Newspapers / The Carolinian (Raleigh, N.C.) / July 25, 1989, edition 1 / Page 10
Part of The Carolinian (Raleigh, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
ENTERTAINMENT Mario V&n CJeeiy Tyson . Spik# tee Jonathan Butler SHOWCASING TALBNT-CIttly Tpon. Spike Latoya Jackson The Boys Lee, black culture, art, history, literature and business in LaToya Jackson, Jonathan Butler, Mario Van Peebles and Indianapolis, Ind. The exhibition featured some 750 booths The Boys were among the Mack celebrities from film, TV with blacks offering porducts and services to more than and the business world who met July 19-23 to celebrate 200,000 patrons. Zawinul Syndicate Making Strong Appeal On Haunting “Black Water” ihe whole thing is a book, says . keyboardist/composer Josef Zawiriul ' of “Black Water," the new album by i the Zawinul Syndicate. Telling stories ' through music is axiomatic for ] Zawinul, the man who wrote the book on jazz fusion two decades ago with < the groundbreaking band, Weather J Report. This time out, however, Zawinul confronts no less than a ] world in chains, chains he strives to break with an album of joy-filled sounds. For 16 years in a row, Zawinul has * been voted the top synthesizer player * in the Downbeat readers’ poll. Sur prisingly, on “Black Water,” he 1 returns to the two instruments that 1 shaped his early musical life, the ac cordion and acoustic piano. Yet fans can rest assured; there’s no shortage of synth on “Black Water,” nor of the visionary splendor that has always typified Zawinul’s singular brand of jazz Zawinul is joined on the album by most of the players that accompanied him on his triumphant 1988 world tour, bassist Gerald Veasley, singer Lynn Friddmont-Linsey, ace guitarist Scott Henderson, drummer Cornell Rochester, and percussionist Munyungo Jackson. Together with Zawinul on piano, accordion, and his one-of-a-kind cutting-edge syn thesizer, the Pepe, the Syndicate' forges on “Black Water” a gripping tale, drawing on the spirit and sounds of music from around the world. Side one begins with’ “Carnavalito,” recorded live in Copenhagen last summer. It’s feverishly frenzied samba honoring those people of the third world who, for one week at least, manage to defy their devastating poverty during Mardi Gras. The album's title song, “Black Water,” though deceptively upbeat, is a warning that oppressed people everywhere may someday ‘ rise like a tide and drown out those that afflict them. On it, Zawinul’s Pepe solos sparkle with wit and in sight. The next track, “Familial," is a darkly disturbing tune with an eerie synthesized vocal. Adapted from a poem by the French writer, Jacques Prevert, it recounts the story of every family that sent its only son off to die in war. The side ends with a delirious breath of fresh air, "Medicine Man." Here, Zawinul plays the same accor dion he’s owned since childhood, creating an irresistible Cajun/fusion hybrid. The twin unison solo between Zawinul’s accordion and Scott Henderson’s guitar is pure magic, reflecting Zawinul's joy playing the accordion as a youngster in war-torn Europe. The piece marks his first recording > >f the instrument since the tune, “Sw imp Cabbage,” from the album “Domino Theory.” Side two opens with “In the Same Boat,” a driving piece on which Zawinul’s solos bring to mind the clashing rhythms of African drums. The song reinforces the truism that all of us on Earth share a common destiny and common interests. The next two tracks, “Monk’s Mood" and “Little Rootle Tootle,” pay tribute to Thelonious Monk, the composer of both. With an acoustic piano'intro, the first tune begins with a humorous spoken interlude by Gerald Veasley, then segues into straight-ahead per formances of the two Monk classics. “When I first came to this country,” recalls Zawinul, “the first concert I heard was Monk at Town Hall in New York. I loved those two particular songs so much, I wrote them down, note for note, and saved them. That’s what you Bawinul’s solos were I Ashe I I I I losef Zawinui continually surprises lot only his many fans worldwide, but ilso himself. The pieces on “Black Vater” began life as spontaneous