Ok so there was no concert and we all know that, but we can only imagine the madness if there was! This Is It was a movie experience like no other. If anyone had any doubts Michale definitely still had “it”. The live footage filled you with anticipation for what is, was and would have been. Michael Jackson alongside director Kenny Ortega, all the musicians, dancers, costume designers, and other technicians were prepapring themselves for a concert of the likes which have never been seen before and which may not come for some time still in lieu of Michael’s untimely passing.

This Is It streams video footage throughout rehearsal of several of Michael Jackson’s number one hits. With each song we are given a trio down memory lane and a chance to hear Michael sing passionately and at times quite soulfully, remiss of his Motown roots. Often times Michael took us to “church” with these renditions causing all those in the rehearsal space to stand in ovation. He was warm and appeared to be genuinely encouraging to those who would be featured alongside him singing duets, guitar solos, and his dancers. He wanted each one to have their moment to shine, a privilege that was evident they all so desperately wanted and felt honored to be given.

What was also cherished about this film is that we got to see Michael, outside of the press conferences and Barbara Walters’ interviews. Down to earth and often times frank with his cohorts Michael knew how to get his point across whether it was about how a keyboard intro should sound, or how a guitar solo should be played. These moments also gave us the opportunity to see his musical genius as he was able to guide everyone often breaking out in spontaneous song to demonstrate a riff, etc.

We were also able to get a glimpse of what may have been his weakened state of health as he appeared thin and wasn’t able to always perform fully throughout a rehearsal number. Despite this he was able to always show his talent and his expansive imagination in the ideas he shared that were being worked on using green screens, Swaroski crystals, and other media to bring this once in a lifetime event to his fans and to the world.

On behalf of Micahel we here at RBMVibes invite you to let it simmer and then sizzle for about two hours, and if you don’t get that then you need to go check Michael. Tell him we sent you.

Every item listed above indicates the time and location of a crash by one of the four flights involved in the September 11th, 2001 attacks on the United States of America. We here at RBMVibes envourage everyone today to take some time to mourn, reflect, and be positively responsive. Please feel free to share your thoughts and become aware of others’.

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Recent updates:

• Memorial at Ground Zero slated to be completed by August 2011
• 9/11 Health bill, named after first responder Detective James Zadroga, sitting in committee with U.S. House of Representatives.  Many suffered complications after the attack, especially related to dust inhilation from debris  Debate still remains as to whether or not center ailments should be covered above and beyond what most health insurance typically defines as reasonable and whether or not the government should enforce/supplement such coverage.
• Pentagon Memorial opened 9/11/2008.
• 9.5 million to be paid to eight landowners to complete 9/11 memorila inSomerset COunty, Pennsylvania
• Jay-Z to host charity concert with 100% proceeds to be donated to families of New York firefighters and police officers affexcted by the events of that day.

Once again here at RBMVibes we find ourselves in a somber mood. Amidst the revelry of the approaching Labor Day weekend we take time out to mourn with the international music community at the loss of Wycliffe “Steely” Johnson. The timing couldn’t be more ironical as Steely, the other half of the iconic Steely and Clevie production team out of Jamaica, West Indies, has worked with some of reggaes most influential artists who we will celebrate with this Labor Day weekend.

Steely first entered the music scenes as a keyboard player. He played with the Roots Radix Band for artists such as Gregory Isaacs. He has successfully worked for over 30 years in the industry shaping what we know today as dancehall. However, he is not defined by this work solely as he has worked with international artists such as the BackStreet Boys.

According to the Jamaica Observer, Steely died from complications related to pneumonia in a New York hospital. He had most recently recovered from a kidney transplant and complications related to that procedure as well. This all happened in less than a year as the kidney transplant was only done last December 2008. Steely laid to his final rest on Tuesday, September 1, 2009. He was only in his 50’s.

Artists are reaching out with their condolences from Jamaica and here in the States. Posts can be found on the web pages of artists like Sean Paul. Well wishes from radio personalities, such as Steelie Bashment-a selector named after being inspired by Steely- can be found as well in numerous blogs and on Twitter by artists like Wyclef Jean. Here at RBMVibes we sincerely say rest in peace.

For those of you who don’t feel you know his work here are a few of Steely and Clevie’s hits:

Steely and Clevie’s Taxi Riddim

Prospect Park

To all the naysayers who thought that Danny, the storm hitting the East Coast of America this weekend, would slow a New Yorker down obviously does not know a New Yorker who is a Michael Jackson fan! The NY Times estimated that today 2000 people would be out at Spike Lee’s Michael Jackson memorial birthday celebration held at Brooklyn’s own Prospect Park. At the Times last count over 10,000 revelers were in attendance and there were still more than two hours to go for the festivities at the time of the count. Spike’s event featured world renowned artists such as DJ Spinna and Q-Tip. Attendees were able to get down to their favorite MJ tunes while enjoying the memories with old and new friends alike.

