Pimps of Joytime

Pimps of Joytime, Brian J (guitar/keyboards/vocals), Hagar Ben Ari (bass/vocals), Mayteana Morales (samples/percussion/vocals) and Chauncey Yearwood (percussion/vocals), were recommended to me. I had a listen because well, I'm game for checking out something at least once. The first thing I discover is Pimps of Joytime are full of flavor. They have a wicked blend Afro-Latin, funky, soul with some jazz thrown in to season the pot even further. Think Sly & The Family Stone or The Meters. This is old school funky stuff that you can dance and get sweaty to but, at the same time it's modern sounding.

Check them out for yourselves.
"Bonita"

"Joytime Radio"


www.myspace.com/pimpsofjoytime

Around New York ... April 27 - May 3, 2009

Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

April 27 -- The Hard Lessons / The Whore Moans at Union Hall
www.unionhallny.com
April 28 -- Melody Gardot at City Winery
www.citywinery.com
April 28 -- Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer at Carnegie Hall
www.carnegiehall.org
April 30 -- Jeannine Hebb Band / Matt Macaulay / Modern Art (pictured) at Ace of Clubs
www.aceofclubsnyc.com
April 30 -- Amel Larrieux at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
www.bbkingblues.com
April 30 -- Bryan Dunn / Wakey! Wakey! / Casey Shea at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
May 1 -- The Get Up Kids at Blender Theatre at Gramercy
www.blendertheater.com
May 1 -- Tesla at Wellmont Theatre
www.wellmonttheatre.com
May 1 -- The Dears / Great Northern / Eulogies at The Bell House
www.thebellhouseny.com
May 2 -- Poogie Bell Band at Blue Note
www.bluenote.net

May 2 -- The Kills (pictured) at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com
May 2 -- Paula Cole / Laila Biali at Highline Ballroom
www.highlineballroom.com

Gliss: Devotion Implosion

Los Angeles band Gliss released their record Devotion Implosion a couple of weeks ago. Devotion Implosion is full of feedback fuzzy fun with jangly guitars. It's trippy with lots of delicious noise.

If you're in the New York area, Gliss will be at Mercury Lounge on May 4 in Manhattan and at Union Hall in Brooklyn on May 6.

Download "Morning Light" and "Beauty"

Track Listing

• Morning Light
• 29 Acts Of Love
• Sleep
• Beauty
• Anybody Inside
• Lovers In The Bathroom
• Sad Eyes
• The Patrol
• Love Songs
• Sister Sister

Watch the video for "Morning Light"

www.myspace.com/gliss
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
www.unionhallny.com

Greycoats: Setting Fire To The Great Unknown

I got around to picking up Setting Fire to the Great Unknown the newish (September '08) full-length debut by Greycoats. Having heard comparisons to Radiohead (casual listener) and Coldplay (to date, can barely tolerate) I was a bit leery of picking up this release. But I'd heard a couple of songs and decided to give the record a chance.

The first words that come to mind while listening to Setting Fire to the Great Unknown are epic and sweeping. One moment you're swept up in a melodic moment with crisp dreamy vocals. The next moment you're caught up in dramatic feedback filled intensity.

I was instantly taken with the strikingly beautiful "Watchman, What Is Left Of The Night?" This song is followed by the one, two punch of "Make Me Like The Moon" and "Spiritual." "Make Me Like The Moon" is filled with feedback and surging rhythms. "Spiritual" on the other hand has a low-key gospel appeal that builds up to a feedback ringing finish. There's a delicate soulfulness in the vocals. You can imagine sitting in a candle lit room, on the floor, on overstuffed pillows while listening.

Setting Fire to the Great Unknown is a beautiful record. It's definitely worth a listen if you're into melodic melodramatic indie music.

Download "Goodbye, Sweet Youth, Goodbye"

Track Listing

• Learning To Remain
• Revenge
• Goodbye, Sweet Youth, Goodbye
• An Echo In The Dark
• La Résistance
• That Great And Terrible Day
• Monarch Wings
• Watchman, What Is Left Of The Night?
• Make Me Like The Moon
• Spiritual
• Not Afraid

www.greycoats.net
www.myspace.com/greycoats

More Artists Announced For Jazz Festival 55

It was announced today that more artists have been announced for George Wein’s JAZZ FESTIVAL 55. The festival takes place, August 7 - 9 in Newport, RI.

