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Movie making is a magical process; a wonderful combination of video and audio. However, imagine watching a movie, in particular a modern movie, with no sound. The following piece will give production veterans and novices alike an inside look at the way sound is recorded in modern day cinema. Enjoy! Duane vK. Lamb, MMBA
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 This album has been well worth the wait; it's that damned good! I could stop this review right there, but, my Columbia Records family would not be happy with that. Our job in the public relations and marketing arenas is to get the word out -- get records played. This album will have no problem doing that as it will have 'legs' of its own.
'Paperwork' is the debut CD for T. I. on Columbia Records. I must admit that earlier this year, when I learned that Grand Hustle would join forces with Columbia Records, I feared that T. I.'s artistic efforts would smother in the bureaucracy that can sometimes come with major label distribution. I was wrong in my feeling, in fact, T. I. 'came with it' and so did the collaboration of Grand Hustle/Columbia. Pre-order of the CD began last month (September 23rd). Pre-orders received "No Mediocre," (featuring Iggy Azalea) -- a Top Ten smash on Mainstream R&B/Hip Hop charts currently in the Top Ten of Rhythm radio -- and "About The Money" (featuring Young Thug) which has also been a mainstay of urban and hip hop charts for nearly two months as of this writing. T. I. has described his first Columbia release as 'of a stellar nature,' and a golden opportunity to apply all of his diverse strengths to his music. Globally recognized as a visionary artist and groundbreaking multi-platform entrepreneur, his stewardship of innovative label Grand Hustle, and multiple TV, digital branding endeavors has made him a catalyst for some of the industry's most exciting creative partnerships. T. I. gathered only the best and brightest for his triumphant solo return. 'Paperwork' was Executive Produced by Pharrell, and features multiple star-studded collaborations and guest appearances on the album, including Chris Brown featured on "Private Show," Usher featured on "At Ya Own Risk," and The-Dream featured on "Let Your Heart Go (Break My Soul)," among others. Throughout his career, the multi-platinum Atlanta native has set the standard by which all other hip hop icons are measured, achieving four Billboard Hot 100 #1's, and selling more than 14 million albums and 30 million singles. One of the most honored artists working today, T. I. has been awarded 11 Billboard Awards, nine BET Hip Hop Awards, three GRAMMY Awards, two American Music Awards and an MTV Video Music Award. His standout collaborations with some of music's biggest artists include Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke, Lil Wayne, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Destiny's Child, Brittney Spears, B. O. B., Drake, Christina Aguilera, Kanye West, and Swizz Beats. His label imprint Grand Hustle, founded in 2003, enters its second decade of operations as a platinum-plus foundry for some of the most innovative hip hop talent in the world. T. I.'s success in the visual realm has carried over to movies and television, with the versatile star experiencing remarkable success as an actor, appearing in the hit film Identity Thief and playing a guest starring role in the SHOWTIME series HOUSE OF LIES. He is also slated to appear in the upcoming Kevin Hart and Will Ferrell comedy GET HARD due out early next year and has been cast in the MARVEL film ANTMAN with co-start Paul Rudd. His VH1 unscripted series T. I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle is already in its third season, capturing T. I. as he balances a thriving career, wife Tameka "Tiny" Cottle and their loving, blended family of six children. The series continues to be one of the highest rated shows on VH1. Track listing for 'Paperwork':
Deborah Hunter Offers More than a Pinch of Salt or a Dash of Pepper!  It's not often that I am requested to review another radio program. I am usually called upon to review an upcoming or ongoing concert tour, CD release, or new music video, but, this time it's special.
