Written by: Chawonza Nash, February 13, 2012

Double Dragon Music produces an ingenious blend of soulful R&B music and mixes smokin’ hip-hop beats for some of the best rap lyrics broadcasting the music airwaves. Production artists and brothers Roy and Elmo Chong, a.k.a. the “Funk Seoul Brothers,” hailing from Vancouver, Canada began producing music locally in 2001. These talented dynamos cut their music production teeth on collaborations with musical talents such as Canadian hip-hop artist Swollen Members, musical crooner Usher Raymond and gospel/Christian hip-hop artist Da’T.R.U.T.H.

Double Dragon Music Producer

Their production efforts did indeed sear the attention of the music industry. Swollen Members’ album Black Magic received a Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year 2007. Da’ T.R.U.T.H. (member of gospel hip-hop collective Cross Movement) album The Faith propelled him center stage. Double Dragon produced two songs on The Faith album, “Incredible Christian” which debuted number seven on Billboard Gospel Charts and “2 is Better” which breathed an air of R&B. Double Dragon’s production successes has propelled them to work with some of the hottest Korean Artist in the music industry.

Anyone familiar with Korean Pop, Hip-hop and R&B culture knows you need only say Drunken Tiger, Tiger JK or Tasha Reid also known as Yoon Mi Rae, Yang Dong Geun a.k.a. YDG, Buga Kingz, Bobby Kim, Rain, Leessang and seismic waves from Asian fans screams will cross continents, tsunami across the ocean sending aftershocks into the US and Canada. Fueling these shock waves is Double Dragon’s smokin’ hot mixes and blended music productions.

2005 opened a collaborative relationship with Double Dragon and Drunken Tiger, members DJ Shine and Tiger JK (DJ Shine exited that year). Drunken Tigers’ album “1945 Liberation” became a phenomenal success on which Double Dragon produced song “Put Your Hands Up,” becoming a club hit and Karaoke favorite. Collaboration on this album as Double Dragon put it, “marked a milestone for us,” as it was their first production experience working with Korean artists. This production gave wings to more production opportunities with even more Korean music artists. They also produced Drunken Tiger song, “Doo Doo Wap Ba Balu,” by implementing an instrumental effect to heighten the song’s overall sound.

Another Korean powerhouse artist Double Dragon has produced for is none other than Bobby Kim. Silk wishes it had the texture his voice emits when he sings. Bobby Kim is also a member of hip-hop group Buga Kingz, including members Juvie Train and Gan-D. Double Dragon’s recent collaboration with these artist exhibits their true production genius. Buga Kingz recent release of mini-album “A Decade” includes hip-hop genres: new school, electronic disco, reggae and jazz hip-hop are all perfectly packaged in this album.

Double Dragon Music production resume includes collaborations with Korean artists Rain (Jung Ji-Hoon) and hip-hop duo Leessang (members Kang Hee-gun and Gil Seong-joon). Key to their success is their distinctive sound which is a perfect marriage of stirred not shaken blends ever produced for music artist voices. Double Dragon has said, “We’re two of the baddest Korean brothas you’ll ever meet!!! (Bad as in good of course).”

To elaborate on their statement Lord Finesse’s sample in hip-hop song “Rockefellar Skank” says it best, “Right about now, the funk soul brotha. Check it out now, the funk soul brotha.” Double Dragon productions are right about now some of the hottest produced sounds in the music industry, so check out these Funk Seoul Brothers masterful production blends on their Facebook page or Youtube Channel and yes it is Double Dragon Music.

Technorati Tags: Hip Hop, Korean Music, Music, music producers, R&B

Written by: Katie Garren

Singer Adele holds the six Grammys she won at Sunday night's Grammy Awards

            Sunday night’s Grammy ceremony was dominated by two big stories: Adele’s incredible talent and Whitney Houston’s sad passing Saturday afternoon. From the very beginning of the night, it was clear to the audience that this would not be the typical awards show, with host LL Cool J saying, “There is no way around this. We’ve had a death in our family, and so at least for me, the only thing that feels right is to begin with a prayer for a woman we love, for our fallen sister, Whitney Houston.” He then led a prayer in her honor, before telling the audience that the night was still going to be a party. As it turned out, its was Adele’s party they were celebrating.

