Music News: Jamiroquai to Release New Album ‘Rock Dust Light Star’ and Single “Blue Skies” this November

After hearing their new promo single “White Knuckle Ride,” it’s like Jamiroquai never left! Jamiroquai is one of the first bands that really peaked my interest in dance music. While I think it was “Virtual Insanity” that first grabbed my attention (and subsequently helped break Jamiroquai into the mainstream) there are so many classics from the band’s six album catalog that it’s hard to choose a favorite.  In addition to the band’s breakout hit, songs like “Cosmic Girl,” “Deeper Underground,” “Canned Heat,” “Little L,” “You Give Me Something” continue to pop up on my playlist from time to time and every time one does I hope for a comeback. Well… Looks like I’ll be getting my wish next month when Jamiroquai releases their 7th studio album, ‘Rock Dust Light Star’ on November 1st. 

“White Knuckle Ride,” the band’s first single since 2006’s “Runaway,” is a slice of musical heaven and a sign of good things to come from the new album.  Written by band members Jay Kay and Matt Johnson the song marks the groups first single signed to Mercury Records.  To be released as a “taster” on a limited edition vinyl, “White Knuckle Ride” is backed by remixes from Seamus Haji, Monarchy and Penguin Prison so it’s looking like this record will be prime club play material. ‘Rock Dust Light Star,’ Jamiroquai‘s seventh studio album and the bands’ first in 5 years is the sort of comeback I was hoping for.

“At a time when many acts are producing electronic, disco influenced tracks, with “Rock Dust Light Star, Jamiroquai have moved on from the sound they helped popularize and reverted to a more organic, live sound.”

Interesting. I’m not going to lie…“White Knuckle Ride” kind of sounds like another Jamiroquai song to me. Perhaps I need to go back and listen to the old catalog again, but I don’t think this is a bad thing in the slightest.  Perhaps the re-jiggering was done under the hood, and not audible? Perhaps I just haven’t listened to it enough. Regardless of whether or not the new sound is actually new, Jamiroquai is back and I’m beyond thrilled with the result.

According to frontman Jay Kay, “Everything on the record is live. It’s a real band record. The last, album – fantastic – but the whole thing became a little sterile. This time we’ve captured the flow of our live performances.”

Maybe that’s the problem! I need to see Jamiroquai live! While it doesn’t appear to have a U.S. release date just yet, here’s hoping. The first official first album single “Blue Skies” will be released in November 1st, the same day as the album release and is described by the band as “pure class” and “an epic, blissful, sun-kissed Californian mid tempo song with lush string arrangements and perhaps Kay’s most emotive vocal to date.” Can’t wait!

Check out the video for “White Knuckle Ride” below…

Info. Source: musicallyinclinedfool/YouTube

Music News: Coldplay Named Top Songwriters At ASCAP Awards

Coldplay‘s songwriting skills landed them the top honors at the 30th annual ASCAP Awards in London on Wednesday.

Bandmates Chris Martin, Will Champion, Jonny Buckland and Guy Berryman were named the Songwriters of the Year at the ceremony, while their “Viva La Vida” hit won them the Song of the Year award.

Other big winners included Taio Cruz, who picked up the ASCAP Vanguard Award for his record ‘Departure,’ and chart-topping Brits Scouting For Girls won the ASCAP College Award for “Everybody Wants to Be on TV.”

Another 20 song awards were also handed out during the event to honor songwriters – Paul McCartney‘s “Come Together,” U2‘s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” and Phil Collins‘ track “In The Air Tonight” were among the tracks recognized.

News Source: Starpulse

Just In: The “Green Light” at Cypress Hill ‘SmokeOut’ Festival

Rappers Cypress Hill have scored a coup at their upcoming ‘SmokeOut’ festival in California – the owners of a medical marijuana dispensary will be in business on site.

The group will take the stage alongside MGMT, Incubus and Erykah Badu, among others, at the event in San Bernardino on Saturday, (Oct. 16th), but the live music won’t be the major talking point.

“Peace in Medicine bosses have been given permission to sell pot onsite. Promoter Chang Weisberg tells Spinner.com he’s convinced his festival will lead the way to all major musical events becoming marijuana-friendly sites”.

He says, “It’s not too far from the future right now where you could see responsible 21-and-over use of medical marijuana. If we can harness this particular industry, be a positive advocate and help create policy, this could have a substantial change on my business. That means it will have a big impact for musicians as well.”

Weisberg insists his reputation for organizing trouble-free events in San Bernardino and a medical marijuana expo he staged at last year’s ‘SmokeOut’ helped him land the deal this year.

He adds, “When we reintroduced the ‘SmokeOut’ last year, we brought a medical marijuana expo onsite, and its objective was education, activism and compassion. Cypress and Guerilla Union threw ourselves into an industry to become an active advocate, meaning we did a lot of research and outreach – actually going out and speaking with the leadership and policymakers last year. (It was) definitely a step in the right direction.”

A statement from Cypress Hill reads,

“We see consumption onsite at SmokeOut as a huge step toward protecting and enabling patient rights. It happens far too often where patients are messed with and arrested for possession of less than an ounce of medicine. Here at SmokeOut, our fans can exercise their rights without fear or intimidation. By having safe and compassionate consumption at SmokeOut, we’re hoping to set a viable precedent for music festivals and the community. We hope it inspires others to take that step and help further the movement.”

Source: Starpulse

Breaking News: T.I. Helps Suicidal Man From Jumping Off Building

Atlanta Police got unexpected help talking a suicidal man down from an Atlanta skyscraper on Wednesday when rapper T.I. showed up.

Officer James Polite says the hip-hop star joined the crowd outside the 22-story office building in midtown Wednesday and told officers he wanted to help. Police said the man agreed to come down in exchange for a few minutes face-to-face with T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris.

T.I. said he heard about the situation on the radio and drove to the building to help. He recorded a video message of himself on a cell phone and rescue workers took it to the man to prove the rapper was really there.

“I told him it ain’t that bad. It’ll get better, to put the time and effort into making it better,” T.I. said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. “I just reminded him know that I know. It looks bad right now, but it can turn around.”

The Atlanta native said the man seemed to be “beat up by life.”

The suicidal man, whose name wasn’t released, but according to T.I. his name is “Joshua” was taken to a hospital and no charges will be filed.

The good deed follows recent legal trouble for the rapper, who is due in court Friday for a parole hearing after being arrested on suspicion of drug offenses last month in Los Angeles. He’s on supervised release after spending a year in prison on federal weapons charges.

Check out the video below….

CNN Interview

Radio Interview

News Source: AP

“He is our Hero of the Month!”