im irovisations, and ended up becoming he next chapter in one of the ongoing iuiyaiei ica ui j<xct. uir inventive iiuiiu of Joe Zawinul. Yet the artist himself is in no hurry to solve this particular mystery. "I’m really enjoying myself now,” he says, “and that's the most important thing." Black Beauty Queen To Wear Miss Oregon Crown oxjnoiL/u, uic, vnt / — ujucuc * daria Boggs of Eugene was named diss Oregon Saturday night. £ Ms. Boggs, 25, entered the contest s is Miss Portland. She was a finalist in ( he pageant last year. She’ll repre- c ent the state in the Miss America c >ageant in Atlantic City in two mon hs. s r She is the second black woman to s win the title in the 43-year history of j he Miss Oregon Scholarship s Pageant. The first was Renee Louise i Bagley in 1984. < A former admissions manager at rrends College and a graduate of ( ■Jotre Dame, Ms. Boggs said she in- r ended to return to college to obtain a s roadcast journalism degree from tie University of Oregon. jy Boggs’ talent presentation was a f, ocal interpretation of “I Am Chang- S( •6 itwin uit iuuou,ui L/icaiiigu is. She will receive a $3,000 scholar hip. Boggs also won a $500 scholar hip by finishing first among the com etitors in a “Quality of Life" essay ontest. She also received a fur coat, ar, jewelry and gowns. t Miss Lake Oswego, Kristi Lyn Lar on of Portland, was named first unner-up and received a $1,000 cholarship. Lynnae Marie Thurik, fliss Washington. County, was chosen econd runner-up. Thurik, who lives n Lake Oswego, won a $750 scholar hip. Shelley Gailene Kizer of Lake 'swego, Miss Metro West, was third inner-up and won a $500 scholar lip. Diane Elizabeth Nixon of [ilwaukee, Miss Tri-Valley, was mrth runner-up. She won a $300 iholarship DRAMA OF COURAGE—benzol WasMogton (left) portrays George McKenna l|W), a raaHMe caaragaam Mgli scfcaal principal whoaa alary la recounted in the rko Goorgo McKenna Story," drama la bo rakroadcast on the "CDS Sunday tola," Sunday, August 8.9:00 -11:00 ml an the CBS Television Network. lames Brown Pays Debt White The Beat Ooes On While American musical giant Jamea Brown pays his debt to socie ty, his unstoppable beat goes cm with the release of “Soul Session - Live!", a new album by James Brown A Friends coming July 25 on Scott i Brothers/CBS Associated The soundtrack aired Cinemax ‘Snail .OnaqiQn , Brown, songs performed in Fellow superstars rock and K&B. Sweat” with Wilson Pickett, “I’ll Go Crazy” with Joe Cocker, and "I Feel Good (I Got You)” with Robert Palmer. The album also includes ‘‘Gtmme Your Love,” a special studio recording produced by Narada Michael Walden which pairs The Godfather Of Soil with the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin James Brown also »'"g« “Papa's Got A Brand New Bag,” "Out Of Sight,” and "How Do You Stop,” and brings “Soul Session Lives” to an ecstatic close with the iirtthemic “Living In America.” Kool And The Gang Capping Decade With Compilation Of Hits, “Sweat” Kool and ihe Gang endures. The group’s latest album, “Sweat,” is their 23rd studio album in 20 years, capping a decade during which they laid claim to the singles’ chart as “Group of the ’80s,” with nine top 10 hits. Time after time they have refreshed their sound without sacrificing the elements that made them a beloved band worldwide. “Sweat” is another new step forward for Kool and the Gang. Skip Martin and Odeen Mays, who were introduced to fans on last year’s hit-plus compilation “Everything’s Kool and the Gang,” are the new of ficial lead singers (with Odeen also handling keyboards). It’s a “brand new” Kool and the Gang once again. “Every 10 years the. e’s a new Kool and the Gang,” says group leader and bassist Robert “Kool” Bell, alluding to the changes that have kept the group at the forefront for so long. "And we’re successful each time out. This time we have added singers who are also terrific musicians. That’s the 1 real Kool and the Gang tradition—it’s s not just all the hits, it’s the fact that \ we’ve always had a great band.” “Sweat” lives up to its street-wise f title. Produced by such talents as Nick Martinelli, newcomer Chuckee 1 Booker and Royal