Adele took home every award for which she was nominated.  Her six awards included Artist of the Year, Record of the Year (for her song, “Rolling in the Deep”) and Album of the Year (for her album 21).  In her acceptance speech for Album of the Year, Adele broke down in tears.  She told the audience, “This record is inspired by something that’s really normal and everyone’s been through it, just a rubbish relationship. And it’s gone on to do things I can’t tell you how I feel about it. It’s been the most life-changing year.” Earlier in the ceremony, Adele had performed on stage for the first time since having surgery on her vocal chords earlier this year.  She alluded to this surgery after winning the Grammy for best pop solo performance saying, “And seeing as it’s a vocal performance, I need to thank my doctors, I suppose, who brought my voice back.”  Her performance was met with an extended standing ovation.

Singer Jennifer Hudson sings a tribute to Whitney Houston at Sunday night's Grammys

The passing of music icon Whitney Houston put a damper on the typical awards show atmosphere.  Herself a Grammy winner, Houston was set to perform at a pre-Grammy party the day she died. On short notice, the producers of the Grammys scrambled to find an appropriate was to pay tribute to the late singer. Many performers throughout the night paid tribute to Houston in their songs.  Stevie Wonder said during his performance, “I just want to say to Whitney up in heaven: We all love you, Whitney Houston.” The real, Grammy-sponsored tribute came during the traditional remembrance slideshow when Jennifer Hudson took the stage and sang a powerful rendition of Houston’s cover version of Dolly Parton’s song “I Will Always Love You.”  At the end of the song, Hudson sang out, “Whitney, we will always love you,” in a fitting tribute to a fallen icon.

Technorati Tags: 21, Adele, death, Grammy, Houston, Hudson, Jennifer, Legend, Remembered, Rolling in the Deep, Whitney, Win

Iconic singer Whitney Houston poses in her prime

Written by: Katie Garren

Iconic superstar Whitney Houston was found dead in her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday.  This marks the passing of one of the most recognizable figures of the ‘80s and ‘90s.  She was 48 years old.

Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. WST, after paramedics performed CPR for 20 minutes, according to the LA Times.  Her body was found in her hotel room’s bathtub.  Cause of death is not apparent at this time.  However, “There were no obvious signs of any criminal intent,” Beverly Hills police Lt. Mark Rosen told reporters outside the hotel.

The word was shocked when many sources reported that Whitney Houston had been found dead of unknown causes.  Countless celebrities took to Twitter to express their sadness and shock after hearing the news.  Clive Davis, Houston’s long time mentor, spoke at a pre-Grammy party he was hosting Saturday night saying, “By now you have all learned of the unspeakably tragic news of our beloved Whitney’s passing. I don’t have to mask my emotion in front of a room full of so many dear friends. I am personally devastated by the loss of someone who has meant so much to me for so many years.”  He continues, “Whitney would have wanted the music to go on and her family asked that we carry on.” Houston’s godmother, Aretha Franklin, released a statement saying, “It’s so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn’t believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen.”  A tribute to Houston was quickly planned for Sunday’s Grammy Awards.  It was set to feature Jennifer Hudson and Chaka Khan.

In the ‘80s and ‘90s, Houston was a worldwide celebrity, having both singing and acting credits to her name.  She is perhaps best remembered for her powerful voice utilized in her smash hit “I Will Always Love You” and her performance in the film The Bodyguard, which co-stared Kevin Costner. She is the only artist in history to chart seven consecutive number ones. Houston was also the most awarded woman in history, having won a total of 415 awards as of 2010. Houston was an inspiration to many current artists, including Mariah Carey, Celine Dion and Christina Aguilara.  Her final film, Sparkle, is set to be released on Aug. 17 of this year.

In recent years, Houston’s talent has been overshadowed by her reported drug use and rocky marriage to singer Bobby Brown.  Her startling antics were documented in a reality show about the couple titled Being Bobby Brown.

Technorati Tags: '80s, '90s, death, Grammys, Houston, Icon, Legend, The Bodyguard, Whitney

Vulnerability and openness are two feelings one can anticipate before they listen to the serene, melodious tunes that Eric Henkels so honestly produces. Former member of Find Vienna, Eric now spends his time wholeheartedly absorbed in his most recent solo project.

