Vibes and Stuff

Video: Stevie Wonder - "I Can't Help It" (Live @ Montreal Jazz Festival)

Stevie Wonder's free concert at the Montreal Jazz Festival on June 30 was definitely a highly anticipated affair given the number of personal acquaintances who high-tailed it out of town to catch the show, but it definitely took on a sense of heightened poignancy with the death of Michael Jackson.

Understandably, in a show which took place five days after Jackson's death, it contained many references to the 'King of Pop,' including a performance of "I Can't Help It" from the Off the Wall album which of course Wonder himself co-wrote. The camera's a bit shaky, but the vibe of the performance is captured.

Stevie Wonder - "I Can't Help It"

BONUS: This might be the best MJ remix I ever heard. From beginning to end it is tastefully exquisite and it's worth digging up here to listen to again.

Michael Jackson "I Can't Help It" (Tangoterje remix)

Labels: michael jackson, montreal jazz festival, stevie wonder, video

Video - Drake: "Best I Ever Had"

If you thought that there would be a bit of an unconventional approach to this video to add a couple of wrinkles to a song that's been damn near ubiquitous since it dropped earlier in the year -- well, you'd be right. Kanye West directing the clip pretty much ensures it's not going to be what you expect.

Labels: drake, kanye west, toronto, videos

City on My Back

Just a quick note to say that Cityonmyback.com, a website focusing on the hip-hop & R&B scene in Toronto has launched, appropriately enough on Canada Day, July 1. Ty Harper and Rez Digital from OTA Live are behind the venture with a number of contributors (including myself) occasionally pitching in. Get familiar with the site here.

Labels: blogs, toronto

Remembering the Time

Michael Jackson's shocking death is understandably generating a seismic reaction around the world, but I think after the initial waves of grief subside, the loss of his artistry is going to be felt just as deeply, but will last for a very, very long time.

Countless people (including myself) are currently rediscovering his back catalogue wondering why they neglected it for so long. Despite the unavoidable controversies surrounding his life, I think and hope, as I mentioned to CBC's The National in the end the music will have the last word.

Here are some of the best things I've read, seen and heard in relation to Michael Jackson's death.

Jason King: Michael Jackson - An appreciation of his talent

Farai Chideya: Michael Jackson and the American imagination

Oliver Wang: The MJ Legacy

CBC's The National on Jackson's legacy

Dwele's "MJ Tribute"

Labels: michael jackson

Click Hear: Solitair - "Dreams"

Another Click Hear post over at Exclaim.ca takes a look at a track from Toronto veteran Solitair.

Solitair has been a mainstay of the Toronto hip-hop scene for over a decade, through his long association with Kardinal Offishall. Most notably, Solitair produced "Bakardi Slang," one of Kardi's most identifiable tracks.

And as he demonstrates in this "making of" video, his work behind the boards has also been used by Lil' Wayne for a song called "The Flyest," even though it was mistaken for the handiwork of Dr. Dre.

Labels: audio, kardinal offishall, melanie durrant, richie sosa, solitair

Video: Slakah the Beatchild - "Enjoy Ya Self"

Still can't figure out why this dude from Toronto had to get his album released in the UK before it dropped in Canada -- especially when you check out the quality of the production. Truth be told though, he is on BBE overseas, a label which seems to know Toronto talent when it sees it having snapped up Notes to Self and Robert Strauss in recent years.

Labels: slakah the beatchild, videos

Video: Lindo P - "Let's Get Married"

A bit late, but Lindo P has been paying his dues in Toronto for a long time and is actually overdue for recognition anyway. As a reggae DJ and performer Lindo P has been a mainstay in Toronto for a number of years up to and including his most recent role backing up Kardinal Offishall, so it's good to see him get a platform for his talents.