Issue 11  |  February 2010

Jamie Cullum covers Rihanna

Jazz-pop singer Jamie Cullum releases Rhianna cover “Don’t Stop The Music” from his album “The Pursuit.” Instantly recognizable, but with the Cullum touch, the new single will be available as a download only on January 25th.

Talking about the track, Jamie says: “There’s a real science to choosing covers.”

“I did Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’ the day after it was released but soon enough, everyone was doing it. With ‘Don’t Stop The Music’ it was the lyric that grabbed me. It is such a sexy lyric. And I was able to transform the song into something totally new sounding.”

via Clickliverpool

Jose James’ BLACKMAGIC online advert

KSwiss online advert that uses Jose James’ Blackmagic. The album drops in February.

Our list of hot albums released this year

Music video: Ninthe & Zuluboy – The World is Yours

South African hip hop artist Zuluboy with Ninthe, a singer from Holland on a cautionary taleabout HIV.

Fally Ipupa + Olivia of G-Unit

An unlikely collaboration: Fally Ipupa, rising star of African music with Olivia of G-Unit. Titled “Chaise Electrique” (Electric Chair), the song is a certified hit!

Alicia Key’s The Element of Freedom – Reviews round-up

– The Guardian —
According to Alicia Keys, who was battling depression following the loss of a family member, her fourth album was a struggle to conceive. But, as befits the thrust of her songwriting, she overcame adversity to make a confident, well-crafted modern soul record that engages and rewards without doing anything groundbreaking. Almost every track deals with the ups and downs of love and proceeds at a stately pace. The restraint works powerfully on “Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart”, but the punchier moments towards the end – the Beyoncé duet and a return to Jay-Z’s exuberant “Empire State of Mind” – come as something of a relief.
Killian Fox – The Guardian

Read more reviews from the BBC, The Independent, Spin Magazine and more after the jump!

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Review: the Black Tie Comedy Awards

We knew the organisers of the Black Tie Comedy Awards were in for a difficult night after a fire in the black wall tunnel caused all sorts of transport problems for nominees and the audience. After having to cancel the Award show earlier in the year this was another unneeded setback. The Show did eventually kick off an hour late with a lot of empty seats still unfilled and number of special guests still to arrive. The Awards host Kojo the comedian did his best to paper over the cracks and charmed the crowd when he pointed out that there ‘had to be a problem with the Blackwall tunnel on a black event!’ His co-host was model Rachel Ritfield.

Chris Rock was awarded the Best International Comedian gong but unsurprisingly was not in attendance. Young white comic Kevin J was recognised as Best Newcomer and also performed. He killed the audience with laughter about his tales of being a white boy growing up with Nigerians.

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In the company of successful women

On Monday 16th November, Pearson plc played host to the 2009 Precious Awards. The ceremony which celebrates the achievements of women of colour in business and in the workplace was created by media professional Foluke Akinlose.

Read our interview with Foluke Akinlose

The awards this year coincided with the 10 years of another one of Foluke’s creative businesses, Precious Online, the magazine for women of colour; and the guests, mainly female, were dressed to impress. The mood was joyful and buoyant. When I arrived, women were busy acknowledging peers and making new connections – “It’s a nice event to network and to support what these great women are doing” said Esther Kissiedu, Communications Assistant at the Financial Times.

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Mama Africa, 30th Oct at Tabernacle

On Friday 30th October, London’s Notting Hill was treated to Mama Africa, a world music showcase, courtesy of WOM@TT – World Of Music At The Tabernacle. The evening showcased eight female singers performing a breathtaking set lasting over four hours; providing high quality music and a perfect upbeat atmosphere.

The show was opened by stage virgin Nadine Shaw, who sang and played acoustic guitar, showcasing well her sweet but powerful voice and lyrics. Next up was Francine Luce of Martinique, accompanied by Nikki Yeoh on keyboard, mixing a homegrown creole style with classic jazz-style vocals. She was followed in turn by Brown Sugar, winner of Groovy Soca Monarch 2009, who brought an upbeat Trinidadian flavour to the evening with a Soca set.

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Catch a Vibe, proud supporter of the bfm Film Festival (6-10 Nov)

I am quite the movie buff so I immediately say yes when Nadia Denton offered me to edit the brochure for the bfm Film Festival. My first job was to watch the movies, in order to write the descriptions. I also edited reviews submitted by other writers and had the opportunity to interview filmmakers Dennis Dortch (A Good Day to be Black and Sexy), Menelik Shabazz (The Story of Lovers Rock) and Jason Young (The Novelist).

The programme of the festival is quite exciting but with so many films and documentaries to see, I’ve decided to share with you my favourite films. Click on Read more to see my Top 5 movies.

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Jerome Laperrousaz: Translating Jamaica’s struggle to film

The French director’s new film Made in Jamaica opens this week, a documentary that explores the contemporary reggae scene (read our review of Made in Jamaica). Catch a Vibe caught up with him to find out more about the ideas behind the film.

CAV: How did your relationship with Jamaica start?
Jerome Laperrousaz: I made a film called Third World Prisoner on the Streets with the acclaimed reggae group Third World in 1979 which played at the Cannes Film Festival in 1980. It became a cult movie in two years. I have had a relationship with the island ever since. Part of my family is also Jamaican.

CAV: What is it about the country that fascinates you?
Jerome Laperrousaz: To me Jamaica speaks to people very loudly through music on an emotional level. Jamaica is a microcosm of what all the poor in the world are going through. Despite its culture it has a universal appeal – freedom, equality and tolerance. Demands for social equality and justice in Jamaica resonate with other cultures and societies worldwide.

CAV: Why is music so important in Jamaican culture?
Jerome Laperrousaz: Jamaica reflects all the world’s struggles through its music. Through its nation’s talent and creativity and ability to express it through song and music it acts as a voice for a voiceless society.

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