Jamiroquai Embarks on First UK Tour in Over 5 Years

Jamiroquai is set to embark on their first UK Tour in over five years, this April. Their latest 7th studio album "Rock Dust Light Star" has been hugely successful in over 20 countries. In addition to the tour, the band also released a new song and video titled "Lifeline". There's more good news, Jamiroquai will also tour Europe after their UK dates. 

Here's Jay Kay's statement about the tour: "I can't wait to get back out on the road and tour, particularly round the UK where we haven't toured for a while. We're looking forward to playing stuff from the new album, as well as giving you new twists on plenty of the old hits."

To date, Jamiroquai has sold over 25 million album and earned plenty of awards, but it's not the sales and albums that are impressive, THEY are musically and vocally one of the best UK bands.

Here are the dates for the UK Tour:

Friday 15th April 2011 LONDON THE O2 ARENA 0844 856 0202

Sunday 17th April 2011 BIRMINGHAM LG ARENA 0844 338 8000

Tuesday 19th April 2011 MANCHESTER MEN ARENA 0844 847 8000

Wednesday 20th April 2011 GLASGOW SECC DFC 0844 499 9990

Tickets are available online at gigs and tours & ticketmaster

24hr cc hotline 0844 811 0051 & 0844 826 2826

TICKETS ON SALE 9AM FRIDAY 03 DECEMBER AND ARE PRICED AT £45 & £37.50 FOR REGIONAL DATES, AND £47.50 & £37.50 FOR LONDON DATES.

Here's the official video of "Lifeline", Jamiroquai's latest video:

New Soulful Album - Mumbo Sauce and Drumbreaks

Inner Loop Records and Producers I Know have joined forces to drop Soulful!'s new project Mumbo Sauce and Drumbreaks.  The album is mixture of instrumentals and songs featuring artists like XO, Muggsy Malone, D. Julien and more. 

The Washington City Paper says "Mumbo Sauce and Drumbreaks is an incredibly dope concept album, the likes of which I haven't heard in the D.C. region."  Read the full review here.

DOWNLOAD "Mumbo Sauce & Drumbreaks" NOW

The UNCF Honors Chaka Khan

The UNCF tribute to Chaka Khan aired last night on BET. The evening was filled with a star studded line of well known artists. Among them included Stevie Wonder, Faith Evans, Ginuwine, Fantasia, and Ledisi.

"This year's UNCF An Evening of Stars is exciting and filled with high-energy performances of Chaka Khan's greatest hits such as 'Tell Me Something Good,' 'What Cha Gonna Do for Me?' and many others from her extensive song book, as we celebrate not only her contribution to the music industry but her dedication to minority education, “ said UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax. (watch performances below)

Chaka Khan is a big supporter of the UNCF, an organization that raises money for minority students. Since its first tribute in 1979 it has raised over $200 million and has helped hundreds of thousands of students to attend college and graduate.

Chicago Celebrates Miles Davis in a 4 Month Festival

This year, Miles Davis would have turned 85 years old on May 26th. To mark the life of this legendary jazz musician, Chicago has embarked on a 4-month celebration of Miles Davis. The festival started on January 21st and will run until April 16th at the Auditorium Theatre and various jazz clubs and institutions throughout Chicago.

Among the highlights of the Miles Davis Festival:

Bitches Brew 40th Anniversary Band. Trumpeter Nicholas Payton, bassist Darryl Jones, DJ Logic and others revisit Davis’ landmark album. 8 p.m. March 31 at Martyrs’, 3855 N. Lincoln Ave.; $25; martyrslive.com.

“Vivid.” Roosevelt University’s Hard Bop Combo plays selections from Davis’ album “Kind of Blue.” 7:30 p.m. April 12 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy.; free; tickets at the Auditorium box office.

“Sketches of Blue: An Orbert Davis Tribute to Miles.” The Orbert Davis Sextet, with Ari Brown and Ernest Dawkins, plays portions of “Kind of Blue”; and the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble performs sections of “Sketches of Spain.” 7:30 p.m. April 14 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy.; $30-$69; 800-982-2787, ticketmaster.com or the Auditorium box office.

