Posts made in July 2019

Tee Grizzley “Scriptures” Visuals

Rapper Tee Grizzley releases the visuals for “Scriptures the title track off of his sophomore album. The cinematic video finds champion boxer Gervonta Davis, who successfully defended his world title this past weekend, sparring bar for bar alongside Grizzley’s enticing wordplay. The song “Scriptures”, produced by Timbaland, is a prime example of Tee Grizzley’s versatility and ability to lyrically attack any beat thrown his way.

Senri Oe “HMMM” Jazz Album

Jazz pianist Senri Oe will release his first-ever trio jazz album titled HMMM on September 20 on PND Records; the single from HMMM titled “Orange Desert,” will be released on September 4 digitally on iTunes, Amazon and all digital retailers. 

Accompanied by bassist Matt Clohesy and drummer Ari Hoenig on six of Senri’s nine self-composed tracks, the album features Senri’s multitude of diverse musical explorations on HMMM.  The track listing includes: “Re:Vision,” “Poignant Kisses,” “Freshening Up,” “The Look,” “Indoor Voices,” “Bikini,” “When Life Was A Pizza Party,” “Orange Desert” and “A Fireplace.”

HMMM will mark Senri’s sixth jazz album, following a remarkable career as a former J-Pop superstar of the 80’s and 90’s.  Leaving his pop career behind him in 2008 to pursue his true dreams of becoming a jazz artist, Senri moved to New York to study at the New School for Jazz, and has since released five previous jazz albums: BOYS & GIRLS (2018), ANSWER JULY (2016), COLLECTIVE SCRIBBLE (2015), SPOOKY HOTEL (2013) and BOYS MATURE SLOW(2012).

Dedicated to his father, HMMM includes six trio tracks and three solo piano tracks, all infused with a swirl of emotions that Senri experienced during the previous month. The album features the highs of some of his most acclaimed live performances with Hoenig and Clohesy in Tokyo Blue Note and the Blue Note Hawaii;  to the sorrowful parting and celebration of the life of his father. Album was recorded at 2nd Story  Sound (NYC), and he locked out Sony Nogizaka Studio (Tokyo) for mixing and mastering it, but the outpouring of his energy and emotion was so intense from hearing of his father’s passing, that Senri completed the three solo piano tunes in thirty minutes before Hoenig and Clohesy have arrived.

“I feel like life is sometimes very hard, but when I think about it in a deeper way, like the album title says, Hmmm,” says Senri.  He adds, “I’m the luckiest person in the world to be given that opportunity to make that final toast.  In the weeks leading up to the recording, I was riding a rollercoaster of good and bad things and felt like I was in emotional limbo. I learned a lot about myself from my dad passing away. Life is tough, but you have to move forward. Life can also be more beautiful than you ever expected as you learn to ride. I make music to get fresh air, and I want people to think of me and listen to my music when they feel life is too tough to face.”  

Senri’s song titles speak to the blend of introspection/reflection he brings to the collection. He intersperses his three brief, beautiful and graceful piano pieces – two interludes (“Freshening Up,” “When Life Was A Pizza Party”) and a postlude (the Christmas-themed “A Fireplace”) – amongst six lively gems that showcase Senri’s spirited, often lighthearted yet powerfully percussive trademark piano style, as he interacts with the dynamics-filled grooves created by Hoenig and Clohesy.

“Everything we’ve done on ‘Hmmm’ goes back to that emotional rollercoaster,” Senri says. “You can’t stop it, but you can find places in your life where you feel no tension and just relax and let things flow the way they are supposed to. Ari, Matt and I found this kind of place, exchanging very organic musical ideas throughout the shows and recording of the album. Once someone had a sustainable idea he could convey, the others would catch it and from that create some incredible, unexpected interplay. After a while, we had the power to believe in each other onstage, and that chemistry translated perfectly to the studio.”

Since his 2012 jazz album debut, Senri has long thrived on building relationships with other artists and creating fresh musical collaborations, as he produced and arranged a collaborative recording by Janis Siegel of The Manhattan Transfer;  recorded with renowned jazz vocal greats Sheila Jordan, Theo Bleckmann, Becca Stevens andLauren Kinhan of the Grammy winning vocal ensemble New York Voices.

