Spurred on by a number of British New Wave acts like The Police, Elvis Costello, The Pretenders, Squeeze, and Gary Numan in the late 1970′s, the Second British Musical Invasion was solidified a few years later when our Artist of the Month Duran Duran ruled the video and airwaves. In 1983, Duran Duran along with groups like Eurythmics, Culture Club, A Flock of Seagulls and on and on were able to capture a 30% share of record sales. No small feat and the influence that this phenomenon had on music was not only felt during the height on the “invasion” during the mid-80′s but throughout the decade and beyond.

Many have written about the influence that this musical “invasion” had on Pop music but I’ve often thought about the influence that it had on other genres, R&B and Hip Hop in general. It was and continues to be an interesting phenomenon in the sense that you have a number of these acts from the UK citing Soul, R&B and Funk as primary musical influences and in turn their musical output influencing the contemporary equivalent of those genres during this era and beyond.

Let’s examine a more complete(not necessarily exhaustive) list of groups with significant presence during this time period.

ABC
Adam and the Ants
After The Fire
The Alarm

Bananarama
Belouis Some
Bow Wow Wow
Big Country

Culture Club
The Cure

Dead or Alive
Def Leppard
Depeche Mode
Dexys Midnight Runners
Thomas Dolby
Duran Duran

English Beat
Erasure
Eurythmics

Fastway
A Flock of Seagulls
Frankie Goes to Hollywood
The Fixx

Eddy Grant

Haircut 100
Heaven 17
The Human League

Billy Idol
Iron Maiden

Howard Jones

Kajagoogoo

Madness
Modern English
Musical Youth

Naked Eyes
New Order

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Pet Shop Boys
The Psychedelic Furs

Re-Flex

Simple Minds
Soft Cell
Spandau Ballet

Tears for Fears
Thompson Twins

Ultravox

Wang Chung
Wham!

Yaz
Paul Young

A number of these acts along with our Artist of the month, had an immediate impact on Black Music as it was known at the time I guess it’s called Urban now, but I digress…

In the Spring of ’84 while on a small vacation to Grandma’s house I spied something peculiar on the television. A full year and a half before this channel reached my small town there was a station on called BET. What was even more interesting was that there was a video show on and this song happened to be the first video I ever saw on BET. I most note that my love affair with BET and videos began in earnest in the Fall of ’85 and lasted for almost the next 15 years. Digressing again…

Quite notably missing from the list above are a number of acts who immediately impacted Black Music on this side of the Atlantic. It’s possible that they were overlooked because of the beginning of their ascent was during the middle to the ladder part of the decade. Groups like Loose Ends, Five Star and a little group led by Ms. Adu

Numerous Hip Hop classics were recorded in London during the 1980′s most notably acts who were on the Jive roster of artists.

Thomas Dolby and the Funk

The influence of Duran Duran and many of the groups listed above is undeniable, musical influences often will show up decades later, often in a new genre and whereas adherents to these genres will hear something new we’re often reminded that there “Really is nothing new under the sun.”

Here’s one of the best examples of that, a MTV staple a definitive video from the Invasion Era. This song was originally recorded by Gloria Jones in 1964 and then received new life in the 80′s from Soft Cell and then somehow was revived once again in the new millennium. So somehow the music travels from here to there back to here then back again and that’s the way it’s always been with music, because she is our cultural representative.

We wanted to take some time out today to get you familiar with and in the know about the sound of multi-platinum South African singing sensation LIRA. LIRA is currently preparing for her firs full length US debut Feel Good which is slated to be released in January 2012. Earlier this month saw the release of The LIRA EP which contains material from Lira’s vast catalog and many place the sound found in this collection comparable to artists like Lizz Wright, Sade, and Maxwell. To purchase the LIRA EP go here.

Today we have a live clip of “Rise Again” the contains the Afro-Soul sound that has propelled LIRA to be the recipient of South African Music Awards (SAMAs), MTV African Awards, MOJO Awards, Glamour Magazine’s Woman of the Year, and garnered fashion and lifestyle magazine covers, platinum albums… all leaving an indelible impression on Africa-at-large.

The sound on this track is a great mix of Pop, Soul, and rhythms that are not only closely identified with Africa but the entire African Diaspora. The prominence of the guitar in the arrangement instantly brings to mind the another great South African artist Jonathan Butler. Over the coming weeks and months I’m hoping that a nice groundswell can be built for LIRA so that she can receive that support for her debut that is primed to deliver a sound that is needed sorely needed in the marketplace.

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From the press release

(Los Angeles, CA – August 9, 2011) Elegant. Soulful. Radiant. Few words come close to describing the rich, silky sound of South Africa’s preeminent female vocalist of the 21st century, LIRA. Since embarking on her incomparable career nearly a decade ago, LIRA has blazed an astonishing trail of accomplishments that few artists in the history of the entire continent can lay claim to. The Sony Music recording star has brazenly carved her own musical niche – a musical mélange as refreshing as a summer breeze. Her flawless dossier boasts a multitude of South African Music Awards, MTV Africa Awards and MOBO Awards as well as Glamour Magazine South Africa’s Woman of the Year, fashion and lifestyle magazine covers, and platinum albums, all of which have left an indelible impression on Africa-at-large.

