’s tight but right from beginning to the end by soul jazz organist Jimmy Smith.

Jimmy Smith, Midnight

Jimmy Smith | Midnight Special [Blue Note, 1960] Soul/Jazz Classic

Midnight Special is a perfect complement to Back at the Chicken Shack, which was recorded the same day. Organist Jimmy Smith, tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, and guitarist Kenny Burrell always make for a potent team, and with drummer Donald Bailey completing the group, the quartet digs soulfully into such numbers as the groovin’ “Midnight Special,” “Jumpin’ the Blues,” and “One O’Clock Jump.” Highly recommended.

Source: allmusic.com/Scott Yanow

James Denmark | Regal Lady

Tags

Abstract Art, African American, Art, Culture, James Denmark

Good day all, for the first time we’re featuring the work of master artist and Winter Haven, Florida James Denmark. We’re truly honored to share with you the adoring beauty of what he describes on canvas as the “Regal Lady.”

James Denmark | Regal Lady [Giclee/Limited Edition]

James Denmark, Regal Lady

Gil Scott-Heron | The Bottle

Tags

African American, Gil Scot-Heron

The video headhunters sent us “The Bottle” by vocalist/keyboardist Gil Scott-Heron and vibrant streetwise poetry from back in the day, this time in video format as our “Vid of The Week.”

Gil Scott-Heron | The Bottle [Vid of The Week]

Heather Headley | Audience of One

Tags

African American, Female Vocalist, Gospel Music, Heather Headley, Soul Music

Heather Headley

Heather Headley | Audience of One [Gospel | EMI, 2009] | Music Review

You know, it’s not very often that we will steer away from our beloved jazz at The Urban Flux. However, as music enthusiast you know good music is simply what it is …. good music. That said, every generation unveils a multi-faceted talent that’s fresh, stunning, powerful, and delivers sweet melodies and harmonic symmetry that beckons us to seriously take note.

Therefore, on this occasion I’m compelled to acknowledged with respect that I’m amazed by not only her voice but with lyrical content on “Audience of One” by the dynamic vocal artistry of  Tony award winner Heather Headley. Surprised, and pleasantly so. Being a daughter of a preacher, the gifted and beautiful songstress describes this album as being a “natural transition” and how she was uncomfortable with the provocative lyrics submitted to her on two previous records.

Windows 7 Beta Available Pulled; “No ETA” on Product Keys

Tags

Internet, Microsoft, Technology

Windows 7

The 2.4GB Windows 7 public beta download is now no longer available from Microsoft, but the 2.5 million product keys Microsoft’s promised are not yet being distributed.

Update, 1:30PST: Computerworld reports that a Microsoft spokesperson said that the company is shoring up their servers to deal with the unexpectedly high demand for the Windows 7 Beta download.