Senri has performed at the Atlanta Jazz Festival, Detroit Jazz Festival, Blue Note NY, Blue Note Hawaii, Blue Note Tokyo, Vitello’s in Los Angeles, PianoForte in Chicago, and many more.  Aside from Blue Note NY, he often performs at NYC venues such as Tomi Jazz, Zinc, the Jazz Gallery, Birdland, Soho House, Smalls and Dixon Place.

A multi-faceted singer, songwriter, actor and radio host in Japan, Senri is the recipient of a Japanese Grammy®, topped the Billboard charts, headlined stadiums, performed on TV soap operas, and had his hits used for major Japanese TV commercials.

Melii ft. Tory Lanez “Slow for Me” Video

Melii releases video for “Slow for Me” featuring Tory Lanez out now!

Watch HERE

 Melii shines brighter than ever before in her speakeasy-inspired track, “Slow for Me” from phAses. The glamorous Tory Lanez-assisted, “Slow for Me,” music video shows the pairs undeniable musical chemistry on-camera.

Exclusive Quentin Tarantino Interview Out Now Via Discogs

Discogs was granted an exclusive interview with Oscar-winning filmmaker Quentin Tarantino to discuss his new film Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and his very special approach to the film’s soundtrack.

While Tarantino might be best known for his filmography — Pulp FictionReservoir DogsKill Bill, and Inglorious Basterds — his discography is crafted with equal intention and precision. He’s a music fan, and it shows.

Speaking about the soundtrack, Tarantino said, “I’ve long been saying that I have a modus operandi where when I’m thinking about a movie, I go into my record room, and I start looking for music for the film. And that’s kind of how I’ve been doing it from the beginning…That wasn’t the case on this one.”

Read the entire interview HERE exclusively via Discogs.

Jason Lee

Premiere Networks and Hollywood Unlocked Founder/CEO Jason Lee announced today the launch of a new weekly radio show, Hollywood Unlocked with Jason Lee.

 The two-hour, original program will debut August 17 on 50 iHeartMedia Urban Contemporary stations nationwide, in addition to iHeartRadio.   

Co-hosted by Melyssa Ford and DJ Damage, Hollywood Unlocked with Jason Lee will keep listeners on the pulse of Hip Hop and pop culture in this fun and entertaining program featuring celebrity news, information and gossip, along with candid conversations with the stars who will bring truth to the latest stories and rumors.

Additionally, Lee’s podcast Hollywood Unlocked Uncensored, which is also co-hosted by Ford and Damage and has more than 33 million views on its YouTube channel, will be made available on iHeartRadio. 

Hollywood Unlocked with Jason Lee is the latest extension of Lee’s Hollywood Unlocked multi-platform empire – one of the nation’s top urban and entertainment brands that includes the popular website the Hollywood Unlocked Uncensored podcast; the Hollywood Unlocked YouTube channel; and events like the Hollywood Unlocked Social Impact Brunch awards show.

When I first started Hollywood Unlocked four years ago, I had a dream of having a national show,” said Lee. “After several years of working hard and never losing sight of my journey, this dream has now come into reality. Joining iHeartMedia and Premiere Networks with the likes of Ryan Seacrest, Big Boy, and The Breakfast Club is not only exciting, but also an honor to be added to this list of iconic trailblazers in the field of broadcast.  We are excited to share with the iHeartRadio listeners our unfiltered and sometimes wild and hilarious way of asking the biggest celebrities questions that fans want answers to. Hold on for this exciting ride!” Lee Stated

“Jason has created a brand that connects millions of fans with celebrity news, pop culture and exclusive star interviews across multiple platforms, including events, digital, social media and podcasting,” said Doc Wynter, iHeartMedia Executive Vice President of Urban/Hip Hop Programming Strategy. “He’s a true influencer and we’re excited to partner with him to expand Hollywood Unlocked to radio listeners across the country.” 

