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| OCTOBER
2005 FREEBIES ... COMPETITIONS ...
STOP PRESS: Closing date extended until midnight Monday November 7 2005 for all the competitions Check new ones at the bottom!!! These competitions are only for UK residents. They are also an incentive to participate in our Black History Month activities. So make sure we get your feedback on the Brit On the Bill and June is British Black Music Month. Remember: you'll have to submit your British Black Music List 2005 (BBML 2005) tracks/albums before entering any of the competitions. Don't test: no BBML 2005 entry, and your compo entry will be void. How do you expect to receive free black music product and not have any BBM faves worth highlighting?! Note: If you are entering any of our competitions, don't forget to include your postal/snail mail address with your entry, or else it will be ineligible (we can't be bothered to chase or remind entrants for their address!) We're happy to offer these freebies. Please note that in some cases all you have to do is click the appropriate email link to enter. In other cases, you'll have to answer a simple question to be in with a chance of winning! All the best! Kwaku We've got loads of freebies to give
away. They include tickets for Music Box (R&B/hip-hop) at 10
Rooms and House Of Reggae; 'Don't Trigger' EP on
12-inch; 'The Lovers Rock Story Part 2', Matumbi's 'Man In The
Air'; Don-e's 'Try This'; Carleen Anderson's 'Soul
Providence'; 'Bridge To Havana' and 'Afterlife' CD/DVDs;
Alexander O'Neal's 'Live At Hammersmith Apollo' CDs; Prince's 'Emancipation'
CD, copies of
reggae & black music magazine Gargamel; 'Young Gifted And
Black: The Story Of Trojan Records' books, and 'Amandla!' CD/DVDs
and 'Umoja' DVDs, Bob Marley's 'Africa Unite: The Singles
Collection' and Sherrisa's 'Don't Hesitate' CDs... more to be added later! Scroll
down and enter!! Mondays. 9pm till late The 10 Rooms, 10 Air St, Piccadilly, London W1 (Piccadilly tube) One pair of tickets for Monday October 10, 17, 24, or 31 2005. Entry closes the preceding Thursday of date required. Music Box Live celebrates its 7th anniversary on Oct. 24 with a special performance by Alexander O'Neal (see more on Alexander O'Neal album and UK 2005 tour below. I've submitted my favourite BBM List 2005 tracks/albums (if you have not, click to submit BBML2005 now!) and now want the Pair Of Tickets For Monday: Click for Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Fridays. 10pm-4am. Showtime: Midnight Five pairs of tickets for Friday October 7, 14, 21, 28 to celebrate BHM courtesy of THOR and Centreprise. Entry closes the preceding Thursday of date required The House Of Reggae, Palace Pavilion, 229 Lower Clapton Rd, Clapton, London E5 (020 8986 2993, 079887 555 897. www.thehouseofreggae.com) I've submitted my favourite BBM List 2005 tracks/albums (if you have not, click to submit BBML2005 now!) and now want the Pair Of Tickets For Friday: Click for Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Out Monday October 3 2005 on Gut Records. What's
on offer is the 12-inch vinyl version, which includes mixes not on the
CD (although naturally the vinyl does not contain the 2 video!). The
12-inch features the
Urban Concepts artists Soul Deep UK: We've got ten copies to give away! We're keen on vinyl junkies and DJs having it, as we desire to have them cane this impressive and worthwhile release! If you want the 3-track audio and 2 video CD package, try buying it. If the salesperson says it's not in stock - please order it. It doesn't cost any extra, and any shop that can find the record on their computer system, should be able to order it without much fuss. One retail chain is not stocking it, but when pressed, can order it. For those that complain that there's no positive music being pushed - here's one that not only positive, but it's also trying to help the community. Time to support with your money, nit your sentiments! Closing date October 31 2005 I've submitted my favourite BBM List 2005 tracks/albums (if you have not, click to submit BBML2005 now!) and now wish to enter the free draw and promise to promote and cane this record, if I win A Free Copy Of The Don't Trigger 12-inch.
