Learn How To MoonWalk

Technorati Tags: learn how to moonwalk, michael jackson moonwalk, moonwalking

Silky Soul Music is the brainchild of Frankie Beverly’s son, Anthony, who is serving as the project’s executive and co-producer. Beverly developed the idea to properly honor his father’s contributions to the music industry in a way that has never been done before. It is the first and only album recognizing Beverly and Maze’s nearly 40-year career including 12 albums and 30 hit singles. The 10 songs selected for the CD represent some of Maze and Frankie Beverly’s greatest hits. Featured are a host of Grammy Award winning and nominated gold and platinum-selling artists in R&B and Gospel, including Joe, Kevon Edmonds, Mary J. Blige, Ledisi, Mint Condition, Raheem DeVaughn, and the Clark Sisters.

The number two album of the week is Green Day’s “21st Century Breakdown”, the Punk trio’s long-awaited eighth studio album. The album is the best-selling trio’s first studio album since 2004’s two-time Grammy Award-winning Punk Rock opera American Idiot, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard chart, spawned five hit singles, and went on to sell more than 12 million copies worldwide. 21st Century Breakdown is divided into three acts: “Heroes and Cons,” “Charlatans and Saints,” and “Horseshoes and Handgrenades,” and follows a young couple, Christian and Gloria, through the mess and promise of the century so far. Songs include “Know Your Enemy”, “21 Guns”, “East Jesus Nowhere”, “Before the Lobotomy”, and “Restless Heart Syndrome.”

Technorati Tags: 10/27/09, Maze, Music, SilverDisc, Takes

The first dance at a wedding reception is often a source of anxiety for couples. Some people are uncomfortable in the spotlight, and cringe at the thought of all those eyes upon them. Others do not not how to dance, and are afraid of embarrassing themselves on the dance floor. And clumsy types are just petrified that they will trip over their own feet and take a digger in front of all their guests.

Those are all very common concerns. An excellent way to alleviate them is to take dance lessons, and practice your first dance until you have achieved a level of comfort with it. There are some couples, however, who take it to the whole next level. These are people who not only don’t mind being the center of attention, they live for it. And for those brides and grooms, no ordinary first dance will do.

A big trend in weddings right now is the choreographed first dance. Instead of simply taking a spin around the dance floor to a romantic song, newlyweds are working with professional choreographers to arrange elaborate dance routines. Always dramatic, and often funny, the idea is to startle the guests and make a big splash.

Typically these choreographed dances will start off looking like a regular first dance to a traditional love song. The impact comes from the “surprise”, when suddenly the couple switches from standard dancing to some sort of dance routine. Part of the act often includes a dramatic pantomime when the first song abruptly ends in the middle. The couple pretends to be surprised, then suddenly another song starts, and the newlyweds start to breakdance (or moonwalk, or whatever they think would get the biggest cheer from the crowd). The routines are very intricately choreographed, and clearly take a lot of planning and practice.

The question is, does this type of choreographed first dance add to the wedding or detract from it? Like many things, the answer lies mainly in the eye of the beholder. A lot of people think that it is hysterically funny to zing their guests with an unexpected element at the reception. There are also apparently a large number of brides and grooms just dying to become YouTube fodder. Undoubtedly, performing your first dance with thunder and lightening effects will make a strong impression, but is it the right one?

To answer that question, you have to know your audience. If you recreate Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video, will your grandmother think it is hilarious, or will she be mortified? Does the bride’s father really need to see his little girl “shake her moneymaker” on her wedding day? Another question to ask is when you look back on your wedding in five or ten years, will you be amused or embarrassed? Remember, too, that just because you can learn the steps doesn’t necessarily mean that you have the rhythm to pull off the moves!

For a bride who wants to really shine on her wedding day, there are ways to do it that are always in good taste. A spectacular wedding gown with a full set of dazzling crystal bridal jewelry always looks impressive. The crystal bridal jewelry is also great because you can pull it out and wear it any day that you need a little lift. (Jewelry has a way of elevating any woman’s spirits!) You could also consider an entrance fit for a princess, such as a horse-drawn carriage, or even an elephant. It is possible to achieve a dramatic effect without going for shock value.

