Category Archives: All Interviews

Papa Mali and I have been trying to connect up for a little bit now and we finally put the pieces together. He has been touring around with Galactic supporting his swampy hot sophomoric release dubbed DO YOUR THING. This album here is one for the books. I tell you, it takes on a storm of sounds, some noticeably familiar to our senses…while others really gives us time to reflect and others still…..time to bob and weave like a funky soul chicken. DO YOUR THING really is an album worth personifying and giving an identity to, it could become one of your best pals. It is warm and welcoming, like Papa Mali himself and it welcomes you in for some spiced gumbo that knocks your socks off. In our chat we get a chance to discuss the new album, the first album and some shared friends in Stanton Moore and J.J. Grey. You can check out Papa Mali’s show coming to Lupo’s with Galactic on March 27th, be sure to bring your voodoo dancing boots and your positive spirit to this one folks.

Check out our conversation here.

2007 is James Cotton’s 63rd year in the entertainment business. What an amazing adventure this man is experiencing with his little harmonica. Congratulations SUPERHARP! Cotton will be playing the Hungry Tiger in Manchester, Connecticut on February 22nd along with another blues legend James Montgomery. Make sure you bring your boogie shoes for this one! Cotton has always been known for having one of the best bands in the business. The line-up for the past several years has been: Slam Allen, guitar, vocals; Tom Holland, guitar; Charles Mack, bass; Mark Mack, drums; and, of course, Superharp, James Cotton. His eyes light up when he talks about his band, “My audience always tells me how I’m doing. If I look out there and don’t like what I see, I work harder.” His audiences are still on their feet, they enjoy themselves as much as he does, and there are still standing ovations night after night. You will have a memorable evening with an international treasure and a true Living Legend of the Blues.

Check out our quick talk here.

Rising from the underground of Toronto’s multicultural music melting pot, Eccodek’s visionary blend of downtempo grooves, tribal electronica and world dub is quickly capturing the attention of the international music scene. Andrew McPherson, the mastermind behind the ECCODEK sound, collaborated for several years with musicians from around the world before the 2004 Canadian indie release of his much-anticipated debut recording, More Africa In Us. A chance meeting with Rwandan expatriate Ignace Ntirushwamaboko and Malian vocal powerhouse Samba Diallo resulted in a fusion that none of them saw coming. Anchored by their soulful voices, their passionate performances sit on a mountain of dubby bass, ethnic and urban grooves, spaced out synths and a quilt work of eastern melodies. Andrew and I share a laugh or two, discuss some new projects accomplished and in the works and discuss his new album coming out this April.

Check out our conversation here.

Jazz legends Chick Corea and Gary Burton debut their virtuoso jazz duets in a cabaret setting at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts on Friday and Saturday, January 26 and 27 at 8 p.m. The first collaboration by these trailblazing jazz legends resulted in 1972’s sublime duet album, “Crystal Silence“, the jazz-fusion recording that thrust Corea and Burton into the consciousness of America. Ever influential, and with separate careers that periodically intersect, these kindred spirits have continued to compose, perform and record fresh jazz works that break new ground. Corea has produced a staggering volume of recordings over the past 40 years, and is one of the most prolific composers of the second half of the 20th century. In 2006 he received the Award of the Piano Festival Ruhr in Germany, a lifetime achievement award previously presented to only eight musicians. He also premiered a new piano concerto in Austria as part of the gala Mozart festival in Vienna.
In the 1960s, Burton and his fusion band pioneered the use of electric guitar in pushing the jazz form toward the explosive rock genre. Burton’s innovations in jazz, especially his approach to the vibraphone and his mastery of simultaneous four-mallet playing, have been the hallmark of his 40-year career. He has earned five Grammy awards and 13 Grammy nominations that cross multiple categories and attest to the high regard his music has achieved among his peers.
Don’t miss these jazz virtuosos in their first appearance in Storrs.

Check out my conversation with Mister Gary Burton here.

Micro and I went back and forth like an Olympic table tennis match trying to set up a moment to talk. The new album from Club dElf is title NOW I UNDERSTAND, but rest assured, you won’t. The music is unexplainable and dynamic, at time touching on sounds you’ve heard and at other moments, you will be lead to a new location with your ears driving the train. And that is what it is like, a train of sound that you should ride from song one until the final track to get the complete story told. Be sure that the next time you board that train, it’ll take you on a completely different ride.

Listen to our LIVE ON AIR talk here.

Exit Clov is a five-piece indie rock band from Washington, DC, described as everything from “darkly melodic acid-pop” to “kaleidoscopic pop noir.” With the punk ethos of Blondie, the political edge of Metric, the pure pop sensibilities of indie darlings Stars, and the playfulness of Shonen Knife, the band has a broad appeal that transcends ordinary music genres. Since its conception in 2003, they have established a trademark sound with beautiful harmonies sung over infectious synth, violin, guitar, bass and drums. While the band’s sound is golden to the ear, they are consistently raw and fresh beyond traditional rocknroll standards. Exit Clov have to their credit two self-produced EPs (2004 Starfish, 2005 Saskwatch), the Jolly Roget Sessions (2006) — on which they enlisted the help of Roger Greenawalt (No Doubt, Ben Kweller, Iggy Pop, White Stripes) — and the newest, Respond Respond EP, released on Livewire Recordings. I had them here and was able to squeeze out 3 acoustic renditions of their unique tunes and a little chatter after. I dig Exit Clov, now it’s your turn.

Listen to our time together here.