May 25, 2012
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Posts tagged: Booker T.

Win Tix, Be Photographer For A Day At UCLA JazzReggae Fest

LargeUp and Okayplayer are offering you the chance to win a free pair of tickets to the 26th annual edition of the legendary JazzReggae Fest at UCLA taking place this coming Sunday May 27th and Monday May 28th. Don’t worry, it’s Memorial Day–school’s out. The line-up on Sunday, “Jam Day,” includes okayplayers The Roots, Booker T. Jones, Gary Clark Jr., Thundercat, Selah Sue and Sonnymoon; Monday’s “Reggae Day” features Shaggy, Tarrus Riley, Collie Buddz, Alison Hinds, Cris Cab, Don Carlos and the just-added Kes the Band. In other words, a whole lot of LargeUp TV webisode stars (To get a taste, watch Pharoahe Monch‘s performance with the Miguel Atwood Ferguson Ensemble above and see flyer after the jump for full line-up).

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Audio: Booker T “Road From Memphis” Stream

Case you ain’t heard soul legend Booker T. Jones (yes, that Booker T; “Green Onions” etc) is dropping a new album “The Road From Memphis” backed by The Roots crew and produced by ?uestlove and  Rob Schnapf. It drops  May 10 but you can stream the whole damn thing as of RIGHT NOW thanks to Jimmy Fallon. Booker T. gives the famous MGs instrumental treatment to some modern classics from Lauryn Hill and Gnarls Barkley, not to mention the Roots and Cody Chestnutt’s own “The Seed.” But its the original compositions that blow the most mind, not to mention the guest appearances by Sharon Jones, Yim Yames from My Morning Jacket, Lou Reed (!) and Biz Markie (!!). Get it in yer soul.

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Audio: Booker T. “Representing Memphis” f/ The Roots, Sharon Jones & Matt Berninger

True to their roots (no pun intended), The Legendary Roots crew tap directly into that groovy vintage soul sound with this new Booker T. track, “Representing Memphis” where they serve as the backing band. Although there were no MGs in the house, The Roots fully capture that smooth, sweet and funky Booker T. sound. Vocal stylings are provided here by Sharon Jones and Matt Berninger from The National, and both ?uestlove and Rob Schanpf serve as producers. Expect Booker T.’s new album, The Road To Memphis, out on May 10th, which will also provide features from Lou Reed and My Morning Jacket‘s Jim James.

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Video: Booker T & The Roots Cover Lauryn Hill’s “Everything Is Everything”

Legendary keyboardist and funk-man Booker T. (of “Green Onions” and “Melting Pot” fame) was recently in the studio working on his new record, The Road From Memphis (in stores 5/10/11), with special guests The Roots. Watch the video piece RollingStone captured, with Booker T. and The Legendary recreating their own interpretation of Lauryn Hill‘s “Everything Is Everything.” The groovy factor is off the scale right here. Other collabs on the album include Lou Reed, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, Sharon Jones and Matt Berninger of The National.

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The Roots 7th Annual Grammy Jam – Grammy Weekend re-cap

I met up with The Roots Crew late Friday afternoon, over at 30 Rock, the studio where they film Fallon.  The energy was abuzz with anticipation and excitement – Grammy weekend had arrived.  After a late late flight to LA, and an even later Hennessy hosted Roots tribute party, it was clear that the sleep depravation had begun.  Saturday’s 7th Annual Grammy Jam was a whirlwind of celebrity infused with truly epic musical performances.  The jam kicked off with Jimmy Fallon doing a folk-rock version of Willow Smith‘s “Whip My Hair” and some disco-riffic “Stayin’ Alive” action, backed by The Legendary of course.   The night continued with Bobby McFerrin, Sara Bareilles, Guy Sebastian, Wayna, Blu, Donnis, Trombone Shorty and Chuck Brown who brought the go-go straight from D.C.  There were true legends in the house, and we were treated to amazing performances from the one and only Chaka Kahn (“Tell Me Something Good”), Booker T. (“Melting Pot”), Taj Mahal and Betty Wright (“Tonight Is The Night”).  The night continued with B. Howard, Ryan Leslie, Melanie Fiona, Lalah Hathaway, Ana Tijoux, Asher Roth, Young Chris, and Spree WilsonRaheem DeVaughn did justice to Marvin Gaye with “Let’s Get It On,” and Anthony Hamilton, Estelle, Marsha Ambrosious and Ne-Yo all impressed.  Will.i.am made an appearance, sharing the keyboards alongside James Poyser Too Short rocked the stage, and the night closed out with an awesome set from Doug E. Fresh. Craig Robinson (from The Office) even made an impromptu appearance, rapping a Slick Rick classic and clowning on stage. Plenty of friends and fam were in the house showing support as well, including Prince (!!!), K’naan, MC Lyte, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis, Strong Arm Steady, Chamillionaire, Skillz, Martin Luther, YahZarah, Tyga, Mario, Sway, Maurice Brown, Kid (from Kid N’ Play), and more.  Check out a full photo gal from Mel D. Cole, below.  We’ll have a video re-cap of the night coming shortly as well.  And as we continued on… The Roots went on to win 3 Grammys the next day, and smash the official Grammy after-party where they played along with Keri Hilson HUGE CONGRATS to the hardest-working, most deserving-est, shoulda-won-the-best-Hip-Hop-album-of-the-year band ever, THE ROOTS.

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