Funkadelic: First Ya Gotta Shake The Gate

“I don’t do a whole lot of doin’ without the funk…I promise the funk, promise to keep this promise, you’ll keep the funk.” That of course, is a Funkadelic mantra. The promise of funk is one that George Clinton has kept throughout all of Parliament-Funkadelic’s many incarnations in its long history. It’s also a promise he’s… Continue reading Funkadelic: First Ya Gotta Shake The Gate

Soulfest 2015 – The Second Coming

Soulfest arrived last year, promoted as ‘Australia’s First Annual Neo Soul, Jazz & Hip Hop Festival’. Some teething problems in its inaugural year left people wondering whether there would be a second Soulfest in 2015. Most who experienced Soulfest 2014 were hoping the festival would come again. Because despite those initial teething problems, Soulfest had delivered to… Continue reading Soulfest 2015 – The Second Coming

Flying Lotus Live In “Melben”

After flight delays from Wellington on Friday, folks in Melbourne had a long wait into the early hours of Saturday morning for their highly-anticipated live Flying Lotus experience. By the end of his show that long wait seemed worth it for both the die-hard FlyLo disciples with their arms stretched out towards him on the stage… Continue reading Flying Lotus Live In “Melben”

E is for Electronic Music Infiltration

Bajofondo live at Teatro Metropol - Bogota, Colombia

‘E’ in Beaver’s A to Z of Fusion goes to the sounds of electronic music for their like-it-or-not, rapid infiltration of almost every type of music in just about every part of the world since their beginnings at the end of the 19th century. A Shallow History of Infiltration The history of electronic music is long… Continue reading E is for Electronic Music Infiltration

D’Angelo – A Messiah of Sorts

Have you spent the last 14 years since D’Angelo delivered Voodoo – waiting, watching, desperately hoping for the artist then-dubbed the “R&B Jesus” to bring us new music, to deliver Black Messiah? Not me, or at least I didn’t think I was. Voodoo kept me in good company that whole time and still now gives me as much listening… Continue reading D’Angelo – A Messiah of Sorts

The Gold Standards of Prince

Prince - 'Art Official Age' (2014)

It’s Prince. You all know who he is. You all know what he’s done in his long and at times “crazy-amazing” music career. By now you either love all of Prince’s music, hate it or a bit of both. So I guess you already know that four years since the last, Prince has recently released… Continue reading The Gold Standards of Prince

Soulfest Brisbane – Shit, Damn, Motherfucker

One week after Brisbane Soulfest I’m still buzzing on a musical high, slowly absorbing and relishing the goodness of the experience it was. Festival folks in Brisbane were delivered exactly what they went to Soulfest for: 10 hours of non-stop soul, r&b and hip hop music from a long-list of quality Australian-based and international artists performing tag team on 2… Continue reading Soulfest Brisbane – Shit, Damn, Motherfucker

Melbourne Soulfest 2014 – Silky Smooth Sunday Soul Dreams

In Australia right now for the world-first Soulfest are a long list of some of the most talented and influential contemporary soul, r&b and hip hop artists on the planet. Angie Stone, D’Angelo, Leela James, Anthony Hamilton, Maxwell, Aloe Blacc, Mos Def, Musiq Soulchild and Common. Each artist came with with their own band and back-up… Continue reading Melbourne Soulfest 2014 – Silky Smooth Sunday Soul Dreams

Flying Lotus – You’re Dead! But Your Spirit Ain’t

Flying Lotus - You're Dead! (2014)

“The first time you listen to You’re Dead! try to clear 30+ min of your super busy and important schedule and listen to the whole ride…” Flying Lotus- Sep 19 Flying Lotus (aka Steven Elllison) posted that about 2 weeks before the official release of his new album. Two weeks afterYou’re Dead! arrived into my hands I’m posting… Continue reading Flying Lotus – You’re Dead! But Your Spirit Ain’t

Exquisite Tones of Leela James

Hear any Leela James song and you’ll know that it’s a Leela James song without being told. You won’t know from the sound of the music. It’s not exceptionally different to the familiar, classic, feel-good sounds of R&B music from yesteryears. x But you will be absolutely sure it’s Leela James’ music by the sound of her voice.… Continue reading Exquisite Tones of Leela James