Karmina, Karmina

Today’s pop music charts are littered with pretenders whose main claim to fame is their daddy’s fortune, their ability to lip sync on cue or the fact that they’ve been successful at acting, so, hey, maybe they can make a record, too! By contrast, the music of Karmina -- helmed by sisters Kelly and Kamille -- reminds us that there’s no substitute for actual substance. Although Kelly and Kamille are only 23 and 21 respectively, they’ve already acquired a good deal of experience and expertise upon which to build a lasting career. One of the first acts signed to the newly inaugurated CBS Records, they have both the craft and the commitment to make music that’s emotional, engaging and inspiring. As evidenced by the songs that will make up their forthcoming debut album -- to be preceded by a five-track EP named for their first single, “The Kiss” – Karmina’s music possesses a soulful, seductive embrace that tugs at the emotions, without sacrificing the hooks, melodies and exuberant sense of fun found in the very best of pop music.

Check out "The Kiss"

Flora and Fauna Tone

Blue Note Records released the Floratone collective self-titled debut on August 14, 2007.

Floratone is a brilliant, groove-heavy album by a four-member collective of the same name that features the instrumental teamwork of drummer Matt Chamberlain and guitarist Bill Frisell with producers Tucker Martine and Lee Townsend serving as equally significant imaginative forces. An 11-song collection of original soundscapes, Floratone also features a superb support team of bassist Viktor Krauss, cornetist Ron Miles and violin/viola player Eyvind Kang.

The Floratone sound is, in the words of Townsend, “futuristic roots music,” at turns jazz-vibed, swamp-funky, intensely rocking, ambiently grooved. The music drips with grit, lopes with a sweet lyricism, bursts with surprising turns, sinks in with FX’d beauty. There’s an aesthetic of euphoric journey as well as a nasty get-down-and-move sensibility. While steeped in the past, Floratone is cutting-edge, teeming with rhythmically charged music for the now. The album also spotlights Frisell’s multifarious guitar voice that ranges from straight jazz in the vein of Wes Montgomery (on “Swamped”) to spiky metallic rock (on the grinding number “The Future”) to sound-washed atmospherics (on “The Wanderer”).

“Floratone” Streaming Audio:
http://bluenote.edgeboss.net/wmedia/bluenote/floratone/floratone_128k.asx
http://bluenote.edgeboss.net/qtime/bluenote/floratone/floratone_128k.mov

Floratone Streaming EPK:
http://bluenote.edgeboss.net/wmedia/bluenote/floratone/video/floratone_epk_300k.asx
http://bluenote.edgeboss.net/qtime/bluenote/floratone/video/floratone_epk_300k.mov
http://bluenote.edgeboss.net/real/bluenote/floratone/video/floratone_epk_300k.ram

Floratone Media Player:
http://www.bluenote.com/floratone
http://www.bluenote.com/floratone/index2.html

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Stuff N Stuff

I'm sick. I don't feel like saying much.

Junkyard Prophet’s new album The Price is finally here! With 14 songs including 6 new bonus tracks, The Price will be available on August 28th. Below, you’ll find the release info, streaming audio, YouTube video link, buy link and more.

Junkyard Prophet is a Rap-Core Metal band based out of “The Land of 10,000 Lakes.” For nearly a decade, the band’s primary focus has been the future of the youth; so much so that the band turned down major label offers, knowing that the mainstream music machine might ask them to water down their message. Bradlee Dean, drummer and no-holds barred mouthpiece for the group says, “We chose kids over the labels (money), because if we had chosen the label, we know that it wouldn’t have been about the kids!”

On The Price, Junkyard Prophet’s Rap-Core style has the ferocity and musical chops of Dragon Force with the crunch, melody and pop sensibility of Linkin Park. They fit every rock playlist and make a habit of staying in your face, with original style and a message that demands movement. Even former drummer of Megadeth, Nick Menza, says “I love the music, powerful tracks…”

Junkyard Prophet to date has played countless shows and has been able to reach over 500,000 young people all over America. Without distribution, or record company assistance, the band has sold over 25,000 CD’s in the Midwest alone.

Check out their new video for the first single, “Remember Me,” from The Price on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoimAd_G0MM

Audio Streams
“Junkyard Rock”
http://junkyardprophet.com/promo/Junkyard%20Rock.mp3

“Enemies of the State”
http://junkyardprophet.com/promo/Enemies%20Of%20The%20State.mp3

Pre-Order Link
http://youcanrunbutyoucannothide.com/shop/cart.php?target=cart

Official Site:
http://www.junkyardprophet.com

and on MySpace:
http://myspace.com/junkyardprophet

Gloria! Gloria! Tu es always on the run now!

