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Video: American Babies at State of Mind Headquarters
Mike McKinley
March 2, 2012
American Babies stopped by the State of Mind Headquarters before their gig at Nectar's a few weeks back -- they were kind enough to play a song for us while they were here. It's a new song (no title yet) -- check out the video below (courtesy of my iPhone).

Also, while they were here, guitarist/vocalist Tom Hamilton and I sat down in front of the microphones for a candid conversation about where he's at with his musicianship and the latest on the evolution of American Babies and Brothers Past. He had plenty of colorful insight to share on hard work, lessons from his father, improvisation, and how much he really loves songs. Look for it in upcoming episode of State of Mind Radio (check out the most recent one with Marco Benevento).

American Babies are on fire right now -- check their dates and go see them live. And check out the latest review and photos from their Albany show (by Andrea Kosek and Chelsea Valente).





photo by Chelsea Valente Fela Kuti's Live In Detroit‚ 1986 is Coming
Mike McKinley
February 29, 2012
Great news -- a live performance from Fela & Egypt 80 will be released in May 2012.

Check out the press release below about the record's details. Here's an excerpt from "Teacher Don't Teach Me No Nonsense":

Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense (Live Edit) by WeGetPress

Here's the press release/story:

New York's Knitting Factory Records presents the release of Live In Detroit‚ 1986‚ the first new Fela Kuti material to be issued since his final studio album‚ Underground System‚ in 1992.

Recorded live at the Fox Theater in Detroit in November 1986‚ the concert marked a triumphant return to the USA for Fela. He had tried to leave Nigeria to tour the States two years earlier before being arrested and imprisoned on dubious charges of "currency trafficking". An Amnesty International campaign helped secure his release in April 1986 and‚ just two months later‚ he appeared on stage as part of Amnesty's Conspiracy Of Hope American tour.

The evening's audio recorder‚ Bob Teagan‚ recalls the '86 Fox Theater show‚ "It was like seeing Boby Marley‚ Frank Sinatra‚ Michael Jackson‚ Marvin Gaye‚ and James Brown all rolled into one. Fela captured the revolution of Marley‚ the love of Marvin Gaye‚ he sung with a rare and exquisite charcoal voice like Sinatra but he would scream himself out and go hoarse by the end of the three hour marathon show‚ all the while he danced like Michael Jackson or a ballerina‚ and captivated the crowd with the showmanship of James Brown...Coming into the Fox Theater‚ Fela was well aware that it was the same venue that birthed the careers of Marvin Gaye‚ Stevie Wonder‚ and it was the epicenter of Motown. These were all profound influences on Fela and he did those artists justice with his performance‚ dancing all across the massive stage and inciting the crowd to move with him."

The Detroit concert was part of Fela's debut US tour with his Egypt 80 band and the recording finds them on strident form‚ showcasing all-new material in free-flowing extended workouts: "Just Like That" recalls Fela's memories of the Nigerian Civil War; "Confusion Break Bones" (an update of his earlier track‚ "Confusion")‚ compares the present African situation to a permanent traffic jam at a town center crossroads; "Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense" swipes at the oyinbos (white men) forcing sham versions of democracy on Africa and allowing "democratic" rulers to line their own pockets at the expense of the people while foreign-owned multi-nationals are allowed to freely strip the continent of its natural resources; "Beasts Of No Nation" reflects on Fela's recent court case and imprisonment in Nigeria and‚ more widely‚ on the issues around Apartheid. The messages here resonate as powerfully as anything from Fela's career.

The tracks featured in the concert would appear on studio albums: Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense during the same year‚ produced with Compass Point studios mainstay Wally Badarou‚ then Beasts Of No Nation and O.D.O.O. (Overtake Don Overtake Overtake) in 1989. Often overlooked in favour of the punchier sound of Fela's recordings with Africa 70‚ these later recordings are deeply soulful affairs‚ at times melancholy‚ marked by lengthy‚ complex and freeform arrangements.

Live In Detroit‚ 1986 is released on May 8th by Knitting Factory Records.

Timbre Coup and Dopapod Tonight at Jillian's in Albany!
Andrea Kosek
February 16, 2012

photo by Chelsea Valente

Albany's premier progressive jam rock quartet Timbre Coup is opening for fellow Big Up 2011 artist Dopapod tonight‚ a special musical occasion for Capital Region music lovers that you won't want to miss‚ especially since the Big Up is on hiatus this summer.

Tonight's event marks Timbre Coup's third of four residency shows held at Jillian's in February‚ which conclude next Thursday with the highly anticipated "Knuckles and Valleys CD Release Party‚" celebrating their third full-length studio album. Special guests and Big Up hosts Higher Organix will also be performing on the 23rd.

Check out Timbre Coup's music video for "July‚" one of twelve songs included on Knuckles and Valleys‚ a conceptual album highlighting each month of the year.

Yellowbirds -- Go See Them Live
Mike McKinley
February 14, 2012
Yellowbirds will hit the road tomorrow for a four day run of shows, including a stop here in Vermont.

Feb 15, 2012 - Boston, MA - Great Scott - w/QUILT
Feb 16, 2012 - Winooski, VT - Monkey House - w/Shelly Shredder + Goose Hut
Feb 17, 2012 - NYC, NY - Mercury Lounge w/Woodman (late show)
Feb 18, 2012 - Harrisburg PA - Moviate Coop

Go see them play. OK, not convincing enough? Here's some stuff to check out:

Yellowbirds' Daytrotter Session

Listen to The Color in its entirety:




Yellowbirds doing The Bridge Sessions:



Here's Sam Cohen's stop motion animation video for "The Reason":



And here's his stop motion animation video for "The Rest of My Life":



Funky Monday: Les McCann & Eddie Harris - "Compared to What"
Mike McKinley
February 13, 2012
I'll let Josh Potter tell you all about Les McCann & Eddie Harris' Swiss Movement: Live at Montreux and all its ridiculousness:

Read it here -- Albums You Should Know

Now dig "Compared to What" -- the opening track.

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