new amerykah part 2 – official album leak today

I was on Twitter earlier than usual this morning and came across this from @fatbellybella (Erykah Badu’s Twitter handle):

At 3:33 pm Tomorrow . Friday . The official leak … erykahbadu.com

In late 2009, Badu announced that she would release the long-awaited followup to her 2008 album, New Amerykah Part 1: 4th World War this year. Entitled, New Amerykah Part 2: Return of the Ankh, this will be the artist’s fifth studio album, containing 11 tracks and featuring collaborations with Georgia Anne Muldrow, 9th Wonder, and the late J Dilla. Badu has said that New Amerykah Part 2 will bear a less ’socio-political’ tone than Part 1, but early reviews of the album confirm that the trippy, electro-soul sound of New Amerykah Part 1 will still be heard on this effort. Apparently, there will also be a third installment, entitled Lowdown, Low Underground,  which will introduce listeners to Badu’s alter-ego, Low Down Loretta Brown.

Synchronize your watches, kids!

The official release date for New Amerykah Part 2: Return of the Ankh is March 30.

cheers,

k

a night of hedonism at apache cafe

Hedonism. It’s more than just a clothing-optional resort in the Caribbean. And from now through February 22, you won’t need a plane ticket or a passport to experience it.

This past Monday, Apache Cafe hosted the opening for Hedonism IX, a once-a-year art show highlighting erotic art, live models, and sensual performances. Like the resort, the art show is for those who don’t mind seeing and showing their more, er… natural side. Unlike the resort, there’s no separate section for the prudes among us, so be sure to check your inhibitions at the door.

Atlanta-based photog Luladae Terefe was on hand to capture her vision of the night’s delightful debauchery, and was kind enough to share her stunningly beautiful images.

Prepare to be titillated. Cold shower optional.

 (click images to see full size)

 

Hedonism IX @ Apache Cafe
Mondays through February 22
64 3rd St. NW
Atlanta, GA 30308-1035

cheers,

k

bite-sized review: chinese buddha

Looking for the best Chinese food in Atlanta? Sorry, it’s not here. Looking for the best Chinese food you can find in Atlanta at 2 o’clock in the morning? Oh! Well, why didn’t you say so the first time? Welcome to Chinese Buddha. The service is quick, the atmosphere is just the loungelike respite one might need after the club, or to escape an all-night study or coding session. The food is slightly above average (be sure to try the Thai selections too), and even if it’s not 2 am, you could do a lot, lot worse.

cheers,

k

Chinese Buddha
100 10th Street Northwest
404.874.5158
http://www.buddharestaurant.com/

QUICK POLL: what do you want most for valentine’s day?

 

I’m doing some research for a future post, Dear Reader, and I could really use your input.

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and from my experience, it’s a holiday that seems to cause more angst than any other. There’s the increased pressure of what to get your beloved, and the heightened expectation of what you’ll receive. Then there are those who relish the once-a-year opportunity to vocally denounce love, the commercialization of love, and the love of commercialization. And finally there’s that lonely lot – that each year we all secretly hope we’re not a member of – of unattached, uninvolved folk who feel compelled to treat V-day as a national day of mourning.

So I thought it’d be interesting to get a pulse on what kind of things people actually want for V-day. I’ve created two polls – one for the ladies, and one for the gents. When you get a moment, give me your thoughts. I’ll share  the answers with you before V-day.

Here’s the poll for ladies:

LADIES: What Kind of V-Day Gift Would You Prefer This Year?
	A store-bought gift (e.g., flowers, lingerie)
	An experience gift (e.g., dinner, spa, travel)
	A sexual gift
	I want to be left alone
	What gift? V-day is for suckas!
pollcode.com free polls

 alternate link: http://poll.pollcode.com/A8N 

And here’s one for the guys…

GUYS: What Kind of V-Day Gift Would You Prefer This Year?
	A store-bought gift (e.g., cologne, clothing)
	An experience gift (e.g., travel, spa)
	A sexual gift
	I want to be left alone
	What gift? V-day is for suckas!
pollcode.com free polls

alternate link: http://poll.pollcode.com/CrYq 

cheers,

k

opening reception: run for cover at spruill gallery

One of the things I lament most about the decline of the album and the CD and the rise of digital music is the loss of that accompanying art form – the album cover. In the past, album covers were as much a statement of the times and the genre as the music was. I mean, what could capture the essence of early-80s, sex-laden funk better than this:

