New Orleans-based funk-fusion band The Soul Rebels have announced an upcoming show at Anderson Center at Binghamton University.
The Soul Rebels started with an idea – to expand upon the pop music the members loved on the radio and the New Orleans brass tradition they grew up on. They took that tradition and blended funk and soul with elements of hip hop, jazz and rock, all within the style of a modernized and contemporary brass band. The band has built a career around an eclectic live show that harnesses the power of horns and drums in a party-like atmosphere.
The Anderson Center for the Performing Arts welcomes this captivating performance style to Binghamton University on November 1. The Soul Rebels are riding high in 2024 after receiving national attention following the release of their new album, Poetry In Motion. Their explosive stage presence has led to live collaborations with the likes of Katy Perry, Nas, G-Eazy, DMX, Robin Thicke, Macy Gray, and most notably their new supergroup with the legendary Wu Tang Clan.
Tickets for the general public range from $25-40, with a 10% discount on premium seats for seniors, veterans, and Binghamton University faculty/staff and alumni. Student and child tickets cost just $10 for any seat in the house. This show is one you’ll certainly want to be a part of. The group’s unmatched performance energy is something that sticks with you for a while.
For more information on The Soul Rebels’ upcoming show at Binghamton University and to purchase tickets, click here.
Tops of Trees takes the stage at Funk ‘n Waffles in Syracuse on September 21, and joining them for this high-energy event is local favorite, Spent Grain.
Tops of Trees are an original nine-piece rock & soul ensemble hailing from Saratoga Springs. They have quickly made a name for themselves in Upstate NY and beyond, known for their genre-blending sound and dynamic live performances, they are set to deliver an unforgettable show that highlights their tight rhythm section with blistering vocals and an unshakeable horn section.
In the short time they have been together they have created a buzz by thrilling audiences with their high-energy performances. The group’s modern interpretation of soulful music steeped in early R&B, funk and blues propelled them to notoriety in upstate NY culture.
Sharing the stage with Tops of Trees is Spent Grain, a Syracuse-based band renowned for their unique fusion of blues, rock, and a touch of Americana. Spent Grain’s heartfelt lyrics and captivating melodies have earned them a loyal local following. Their performance is expected to set the perfect tone for the evening.
Doors to the show open at 7:00 PM, and the music kicks off at 8:00 PM. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see the debut of Tops of Trees to Syracuse with Spent Grain.
For more information and to purchase tickets to the event, visit Funk ‘n Waffles website by clicking here. To learn more about Tops of Trees and to stay up to date on their shows, click here.
Esteemed singer, songwriter and multi-talented artist Jon Batiste, will perform at the Tanglewood concert series on June 28.
After earning both a B.A and a M.F.A from Juilliard school, Batiste got his start on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert as a bandleader and musical director. His extensive discography ranges from his 2004 jazz album, Times in New Orleans, to his 2023 concept album, World Music Now. Jazz legends such as John Coltrane and Miles Davis are a heavy influence on Batiste’s music, as well as the soul and funk of Stevie Wonder and James Brown.
Notably, Batiste produced the music for Disney Pixar’s film Soul which won an academy award for Best Original Score and a Golden Globe for Best Original Score. The We Are album won five Grammys including Album of The Year in 2021. In 2022, Times Magazine named him top 100 most influential people.
The 2023 Netflix film, American Symphony, explores Batiste’s career. It follows his personal life, his involvement in activism and organizing and of course, his musical successes.
He’ll perform his wide discography in Koussevitzky Music Shed, a venue that will host other iconic artists all summer. Tanglewood is a concert series located in the Berkshire hills of Western Massachusetts. Throughout the summer will also feature many performances from its summer resident, the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
For more information or to purchase tickets to Jon Batiste, visit the Tanglewood website here.
Mr. Jive has cooked up a 12 song showcase worthy of a glance from a wider audience, titled, Hurry Up Please It’s Time”
Opening with “Monsters Write Pretty Songs,” Buggy immediately announces “Good luck,” with a thickly stacked vocal on top of the meandering rhythm guitar that jolts and grabs attention. The crispy blend of gospel and Doobie-esque backing vocals weave a soft takeoff before eventually punching the opening notes of “Scheherazade of Schenectady.” The first single off the record is appropriately verbose, as it touches on principles of fiction writing and brings up the heat after the smooth opener.
Relaxedly defiant, “Don’t Quit Your Day Job,” hints of the prog influence to come later in both “The Music is Beside the Point,” and “The Calendar is a Liar.” Distorted and stanky, the song that garnered the NPR shoutout from Bob Boilen and Bobby Carter somehow still gives front porch rocking chair vibes while hiding a middle finger attitude behind a content and fulfilled smile.
In “Another Song I Ain’t Allowed to Sing,” Buggy Jive offers reminders of his emotional range and musical intent while slowing down the pace, but featuring right-up-front lead vocals and an ocean of harmonies that keep the energy flowing. This range and intent returns in spades on “Autumn Is Burning.” The mid-album walking groove breaks out major key on a bridge change that feels like a full breath after the intentionally dark verse progression. While “Old Man Screams at Sky,” hits more like a barnhouse dance party than gospel groove, those dynamic controls and natural chord voicings remain steady and present.
“Ignore Them Fools,” and “Alpha the Beta,” both ooze confidence, with the former feeling like a class in session and the latter like a player on the field in action. “Alien Robot Love Song About Love,” and “Hurry Up Please It’s Time,” the final two tracks of the album, lay heavy wet grooves that drag the listener deep into the songwriters’ pocket lyrically and musically.
The entire work displays an adventurous attitude as a musician and a deep sensibility surrounding vocals that act as an homage to his influences, both perceived and expressed. Buggy Jive took a big swing on this record, and his dedication and emotion are both easily seen and felt throughout.
