Tag: A Tribe Called Quest

Categories
Culture Entertainment Music

Panorama introduces The Point to its Jul. 28-30 festival

Photo courtesy of Pexels

Continuing its mission of bringing together music, immersive art and innovative technology to New York’s creative community, critically-acclaimed Panorama Music Festival is introducing The Point this summer at New York City’s Randall’s Island Park. An introduction to The Point experience and its lineup can be viewed here.

Inspired by the overwhelming love and excitement generated by Despacio at Panorama’s debut, The Point will be a non-stop dance party embedded in the heart of the festival, an open-air club with a shaded, misted dance floor and continuous DJ sets all day and all night. With a lineup featuring hometown favorites alongside legends and leading DJs of the global underground, The Point celebrates New York City’s key place in the ongoing evolution of DJ culture and electronic music. The Point will feature a mesmerizing LED light show experience throughout a multi-level dance area.

The full lineup of The Point for the weekend is:

Friday, Jul. 28
Theo Parrish • Omar-S • Marcellus Pittman • Jane Fitz • Jay Daniel

Saturday, Jul. 29
Motor City Drum Ensemble • Anthony Naples b2b Huerco S. • Mister Saturday Night • Jayda G • Powder

Sunday, Jul. 30
Derrick Carter • Honey Dijon • DJ Heather • Tim Sweeney • Miles Maeda

Working Women, a Brooklyn-based DJ collective whose members host shows on The Lot Radio, will warm-up each afternoon.

The Point will utilize a state-of-the-art Funktion-One sound system. Funktion-One has become synonymous with impeccable dance floor audio, in use at Hï (formerly Space Ibiza), Berghain (Berlin), Output (New York), and École Privée (Montreal), some of the most renowned clubs worldwide.

Aside from The Point, Panorama will feature performances from Nine Inch Nails, Frank Ocean, Tame Impala, A Tribe Called Quest, alt-J, Solange, Justice, Nick Murphy, MGMT and more.

3-day and single GA and VIP passes to the festival are on-sale now at www.Panorama.NYC.

Categories
Culture Entertainment Music

The Rascals’ Felix Cavaliere to return to New York on Mar. 4, talks about living in Nashville & more

Felix Cavaliere
Felix Cavaliere

Formed in Garfield, New Jersey in 1965, The Rascals charted nine singles before the end of the 1960s. Hits like “Good Lovin’,” “Groovin;” and “A Beautiful Morning” remain radio staples almost 50 years after their release. Notable Rascals fans include Billy Joel, Paul Shaffer, and E-Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt. Meanwhile, Rascals songs have been recorded by Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield, Gloria Estefan, The Grateful Dead, Shania Twain, John Travolta and Hanson, beyond being sampled by A Tribe Called Quest, Tricky and Girl Talk.

Founding Rascals keyboardist/vocalist Felix Cavaliere didn’t slow down after the group broke up in the early 1970s; he recorded four major label solo albums in the 1970s alone. He has also thrived as a musician and producer for other artists, having collaborated with Laura Nyro, Jimmie Spheeris, Steve Cropper, and Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. An induction into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame would follow in 2009. One year later in 2010, Felix reunited with his Rascals bandmates for a benefit show at the Tribeca Grill, which led to a 15-show Broadway run at the Richard Rogers Theatre in 2013.

Downtown spoke with Felix in advance of his Mar. 4 show at the Theatre at Westbury. Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals will be sharing the stage in Westbury with Tommy James & The Shondells, ensuring an evening full of pop and rock classics. More on Felix and crew can be found at www.felixcavalieremusic.com.

What do you wish more people knew about Felix Cavaliere?

Felix Cavaliere: That I’m a happy and contented family man.

You were a member of Joey Dee & The Starliters, who I know Peter Criss from KISS played with at least once. Did you two ever talk shop about that?

FC: Oh, yes. Definitely. Many fine musicians have been in the Joey Dee band, including Jimi Hendrix and Joe Pesci. We are all honored to be a part of this group as alumni and musicians.

You’re thought of as a New York and New Jersey guy, but you live in Nashville. What brought you out there?

FC: New York has a special place in my heart, absolutely. Nashville has been the musician’s hub for writing and producing for quite awhile now. It’s been a wonderful place to raise my family and see my grandkids grow.

Where was the first gig you ever played in New York City?

FC: The first New York City gig must have been Peppermint Lounge.

What about on Long Island? What do you remember about that?

FC: Long Island was the place where we were discovered, and we worked in many places for many years. That’s what you did. People have adopted us as their own.

Westbury gig aside, what’s coming up for you?

FC: I’m writing a book about my life, working on symphonic appearances, as well as a new album. And I’m touring! I’m so blessed to have the greatest fans in the world. They have shared the music with their offspring, and we’re seeing younger fans. Just this summer we were in Japan and it was such a thrill to have the audiences singing along with us. It makes me so happy.