Out now on Kickin Music The blurb above says it all. This 15 tracker is culled from the reggae labels - DIP, Eve, Lucky, Serious Business, Rama and Lovers Rock - which was run by Kickin Music's MD Peter Harris' late father Dennis Harris. Dennis, who in addition to being a label owner, was a producer, record shop and studio owner, who helped Dennis 'Matumbi' Bovell and John Kpiaye to develop their craft as musicians, producers and eventually pioneers of the genre now known as lovers rock. The 'Part 2' compo contains more unsung British gems, which ruled the roost reggae charts-wise in the '70s, and now making a belated appearance on CD for the first time. Includes favourites like Janet Kay's 'Rock The Rhythm', Paul Dawkins' To Love Someone', Dennis Bovell's 'Make It Up', and Marie Pierre's 'Groovin''. Big revival tunes in a handy package compiled and annotated by Dennis Bovell, who played on and produced many of the tracks here. We're proud to highlight this useful document as part of our British musical heritage, as we celebrate Black History Month. Interested in grabbling one of six freebies going? All you have to do to be in with a chance is to answer this question: What is the title of Janet Kay's only UK top 5 lovers rock crossover hit record? Closing date: October 31 2005 I've submitted my favourite BBM List 2005
tracks/albums (if you have not, click to submit BBML2005
now!) and now wish to enter the free draw To
Win A Copy Of 'The Lovers Rock Story 2'. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Aside from their best-known singles, including a version of 'Man In Me' and 'Point Of View', the set highlights a number of previously unreleased recordings from the group's initial recordings sessions. So from the best and the rarest of Matumbi's work, this 2-CD collection has it all. It's compiled by the group themselves". Out now on Trojan Records This group honed their musical skills by playing sessions and backing visiting Jamaican artists on UK tours. Led by musician-engineer-producer Dennis Bovell, Matumbi, along with the likes of Aswad, Steel Pulse and Cimarons, were some of the leading lights of '70s British reggae. That was at a time when real bands ruled. In the clubs, among the Jamaican stuff being played, would British-made reggae, such as Matumbi's 'After Tonight', 'Man In Me', and for the more commercial dance-floors, cuts like the Hot Chocolate cover 'Brother Louie'. EMI, seeing what Island was doing with Aswad and Steel Pulse, signed Matumbi, who delivered scored a top 40 hit in late '79 with 'Point Of View'. In one's memory serves one correctly, one believes seeing Dennis and his gang on Top Of The Pops! The version of this track is the 12-inch, featuring toasting master I-Roy! From rootsy to poppy stuff, Matumbi cover it all. Fancy one of 3 copies of this definitive Matumbi compo? All you have to do is answer the question: What is the name of Matumbi's leader? Closing date: October 31 2005 I've submitted my favourite BBM List 2005 tracks/albums (if you have not, click to submit BBML2005 now!) and now wish to enter the free draw To Win A Copy Of Matumbi' Man In The Air' XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
This new album's a scorcher displaying Don-e's trademark sweet vocals, tight production and beats. This set will be appreciated by young R&B and mature soul fans alike. Though it doesn't contain his stonking 'Back Again', which appeared on white label a a little while back, it has his collabo with Omar 'No Reason', the impressive hidden bonus track 'UK Black', which name-checks dons and donesses of British black music over the years, plus the sweet, mid-tempo first single 'Slow', which feature impressive duettist Lornette Ford. Don-e re-introduces himself strongly with 'Try This'. You can try it by either buying or taking part in our little compo. We've got three copies to give away! What record label was Don-e signed to before signing to Dome? Closing date: October 31 2005 I've submitted my favourite BBM List 2005 tracks/albums (if you have not, click to submit BBML2005 now!) and now wish to enter the free draw To Win A Copy Of Don-e's 'Try This CD' XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX  We've
loved Carleen Anderson's voice from the moment we heard her fronting the
Young Disciples. She then went on to rlease a couple of solo albums on
Circa/Virgin, before lately going the indie route. Her latest album, 'Soul
Providence' (Dome), is her first for Dome, although she's been featured on
Dome's Full Flavour's 'Colour Of My Soul'.
