Haven Magazine

New Job

2009-09-07T18:56:00.000-07:00

I feel like im getting married tomorrow and the person I'm marrying is the person that's been prepared for me all along. Through all of the "so-called mistakes"and falling flat on my face the few times I have, this is exactly where I'm meant to be. Whether or not it lasts forever is not important. This is the right decision- right now.

More MJ

2009-08-20T19:55:00.001-07:00

It's been a day of MJ all over again. But today's inspiration came via the Dangerous album. Specifically the song Who Is It. While listening to this masterpiece I am awed by the grunts, hisses and lyrical whistles Michael cleverly spews. He is ridiculously giving us his amazing all. I hear passion, I hear dedication but mostly, I envision Michael in front of a microphone allowing the flow to move through his lips. Where he takes you at the end of the song is beyond anything we will ever hear again. How can you not sing along with him? Loudly!

Next up...I was blessed to have this dynamic tribute cross my paths. It's Badu & The Roots on Fallon the evening following MJ's crossing over. Listen as Badu sings Wanna Be Where You Are with the same timbre as MJ. Who knew that Erykah and MJ were that tightly connected in tone?

I began to Weep

2009-08-19T11:08:00.000-07:00

The Detroit collective formerly known as the Ditalians are back after nearly 35 years. This new album is a combination of funk, soul and rare R & B grooves. Known worldwide for their 1973 hit Ghetto: Misfortune's Wealth, the coup delivers with deep, bass driven, brass accompanied compositions. It's music that takes you on a technical journey through time and space.

Their follow-up: Gone- The Promises Of Yesterday gently wraps untraditional vocals with chants, grooves and an ethereal space-like layout of organic rhythms. Released in late July on The Numero Group label, there's is a name you'll certainly be hearing about in time.

Machine Dreams- Little Dragon

2009-08-01T01:11:00.000-07:00

After the success of their debut album Little Dragon, the group named after this very title is ready to release their sophomore effort. I don't currently have details but judging by the success of the first album this one is sure to be a major hit!!

More info soon...

Soul Power

2009-07-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

Remember The Rumble in the Jungle? Remember the year? 1974. This was the year of one of boxings most historical matches: Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. The fight took place in Kinshasa, Zaire but this wasn't the only thing happening in Zaire at the time. Zaire 74 an incredible music festival featuring James Brown, BB King, Miriam Makeba, Bill Withers and many others was organized alongside the Rumble. From the brilliant Director Jeffrey Levy-Hinte (When We Were Kings) we are blessed to experience Soul Power a film about the organization of this festival and the jabs, aches, pains and joys that came along with it.

For many of the films performers this was their first trip to Africa and the people of Kinshasa welcomed them with open arms. The beauty of the film lies within the details of these Kinshasa residents and how a concert of this magnitude affected them.

Opening this Friday July 31, Soul Power delivers a rich history that 35 years later attempts and succeeds at revealing the unity of music with many of the featured muscians just peeking onto the scene.

Brownswood Bubblers Four

2009-07-29T11:56:00.000-07:00

From Mr. Peterson himself comes Brownswood Bubblers Four!! I own just about everything this Gilles Peterson has touched (well not really, EVERYTHING but let's say ALOT!) I definitely own Brownswood Bubblers 1-3 and can't wait to cop this fourth edition. What is sure to be another goodie from Gilles has the likes of Stones Throw's newest sensation Mayer Hawthorne to the british underground -but slowly becoming mainstream amazing group Floating Points! With this assortment Gilles has connected the worldwide groovy jazz sound without diluting the funk! BBFour continues to drive the music he is most known for introducing. New artist Kafka, Jam Da Silva and New Look make their debut appearance on this album.

Prepare to be entertained!

Release date: August 24, 2009

Extraordinary Records

2009-07-29T09:57:00.000-07:00

I'm a huge Fan of Colors Magazine and the Art Book publishing company Taschen. Imagine my delight when the two recently collaborated to provide 400 pages of some of the most unique vinyl albums of the last few decades. A variety of records from colored albums, unusual shaped albums even porn albums are all represented in this vivid book.

