At his EMP conference presentation on 'black glam', Jason King got a laugh out of me when he commented on Luther Vandross' pristine stage persona that didn't even allow him to sweat. King goes into more detail this week giving an excellent even-handed consideration of the life and music of Luther Vandross.
Mark Anthony Neal's conclusion of his three part series on the slow decline of R&B kind of puts into perspective how hard it would be for an artist like a Vandross who rarely paid attention to contemporary trends would find it in today's R&B climate. Check parts 1 and 2 also for the complete rather bleak scenario.
In the meantime I guess we're left to deal with R. Kelly and his ridiculous closet saga as supposedly passing for creativity in R&B. Can't wait for parts 6 through 10 [insert heavy dose of sarcasm here]. Doesn't this man know when to stop?
Thankfully Honey Soul's Freestyle Friday radio blog has some serious grooves from a host of comparatively unheralded artists that don't come in five parts.
Random linkage:
K-OS dissing the Black Eyed Peas, music industry etc.
Somehow I don't see Will I Am retaliating with a mixtape diss track.
Meanwhile K'naan, who dissed K-OS himself on a mixtape himself a while back is getting major attention and critical acclaim for his "The Dustyfoot Philosopher" album. I've still yet to hear the whole album, but his performance at Harbourfront and the video for "Soobax" have definitely impressed.
Alo a shout-out to Calgary's The Listener for touching on Mathematik, author of one of the most most criminally underrated Canadian hip-hop records Ecology that dropped way back in '99. They even linked my ancient review of the record.
Anyway, if you can find it, (it's pretty rare these days) I suggest copping with no hesitation.
By the way, Math is working on a new album and if his latest joint "If It Isn't Love" currently getting some solid college radio spins is any indication, it should be something to look forward to.
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