Mos Def and Ernest Ranglin have been added to the stellar line-up of artists. Other additions to the 2009 line-up are Vandermark 5, Branford-Joey Duo, Claudia Acuña, North Carolina Central University Big Band, Millennial Territory Orchestra, Rashied Ali-Charles Gayle-William Parker’s “By Any Means” and Alfredo Rodriguez.

The Line Up

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7 ~ 8:00 pm
International Tennis Hall of Fame, 194 Bellevue Avenue

• Etta James and The Roots Band

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 ~ 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue

• Mos Def
• Branford Marsalis Quartet
• Joshua Redman Double Trio
• Esperanza Spalding
• Cedar Walton All-Stars with Lew Tabackin & Curtis Fuller
• Hiromi’s SonicBloom
• Ernest Ranglin
• Vandermark 5
• Christian McBride
• Vijay Iyer Trio
• Marsalis Music Presents Miguel Zenón
• North Carolina Central Big Band
• Branford-Joey Duo
• Claudia Acuña

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 ~ 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue

• Tony Bennett
• Dave Brubeck Quartet
• Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band
• Michel Camilo
• Joe Lovano UsFive
• The Bad Plus with Wendy Lewis
• Conversation with Christian McBride
• Millennial Territory Orchestra
• Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band
• Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Indo-Pak Coalition
• Rashied Ali-Charles Gayle-William Parker’s “By Any Means”
• Alfredo Rodriguez
• The Rodriguez Brothers

www.jazzfestival55.com

2009 Playboy Jazz Festival

For all of you left coast groovies or those planning on being out that way, the 31st Annual Playboy Jazz Festival will take place this year on June 13 and 14 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

They've got renowned trumpeter Jon Faddis with his quartet scheduled. Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings are on the bill too. I like them! Bill Cosby will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

The Line Up

Saturday

• The Neville Brothers
• Kind of Blue @ 50: ~Remembering the Miles Davis Classic ~Jimmy Cobb's So What Band featuring Wallace Roney, Vincent Herring, Javon Jackson, Larry Willis and Buster Williams
• Summer Storm starring Norman Brown, Wayman Tisdale, Eric Darius, featuring Gail Johnson
• Jon Faddis Quartet
• The Jack Sheldon Orchestra
• Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
• Pete Escovedo Orchestra featuring Sheila E., Peter Michael and Juan Escovedo
• Esperanza Spalding
• Cos of Good Music featuring Dwayne Burno, Ndugu Chancler, Anat Cohen, Luis Conte, Tanya Darby and Geoffrey Keezer
• Direct from New Orleans, New Birth Brass Band
• Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Jason Goldman

Sunday

• Wayne Shorter Quartet featuring Brian Blade, John Patitucci, Danilo Perez
• Kenny G
• Patti Austin
• King Sunny Ade
• Dave Holland Big Band
• Monty Alexander's Jazz & Roots
• Oscar Hernandez and the L.A. Salsa All Stars
• Anat Cohen Quartet
• Quincy Jones presents, Alfredo Rodriguez
• North Hollywood High School Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Jonathan Kenion

www.playboyjazzfestival.com

On Sale Dates For The Week of April 19

Tickets go on sale this week for upcoming shows in the New York Area.

On Sale Wednesday, April 22, 2009

May 20 -- Will Dailey / April Smith & The Great Picture Show at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com

On Sale Thursday, April 23, 2009

May 27 -- Hill Country Revue (pictured) at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com

On Sale Friday, April 24, 2009

June 9 -- PJ Harvey & John Parish at Beacon Theatre
www.beacontheatre.com
June 18 -- Phoenix at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
June 20 -- The Juan Maclean at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com
June 23 -- Patterson Hood & The Screwtopians at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
June 24 -- Patterson Hood & The Screwtopians at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
June 24 -- Hank III & Assjack at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
June 26 -- Aerosmith / ZZ Top at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
www.jonesbeach.com
July 1 -- Harlem Shakes (pictured) at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com


On Sale Saturday, April 25, 2009

June 22 -- The Enemy UK at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com

Chester French: Love The Future

I picked up Love The Future, the debut full-length release from D.A. Wallach and Max Drummey, better known as the duo Chester French. It should be noted that I have a soft spot for Chester French. How could I not? I look at them and think, 'they look like my somewhat nerdy, younger brothers who happen to make music, are smart and damn good at marketing.' Well, that is if I had younger brothers! At any rate you just wanna hug 'em and give 'em ice cream. But, I digress.