At the age of three, with his grandfather’s eager ear listening to his erratic banging on the keyboard, Eric discovered his calling and his passion.

“Music has been in my life literally as long as I can physically remember,” he says.

Finding his direction, Eric played in numerous bands covering a wide variety of genres. From punk rock to pop, indie to jazz, Eric finally “grew into himself” with his realization that singer-songwriters like Elliott Smith and Ben Gibbard were his true heroes. “If somebody can sit there and listen to you play a song alone and think ‘oh my god that’s beautiful’,” he said, “imagine what you can do when you add instrumentation.”

A little boy claps as Eric and friend play the guitar

Although Eric enjoys playing numerous instruments, he admits that piano is his favorite (with guitar as a close second). Playing the piano comes easy to Eric, as having a conversation or texting somebody comes easy to everyone else. “There is nothing quite like the rush I get when I start going nuts on the piano,” he confesses, “I’m so comfortable with it.”

When it comes to song writing, Eric is his own worst critic. However, despite the quickness he has to admit this, Eric produces songs that are both smooth and easy to listen to. His favorite, Robes and Crowns was the result of a life-changing experience after visiting Ireland and England. “I came home, put my guitar in really weird tuning, and just started playing,” he said, “[Robes and Crowns] was the first thing I came up with, and I’m really proud of it.”

Like all musicians, Eric’s music has evolved enormously. The first song Eric ever wrote with his best friend, Mike, was called “3 PM”, amusingly because that’s the time that his middle school let out. “That’s the beautiful thing about music,” he says, “it changes and moves and grows up as you change and move and grow up.”

Speaking of changing and growing, Eric is sure to impress any listener with his recent cover of his favorite Bon Iver track, Blindsided. This brave and adept rendition wells up all your emotions at once. Using his voice as a musical tool, Eric sings acapella and creates a beautiful harmony by layering different tracks of his voice. The result is a calming, moving piece that only a skillful musician could produce.

“The thing that makesBlindsided so beautiful to me is the way that the harmonies intertwine with the driving acoustic guitar riff,” he says.

Right now, Eric is concentrating on recording his solo album, which will be called “Every Day is a Year.” The album will consist of two separate sides, one called “A Day” and the other “A Year.” An idea he has been toying with for quite some time, Eric hopes to demonstrate two separate sides of himself with this album. A Day will contain mostly acoustic, lo-fi intimate songs while A Year will be louder and bigger. “I want people to see and hear the wide range of emotions that I feel on a weekly basis.”

To listen to the tracks from Every Day is a Year, be sure to check out Eric’s bandcamp. Some of his other covers can be heard on his myspace.

“I want my music to reach everybody, no exceptions,” Eric admits, “There’s not a single person out there that I don’t want to touch with my music. It’s idealistic, but…. Hey. Whatever.”

By: Christina Paone

Technorati Tags: Eric Henkels, Music, piano, solo project

written by: Amani Liggett

Renowned hip-hop artist Drake is scheduled to perform a sold-out show at UC Davis’ Pavilion on March 7^th. While student discount tickets are advertised for selling at $49.50, many students and non-students alike have parted with $100-$200 to snag tickets for this popular performer’s Club Paradise tour. Drake will be playing songs from his latest album Take Care, with opening acts from Kendrick Lamar and A$AP ROCKY.

Both general admin floor ($79.75) and upper level ($59.75) tickets have already sold out.

Many students considering themselves big hip-hop fans scrambled for the former, higher priced standing option. Unfortunately for Davis students, the student discount was offered for the upper level seats only, which let’s face it, is a little less glamorous.  

For those desperate to see the popular Canadian recording artist, there are still tickets available from scalpers online on websites such as StubHub and TicketsMore. The prices for these are considerably higher; an upper-level ticket going for around $130, while a standing floor ticket going as high as $350. The UC Davis Pavilion emphasizes that those who seek tickets from these sites buy at their own risk.

Despite this, student’s excitement about the performance seems to be over ruling

any sore feelings about high prices. Post-UCD grad Maral Pirinjian offered the reasoning that “I love Drake so much, I didn’t even care that it was $100 for the ticket.”

