Archive for the ‘Music’ Category

37-Minute Hip Hop Revival

Tuesday, January 1st, 2013

Michael Childs, aka Our Reality, is a Hip Hop Survivor.

During his tenure in the industry Childs has been a manager, promoter, an actor, as well as a record label executive. He makes his return to the artistic lane with a solo venture called TGDOM, which will drop later this month.

The debut single You Are Here (Y.A.H.), is littered with a head-bobbin’ West Coast funk-style made popular by Left Coast players Dre, Snoop and Too Short.  Similarly, Open Your Mind (and let your brain breathe) has an equally compelling bass-line, and features a guest verse by the silver-tongued MAG, aka Ken Hills, from Syracuse.

Say What quickens the pace behind breakneck beats provided by Syracuse’s Super producer Seth Marcel, aka Seth Bradford. This cut also features guest appearances by Mad Illz and Jus One. Along with Lyrical Phenomenon this section of the project mixes up a spicy, perfectly seasoned old school flavor that sets a standard.

Our Reality brilliantly blends two complimentary rhymes together in a Dr. Jeckyl vs. Mr. Hyde song called Double Frequency. It was a huge risk, but the flow is uninterrupted. They are separate yet equal, and at the same time the song is not too cluttered. A perfect sequel is I Am, which exudes a hardcore style very familiar to fans of Our Reality’s bold lyricism.

Rhythm of Life is a Dr. Seuss-type anthem featuring hypnotic lyrics and an enduring beatbox. Before you know it, you’ll be singing along. Rhythm’s familiar chorus has an infectious appeal that may blow up, but won’t go pop.

The final track is a freestyle collaboration with Seme Rock

TGDOM will take you on a journey to discover what’s next, new and necessary in the Hip Hop game.  Our Reality has evolved, but he’s still relevant.

Year in Review (Dance)

Friday, December 28th, 2012
Jazz @ Sitrus

Jazz @ Sitrus (Mike and Sharon Colabufo)

Syracuse University Carrier Dome

Syracuse University Carrier Dome

Connective Corridor: La Dolce

Connective Corridor: La Dolce

India Concert: Syracuse University

India Concert: Syracuse University

Westcott Festival

Westcott Festival

Blue Rain Eco Fest

Blue Rain Eco Fest

Jazz in the City

Jazz in the City

Northeast Jazz and Wine Festival

Northeast Jazz and Wine Festival

CNY Jazz Orchestra Event: Armory Square

CNY Jazz Orchestra Event: Armory Square

Year in Review (Music, part 2)

Friday, December 28th, 2012
J.T. Hall and Friends (featuring Colleen Prossner)

J.T. Hall and Friends (featuring Colleen Prossner)

Another bright spot in the Syracuse music scene was the return of the Jazz at Sitrus series, which is held at the Sheraton Hotel, along the Connective Corridor.  Here are some of the performers from 2012.

Sitrus Lounge (Sheraton Hotel)

Sitrus Lounge (Sheraton Hotel)

Melissa Gardiner

Melissa Gardiner

Michael and Anjela Lynn

Michael and Anjela Lynn

Larry Luttinger, aka Lorenzo

Larry Luttinger, aka Lorenzo

Ronnie Leigh

Ronnie Leigh

Nancy Kelly

Nancy Kelly

John Leroy

John Leroy

Mike Dubaniewic

Mike Dubaniewic

Jeff Houston

Jeff Houston

Year in Review (Music)

Friday, December 28th, 2012
Jazz singer Gregory Porter (pictured here at the Syracuse Jazz Fest) gave a genre-bending performance that nearly parted the waters at Jamesville Beach. Easily the best performance I saw in 2012.

Jazz singer Gregory Porter (pictured here at the Syracuse Jazz Fest) gave a genre-bending performance that nearly parted the waters at Jamesville Beach. Easily the best performance we saw in 2012.

Wouter Kellerman made his Syracuse debut and danced up a storm at the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival.