Is there a professional accomplishment you’re most proud of?

FC: The Songwriters Hall Of Fame is a real pinnacle for me.

Do you have a favorite Rascals song to play live?

FC: I love them all, but depending on time of the year, “Beautiful Morning” or “People Got To Be Free.”

When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?

FC: I’m an avid reader and a scuba diver. Maybe scuba diving should have been in my first answer!

Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?

FC: I adore Lattanzi’s on W 46th Street.

Finally, Felix, any last words for the kids?

FC: Be good to each other. And thank you for everyone that has enjoyed and been a part of my extended family for over 50 years. It’s wonderful to keep performing and singing these songs that are a part of peoples’ lives. I’m truly grateful and humbled by this.

Categories
Culture Entertainment Music

Talib Kweli on his Feb. 10 gig at The Highline Ballroom, what’s next for Javotti Media & more

Talib Kweli / Photo: Dorothy Hong

Talib Kweli / Photo: Dorothy Hong
Talib Kweli / Photo: Dorothy Hong

A lifelong New Yorker, Talib Kweli first turned heads in the late 1990s as one half of the hip-hop duo Black Star. Talib’s first solo album, Quality, was not released until 2002, as featuring appearances by Kanye West, DJ Quik and comedian Dave Chappelle. Just a year later, Jay-Z would help elevate Talib Kweli even further when he rapped “If skills sold, truth be told/I’d probably be, lyrically, Talib Kweli” on the song “Moment Of Clarity.”

In the years since, Talib has been steadily putting out solo albums and featuring on other artists’ tracks (e.g. RZA, Quincy Jones, Nelly, Mac Miller, A Tribe Called Quest). His latest release is the collaborative effort, Awful People Are Great At Parties, as released through his own label Javotti Media. Javotti — as named after his grandmother Javotti Greene — is also home to other artists, including Cory Mo, NIKO IS, MK Asante, and Jessica Care Moore.

On Feb. 10, Talib Kweli will be headlining at The Highline Ballroom, with Styles P and K’Valentine both opening up for him. Talib spoke to Downtown about his love for New York and what he has coming up beyond his show at the Highline. The Brooklyn native can be visited online at www.talibkweli.com and followed on Twitter via @TalibKweli.

What do you remember about the first gig you ever played in New York? Where was it?

Talib Kweli: I think it may have been at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, I was 14. I remember there being no one there.

For you, is playing for a New York audience different than anywhere else?

TK: It’s home. It’s where I cut my teeth. It’s humbling, because a New York crowd has seen it all, so you need to come with your “A” game as an artist or they will leave unimpressed.

As a lifelong New Yorker, what is it that keeps you here all these years later?

TK: New York is as inspiring to my art has my parents are to my existence. The streets of New York are the direct inspiration for what I write. As I traveled, my perspective grew, but it is New York that birthed my style.

For someone who hasn’t seen you live before, what should be expected from your show at The Highline Ballroom?

TK: A wonderfully-grand, awesome hip-hop experience.

Do you have a favorite song to play live?

TK: Right now my favorite song to play live is “State Of Grace” from my Gravitas album.

Highline Ballroom show aside, what’s coming up for you?

TK: The Seven album with Styles P — I am very excited about this project.

What’s the latest with your record label?

TK: Besides the Seven album, we have Javotti Media’s own K’Valentine coming with her debut, Here For A Reason, early April. She’s on this tour as well.

When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?

TK: Doing interviews. (laughs)

What was your favorite album of 2016?

TK: A Tribe Called Quest’s We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?

TK: I have a connection with Blue Ribbon Brooklyn.

Finally, Talib, any last words for the kids?

TK: Stay in school, eat your greens, and brush your teeth, because we must fight Mr Tooth Decay.

Categories
Culture Entertainment Events Music

Panorama returning to New York from Jul. 28 through Jul. 30, headliners announced

Panorama 2017

Music festival Panorama returns to New York City’s Randall’s Island Park for its second installment this summer. As announced earlier this, some of the top-tier talent performing will be Nine Inch Nails, Frank Ocean, Tame Impala, A Tribe Called Quest, alt-J, Solange, Justice, Nick Murphy, and MGMT. The critically-acclaimed festival sits at the intersection of New York’s unique creative community, bringing together music, immersive art and innovative technology as never before.

3-day, single-day General Admission and VIP passes go on-sale Friday, Jan. 13 at 10:00 AM EST on Panorama.NYC, where the festival’s full lineup can also be viewed.

American Express card members can purchase passes before the general public beginning Thursday, Jan. 12 at 10:00 AM EST through Friday, January 13 at 9:00 AM EST.