What the wacky choreographed dances are lacking is the dignity that is due a milestone as momentous as a marriage. For some couples, all that matters is having a laugh, and that is certainly their prerogative. But before hopping on the latest bandwagon, stop to consider whether you want your first dance to be about showing your love, or just showing off. In case you haven’t guessed, on the question of fabulous or tacky, I vote for tacky!

Technorati Tags: Choreographed, Dance, Fabulous, First, Tacky

I can describe the latest release from Christmas sensation Whitney Houston for you with just one word? Outstanding!

Refreshingly, this was one of those CDs I was able to just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

Christmas music fans will recognize some of the well known contributors on the project including Dean Parks and Paul Jackson Jr plus a few other notables as well.

If you?re a Whitney Houston fan, or just a fan of Christmas music this is a CD your collection simply should not be without.

While this entire CD is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 4 - One Wish, track 11 - Joy To The World, and track 10 - Who Would Imagine A King.

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 - The First Noel. Wow!

One Wish The Holiday Album Release Notes:

Whitney Houston originally released One Wish The Holiday Album on November 18, 2003 on the Arista Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. The First Noel 2. Christmas Song, The (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) 3. Little Drummer Boy - (featuring Bobbi Kristina Brown) 4. One Wish (For Christmas) 5. Cantique De Noel (O Holy Night) 6. I’ll Be Home For Christmas 7. Deck The Halls / Silent Night 8. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 9. O Come O Come Emmanuel 10. Who Would Imagine A King - (from “The Preacher’s Wife”, featuring The Nativity Choir) 11. Joy To The World - (with Georgia Mass Choir)

Personnel: Whitney Houston (vocals); Bobbi Kristina Brown (vocals); Phil Hamilton (acoustic & electric guitars); Paul Jackson, Jr., Dean Parks (guitar); Gerald Tarack, Max Ellen, Regis Iandiorio, Sandra Billingslea, Carol Pool, Kathy Livolsi (violin); Michael Morton (flute); Mervyn Warren (electric piano, keyboards, background vocals); Troy Taylor (keyboards, bass, drums, background vocals); Ron Jenkins, Reggie Hamilton (bass); Scott Frankfurt (drums, programming); Bernard Davis (drums); Bashiri Johnson (percussion); Ezekiel Lewis (background vocals); The Georgia Mass Choir.

Producers include: Troy Taylor, Mervyn Warren, Gordon Chambers.

Technorati Tags: Album, Christmas, Holiday, Houston, Music, Review, Whitney, Wish

Introducing RAD for the next generation. An ultimate BMX racing movie released in 1986, featuring local kid Cru Jones and Helltrack - Cochrane’s new BMX track that is not to be messed with. It is the “ET” movie of BMX.

Filmed in Canada, the popularity for this movie has never waned and to date, countless reviews and comments are still being posted on internet sites worldwide.

Meet Eddie Fiola. Famed for the stunts of Cru Jones and flat land scenes before and after the movie, Eddie has experienced a succesful career in BMX, which has opened doors as a stuntsman. He’d originally picked up the skateboarding scene before swapping the board for the bike, mainly because it was easier to get from A to B. Competitions at the time were only for skateboards in swimming pools.

In the beginning, Eddie began his passion in the racing scene (beginner and expert) before focusing on freestyle and flatland. His first sponsor at the age of 16 was Premier Helmets after he met Fred Blood (SE Racing/General) who introduced him to Denise Barter (now Director of Marketing for Premier Helmets – who were founded in California in 1961 and moved their production to Italy in 1987) and Harry Larry (talented BMX racer who later became the Production Manager for the Diamondback Company).

“Riding in general is great in the first place” says Eddie, talking from his Californian home. “You’re paid to ride. My first show paid food, $25 and I got to ride all day”.

Eddie believes RAD is loosely based on his life, as director Hal Needham had paid him a visit to his home several years earlier. He’d been interested in Eddie’s life and had asked him many questions, which put together, paints a similar picture of Cru Jones life, who’s dad had also passed away several years earlier.

As a sponsored youth, life was busy as he travelled alone from show to show in the 80’s as his mother, a single parent, was looking after his two other siblings. Although Eddie didn’t really think much of it at the time, he only thought about riding his bike. Life consisted of travelling to specific areas for tours, riding for the entire show, packing up, sleeping and then driving to the next show. But he doesn’t miss it.