Culture disruptor and multi-media powerhouse Lee has unlocked the secret to success in Hollywood. He built an ever-evolving brand empire through strategic campaign oversight, event production, and influential relationships with stars including Tiffany Haddish, Cardi B, Kris Jenner and Floyd Mayweather. In the competitive world of entertainment, Lee has elevated his brand recognition as a pivotal voice on “Love & Hip Hop,” MTV2’s “Wild N’ Out,” “The Wendy Williams Show,” “Dish Nation,” and many more. Lee continues to shine as the talent and face of the Hollywood Unlocked brand, which connects with millions of fans online, and via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.  

iHeartRadio featuring more than 250,000 podcasts, with more than 750 iHeartRadio Originals and is available on over 250 platforms and over 2,000 different connected devices — including smart speakers, digital auto dashes, tablets, wearables, smartphones, virtual assistants, televisions and gaming consoles. Visit iHeart.com/apps to download iHeartRadio and listen to Hollywood Unlocked with Jason Lee and Hollywood Unlocked Uncensored on your favorite device, beginning August 17.

DREAMstate

Joseph Lee | Dennis Osadebe | Erik Mark Sandberg | Joshua Vides

September 12 – October 12, 2019

GR Gallery is thrilled to present “DREAMstate”, featuring for the first time artists Joseph Lee, Erik Mark Sandberg, Dennis Osadebe and Joshua Vides in a fresh, groundbreaking group exhibition. The show puts together 20 pieces, including paintings, works on paper and installations. The title is inspired by the unique creative energy that connects the four artists, able to forge, through different visions and techniques, an oneiric reality that misleads our visual realm.

Opening reception: Thursday September 12th, 6:00pm – 9:00pm(Exhibition Dates:September 12th– October 12th 2019). Members of the press can contact GR gallery in advance to schedule a private viewing and/or an interview with the artists before the exhibition is officially open. Visitors who want to attend the opening can RSVP by contacting the gallery.

Where: GR Gallery, 255 Bowery (between Houston & Stanton) New York, NY 10002 |  info@gr-gallery.com | tel: +1 212 273 2900

WhoJoseph Lee (1987, Indiana), Dennis Osadebe (1991, Lagos)Erik Mark Sandberg (1975, Los Angeles), Joshua Vides (1989, California)

DREAMstate” aims to exhibit the exclusive artistic approach of these four internationally known and trendsetting talents that are bringing new vitality into a specific technical and aesthetical idea, through the use of patterns, optical illusions, decontextualized images and ambiguous imaginaries that lead toward the creation of a new dimension. The strong familiarity of this with actual reality will destabilize the viewer, throwing him in a confused state of deja vu’. Solid bold lines, illusive interiors, surrealistic figures, hypnotic arrangements, thick brushstrokes, subconscious revelations and visual puzzling, will channel their energy into a clean and dreamy form that affects the whole environment, able to immerse the spectator into a dreamlike atmosphere.

 

Painting by Joseph Lee

Hispano Suiza Carmen

The Hispano Suiza Carmen has made its global dynamic debut on the streets of Barcelona, its home city. Cruising the famous city streets and coastal roads, the fully-electric hyperlux grand tourer was piloted by a selection of drivers, including Sergio Martinez Campos, the brand’s CEO and Lluc Martí, Technical Director of Carmen.

With less than a year until customer deliveries begin in June 2020, the Carmen’s debut saw it glide past a selection of Barcelona’s architectural and design landmarks including Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia, the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, and the modern and imposing Agbar Tower. The drive included an exclusive opportunity for customers to see and experience the car in motion as part of the tour that also took in some of Barcelona’s most exclusive hotels.

Since the global premiere of the Carmen at the Geneva Motor Show, the development team has worked on a comprehensive testing and refinement programme. The car now has an entirely new suspension system, alongside a series of weight-reduction and rigidity enhancements. The chassis development also includes crash structure optimisation with extensive use of carbon fibre enhancing performance, while shedding weight.

Miguel Suqué Mateu, Hispano Suiza President, said: “We are extremely proud of our long heritage, which dates back to our beginnings on the streets of Barcelona in 1904. This legacy and the style icons of our home city made it easy to decide where the Carmen should make its global dynamic debut.”

The next stage of the Carmen’s journey intensifies vehicle speed and dynamism to realise the car’s full – 1,019 PS – potential. The hyperlux grand tourer will first conduct a series of on-road tests in the north of Catalonia, before moving to the world-famous Ascari racing circuit for high-speed testing and handling development.

