Kriswontwo x MonoNeon: WEON

Here's WEON, the latest avant-garde instrumental project that stems from a collaborative effort from Scandinavian producer Kriswontwo and bassist MonoNeon (born Dywane Thomas, Jr.) a Memphis, Tennessee native, that dropped just last month.

Kriswontwo made his debut in 2010 with his Directions By Forest Won album that featured the vocals of Dudley Perkins and Georgia Anne Muldrow. MonoNeon played bass on the album. Since then, Kris has released a number of EP's and singles that featured the likes of Alex Rita and MC Johnny Prince. He's currently set to release another full length album and an EP in the near future.

MonoNeon's work includes playing bass for The Bar-Kays, Denise Williams, The Sylistics and Ne-Yo, just to name a few. He's well known for his upside down slap and pop style. Meaning, he's left handed, but uses a right handed bass that he plays upside down. MonoNeon gained the attention of Marcus Miller with his unique playing style. In a Bass Player magazine interview, Miller mentioned MonoNeon as one of several "young bad cats" he has met on the scene.

For now, we're gonna keep it short and sweet with "Ananse". They are offering the full project as a "name your price" deal. Don't forget to show love.

Farewell to Bobby "Blue" Bland

On yesterday we lost another one of our soul and blues legends, Bobby "Blue" Bland (January 27, 1930 – June 23, 2013), also known as the "Lion of the Blues" and "Sinatra of the Blues", after battling a lengthy illness. It's reported that he was surrounded by family and friends when he passed away at his home. Bland was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1981, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997.

Bland had a string of consistent hits throughout the 1960's, having charted 23 Top Ten hits on the Billboard R&B Charts. One of my top favorites from him that was a strong R&B hit in the 1970's was "Aint' No Love (In The Heart of the City)", from the album The Dreamer (1974). Other hits on the "chitlin' circuit" were "I Pity The Fool", "Let The Good Times Roll", with B.B. King, "St. James Infirmary", "Members Only" and other "juke joint" favorites.

Happy Birthday: Isaac Hayes

Happy birthday to the late great Isaac Hayes (August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008), the self-proclaimed "Black Moses" of Soul music who scored the soundtrack to the movie "Shaft" in 1971, along with other great albums of his own and a long list of songwriting credits for other artists, starting in the 1960's with his songwriting partner David Porter as in-house songwriters and producers for Stax Records.

Hayes was very influential in the southern soul movement and known for his developments of disco and rap. He's noted for his humanitarian aide in Ghana, which resulted in him being crowned as an honorary king of the Ada region. Hayes' deep baritone voice was also heard on the big screen and television for The Rockford Files (1974-1980), I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988), and the voice of "Chef" on the cartoon series South Park (1997 - 2005). To find out more about Isaac Hayes, visit IsaacHayes.com.