River North Chicago Dance Company. The company’s artistic director, Frank Chaves, presents the world premiere of a work he has choreographed to recordings by Miles Davis. 8 p.m. April 16 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy; $30-$69; 800-982-2787, ticketmaster.com or the Auditorium box office.

“Davis’ influence on the world of music is immeasurable, consistently inventive and adventurous,” says Brett Batterson, executive director of the Auditorium Theatre. “This jazz genius was a pioneer in the development of bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, modal jazz and jazz fusion. The Auditorium Theatre is proud to bring together Chicago’s music community and fans to salute Davis, celebrate his dizzyingly robust body of work, commission a new piece inspired by his legacy and create a new generation of Davis devotees. ”

Erykah Badu Connects with her Fans

Erykah Badu loves meeting with her fans and she has been doing so after all her shows for the past 13 years. “After each show I have a meet and greet and I’ve been doing it for 13 years and the audience comes backstage and we talk,” Badu tells [The Vine]. “We talk about what’s going on in that city, what’s going on in the world, in our hearts, in our minds, in our spirits, and that’s when I get to know the people and they get to know me. And it’s been happening for a very long time.

She also embraces social networks such as Facebook and Twitter to stay in touch and communicate with her fans. “I feel connected that way and I also feel connected social networking – because they real people, they’re not pretend people, even if they’re hiding behind, you know, a digital alias,” she says. “And I enjoy social networking a lot, I feel the social networking is social evolution. We get to really evolve and share as people.”

Erykah Badu will perform with Prince for The Goss-Michael Foundation on February 4th in Dallas, in a soiree called "The Event". Proceeds will go to The Goss-Michael Foundation.

Get your tickets to "The Event" and participate in a great cause here.

It will be the first time since Erykah Badu will be back since her controversial video shot in Dallas, titled "Window Seat". The song is simply beautiful and the video is very creative, it takes someone like Erykah Badu to pull it off. It created talks, debates, and it challenged our minds.

George Michael Faith (Remastered) Twitter Giveaway!

On January 31, GeorgeMichael.com Twitter followers are invited to celebrate the re-release of George Michael's iconic debut solo album, Faith, now newly remastered, by participating in the GeorgeMichael.com Twitter "All Day Giveaway"!

Starting at 12 noon GMT, re-tweet the message "I GOTTA HAVE FAITH" for your chance to win a copy of the Faith (Remastered) Limited Edition Numbered Collectors Box Set. Winners will be randomly selected by the GeorgeMichael.com team every hour, on the hour, for 10 hours! 

Not already following GeorgeMichael.com on Twitter? No problem! Become a follower today for your chance to win! 

For more information on the Faith (Remastered) Limited Edition Numbered Collectors Box Set, click here!

And to stay up-to-date on everything George Michael, join the official GeorgeMichael.com mailing list!

See you all on Monday!
The GeorgeMichael.com Team

Well I know what I'll be doing Monday morning at 7am EST! Good luck to everyone!

Spotlight on Acid Jazz, Soul, Funk British Band - Incognito

The soul-jazz band Incognito is the musical vision of one man, Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick. He is one of the main founders of acid jazz, which started in the 80s and 90s. In 1978, he co-founded the sico-funk band "Light of the World" which broke up a few years later. He then formed a new band, "Incognito", in 1981 with a member of "Light of the World". Their first album "Jazz Funk" came out the same year. Bluey then took a 10 year hiatus and finally returned to Incognito in 1991. Acid jazz was becoming extremely popular at that time and the band was extremely successful. Since then, "Incognito" released an album at least every other year.

Bluey has been very creative with the cast of his band, using an ample amount of various highly talented musicians and vocalists.

