The Roots Gear Up For 'Late Night'

Article courtesy of Billboard.com

Fans of The Roots can rest easy. The Philadelphia-based band has started work on a new album and still plans to tour. But the Grammy Award-winning group's primary focus right now is its new gig as the house band for "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon." The show debuts on NBC March 2.

During a telephone press conference earlier today (Feb. 24), original Roots members Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson (drums) and Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter (vocals) said the group is looking forward to this mainstream career step. Having logged 17 years on the road touring, Thompson declares, "This isn't the end of a sentence. It's just another step; time for another challenge. This will show that there is absolutely no challenge or obstacle we can't master. It's just part of the ongoing, linear voyage of The Roots."

Armed with advice from several corners, including Conan O'Brien's drummer Max Weinberg, The Roots have been pulling long days (up between 6 a.m.-7 a.m. and back home at midnight) as they rehearse for the show. So far, they have worked up a wide range of songs, encompassing rock, disco, soul, hip-hop and what Thompson describes as "cheesy '80s pop. We're probably the most over-prepared group in hip-hop. We just like to make certain we're well covered."

The Roots' late-night move follows the group's stint as musical supervisors for a couple of seasons on Dave Chappelle's Comedy Central" show "Chappelle's Show." It was "Chappelle's Show" co-creator Neal Brennan who recommended The Roots as Fallon's house band. The entire seven-piece band-including Owen Biddle (bass), Kamal Gray (keyboards), Frank "Frankie Knuckles" Walker (percussion), Kirk "Captain Kirk" Douglas (guitar) and Damen "Tuba Gooding Jr." Bryson (saxophone) will perform on the show. For the time being, the Philadelphia-based group is commuting back and forth to New York on a tour bus, about a 90-minute ride. In addition to playing walk-on and bumper music, the group will back the show's musical guests.



The first week's music lineup includes rapper Ludacris. The Roots is also planning to feature guest players with the band, including Blue Note pianist Robert Glasper and Heads Up International bassist/vocalist Esperanza Spalding. "We're pretty much open to the idea of having artists on who wouldn't necessarily be put on a late-night talk show," adds Thompson. As for the group's participation in various skits and routines, Trotter says, "There are a few things we're trying to work out now that might be established as recurring bits. None of the Roots members object to taking part in any of that. We're totally open to working our new routines and establishing things on our own."

Recording for the next Roots album began a couple of weeks ago. But Thompson and Trotter both say they probably won't get knee-deep into the recording process until a month or two from now. Plans are to release the album this year. Debuting in 1993 with "Organix," The Roots have sold 4 million albums in the U.S. per Nielsen SoundScan. The group's biggest seller: 1999's "Things Fall Apart" (915,000 units).

In the meantime, the group will continue to tour and perform weekend shows. Thompson and Trotter say the band is already booked for the six weeks it will have off from the show. On the heels of Fallon's late-night debut, The Roots are set to perform at Power Shift '09, the national youth summit in Washington, D.C. (Feb. 27-March 2).

Cherish Splits;Twins Form Duo

Following the release of Cherish's sophomore album 'The Truth', which dropped last year, and it's poor performance. It appears the sister group have parted ways with each other (as well as their label Capitol Records). This news comes as twin sisters, Fallon and Felisha, who fronted the group, revealed that they have formed a duo, aptly called Fallon & Felisha. The pair have reportedly been in the studio with producers Bryan-Michael Cox, Eric Hudson, Don Vito, Adonis, among others working on their debut.

By clicking the link below you can listen to a new track by the duo called 'Infected' on their MySpace. The track isn't much of a departure from what the ladies use to do with Cherish. I could hear this getting play on urban radio. I also find this quite sad the group split because their debut and sophomore albums were respectable and are still worth a listen.

Listen to 'Infected' click here

Ne-Yo Speaks Out On Rihanna And Chris

Ne-Yo said he wanted to wait until he talked with his friends before offering up any words on the alleged altercation between singers Chris Brown and Rihanna.

While he hasn’t talked with Chris, he did chat with collaborator Rihanna, saying: “She says she’s fine. She didn’t go into detail about what happened. I understand it’s a painful situation; I didn’t push.”

“I saw the picture,” he said solemnly to MTV News. “That just really — that hurt me to my heart, man. Again, I still don’t know what happened, ’cause I haven’t had the opportunity to talk to Chris yet. But to take it to that level really hurt my heart. All I can say is, I’m praying for both of them. They’re both in my prayers. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Chris yet. I just wanna sit down and talk to that dude and just explain if he doesn’t understand: ‘That’s not something that’s excusable, bruh. You have to get a little smarter about whatever it is going on in your relationship. You have to get a little smarter about how you handle certain situations.’ ”

Ne-Yo went on, adding: ”I’m not going to crucify him. I’m not going to do that. That’s still my homeboy at the end of the day. For it to go to that level was wrong. I won’t say who was responsible. I won’t pick no sides. I’m just saying it was wrong [that] it had to happen like that, and I’m praying for the both of them.”

