We all remember his affiliation with The Beatles, but Ravi Shankar stood on his own as a legend. He was a giant in the field of Indian Classical music, having toured the world several times before establishing the pop music affiliation.

Raga Ramkali (1964)

Indian classical music to this day is just as mysterious as it has ever been. With it’s varying rhythmic quality and ethereal nature, there is an air of unpredictability that cannot be encapsulated into the standard, Western sensibilities of 4/4 timing. The music never gets old, because it is timeless. It was that quality which attracted luminaries of the era; with people like Jazz great John Coltrane, David Crosby and even Bruce Lee seeking out the music of Shankar to free themselves from typical, condensed timing structures. In 1965 Coltrane would name his son “Ravi” in honor of Shankar.

David Crosby referred to John Coltrane and Ravi Shankar as “The world’s two greatest living musicians”. It was he who would make the introduction to George Harrison of The Beatles. The affiliation would prove to be a lifelong one, with the duo even touring long after the Beatles broke up. Harrison was even able to convince other members of his super-group to make pilgrimages to India, and embrace the music and culture therein.

Perhaps the “Beatles” most famous, (and my favorite) collaboration with Ravi Shankar.. a rare recording of “Across The Universe” serves to highlight the beauty of completely disparate cultures working together with respect for one another. Shankar was able to contain the seemingly unbridled nature of his classical perspective to enhance the blues chord-laden composition of Lennon/McCartney. George accompanies on guitar. The result was something that to this day gives me a feeling that great things can happen through music.

When I was younger (5th grade) I remember a discussion in music class about a famous Indian musician who played with the greats of the Western world, but he had a heart attack “back in the 70′s”. His name was Ravi Shankar…. and I spent the next DECADE thinking he was dead.

I also devoured every recording I could find with his name on it. Meanwhile he was continuing to record and release great music. The power of the internet allows us to find out what we need to know at a glance. I am happy to now see that this legend received almost every accolade he could during his lifetime, and passed away at the relatively young age of 92. He was also well-loved by everyone whose life he touched. We should all be so lucky.

How many times are celebrities lost, and circumstances surrounding their deaths obscured? The morbid curiosity that comes with wanting to know is really a defense mechanism. Real information can empower us to make better choices. Unfortunately, interrupting the media circus is also bad for business.

This past weekend the entertainment world lost another legend. Whitney Houston died at the age of 48, and authorities are still trying to determine the exact cause of death. Despite all of Whitney’s obvious gifts, there will always be those who will point to her obvious demons. This is not a blog entry that chooses sides. In fact, this blog could be about Heath Ledger, Amy Winehouse, or anyone with a self-destructive spirit that left us too soon.

The problem when we lose a celebrity, is that those in charge of the estate immediately go into the business of “cleaning up” their legacy. The public does not get the straight story. Reasonable doubt is floated into the newswires and a great disservice is done. The potential is there for anyone susceptible to that artist’s influence to develop a similar lifestyle.

I have heard it said “Anyway drugs didn’t kill _______. It was a heart attack”.  This misinformation is usually from the entertainment industry. The families are for the most part just trying to cope, and can also be placed under significant pressure.

Amy Winehouse’s Dad Gives Details About Trying to Get His Daughter Off Drugs. (Soon before she passed)

The question is whether these issues will ever be addressed in the media, or will they continue to be swept under the rug? Will more mis-information continue to be floated into the newswires? This is counter-intelligence at its finest; a practice far too common with celebrities unfortunately.

I believe the reasonable doubt produced is harmful enough for anyone looking to justify their addictions. They can easily dismiss the more obvious problems at hand. That moment of clarity (which comes from losing an icon) is robbed from them. Meanwhile when the media is ready to tell the truth (in a most sensationalized fashion) they can benefit from the tell-all books, music sales, product placement, etc.

http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/celine-dion-drugs-and-show-business-killed-whitney-houston-2012132
Celine Dion Says “Drugs Took Over Whitney Houston’s Life”.. Gotta LOVE those damned Canadians..lol They tell it like it is. You can see the annoyance with Dion’s brutally honest opinions everywhere you look, although the media REGULARLY chronicled Whitney’s downfall (and everyone else’s).

