Mike McCray

NEW MUSIC: The Roots + John Legend

by Mike McCray on June 10, 2010 at 3:41PM

I'm sure I'm not the only one jealous of everyone who got to partake in the glory that was The Roots picnic last weekend in Philly (att, asd, assf and more) but the band is not leaving us hanging. With the release of their new album, How I Got Over, swiftly approaching on June 22, new tracks are streaming out.

Cee-Lo_Cee-lo_Greg_Street_Presentstray_Bulle-front-large

Mixtape review: Cee-Lo's Stray Bullets

by Mike McCray on June 8, 2010 at 4:17PM

Part Gnarls Barkley, part Curtis Mayfield-y, part Kurtis Blow, part classic soul and 80's pop, this collection of songs was all over the place with Cee-Lo somehow shining on every song. Whether it was pulling out his best 70's pop/lounge singer voice for "You Don't Shock Me Anymore" or "Talking To Strangers" where you could picture the muted orange or avocado kitchens or the era or promoting the joys of ... whispering eyes with The B-52's on "Cho Cha The Cat" at no point did you feel like putting on.

Live Review: Carlitta Durand

by Mike McCray on April 30, 2010 at 1:49PM

Carlitta Durand Wine Up April 29, 2010 The Deal: After backing up the Grammy-nominated, The Foreign Exchange, Durham native Carlitta Durand steps into the solo spotlight in one of Charlotte's most soulful rooms. The Good: She was cheery, personable, jazzy and soulful.

Video: M.I.A.'s "Born Free"

by Mike McCray on April 26, 2010 at 2:18PM

And you thought Eryukah Badu's little stroll in the nude caused controversy... The video for M.I.A's song, "Born Free" has already been banned from YouTube in the States for its graphic images.

Alice in Chains' new audience?

by Mike McCray on April 22, 2010 at 11:56AM

Living in the immediate proximity of The Fillmore and Uptown Amphitheatre means overhearing good (and bad) concerts from time to time. Overhearing Alice In Chains the other night, while jarring, wasn't all bad, but the funniest part for me had to be after the show when I was taking my high school-age cousin home after the show (he was working) and he was trying to figure out how he knew songs from a band that formed before he was born and has only put out one, maybe two albums in his lifetime.

The local video dilemma

by Mike McCray on April 16, 2010 at 3:27PM

I grew up on the tail end of the music videos generation. The flop on the couch and waste a day watching music video days have come and gone and, sure, sitting on YouTube to see what new videos are out is cool but it's not the same.

Live review: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

by Mike McCray on April 12, 2010 at 3:35PM

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Amos' Southend April 10, 2010 The Deal: Arguably legendary rap quintet graces the stage minus Flesh-N-Bone (who was picked up on a felony warrant two weeks ago), but nonetheless efficient. The Good: The audience was nuts!

Local Leak: The Otherside & Haz Solo's Laundry Day EP

by Mike McCray on April 9, 2010 at 12:09PM

The formation of The Otherside is a story only possible in the digital-music era. How else would guys on opposite sides of the country, who didn't go to college together, had never met or crossed paths, get together to create music that sounded like they had been in the same room collaborating for years?

Local Leak: Haji Basim's "I Rocked A Letter"

by Mike McCray on April 9, 2010 at 11:02AM

Charlotte may not be able to produce a rapper ready for the big time, but there's something in the water around here that kicks out good, soul artists consistently. Haji Basim is a rising acoustic soul artist calling the Queen City home after performing a ton down in Atlanta, up in Seattle and all over the East Coast.

Bobcats success + a memorable soundtrack

by Mike McCray on April 8, 2010 at 1:50PM

After a close win over the the former Charlotte Hornets last night, the Charlotte Bobcats are in the playoffs for the first time ever. Luckily, I get the opportunity to look back at one of my favorite movies as a kid and, arguably, one of the best soundtracks of the last 15 years, because of it's close ties with the team.

Creative Loafing Charlotte

Vibes

» topic: Mike McCray