'Soul Providence' includes a soulful cover of Leo Ware's ' Be Where You Are', featuring Paul Weller, and the powrhouse vocalist collaborates on 'Parting The Waters'. The questioning and powerful soul/B&Ber 'Whose Business?' is certainly worth listening to. We've got three copies to give away! What is the title of the massive 1991 hit Carleen Anderson wrote and sang with the Young Disciples? Closing date: October 31 2005 I've submitted my favourite BBM List 2005 tracks/albums (if you have not, click to submit BBML2005 now!) and now wish to enter the free draw To Win A Copy Of Carleen Anderson's 'Soul Providence' XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The results of this collaboration has been captured on audio CD and live concert DVD. This combination package provides a delightful fusion of pop, salsa, jazz and R&B. You can watch how the songs were put together - some so freshly made, that N'Dea Davenport can be seen reading her lyrics, as she performed on Havana's Karl Marx Theatre. The American artists include Montell Jordan, Gladys Knight, Brenda Russell, Joan Osborne, and Mick Fleetwood, who regretted being too scared to take up an opportunity to drum one of the US-Cuban collaborative sessions conducted by Burt Bacharach. 'Bridge To Havana' (Uncut DVD) is an important and eye-opening document capturing, in sound and vision, a unique opportunity, why artists bypass political barriers, to create very interesting collaborative work. It's worth watching and hearing. We've got two copies to give away. Name one of Cuba's musical genres that's popular in the West. Closing date: October 31 2005. I've submitted my favourite BBM List 2005 tracks/albums (if you have not, click to submit BBML2005 now!) and now wish to enter the free draw To Win A Copy Of 'Bridge To Havana' CD/DVD XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX  If
you're into the Ibiza dance seen and partying till sun rise, then you'll
love this "hypnotic journey of rhythmic sounds of African beats
and synthesizer driven melodies" and the sight of "flawless
beaches and dancers in a tropical setting".
'Afterlife: The DVD, The Album, The Single Remixes, The Journey ...' (Uncut DVD) is a CD/DVD combo package with lots of trancey tracks. In addition to the album, which includes singles remixes, there's a DVD featuring continuous videos featuring sunsets and sunrises, beaches and outdoor dancing, plus kitsch '60s/'70s psychedic image superimpostions and effects. The DVD contains extras, such as interviews with Seb Fontaine and Fatboy Slim. We've got two copies to give away. On what island is the 'Afterlife' videos shot? Closing date: October 31 2005 I've submitted my favourite BBM List 2005 tracks/albums (if you have not, click to submit BBML2005 now!) and now wish to enter the free draw To Win A Copy Of Afterrlife's DVD/CD XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX  Alexander
O’Neal’s popularity and support in the UK has been immeasurable
throughout his career and still remains so today. Based in the US, he
frequently commutes to the Britain, which he sees as his second home.
All of his six albums have charted both in the UK and the USA and he has
enjoyed numerous sell-out tours, most recently at the beginning of this
year when he recorded his first live album - ‘Alexander O’Neal Live
at Hammersmith Apollo’. He is currently getting ready to embark on a
2005 UK tour.
The
dates include: Oct. 23: Café de Paris, London; Oct.