Flute player Wouter Kellerman made his Syracuse debut and ended up dancing and playing up a storm at the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival.

Mike Houston and Anjela Lynn brought their soulful show to the Hill and easily became the most popular group to play the Sitrus Lounge in 2012.

Mike Houston and Anjela Lynn brought their soulful show to the Hill and easily became the most popular group to play the Sitrus Lounge in 2012.

Rick Ross plays the Carrier Dome

Rick Ross played the Rock the Dome show and showed why he’s considered a boss.

Nothing but strings: The McGriff brothers may be Syracuse's best kept classic secret. The are pictured here as part of the Connective Corridor's In Motion Series from the Spring.

Nothing but strings: The McGriff brothers may be Syracuse’s best kept classic secret. They are pictured here as part of the Connective Corridor’s In Motion Series from the Spring playing a mini Hip Hop symphony.

World B Free almost rhymed the Syracuse Orangemen into the Final Four last year.

World Be Free almost rhymed the Syracuse Orangemen into the Final Four.

Miami Sax Machine Jessy J kept it hot as the headliner for the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival.

Sax on Stage: Jessy J kept it hot as the headliner for the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival.

Guitarist Edgar Pagan helped organize the Sandy Relief Concert at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que.

Guitarist Edgar Pagan helped organize the Sandy Relief Concert at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que.

Bill Horrace and his band took their show on the road and played a few gigs on the 443 Corridor Bus.

Bill Horrace and his band took their show on the road and played a few gigs on the 443 Connective Corridor Bus.

Show Ready

Saturday, December 1st, 2012
Bill Horrace Trio (Carroll, Horrace, Dekaney) play at the retirement celebration for journalist Jackie Robinson at the Pirro Convention Center.

Andrew Carroll,  Bill Horrace and Josh Dekaney play at the retirement celebration for journalist Jackie Robinson at the Pirro Convention Center.

The Bill Horrace Band, one of the hardest working jazz groups in Central New York will play live concerts on Fridays in December at Wegmans in Dewitt.

A little bit country

Monday, November 19th, 2012
Chris Taylor, singer

Chris Taylor, singer

We got the opportunity to interview country singer Chris Taylor at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que after his Syracuse Sandy Relief Concert set on Sunday. We saw his band perform previously at the Taste of Syracuse in Clinton Square. Taylor was born in Kentucky, has lived in Indiana, but says he found his love for country music while in Potsdam, New York.

See our brief conversation below.

Sunday for Sandy (part 2)

Monday, November 19th, 2012
Isreal Hagan

Isreal Hagan

Sunday’s Sandy Benefit Concert, which was held at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, quickly became a collaborative community effort featuring local legends, a crowded dance floor and several genres of feel-good music.

Todd Hobin

Todd Hobin

Doug Moncrief

Doug Moncrief

Guapo Pagan's Rhonda

Grupo Pagan’s Rhonda Arns

Sunday for Sandy (relief)

Monday, November 19th, 2012
Dancing at Dinosaur BBQ: Marge grooves with Chris Taylor Custom Band

Dancing at Dinosaur BBQ: Sandy Benefit Concert. Marge, the ultimate Syracuse music fan, grooves to the sounds of  the Custom Taylor Band during Sunday’s early set.

Dancing at Dinosaur BBQ: Sandy Benefit Marathon Concert

Dancing at Dinosaur BBQ: Sandy Benefit Concert.

State of Blue

Friday, November 16th, 2012
Jeff Stockham

Jeff Stockham

Syracuse Trumpet player Jeff Stockham will perform in tomorrow’s Remembrance Day Parade in Gettysburg, PA.  Stockham also appears in the new film “Lincoln” by Steven Spielberg.

(CNY) Trombone Shorty

Friday, October 26th, 2012
Melissa Gardiner, who took up the trombone at age 9, played and sang as the headliner for tonight's Jazz @ Sitrus concert at the Sheraton Hotel.