“I like to play around now. My favourite tricks are backflips as they’re fun but 360º are my favourite’. Moonwalks on a bicycle also come up high on his list and he can be seen on various old-school You Tube videos. Many of the old tricks he does these days awe inspire the kids into thinking they’re new.

These days, Eddie Fiola works long hours as a Stuntman and Film Stunt Coordinator, particularly on movie sets. His impressive resume include stunts on Superman 2 & 3 and The Dukes of Hazzard. “Being able to see and do stunts and then watch the movie, is amazing” he says.

One of his most popoular television ads to feature in Australia, showed him chasing a cheetah through the Texan (Tahone) Pass – in California desert, after it’d stolen his Mountain Dew. When he catches up with the cat, he tackles it to the ground, retrieves the can from the bottom of its stomach and states “bad cheetah”. After the six days of filming this scene, the three boys who drank the can at the end and said “see . . . that’s why I’m not a cat person”, were lucky enough to go to South Africa just for that scene, leaving Eddie to stay home in California!

These days, life is mainly about stuntwork and married life with his young daughter. He’s come a long way in the world of bmx and movies. But he still holds the dream of winning the lottery.

www.jametbikeco.com

Technorati Tags: Eddie, Fiola, Radical, Stuntsman

A costume party might not seem to be the most ideal location for a highly successful musical group to come together, but that is exactly what happened in 2000 when Black Angus and Double D first encountered one another for the first time. Some might say that the meeting was providential, others might claim it was purely coincidental, but whatever it was, it led to the beginnings of a musical partnership that would clearly spell success. It was the spring of 2000 and the two had separately attended a cowboys and Indians style costume party. The entertainment for the evening was less than inspiring and featured inflatable props and line dancing. It did not take long for Daimon Downey, more commonly known as MC Double D, to become quite bored and decide to demonstrate his moonwalking skills using a plastic horse.

That did not appear to be enough excitement for him, so he snatched a toy flute from Angus McDonald and began showing off with it. That was all it took for the two to recognize in one another a talent that would lead them to develop a winning plan. At the time Angus was on the verge of beginning a regular Sunday night gig at the new club of a friend. Black Angus was already on track to work behind the decks while live musicians were scheduled to frontline the show. When MC Double D agreed to hit the microphone, Sneaky Sound Machine was clearly under way. By this time, it was the summer of 2001 and the duo had quickly gained a local following that had hordes crowding into the club on Sunday nights.

Within three short years, MC Double D and Black Angus made the decision to start up their own record label. Although recording labels had been hesitant to pick up the duo’s first release, which was why they forged ahead with forming their own label, fans quickly latched onto it. Hip Hip Hooray immediately began to gain attention from local radio stations as well as club DJs. While it seemed that things had been going well, the duo did lack something and that something was a stellar vocalist.

Since happenstance seemed to be the rule of the day for the fledgling group, it only made sense that when they finally did come across the vocalist they needed, it would be a chance meeting in Hyde Park. To say the two stumbled across Connie would not be much of an overstatement. While strolling through the park they encountered her relaxing, singing, and strumming away on her guitar. Miss Connie, as she is frequently known, was not new to the idea of performing in a band, but chances are she had never performed with a duo quite as unique as MC Double D and Black Angus. Still, with the trio complete, it quickly became apparent to all three that what they had found in one another was spectacular. They immediately laid down the Funky House Music tinged track for “I Love It” and began their journey to success.

Technorati Tags: Costume, Development, Leads, Party, Successful, Trio

Janet Jackson has released her most recent album entitled Velvet Rope.

This one grabs your attention right from the very beginning with Velvet Rope and doesn’t let go until the very last note of the very last song Special, which is another great track by the way.

Janet Jackson is one of those musicians that has the ability to just win you over with her talent. The kind of artist it?s really a treat to be able to listen to.

This is a first rate CD, delivering a little something for everyone. I give it two thumbs up. It?s quite simply great listening. A must buy for the Rock fan.

While this entire album is outstanding some of my favorites are track 6 - My Need, track 17 - Tonight?s The Night, and track Velvet Rope - Special

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 2 - Velvet Rope. Wow!