29: Lakeside Country club, Camberly, Surrey; Nov. 6: Fairfields Hall, Croydon;
Nov. 15 Bournemouth Pavilion; Dec. 1: Southport Theatre; Dec. 6: Alexandra Theatre,
Birmingham
(click for full
UK dates)
If you're a soul and classic R&B fan, then it's worth catching Alexander on his latest UK tour (click for full UK dates). Better still, make sure you're in good company, perhaps a romantic one. With Luther Vandross gone, Alexander is one of the few old time lurve-soul singers. If you can't catch him, we've got 3 copies of his album to give away. It captures the live vibe well, and is like a greatest hits packagewith long, lively versions of ‘If You Were Here Tonight’, ‘Hearsay’, ‘All True Man’, ‘Innocent’, ‘Criticise’, ‘Fake’, etc. Name one Alexander O'Neal UK top 20 hit single. Closing date: October 31 2005 I've submitted my favourite BBM List 2005 tracks/albums (if you have not, click to submit BBML2005 now!) and now wish to enter the free draw To Win A Copy Of Aleander O'Neal's 'Live' CD XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
If you've not come across this UMA 2005-nominated mag, or are either too skint or mean to fork out £3, BBM has 20 copies to give away! To be in with a chance to win a free copy, just name one artist featured in issue 26. Closing date: October 31 2005 To be in with a chance to win a free copy, just name one artist featured in issue 26. Closing date: October 31 2005 I've submitted my favourite BBM List 2005 tracks/albums (if you have not, click to submit BBML2005 now!) and now wish to enter the free draw To Win A Copy Of Issue 26 Of Gargamel
Having worked for the label, compiling and writing about Trojan's releases, the authors are in a good position to write about this once leading reggae label and also provides a wider view, covering activities of competitors such as Pama etc. The book comes with a special 12 track CD containing some of the UK releases, with useful notes. There is also a huge discography for reggae anoraks and crate-diggers to salivate over. We've got two copies to give away! To be in with a chance of winning a copy, name one atist who had a British top 40 hit single one one of the Trojan labels. Closing date: October 31 2005 I've submitted my favourite BBM List 2005 tracks/albums (if you have not, click to submit BBML2005 now!) and now wish to enter the free draw To Win A Copy the 'Young Gifted & Black' book XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"The film and accompanying original soundtrack CD contain the very best of South Africa’s rich musical heritage including trumpeter Hugh Masekela, singer Miriam Makeba, pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, singer/songwriter Vusi Mahlasela, singer Sibongile Khumalo and many more." This DVD (look out for the package that bundles the audio CD) was the centre piece of BBM/BMC's 2005 Black History Month 'Music Power!' presentation. It showed the role music and musicians played in the fight against apartheid, and gave us food for thought during the subsequent discussions. It's a powerful and enlightening film, which we urge individuals and community groups to endeavour to screen it. When purchasing a copy, particularly online, the distributors advise you buy from a UK retailer, like amazon.co.uk (not .com). We however have two copies of the DVD/CD combo to give away. All we want to know is which South African group scored a UK top 5 hit with their compilation album? Closing date: October 31 2005 I've submitted my favourite BBM List 2005 tracks/albums (if you have not, click to submit BBML2005 now!) and now wish to enter the free draw To Win A Copy Of 'Amandla!' XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
