Brooklyn Funk Essentials Are Back With “Funk Ain’t Ova”

Brooklyn Funk Essentials Are Back With “Funk Ain’t Ova”

20 years after their debut album “Cool & Steady & Easy”, which was voted “best r&b album” by Billboard magazine, the Brooklyn Funk Essentials return with their latest, “Funk Ain’t Ova”, seven years after their last release. The gritty funk of their past albums continues here right on with the opener “Blast It!” and a…

Thelonious Monk Institute Vocal Competition: And The Winner Is…

Thelonious Monk Institute Vocal Competition: And The Winner Is…

The last time the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute Competition focused on vocals was back in 2010. The three winners were Cécile McLorin Salvant, Charnée Wade, and Cyrille Aimée. All three of them are now having an international career, with Cécile just recently playing the Berlin Jazzfest. Among the judges five years ago were Patti Austin,…

Ethereal Magic

Ethereal Magic

About a year after I moved to Berlin, in 1992, an intoxicating and haunting record made the rounds which was played in the derelict, fucked-up clubs of the changing and explosive Berlin. I soon added it to my DJ set as well of course. Up to this day, this particular song hasn’t lost any of…