Last Friday I went to Mr. Black to catch the NYC debut of the band I told you about called Fritz Helder and The Phantoms. they were every bit as wild ans carefree and funky and engaging and escapist as i thought they'd be! They're the kind of band that clearly doesn't take themselves too seriously while still being serious about making music. I'll admit immediately that the music aint for everybody, but then everybody aint for the music.

It's kinda hard not to be a cliche in 2009 when so many great artists have done so many great things over the years. I most definitely peeped some influences that were quite apparent in their look from early Prince to Andre 3000 and DeeLite. The music while rooted in pop, rock and electronica sounds of the past feels amazingly new and kept the mostly gay crowd moving. There were moments when the energy and crowd reaction ebbed and flowed a bit, but in NYC where it's hard to keep anyone focused on anything for more than a couple of minutes they did just fine.

I can't say if the band is gonna work for you, but I can say they worked for me and I think you should check them out as soon as you can. The party at Mr. Black was actually a lot of fun too featuring a very diverse crowd of gay men, straight women and people from around the world. There were great club beats, classic house and electronica on one dance floor and the other floor featured R&B and POP (you know how I love my Pop!!!!).

I would have taken pictures but a close friend and fellow blogger STILL HAS MY EFFING CAMERA. Adam...Adam...can you hear me? LOL

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Bio
Fritz Helder & The Phantoms bring new meaning to the words pop couture. One listen to their debut disc, Greatest Hits: Platinum Edition, is like having an all-access pass to the fetes and front-rows of Paris, New York, Milan and London Fashion week. Threading together rich runway references, hip-hop-induced street cred and a multi-fierceited sound that blends electronic music’s past and future—the Toronto-born band is as rare as the vintage Yves Saint Laurent collections that inspire them.

Led by chameleon-like front-man Fritz Helder—a keytar wielding, contralto vocalist whose grandiose presence can only be described as fourth dimensional—the quartet’s energy is as tremendous in-studio as it is on-stage. For proof, take a listen to their debut disc’s jewel-in-crown track “Making A Scene”. During the song’s catchy first verse Fritz raps about “dancefloor beats rocking it hard” amongst a plethora of carefully-crafted synth riffs and an onslaught of wild cowbells. The track reflects Greatest Hits: Platinum Edition as whole, working listeners into a frenzy at every turn of note, all while Helder sensually sings about the clubland vision of “disco balls and leotards” surrounding him.

Speaking of vision, it’s no wonder pop queen Nelly Furtado and design legend Karl Lagerfeld are counted as Fritz Helder & The Phantoms fans. The group’s avante-garde image (think hi-fashion, high-gloss, and high concept) and connection to chicness and beauty can be comparable to Roxy Music’s glory days in the 70s or Grace Jones at her most raw and risqué. Take for instance the band’s exquisite first single “Lagerfeld Lady”, a tribute track recorded for their idol, the Kaiser of fashion himself. Laden with a funk-laden forté of slinky rhythms and Prince-worthy lyrics, the tune—which is accompanied by a slick video filmed in Paris—fits fabulously into underground DJ sets and party playlists as much as it does FM radiowaves.

Yet Fritz and his talented crew of merry men and woman—a troupe that includes the glamorous Pastel Supernova (vocals), the cunning Diego Superstar (beats / keys / vocals) and electric-guitar player and vocals, Silk Helder—aren’t about fitting in at all. Blending funk, disco, hip-hop, punk, ska, comedy and tragedy into their first album’s tracklist as well as mixing energetic choreography and envelope-pushing costume work into their live performances, the band breaks conventions effortlessly.

As songs such as “Work It” , “Sex Robot” and the Anna Wintour-worrying “You Ain’t Vogue” prove, the band’s stylish mission is to stand out, be heard and have fun while doing so. With so many groups ready-to-wear themselves out into the cookie cutter confines of safe, formulaic music, Fritz Helder & The Phantoms stand apart, producing an all-style, all-substance brand of pop couture that will undoubtedly be making a scene for years to come.

www.fritzhelder.com
www.myspace.com/fritzhelderandthephantoms

Release Date: Fritz Helder & The Phantoms *Greatest Hits: Platinum Edition” (Nelstar Music) July 7, 2009

Posted by rickyday at 08:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm a lucky dude. I've seen Prince (too many times to mention). I've seen Mary J Blige tear down the Apollo Theater. I was there to see Lauryn Hill on the Miseducation tour, Madonna on several tours including Blonde Ambition and the current Sticky and Sweet tour, worked with Michael Jackson, experienced Diana Ross live and yes of course I've seen Janet, Michael and the rest of the Jackson family on their history making tours.

Last night I got to experience another extraordinary live show. Last night I was lucky enough to see the LaBelle Reunion tour at The Beacon Theater. First of all let me say that The Beacon has been remodeled and it looks incredible and sounds even better!