Hispano Suiza’s headquarters, technical centre, and manufacturing facility are all in Barcelona – a city intertwined with the brand’s proud Spanish spirit and strong family legacy. Owned by the fourth generation of the Suqué Mateu family, Hispano Suiza built more than 12,000 luxury performance cars and 50,000 aeroplane engines between 1904 and 1946.

Today, the Carmen hyperlux grand tourer is designed, developed and manufactured in Barcelona. The handcrafted Carmen is based on a super-stiff, hand-laid carbon fibre monocoque, which provides the foundation for the car’s exceptional luxury, comfort, and attention to detail.

Development and build of the Carmen and its custom-designed electric powertrain is led by the company’s production partner, QEV Technologies. Also based in Barcelona, the team of highly-skilled engineers at QEV Technologies boasts experience across design, engineering, R&D and production for Formula E teams, supercar brands and mainstream car manufacturers.

Pop Singer – Ashlee Keating Drops New Video “Bad Mistake”

Pop singer Ashlee Keating drops new video for her recent single “Bad Mistake.” The single is Ashlee’s follow up to her chart-topping dance record “Hurt Me So Good”, which peeked at #8 on the Billboard Dance Club Charts. “Bad Mistake” is an empowering up-tempo pop song with an urban melodic vibe that shows off Ashlee’s powerhouse vocals; It’s full of attitude, strength, and swag.

“Bad Mistake is me at my most authentic & vulnerable. The lyrics I wrote were inspired by a real relationship in my life turned bad, but then taking the positive, I became better and stronger from it by not letting a relationship ruin me. Eventually, the other person realized what they lost, now I’m his “Bad Mistake”, stated Ashlee.

Watch here

How eating habits have an impact on our oral health

Will An Apple A Day – Along With Checkups – Help Keep Tooth Decay Away?

Eating may be a necessity, but when it comes to your teeth and gums, all that munching also can lead to quite a battle raging in your mouth.

Some of those foods – especially the sugary and starchy ones – act like invading forces, feeding the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease, even as the saliva in your mouth fights back as best it can, trying to ward off the detrimental effects of the acids and enzymes.

“Tooth decay can be a problem for people of all ages – children, teenagers and adults  –  and yet it’s completely avoidable,” says Dr. Seth Newman (www.asktheorthos.com), an orthodontist and co-author with Dr. Steve Giannoutsos of Giving It To You Straight: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Orthodontics But Were Afraid To Ask.

Newman and Giannoutsos say that there are plenty of ways that what’s in your diet affects not just your weight, but also your teeth and gums.

“Most people know that sugar and processed snacks can lead to tooth decay, even if they don’t always avoid those foods,” Giannoutsos says. “But there are other foods that also can be troublesome, and many people may not realize that.”

He and Newman provide a few tips for making sure your diet isn’t harmful to your oral health:

Watch out for bread – and chips. Chomp down on a candy bar and you might think to yourself that you better brush soon, lest the sugar go to work on your teeth before you can head it off. But the same thought might not occur to you when you’re eating breadsticks. Yet, foods that are high in carbohydrates and starches – such as bread, chips, pasta and crackers – contribute to the plaque acid that attacks tooth enamel.

Braces come with extra concerns. Beyond the usual dental care, there are additional dietary worries to consider when you have braces. People wearing braces should avoid foods that are too hard, sticky or chewy, Newman says, such as gum, nuts, corn chips, hard taco shells, hard candy and popcorn, just to name a few.

Develop good food-choice habits. When you’re grocery shopping, always check the nutrition labels. “Selecting snacks that are low in sugar can help combat tooth decay,” Giannoutsos says. “If poor nutrition continues, your oral health will decline, potentially resulting in gum disease and tooth loss.” Fruits and vegetables that are rich in fiber are a good choice for improving your oral health. Examples are apples, carrots and celery. In addition, milk, cheese and other dairy products are excellent options because of the calcium, phosphate and vitamin D they contain. Finally, drink fluoridated water as much as possible. If your tap water doesn’t include fluoride, check with your dentist for a fluoride supplement.

