GFM Fam we wanted to get you up on the sound of Now vs. Now the exploratory new electro-groove power trio of keyboardist/composer Jason Lindner (Me’shell Ndegeocello, Lauryn Hill) the unique Greek Balkan bassist/vocalist Panagiotis Andreou (Yerba Buena) and Jersey Shore IDM-influenced drummer Mark Guiliana (Heernt, Beat Music). Their debut album Jason Lindner gives you NOW VS NOW, produced by longtime fan and collaborator Meshell Ndegeocello and mixed by Bob Power (Q-Tip, Roots), is steeped in Guiliana’s hard grooves, Lindner’s ambient soundscapes, and bassist Andreou’s subby, syncopated bass lines and Balkan Gypsy-style vocal work. Check out the set below.

GFM NYC area fam make sure to save the date as Now Vs. Now are showcasing during The APAP Conference on Monday, Jan 9th in NY at Rockwood Music Hall- 10PM

Are you ready to not only give up the FUNK but to be educated about the FUNK as well? Well hit that button and get ready to meet some of your esteemed Funkologists for Year Two of Bootsy Collins’ Funk U.

Yeah, we know it’s “Valentine’s Day” but who said we gotta pay Cupid some damn tribute!!!! If you’re one of those lovesick puppies and hopeless romantics looking for your fix on V-Day, we got your fix but it sure as hell ain’t what you think!!! On this day of love, we wanted to send Cupid a special mixtape! A list of songs that really express our deep passion in the subject of amour. So if love has kicked you in the ass, made a complete fool of you, had you crying like Lenny Williams and broadcasted your shame all over Facebook and Twitter, then welcome my friends to our official “F!ck, Cupid,!!” mixtape!! A Valentine’s mix that is sure to have you burning down someone’s car and lighting a cigarette afterward!!!

And Cupid, in case you missed our sentiments, let us say it again……….”F**K YOU!!!” (in my Cee-Lo voice) (more…)

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Donna I’m going to need you to weigh in on this before Monday.

#8

Well maybe we can start with a some candy, flowers and a card? What do you think Al?

#7

Good question… if we are going to live apart I’m going to need some of stuff back. Just sayin… (more…)

Time really does fly when you are having fun… I wanted to mark today by re-posting my very first GFM posting from one year ago today as well as provide some links to a few of my favorite rants and reviews. (more…)

When given the opportunity to interview a musician who has forged a career that contains a volume of work that any student of American music should deem as important, you don’t hesistate to take full advantage of that opportunity. Now, when what this musician has to say is on par with her musical genius it’s a serious no-brainer.

Such is the case with Meshell Ndegeocello and it is our pleasure to bring you this discussion in the only way we know how: unfiltered. Devil’s Halo the new album is out and you can read a review of it here. And now without any further adieu we present the interview!

Q: As an artist which process is the most cathartic for you? The writing, the recording or the performing?

A: Being in the studio. I love to record. Inevitably, I get to write, record, and perform all at the same time there.

Q: Can you point to a definitive flashpoint moment where you determined that music would be your calling?

A: When I heard “Soft and Wet.”

Q: What are you thoughts on social media as it relates to how musicians conduct business in the 21st Century?

A: Well, on the one hand it empowers the artist. On the other, I do not have the skills to “conduct business” there and I don’t think a lot of creative people do. It’s an incredible marketing tool but it’s also another extreme.

Q: Is there a character from a book, movie, or TV show that accurately depicts the feel of Meshell Ndegeocello’s bass playing?

A: Radar in MASH. I can anticipate things musically.
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Devil’s Halo, (released earlier this month on Mercer Street Records) is the 8th album from über bassist, composer, and producer Meshell Ndegeocello. Meshell Ndegeocello has never been one who has been afraid to state for the record (pun intended) exactly what she is feeling musically at the time. I would expect nothing less from a musician who has shared the stage with artists as genre diverse as The Rolling Stone, James Blood Ulmer, The Five Blind Boys of Alabama and Chaka Khan. Of course the list of musical acts that have benefitted from her immense talent goes on and on, but the point is when you discuss the music of Meshell Ndegeocello you’re discussing exactly that…music. I don’t know if I can be any clearer when I simply submit music as the catch all adjective, but there are just some musicians who defy categorizations.

One of my favorite quotes about music is from the French Composer Claude Debussy “Music is the space between the notes.” For me Devil’s Halo adapts that concept of space on numerous levels. First the entire set is 12 tracks(remember vinyl albums?) and the majority of the tracks are between two and a half to three and a half miutes long. Second, the instrumentation: Bass/Vocals -Meshell Ndegeocello, Guitar- Chris Bruce, Drums- Deantoni Parks, Keys- Keefus Ciancia, Background Vocals- Oren Bloedow, Mark Kelly, Cello- Lisa Germano. Now that’s a band. When you play with live musicians you must be instinctly aware of the space you create and the space being created aroud you. Now we should consider the last component that follows this concept of space: Process.
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The new album from Meshell Ndegeocello, Devil’s Halo is in stores today. True to form, it’s a dope album, with a range of musical influences and experimental sounds.

The very Prince-esque “Love You Down” cover (Ready For The World) is a banger and just begs to be listened to repeatedly — loudly!!

Other standout cuts include the title track and “Mass Transit“.

Check out the live performance and listen to the album preview after the jump.

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