An understandable explanation when looking at Drake’s popularity and history working with other big-name hip-hop artists like Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Eminem, and Jay-Z. Drake has also been nominated for several Grammy awards, and was a main performer at the 2010 Grammy awards. Other UC Davis students commented on Drake’s acting work on the pre-teen show Degrassi in 2001 as reason to why he has such a loyal fan base.

In addition to making his own music, Drake has also written for other artists in the industry such as Alicia Keys, Jamie Foxx, and Mary J. Blige. He also tends to feature or remix tracks that he has written for other artists such as Unthinkable Remix by Alicia Keys. Drake and Lil Wayne have both also written for Dr. Dre together.

The last big name hip-hop performer to grace the UCD campus was Snoop Dogg, for a Valentines Day show last year at Freeborn Hall. Similarly, students threw down big bucks for last minute tickets to see the artist.

Drake’s performance in Davis starts at 8pm, and it is recommended to get there early.

Technorati Tags: Club Paradise, college, college concerts, concert, Drake, Hip Hop, sold out, tickets, UC Davis

Thin Lizzy's prolific front man Phil Lynott

Hundreds of “Lost” Thin Lizzy Recordings Uncovered

Written by Agathe Panaretos- An unnamed third party has come forward with 150 tapes of unreleased recordings given to him by Thin Lizzy front man Phil Lynott.

The mystery source, known only as a “Thin Lizzy fan,” received the recordings shortly before Lynott’s death in 1986 at age 36.

The tracks have been released free of charge to Universal Music; the label plans to issue select tracks later this year in a box set.

“This is an absolutely stunning find,” Steve Hammonds, project manager for the box-set, told an Irish paper. With almost 700 songs, Hammonds described the tapes as “out-takes, unheard versions of Thin Lizzy hits and, most exciting of all, material that was recorded but never released at the time.”

Universal is collaborating with former members of the band, including Brian Downey and Scott Gorham, who continues to travel and perform under the band’s name. The former members will have final say in which tracks will be released and what other material will be issued.

It has been nearly 30 years since Thin Lizzy’s original lineup split. The band formed in 1969 in Dublin and released 13 albums together. These albums spawned a plethora of number one hits, including “Whiskey in a Jar,” and “The Boys Are Back in Town.”

The band broke up following the release of “Renegade” in 1981. The band’s history had been plagued with tension between various members and Lynott over creative control. Some, including member Snowy White, felt they should have been paid as a session musician for Lynott’s solo endeavors rather than as an equal member of the band. Lynott’s creative output and control over Thin Lizzy’s interests was overwhelming, causing trouble for the band while also being the source of their success.

“Phil Lynott was such a prolific songwriter,” said Hammonds, “He recorded 12 Thin Lizzy albums, two solo albums, along with his Grand Slam post-Lizzy project, and now we find he had even more songs in his drawer.”

The anonymous owner of the tapes was hesitant to come forward with the material, unsure of how they would be received and treated. The fan’s fears were relieved, however, when Universal Music released a seven-disc box set for the band last year. The set was comprised of material taken directly from the BBC archives.

The fan approached Universal following the release of the set and offered the recordings free of charge. The tracks range from sessions the band held with Decca Records in 1971 up until “Renegade.” Universal hopes to have the set prepared and ready for distribution by June of this year.

Technorati Tags: Irish Bands, Phil Lynott, Thin Lizzy, Universal Music

Brother Ali performs for a sold-out crowd at last year's Bash

Happy Birthday!

89.3 The Current Celebrates Seven Years on the Air at First Avenue

Tickets for the radio station’s two-day birthday bash at First Avenue go on sale this week.

Written by Agathe Panaretos. In celebration of its seven years on the air, 89.3 The Current announced its plans to host a two-day birthday party at the iconic First Avenue in Minneapolis. Tickets go on sale this week.

The shows are slated for January 27 and 28, 2012. The two night lineup includes a number of Minnesota favorites and music spun by The Current DJs.

The Friday night show will feature a headlining set from Tapes ‘N Tapes and critics’ darling Low, as well as local favorites Dead Man Winter and Night Moves. The lineup for Saturday night includes Polica, Suicide Commandos, MC Sims from Doomtree, and the angelic Haley Bonar.

