Back to the top

Uncategorized

Are Albums Still Relevant?

I’m currently in the studio working on songs for two new albums. I’m writing and recording my own record with my band and several collaborators, while I’m also executive producing a debut album by Nashville-based emcee, poet, singer Iayaalis.

It seems natural to me to work on an album at a time, but when I see publications like Fast Company ask “Should Albums Cost $1.50?” I have to pause.

We live in a sound byte driven, instant gratification seeking society where grabbing a listener’s attention for 3 minutes can be difficult. So asking audiences for an hour to listen to recorded music almost seems like an imposition. In a world of iPods and YouTube, are albums still relevant?

When we look at sales charts like the one Tom Silverman of Tommy Boy Records presented at the New Music Seminar, we have to ask that question again.

Continue reading

FLASHBACK: Foreclosures and The Great Deception

The following post was originally published on March 12, 2009. I’m republishing in light of a joint investigation by the nation’s attorneys general into the “potentially faulty handling of foreclosure documents”, and record foreclosures in Michigan.

From The Detroit News:
The probe by the states follows the U.S. Treasury Department’s confirmation Tuesday that its special investigator is looking into the practices of GMAC Mortgage, part of Detroit-based Ally Financial Inc. and majority-owned by the federal government. A GMAC employee admitted approving thousands of foreclosures without reading the paperwork.
GMAC has halted foreclosures in 23 states (not in Michigan) and last month, Chase and Bank of America did the same. According to the News, “The absence of a widespread foreclosure freeze in Michigan coincided with a 26 percent surge in foreclosure activity in Metro Detroit in September and 30 percent throughout the state, according to figures released today by Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac.”
The nation’s bankers have perpetrated grand theft against the people of the United States. Then because our politicians are owned lock, stock and barrel by the financial industry, US taxpayers are on the hook for bailing out the banks that caused this economic crisis in the first place!
In March 2009 we called it “The Great Deception”. It is becoming more clear each day how deep this deception went. So when will someone go to jail for it?

NOW PLAYING:
Workin’ For the Man
(Badmitten’s Workin’ Overtime Mix)

We can’t even pretend that the current global crisis isn’t real – we’ve been suffering a harsh reality in Michigan for a long time – but, much of the insanity that is going on could be lessened if we could manage a lot less greed and a little more common sense. Over lunch yesterday, my friend, Carmen (not her real name) relayed a story that offers a striking example. Continue reading

Punk Democrats Will Screw Up a Sure Thing

The Democrats got their wish!

Tea Party victories in key elections have all but guaranteed that the right will be split in November. The selection of extremist right-wingers in the GOP primaries should force independents and moderate Republicans over to the Democratic side in the general elections.

Of course, we have all the faith in the world that the Punk Democrats will find some way to screw up a sure thing. Jon Stewart and the correspondents at The Daily Show were reading my mind.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
Tea Party Primaries – Beyond the Palin
www.thedailyshow.com
http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:359140
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

SoulFood Quest: Motor City Soul Food

Being a small town boy who grew up in the country, one thing I don’t think I’ll ever get used to about the inner city retail experience is bulletproof glass.

I first experienced this phenomenon as a pre-teen visiting my cousins in Chicago. I’m aware that it’s a normal part of life in the city, but the thick, cold windows create a discomforting atmosphere in any retail environment, especially in restaurants.

While the offerings at Motor City Soul Food, 12700 West 7 Mile Rd in Detroit, were pretty decent, the glass box that surrounds the cafeteria table and workers detract from the overall customer experience. At least for a country boy like me.

I went to Motor City on the recommendation of a fellow traveler who shared my quest for good chicken and collard greens. We had both been examining the menu at a newer restaurant a few blocks down 7 Mile, but decided to exit that establishment and go for something more familiar.

I was pleased to see my friend, Oya Amakisi of Detroit Women of Color International Film Festival, in the line when I arrived. Oya shares many of my dietary idiosyncrasies, so I felt even better about my decision.

“I’ve been eating here since I worked at Aisha Shule,” Oya informed me. She had already ordered and was waiting for her whiting to cook, so she stood in line with me for a moment to catch up. I explained my soul food quest and that I was tired of mediocre food and bad service.

“Well, the food here is good,” she said, “but the service is another story.” Continue reading

SoulFood Quest: Search for The Best Soul Food

After several years, I’m finally fed up with my favorite Detroit soul food restaurant.

My wife, Akanke, and I live in the often soulless Detroit suburb of Westland. The relatively quiet bedroom community is devoid of any real culture of its own beyond the Westland Mall and the city’s well maintained parks. (There is a lot to be said for tree-lined streets though.)

The best aspect of Westland, however, is that it lies halfway between Michigan’s two cultural meccas – Ann Arbor and Detroit. We always end up driving a half hour in either direction to get our culture on. Concerts, real shopping (in non-mall boutiques) and good (non-chain) restaurants.

Because of our southern upbringing, good southern cooking, aka soul food, is an important part of our lives. No, it isn’t the healthiest food in the world, but it is comfort food. You can’t eat stir fry and tofu every day. When it comes down to it, every once in a while, you’ve just got to have some cornbread, fish and collard greens. Continue reading

America’s Imperial Misadventure in Iraq

I have nothing more to say about the war in Iraq that I haven’t said many times over the years. On the eve of the invasion I wrote a piece comparing the invasion to past imperial misadventures by the very powers who sought to divide and conquer the nation.

