The Scene

MusicDetour.com’s commentary on music, performances, and the DC metro area music scene

One of the great things about the internet is it’s ability to allow independent artists new ways to get their music out. Jah-I-Witness is one of those artists that is using the internet to get his music out there. Check-out this collection of videos that he put together on ReverbNation. (more…)

One great show to check-out this New Year’s Eve will be True Sound at Awful Arthur’s in Blacksburg, VA. This is the best way to celebrate the New Year for all the Hokie fans out there that could not make it to Atlanta for the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. What better place to watch the bowl? Watch them game then jam to some great music. The show will start with opening All Kinds of Gravity at 10pm. True Sound will hit at about 11pm. Tickets are $6 for 21+ and $10 for 18-21.

On Friday, July 17th, John Legend will bring his band to the Merriweather Post Pavillion at 7:30pm. Legend has been touring to sell his 2008 release Revolver. While John Legend’s voice is enough of a reason to get anyone into the crowd, also know that his summer tour is part of a “green” promotion. The “Greening” tour means that the band is performing “Carbon-Neutral concerts – offsetting CO2 emissions from venue energy use, buses and trucks, flights and hotel accommodations by supporting renewable energy projects.” One of the new songs that he has recently recorded has been leaked to the public; check-out “When it Rains” here. It’s my understanding that he’s also been playing “When it Rains” along with other new songs at his live shows.

This Thursday, March 19th, if you’re in the Richmond area (or want to travel to see some great live music) don’t miss Jah-I-Witness‘ Album Release Party at Fantasy Island Cafe and Grille. While you may have already checked out the album review of “The Struggle, The Love, The Glory” and purchased it online, nothing is like catching Jah-I live. Not only is this an album release party its also celebrating the opening of Fantasy Island Cafe and Grille in Richmond. The show starts at 8:30pm.

Funk master Maceo Parker is coming to Falls Church, VA on Saturday, March 14th. Few artists have done as much for funk music as Maceo Parker. The former James Brown sax player is known not only for funky music, but also funky lyrics (i.e. “Elephant’s Foot“). The State Theatre show starts at 9:00pm, doors open at 7:00pm. Tickets are $26. The State Theatre has the potential to be a great venue, but they usually do themselves a disservice by having mediocore to crappy shows. Maceo is a move in the right direction, maybe we could get some more shows like this at the State Theatre after Maceo rocks the house.

Self-publishing an album can be one of the most difficult and most rewarding processes that an independent artist can experience. Jah-I-Witness has successfully completed his second self-published album with “The Struggle, The Love, the Glory” (The S.L.G.) and this is one you definitely gotta check-out. This album is a big departure from his first album, “Stranger”, which was a cutting edge eclectic/artistic mix of sounds that focused on rockin’. From the first cut of the album, The S.L.G.’s strength is in its lyrics and its dope production. Jah-I’s always been known as a nice MC, but with this album he demonstrated that he’s also a hot producer. (more…)

First, I don’t think I’ve ever been to the 9:30 Club on a Sunday night. When I first got there for the opener, the place was dead. It didn’t seem like anyone was going to show up to see Soulive put down the funk. However, by the time the show started, the place was packed. Any instrumental group that can draw that kind of crowd to a club on a Sunday between Christmas and New Year’s deserves some credit. But then again I had little doubt that Soulive could do it.

The first time I saw Soulive at the 9:30 Club was a little over a year ago. I’ve been a fan for several years, but didn’t know what to really expect . . . they rocked it! At that time they were touring with Toussaint “The Liberator” promoting the album they did with him “No Place Like Soul” (2007).

(more…)

Funk music is usually bass driven. Bootsy Collins brought the bass to the front with slap bass and it has been the focus point since. Soulive however has some of the funkiest beats and they do it without a bass player. This instrumental soul/funk group started as a trio of guitar, organ and drums and now includes a sax plus special guests. This Sunday December 28th, Soulive will be rockin’ the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC. Doors open at 7:00pm. Get there early because they have DJ Rekha opening the show. Who knows who will show as a special guest?

Its been over a year and a half since James Brown passed away and his music is sorely missed. This Saturday, August 23rd, Fred Wesley, Brown’s former trombonist, will play with the tribute to James Brown known as Still Black, Still Proud. James Brown was hugely popular in Africa and a cast of African musicians join musicians from Brown’s band to put on a concert in the name of a man and a movement. By choosing to name the group after one of Brown’s most politically poignant songs, the band attests that both the movement and the music are still here to continue on in the wake of the Godfather of Soul’s death. Get down and Get up at the 9:30 Club in Washington DC this Saturday at 8:00pm.

After seeing Erykah Badu with The Roots in Richmond, I can only imagine how great of a show is in store this Saturday, August 2nd. The Roots will share the stage with not only Jill Scott, but also Chuck Brown at the Merriweather Post Pavilion. This will be a very high energy show. No one sings with as much body and soul in her voice as Jill Scott. I don’t think that we’ll be lucky enough to have everyone on the stage at the same time, but I have no doubt that this show will rock. This show will be locking down Hip-Hop, Go-Go, R&B and Soul. Also performing is Estelle. (more…)