Ultimately, more is at stake than your teeth and gums. Left untreated, Giannoutsos and Newman say, oral-health problems can have a detrimental effect on your overall health, contributing to such conditions as heart disease and diabetes. That’s an additional reason why regular checkups – along with brushing and flossing – are so critical.

“It’s hard to resist your inner sweet tooth, so I wouldn’t say that you should never indulge in treats,” Newman says. “But when you do, brushing your teeth as quickly as possible afterwards will help decrease the risk of decay.”

About Seth Newman, DDS

Dr. Seth Newman (www.asktheorthos.com) is an orthodontist and co-author, with Dr. Steve Giannoutsos, of Giving It To You Straight: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Orthodontics But Were Afraid To Ask. He owns orthodontic practices in the New York City area. Dr. Newman completed his dental training at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine, where he was a member of the National Dental Honor Society. He was a clinical instructor of the Invisalign system at the NYU School of Dentistry.

About  Dr. Efstathios “Steve” Giannoutsos 
Dr. Efstathios Giannoutsos, or “Dr. G.” as he is commonly called, was born in Astoria, Queens, just outside of New York City. He graduated from St. John’s University in Jamaica, Queens, with high honors and a BS in Biology.  He is also the co-author with  Dr. Seth Newman of Giving It To You Straight: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Orthodontics But Were Afraid to Ask(www.asktheorthos.com)He completed his dental training at NYU, where he graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. He was also accepted into NYU’s highly competitive orthodontic residency program. During that time, he also discovered a passion for treating children and adults with facial deformities. Coinciding his passion, his research thesis to attain specialty certification involved children with cleft deformities.

CapitalOne breach: how to protect yourself

A massive data breach hit Capital One. Digital privacy expert Daniel Markuson shares the most essential steps consumers can take to keep themselves safer.

On Monday, it was announced that a data breach of Capital One compromised the personal information of approximately 100 million consumers in the United States and 6 million consumers in Canada. It is said to be one of the top 10 largest data breaches ever.

The bank announced that in addition to the credit card application data, portions of credit card customer data were also obtained, including credit scores, limits, balances, payment history, transaction data, and contact information. Stolen data also included 140,000 Social Security numbers, 80,000 linked bank account numbers.

What to do if your account gets compromised

NordVPN’s digital privacy expert Daniel Markuson shares the most essential steps consumers can take to keep themselves safer.

Get back into your account

The first important step is to log into your online account and change the password immediately. Go through the privacy settings and check if you can make your account more secure. Invoke all recommended security settings.

It is as well advised to sign up for email or text alerts about your monetary transactions.

Freeze your credit

The best way to protect yourself is to freeze your credit. This makes it very difficult to open new accounts in your name, even if someone is using your stolen financial information. It is important to note, that credit freeze doesn’t influence your score.

With credit freeze invoked – most creditors will decline to open a new account as they will not be able to check your credit history.

Place a fraud alert and check credit reports

If freezing your credit is not an option for you – contact one of the credit bureauses and invoke a fraud alert. Fraud alerts flag creditors and they verify your identity before issuing new credit in your name. Such alerts usually last for a year but can be renewed.

Capital One said that they “will make free credit monitoring and identity protection available to everyone affected.” Check for credit inquiries, balances, and new accounts that you haven’t opened or applied for.

Check credit card statements

It is very important to regularly check your credit card statements online, even if you think that your data hasn’t been affected by the breach. If you see any strange activities on your balance – try to recall whether you authorized the charge. If you can’t recall it, inform your bank and the merchant immediately.

Make sure to keep all your documentation, such as order confirmation numbers or receipts.

Beware of phishing scams

Since hackers may have detailed information on more than 100 million individuals, there might be a spike in more personalized phishing scams. Such scams are usually very effective as criminals use a piece of real information, for example, your name and address.

Personalized phishing messages are designed to look as if they are coming from a legitimate bank or other familiar organization. Be vigilant and contact the organization before clicking on any links, filling in forms or transferring funds. For additional safety, use a VPN, like NordVPN, when browsing.

Report unusual activities

And finally, if you notice something unusual – report the incident to the authorities. Raising the alarm can help not only you, but others affected by the breach as well.

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