Esperanza Spalding's New Album - Chamber Music Society

Bassist, vocalist and composer Esperanza Spalding will release Chamber Music Society (Heads Up) on August 18th. The album weaves elements of jazz, folk and world music. This is chamber music for modern times and well might be a new direction for jazz. Esperanza first took the world by storm in 2008 with her self-titled debut recording that spent more than 70 weeks on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart. She is a force to be reckoned with.

Watch the creation of Chamber Music Society, what it means to Esperanza and what she is trying to teach the world with this modern version of Chamber Music. 

New Michael Jackson Album Coming out this November

Michael Jackson's first posthumous album will be released through Sony Music in November. The album will include 10 previously unreleased tracks. A representative for Michael Jackson's estate has revealed that over 100 songs that were recorded in the 80s along with collaborations with Ne-Yo, will,i.am and Akon have never been released.

Another album should also be released by Hip-hop producer Rodney Jerkins who worked with Michael Jackson on his "You Rock My World" single. "I worked with Michael for years," Jerkins said. "It was definitely a goal of mine as a kid."There still hasn't been an exact date set for the release of this album.

Another Sony project for Michael Jackson's music will be the release of the dance-karoke game featuring his music. The Ubisoft game, "Michael Jackson: The Video Game"will be released around the same time as the new album. Gamers will be able to sing along and try to imitate Michael Jackson's famous dance moves.

R&B/Jazz Multi-Instrumentalist Brian Culbertson Debuts New Album XII

On July 20, 2010, Brian Culbertson released the twelfth album of his multi-faceted career, simply titled XII, on GRP Records/Verve.

XII is the highest charting record of Culbertson’s long, successful career, debuting at #82 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart, #9 on the R&B charts and #79 on the Current Chart. XII also sits squarely at the #1 spot on the Contemporary Jazz Chart, his fourth #1 record. In addition to his sales success, his single “Skies Wide Open” featuring Avant is #16 on both Adult R&B and Urban AC radio charts. His other single “That’s Life” was the #1 most added single in the Smooth Jazz format.

Culbertson commemorates his twelfth release with 12 new songs that continue to reflect his broad-ranging musicality and mastery of intimate moods. XII appeals to many different fan bases by covering a wide range of music genres. The titles swing from the rich love ballad "Skies Wide Open" (featuring R&B singing star Avant) to an an all-out Go-Go party jam titled "Feelin’ It" featuring the man who put Washington, D.C. Go-Go music on the map, Chuck Brown in addition to a comedic appearance by Sinbad). Think piece “I Don’t Know” exploes the meaning of it all with help from spoken word enchantress, Floetry’s Natalie Stewart. Others featured on the record are Ray Parker Jr., Kenny Lattimore, Brian McKnight, Faith Evans, and Earl Klugh. The rest of the songs are instrumentals showcasing Culbertson’s impressive talent as demonstrated, for example, in the rippin’ Moog solo he takes in the funky track “Stay Wit It.”

To keep up with Culbertson, visit  http://www.brianculbertson.com and www.youtube.com/brianculbertson

Go "Eye-to-Eye" with Sheryl Crow about New Album

To support her latest album 100 Miles From Memphis, Sheryl Crow compiled a series of video clips that highlight important moments in the recording process.  In the clip "Eye to Eye," Sheryl shares her love for her producers Doyle Bramhall II and Justin Stanley and explains how the collaboration with Keith Richards came to fruition. Then, hear Sheryl's goals for the record in "Long Road Home."

100 Miles From Memphis is in stores and on iTunes now. Sheryl and her brand new live band will hit the road next week on a cross-country tour in support of the new album - for ticket information and all the latest news, visit SherylCrow.com.

"Eye to Eye" :

 

"Long Road Home" :

 

Anita Baker - Set to Release First Album in 6 Years!

Anita Baker will be releasing her first album in 6 years on November 9th. "21st Century Love" will be Anita Baker's seventh studio album. 

In the past decade, she took time away from the public to raise a family, however she always continued to perform in metro Detroit each summer. 

"21st Century Love" will include collaborations with Snoop Dogg, and Tyrese will be on a remake of the hit song "Lately".

This will be the second album Anita Baker will release through Blue Note Records.

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beats Wed in Corsica

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Dean) gathered with family and friends, Saturday, on the French island of Corsica.

As usual Alicia was gorgeous, she wore a Vera Wang gown and Swizz Beatz wore a Tom Ford tux and Christian Louboutin Oxfords.

Bono, Queen Latifah and Mr. Louboutin were among the VIP guests. Other guests included Alicia's mother Terry Augello and Swizz' son Prince Nasir Dean. Dr. Deepak Chopra presided over the ceremony.

“Wowwwwwwwwww,” tweeted Swizzy on the big day. “It’s a brand new day :) I feel like Nas and Diddy song :) love y’all and blessing!”

We all wish Alicia and Swizz a long and blissful marriage!