The B-52s
By Nancy Dunham
The B-52s were the Beach Boys of the 1980s. The members' fun, poppy, funky sound that burst into a cultural phenomenon with 1989's "Love Shack" was the perfect way to celebrate summer. Sitting on the lawn of concert venues watching the band members sway and dance to the retro sound was what it was all about on those warm 80s nights.
All the fun is back with the just-released "Funplex," an 11-track CD just released by the Athens-Ga. born band. It's packed full of the new wave, punky sound the band made them famous. The addition of plenty of electronica not only keeps the party going strong but keeps it as effervescent as a teenager. Forget critics that hint the group sold out by adding the drum machines and other musical innovations that weren't widely used in the band's heyday. The effect is just fine, thanks very much.
Listening to the CD, it's tough to realize that the band members also belong to AARP. The great news is that although the band members have aged, their voices sound great. No doubt there's some of that modern-day tweaking going on in the studio but let's give the members credit for knowing their octaves and ranges and sticking to them. You won't hear any horrid vocal struggles that put the spotlight squarely on the age of those voices (think Meatloaf's vocal struggles for an example).
The song's topics are a bit on the teen beat side with plenty of talk about sex (most notably on "Pump") and all types of other fun, both innocent and naughty. Consider these lyrics from the song "Funplex:" I'm a pleasure seeker, shopping for a new distraction, I'm a pleasure seeker, Lookin' for some platinum action."
Chalk it up to rebellion (latent teenage if you want) in these conservative times. The B-52s have always been retro funky trendsetters.
Quibble if you will about minor details, but the B-52s Funplex hits all the right notes.
Barbeque Kansas City Soul:
The 2008 Rhythm & Ribs 18th & Vine Jazz & Blues Festival
By Tim Wassberg
Kansas City Missouri (www.visitkc.com) is known for the rhythm of its soul. With the advent of summer and booming thunderstorms, the funk of the 4th Annual Rhythm & Ribs 18th & Vine Jazz & Blues Festival (kcrhythmandribs.com) in Parade Park had the crowds pumped all over its two-day incarnation.
The heat began with the belting goodness of Ida McBeth (idamcbeth.com) who brought out her old school standards with a rich energy reminiscent of Aretha Franklin. Fourplay (fourplayjazz.com) took the old session players and ripped the beat. Bob James, discovered by Quincy Jones, played with lyrical anticipation on the piano while Larry Carlton on guitar quipped the rhythm with Clapton-type clarity.
As the sun set on the first day, 91-year old Myra Taylor joined the festivities with Blues Notions (bluesnotions.com) and brought back the elegance of the 40s with such tunes as "Trouble" and "Sunny Side Of The Street". Angie Stone (angiestoneonline.net) took the main stage late night like the real woman's Alicia Keys and harmony lit up the darkness.
The second day increased the intensity. The Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band braved the summer heat in suits trading quips in trumpet and tenor for a technique that was "The Work". Oleta Adams (oletaadams.com), who had a hit in the early 90s with "Get Here", highlighted pieces from her new album "Let's Stay Here" including the smooth title track and the immensely moving "Circle Of One" in addition to a tribute to modern piano masters with "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" and "New York State Of Mind".
Robert Cray (robertcray.com) showed his necessitated ease of experimentation on "Little Johnny" and "Back Door Slam". The soulful loss of "20" and the timelessness of "Time Makes Two" rooted in southern blues enriched the enthusiasm. Jonathan Butler (www.jonathanbutler.com) jumped around onstage with a large blues guitar and lost himself in the moment jamming out with reckless abandon. His volley on "Do You Love Me" with back-up singer Lynn was smooth and beautiful soothing the crowd before wowing them with an a cappella version of Bob Marley's "No Woman No Cry".
George Duke (georgeduke.com), best known for his 70s hit "Sweet Baby", defied expectation. His backing band first thrust the jam into overdrive with "500 Miles To Go". The man let them shine especially his 23-year-old drummer Rob Rullen of Compton who roared it up with a fervor on the drums unseen in a while. The final encore funk goodness that was "6am" rallied the hardcore fans who didn't want to go home.
Rhythm was only one half of the bill and the food stayed true with Black Belt BBQ serving up some meaty and tangy short ends that emblazoned the taste buds with the inclusion of beans and homemade potato salad while a BBQ sausage sandwich from Dry To Da Bone left the stomach full and content.