Most of the actual records are owned by master collector Alessandro Benedetti who along with Giorgio Moroder partnered to provide this wonderful coffee table edition.

This is definitely worth purchasing for the music or book lover in your life. Or..even yourself, join me as I run down to Hennessey + Ingalls to scoop my copy.

2009-06-25T19:31:00.001-07:00

Dear Michael,

I have never hid my love for you. Frequently I encounter people who ignorantly flung verbal darts your way. Frequently I'd catch that dart and throw it back at their glass house. I was nine when you slid backwards while walking forward onstage during that Motown gig and you took movement to a whole other level. Each time a little dancing boy with half a vocal range came onstage they'd always question, "Is this the next Michael Jackson?" I knew you could never be replaced. What I didn't know is that you'd pass so soon in my lifetime. Yours was the one tour I was looking forward to experiencing in my lifetime.

I don't know a life without Michael Joseph Jackson. And these children today always amuse me when I see them singing or dancing to your songs. Old songs. Songs that remain permanent to the World of music.

If we can say that music is the Universal language we might also add that you are its Universal messenger. You delivered stripped down, no frills, grooving-rhythmic music that made the ENTIRE WORLD happy! I can't think of any other artist with such Universal appeal. And today you decided to take the pain of your life no more and leave everyone with one thought:

"Wow, what an Amazing Entertainer he was!"

Good on you, MJ, nice move! I ain't mad atcha one bit!

Love!

Maxwell - The Return

2009-06-25T11:27:00.001-07:00

The recent publicity surrounding Maxwell is a wonderful example of great people working with you. Lately he’s been popping up everywhere with the headline, “R & B crooner gets a drastic hair cut!” Really? He cut his hair over three years ago and now it’s headline worthy? Eh… use what you got. Brilliant!

I’m trying to understand why we are all so excited about Maxwell’s return. It takes a completely loyal fanbase to remain this enthusiastic after his eight long years of absence and a trip to the barber. Yet legions of people are blogging, twittering, chirping and facebooking about the release of BLACKsummers night on July 7, 2009.

Everyone seems to overlook another fact; the first single, Pretty Wings peeked on his Myspace page two years ago! Admittedly, I was a fanatic! I bookmarked the page and made frequent clicks to get a taste. But at that time we were promised the trilogy would drop in January of 2008, then summer of 2008, then came Maxwell’s personal apology that January 2009 would see the first release. I know, I know I'll stop lamentting and face the reality that there probably hasn’t been this much anticipation since the Matrix dropped Parts II & III. However unlike Neo and his super conflicted emotions, Maxwell is picking up where he left US off after his breakthrough debut album. And yes this will be his 5^th album vs. 2^nd but who can deny the power of Urban hang Suite?

Pretty Wings the extended version is sexy, sultry, crisp and fresh. The second single, Bad Habits lends itself to the memory of Whenever, Wherever Whatever while also taking a trip into old school R & B territory. When we listen to BLACKsummers Night will we feel compelled to hop to the dance floor and grind along with him? Can he touch the bedroom driven, sensual instrumental soundscapes of his previous albums? Eight years later can his voice still swing back and forth between his signature bass and falsetto and make women throw their panties on stage?

My expectation is that he introduce this trilogy with Marvin Gaye (esque) smooth tempo cuts accompanied by his signature, deep-grooving bass lines. I anticipate a revival of the R & B that we all miss. After nearly a decade we are eager to feel his creative overflow.

I’m hope that BLACKsummers night will be absolutely worth the tedious, long wait. Bring it Sir!

Haven

2009-06-08T14:01:00.000-07:00

"People discuss my art and pretend to understand as if it were necessary to understand, when it's simply necessary to be"

-- Claude Monet

Welcome to Haven. A safe place for art; past, present and beyond and those who create it. As the above quote from French Painter Claude Monet states, Art cannot be understood, however it must be exposed. The features profiled here will not only expose but, review, critique and examine the very people responsible for sustaining anything related to the world of Art.