In his latest album, Transatlantic RPM (released in 2010), Bluey enlisted major stars. Bluey shows off that star power right away on the lead-off track with a remake of the Boz Scaggs' 1977 classic "Lowdown." There isn't a lot that he does differently with the original arrangement of the song but it hardly matters, because the passionate vocal performances by both Chaka Khan and the Sicilian soul crooner sensation Mario Biondi make this a remake worth listening to. Though taped separately on Italian and American soil, Khan and Biondi blend their voices in and around each other in a perfect duet. Khan reappears on a tune she co-wrote with Bluey "The Song," a mid-tempo r&b tune in the style of classic Earth, Wind and Fire. Which is appropriate since Al McKay from the classic EW&F lineup adds his recognizable tasty jazz guitar licks to the song. 

Songwriting and singing Motown legend Leon Ware adds his voice to a soul song that hearkens back to Teddy Pendergrass' salad days. The spoken-word poetess Ursula Rucker adds her unique singing style to "Gotta," speaking the lyrics but often in tune with the melody; it's not quite rap, and not conventional singing, but a unique approach that catches your attention and commands focus on the lyrics. Biondi returns to supply his powerful pipes to the dancefloor workout "Can't Get Enough."

Tracklist for "Transatlantic RPM":

01. Lowdown (feat Mario Biondi and Chaka Khan)
02. Everything That We Are (feat Luckyiam)
03. 1975
04. Your Sun My Sky
05. Line In The Sand (feat Leon Ware)
06. Gotta (feat Ursula Rucker)
07. Let’s Fall In Love Again (feat Christian Urich – Tortured Soul)
08. The Song (feat Chaka Khan)
09. Put A Little Lovin’ In Your Heart
10. All of My Life
11. Expresso Madureira
12. Life Ain’t Nothing But A Good Thing
13. Make Room For Love
14. Can’t Get Enough (feat Mario Biondi)
15. The Winter Of My Springs
16. Tell Me What To Do

Besides "Transatlantic RPM", Incognito release a large amount of albums that should ALL be listened to. It's a unique band, feel good music, it's groovy, funky, and soulful! The vocalists are sublime, and there are so many!

Check out Incognito's albums here: http://www.incognito.org.uk/releases

Here's one of my all time Incognito favorites, "Deep Waters", what's yours?

Sharon Jones' First Prince Concert!

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings opened for Prince in NYC's Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, January 18th and Prince invited Sharon Jones, Binky Griptite and the Dap-King horn section to join him during his encore performance of "A Love Bizzare".

Here's what Sharon Jones had to say:

"Out of all my years coming up, I never got a chance to see Prince live, so sharing the stage with him at Madison Square Garden was a dream come true. It was an honor and a privilege to perform with him, and as you can see in the video I was on Cloud 9. He’s such a spiritual, humble, warm-hearted man and I feel blessed just to be able to meet him."

Watch Sharon Jones and Prince perform a special performance of "A Love Bizarre". What a joy for Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, the energy is so electrifying, you can truly feel the love and happiness everyone is sharing on this stage!

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings on Facebook | Twitter | Myspace | Website 

Prince + Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings + Maceo Parker / A Love Bizarre from DMY on Vimeo.

Charles Bradley - A Soul Artist 40 Years in the Making

I came across Charles Bradley online for the first time yesterday, and I must say that I am extremely impressed by this smooth soul singer. Charles Bradley saw James Brown performing at the Appollo 40 years ago and as he saw the Godfather of Soul perform he knew that this is what he wanted to do too!

Unfortunately, he's had a rough life, many jobs, and many obstacles before he made his big break with Daptone Records. Even though he had many hardships he never gave up on his dream, and it payed off. Gabriel Roth of Daptone Records happened upon him performing his Black Velvet act at the Tarheel Lounge in Bedstuy. Roth recognized his raw talent and directly brought him into the Daptone “House of Soul” Studios for a session with the Sugarman 3. "Take It As It Comes" was Charles' first single on Daptone and it proved him as a worthy vocalist.

Now at 62 years old he just released his first soul album "No Time For Dreaming" with the help of people who Charles Bradley says "believed in him".

Make sure to check out his website and bio, it's absolutely fascinating: http://thecharlesbradley.com

Charles Bradley's No Time For Dreaming, is out NOW!

* For a limited time! Order a t-shirt and a copy of the CD or LP for only $19.99. 

* Order the CD or LP on it's own. 