That is about the extent of my broken down pygmie Spanish.

However, no language barrier will keep me away from my beloved, Gloria Estefan.

Just try saying her name. It rolls of the tongue, dancing on the tip, and is quite musical as well. I could spend the rest of the day just saying her name, but instead, I will pimp her new record. Sheila E. is on this album, 90 Millas (90 Miles en espanol). Need I say more? I won't just read on, mi amigos.

SONY BMG Music Entertainment and Burgundy Records announce the release of Gloria Estefan’s new Spanish-language album, 90 Millas – in stores September 18, 2007. Having sold over 70 million albums and recorded 24 albums, 90 Millas brings Gloria back to where it all began – her roots. Produced by her husband, Emilio Estefan, the collection of newly recorded original Spanish language songs pays tribute to the roots of Cuban music while infusing a modern influence into the traditional rhythms.
The album also pays homage to the most influential and universally respected Latin musicians of the past fifty years. Some of the artists joining Estefan on this album include Grammy award winning artist Carlos Santana, Johnny Pacheco (whom many refer to as the ‘godfather of salsa’), trumpet virtuoso Alfredo ‘Chocolate’ Armenteros, conga drum diva Sheila E., actor and musician Andy Garcia, and Cachao who is credited as the creator of mambo.
This blend of musicians on 90 Millas is historically significant on a number of levels. This is the first, and quite possibly the last time that all of these legendary artists will play together on one CD. The newly released first single, “No Llores” features guest performances by famed Latin musicians Carlos Santana, Sheila E. and Jose Feliciano; just one of the incredible collaborations found on this CD.

Almost Buy Me!

If You Can't Sit Through 6 Hours of Funk-dified Madness...

The final entry in the 40th anniversary restoration campaign of the great album discography of the first golden decade of Sly & The Family Stone – which kicked off with the spring release of the expanded editions of their seven original studio albums on Epic Records (1967-1974) – now comes full circle as Greatest Hits arrives in stores Aug 28th on Epic/Legacy, a division of SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAIN¬MENT.
With no new studio album shaping up for Sly in the crucial year-end tonnage, the creation of Greatest Hits quickly took on a life of its own that fall. The track choices were virtually pre-ordained – every one of Sly & The Family Stone’s ten sides that made the pop and R&B charts were on the menu, plus “Fun” (from Life) and “You Can Make It If You Try” (from Stand!), one of the Woodstock favorites. Greatest Hits was a runaway Christmas best-seller, hit # 1 R&B and # 2 pop, has sold in excess of 5-times RIAA platinum to date, and is listed at # 60 on the Rolling Stone 500.

"Everyday People" (AKA The Toyota Themesong)

BUY ME! (Though I think you should sit your ass down and listen to those 6 hours, son).

Free To Be That Girl

The third season of That Girl is a pivotal one for aspiring actress Ann Marie (Marlo Thomas) and her ever-devoted boyfriend Donald Hollinger (Ted Bessell). In an era of great change, That Girl was a reflection of its time. Front-page issues such as spousal abuse, adoption, race relations and politics are woven into the high comedy.

Guests include a who’s-who of sitcoms: Penny Marshall (Laverne & Shirley), Larry Storch (F-Troop), Vic Tayback (Alice), McLean Stevenson (M*A*S*H), Florence Halop (Night Court), Mary Frann (Newhart), and Danny Thomas (Make Room For Daddy).

Streaming Video Clips from That Girl: Season Three:

“The Hi-Jack And The Mighty” Clip


“My Sister’s Keeper” Clip


Buy Me!

And just for fun for you old heads...(damn, they don't make stuff for kids like this anymore!)

Do You Have to Be a Virgin to Get In?

Ben Jelen has been announced to play the Virgin Festival by Virgin Mobile in Baltimore, MD on August 4th at 3:30 pm EST. The festival will take place at the Pimlico Race Course on August 4th & 5th with performances from over 40 bands including The Police, Smashing Pumpkins, The Beastie Boys and Interpol. Jelen has been announced to play the Virgin Festival “Green Spot Stage” which will highlight up and coming performers, as well as raise awareness for the environment.

Ben kicked off the release of his new CD ex-sensitive this week with a record release party headlining the Bowery Ballroom in NYC an in-store performance at the Virgin Megastore in Union Square. Jelen will also set out on tour with Pete Yorn on his East Coast tour starting in St. Louis on July 21st. See all confirmed tour dates below.