I respect Patti, Nona and Sarah, but I cannot claim to be a fan as they were popular slightly before my time and I wasn't mature enough to fully appreciate their music as a child. However, I was given some free tickets (thank you Carmen and Live Nation) and so I went to see the show. Boy am I glad I did!

Not being familiar with all their material I was afraid I'd be bored and not fully appreciate the show. What the h@!! was wrong with me? These three legends put on a great show and thrilled the packed house of ardent Labelle supporters. Labelle was introduced by Hal Jackson, Joy Behar from The View and the WBLS crew. From the heart wrenching ballads to the funky classic Lady Marmalade these three sistas killed it! There was even a break where Patti invited fans to come to the mic and speak whatever was on their mind. As you can image these moments were both humorous and emotional as their fans shared there love and adoration for the group.

No doubt about it Labelle is a trio of seasoned veterans who know how to put on a show! The audience was just as entertaining showering the group with flowers, gifts and words of encouragement all night. Patti Labelle was her usual candid and entertaining self as she sang her behind off despite the frequent hot flashes she joked about all night (she's going through menopause). The audience for the show was remarkably diverse with people from all several races and age groups in very significant numbers in attendance.. I love shows like this when it is proven once again that music brings people together in ways few art forms can.

If you get a chance to check them out on tour, don't miss it. At the ages of 64 (Patti), 64 (Nona) and 63 (Sarah), this may be the last time to see the girls live on tour as a group and you don't wanna miss it.

Lesson to all, sometimes it's a good idea to step out of your comfort zone and experience something different and new. You never know what it will bring to your life.

Posted by rickyday at 01:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

After 19 long years Grace Jones, the Queen of live performance, alternative soul, and the effortless melding of music, art and performance is back with her great studio release Hurricane.

When I profiled her last week I had no idea a CD was even in the works, but here it is. It's caller Hurricane and it's a Grace Jones tour de force. Complete with clever lyrics, carribean inspired tracks, top notch production and a healthy dose of the theartical and the sublime it works in ways I forgot music can. She manages to touch the soul, tickle the intelligence and of course make ya wanna hit da floor. Oh yeah, for those of you who engage it's def a 420 affair...feel me?

Check out the two videos below. One is the highly experimental video for the fist single Corporate Cannibal and the first is a live performance of the CD's 2nd single William's Blood, an autobiographical joint about her relationship with her family.

The CD is NOT scheduled to be released in the US and for good reason. It's a really nice piece of work, but well off the American radar of radio ready cloned hits made by the same 3 producers. Fans of Jones earlier work will enjoy the CD immensely as will kids who are looking for something different, but that's likely where the love will end in the U.S.

I for one am happy to see Grace back and doing her singularly inventive thing. I do hope she 'graces' us with a live show or two. I've never had the pleasure of seeing her live show, but I am told it is magical to say the least. hey who knows..maybe I will try to do something personally about getting her here to perform live in NYC.

Welcome back Grace...we missed ya.

http://www.theworldofgracejones.com/index.html

Posted by rickyday at 07:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Some artists are great singers. Some artists are incredible musicians. Some artists record well, but are mediocre live and of course there are others who are exactly the opposite. There are a handful of artists who are iconic. Artists who are simply incredible entertainers who transcend the limitations of their natural musical abilities and connect with the masses in a very visceral and almost spiritual way. Last night I spent 2 and a half hours with such an icon: Madonna.

Her Sticky and Sweet tour landed in the U.S. and man was it worth the high price of admission ($168 not counting the transit trip from hell to get to and from Jersey).

Madonna puts on a show like no one else. She like Janet will never wow anyone solely based on vocal ability. I love me some Janet, but I have to stop the comparison there. Madonna is like a mad scientist who never grows tired of experimenting with new ways to keep herself and her audience inspired and entertained and she NEVER REPEATS HERSELF!!!!!

As a pop star you HAVE TO PLAY THE SAME OLD SONGS more than any true artist would ever want to. However, Madonna works with her band and set designers to delivery classic material in inventive new ways that never cease to amaze.

After 2 hours of bumping, grinding, singing, dancing and even double dutch jump roping Madonna found it within herself to deliver a spiritually inspired and very soulfful version of "Like A Prayer" that nearly brought the audience around me (and yeah me too...) to tears.

Bottom line...the chick is bad!

Janet I get to check out your new tour in 2 weeks. You betta bring ya "A" game baby cause Madonna put it on me last night!

...and I'm out.

P.S. If you're going to see Janet in New Jersey make sure you plan out your trip in advance. The shuttle bus from Port Authority doesn't run anymore and there is a whole new train to a shuttle bus trip from hell that you'd better allow plenty of time for.

Posted by rickyday at 01:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)