Bayaan, the album J is alternately funky/sweet, I highlighted by the heavy title track “I \ Swet,” “Raindrops” (the first c single/video), and the tender “Never - r Give Up.” I “‘Sweat’ was a challenge for us,” I admits Kool. “We were at another k crossroads last year. The hits album t wrapped an era and we wanted to r move forward with a positive vibe, as we always strive to do. The group went on a European tour (which in cluded dates in Hungary and Eas f Germany) with the new lineup at the beginning of this year, and the au dience response was so warm and en thusiastic. It wasn’t just Kool fans \ shnwins their support, it was people •tting us know we were onto omething new and exciting. That /as very inspiring.” The new Kool and the Gang eatures: Robert “Kool” Bell-Bass, “Gang” ;ader. "Kool,” who grew up in ersey City, N.J. with his brother tonald—an original Gang member /ho is now one of the group’s pro ucers—was greatTy influenced by lodern jazz figures John Coltrane, IcCoy Tyner and Pharaoh Sandero. [e formed the group (originally nown as the Jazziacs) as Kool and le Gang in 1969. “Kool” is a family ian who values “positivity.” George "Funky” Brown—drums. Charles Smith—guitar. Dennis “D.T.” Thomas—alto sax, ute, percussion. Clifford Adams—trombone. Skip Martin—vocals. Odeen Mays—keyboards and ocals Michael Ray. KOOL AND THE GANG CAPPING A DECADE Napua Creates Emotionally Rich Sounds In Unique Avant-Approach Playing everywhere from the streets of Europe to the smoke-filled clubs of New York, creating an emo tionally charged sound, rich with ex otic ancestral influences and intense musical training, singer/songwriter/pianist Napua has developed a unique “avant-pop” ap proach to music. Napua makes an im pressive recording debut on Colum bia with "No Disguise," featuring six original “avant-pop” compositions. The album is about “directness, honesty and sincerity,” evident from its opening track, “Helpless,” written by Napua. “‘Helpless’ has to do with feeling weakness and powerlessness in a situation,” says the composer, “and then rebounding when you feel that you can’t allow yourself to sell out, to be less than you should be.” Her influences are diverse, ranging from Aretha Franklin and Miles Davis to the Beatles, but “have definitely been on the R&B/soul/jazz side of things.” Napua’s music has also been influenced by her ancestry. “There’s an earthiness and a romance to this music,” she says, at tributed to the organic nature and spirituality of Hawaiian culture.” Her Asian roots are more than just implied in her songwriting: “I’m always putting fourths into my writing—a very Oriental thing—which you hear in ‘It’s All Over Now.’” The diversity of musical styles on “No Disguise” reflects this wide range of influences. “There’s a unification of diversities that’s becoming acceptable now,” Napua explains. “There’s not a vast boun dary line between rock and roll and N Effect’9 Declared Best Rappers In (J. S. ST. LOUIS, Mo —“N Effect,” a St. Louis-based rap trio, was recently declared the best “undiscovered” rap talent in the country by winning the grand prize in the Rapstakes com petition, sponsored by King Cobra Premium Malt Liquor. The King Cobra Rapstakes contest was a nationwide talent search for the best rap talent in America. In more than 100 markets across the country, contestants composed their own raps on cassettes—using the words "King Cobra" anytime during that rap—for a chance to win cash and merchandise prizes. As grand prize winners of the King Cobra Rapstakes competition, "N Ef fect" received $5,000 and will make local appearances on behalf of King Cobra Premium Malt Liquor. The three members of “N Effect”—Bridgette Wells, 27, brother Brandon Wells, 26, and Tyrone Brooks, 27—have been performing together since Junior high school. “We began performing for local par ties in the St. Louis area,” said Bridgette. “Tyrone, luckily, heard about the Rapetakee competitior over the radio, and we decided tc enter." She added that the Rapstakes wir has opened more doors for the group as it continues to pursue its goal ol getting a record contract with a ma jor recording label. “We are