Jim McGuinn, program director for The Current, made the announcement on December 19. “We’re really excited to showcase some of the best up and coming and legendary bands from our music scene,” he said. “Over the past few years The Current’s Birthday Party show has really become a chance to meet up and share in the great music produced in the Twin Cities all year long. We’re really looking forward to it.”

Tickets will be first made available to members of Minnesota Public Radio, the member supported organization that broadcasts The Current. Members will be able to purchase up to two tickets per night online at thecurrent.org starting January 5. A small number of tickets will also be available to purchase at First Avenue’s Depot. All members must provide their membership card valid before December 31, 2011. Remaining tickets will go on sale for the public the following day on January 6. All tickets are $15.

The Current first went on the air in Minneapolis and St. Paul in 2005. The non-commercial, member supported station became an immediate hit and later spread outside Minnesota’s borders through its online stream.  Broadcasting some of the best new music not often played on commercial stations, The Current fuses some of the latest hits with the classic and legendary sounds that inspired them. In 2010, the FMQB Triple A Conference named The Current Station of the Year and director Jim McGuinn Program Director of the Year.

The station has utilized the birthday celebration to showcase some of the best local acts of the preceding year. The show has increased the lineup each year and has completely sold out every event. Tickets are expected to be gone by Monday.

Technorati Tags: 89.3 The Current, First Avenue, Haley Bonar, Hip Hop, Indie, Low, Minneapolis, Minnesota Public Radio, Night Moves, Radio, Sims, Suicide Commandos, Tapes 'N Tapes

Written by: Jacob Kleinman

Although Dubstep music could be heard in the darkest clubs of south London as early as the late 1990s, the first musicians to cross over into the mainstream didn’t make it onto the scene for another ten years. Their music is often referred to as post-Dubstep, but really it’s just Dubstep re-imagined for the masses.

The mad thumping beats of Skrillex may be ruling this genre for the moment but across from his insane spectacle of a stage stands a young British songwriter focusing quietly behind his laptop. James Blake released his eponymous debut album in February 2011, containing 11 songs mixing the tools of Dubstep with the sensibility of gospel and soul.

“If Blake really does cross over and become the pretty white male who introduces a broader audience to dubstep, with its foundations in Jamaican music and black musicians in South East London, he’ll receive the tired, requisite backlash,” wrote Grayson Curry in a review of the album for Pitchfork.  “But these 11 songs– gorgeous, indelible tunes that are as generous in content as they are restrained in delivery– will last a lot longer.”

Although Blake is still mostly known in European clubs and American hipster enclaves, his album’s first single, a cover of Feist’s “Limit to Your Love” has exploded onto mainstream radio. The song cuts down Feist’s lyrics to just a few depressing phrases which are first sung normally and then chopped up, slowed down, electrified and repeated for almost four minutes.

James Blake manages to walk the line between completely out there and extremely approachable. His music is disjointed and dark, but also melodic and emotional. He presents himself as a humble DJ with a unique sound to offer to whoever will listen.

“Blake is, by some considerable distance, the most experimental artist in recent memory to make the annual hotly tipped lists,” writes Alexis Petridis for The Guardian, and later adds that, “Blake is exceptionally good at what he does, and what he does is hugely original.”

Blake may be at the tipping point of winning over the mainstream audience (he came in second in BBC’s Sound of 2011 poll), but for the time being he’s content to continue to toil away at his laptop.

“I was never thinking; ‘This is going to sound really good on the radio,’” Blake told the Guardian in an interview.

If he take his brand of Dubstep into the mainstream it won’t be because he tailors his own sound for the masses—James Blake refused to work with a studio producer on his debut album—but because the people give him the chance he so truly deserves.

Technorati Tags: Dubstep, James Blake, Skrillex

Written by: Jacob Kleinman

Skrillex performing at the 2011 Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest

You’re living in the Dubstep decade and you may not even realize it yet. This rising music genre can be traced back to the dank underground clubs of south London at the end of the 20^th century, but has only taken root in American youth culture in the last few years. Leading the charge is Sonny John Moore, better known by his stage name Skrillex, a California-born music producer who is as well known for his bizarre haircut and stage spectacle as he is for his music.