There are bonus features on the DVD. Such as photo gallery, music videos, interviews with the creators of the musical, plus deleted scenes. Definitely something for stage musical fans! And we've got 2 copies to give away! What is the administrative capital city of South Africa? Closing date: October 31 2005 I've submitted my favourite BBM List 2005 tracks/albums (if you have not, click to submit BBML2005 now!) and now wish to enter the free draw To Win A Copy Of 'Umoja' XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Nate James opens this useful package with his massive debut single 'Set The Tone'. Compiler Adrian Gibson covers both well-known names and tracks, and newies that deserve better recognition. So in amongst Omar featuring Angie Stone's 'Be Thankful', Bugz In The Attic's 'Booty La La', NSM's 'Don't Say It', Natalie Williams' 'Secret Garden' and Terri Walker's 'LOVE', are newies that deserve our attention, such as Vanessa Freeman's 'Dawning Of A New Day', D'nell's 'This Thing', Alex Attias presents Mustang featuring Colonel Red's 'Help Me', and Juliettw Leon featuring Myron's 'Two Heart'. There's also 'Bus Stop', which can be found on Don-e's 'Try This' album highlighted above. Fancy a copy? We've got three up for grabs. Just tell us the title of Omar's break-through soul classic song. Closing date: October 31 2005 I've submitted my favourite BBM List 2005 tracks/albums (if you have not, click to submit BBML2005 now!) and now wish to enter the free draw To Win A Copy Of 'London Soul' XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
This is a double-CD. CD2 contains a Richy Pitch mix of the tracks on CD1. CD1 kicks off with the stonking Refix remix of Ty featuring Roots Manuva's 'So You Want More?', and ends with Manuva's 'Mind 2 Motion'. In between, the likes of TJ Chill, Doc Brown, Phi Life Cypher, Lotek Hi-Fi, Alphletik, and Rodney P represent the voices from the UK streets for mans on street, as the youngsters say. Klashnekoff's ''Jankroville' and Skinnyman's 'Council Estate Of Mind' typically tell dark tales of inner-city life. Edgy lifestyles that sadly are realities for many of our youths. Surprisingly there's nothing from Wolverhampton's Wolftown or Nottingham's Outdaville. Perhaps volume 2? If you're a UK hip-hop head, or a hip-hop fan that doesn't think there's much good stuff from Britain, then you need to check out this compo. We've got 3 copies to give away. To be in with a chance of bagging a free copy, name one UK hip-hop act on the 'UK hip-Hop' compilation. Closing date: October 31 2005 I've submitted my favourite BBM List 2005 tracks/albums (if you have not, click to submit BBML2005 now!) and now wish to enter the free draw To Win A Copy Of 'UK Hip-Hop' XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Now, we have the full album 'L.Y.F.E' (nicetunes), which is a much eclectic affair. This Dre moves from rock, which echoes of Seal or Lenny Kravitz, to folky, bluesy, and poppy stuff, with the occasional hip-hoppy beats. For those who have an open mind to, and wider appreciation of, music, this will be a joy to listen to. Quite frankly, 'Fly' alone is enough reason to get this album. However, there's are several 'singer-songwriter type songs' like 'Pathetic' and 'Mammy Didn't Say'. Go discover! We've got 6 copies of the album to give away. If you're interested in discovering the Dre Allen Project, just answer this question to be in the running: What's the name of the last group Dre Allen's wife Dawn Robinson fronted? Closing date: October 31 2005 I've submitted my favourite BBM List 2005 tracks/albums (if you have not, click to submit BBML2005 now!) and now wish to enter the free draw To Win A Copy Of 'L.Y.F.E.' XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
He then went through independent distribution and the internet to sell his music. So it was interesting to see him release this triple-CD through EMI. One of his gripes against Warner was that it just wasn't allowing him to regularly release the prodigious amount of new recordings he was making in his Paisley Park studios. Although it charted, EMI was 'brave' taking on this triple-CD job. So of those who bought this album thought it was far too long. Sometimes one can have too much of a good thing, which is why the normal release is one CD, which often doesn't take up all of the audio CD's 70 minutes capacity. That said, Prince probably wanted to make a point - he was free to unleash as much music as he wanted, which Warner had denied him. Secondly, he gets to display different aspects of his musical talent. For example, the opener, 'Jam Of The Year', is one of the funkiest cuts ever. There are a few covers, of which his version of 'Betcha By Golly Wow' is one of the coolest smoochiest, soulful tracks you're likely to hear. Why it hasn't become a staple on the smooth jazz scene, or the wedding reception circuit, is beyond me! 'Can't Make U Love Me' is another cool, downtempo soulster. 'Somebody's Somebody' is a nice R&B/soulster. 