In today’s media environment, finding informative and entertaining radio broadcast programming can be a daunting experience. Today’s radio waves have become quite predictable with some programming merely being a subliminal pacifier that leads to the next commercial. In my opinion, radio listeners are worth more and deserve more, than that. There is an oasis, and you find it by tuning your FM radio to 91.3 on Monday mornings at 9:00 AM on our very own Mississippi Public Broadcasting. Deep South Dining is a locally produced radio program that delivers thought-provoking commentary on all things cooking here in the Deep South. Deborah Hunter, who is the owner of Cooking with Honey and Friends, hosts the show. You will find that her approach to cooking is quite user-friendly because she takes her time and explains why a recipe works so well. She is also open to hearing from her listeners about what works for them in the kitchen. The show’s interactive style allows listeners to call in real time and share their thoughts and questions about cooking, and in this instance, Deep South cooking. It is as if the listener and Ms Hunter are sitting at a table in a virtual kitchen exchanging ideas in real time. The free exchange of ideas has always been the fertile ground that produces solutions and growth. Ms Hunter’s Deep South Dining has accomplished that masterfully. Deep South Dining is genuinely good programming. You will laugh as the show will remind us all that we are human, and we make mistakes, in particularly, in the kitchen! Deep South Dining will remind you of gentler times when grandma, grandpa, or both, mom or dad, or some other family member made memories – special memories in your childhood kitchen. You will remember those things that made your family’s recipes so special all because dining in the Deep South is so special. I am a fan of Deep South Dining and have been since it first aired on Monday, August 4, 2014 at 9:00 AM. On this coming Monday, whether you are at home, work or traveling, tune in; it will hook you too. Duane vK. Lamb, MMBA Owner, Impact Media Consulting/IMCRadio.com The Return of His Royal Badness  By: Duane vK. Lamb, MMBA Impact Media Consulting, Owner Photo courtesy of USA Today Am I a particularly tough reviewer of new music that crosses my desk? Well, that depends on who you talk to. I have had bands to ask why their submission did make our playlists at IMCRadio and my response to these musicians was always honest and to the point. Sometimes it was a technical issue; their submission was in the wrong format for airplay production, or, they just weren’t ready. Song structure, lyric structure, musical composition: they all have their place. After many years of entrepreneurial work as station owner/program director of IMCRadio and now director and founder of my digital media marketing firm, Impact Media Consulting, I have become acutely aware of the varying musical landscape here in the United States of America and throughout the world. It is time for good music to be heard on the airwaves, and yes, there is good music out there; much of it unheard because it comes from independent artists who do not have the ‘deep pockets’ to garner rich distribution deals (let alone full recording contracts) from major recording labels. I consider myself a ‘protector of the flame of good music;’ a throwback of sorts to the days when radio stations actually had music directors as well as program directors – back to the days of if the record was good it got played! Well, along comes Prince Rogers Nelson and news of reconciliation with an old nemesis, Warner Bros. Records. Now, before I ‘go in’ on this issue let’s get one thing straight. I am one of the biggest Prince fans in this quadrant of our galaxy. The man is brilliant beyond words and a main contributor of music that is a part of the soundtrack of my life. Now, with that being said, the reunion with Warner Bros. has ‘got me a-thinkin’ that we may be on the verge of another second coming of the ‘Purple One.’  The Time, Jesse Johnson, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Morris Day; all have had varying levels of success with their respective returns to the music scene and their solo careers, but, there’s something about Prince that keeps people wondering. He has a staying power that seems to keep him relevant over time. Not that the others that I mentioned aren’t, but, think about it; the man has been in the conscience of the masses since the initial debacle with Warner Bros. in 1993. My friend, Matt Fink (Dr. Fink who was one of the keyboardists in Prince’s band The Revolution along with Wendy Melvoin) and I were having a conversation via telephone a few months back talking about projects he and I both were working on, politics and automobiles as we normally do when the conversation about ‘him’ came up. It went a little something like this:
Me: “Do you think the band will ever get back together?” Matt: (Silence for a few seconds…) “It would be nice wouldn’t it. You never know.” I will file that under the ‘veiled comment’ category. You see, that’s the thing with Prince. There are so many options for him to resurrect to make a part of his present. There are very few artists today that can do that. Yet and still, the reunion with Warner Bros. Records comes as a surprise to many. When a relationship, business or otherwise, goes so bad that one of the parties changes their name to an unpronounceable symbol – there are some serious issues brewing. In 1993 Prince changed his name to the aforementioned unpronounceable symbol that we now know as Love Symbol #2. Things at the label were not good and he even appeared in shows and in public with the word ‘Slave’ painted onto his face. This time period was particularly hard on the media in that there was no font for Love Symbol #2 therefore media outlets worldwide were left with no choice but to refer to Mr. Nelson as ‘The Artist Formerly Known As Prince,’ ‘TAFKAP,’ and simply ‘The Artist.’ Folks, that is power personified! The man dictated to industries that are known for controlling artists; not vice-versa. All of this, the love symbol moniker, and etc. would last until the year 2000. Prince did well with the recording and self-distribution of his music through his internet based NPGMusicClub. This was largely due to his diehard fan base getting their ‘Prince’ back. He was finally free of the publishing constraints that he felt were holding him back at the label. The marketing lesson here is that a core audience is vital to any business. For six years Prince utilized the power of the internet to distribute his music and record sales, although decent, were never the same as they were when he published through Warner/Chappell. Some see Prince’s return to Warner Bros. as going back to the scene of the crime. I see it as a soon to be 56 year old multi-genre artist who has given much to the entertainment industry and to his fans and wants to remain relevant. For this to work, we need another ‘Purple Rain,’ ‘1999,’ ‘Controversy,’ or ‘Batman’ offering from His Purple Greatness. If anyone can do it he can and I am anxiously awaiting the results of this latest incarnation. However, it has been 30 years since the release of Purple Rain. A lot of things have changed in the entertainment industry. Radio as well as other forms of media is battling the rise and dominance of the internet. In 1884 radio, television, and print media was part of a ‘mass communications’ industry. Today they all struggle to survive in this the digital communications, or, Information Age. Recent appearances on television shows such as ‘New Girl’ and the ‘Arsenio Hall’ show is just plain good public relations practice. You have to keep people talking in order to remain relevant today. The days of hiding behind a veil of secrecy are long gone. There are artists coming out of know where and selling millions of digital downloads of their music only to disappear; /never to be heard from’ again. Prince is not of that ilk. Now we all, Prince included, live and work in this the Information Age. My opinion is that Prince’s return to Warner Bros. Records is a good thing that should pay dividends to him, his existing fan base, and the new fans that he will pick up along the way. Imagine a Prince/Pharrell or Prince/Justin Timberlake/Timberland confab…just sayin.’ Oh and by the way...don't let 56 years young fool you. The man's still got mega chops!  We’ve had the pleasure of watching this talented actress/singer/woman develop into who we at IMCRadio know today – the most dynamic new independent talent on the planet. Amber Ojeda has been a friend to our station since its beginning in 2004. We can safely say, and without bias, that her new CD Space.Bar.Love is her best work yet.
What do you get when you have a wonderful mixture of jazz, R&B, Soul, and Hip Hop? You get a new genre that has sultry reflections of the 1930s and 1940s; a rich cultural blend from an artist who is equally as beautiful in life as she is in her recordings. Amber Ojeda is vintage with a modern flare. We like to call it ‘ear candy’ her at IMCRadio.com. Amber is definitely not a novice to the entertainment industry. Since arriving in Los Angeles, she has placed tracks on various movies and television shows and gained sponsorship with Old Navy and Wonka through the social media company True Anthem. In 2010 Amber acquired a distribution deal with Sweet Soul Records releasing her debut album Here I Am in Japan. In 2011 she also landed a coveted spot on Bravo’s emerging singer songwriter competition series “Platinum Hit”. Amber Ojeda is a sultry throwback to a time when singers didn’t have to cuss to get your attention. If you listen closely enough, you’ll hear flavorings of Sarah Vaughn, Etta James, and Billie Holliday in her vibrato. This is such a refreshing characteristic against the backwash of ‘same old-same old’ music that permeates today’s entertainment marketplace. We call her ‘our own’ here at IMCRadio! We’re positive that you will absolutely love what you will hear from this chanteuse. Space.Bar.Love is available on iTunes and to get it, simply click on the graphic of the CD in this article  Her voice is her instrument with the beautifully subtle and nuanced tones of a fine double-reed symphonic woodwind. Her lyrics touch deep; stirring the soul of anyone listening. She is Margo Rey, and we were fortunate enough to have her here on Byrd Talk, our internet radio talk show here on IMCRadio. The interview aired on Sunday, October 14, 2012.
As you listen to the interview, it becomes clear that Margo Rey is an astute artist and business woman. Each word in her conversation is well placed, her speech enhanced by those beautifully subtle and nuanced tones that this writer spoke about earlier in this piece. As you listen and learn about her early beginnings and her thoughts about the music industry today, you quickly realize that her thoughts originate from true experience. Ms Rey gives a true insight on her career and even lets us peek under the veil to get a glimpse of her private life. She is married (sorry guys) to Ron White, comedic genius who makes audiences laugh worldwide and, in her downtime, has a surprising hobby that we think you will find to be a wonderful beneficiary of her extraordinary creative talents. Ms Rey’s newest CD entitled “Habit” was released by Organica Music Group on July 10, 2012. It has 13 tracks that are sure to keep you engaged in a rich listening experience. The latest single, “Let The Rain” is on multiple playlists here on IMCRadio. Other tracks of interest include, and are not limited to, “Between Us”, “I Saw You (Again and Again)”, the title track “Habit”, and “She’s Not There”. Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you, Margo Rey. |
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