* Menahan Street Band's Make the Road by Walking is on sale for this month only, GET IT!

Also available at:

iTunes

Amazon

Napster

Rhapsody

 

“An absolutely mesmerizing album by a true soul survivor…” – Exclaim!

“No Time For Dreaming is packed with wholesome goodness in each musical morsel.” - CBS Street Date

“No Time For Dreaming not only prevails as a defining culmination of Bradley’s lifelong musicianship to date, but also furthers the argument that Daptone Records can do no wrong.” - Paste

“No Time for Dreaming wails in a world of "Heartaches and Pain"…but Bradley's despair is never less than stirring.” - Spin

Watch The World (Is Going Up in Flames):

An Evening of Stars Tribute to Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan will be honored on January 29th, 2011 during the United Negro College fund event, which will be held at the Tulalip Resort Casino. An Evening of Stars Tribute to Chaka Khan is also presented by Target.

“Chaka Khan has consistently supported UNCF throughout her career, inspiring and empowering young people to pursue education,” said Lacie West, Area Development Director for UNCF in the Pacific Northwest. “We honor her for her contributions to the entertainment industry and for her dedication to helping minority students earn the college degrees they need and our nation needs them to have.”

During the event, the UNCF will announce their Star Power Team Challenge Winner and HBCU alum of the Year awards to Keith Toussaint, a graduate of Howard University and Leslie Womack, a graduate of Fisk University.

Chaka Khan will be honored by stars from the world of music, TV, and education. Her songs will be performed by Fantasia, Melanie Fiona, Bettye LaVette, Herbie Hancock, Angie Stone, Ledisi, El DeBarge, Estelle, Faith Evans, Melanie Fiona, Ginuwine, and 25--time Grammy Award winner Stevie Wonder. Performing a duet are Chaka’s brother, Mark Stevens and her daughter, Indira Khan.

“I am honored to be able to contribute to UNCF’s mission of helping kids get a good education from pre-school through college,” says Chaka Khan. “Education opens doors of opportunity and will enable our youth and our nation to have a brighter future.”

About the UNCF:

The United Negro College Fund–is the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country. UNCF supports education through scholarships and other programs, by supporting its 39 member colleges and universities, and by advocating for the importance of minority education. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 21 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. The UNCF logo features the torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."® Learn more at www.uncf.org.

Make sure to see this unique tribute on Saturday, January 29th, or Sunday, January 30th:

An evening of Stars Tribute to Chaka Khan presented nationally on more than 40 stations in major markets on Saturday, January 29th and on Sunday, January 30th on BET Networks at 10 p.m. ET and WGN America at 3:00 a.m. CT. 

Intel and will.i.am - A Marriage of Technology and Entertainment

He’s best known for being a multi-platinum music artist, producer and front man for The Black Eyed Peas, but will.i.am is also an innovator, technology fan, entrepreneur and philanthropist. With today’s announcement at the Anaheim Convention Center, the seven-time Grammy winner has added another title to his multi-faceted resume: “director of creative innovation.”

 

As an extension of his insatiable fascination with technology, which plays a significant role in his professional and personal lives, will.i.am will engage in a multi-year, hands-on creative and technology collaboration with Intel Corporation. He already sports an Intel ID badge, which he proudly showed off at a news conference in Anaheim, where Intel is holding an internal sales and marketing conference.

“Nearly everything I do involves processors and computers, and when I see an Intel chip I think of all the creative minds involved that help to amplify my own creativity,” said will.i.am. “Teaming up with the scientists, researchers and computer programmers at Intel to collaborate and co-develop new ways to communicate, create, inform and entertain is going to be amazing.”

Added Deborah Conrad, Intel vice president and chief marketing officer: “We’re thrilled to tap into the limitless creativity will.i.am brings to the table. He’s not only a brilliant artist and producer, but also an innovator pushing the bounds of technology professionally and personally. We share a strong interest in innovation around music, art and lifestyle, and are excited to join forces to establish an authentic, emotional connection with consumers.”

