Album Review :Stokley, Sankofa
Mint Condition frontman Stokely, returns to the scene with his sophomore solo album, Sankofa. Prior to the COVID pandemic, Stokley released the singles “She”, a ballad that recalled the classic Mint Condition sound, and the up-tempo bop, “Vibrant” feat. Snoop Dogg. Thankfully, the pandemic did not slow Stokley down and he released two more promotional singles earlier this year.
Karen is trash cinema
Coke Daniels explores the current racial climate in his new film Karen, from Quiver Distribution. Karen Drexler (Taryn Manning), a racist white woman who makes it her personal mission to displace the new Black family that has just moved in next door to her.
Crazy Fist is no knockout martial arts flick
Qing Guo makes a mediocre directorial debut in Crazy Fist from Well Go USA. After an opponent dies mid-match, a prominent MMA champion (Qing Quo) swore never to fight again. Instead, he retires so he can run his family’s international business.
Second Listen Sunday : Babyface, The Day
Babyface was already a legendary hitmaker when his fourth album, The Day, arrived in stores in the fall of 1996. For the album’s first single, “This Is for the Lover in You,” a cover of the Shalamar classic, Babyface linked up with LL Cool J and the former members of Shalamar: Howard Hewett, Jody Watley, and Jeffrey Daniel.
Slow Jam Saturday: Jagged Edge, Goodbye
Released as the second single from the group’s third album Jagged Little Thrill, “Goodbye” was written by group members Brandon and Brian Casey along with frequent collaborators Jermaine Dupri and Bryan Michael Cox. In addition Dupri and Cox produced the song as well.
Small Engine Repair is a different look at male bonding
Playwright John Pollono adapts one of his plays in Small Engine Repair from Vertical Entertainment for the big screen. Frankie (John Pollono), Swain (Jon Bernthal), and Packie (Shea Whigham) are lifelong friends who share a love of the Red Sox, rowdy bars, and Frankie’s teenaged daughter Crystal (Ciara Bravo).
Mary Elizabeth Winstead wants all the smoke in the action romp Kate
After a lackluster directorial debut in 2016 with The Huntsman: Winter’s War, Cedric Nicolas Troyan finds his niche in Netflix’s Kate. Trained at an early age by Varrick (Woody Harrelson), Kate (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is meticulous and preternaturally skilled.
Maroon 5 rocks out at Jiffy Lube Live
Maroon 5 was one of many acts who had to postpone their 2020 tour, however on September 7th, 2021, the band’s fans in the DMV finally got to experience it. Carrying the simple title the 2021 Tour, Maroon 5’s eleventh headlining tour was a night of tight musicianship and the pristine falsetto of frontman Adam Levine.
Second Listen Sunday: Kevon Edmonds 24/7
Kevon Edmonds, 1/3 of legendary R&B trio After 7, was already a household name when he released his solo debut 24/7 in the fall of 1999. I was a senior in high school and living in El Paso, Texas when Kevon broke through with his solo single “24/7”
Slow Jam Saturday: Sam Salter, Once My Sh..
R&B fans suffered a significant loss on August 27th when news arrived that singer Sam Salter passed away. Salter broke through in 1997 with his lead single “After 12, Before 6,” which lead to his debut album It’s On Tonight via La Face Records.
Michael Keaton leads the powerful drama Worth
Michael Keaton leads a cast of character actors in Netflix’s Worth from director Sara Colangelo. Following the horrific 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Congress appoints attorney and renowned mediator Kenneth Feinberg (Michael Keaton) to lead the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.
Wild Indian is an intense character study
Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr. makes an impressive directorial debut in Wild Indian from Vertical Entertainment. Decades after covering up his classmate’s murder, Michael (Michael Greyeyes) has moved on from his reservation and fractured past. Upon release from prison, Ted-O (Chaske Spencer), a man who shares his violent secret, seeks vengeance