OutKast’s ‘Stankonia’ Uses Mirrors and Oppositions
OutKast’s Stankonia is a diptych that opposes and mirrors the duo; creating a stylistic reverence for an inimitable vision.Â
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Mavis Staples Finds the Beauty and Sadness in Life
Mavis Staples wraps her vast musical experience in honeyed tones. A sweetness comes across even as she sings about war and injustice, as well as joy and happiness.
The Jewish Immigrant Song
Jewish immigrants music-saturated synagogues and rich theater, flavored with humor and lament, were a magical formula for the birth of the American Songbook.
“Captain” Curtis Harding’s Excellent Journey
Curtis Harding’s new album may take a few listens to absorb fully. Once it does, it will yield rewards for fans of retro soul, current soul, and adventurous pop.
Bobby Brown’s Funkiest Last Dance
Although its release date was unfortunately mistimed, Bobby Brown’s Bobby presented the funkiest last dance of the entire New Jack Swing era.Â
Stax Records’ Fiery 1965 Concert Gets Remastered
Stax Revue: Live in ’65! captures an electric moment for the R&B label and for Los Angeles, and unearths a rowdy, earlier concert in Memphis.
A Supreme Disappointment: When the Supremes Met the Beatles
When Detroit’s top-of-the charts the Supremes met Liverpool’s top-of-the-world the Beatles in 1965, the awkward silence was deafening.
Valerie June Shows Radical Joy and Care as Resistance
For Valerie June and bell hooks before her, joy and care are vital forces for survival. As such, June’s album affirms love, care, and joy as radical, resistant acts.
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Mourning [A] BLKstar Deliver a Rich and Nuanced Album
Cleveland’s Mourning [A] BLKstar give their community their flowers with an album of sprawling, intuitive free jazz and soul on Flowers for the Living.
José James Explores Disco Through a Creative Jazz Mindset
In conversation, jazz singer José James is literate and a good listener, clearly excited about connecting music to politics, culture, and history.
JoBoxers Pull No Punches in This Retrospective Interview
British new wave/ progressive soul band JoBoxers talk with PopMatters about cracking whips at lions and tigers and pulling no punches with their new box set of lost albums.
Irma Thomas and Galactic Create Magic Funky Soul
Irma Thomas has teamed up with the beloved funk band Galactic to deliver a joyful and life-affirming new album that fuses classic soul and 21st-century funk.