The relationship ties in with Intel’s “compute continuum” vision, in which more and more devices will compute and connect to the Internet, and the company’s “visual life” initiative that explores how visual experiences such as photos, videos and movies are redefining the relationship consumers have with laptops, smart phones, tablets and other devices.

In his unique role, will.i.am will collaborate with Intel on many creative and technology endeavors across the “compute continuum” that may include such devices as laptops, smart phones and tablets. Complementing his visionary role as the front man for The Black Eyed Peas, will.i.am is also already working on music expressly for Intel.

Specifics haven’t been disclosed, but Conrad said that the partnership between will.i.am and Intel is the marrying of two worlds -- entertainment and technology -- in order to create what she calls “the ultimate experience.”

“Intel is in the midst of transforming the way we communicate with people,” Conrad said. “Our partnership with will.i.am is a prime example of how we want to convey and deliver the Intel experience. It’s imperative that Intel and our innovations are kept in front of the global youth culture that embraces new devices and new forms of communication and entertainment.”

will also released the first Black Eyed Peas mobile app via his new venture will.i.apps this week.  Check out the demo here: http://dipmusic.dipdive.com/media/168545

A Feature on Patrice Rushen

Many of you know Patrice Rushen from her 1982 hit "Forget Me Nots". Since then, this incredible track has been used on many occasions. It was first featured in the movie "Big" (Tom Hanks), then in George Michael's "Fastlove", Will Smith's "Men in Black", French rapper MC Solaar on Les Boys Bandent and many more. In 2006, Rushen collaborated wit jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour and Zamajobe on a cover version of the song.

Besides "Forget Me Nots", Rushen had many other hits such as "Feels So Real", "Watch Out", "You Remind Me", and "Never Gonna Give You Up". What some people do not realize is that Patrice Rushen is also a Grammy Award winning artist, a jazz vocalist, composer, producer, and pianist.

Patrice Rushen was the first woman to serve as Musical Director for the 46th, 47th & 48th Annual Grammy Awards, the first woman in 43 years to serve as Head Composer/Musical Director for television’s highest honor, the Emmy Awards and the first woman Musical Director of the NAACP Image Awards, an honor she held for 12 consecutive years. Rushen has also been the only woman Musical Director/Composer for the Peoples Choice Awards and HBO’s Comic Relief. She also served as the musical director for Janet Jackson's world tour "Janet".

Rushen is also considered one of the top pianists in the world and she performed and produced music with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Prince, Lionel Hampton, Carlos Santana, Boys II Men, George Benson, Jean Luc Ponty, Tom Jones, Nancy Wilson, Michael Jackson, Dianne Reeves, Sheena Easton, Stanley Turentine, Joshua Redman and more. It doesn't stop there, Rushen also performed with Philharmonic Orchestras and even wrote an award-winning symphony.

In addition to her success as a recording artist and musical director, Rushen is also an accomplished composer providing musical scores for Emmy-nominated television movies and series.

 To learn more about Patrice Rushen visit her website www.patricerushen.com. Patrice Rushen's talent is truly remarkable, she is an inspiration, a true artist!

Watch a beautiful performance of Patrice Rushen and violinist Karen Briggs below, a must hear and see!

Amy Winehouse New Album News

According to NME, Amy Winehouse has completed her new album and also recently recorded a track with Cee Lo Green in Saint Lucia. A source says: "Amy has a house in St Lucia and decided to fly out. She and Cee Lo just clicked and he said he wouldn’t leave the island until the track was done." This will be her third studio album, and the first since her 2006 smash album "Back to Black".

Amy Winehouse recently toured for a few dates in Brazil and went back to singing hits from her previous album "Back to Black" and covers such as "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," a song from the 1934 film "Moulin Rouge" that has been covered most famously by Tony Bennett. A few months ago Amy mentioned that people who liked her second album would also like her upcoming new album as it will be very similar.

Here's to making 2011 Amy Winehouse's big comeback year, and mostly stay safe and healthy! Here are some clips from the Brazil concerts, the crowd loved her!

Blackgypsy - A Soulful, Funky Band with Incredible Talent!