Today LIRA releases her 5-track EP, which will serve as her introduction to American audiences. The LIRA EP, a breathtaking collection of tunes culled from her amazing catalog, sits comfortably in the company of grooves by the likes of Lizz Wright, Sade, and Maxwell. The EP serves as a delectable audio appetizer for LIRA’s full-length 14-track American LP Feel Good in January 2012. The EP features stunning live versions of “Feel Good” and “Rise Again,” as well as three exclusive tracks not contained on upcoming LP “Dance Of Life,” “Crush,” and “Ngiyabonga.” The single “Feel Good” saunters with a silky confidence that opens into a vamp brighter than the morning sun. A polyglot with five languages under her belt, LIRA gives thanks and praise on the gratitude-filled “Ngiyabonga” (which means “thank you” in Zulu) sung completely in one of her many native tongues. The Spanish guitar driven “Rise Again” is an ardent lyrical testament to the triumphs of the remarkably resilient human spirit in the face of obstacles and seemingly insurmountable odds.

As part of a new cadre of African artists making waves stateside such as K’Naan, Nneka, and Blitz The Ambassador, LIRA sees herself as an ambassador of the new Africa: a land where, despite a recent history filled with obstacles, a future brimming with infinite possibilities lies. Just as certain as the mother of invention is necessity, LIRA feels that this pressure to thrive outside of convention has bred a unique brand of ingenuity that will propel her and her fellow artists to the world stage.

“We’re proud of being African, but there’s also a desire to be a part of the world. Part of the way we can raise the consciousness back home is when people see us rise on the world stage. We don’t do it for the individual, we do it for the entire group.”

In 2003 LIRA’s debut album All My Love earned the grand distinction of dethroning an international superstar from the top spot, the title track knocked Beyonce’s “Dangerously in Love” off the #1 position on South African charts, marking the first time in history a local song had been played as frequently. In 2009, nine million South Africans tuned into LIRA’s telecast LIRA Live in Concert: A Celebration, subsequently the DVD went on to secure triple platinum certification becoming the country’s fastest and highest selling music videodisc, supplanting yet another international diva’s reign at the top: Celine Dion’s Live in Las Vegas; A New Day.

LIRA has released four platinum selling albums including Feel Good (2006), Soul in Mind (2008) Return to Love (2010) and the soundtrack to Lira Live in Concert; A Celebration (2009) while the title track to her debut album “Feel Good” officially became the first music video from a South African artist featured on VH-1. In the summer of 2010, LIRA joined a line up of stellar artists FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Concert including Alicia Keys, Shakira, Black Eyed Peas and John Legend, performing a rousing rendition of “Pata Pata,” a hit song originally recorded by the late Miriam Makeba. Later that summer, LIRA was also selected to take part in the 92nd birthday celebration of former South African president Nelson Mandela. Telecast live in 3D, her performance of the popular Labi Siffre anti-apartheid tune and Mandela favorite “(Something Inside) So Strong” with the Soweto Spiritual Singers proved to be one of the most stunning live vocal performances in her career to date.

Now, after eight years of triumphant transcendence, prestigious accolades, and record-breaking milestones in her homeland, LIRA is poised to take America by storm.

While her sold out tour is enrapturing audiences across North America, Sade is simultaneously releasing new music.  “Love is Found” comes from the recently released “Ultimate Collection”.  The track showcases the trademark smooth simplicity that has carried both Sade and her band Sweetback to the top of the charts over and over throughout the past three decades.  Even though the track carries a familiarity in both lyrics and melody, there is an additional technical sound that has been added to the track. Because of this, the track is sonically more similar to the title track of her last original recording “Soldier of Love” than it is to the rest of her catalog. This mesh of both new and familiar sounds will satisfy original Sade fans as well as garner new fans.

1. Atlanta loves Zo! and The Foreign Exchange Family [GFM]
2. Beyoncé Line Dances In The Street With Group Of Women [Yahoo]
3. El DeBarge Plots Headlining Tour, Records with Babyface [Billboard]
4. Kenny Burns releases his documentary [KB]
5. Sade Announces Her First Tour in 10 Years [Billboard]
6. Justin Bieber has the last laugh [SG]
7. How To Really Get Your Music On Blogs [PDF] [TMB]
8. Soundgarden’s Platinum Game [WSJ]
9. Mariah Carey debuts her new Christmas single [HP]
10. Every Little Step with Mike Tyson & Wayne Brady [FOD]

Grown Folks Music.

Here we have a nice rework project inspired by Sade’s music, produced by J. Haze with Naira on vocals.

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With Sade’s return and the upcoming Erykah Badu release, there have been a myriad of mixtapes floating around. Most have been, well, rather routine and predictable to say the least. Here’s one you’ll definitely want to cop and just let it ride.

Props to Bama Love Soul, who always delivers the goods! Click here for the download. Enjoy.

The reclusive Sade has been in all out promo mode with the release of her long awaited 6th studio album, Soldier Of Love. If you haven’t already picked it up, what are you waiting for?? The NY times has an interesting piece chronicling her return.

Additionally, in a rare exclusive, Robert Sandall from the Times Online had the privilege of interviewing the star at her record label. In a revealing interview, she discusses her childhood, her absence, family life and her love for performing live. Here’s an excerpt:

Paradoxically, in person she is open, friendly and relaxed – she’s happy to let me into her spacious Georgian house in leafy north London – and willing to laugh at herself. Unlike her songs, which are often freighted with introspective sadness and regret, her conversation is punctuated with a lively and very English self-mockery. She tells me about a graffitied poster of herself that her guitarist Stuart Matthewman spotted in New York. Above her glamorous image, some wag had sprayed the observation: “This bitch sings when she wants to.” Sade thinks this hilarious. It sums up her career pretty well. She makes music on her own terms.

Check out clips from her recent live performances and upcoming appearances after the jump.

You can read the entire interview here.

UPCOMING TELEVISION APPEARANCES:

2/15 – The Ellen DeGeneres Show

2/16 – Jimmy Kimmel Live

2/20 – The Wanda Sykes Show

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Props to Rap Radar and Soul Culture.

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