 

On January 14 from 6 to 9 pm, Spruill Gallery will host an opening reception for Run for Cover - an exhibit that will pay homage to ‘the album covers that defined and influenced our experience of music and shaped our lives’. And even if Rick James doesn’t make the cut, I’m looking forward to discovering and re-discovering an array of visual and musical influences crossing a range of generations and genres. The exhibit will shows through March 6.

cheers,

k

Spruill Gallery
4681 Ashford Dunwoody Road
Atlanta, Georgia  30338
http://spruillgallery.blogspot.com/
770.394.4019

what do you get when you take the ‘art’ out of cartoonery?

…apparently, you get this mess here:

Find more videos like this on HOLLYHOODHDTV.COM

According to the AJC’s Radio and TV Talk Blog, T-Pain has decided to add Executive Producer to his list of dubious accolades. The acclaimed autotuner is the force behind a one-hour animated special entitled, The Return of Freaknik, that is scheduled to air on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim sometime in March.

If you’re a viewer of Adult Swim programming like The Boondocks, Family Guy, and Robot Chicken, then you already know that the cartoons featured in the segment are truly for adult audiences only, and are known for their controversial, provocative and overtly satirical subject matter. But no matter how offensive and in-your-face those ‘toons are, there’s the sense that the humor and outlandishness in them are being used to poke fun at and denounce certain stereotypes. If the trailer of Freaknik is any indicator to what the full feature holds in store, I wouldn’t hold my breath while looking for any redeeming qualities.

Other sources say that the cartoon will also feature the voices of Rick Ross,  Li’l Wayne (voicing a character named Jesus – no relation.), and T-Pain himself as the Ghost of Spring Break, the Spirit of Freaknik.

Somebody hand me a crucifix and some holy water.

cheers,

k

sade’s new video: ‘soldier of love’

So by now I’m sure you’ve heard that Sade will be releasing her new album, Soldier of Love, on February 8. The first single, which is also the album’s title track, has been out for a little while now. The song took a couple of listens to grow on me, mainly because after a long Sade-absence, I was hoping for a more mellow, smooth selection to quench my Sade thirst, not a gritty heartbreak anthem dominated by a militaristic snare drum.

The video – which I saw for the first time today, thanks to @honeysoul - was also something of a surprise. For starters, Sade look like she’s barely aged. She also looks suprisingly athletic for a 51-year old (riding a bucking white horse? Bodyslamming an S1W?). And the harsh, post-apocalyptic imagery is a definite departure from any of her other videos. Yet… it works, presenting a visual narrative that’s clearly linked to the song’s lyrics. The dancing soldiers do seem kind of out of step in a couple of places, though.

And while we’re on those dancers… what’s up with the turtlenecks in the middle of a flaming desert? Seems like a huge missed opportunity for some sweaty, sinewy chest and ab action…. Pity.

Click to watch Sade’s Soldier of Love video.

cheers,

k

Closing Reception: Fahamu Pecou’s Whirl Trade at Get This Gallery

This Saturday, Atlanta-based artist Fahamu Pecou (The Artist formerly known as ‘The Shit’), along with mega-promoter J. Carter and Red|Creative will host a reception for Pecou’s current installation at Get This! Gallery in the Westside Arts District. Entitled, Whirl Trade, Pecou’s collection of 5 original paintings continues his penchant for slick, highly stylized images that satirize contemporary images of ‘blackness’ across the Diaspora.

Fans admire Pecou for using high art to hold a critical light to hip-hop culture, and credit him for making art accessible to a wider audience. While critics say that Pecou may himself be one of the over-hyped hip-hop archetypes he often mocks in his work.

Come out for a peek on Saturday evening and be your own judge.

 

 cheers,

k

Get This! Gallery

662 11th St.

www.getthisgallery.com

678-596-4451