For quite some time to come, I am going to feel badly about the downward spiral of one of the brightest stars ever to shine. Whitney Houston is permanently imprinted upon the soundtrack of my childhood. For the most part I will always extol her artistic virtues. She gave SO MUCH to the world; but when I deem it necessary I will highlight her struggles. I don’t care for the sadistic (or tabloid) way some choose to do it, but an academic discussion of real issues just might save the NEXT Whitney Houston.

UPDATE: 2/29/2011
Whitney Houston’s Death To Be Ruled An Accident
http://music.yahoo.com/news/whitney-houston-death-likely-ruled-accidental-174005401.html
http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/entertainment-eonline/20120228/b297473/
http://freddyo.com/whitney-houstons-death-to-be-ruled-an-accident/news/?fbc_channel=1&type=resize&height=250&ackData[id]=1

Sugar Ray Robinson was the greatest boxer of all time.
Joe Frazier knew it, Joe Louis knew it…. Muhammad Ali knew it. Still Ali, brash young boxer who had never been defeated also knew the power of branding. If he said “Greatest” enough about himself, he would eventually win over a segment of the crowd. They would say it about him, especially once he took the heavyweight title.

Being the subject of a late 1960′s character assassination by the United States media, Muhammad Ali was vilified, and stripped of his title for refusing to join the military. Famously saying “No Viet Cong ever called ME a nigger.” he claimed status as a “conscientious objector” to the war in Vietnam. Ali successfully defended his title many times from 1963 to 1967, but this episode of his life (outside the ring) is why I call him “The Greatest”… If you check the tape however, Sugar Ray Robinson was the greatest fighter.

Muhammad Ali Deals With The Media Regarding His Refusal To Join The Military

Seeing all this, and realizing it could just as easily happen to him, another boxing legend by the name of Joe Frazier was making his mark. Although he was the number one contender at the time, he refused to participate in the tournament for the world championship belt, which took place after Ali was stripped of it.

Joe Frazier had morals, decency and a sense of fair play seldom exhibited by boxers or anyone for that matter. Joe Frazier was also a monster in the ring, who constantly slipped jabs while working his way toward his opponent; setting up one of the meanest left hooks ever known to boxing (the result of a broken arm that never healed correctly). Frazier eventually won the Heavyweight title in Ali’s absence but campaigned tirelessly on Ali’s behalf (even petitioning Then-President Nixon). Frazier also gave Ali money to get by during his years of banishment from the ring.

Joe Frazier Wins the Heavyweight Title Against Jimmy Ellis

In 1970 the supreme court overturned Ali’s banishment. Ali immediately went to work destroying fighters, but the question of his vacated title still went unanswered. This set the stage for what would be known as “The Fight Of The Century”. Although friendly outside the ring, Ali would resume all his previous braggadocio, making his friend Joe Frazier the brunt of the verbal assault. No stranger to the power of media suggestion, Ali succeeded in mis-characterizing Frazier as being the champion for the same conservative values which wrongfully stripped him of his belt. He repeatedly and publicly referred to someone who had helped him through the worst time of his life as “Uncle Tom”. Frazier was anything but an Uncle Tom, having to leave his South Carolina home at 15 to avoid trouble that came from standing up to racists. In my opinion Ali’s treatment of Joe Frazier was his lowest moment as a sportsman.

The Fight Of The Century. Joe Frazier Vs. Muhammad Ali

The “Fight Of The Century” took place at Madison Square Garden in 1971 with record purses, the biggest media coverage of all time, and even riots around the USA. The fight lived up to its name, going the 15 round distance with Ali establishing himself early on, but Joe Frazier delivering his killer left hook, putting Ali on his ass… twice… eventually emerging the victor.

