MP3 of the Day: Rootz Underground – Alive Album

These days it’s rare to find a new reggae act who embodies the genre’s traditional roots. But such is the case with Rootz Underground, a six-man band formed 10 years ago out of “di yard” — Jamaica. They not only sound right, but act right, singing conscious lyrics of justice…

Jacobs Ladder Tour Diary, Part 2: Gainesville and Knoxville

To read the previous installment of Jacobs Ladder’s tour diary, click here. These are the on-the-road chronicles of Miami band Jacobs Ladder as it completes its ninth national tour, brought to you by bassist Sammy Gonzalez.Bands, if you’re heading out on the road and want to share your own tour…

Concert Review: Can I Say II at Cinema Paradiso, August 30

To view a slideshow of photos from the event, click here.CP Rocks Presents: Can I Say-Sunday II With Tongues of the Heartworm and AnchormanCinema Paradiso, Fort LauderdaleSunday, August 30, 2009Better Than: An hour-long sermon The Review:This past Sunday marked the second installment of longtime local promoter Mark Pollack’s “Can I…

Local Motion: ¡Mayday!, The Noumena, and Vultures Are Wolves

¡Mayday! The Thinnest Line (Self-released)maydayonline.com  This five-track EP is rife with sexy rhythm and blues, with elements of funky hip-hop and solid live instrumentation behind it. It gives an overall lounge feeling for the casual cool cat that dresses well and knows how to order a drink right. The collective…

Concert Review: Respectable Street’s 22nd Anniversary

Respectable Street’s 22nd AnniversaryClematis Street, West Palm BeachSaturday, August 22, 2009Better Than: The 21 previous Respectable Street anniversary parties (probably)The Review: It’s been 22 years since Rodney Mayo bought an old  Salvation Army soup kitchen at 518 Clematis Street in West Palm Beach and converted it into the punk rock…

Reggae Legend Don Carlos Headlines Pulp Live This Thursday

When it comes to roots-rock-reggae music, few old school legends that are still touring have the pedigree for great songwriting that Don Carlos possesses. Although he’s often overshadowed by more popular Jamaican reggae singers like Burning Spear and Toots Hibbert, Carlos started out in the same era (early ’70s) and…

Concert Review: Ex Norwegian, The Freakin Hott, and Zombies!Organize!! at Propaganda’s Grand Opening Celebration, August 15

Ex Norwegian, The Freakin Hott, and Zombies!Organize!!At Propaganda’s Grand Opening CelebrationPropaganda, Lake WorthSaturday, August 15, 2009Better Than: The grand opening of the new El Dorado near my house a couple months back.The Review:You all know we’ve been dropping some serious ink on Lake Worth’s on-the-money music joint Propaganda for some…

Concert Review: Alex Nelson and Viva Le Vox at Dada, August 7

Viva Le Vox and Alex Nelson Dada, Delray BeachFriday, August 7, 2009  Better Than: Anything else going down on Atlantic Avenue on Friday nightThe Review:Once the waiters start clearing the tables away from the front entrance of Delray hotspot Dada, it’s clear that it’s no longer tuna tartare time. (Well,…

Concert Review: Square One MusicFest in Downtown Delray, July 31

Square One MusicFestThe Pavilion, downtown Delray BeachWith Elastic Bond, the Pretty Faces, and Ever So KleverFriday, July 31, 2009Better Than: Barbie’s 50th Birthday exhibit at Old School Square’s Cornell MuseumThe Review:When a state’s revenue shrinks, it’s usually funding for the arts that takes the biggest lance from the budget cut…

Top 10 Thursday: The Real Top 10 American Entertainers

Michael Jackson dies and all of a sudden he’s the greatest entertainer of all time. Not so fast. MJ made three great albums, invented the moonwalk and, well…. Let us take another look at the performers who have truly proved most thrilling over the years.1. Elvis Presley Michael Jackson may…

South Florida According to Brooklyn: My Pod Mondays

Yes, it’s no secret I hang out at the Poorhouse in Fort Lauderdale a lot. But here’s a new event worth mentioning at the bar: My Pod Mondays. It started a few weeks ago and is hosted by the place’s legendary bartender, Mr. Jon Owens. People interested in putting their…

Crookers Return to Miami, This Time at LIV on August 5

In the Venn diagram of modern electro, fidget and hip-house, Milan-based DJ duo Crookers resides in the overlap. The pairing of producers Phra and Bot, Crookers is often mentioned alongside the Bloody Beetroots, a similarly beat-saturated set of Italian DJs that rose to prominence through blogs. But Crookers differentiates its …