Now that the US occupation of Iraq is kind of, sort of, almost over, what is there to cheer about? Nothing. We shouldn’t have been there in the first place.

This BBC piece sums it up pretty well.

BBC: Assessing America’s ‘imperial adventure’ in Iraq

“This,” a leading American supporter of President George W Bush wrote in a British newspaper back in February 2003, just before the invasion of Iraq, “is our imperial moment”.

He went on to argue that the British had no right to criticise America for doing what they themselves had done so enthusiastically a century before.

But America’s imperial moment did not last long. And now, seven years later, the US is criticised for just about everything that happens here.

Opinion is evenly divided between those who are glad to see the Americans go, and those who criticise them for leaving too soon and potentially laying Iraq open to fresh sectarian violence.

It is a pattern that every occupying power becomes used to. America, it seems, cannot do anything right – not even getting out.

Read the full article HERE

Fight Terrorism: Stop Watching Fox News

You see? This is why I get my news analysis from The Daily Show and not Fox News.

Fox News has stoked the fire of the so-called “Ground Zero Mosque” controversy by demonizing Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, a respected clergyman who is noted as a model of moderate Islam, and who helped the FBI with counterterrorism efforts. They have done so largely by emphasizing one of the Islamic Center’s funding sources,  Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal’s Kingdom Foundation.

What Fox New neglects to mention is that Al-Waleed bin Talal is the #2 shareholder of News Corp, Fox’s parent company! So much for journalistic standards and full disclosure. Check out Jon Stewart’s scathing segment below:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
The Parent Company Trap
www.thedailyshow.com
http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:351494
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

I suppose Fox should also question the terrorists at Harvard University. Those jihadist Ivy Leaguers had the audacity to accept bin Talal’s money when they founded The Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Islamic Studies Program. Here is what they say about their benefactor, Forbes Magazine’s 22nd richest man in the world:

Committed to making the world a better place, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal of Saudi Arabia is known for a wide range of philanthropic activities around the globe. He seeks to promote change through mutual cultural understanding. Continue reading

The Business of Spying on You

When was the last time you deleted your cookies?

NPR’s Fresh Air featured this report about one of the fastest-growing online businesses: the business of spying on you.

Nearly all of the most commonly visited websites install invisible tracking software on your computer so the information can be sold to advertisers. Julia Angwin, who recently led a team of Wall Street Journal reporters investigating the practice, explains what companies do with the information – and how you can protect your privacy online.

One of the most surprising aspects of this story for me was that many of the websites that leave tracking software on your computer do so without the site owner’s knowledge. So I just did something I haven’t done in a long time. I deleted my cookies. While I was there I noticed that DistortedSoul.com, my own website, had left a cookie on my computer. Most likely it just left one on yours as well.

Where did it come from? I do not know, but I’ll find out and let you know.

But most sites leave a cookie. Facebook, Google, and Dictionary.com also drop a cookie into your site. Some cookies remember our usernames and passwords so we don’t have to. Most of these sites only want to find better ways to sell you stuff.

Is all this spying dangerous? Or just spooky? Or is it convenient that companies will show you ads based on the content of your private emails?

Check out this story and let us know what you think…

Listen to or Read: Tracking The Companies That Track You Online

Robert Wilson of the Gap Band – Rest In The Funk

Songs like “I Don’t Believe You Want To Get Up And Dance (Oops, Up Side Your Head)”, “Burn Rubber” and later “Early In The Morning” and “You Dropped a Bomb On Me” catapulted Tulsa Oklahoma’s Gap Band to the stratosphere. But their first hit record was “Shake”, a monster funk jam, driven by a tremendous guitar riff, killer horns and featuring a virtuoso bass solo by the youngest of the three Wilson brothers, Robert.

We just received word that 53 year-old Robert Wilson of the Gap Band passed away Sunday of a massive heart attack. Our hearts go out to the Wilson family, and we can honor Uncle Robert by turning up our speakers, bumping this jam as loud as possible and Shaking our booties to the beat. Rest in the Funk, Robert Wilson.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=gWBz99GIUnk%3Ffs%3D1%26%23038%3Bhl%3Den_US

MORE INFO ABOUT ROBERT WILSON AFTER THE JUMP —> Continue reading

UPDATE: FluxPhonic Will ROCK The Rusty Nail – Thurs Aug 19

UPDATE: Due to unforeseen circumstances, Nadir and the band WILL NOT be at The Rusty Nail on Thursday, August 19. However, you’ll still be able to catch an explosive set by the incredible Fluxphonic.

FluxPhonic is a fantastic group from Ann Arbor, Michigan powered by phenomenal songwriting and the bluesy vocals of rock diva Steffanie Christ’ian. Check out their MySpace for a taste of the goodness!

You won’t want to miss this night of killer rock and soul!!

Thursday, August 19, 2010
Fluxphonic
The Rusty Nail
35703 Groesbeck
Clinton Township, Michigan
Showtime: 9:00PM
For more info visit
www.TheNewRustyNail.com

Load More
© Nadir Omowale