Frazier would defend his title twice more, eventually losing to George Foreman. He would also have two major rematches with Ali, which he lost, ultimately developing a deep disdain for the man. Not one for media manipulation or image branding, (He was not well spoken) Frazier never successfully made the commercial revenue that a George Foreman or Ali would. He opened a boxing gym and lived out his days in Philadelphia. Frazier died of Liver cancer on Nov.7 2011 at the age of 67. He is recognized as one of the top ten greatest heavyweight champions of all time.

MAN! Didn’t I just see you in the movie “Tower Heist” this past weekend? I hate when things like this happen.. In the midst of a serious career resurgence, Heavy D suddenly died at the age of 44. We were just reminded a mere month ago of who the FK heavy D really was, with a surprise closeout performance at the BET Music Awards, and now he’s gone. I wasn’t going to write today, but in my opinion every Hip-Hop/Reggae blog is required to do some sort of Heavy D tribute. He was just that talented.

I kept Heavy D’s early work (late 80s) on constant rewind. By the 90′s Heavy D was virtually ubiquitous. He wasn’t my favorite artist then, but he had a knack for appearing with everyone’s favorites, namely Michael Jackson (while Michael was still at his peak). Heav only got 8 bars in the song “JAM”, but it was the one with Michael JORDAN trying to dance in the video. For the day that would generate MEGA impressions. The theme for “In Living Color”, pretty much the top TV show of the era, was a song written exclusively by none other than “Waterbed Heav”.

JAM With Michael Jackson

Of all Heavy D projects, the one that stuck with me the most is when he revealed his Jamaican-born heritage (I didn’t know back then) and collaborated with my favorite Reggae artist, Supercat. That helped bring Dancehall to the MTV audience in a way that was ultimately more approachable than other Hip-Hop / Reggae collaborations. KRS and Shabba, or the Wu-Tang and Bounty connections were great, but they lacked the fun and lightheartedness. Heavy was not afraid to let Supercat outshine him in the Reggae arena, and used his mainstream connections to push the project over the top.

Heavy D & Supercat. Star Studded MTV Interview

Heavy D’s overall image was approachable, so much so that you didn’t realize he was a superstar, even as he collaborated with Michael and Janet. Not worried about being the brunt of overweight jokes from the first day he made his mark as “The Overweight Lover”; with my early favorites being that one and “Mr Big Stuff”. He never really used profanity in his raps, and directed his attention more to the ladies and the dance floor. He was also one of the best dancers of the day.  

Heavy’s popularity waned somewhat as Hip-Hop took a more Gangsta turn in the late 90s. Under pressure from record execs to make more Gangsta music, he instead chose to bow out gracefully; making successful cameo returns here and there as a producer, or actor.

Jay-Z And Lenny Kravitz – Guns & Roses – Produced By Heavy D “You Bastards!”

That one meant a lot to me because it was so wicked, and it seemed like a big Middle Finger to the industry that dared brand him passe’. Heavy D’s last albums would be independent releases “Vibes” a 2008 Reggae Album and “Love Opus”, which was just released a month ago.

The other day, my oldest kid asked me (to confirm) if I had been singing over Dubstep tracks for a while now… I have, but I don’t really shove my kind of music down my kids’ throats. If they find it online cool. His generation is starting to catch up though. Lots of people are on the Dubstep tip now. So here is one I know you are going to like, regardless of what you may think of the music.

Incidentally that is a remix of a more mellow song, “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster The People, which certainly didn’t start out as Dubstep.lol Such is life with remix/mashup culture. Butch Clancy out of Detroit is responsible for this wicked brand of musical mayhem. I can’t decide which version I like better. Check Butch Clancy on Soundcloud http://soundcloud.com/butchclancy

Absolutely amazing. The kind of dance I used to do (popping) as a kid, combined with the kind of music I perform to as an adult. Life truly runs in cycles.

I think if you look back you’ll find many.., but this is the one I remember.

In the 80′s I was so wrapped up in Hip-Hop and Reggae, there was really no room for much else…. especially 80′s R&B. It just seemed artificial to me for whatever reason, like the soul had gone from it. Maybe I had heard too much Sly & The Family Stone by that time to want to EFF around with synth hits, and keyboard slap bass// but I digress.