Dubstep has no instruments in the classic sense. Instead the studio itself becomes an instrument. Allmusic.com defines the genre as “tightly coiled productions with overwhelming bass lines and reverberant drum patterns, clipped samples, and occasional vocals.” On urbandictionary.com you can find more creative definitions that give a better sense of the aural experience; Dubstep is “the music that is created from Transformers having sex,” according to one Urban Dictionary user.

The earliest versions of Dubstep were dark and experimental, but what has translated across the Atlantic Ocean is a futuristic take on electronic dance music that’s heavy on the bass, distortion and occasional high pitched robotic vocals.

Skrillex’s music doesn’t ask you to think or analyze, it just demands that you dance, and his concerts are jam-packed, sweaty dance marathons, which the artist oversees from behind his computer with the occasional fist bump or rapid drag from a cigarette.

On December 17, Skrillex tweeted, “I love miami crowds….super dancey n groovy. I like groovy fings tingz things.” And on the last day of 2011 he wrote, ““Flex your bums it’s your last chance…of 2011 GO!”

Skrillex and his legions seemed poised to consume all in 2012. Each concert is bigger than the last. Each album sells better than the one that preceded it. And each music video gets more hits on YouTube. This is great news for his fans, but if Skrillex’s music gives you a headache the future may be beginning to look bleak.

There is, however, a ray of hope in the overcast sky that is Dubstep, and his name is James Blake, a young British musician who is returning Dubstep to its experimental roots by mixing gospel elements with his own melodic voice and Dubstep studio techniques. In the part two of this article I will go into further detail on Blake, and why he may be the perfect counterbalance to Skrillex.

Technorati Tags: Dubstep, Music, Skrillex

Written By: Anatole Ashraf

New York—New York City enjoys a widely-held reputation as a melting pot for a variety of cultures, food, and art. The city’s music scene, in particular, is about to receive one more reason to cement its reputation in 2012 as artists from around the world gather here for GlobalFest 2012.

On Jan. 8 2012, 12 musical artists from at least 12 different countries will gather in New York City for GlobalFest 2012 at Webster Hall. The concert will take place over five hours from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. with artists playing between 30 and 60 minutes on each of the venue’s three stages. It will mark the ninth year that the concert has been featured at the historic downtown Manhattan venue.

GlobalFest 2012 continues in the tradition of featuring musicians from around the world. The list of artists this year includes musicians from Southern Italy, northeastern China, Yemen, France, Brazil, and Haiti. The concert will also feature the American debuts of The Gloaming—a collective of American and Celtic musicians—and the Chinese jazz artist Wang Li, who notably features the jaw harp, an instrument native to Asia and all tribes of Turkic people.

In addition to artists from other countries, GlobalFest 2012 will feature international artists from American cities such as Boston and, of course, New York. The Debo Band, based in Boston, delivers an eclectic mix of Ethiopian music and funk influences, while M.A.K.U. Soundsystem celebrates the Afro-Colombian musical traditions that are found in the New York City borough of Queens.

GlobalFest 2012 also acts as a platform for discussing social and political issues. The Haitian artist, BélO, for example, says he was chosen to be an “activist artist.”

“It would be easier to earn more money or be more popular doing love songs,” says BélO. “But I was born an activist musician. I live it, I feel it, and I have a vision.”

One group of artists attracting attention from news outlets such as National Public Radio is the Silk Road Ensemble, a collective of fourteen artists from countries that include India, Iran, Azerbaijan, China, Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. The group is especially notable for being personally chosen by founder, world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma. GlobalFest 2012 will mark the collective’s tenth active year.

In addition to curating a showcase of international artists in New York, the organizers of GlobalFest 2012 time the concert to coincide with annual Association for Performing Arts Presenters conference, when thousands of concert promoters will seek new talent for upcoming programming seasons. The organizers call the conference “the most important booking even in North America.”

With such an eclectic but energetic collection of artists that spans a multitude of countries and cultures, GlobalFest 2012 promises to brighten up an otherwise quiet winter month in New York City.

New York’s Musical Melting Pot Gets Richer While International Artists Gather for GlobalFest 2012

Technorati Tags: BelO, Debo Band, GlobalFest 2012, international artists, jaw harp, M.A.K.U. Soundsystem, Manhattan, New York City, The Gloaming, Wang Li, Webster Hall, world music, Yo-Yo Ma