pleased with the result) generated from the Rapstakes com petition," said A1 Cummings, Klnj Cobra brand manager. “King Cobn is very proud to sponsor contest) which help new artists in the up-and coming musical trends." Marietta Shaw Displays Sassy Charm, Ingenuity Marlena Shaw, one of the moat ver satile and charismatic vocalists alive today, once again displays limitless invention and ingenuity with her se cond PolyGram LP, “Love is in Plight.” Unlike her previous album, “It Is Love-Live at Vine St.,” a straight-ahead Jazz disc, “Love Is In Flight” captures a rhythmic, upbeat and sassy Marlena extolling the vir tues and vices of love. “Maybe because I'm in love again,” she laughs as she recalls selecting the songs. Marlena used four top-notch young pro ducers—Onaje Allan Gumbs, Zane Mari 1 awrence Holland and former Returi. to Forver (and current Jamaica Boys) drummer Lenny White—“to capture the flair and ifti agination of their material, and t have the challenge of making th< songs my personal musical state ment” A native of Valhalla, N.Y„ tlx young Marlena sang in a Baptis church choir and got her first bi( break at the Apollo Theatre. She drew national attention with the Cade label hit “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,’ which also caught the ear of Coun Basie. After a four-year stint with th< Basie Band, Marlena was well on hei way to a promising solo career thal included a tour with Sammy Davis, Jr. and several records with a number of prestigious labels. She was the first female artist signed to Blue Note. ! R&B. My music is a synthesis of folk elements with definite R&B, goal, jazz and blues influences.” Tracks range from “Oh Babe” (Napua’s ver sion of the Chi-Lites’ classic "Oh Girl”) to Napua’s own upbeat “Lover Let Me Go” and a solo piano-vocal number written by Jimmy Webb, “Do What You Gotta Do.” Napua’s musical training shows just that kind of strength and en durance. Born in Oklahoma of Chinese/Hawaiian ancestry, Napua grew up in Beaumont, Texas, hometown of Johnny Winter, and not far from the Port Arthur home of Janis Joplin. Napua began playing guitar after listening to Jose Feli ciano and, by age 10, formed her first vocal group. By her teens, she was playing coffeehouses and small dubs. Living Color Headlines Major Benefit Concert On Tuesday, Aug. 15, Epic recor ding artists Living Colour will headline a tnajor benefit concert at the Beacon Theatre in New York Ci ty. All net proceeds from the concert will be donated to the New York based Partnership for the Homeless. “Open Letter to a Landlord," the current single from Living Colour's “Vivid” LP, looks at the pattern of urban destruction which has parallel ed the growth of America's homeless population. "Homelessness is a symptom of a larger problem: people stopped caring,” says Living Colour bassist Muzz Skillings. "They've become desensitized. Not to help your neighbor nurtures a self-centered at titude. The American dream Is ait | up as a win/lose situation. . Somebody’s got to lose, and L homeless are losing bad. If you im agine the person you’re stepping over as a father, brother or loved me, peo ple could get in touch and do something about.it." Living Colour, through this benefit, is pleased to be able to assist the. Partnership for the Homeless in ad - dressing a grave concern to the city > of New York. In this age of mega > charities and benefits which address - national and international problems, Living Colour believes it -is also lm . portant to focus on issues and pro : blems which occur in our own cem | munities and to find local means to alleviate them. The Partnership for the Homeless is an interfaith, non-profit organisa tion based in New York City which, through a network of churches, synagogues, and neighbors and in cooperation with businesses and philanthropic organizations, shelters 1,500 homeless each night, provides one million meals to the hungry each year, tad has permanently housed some 350 formerly homeless to date.
The Carolinian (Raleigh, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
July 25, 1989, edition 1
10
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75