Shelby J (Shelby Johnson), a singer, songwriter, and producer from North Carolina has been featured alongside Prince in many concerts in the recent year. She performed at Prince's 3121 Las Vegas gigs, the Superbowl, 21 Nights in London, 20Ten Tour in Europe, Welcome2America and more. 

What many people don't realize is that Shelby J is also part of "Blackgypsy", a band that plays soulful, funky, groovy songs. Besides Shelby J (lead singer), the band includes Derek Layes (bassist), JonSolo (keyboardist), David DiGiantomasso (percussionist), and Carter McLean (Drummer). Check out their amazing bios on their official website Blackgypsy.com, their accomplishments are truly impressive!

Blackgypsy released their first album Blackgypsy Vol. 1 in 2009. This is an excellent album, which promotes real music by real musicians, along with an extremely gifted vocalist. Blackgypsy Vol. 2 which will include a DVD will be released this summer. 

Blackgypsy Vol. 1 is available on iTunes, Amazon, and Cdbaby.

Support indie bands like Blackgypsy, there are countless amounts of talented musicians and vocalists out there who deserve our full attention!

New Raphael Saadiq Music - Good Man

Raphael Saadiq is set to release his fifth studio album "Stone Rollin" on March 22nd. "Radio", an upbeat 60s old school song was already released earlier this month (watch the official video below).

"Good Man" is the next single which will be released from "Stone Rollin". It's also a 60s, 70s old school song, complimented with an easy going melody. What do you think of Raphael Saadiq's new upcoming album so far?

Christina Aguilera Chosen by NFL to Sing National Anthem

The NFL has officially announced that 5 time Grammy Award winner Christina Aguilera will kick off the Super Bowl XLV by singing the US national anthem's "Star-Sprangled Banner". "I have been performing the anthem since I was seven years old and I must say the Super Bowl is a dream come true," Aguilera said in a statement. "I am really excited to be part of such an iconic event."

Last year, over 153 million people viewed the Super Bowl, this will surely be a great opportunity for Christina Aguilera to show the whole nation that she's still got it.

The main performance will be given during the halftime show by the Black Eyed Peas. 

The Super Bowl XLV will take place on Sunday, February 6th in Texas at 6:30pm ET. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers will be competing for the ultimate title of the league!

Esperanza Spalding Performs "Winter Sun" on the Late Show

Esperanza Spalding performed "Winter Sun" from her latest album "Chamber Music Society" last Friday on David Letterman's show. She recently received a nomination in the Best New Artist category at next month's Grammy Awards.

Esperanza was writing music in New Jersey when she came up with "Winter Sun". "I was living in New Jersey at the time in a mildly dreary neighborhood," Spalding says. "I would be inside writing and you see the light coming in, and you check to see if it's sunny yet or not in the winter."

At first, "Winter Sun" didn't have words. But, as always, inspiration struck.

"I was on a tour with some other musicians; one night at 1 a.m. when I couldn't sleep, the lyrics just all came at once," Spalding says. "This image of this bare tree in front of my house in the winter. When the sun comes, I see the bark light up and I was thinking, 'Wow, as a tree, what a wonderful feeling that you're freezing, so cold that you hold no leaves, no nothing, and to suddenly feel the warmth of that sun pass over you.' That must be a really wonderful sensation. It certainly is to me as a human when I feel the sun touching my skin."

Esperanza Spalding will be on tour starting from February throughout April, check out the dates and venues here.

New York is in a Prince State of Mind!

New York, New York, New York, what a privilege! Prince has been performing some of his best concerts to date at the IZOD and MSG! The sold out Welcome 2 America Tour has been receiving great reviews, great crowds, and lots of celebrities have been attending the shows. Some of the most talented artists such as Maceo Parker, Cassandra Wilson, Sheila E., Mint Condition, Esperanza Spalding, and Shelby J have all made appearances during his concerts.

The Rolling Stone magazine has issued beautiful pictures of the show here. There are plenty of videos streaming on the internet of all concerts, however I decided not to add them to this post. I know that Prince fans will always know where to find them.

The next show will take place on February 7th at Madison Square Garden. Where is Prince heading next? Time will tell...