Rochester-born McKinley James released his debut album, Working Class Blues, on June 7. With classic sounds reminiscent of Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and Buddy Holly, the album takes us back to the first days of modern rock’n’roll.
Through stories of love and heartbreak, McKinley James celebrates the early days of soul and rock while simultaneously giving it a modern, personal twist.
McKinley James – Official website
Since 2015, James has been making a name for himself in the soul and blues scene. At the age of 13, he appeared on the cover of the platinum-selling Eric Church album Mr. Misunderstood. In the two years between the album’s release and James’ arrival in Nashville, he had gained enormous amounts of popularity and recognition. Nine years later, at only 22 years old, James has headlined gigs and events all across North America and Europe. Although this is only his debut, Working Class Blues paves the way for up-and-coming McKinley James‘ inevitable soul stardom.
Originally from Rochester, McKinley James has been making music with his father and fellow bandmate, Jason Smay, since he was a child. Inspired by nearly every genre, from country to R&B, James became a guitar prodigy as a child. The father-son duo shared an admirable passion for the vintage sounds, and were committed to recreating them themselves. The two were so dedicated to the genre, that the album was recorded with older instruments and technology. Jason played a vintage Ludwig drum set from 1970. McKinley played a vintage ’54 Stratocaster through a Peavey Pacer. Neither band member wore headphones, and microphones were minimal.
The “archaic” methods of recording were an essential part of the album’s production. Without it, replications of the old-fashioned sound would be artificial and inauthentic. There is a sense of originality to the production, especially when juxtaposed against the modern music scene and genres, that this kind of recording gives to the album.
When your band is only two people, there’s no hiding. It keeps you honest, and that was the goal with this album, tooâto be as honest as possible about who we are and what we do.
McKinley James
However, the method of production is not the only element of this album that gives it its key sound. James’ vocals, instrumentation, and singing style all emulate key figures of the era. With his gritty tone, calming guitar grooves, and swing-style approach, the album is not just a tribute to what rock was built on. In fact, Working Class Blues is an original, deeply personal piece that gives us a perspective as to how the genre has progressed. Its outreach to younger generations ignites a passion for music and storytelling previously unthought of.
Many of the tracks on Working Class Blues are stories of falling in love, heartbreak, and dealing with the aftermath. James’ melancholy about his own loneliness, captured in tracks like “Call Me Lonesome” and “Movin,” is something every listener can relate to. Yet, there is an undeniably personal tone to these tracks. James has shown, through each track, that this album is not just a collection of songs, but a story that he wants us to listen to. Despite his age, the voice James uses reminds us of tales as old as time.
Following the release of his album, McKinley James has announced upcoming shows. Tour dates are listed below.
JUN 8 – Orpheum Theater @ 7:30 PM, Madison, WI
JUN 9 – Rialto Square Theater @ 6:00 PM, Joliet, IL
JUL 25 – Robinson Center @ 7:00 PM, Little Rock, AR
AUG 1 – Brown County Music Center @ 7:30 PM, Nashville, IN
AUG 15 – Cleekwood @ 6:30 PM, Nashville, TN
AUG 24 – Minnesota State Fair 2024 @ 7:00 PM, St. Paul, MN
AUG 27 – KEMBA Live! @ 7:00 PM, Columbus, OH
SEP 29 – Amphitheater at Quarry Park @ 7:00 PM, Rocklin, CA
Fans can listen to Working Class Blues on all streaming platforms, as well as with this link, on June 7th. For more information, songs, albums, or tour announcements, visit here.
In an intimate setting of 100 people, Grammy-winning soul singer Bilal delivers a cathartic performance of “All For Love” featuring musical backing from Questlove, Robert Glasper and Burniss Travis. Notably, “All For Love” is the latest single and a small preview into Bilal’s forthcoming live studio albumLive at Glasshaus.
A mid-career retrospective, the project recorded, filmed, and livestreamed from Glasshaus in Brooklyn, NY., is part of the Glasshaus Presents concert series. For his part, Bilal’s eclectic performance features a supergroup of Questlove, Common, Robert Glasper, and Burniss Travis as backing. Keeping in theme, the live rendition of “All For Love” is one of many standout tracks from the Philadelphia native’s discography, with fresh interpretations of the records on Live at Glasshaus.
Bilal’s latest album features reinvented renditions of prior classics.
After all the soul-bearing track was one of many anticipated records from Bilal’s shelved 2006 album, Love for Sale. However, despite its artistic brilliance, the album never saw an official release due to a premature leak and subsequent disputes with his former label, Interscope Records. Even so, as a testament to Bilal’s talent and strong fanbase, the project achieved legendary cult-status among fans and critics alike, while remaining a significant part of Bilal’s musical legacy, and a point of inspiration for this latest star-studded venture.
Bilal’s Live at Glasshaus features Questlove (top left), Common (top right), Robert Glasper (bottom left), and Burniss Travis (bottom right).
Bilal Presents: Live at Glasshaus
Thus after two decades of high profile contributions with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Jay Z, Beyonce, and Erykah Badu, Bilal’s musical legacy is receiving its just due with this latest 11-track project. After all the man who Questlove heralds as “one of the most pure, honest performance artists of this generation,” and a “true singer’s singer” is a 3-time Grammy winner famous for his musical dexterity. With high profile contributions with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Jay Z, Beyonce, and Erykah Badu, Common –who performs one of the project’s two inteludes– even makes the claim that Bilal is “somebody that will go down as one of the greatest.“
Bilal’s Live at Glasshaus will release on June 14 duringBlackMusic Month. However, On June 9, fans around the world will have the opportunity to witness the epic one-night-only concert via broadcast livestream. Tickets for Live at Glasshauss are for sale here.