Ne-Yo has had very close ties to Brown and Rihanna. In 2006, Brown and Ne-Yo co-headlined a tour that featured Lil Wayne and Juelz Santana. Ne-Yo also penned his duet with Rihanna “I Hate That I Love You.”

Album Review: India.Arie, Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics

Two time Grammy winner, India.Arie returns to the music scene by delivering a musical masterpiece.

India.Arie’s fourth album, “Testimony, Vol. 2: Love & Politics” is the best new album of 2009; lyrically, this is Arie at her best. Featuring many unknown guest artists including Reggae singer, Gramps Morgan on the album’s first single, “Therapy” and R&B singer, Terrell Carter on “Yellow” where retaining the love of a significant other is the topic of choice. The album also features guest appearances from Grammy nominated singer and Arie’s former boyfriend, Musiq Soulchild, on the album’s second single, “Chocolate High” and legendary rapper, MC Lyte on “Psalms 23”, a inspirational track that describes Arie’s battle with facing failure and overcoming obstacles.

“Testimony, Vol. 2: Love & Politics” taps into just about every human emotion. Whether you feel Arie’s joy on “Ghetto”, as she reminds us that no matter where in the world you go, everywhere is a ghetto (see official definition of “ghetto“). Or her love on “He Heals Me”, where she describes the sense of acceptance she receives from her significant other. “The Cure” reminds us that the biggest global “disease” is hate. Lyrically, the track makes listeners feel somewhat guilty for the possible hate they may have inflicted on others, whether done unconsciously or not. However, the song offers a simple solution to the problem, in the end the cure for hate is -------love.

The second album in India.Arie’s testimony series, delivers a conscience, in-depth look into the social issues we face today. “Better Day” gives the promise of hope in spite of the current situation. There are four interludes throughout the album, each entitled “Grains”. “I thank God/We’re all made from the same grains/Because we’re all the same” sings a socially aware Arie. “Long Goodbye” , a track that finds Arie delivering the best vocal performance of her career, displays her ability to let go of love even though it can be a difficult thing to do. The track has the ingredients to earn her a Grammy nomination and a possible win.

“Testimony, Vol.2: Love & Politics” will go down as India.Arie’s most organic and lyrically fulfilling album. Proving to have knowledge and a sense of the world she lives in unsurpassed by any other neo-soul artist. In an industry where most female artist are unwilling to live in someone’s “Spotlight” or pleading with their male counterparts to “Put a Ring on It”, India. Arie managed to deliver a musical masterpiece by putting professional gains aside in order to restore a sense of hope and faith to a world desperately in need of change.

81st Annual Academy Awards

A little over an hour ago, marked the conclusion of the 81st annual Academy Awards, which aired live on ABC. If I could describe this year's show in one word it would be......DRY!

OMG! I don't know what was worst, the red carpet or the actual broadcast of the show. I watched the red carpet on E! and just about everybody I saw either looked average or seemed as if they didn't want to be there. Then again, if I was being interviewed by Ryan Seacrest and continuously asked frivolous questions, I'd not only have the "get the hell outta my face" attitude but also the "Get me the hell outta here" look as well.

Actor, Hugh Jackman served as host for the event and opened the show by showcasing his vocal ability which was very impressive. The first award presented was "Best Supporting Actress", my two picks to win the award were Taraji P. Henson or Viola Davis. Henson's role in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" has gotten her all kinds of buzz this award season and while I have yet to see the film, I've been a fan of hers since the "Baby Boy" days. As for Viola Davis, who co-starred in "Doubt" alongside Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep, has also been getting a massive amount of buzz over her role. In the end, I was left disappointed as neither lady walked away with the statue.

Anyway, my personal highlight of the night came when Jackman along with Beyoncè, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens paid tribute to the greatest musicals of all time. Despite, Beyoncè lip syncing, the performance was the highlight of the night for me. Also, Queen Latifah performed during a tribute honoring those who had passed during the past year. She never seems to disappoint and she delivered one of her best vocal performances. Sadly, I don't even know the name of the song she sang.

Overall, the show was similar to shows of the past----boring! Only delivering minor high points but delivered multiple cries of "What time does this go off?" and "...this why I never watch the Oscars".

Here's a complete list of winners:

Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire

Actor in a Leading Role: Sean Penn, Milk

Actress in a Leading Role: Kate Winslet, The Reader

Actor in a Supporting Role: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Actress in a Supporting Role: Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Director: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Original Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black, Milk

Adapted Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire

Animated Feature Film: WALL-E

Foreign Language Film: Departures (Japan)

Original Score: A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire

Original Song: "Jai Ho," A.R. Rahman and Gulzar; Slumdog Millionaire

Art Direction: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire

Costume Design: The Duchess

Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Film Editing: Slumdog Millionaire

Documentary Feature: Man on Wire

Documentary Short Subject: Smile Pinki

Animated Short Film: La Maison en Petits Cubes

Live Action Short Film: Spielzeugland (Toyland)

Sound Editing: The Dark Knight

Sound Mixing: Slumdog Millionaire

Visual Effects: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: Jerry Lewis