Ben Jelen’s sophomore CD ex-sensitive is now available in stores through Linda Perry’s Custard label. Jelen is the first artist release for 2007 from Custard, home to multi-platinum selling “You’re Beautiful” singer James Blunt. Jelen recorded the tracks for the album with producer/label head Linda Perry whom also mixed the majority of the songs in addition to two mixes from famed producer Bill Bottrell (Shelby Lynne, Tom Petty, Rosanne Cash, Elton John).

Jelen, whose first album was released in 2004 (Give It All Away Maverick Records), sought Perry’s éclat as an artistic luminary to produce his second album. When first meeting with Ben at her studio, Linda found him as that ever-rarer gem in today’s music landscape: a unique artist who is best served when serving only to his art. “Lyrically and melodically, Ben’s perspective is creative, visual and beautifully stated,” says Perry. Production soon began to capture Ben’s vision with an organic, classic approach. Upon recognizing their achievement during the production, Perry made the decision to release the CD through her own Custard label.

Jelen’s latest CD speaks of his growth as an artist, songwriter and human being. “I feel like I have lived a bit more, I know who I am right now and I feel we captured that on the album,” he says. Jelen has long dedicated a significant portion of his time to working with organizations and charities (United Nations, Natural Resources Defense Council,

Live For Darfur, Amnesty International, Rock The Vote, among others) that he feels are affecting change in a positive and meaningful way, a common theme throughout ex-sensitive. Jelen’s career has given him the opportunity to work closely with such organizations and as a result, Jelen has developed a strong ethos for using his voice not only to express himself, but also to speak out on behalf of others.

Coming from her own perspective as an artist, it was a natural progression for Perry to develop Custard as an artist driven label, thus enabling Perry to lend a direct hand in nurturing Jelen’s album from the very inception and on through every stage of the creative, production and release process.

Ben recently played the Troo Music stage at Bonnaroo and is looking forward to playing the Virgin Festival and opening for Pete Yorn on his current tour.

Tour Dates:
*Denotes shows opening for Pete Yorn
7/21 St. Louis Fair * St. Louis, MO
7/22 Headliner’s Music Hall* Louisville, KY
7/24 Chameleon Club* Lancaster, PA
7/25 Crocodile Rock* Allentown, PA
7/27 The Chance* Poughkeepsie, NY
7/28 Stone Pony Summerstage* Asbury Park, NJ
7/29 Bottle and Cork * Dewey Beach, DE
8/1 House of Blues* N. Myrtle Beach, SC
8/2 The Norva Theater* Norfolk, VA
8/4 The Virgin Festival by Virgin Mobile Baltimore, MD
8/7 Webster Theater* Hartford, CT
8/14 Carnegie Library of Homestead* Munhall, PA
8/16 Voodoo Lounge at Harrah’s Casino* N. Kansas City, MO
8/17 Whiskey Roadhouse at Horseshoe Casino* Council Bluffs, IA
8/18 The Rave* Milwaukee, WI

Hey Look! A Free MP3!

Acoustic “Vulnerable” MP3:
http://www.benjelen.com/specialops/vulnerable.mp3

This Did Not Come With My Sports Illustrated Subscription; I Chose the Philadelphia Eagles Hoodie

More than any other sport, baseball is a game of numbers. Statistics and records help measure the greats of the game against their peers - against generations - and this ever-evolving record book is what helps give baseball renewed life. But not every mark in the game is destined to change, for there are but a few that are indeed unbreakable. Legendary pitcher, 7 time Cy Young Award winner and record holder Roger Clemens hosts Baseball's Most Unbreakable Feats, on DVD from Shout! Factory and Major League Baseball Productions. This detailed look at ten seemingly untouchable baseball achievements covers all the bases, including Cy Young's 511 career wins, Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak, Cal Ripken, Jr.’s stretch of 2,632 consecutive games played, Ted Williams’ 406 single-season batting average, Nolan Ryan's 5,714 career strikeouts, Ricky Henderson’s 1406 career and 130 single season stolen bases, Pete Rose’s 4256 career hits, Eric Gagne’s 84 consecutive saves, Bob Gibson’s 1.12 season earned run average, New York Yankee’s five consecutive World Series Championship wins, and many DVD bonus materials include: “191 RBI Season,” “Two Grand Slams In A Single Inning,” “59 Consecutive Shutout Innings,” and “Back To Back No-Hitters.” The Baseball's Most Unbreakable Feats DVD will be available to own July 3, 2007 for the suggested list price of $19.99.

Look at me!

Buy Me!