Lenny Kravitz in the Movies....too

Lenny Kravitz

Eclectic! That is a word we use often to describe the indescribable.  A word used to explain personal taste without boundaries. I have used the word to describe my own musical listening preferences. Many times the word is used in speaking of musicians who cross industry genre lines. Why not use it in speaking of Lenny Kravitz? Eclectic indeed! I remember working for a music magazine here in Florida when he first broke on the scene and I kept thinking, he reminds me of Jimi Hendrix. Not necessarily his guitar playing or even his singing in particular. However, his presentation, and the fact that there is such a mixture of styles of music when he records and performs feels a lot like Hendrix. I also remember a conversation with a fellow worker who happened to disagree initially, but he later understood what I meant and agreed with my Hendrix and Kravitz comparison. As you read this post you also may disagree with my comparison, but I just ask you to look at the musical presentation only.  Kravitz’ style of music has been described as rock, funk, soul, R & B, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads. On top of that he is a multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter. Moreover, Kravitz is now appearing in the major buzz movie “The Hunger Games“. This is actually his second movie role after also appearing in the film "Precious".  Why does Kravitz have such a wide array of artistic outlets? It may have something to do with his background. Kravitz is the son of the late actress Roxie Roker and television producer Sy Kravitz. He grew up in a household listening to anything from Jazz to Motown and hard rock to classical music. Of course being Jewish/Bahamian sounds like diversity for sure. Interestingly Kravitz speaks often of his own spirituality identifying himself as Christian “through choice, but I’m also a Jew. It’s all the same to me“. He also notes that “spirituality has been an important issue in my growth, given my upbringing by parents of different faith“. Kravitz’ spirituality factor can be heard loud and clear in much of his song lyrics. However, the fact that both parents were influential in television and film may be the issue in his making the most of opportunities to act in movies while enjoying a very successful music career. Will there be more roles in the big screen for Lenny Kravitz in the future? We’ll see!

"This Is Who I Am"

Melanie Fiona

It is wonderful to watch an artist grow and become special. The first recording usually is not material the artist chooses themselves. Most of the time the first album is a compilation of music to which the artist may have no personal connection. Then after meeting successful sales, the company may give the artist more power to make musical decisions. At that point, we find out a little more about the singer as a person, and their experiences. Such is the case with Melanie Fiona the twenty-eight year old songstress from Toronto. Later in the week, she will release her second album, “The MF Life.” In an interview for The Huffington Post she said, “The first album was definitely about paying homage and respect to what inspires me, and this album is more carved out to who I am and what I've been through as an artist -- and as a woman“. After hearing some of the clips from the album, I was very impressed and I am really anticipating that this will be one of my favorite MP3 albums for sure. In addition, we had the duet with Cee Lo Green (Fool for you} that brought in two Grammy awards and Melanie Fiona has become a very noticeable entertainer. In the interview, Melanie spoke of Whitney Houston. She said,” Whitney Houston’s voice was the very first voice I fell in love with. She was the voice that made me want to become a singer”. Melanie Fiona’s regret is that she never met Whitney Houston. I am sorry that did not happen because Fiona, like Houston, also possesses a “special” voice. What will come next for Melanie Fiona? Well, the album will be released on March 20, and then her concert tour. How popular will “The MF Life” become? We will see but I think this album could really start to set Fiona apart from many of the other female vocalists. One thing for sure, we are starting to find out who Melanie Fiona is musically. Remember what she said, “this album is more carved out to who I am”. Indeed it is!

The King of Latin Pop?

Enrique Iglesias

Throughout history several entertainers have been considered King or Queen of their particular genre of music. Aretha Franklin is the Queen of Soul. Michael Jackson was considered the King of Pop. Mary J. Blige has been crowned the Queen of Hip Hop. And years ago Whitney Houston stated that her then husband Bobby Brown was the King of R & B. Elvis is still simply considered the King. However, in this year 2012, with so many successful male singers burning up the Latin Music charts, it would seem very difficult to find one artist who occupies the top spot. According to Billboard Magazine that distinction belongs to Enrique Iglesias. In fact, between the years 1986 - 2011 after amassing fifty-five number one hits on the Billboard Charts, Iglesias is considered the number two Latin artist behind Luis Miguel. I took notice last week after hearing that Iglesias, now on his Euphoria World Tour, needed to add several more concert dates in Mexico. Enrique Iglesias has become an extremely world-renowned recording artist of any musical genre. As I have watched him grow as an international star, I am forced to reflect on his father Julio Iglesias‘career. He was well known all around the world releasing seventy-seven albums in fourteen different languages while selling over 300 million records. Julio Iglesias made his mark on the musical world singing romantic ballads. Enrique also has enjoyed success singing romantic ballads, but his success has come at a younger age (he is now thirty-six and started over fifteen years ago). I feel Enrique’s success has come because of a couple of factors. 1) I feel that Latin music has changed overall. Even though my viewpoint may be skewed a bit by living in Miami, it seems Latin music has widened to attract non-Spanish speaking fans paving the way for many crossover opportunities into English markets. Enrique Iglesias has given us a great deal of English songs and albums. 2) Enrique has worked with more Pop artists over the years to reach a younger audience. Moreover, we can now understand Billboard magazine donning Iglesias the King of Latin Pop. How much more famous will Enrique Iglesias become? The future will bring more music, videos, sold out concerts and maybe more Enrique Iglesias fans.

More to Say!

Jade

Joi Marshall

Earlier in the week, I was listening to old music from the all female R & B singing group, Jade. Many of you may remember their monster hit, “Don’t Walk Away”, but the group had two albums of music with excellent sales records. Two studio albums, “Jade to the Max” and “Mind, Body and Song” went platinum and one live album that went gold. In the early 1990’s it seemed that Jade was going to be a musical force for some time. Nevertheless, even good music does end at some point and Jade would not release any more music as a group. In my quest to learn more about the group members, I started my search with founder and fellow Chicago South Side native Joi Marshall. All three members have continued recording and performing to some degree, although not selling as much recorded music as with Jade. In 2007 Joi Marshall released a gospel album entitled, “Testimony and Praise” as she said “to simply enjoy the gift that God has given me, share my stories of how an uncomplicated relationship with God looks, and put it out there for people to feel". In listening to the songs, they truly tell her poignant story within the music industry and beyond. Joi did not stop with the album. She also wrote a book entitled, “Answers to the Twenty Most Asked Questions about the Music Business". Regarding the book Joi said it “answers many of the questions that I wished I had answers to BEFORE I signed to major label.  No, it’s not another major label basher, it actually teaches artists to understand the basics of the business, how to create a good deal when you have no real leverage and even how to use a major label “bad” deal to your advantage…turning lemons into lemonade". While reading her statement the first thing I thought about was the 360 recording contracts, many are discussing today. Joi speaks out against the contracts as keeping artists from making the money they should make. 360 contracts allow the record or entertainment company to take percentages of clothing lines, books and other revenue streams to which the company would not ordinarily have access. There are some positives in signing 360 contracts, but as with any contract, it is good to do your homework and get legal help before signing. I am happy to see an artist tell a helpful story. Joi Marshall had a lot more to say.