Concert Review: Missy Elliot, Out of This World Experience at CFG Bank Arena
Charm City was energized on Thursday, August 1st, when Missy Elliott brought her “OUT OF THIS WORLD—THE EXPERIENCE” tour to CFG Bank Arena. I had the opportunity to attend a preview of the tour last year during Essence Fest, and I was eagerly anticipating seeing the show again. Timbaland, Busta Rhymes, and Ciara were the support arts.
Second Listen Sunday : Today, Today
The renowned Motown label encountered a period of stagnation in the late 1980s. At this pivotal juncture, the imminent departure of founder Berry Gordy Jr. prompted the appointment of Jheryl Busby as his successor. Mr. Busby, a distinguished figure in his own right, aimed to propel the label into the contemporary era by devising a marketing strategy to resonate with loyal fans of the label’s heyday and a new audience.
Slow Jam Saturday : Bobby Caldwell, My Flame
In the late seventies, the music world was in for a surprise when it was revealed that the voice behind the classic R&B ‘What You Won’t Do for Love’ was the talented Bobby Caldwell, a white musician. While the obvious choice for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday would be a write-up on that song, I wanted to highlight one of my favorites, ‘My Flame,’ an album track from his 1978 debut.
The Abandon offers up engaging sci-fi thrills
Director Jason Satterlund has presented a compelling second feature film, “The Abandon,” a production of the renowned Lionsgate. The screenplay for the film was skillfully crafted by Dwain Worrell.
Sing Sing hits all the right cinematic notes
Documentary filmmaker Alexander J. Farrell has transitioned into feature films with the horror production “The Beast Within,” distributed by Well Go USA. Farrell and Greer Taylor Ellison co-authored the screenplay. The movie features Kit Harington, Ashleigh Cummings, James Cosmo, and Caoilinn Springall in lead roles.
Batman: Caped Crusader is a fresh spin on The World’s Greatest Detective
The most recent television adaptation of Bob Kane’s renowned creation, the World’s Greatest Detective, is set to debut on Prime Video under the title “Batman: Caped Crusader.” What makes this project truly unique is the collaboration of J.J. Abrams, a master of storytelling, with established Batman figures, including Matt Reeves, the director of the 2020 film “The Batman,” and Bruce Timm, the principal producer of the beloved nineties series “Batman: The Animated Series.” This powerhouse team promises a fresh and exciting take on the Caped Crusader.
Second Listen Sunday : The Time, Ice Cream Castle
This month marked the 40th anniversary of the renowned cinematic masterpiece “Purple Rain.” While I intend to collaborate with fellow critics in the future on a retrospective project, for this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I plan to honor The Time’s third album, “Ice Cream Castle,” which is notable for featuring two enduringly classic songs that were included in the film as mentioned earlier.
Slow Jam Saturday : Missy Elliot, Friendly Skies
Missy Elliott, a versatile artist, is currently performing at various venues nationwide as part of her inaugural headlining tour, “OUT OF THIS WORLD—THE EXPERIENCE.” I had the opportunity to attend a preview of the tour last year, and I’m eagerly anticipating the upcoming show scheduled for this Thursday in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Beast Within lacks entertainment roar
Documentary filmmaker Alexander J. Farrell has transitioned into feature films with the horror production “The Beast Within,” distributed by Well Go USA. Farrell and Greer Taylor Ellison co-authored the screenplay. The movie features Kit Harington, Ashleigh Cummings, James Cosmo, and Caoilinn Springall in lead roles.
Skywalkers: A Love Story is a high walking documentary
Co-directors Jeff Zimbalist and Maria Bukhonina direct an engaging documentary to Netflix, “Skywalkers: A Love Story,” which Zimbalist also scripted
Second Listen Sunday: Tamia, Tamia
There’s no denying the exceptional talent of Canadian singer Tamia, whose voice stands out as one of the most distinctive in R&B. Her introduction to the music scene was marked by her captivating performances in two songs, the soulful ballad “You Put A Move on my Heart” and the Babyface duet “Slow Jams,” both featured on the 1995 Quincy Jones album Q’s Jook Joint. Tamia’s collaborations with Brandy, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan and her contribution to the legendary ballad “Missing You” further solidified her reputation as a powerhouse in the industry.
Slow Jam Saturday: IV Xample, I’d Rather Be Alone
In the 1990s, R&B music was dominated by vocal groups known for their captivating lead singers and smooth harmonies. This week, I wanted to highlight IV Xample and their single “I’d Rather Be Alone” for Slow Jam Saturday.