George Michael - FAITH Remastered

George Michael is set to release a remastered version of his iconic album "Faith" on January 31st (February 1st in the US and Canada).

Re-discover amazing hits such as "Faith", "I Want Your Sex", "Father Figure", "Kissing A Fool", and "Monkey". The talent George Michael has is so unique it should truly be enjoyed by all generations!

The official website of George Michael is offering a special limited edition numbered collectors box. The package includes:

• Remastered album

• CD of remastered 12" versions/B-sides

• DVD featuring TV special from 1987, George Michael and Jonathon Ross Have Words, a 25-minute Music Money Love Faith EPK & seven remastered promo videos

• Stunning 60-page, hard-bound book that includes an exclusive interview with George Michael, sleeve notes, rare photos & memorabilia

• Vinyl album replica of the original LP

• Memorabilia envelope that includes five art prints, reproduction poster, tickets & tour pass from the Faith tour sourced from George Michael’s personal archive

• All housed in a 12 x 12 numbered, black and gold-foiled slipcase

Disc 1 - Faith Remastered

Faith

Father Figure

I Want Your Sex (Parts 1 & 2)

One More Try

Hard Day

Hand To Mouth

Look At Your Hands

Monkey

Kissing A Fool

A Last Request (I Want Your Sex Part 3)

Disc 2 - Remastered Bonus Tracks

Faith (Instrumental)

Fantasy

Hard Day (Shep Pettibone Mix)

I Believe When I Fall In Love

Kissing A Fool (Instrumental)

Love's In Need Of Love Today

Monkey (7" Edit)

Monkey (A Capella)

Monkey (Jam & Lewis Remix)

Bitches Brew LIVE by Miles Davis

Four decades later, it remains the great game changer, the genre-bending, barrier-smashing double LP that would become Miles Davis’ first RIAA gold album, and influence two – three! (so far) – generations of jazz and rock musicians to come. Released in April of 1970, Bitches Brew refracted the chaos and beauty of a society stretched (and stressed) to its breaking point, the penultimate creation of Miles’ career.

           

BITCHES BREW LIVE adds yet another dimension to the album’s prismatic reputation.  Its nine rare live performances comprise repertoire from the studio album and the one that preceded it, 1969’s In A Silent Way.  The live tracks were recorded at festivals nine months before Bitches Brew’s release (Newport Jazz, July 1969, the first three tracks, previously unissued) and four months after (Isle Of Wight, August 1970, the final six tracks).  This fascinating 59-minute glimpse into ‘the evolution of the groove’ will be available at all physical and digital retail outlets starting February 8, 2011, through Columbia/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

“When I hired Miles [for the 1969 festival],” recalls Newport founder and impresario George Wein in 2010, “I thought it would be with Wayne Shorter and Herbie and Ron and Tony.”  Wein refers to Miles’ so-called ‘second great quintet’ (of Wayne Shorter on tenor saxophone, Herbie Hancock on piano, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Tony Williams).  

           

“Miles Davis was a beautiful human being,” muses Wein, who first began booking him around New England in the 1950s.  “He had a charisma about him that a lot of people love to write about.  People grew up making love to Miles Davis’ music.  They were playing his records while they were in bed with their mistress or their lady or whatever.  That’s legend.  He was the only one, the bebop era, that came out of it playing the melody that people could understand.  When he played ‘On the Street Where You Live’ or ‘Bye, Bye Blackbird’ and then Kind of Blue, it was all simple, sweet music — but with a modern tinge.  And that’s where the legend grew.”

           

BITCHES BREW LIVE by MILES DAVIS

Selections: 1. Miles Runs The Voodoo Down • 2. Sanctuary • 3. It’s About That Time/The Theme • 4. Directions • 5. Bitches Brew • 6. It’s About That Time • 7. Sanctuary • 8. Spanish Key • 9. The Theme.

Tracks 1-3 recorded at Newport Jazz Festival, July 5, 1969, previously unreleased.

Tracks 4-9 recorded at Isle Of Wight Festival, August 29, 1970.