Tamika Nicole Lets Go With Gospel, Soul and Blues on New CD

By Lee
Hildebrand

“I know you ain’t right. I gotta constantly fight to keep you outta my life,” Tamika Williams-Clark sings in pain-soaked alto tones on “Only (You Ain’t Right),” a tune from “The Art of Letting Go,” her just-released second CD.
Upon first hearing, one would think that the Oakland-born, San Leandro-based vocalist, known professionally as Tamika Nicole, is singing about a no-good man, but closer listening reveals it’s about her ongoing battle with something far more sinister.
“I’m talking about the devil,” she explains. “It’s about that relationship a lot of Christian people have, myself included, whereas you want to do the right thing, but you just can’t seem to get it right. I aim to be stronger and know that I need to be better if I’m with God.”
“Only (It Ain’t Right)” is one of several religious songs on the disc, which also includes tunes about romance and other earthly matters, even a blues. Tamika wrote all 10 tunes herself, in collaboration with producers Jimi Fischer and Jamie Hawkins.
Unlike Jennifer Hudson and other secular artists who sometimes place one gospel song at the end of their albums, Tamika puts hers smack dab in the middle of “The Art of Letting Go.”
“My Christian beliefs don’t happen at the end of my life; they happen every day,” she says. “Even if I’m performing in a club, I still have God with me. I love God regardless of where I am. I won’t put it in a box and take it out when it’s convenient to do.”
Keyboardist Jamie Hawkins, son of gospel music greats Walter and Tramaine Hawkins, now serves as Tamika’s bandleader. They met at Love Center church through Jamie’s wife, former Broadway actress Sunny Hawkins, who is Tamika’s Sigma Gamma Rho sorority sister. Tamika’s next scheduled appearance with her band is at 10 a.m. June 6 at the Cherry City Faire in downtown San Leandro.
The new CD contains a highly sensual song titled “Chocolate Carmel Brown,” which first appeared on her 2001 debut disc, “My Message.” That CD was totally ignored by commercial radio stations in the U.S., although it did create something of a buzz in England and Japan, which is so often the case with American artists on independent labels.
“Enough,” a gospel song from the current CD, has been played by Tinka Floyd on her KMEL gospel program. Tamika is hoping secular programmers will pick up on some of her other songs.
Tamika presently is composing a bunch of blues songs that she plans to record on a CD by herself and other singers. “I really like the blues,” she says.
“I think it fits our time, but people don’t do it appropriately. They’ll write a blues song, but it’ll be about something from 30 years ago, as opposed to right now. People are struggling right now, and I write songs from the fact that people are struggling. Because I struggled, I understand what that’s like.”

Free Four Seasons Concert, May 3

Tickets are still available for  the free Memorial Concert for W. Hazaiah Williams by world renowned African American pianist, Leon Bates, Sunday, May 3 at 4 p.m. at Scottish Rite Theatre in Oakland.
To reserve your tickets: call (510)845-4444 and they will hold them at the door. No charge!

Kinchen Presents Negro Spiritual

Lucy Kinchen and the Lucy Kinchen Chorale will bring to life the history of the Negro Spiritual from the early 1600s when they perform at the First Presbyterian Church of Oakland at 27th and Broadway in Oakland, on Sunday, April 26th at 2 p.m.
Kinchen has historically attempted to reveal the Spiritual in its original form without much of the glitter that many have added through the years, forgetting where and under what conditions the songs were born.
Kinchen and her Chorale have been performing in the San Francisco Bay Area for many years, astounding audiences with their insightful interpretations of one of the America’s original art forms, the African-American Spiritual.  Their songs reflect the unflinching faith of the slaves in their new-found religion as they struggled to surmount the bonds of slavery.
Miraculously, these songs  were instrumental in aiding the escape of slaves during the period of the Underground Railroad and have survived more than 200 years.
Kinchen was head of the Vocal Music Department at Encinal High in Alameda until she was appointed Co-chair of the Laney Music Department. She continues to teach voice.

Mary Mary Brings Gospel Music to Yoshi’s

By Lee Hildebrand

Mary Mary: Erica Campbell (right) and Tina Campbell.

By Lee Hildebrand Mary Mary’s spring tour itinerary includes no churches and only a few theaters. Most of the gospel duo’s dates are at nightclubs, including House of Blues clubs in New Orleans, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Anaheim. On Tuesday, April 28, sisters Erica and Tina Campbell, who comprise Mary Mary, appear at Yoshi’s in Oakland. “We decided to do smaller venues to reach more of the un-churched and have a closer connection with the audience,” Erica Campbell, 36, said by phone from Foxboro, Massachusetts, where she was having breakfast with her younger sister. “It’s a much more intimate experience than in a large arena.” Erica said that she and Tina are following the edict of Jesus Christ to “go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23). “We know our purpose and we know who we are, so no matter where we are, we’ll be gospel artists,” she added. “There’s an old gospel song that my grandmother used to sing that said, ‘Take the Lord along with you everywhere you go.’ If we sing in a club or a church or a county fair, we’re gonna be Mary Mary.” Born Erica and Trecina Atkins in Inglewood, California, the women are married to unrelated men named Campbell, both of whom have heavy music-business credentials. Erica’s husband, Warryn Campbell, has worked with Tupac Shakur, Alicia Keys, Kanye West and Yolanda Adams, among many others, and has been Mary Mary’s producer and songwriting collaborator since the inception of the duo’s recording career in 2000. Tina’s husband, Teddy Campbell, is the drummer in the “American Idol” house band and has worked as musical director for Britney Spears, Kelly Price and other top artists. As they have in the past, the Campbell sisters push the envelope on much of their current CD, “The Sound.” The title song combines ‘60s “girl group”-style vocals with jarring punk rock rhythms, and the Grammy-winning track “Get Up” employs a hip-hop groove and rapper David Banner. “It Will All Be Worth It,” a praise-and-worship song written by Warryn Campbell and Marvin Winans, is more traditional and features perhaps the most impressive gathering of gospel greats ever assembled for one recordings : Rance Allen, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Karen Clark-Sheard, Daryl Coley, Andrae Crouch, Tramaine and Walter Hawkins, and Joe LIgon of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. “It’s funny when people think that artists like us and Kirk Franklin were the first to do this type of music, but there are so many artists that go far back that were really radical in their presentation,” Erica said. “There have to be artists who come along every so often and change it up to Introduce people to God. “I’m glad to be one of those artists, and I’m glad to stand on the shoulders of great people like Rance Allen and the Hawkins family and the Clark Sisters who were doing things that were really different from what traditional gospel artists were doing.”

Bay Area Star DJ Shred One

By Melonie and
Melorra Green

We sat down with one of the Bay Area’s dopest DJs – DJ Shred One, talking about her youth in Diamond Bar, suburb near Los Angeles; New York life while working at Rawkus Records; her style as a DJ; and what’s ailing the DJ scene.
Early Years?
Sheila Red aka Shred One grew up surrounded by music and learned more than most kids her age while tagging along with her older record collecting brothers and cousins who “schooled” her on artists at 8 years old.
Shred One laughed as she recalled them going from one record to the next saying “Sheila, who is this… Sheila, what song is this?” They truly planted a seed with her and we can only thank them for creating a DJ who knows how to pull some of the true old school tracks.
Shred left suburb life and headed for New York at 18 years of age. She landed gigs with Rawkus Records and Blacksmith Management where she learned the music industry game. During this time she started collecting records and honed in on her technique for gathering some of the best music around. She usually follows a producer or a musician when searching for records that she can count on to provide hot mixes.
“I started collecting vinyl in 1998 in New York and then started DJing in my bedroom in 2000… moved back to LA in 2004 and started spinning at Root Down and Soul Sessions,” she explained.
“When I moved to San Francisco, I started going to ‘Open Table Night’ at Poleng Lounge. We used to sit and wait our turn to spin. The ?rst couple of times, I kept getting skipped; I was trying to be polite. It got me nowhere, so I had to stop being polite and get aggressive.”
Gender Issues?
“I love the solidarity with female DJs. And I have to say, if it weren’t for DJ Zita it would not be this way. She has done a lot to make this happen,” she said.
Shred expressed her concerns about feeling pigeon-holed because she is a female and
in frustration expresses, “Don’t just book me for ladies night; and don’t book me for the
?rst set just because I’m a woman. I can hold my own”.
Style?
“Right now I’m in a “boogie” phase… and Shalimar and synthesizers are what
I’m jamming right now”, said Shred, “Soul is my favorite… ‘81-’85 is the best!”
We asked what are her top three artists/producers when she plays a gig… “Chaka Khan. I can’t think of a gig – besides the pop ones – where I didn’t play her… Dilla- ‘old school’ Dilla and de?nitely Stevie (Wonder).”
Our dialog ?owed into equipment and Shred looked to the ceiling, pondering how to not make this answer too complicated. “I use vinyl and serato. I never go to an event without a crate of records… I prefer vinyl”, she said.
DJing Woes?
“Serato is cool and it has really allowed a lot of people to be part of the DJing game, which is great… But Serato DJs don’t let the beat ride; they ‘cut-cut’ before you can get into the beat,” she said. “You can tell when a DJ has never worked with vinyl- here comes the ‘cut-cut’. As great as serato is, it has made DJs so lazy.”

Hildebrand Joins The Post

Lee Hildebrand begins a weekly column for the Post with a page 4 story on B.B. King. Seeing King perform at the Fillmore Auditorium in 1964 changed Hildebrand’s life and led indirectly to a career in music journalism. He specializes in blues, R&B, jazz and gospel, with emphasis on the music of Oakland.
He served as music editor of the East Bay Express for 21 years, wrote stories and reviews for the San Francisco Chronicle for 35 years and is a longtime contributor to Living Blues magazine. His work also has appeared in Billboard, the Los Angeles Times, Oakland Tribune, Rock & Soul, Rolling Stone, Vibe and other periodicals.
He is the author of “Hammertime” and “Stars of Soul and Rhythm & Blues” and co-author of “Bay Area Blues, Colors and Chords: The Art of Johnny Otis and Images of the Blues.” He has worked as a drummer for several blues and R&B greats, as well as produced over two dozen reissue CDs by such artists as Rance Allen, Sister Wynonna Carr, Brother Joe May, the Five Blind Boys of Alabama, Pilgrim Travelers, Swan Silvertones, Soul Stirrers and Johnnie Taylor.

17th Annual Las Vegas City of Lights Jazz Festival

Michael Schivo Presents has teamed up with Las Vegas Events to co-sponsor the 17th Annual Las Vegas City of Lights Jazz & R&B Festival, Saturday, April 25, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Jazz artists will entertain throughout the day and evening, including the hot sax and R&B sounds of Boney James; the bass guitar of Wayman Tisdale; the pop, jazz and funk vocals of former Incognito lead singer Maysa; the smooth, sexy and sophisticated sax of  Marion Meadows and the sultry sax of Jessy J.
This year’s festival is located at Government Amphitheater, which has superior sightlines, and the sound system will be in surround sound.  Parking is close to Downtown Las Vegas and the Strip. The site also has many shade trees and a pavilion offering shade.
The festival is Saturday, April 25 from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets go on sale in Las Vegas and throughout the United States on Friday, Dec. 5. General admission tickets are $60 in advance. To order tickets, call 1-800-969-VEGAS. For information go to the web at www.yourjazz.com.
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Oakland Music Producers Make Waves With “Apex Team Production”

 

By Tasion Kwamilele

With intricate rhythms and head bobbing beats, producers Charlie-O and Cava Menzies are taking the Bay Area music scene by storm. Both natives of Oakland, the duo has settled into their own studio and stamped it with a name that hints at their intensity: Apex Team Production.

What defines Apex is two forces coming together. Combining Menzies’ formal music training and Charlie-O’s unstoppable energy, the duo is a force to be reckoned with. The duo relaxes comfortably in their studio, nestled in the heart of Jack London Square  and goes into depth about their struggles, growing success and the joy of being able to work on their passion.

Tasion: How did you both meet?

Charlie-O: It was really random. We were both at a studio working on separate projects; yet somehow we were introduced. Right there on the spot we began working on music and exchanging ideas. We just clicked and had a perfect fit from day one.

T: And did you both dream of having your own studio?

Cava: Yeah, it makes it easier. Between the two of us we juggle very different schedules. 

Charlie-O: And that becomes harder when you are working in someone else’s space and on their time.

Cava: Yeah, so we naturally came to the decision to get our own spot. Above it all, working with artist schedules takes extreme flexibility. We knew we needed to have our own establishment to make it happen.

T: What has it taken to bring this studio to reality?

Cava: Well, there are two aspects. On the personal side of things it has taken everything mentally, physically, and emotionally because this is what we do. This is our passion and our lives.  

Charlie-O: Yeah, I mean it is like a rollercoaster, so it takes blood sweat and tears. We give this our all. For me personally, this is my full time job, my source of income; so it has and is still taking everything. No half-stepping whatsoever.

Cava: And that even includes the financial aspect.

Charlie-O: Yeah, at least $25,000 dollars has been used build the studio from the décor to the equipment (mixers, microphones, etc.) We have put 110 percent into this.

T: What is the best aspect Cava brings to the table?

Charlie-O: She is incredibly gifted as a musician. She brings the musicianship. She has the formal training so it brings a nice balance to the music. 

T: What is the best thing that Charlie-O brings to the table?

Cava: As far as sound, Charlie-O has the ability to pick exactly what he wants. He is well rounded, making him an amazing producer and engineer. Plus he is always completely honest with me on everything.

T: What is one of the most exciting things you both have experienced?

Cava: When the song we produced, “A’s Caps” with artist MacArthur, premiered on the radio channel, 106.1 KMEL. It was just amazing. I almost had a car wreck! 

Where do you see yourselves in five years?

Charlie-O: At the Grammy’s. 

Cava: Yeah, just being a dominant production team and producing major artists. Not to mention having a top-of-the line studio. 

For information about Apex, go to www.myspace.com/apexteamproductions. Or email apexteammusic@gmail.com

A Dream Fulfilled With Blues and Jazz

From left to right: Top - Bobbi Webb, Henry Williams Jr., Richard Cornish; Middle - Alvin Draper, Xandine, Owner Velma Landers, Frankie Rob, Erik Nobis (upper bass), Host Norm DeCarlo, Ed Ivey(lower bass), Jimmy Domino, Edna Love; Bottom -  Hollywood and Ronnie Stewart, The Legendary STIX.  Photos by Ace Washington.  Graphic by Alapi Bhatt.

By Kevin Jefferson

The realization of a dream came to pass in San Francisco on Monday, December 22, at the Blues and Jazz Club located at 2246 Jerrold Avenue.

The dream of 20 years  – that of bringing together blues and jazz musicians of all races to play together and create beautiful music for the people – had been in the heart of the founder of the club, Velma Landers, who established it in 1994. [Read more]

O’ Town Passions World Tour & CD Project

By Charles Aikens

Old school Oakland singers The O’ Town Passions have been giving into there passion more and more lately, showing up on radio play lists and are preparing to head out on a world tour.  Their new recording, Not The Father, is a neo-soul tune that speaks to having a respectful relationship.

“It makes me feel good to see the Passions are finally getting the national notoriety that they deserve,” said Reynard Thomas, CEO of Prime USA Records“ I’m elated we were a major factor.”

“The new release, distributed by Prime USA, will turn the Passions into the worldwide celebrities  that they’ve always been in the Bay Area,” said Thomas, who added that  “the Passions coined the musical phase “Stop The Violence.” They also have been recognized numerous times as humanitarians and socially conscious group.

[Read more]

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