Velvet Rope Release Notes:

Janet Jackson originally released Velvet Rope on October 7, 1997 on the Virgin Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Interlude-Twisted Elegance 2. Velvet Rope - (featuring Vanessa-Mae) 3. You 4. Got ‘Til It’s Gone - (featuring Q-Tip/Joni Mitchell) 5. Interlude-Speaker Phone 6. My Need 7. Interlude-Fasten Your Seatbelts 8. Go Deep 9. Free Xone 10. Interlude-Memory 11. Together Again 12. Interlude-Online 13. Empty 14. Interlude-Full 15. What About 16. Every Time 17. Tonight’s The Night 18. I Get Lonely 19. Rope Burn 20. Anything 21. Interlude-Sad Velvet Rope. Special

Personnel includes: Janet Jackson (vocals); Q-Tip (rap vocals); Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis (various instruments); Mike Scott, Dave Barry, O. Nicholas Raths (guitar); Vanessa Mae, Hanley Daws, Brenda Mickens, Michael Sobieski, Elizabeth Sobieski, Carolyn Daws, Leslie Shank, Daria Tedeschi, Jan Chong (violin); Alice Preves, Myrna Rain, Glen Donnellen, Charles Gray (viola); Josh Koestenbaum, Daryl Skobba, Dale Newton, Camilla Heller (cello); Ken Holmen (flute, clarinet, saxophone); Lynne Erickson (trumpet); James “Big Jim” Wright (organ, keyboards, background vocals); Gary Raynor (bass); Alex Richbourg (drum programming, background vocals); Xavier Smith (drum programming); The United Children’s Choir (background vocals); Joni Mitchell.

Producers: Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Janet Jackson.

Recorded at Flyte Tyme Studios, Edina, Minnesota.

Technorati Tags: Jackson, Janet, Music, Review, Rock, Rope, Velvet

29 years old

Hometown: Buckhead, GA

Musical Influences: ACDC, The Beatles, Neil Finn, Queen, Otis Redding, INXS and David Bowie

?It?s better to be a has been than a never was.?

-From the American Idol website

Michael Johns is one person who is willing to do everything that it takes for him to make it big. He believes in giving his best in everything that he does. There is simply nothing substandard about this American Idol hopeful. He has earned the admiration of all three judges as well as the AI fans all over the country.

Johns is one of those people who really love to work around music. If he doesn?t make it on American Idol, he will still continue writing music and performing. He wants to record his own albums, go on tour and practically live a good life.

Johns? favorite artists include Freddie Mercury, Otis Redding, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Stevie Nicks. He has been singing since he was five and he hasn?t stopped yet. He decided to pursue the talent at seventeen. Singing to him was the most natural thing in the world. He enjoyed music a lot that he has been writing songs for quite some time now. He never had formal training in singing, however. He enjoys performing, which is precisely why he tried out for the American Idol. This definitely beats having to work as a mascot although he secretly loved that job.

Auditions and performances

Originally from down under Australia, Michael Johns auditioned for the American Idol in San Diego. For his first audition, he sang ?I?ve Been Loving You Too Long? and all three judges thought that he was ready for a golden ticket to Hollywood. Even Simon Cowell couldn?t come up with anything negative about the guy. He called him a ?white soul singer? and practically told him that it was a great audition.

His luck continued on in Hollywood when he made it to the top 24 with his rendition of ?Bohemian Rhapsody?. Now, he?s really showing the whole world that there?s more to him than just a good-looking Aussie who wants to be famous just like the rest of them. He got a unanimous vote for him to move forward. In fact, his was considered the best audition thus far. For Hollywood Week, he impressed the judges again with his rendition of ?Light My Fire?. He has consistently maintained a positive impression on everyone who was there to listen to him sing. He was able to do the song justice. He literally set the stage on fire with his showmanship. That was yet another great performance to add to the growing list. All the judges thought he did great, yet again. Michael Johns is one of the very few people on the competition who haven?t received negative feedback from the judges so far. The judges loved how he sang so naturally.

Michael Johns is someone that everybody should watch out for. He can well become one of the most interesting and talented performers that the American Idol has ever seen. If you?re still wondering why this guy should make it big, you probably haven?t really heard him sing. Either that or you?re deaf.

Technorati Tags: American, Contestant, Idol, Johns, Michael

Many of the most popular mainstream dancers at the moment are music stars who also like to do their fair bit of dancing in their music videos. From Beyonce to Chris Brown to Usher and Britney Spears.