Not to be outdone by a Spike joint, locals showed up ready to do their part to memorialize the King of Pop on his birthday. There were face painters, impersonators, and tons of “back up singers”. Also, may artists came out to showcase there renditions of Michael in various media as they thought it best to remember him. Of course you had your typical hustler with a t-shirt for sale.

It was truly an event for the family as parents sang to their children, some barely old enough to even know they were in a park. Thanks Spike and Prospect Park security for bringing us a well organized event and also providing the opportunity for Michael’s memory to live on and new one’s of the King to be made.

Impersonator

Memorial Board

Prospect Park

Born in the beautiful St. Elizabeth, Jamaica as David Antonio Rowe, King David came to Brooklyn, New York at the age of 11.   As his initials spell out D-A-R, King David says he was born to give(the definition of dar in Spanish).  So far he has done just that.  He has given us two hot new singles Love and Timeless that have been heard in venues like Jamaica Inn in Brooklyn, NY and on the radio at stations like Irie Jam 93.5, Flavor Station 107.9, and 96.7 FM.

King David, like many artists out of Jamaica, grew up on the music of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, both of whom he sites as major musical influences.  He compares his love to reggae to that of a love for one’s mother, it’s a given.  However, with an ear to the streets at the age of 11 growing up in Brooklyn a love for Hip Hop at it’s prime, the early 90’s, emerged.  These two art forms speak to the musical blend that can be heard in his music.  While this combination is not new on the musical scene, we’ve heard collaborations between Mavado and Jay Z, as well as others, King David doesn’t feel he’s singing the same old tune.  He says, “if you’re capable of expressing yourself in a way people understand, shouldn’t you do it?”  However, unlike most reggae and Hip Hop music of today King David’s song have a prevalant message of love, unity, and equality.  It’s by no coincidence then that he identifies himself as a Rastafarian, following the teachings of Haile Selassie.  King David feels that, “if your thoughts are uniform [then] your music will express itself like that.”

It has to be noted that while there are prevalant tones in his current music there’s more to come than what we’ve heard. Further musical influences come from all genres of music for King David. He doens’t want to limit himself.  “Music is a universal language.  [You] Might not understand [it] but you get a vibe,” he remarks as he reflected on a spanish coworkers inability to understand the lyrics to one of his songs because of the accent and fast rate of speech, but who loved it anyway becasue he felt the music speaking to him.

Heading to the studio, after migrating from Jamaica, from a young age with his uncle and seeing reggae royalty like Shabba and Super Cat in the booth helped King David learn how to express his thoughts as the music spoke to him.  He did his first recording at home on a karaoke machine, and plans on soon recording that first song as well.  He attributes his discipline to his craft from his discipline as a student.  He feels his educational and life experiences help him not to be limited and encourages, “every young person should be [well] rounded.  Don’t limit yourself.  Pick up a skill.”  He has set this example in his own life and is trained in mechanics of high end European luxury cars.  This may come in handy for when he’s bringing in big bucks and will have several of his own.

King David is fresh on the scene and if the principles of his beliefs is any indicator, someone from up above is definitely smiling down on him.  In a short time we have seen his singles blaze the radiowaves and he’s performing almost everywhere. We look forward to hearing more from the King and look forward to his refreshing message, because in today’s world we can all definitely use some more love.

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In case that wasn’t enough here go King David’s rapid fire answers to our late night fill in the blank game:

My new friends won’t believe me, but when I was a kid I was real shy and introverted.

Like all true entertainers when I star in my first movie Lauryn Hill will be cast as my leading lady.

The Bob Marley song I most identify with is Redemption Song.

I don’t say it enough, but I miss certain friends.

Tuff Gong Worlwide World Music Sampler

New York is home to several free concert series such as the Martin Luther King Jr. series in Brooklyn, SummerStage in Manhattan, etc. It’s a great way to bring past, present, and future talents to the forefront while giving true New Yorkers what they love best, something for free! RBMVibes doesn’t hesitate to mooch off the kindness of strangers and have attended our fare share so far this summer. Here’s a “who’s who” of artists we have seen, missed, and are looking forward to with a lil’ taste of why they are worth withstanding heat advisories(but don’t follow our example)….

CELEBRATE BROOKLYN: Saturday, August 8th (Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY)
BIG DADDY KANE (pardon the video quality but it had to be ol’ school to truly capture why we rate this MC)

SUMMERSTAGE: Sunday, August 9th (Central Park, New York, NY)
JAZMINE SULLIVAN

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CNCERT SERIES: Monday, August 24th (Brooklyn, NY)
SEAN PAUL

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CONCERT SERIES: Monday, June 27th (Brooklyn, NY)
CHARLIE WILSON (This is why he deserves to be family, watch here for more from Uncle Charlie)