News
The Soul of John Black featured as NPR Music’s Song of the Day
“New York to LA”, from The Soul of John Black‘s new album Good Thang, is featured on the home page of NPR.org as NPR’s Song of the Day. Critic Marc Silver picks up on the song’s theme, which nods to a Duke Ellington composition, writing, “the roots of the seductive “New York to L.A.” extend all the way back to the jazz age.”
This comes on the heels of USA Today’s pick of the album’s title song as one of ten “intriguing tracks” in their Playlist feature.
Read today’s article and hear the track at NPR Music . To download or get your CD copy, visit our music page for The Soul of John Black.
The Soul of John Black – Good Thang
Twenty-first-century soul man John “JB” Bigham blends the sounds of Stax and the space age on Good Thang, the latest from his musical alter-ego The Soul of John Black.
Good Thang explores R&B, rock, pop, and electronica, but it’s all about love: JB’s love for classic soul and blues, love of driving old-school synth-funk bass, and, most important, love for his family. At the heart of this collection of feel-good grooves are the title track and “Lil Mama’s in the Kitchen” — graceful essays on the joys of domestic bliss that capture Good Thang‘s distinctive mix of organic sounds and cutting-edge production.
Good Thang follows 2009’s Black John, which yielded the radio hit “Betty Jean,” and 2007’s The Good Girl Blues, a funky blend of classic and modern blues, soul, rock, funk and hip-hop. JB’s unique stylistic fusion has won praise from Rolling Stone, NPR and others. And he’s toured and recorded with fellow trailblazers Miles Davis, Dr. Dré, Nikka Costa, and Eminem, but his experimental roots go back to his eight years on guitar and keyboards in pioneering ska-funk-punk band Fishbone.
- Featured in USA Today!
- More details and full album streaming preview
- Official press release (PDF)
- Album available now! Visit our Order page to get your digital or compact disc copy.
All-Star Showcase before Blues Music Awards
Coming to Memphis for the Blues Music Awards next week?
We’ve joined forces with Electraphonic Recording to bring you an exceptional lineup on the afternoon of Thursday May 5, before the big Awards event later that evening.
Our good friend Valerie June will kick things off at 1:30. – If you haven’t had the opportunity before to be entranced by her special blend of “organic moonshine roots music”, you are in for a treat.
At 2:30, our own “Little Boogaloo”, Eden Brent, will be joined by Colin Linden, who produced and performed throughout her Album of the Year -nominated Ain’t Got No Troubles.
At 3:30, instrumental soul sensations The Bo-Keys will preview their long-anticipated new album Got to Get Back, the followup to their acclaimed debut The Royal Sessions, released by Yellow Dog Records in 2004. – Got to Get Back is set for release June 21 by Electraphonic Recording.
We’ll be at B.B. King’s at 143 Beale Street. – It’s free to the public so please stop by, say hello, and enjoy the music!