Love The Future lets the world in on what fans already knew, Chester French doesn't really fit into a predefined category. The Tejano? styling's of their "Introduction" kicks things off. If you didn't already know, then you were pretty much clued in at that point that you were in for some sort of musical diversity. "C'mon (On My Own)" is up next and it's a solid pop rock bit. It's what comes after that, that's worth the price of the album on it's own. "Bebe Buell," is hands down my favorite song on the album. This addictive number mixes dirty guitar work some serious clap along keyboard driven pop music. If I weren't already hooked on Chester French, this song would have hooked me.

"Fingers," another favorite of mine, is like a cross between The Beatles and Tony Orlando. What? Am I the only one who thinks that? Well, this wouldn't be the first time that I've made questionable comparisons. Something about the song reminds me of 70's TV variety shows. They've managed to create imagery in my head that can only be found in those old variety shows. I can just see them now, fully costumed, dancing around a sound stage in some delightfully cheesy choreographed musical skit that has nothing to do with the song. One would reckon I'm going to say that's a bad thing but, I'm not! I have very fond memories of watching all 750 different music/comedy variety shows that aired in the 70's during my formative years. Hold up, that makes me sound really old! At any rate, it's a bang up orchestrated pop song.

Where the brilliant "String Interlude" is a brief but dramatic string filled break, the equally brilliant "Country Interlude" is anything but country with it's various effects and instrumentation's. Musically, it's rather creepy sounding going from mad guitar to what sounds like a xylophone (vibraphone?) that beckons you to soft shoe, back to the mad buzzing guitar. Yeah, there's a trip that's just waiting to happen with this song and a good pair of headphones.

"Beneath The Veil" has a rockabilly vibe. At the same time, it has a bit of a retro "these boots are made for walking" dance beat to it. I'm not sure I've ever heard a tap dance solo in a song that didn't involve a Broadway show and $150 tickets. But there's one in this song. This is where that somewhat nerdy part comes in. People go to shows and yell out guitar/bass/drum solo but NOBODY ever yells out tap dance solo! Are D.A. and Max trying to start a trend? If anyone can inspire people to go to a show and start yelling out for someone to bust a mad tap dance solo, it's Chester French. I do like the song, by the way.

"Beneath The Veil" is followed by two other goodies, "Neal," with it's sax and piano bits and "Not Over You." Everyone knows the catchy "The Jimmy Choos" and "She Loves Everybody." They're both here and just as catchy as ever.

Love The Future is a enjoyable piece of work. It embraces many styles, mixes them all together and does so without sounding like a train wreck.

Track Listing

• Introduction
• C'mon (On My Own)
• Bebe Buell
• String Interlude
• The Jimmy Choos
• Time To Unwind
• Fingers
• Country Interlude
• Beneath The Veil
• Neal
• Not Over You
• She Loves Everybody
• Sleep

www.chesterfrench.com
www.myspace.com/chesterfrench

Around New York ... April 20 - April 26, 2009

Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

April 20 -- The Bronx / Trash Talk at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
April 20 -- Brookeville / Tinted Windows at Mercury Lounge (sold out)
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
April 20 -- Lily Allen at Roseland Ballroom
www.roselandballroom.com

April 21 -- Tall Black Girls (pictured) at The Annex
www.theannexnyc.com
April 21 -- Larune at The Living Room
www.livingroomny.com


April 22 -- Starfucker / Guidance Counselor / Mancino at Union Hall
www.unionhallny.com
Aprill 22 -- Ratatat at Terminal 5
www.terminal5nyc.com
April 22 -- Jack's Mannequin at Irving Plaza
www.irvingplaza.com
April 22 -- Quintron & Miss Pussycat / Psychedelic Horseshit / Drink Up Buttercup at Santos Party House
www.santospartyhouse.com
April 23 -- An Evening with Issa, Amy Ziff & Peter Jöback at City Winery
www.citywinery.com
April 23 -- Shiny Toy Guns (pictured) / Semi Precious Weapons at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com
April 23 - 24 -- Lou Reed's Metal Machine Trio at Blender Theatre At Gramercy
www.blendertheater.com
April 24 -- Adam Taylor at Roots Cafe
www.myspace.com/rootscafebrooklyn
April 24 -- Talking To Walls at Red Star
www.redstarny.com
April 25 -- The Dead at Madison Square Garden
www.thegarden.com
April 25 -- Handsome Family / Marissa Nadler at Highline Ballroom
www.highlineballroom.com

Talking To Walls Are Brooklyn Bound

Connecticut band Talking to Walls are heading to Brooklyn. Yep, that's right folks, the gang will be at Red Star this Friday, April 24. Head on over and check them out!www.talkingtowalls.com

www.myspace.com/talkingtowalls
www.redstarny.com