There were some great singers from the 80′s. Yesterday it was brought to my attention that we lost one of them, Vesta Williams… and who are we kidding? Everyone loves this song.

Vesta was celebrated early on for her tremendous voice. She could hit highs like Chaka Khan and LOWS like Dionne Warwick. Although she did not enjoy all of the chart topping success of a Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey, she did have a tremendous career for quite some time. Vesta was found dead in a California hotel room on 23 Sept 2011. Initial reports point to a suicide by drug overdose.

I remember her most in Mario Van Peebles’ movie “Posse”, as the saloon singer. She played Monica on “Sister 2 Sister”, several other roles and made many commercial appearances. Vesta was also known for a dramatic weight loss to the tune of 100 lbs, going from a size 26 to a size 6. She was beautiful regardless, and fans the world over are expressing their sadness at her passing.

Hey World. This song is from 2007…
I posted it just to let you know your new-found love affair with Chicago is LATE. This was one of my favorite tracks when it came out, so I was overjoyed as hell to find it on YouTube.

When it comes to talent Chicago has always been kickin’ in the door. The PROBLEM has always been with the BUSINESS aspect of things. Let’s face it. The thing that draws a crowd here is traditionally SPORTS. That’s because sports events are over pretty early. People here have to be at WORK in the A.M., and they barely make enough to cover expenses.

Regarding BUSINESS… I found a website of someone who seems determined to make a difference here in the CHI. Richard Veoba www.veoba.com ..oh wait. Kick Rocks if you think this is some sort of advertisement. (I will have them, but this isn’t one of them) I really haven’t even hit Veoba up yet officially, but judging from what they have to offer it looks promising.

One more track which was recorded in Chicago to let you know who’s Boss..
You know Electro Reggae is murdering SOUND all over the world these days? Check THESE guys out.

Radiohiro & MC ZULU at 2011 Burning Man
Check The Frequency / Produced By Top Billin.
(You can call THIS an advertisement.. lol)

This is the story that you hear, and hope somehow it’s not true; when a dear friend takes ill. Cheb i Sabbah, and those in his circle have known for a while of his fight with Cancer. Being the courageous type he decided to face it privately. “Don’t make a big deal out of it”… he actually said.

The problem with that… he is loved worldwide, by a devoted group of fans. It was only a matter of time before the story would get out, leaked no doubt by people concerned for his well-being. Headlines are carrying the news that he needs help, has no medical insurance, etc. and they are all well-meaning; but let’s face it. Hardly ANYONE has insurance these days.

We ask that anyone who is able, go to this URL and donate what you can for Cheb i’s treatment.
www.ChebiSabbah.org

This is the only way I can allow myself to think of him. A Vibrant, Energetic, Articulate FORCE to be reckoned with. Heron was already an accomplished author before ever recording a word. Considering the permanent impression the Black Panther Movement was able to leave upon the face of American culture, it is mind blowing to me that his music was the soundtrack for it. Any documentary footage of course seems dated, but Heron’s recordings still hit you like you were front and center.

Later in life Gil Scott Heron would fall prey to many of the same COINTELPRO initiatives that ripped through the Black Panther Party. He would achieve fame as well as infamy as he did battle with his own personal demons. Still, no matter what he put himself through personally, his artistic merits will never be in question. It all became fodder for his brilliant writings. Gil Scott Heron Will Never Die

Appearing tonight with DJ Chrissy Murderbot @ SmartBar! On the bill with us are DJ Nephets and Lady Four Square.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=140458049360782

Actually for the next month or so, I will be doing shows strictly in Chicago. During this time I will finish as much recording as possible, so check the “Music” tab for frequent updates.

It has also just been made official that Chrissy Murderbot will be playing the Pitchfork Music Festival. Thankfully he’s asked me to appear with him on the bill. Of course I wasted no time sending everyone involved very nice e-mails, asking that my name be included everywhere…. What do you think? Maybe I should relax a little?

Nah… fk that.
Anyway, tonight will be somewhat of a re acquaintance, as we have not worked LIVE together since 2009. Looking Forward!