Kansas City also mixes new school and old school. Arthur Bryants (arthurbryantsbbq.com) is still the down home spot. Staying in town at the old-school art-deco Hotel Phillips (hotelphillips.com), the Power & Light District (powerandlightdistrict.com), a just-opened hot spot for the hip partying crowd, with its outdoor dance floor playground, lurked right around the corner. With a liquor license that allows alcohol to be served in the open air wandering between the bars, the level rages with the party wherever you want it to be. From "Thriller" to "Jesse's Girl" there is no stopping. The beautiful and fun people in the KC area definitely hang out here with the girls in tandem with the boys flittering out
into the night. Inside P&L, Howl At The Moon (howlatthemoon.com/kansascity_tonight.htm) gave a rockabilly feel as Newcastle flowed freely. Dueling pianos placate the franchise feel but the groove was having fun as "Sweet Caroline" bounded through and "Jump" was played pitch perfect as the place bounced. The best place visited inside the complex by far was Angels Rock Bar (angelsrockbarkc.com). The music is loud, the girls are fine and the dancing is bathed in red. Fishnets are in your face as water is sprayed by the bartenders on willing participants dressed to go. Courvousier painted the night as writhing on either sides of the bar led to close encounters and pleasant memories.
Rhythm & Ribs paints a picture of life in perfect harmony. With a diverse set of performers that encapsulated the historical 18th & Vine jazz district and entertained those present, fun was had as the funk continued through the night and day.
MONTANA TUCKER
By Staff Writer
Compared to the likes of megastar Beyonce Knowles, you wouldn't know it by the look or sound of her, but multi-talented singer and songwriter, actress and dancer, Montana Tucker is already reaching career heights at just 15 years of age. Perhaps it's her innate passion as a performer, and perhaps it's partially fueled by her drop dead looks, but something has driven this teen star to stardom so early in her years.
A native Floridian, in order to further her singing and acting career she has recently made the move to Tinsel Town. Montana began modeling at the age of eight and quickly became one of the most sought out child models in Florida and NY. Montana soon after caught the attention of producers and directors and began booking national commercials, music videos, and television shows.
At the young age of just twelve, Montana had a resume that resembled what someone twice her age could only achieve, which included nine national commercials, covers of magazines and a national TV show.
Montana's TV experience inclu-des starring in the national PBS children's show "E-Venture Kids" with co-star Mathew Underwood of Nickelodeon's "Zoey 101." Other shows consist of: "The Ally and Jack Show," "Inside Edition," MTV's "Newlyweds The Nick and Jessica Show" and several Telemundo shows including "The Roof" and" Que Pasa USA." Her music career began dancing backup for Ashanti and Ashley Simpson. Shortly thereafter, she became a featured dancer and just recently appeared with Chris Brown on MTV's "My Super 18" where she performed for his birthday party at Jay Z's Club 40/40. Additionally, Montana was chosen to perform with Raz B formerly of B2K at his concert.
Now, Montana's career as a solo music artist is taking off. She was one of the featured artists at the 2007 Super Bowl's VIP NFL party, and opened for Ciara, Omarion, Pit Bull, Fabolous and Lil Wayne. To add to her list of achievements, she has also performed alongside Flo Rida and Rick Ross at Rick Ross's red carpet event for the opening of his restaurant. She was also chosen to perform the national anthem for the nationally televised "Hula Bowl," the Miami Heat and Florida Panther games.
Montana receives extensive vocal training from world-renowned vocal coach/producer Betty Wright, Danity Kane's vocal coach on MTV show "Making the Band 3." Besides Betty's own success as an artist, she is credited for training Joss Stone and vocal producing Joss's albums. On the acting front, Montana has trained with Gary Spatz, an acclaimed acting coach to Dylan and Cole Sprouse of the Disney Channel series "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody." Montana has also trained in hip hop dance with celebrity choreographer Shane Sparks ("So You Think You Can Dance" and "Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew" judge), Shotyme (Gwen Stefani's choreographer) and Chuck Maldonado (choreographer "Stomp the Yard"). You can hear Montana on the soundtrack for the movie "Step Up 2 . . . The Streets" with her hit single "Ain't No Stressin" produced by the amazing producer Stereo. This success and exposure has garnered a significant amount of attention and now Montana is currently in talks with a handful of major labels all while releasing her upcoming single "Turn it Up," featuring superstar rapper Flo Rida and produced by the Diaz Brothers (Pitbull, Daddy Yankee). She also has an upcoming role in the film "Jump Off" starring Wayne Brady and Cedric the Entertainer.
From her new single to her meetings with Hollywood's hottest agents, there are a number of opportunities on the horizon. This diamond in the rough is one to watch.