One of the most popular pop stars slash dancers at the moment is Justin Timberlake. Many of his songs with danceable beats like ‘Like I Love You’ and ‘Rock Your Body’ have featured his individual dance moves and also brilliant group dance routines.

One of the guys behind Justin’s dance steps is Marty Kudelka - one of the hottest dance choreographers around at the moment. Marty has choreographed some of Justin’s more recent work like his video ‘My Love’ and also Justin’s FutureSex/ LoveSounds tour.

Every popular dancer usually has some sort of mentor like dancers or teachers that inspired them, or great choreographers. Hiring top choreographers is becoming one of the more important tasks for those responsible for today’s pop stars.

Every dance choreographer has their own unique style and many work in particular preferred styles of dance. For example the choreographers of Beyonce’s ‘Crazy In Love’ are very different from those who choreographed the video for Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ for example.

It is important for those responsible for a music artist to find choreographers who will compliment the image of that star. For example very sexy and feminine choreography works very well for the Pussycat Dolls and Beyonce, whereas Missy Elliot is more suited to hip-hop and club dance inspired styles.

The importance of hiring the right choreographer has never been more important in today’s age where image is so important for music artists. And it’s no longer just boy bands and girl bands that use dance routines in their acts, all sorts of music bands and artists are making use of dancers.

Once you get used to an artist doing dancing in their videos you expect the moves and routines that they make famous to become a part of their act. And they’ll usually stick with the formula of what works by continuing to make use of dance moves in their videos and tours.

Even Michael Jackson had his dance teachers. From his dancing it is obvious he was inspired by many great dancers but it was Jeffrey Daniel from soul group Shalamar who taught Michael Jackson the backslide or ‘moonwalk’ as it is more commonly known.

Behind every dancer there are choreographers that help make things happen and very often are responsible for the dance moves that catapult the artists and dancers into the spotlight.

Technorati Tags: Dance, From, Gets, Justin, Moves

Sony signed violinist, Diana Yukawa (???? ??) has finally named her long awaited third album – The Butterfly Effect.

Eight years after the release of her second classical album Diana is set to reveal a new sound for the violin with her third. Although respectful of her roots, Diana is determined to prove the violin’s versatility and with her new album will rid the belief that her acoustic violin is only a classical instrument.

The title, The Butterfly Effect, which is to be released through Sony Music Japan on 21st October 2009, was carefully picked by Diana. The Butterfly Effect is a phrase often used to sum up the more technical belief of sensitive dependence on initial conditions in chaos theory. The phrase refers to the idea that a butterfly’s wings might create tiny changes in the atmosphere that may ultimately alter the path of a tornado or delay, accelerate or even prevent the occurrence of a tornado in a certain location. The flapping wing represents a small change in the initial condition of the system, which causes a chain of events leading to large-scale alterations of events.

Diana, who is a distant Samurai descendant, found the butterfly effect theory somewhat fitting to her life. If any of the seemingly small things in her life didn’t happen, or happened differently would she still be releasing her third album, maybe it would have been sooner? Maybe never at all? Coupled with this is that Diana has a fondness of butterfly’s and can often be spotted donning one or two on her person.

Diana’s album, The Butterfly Effect, has been in development for the last year at a London studio with notorious Producer Andy Wright.

The final recording took place in Studio 1 at the world famous Abbey Road Studio’s at the end of July 2009, accrediting her alongside the likes of Michael Jackson and The Beatles.

Diana’s older sister Cassie Yukawa, a notorious and hugely talented pianist, recorded the piano parts at Abbey Road on three tracks for Diana’s album. This is the first time that the sisters have played together for more than 10 years, making it a very special occasion for both. One of Diana’s tracks is also speculated to be named after/dedicated to Cassie’s daughter, Noma of which Diana is the proud Auntie and Godmother.

The Butterfly Effect will contain 10 original tracks with 2/3 covers all aimed at the modern-day music listener and will be released in October starting in Japan, with a hopeful release shortly after throughout Europe, the Middle East, America and Canada.

The Anglo Japanese violinist is said to be preparing for the live performance of her music. A string of small happenings have brought Diana to this stage but we can now expect a unique show of epic proportions!

www.dianayukawa.co.uk

Follow Diana on Twitter

Technorati Tags: Album, Diana, Names, Violinist, Yukawa, ダイアナ, 湯川