'My Happy' mixes funk, hip-hop, scratching and rap. Love the reflective, dreamy 'White Mansions', when Prince sings he's not giving up his publishing. He touches on jazz with 'Courtin' Time'. He mixes rock grooves and Latin brass on 'Damned If I Do'. Tracks on CD2 include the sensuous, downtempo soulster 'One Kiss At A Time'. Prince's wispy vocals enchant on the spiritual meets carnal ode 'Soul Sanctuary'. Indeed, CD2 is much focused on the sensual. Some might think CD3 could be done away with - the throw-away excess. However, except for his cover of 'La La la La Means I Love You', this can be seen as the beats of funk CD. 'Slave' has great percussive work, whilst tracks like the funkstera 'Style' and 'Emancipation', and rap/hip-hop 'Da Da Da', really rock!! Just as one's energy levels is running down as you near the end of listening to three CDs, Prince picks things up with a powerful rock cover of (If God Was) 'One Of Us', popularised by Joan Osbourne. Oh, and Prince also shows his human side by having humour in several tracks. We've got 2 copies of this 3-CD to give away. You can be in with a chance to save yourself a whole lot of money if you can correctly answer this question: Name one Prince-owned record label. Closing date: October 31 2005 I've submitted my favourite BBM List 2005 tracks/albums (if you have not, click to submit BBML2005 now!) and now wish to enter the free draw To Win A Copy Of 'Emancipated' XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Click I Fancy a copy of Bob Marley’s ‘Africa Unite: The Singles Collection’ Click I Fancy a copy of Sherrisa’s ‘Don’t Hesitate’Click I Fancy a copy of Public Enemy's 'Power To The People' (5 LP Box-set) Click I Fancy a copy of Destiny's Child album 'No.1s' Click I Fancy A Copy Of Santana'a 'All That I am' Click I Fancy A Copy Of Angie Stone's 'Greatest Hits' Click I Fancy A Copy Of John Legend's 'Live At The House Of Blues' DVD Click I Fancy A Copy Of Corrine Bailey Rae's album sampler!
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"Music
Box Live is the exclusive live celebrity jamming session. With sensational
celebrity guests co-hosting with renowned performer Patrick Alan, this is
one not to miss! Recent guests have included Joss Stone and the music
policy is R&B and hip-hop".
"The
House Of Reggae - every friday night is a great reggae night out, with
live performances". 
"Following
on from 'The Lovers Rock Story' released in October 2004, comes the 'Lovers
Rock Story Part 2' continuing in the same rich vein. Part 2 features
more of the same great British reggae compiled by the scene’s
instigator and unsung hero – Dennis Bovell".
"The
first truly comprehensive compilation of one of the best known UK Reggae
acts. The 2-CD release of 'Matumbi - Music In The Air' is an album that
demonstrates why the UK's finest skankers were a leading voice in the
British Reggae arena throughout the '70s.
UK
R&B don Don-e is finallllly back with his third album 'Try This'
(Dome). It's a good thirteen years since he scored the top 20 hit 'Love
Makes The World Go Round' on Island's 4th & Broadway label. Then
things went quite with two Island released albums (click for more
explanations in Don-e feature).
It's
interesting to think that early last year, the US authorities would not
allow the Cuban musicians, including recently deseased Ibrahim
Ferrer,
visa to attend the Grammy Awards, for which they had been nominated.
Five years prior, several American artists deftly side-tracked the US
cultural embargo on Cuba by visiting Cuba and collaborating with their
peers and veteran artists on the communist island.
'Umoja:
The Spirit Of Togetherness' (Sting) is the DVD of the eponymous South
African stage musical which was a hit in London and several locations
across Europe. Combining singing, dancing and story-telling, the DVD comes
into its own because you get to watch both shots from the stage
presentation, and staged pieces on location in authentic South African
locations. If you don't get the story from the singing or dancing, worry
not - the narrator breaks it all down!
The
moment we heard the Dre Allen Project featuring wifey Dawn Robinson
(formerly of En Vogue) single 'Fly', we were so hooked, we made it our
Sureplayer in the R&B review column in DJ mag no. 96, and offered
our copy of the single to our subscribers!