Recent posts: Reviews

For any fan of Michael Jackson who witnessed Judith Hill perform in front of billions of people worldwide at his memorial, Judith Hill made the world sit up and take notice. Garnering a new audience on NBC’s “The Voice”, Judith Hill next joined forces with another music legend, co-producer Prince to release her debut album ‘Back In Time’ recently. Those in the #PurpleArmy who follow Prince on Twitter were offered an opportunity to download the album early when Prince gave it away a few months ago. I was one of those lucky ones who copped the blues and funk-filled album then but bought another copy because it’s THAT good.

With temperatures reaching the high 90’s in So Cal, Pandora assembled a line-up for its Summer Crush Saturday show in downtown LA to match. Not a fan of spontaneously combusting in sweltering weather, it would take something pretty momentous for me to leave the comfort of A/C but Pandora succeeded in prying me away. I couldn’t pass up the chance to see Tori Kelly, Jason Derulo, Fifth Harmony, Steve Aoki, Rachel Platten and Who Is Fancy.

There’s nothing better than copping a new album, keeping it on repeat for a few weeks and then seeing said artist soon afterwards. Blessed to live in a city that provides this opportunity on the reg, I couldn’t pass up the chance to see Miguel at Pandora (who’s played him over a billion times- felicidades on this accomplishment) and Sonos Studios’ sponsored event last night. First put onto Miguel’s music through fam word of mouth, I rabidly consumed the underground mixtapes, “All I Want Is You” album, “Art Dealer Chic” EPs and couldn’t get enough of the West Side soulful rock sex symbol.

As I attempt to start this morning, I realize I’m still recovering from a musical hangover D’Angelo’s “Second Coming Tour” dealt a few hours ago. I can barely open my eyes and my head’s still pounding from Chris Daddy Dave’s drums. All of this a small price to pay for what I, sitting in the front row of a sold-out crowd, witnessed last night. After experiencing the wonderful unexpected whirlwind of the “Black Messiah” surprise drop in December after 14 years (and laughing at all the critics who’d locked down their top album lists too early), I thought I’d be ready. I should have known better.

Just returning from a private screening at The Grammy Museum of “Amy”, I immediately crank “Frank” Deluxe Edition featuring songs I never got to hear live. Yes, I rocked with Amy’s music way before the “retro revolution”, the beehive, tattoos and ballet slippers. Still remember the excitement the day I heard Amy Winehouse was playing locally in Silverlake, shortly before “Back To Black” dropped. Of course tickets sold out and I turned to eBay, unleashing an expletive-filled tirade after an outbidding prick stole my ticket away at the last minute. I eventually let it go because surely I’d get a chance to see her again. Sadly this never happened.

Photo Credit: Carolyn Craft