Oliver Wang

Laura Mvula's Velvet 'Moon' Is A Revelation

Oliver Wang — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:09:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5akYnlwubDo

On Two New R&B Albums, An Old Soul Sound That Glows

Oliver Wang — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:14:00 +0000

It's tempting to describe the voices of Charles Bradley and Missy Elliott. Walker, a Londoner, was classically trained yet released her debut on a Def Jam subsidiary. Both enjoyed early critical success but by decade's end struggled to find a wide audience.

The Kids Of PS22 Take On Tame Impala

Oliver Wang — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:36:51 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GPGiJCzSK4

Ghetto Brothers: Guitars Over Guns

Oliver Wang — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:12:25 +0000

The Ghetto Brothers functioned as one of many youth gangs that formed in the 1960s as economic woes and governmental neglect began to transform New York City's South Bronx for the worse. Led by Benjamin "Benjy" Melendez, the gang was originally, literally, just him and his brothers. As kids, they had called themselves Los Junior Beatles, and that Fab Four influence never left.

In 1971, Melendez and The Ghetto Brothers were pivotal in helping to broker a truce between various Bronx gangs. The Brothers channeled their formerly felonious energies into music instead.

Bill Withers: The Everyman Singer With A Poet's Soul

Oliver Wang — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 18:26:00 +0000

Bill Withers' very first single became a breakout hit in 1971. He would go on to record nine albums over the next 14 years, and all of them are now available on a new box set, The Complete Sussex and Columbia Masters.

It may sound contradictory to describe Bill Withers' voice as "uniquely plainspoken," but this singer and songwriter from West Virginia coal country began his career at the crossroads between folk, R&B and rock. He was neither a showy shouter nor a sweet crooner.

Two Attempts To Turn Summer Platinum Into Fall Gold

Oliver Wang — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 18:58:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWNaR-rxAic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dqgr0wNyPo

'Personal Space': Relics From Synth Soul's Early Days

Oliver Wang — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 19:52:00 +0000

Early synthesizers were supposed to imitate or re-create other existing sounds, but as anyone can tell you, they mostly sounded like synthesizers. That distinctive whine and wheeze captivated all manner of pop artists, from prog-rockers to classical composers to soul musicians. However, back then, synthesizers were so expensive and bulky, you needed a major-label budget and an entire studio wall to install them.

The home revolution in electronic music gear didn't happen until the mid-1970s, when miniaturized components helped bring down the price and size.

How Adam Yauch Grew Into His Voice

Oliver Wang — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:18:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BnMDXRkMWA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTccpBi4K-o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BnMDXRkMWA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTccpBi4K-o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhqyZeUlE8U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdgLMslbDuY