UTM Blog

How do I do Quincy Jones justice?  I can’t.  So the next best step is to let him take over and tell you his story in his own words.  In the case of his new book “The Complete Quincy Jones; My Journey & Passions” he tells his story not just in words but in pictures, copies of his report cards, old newspaper articles about him or his family, copies of recording session schedules and payments…etc. 

This book is a true 3-D experience.  A lot of the memorabilia presented is a re-printed facsimile of the things kept in his treasury that allows you to pull it right out of the book and look at his memories in real time. 

Everyone who’s read his autobiography knows that this man has seen and done everything.  It might be easy to think there is nothing more to learn about him after reading it. 

Read More

Jon B: Oh So Focused

By: Melody Charles

If influence could count as royalties, then both Robin Thicke and Justin Timberlake would owe Jonathan ‘Jon B’ Buck a solid stack of benjamins right about now.  

Before either of those two even decided to get on the R&B good foot, the Long Island, N.Y., native caught all the original flak for being a white boy who gravitated to, as well as convincingly performed, R&B music.

With his songwriting skills, silky tenor and Babyface connection (remember “Someone to Love,” “They Don’t Know” and “Are U Still Down,” featuring Tupac Shakur? Classics!), Jon B still found himself a casualty of imploding labels in the late 90’s, but his fifth studio effort, Helpless Romantic, definitely puts the musician back in the groove. ”I’m definitely happy right now,” says the performer during a recent phone chat. “I got my own label, this is my first independent record, it’s finally come out and everything’s official now.”      

Read More

Just Off Turner

By: Mut Asheru

Thanks to OurStage.Com we have found another shiny new musical yummy!  Just Off Turner boasts a sound that is passionately soulful pop/rock.  This LA band has been endorsed by John Meyer but most importantly they are now endorsed by us.  Pinch yourselves fellas, you’re not dreaming.

Tell us about how you all came together…was it love at first sight?

HA!  Well, Eric & Bryan played together in the Fayetteville, AR area before moving out to LA with their friend and bass player, Derek Champagne.  Once the previous incarnation of the band broke up, Eric & Bryan started looking for a new sound and found me playing guitar at The  Saddle Ranch on Sunset Boulevard.  The problem was, they were looking for a keyboardist.

Read More

Nhojj: Soul Comfort

By: Carolina Jones

Determined to focus on the positive aspect of the soul, award winning jazz/soul artist Nhojj has given us a wonderful helpling of soul food with his latest release ‘Soul Comfort’.  Nhojj earned the #1 position on the Neo-Soul, Fusion, Nu-Jazz, Healing, Easy listening, and Gospel Myspace Indie NY Charts for a total of 31 weeks, and honorable mention at the 13th and 14th Annual Billboard Songwriting Contest.  Music from ‘Soul Comfort ‘ has been featured in Indie films, has taken Nhojj back home for the 2nd Annual Guyana Fashion Weekend, and in 2009 he will represent Guyana at the Barbados Music Awards.

Has or will this year’s election have any kind of impact on your songwriting?  

I don’t know… I can’t say right now - time will tell. I think though, this election has definitely given me validation. I’ve always written about personal responsibility, homelessness, LGBT equality, the oneness of humanity, concepts of peace and hope. These topics were the focus of my last project ‘Someday Peace Love & Freedom’ and these same issues came to the forefront during this election year. So I think its more encouragement to continue to write from my heart.

Do you think that music has the ability to heal?

Read More

Estelle may like American boys but the international sensation took time out to sit and chat it up with some Indian boys on DesiHits.com. The Grammy-nominated singer stopped by to discuss her UK hometown, music and desire to work with Desi artists like Jay Sean on the Arun and P Show. Estelle and P also treat us to a freestyle session. Check it out.

Direct URL to interview:

http://www.desihits.com/blog/article/all-access-estelle-20081105

STUDIO OFFERS UK’S FIRST INTEREST FREE LOANS FOR RECORDING

Artists can now benefit from up to £5000 to put towards release quality recordings, thanks to Astar Studios, the UK’s first professional recording studio to offer loans for recording purposes. What’s even better is the loans are interest free for up to 2 years!

Located in Heywood, Lancashire, Astar Studios, boasts the latest state-of-the-art digital control room technology, a large serious-sounding live room, a relaxing chill-out area and excellent nearby residential facilities.

Read the rest of this entry »