Premiere: Derrick Hodge’s “Message of Hope”
The first official track from Derrick Hodge’s Live Today—his Blue Note Records debut as a bandleader—is officially here! The bassist, bandleader, and composer has become in-demand through his work with the Robert Glasper Experiment in addition to artists like Maxwell, Common, Floetry, Terence Blanchard, Q-Tip, Jill Scott, and many more. Live Today finds Hodge crafting original compositions with a cohort of collaborators spanning from Experiment members Robert Glasper, Chris Dave, Casey Benjamin, and Mark Colenburg to the legendary rapper Common, keyboardists James Poyser and Aaron Parks, saxophonist Marcus Strickland, trumpeter Keyon Harrold, and even the American String Quartet.
Robert Glasper Experiment With a Hennessey Chaser in NYC
ew York is the headquarters of the ever-growing music movement that is the deconstructing of genre via progressive jazz fusion, courtesy of artists like Jose James, ERIMAJ and Christian Scott. In the wake of their Grammy win for Best R&B Album for Black Radio, Robert Glasper and his Experiment band (RGX) made their triumphant return to the city. The evening was part of Hennessey Home Session, an intimate gathering that found the band hobnobbing with their family, friends, fans, colleagues and media members, all of whom are a part of the forward-thinking community that’s reshaping music and culture for the better.
Win Tickets to the Robert Glasper Experiment 6/3/13
In their first post-Grammy NYC performance, the Robert Glasper Experiment (Robert Glasper, Derrick Hodge, Casey Benjamin, & Mark Colenburg) will be bringing their finely tuned vision of Black American Music to the Gramercy Theatre on June 3rd, 2013 and we’ve got a pair of tickets to give away!
Derrick Hodge’s Blue Note Solo Debut Announced!
Derrick Hodge — one of the preeminent bassists, composers, and artists of our time — has officially announced a release date for his solo debut on Blue Note Records entitled Live Today. On August 6, 2013 Hodge will release the fruits of his recording sessions featuring special guests Common, Robert Glasper, Alan Hampton, and more!
Kendrick Scott: In Command, Out of Control
With Kendrick Scott’s latest Oracle record, ‘Conviction,’ topping the charts and making its way into iPods and computers around the world, we took some time to discuss the implications behind the meaning of the record as well as Kendrick’s entire perception of the drums as an instrument and more. Take a listen to the record, check out some of insight below, and grab yourself a copy today!
Video Roundup 2/15/13
This past week has not only been a great one for music, but also tons of videos from some of our favorite artists. Check out below for some must-see media from Robert Glasper & Derrick Hodge, Christian Sands & Kris Bowers, and Ric’key Pageot & Dessy Di Lauro!
Robert Glasper Takes on the Music of Stevie Wonder
On harmonica, for a brief, yet memorable moment was Gregoire Maret. What I did not know was that you can really play the harmonica. We’re not talking about the technical element of the instrument (which he does brilliantly, I might add). We’re talking about what Little Richard did on the keys, what Chuck Berry did on the guitar. We’re talking about the difference between someone who was “singing” and someone who was “sangin,’” as they might say in the black church. With every other note, Maret dipped and swayed as his bended knees supported a man unbridled. To watch this seemingly mild-mannered individual take off his metaphorical cool was perhaps the most amusingly captivating moment of the night. It was showmanship at its finest and most unexpected.
Giveaway: Win Tickets to Robert Glasper’s: Songs in the Key of Life at Harlem Stage
Robert Glasper will be bringing together an all-star cast featuring the Robert Glasper Experiment (Derrick Hodge, Mark Colenburg and Casey Benjamin), Lalah Hathaway, Eric Roberson, Stokley (from Mint Condition), Questlove and others to produce a two-night tribute to the music of Stevie Wonder. The performances will include new arrangements of Stevie’s music and the premiere of new Harlem Stage commissioned compositions by Glasper, inspired by Stevie Wonder.
Derrick Hodge: Living Today
I think that’s the one thing that’s essential in our records that we’re putting out now. It’s got to definitely sound a certain kind of way. It can’t sound like we tried to skimp on mixing or mastering. The studio has to sound up to speed with anything else a person puts on the radio. That’s the audience we want. We want it to be heard by as many people as possible. It can’t sound like they have to sit and think about whether they like it or not.
Robert Glasper: Black Radio and Beyond
It has been a great year for Robert Glasper. His highly-anticipated album, Black Radio dropped in February and found an audience that was hungry for a sound that had a heavy dose of jazz, soul, and hip-hop. Recently I caught up with Robert and got to talk and laugh about what life has been like since ‘Black Radio’ has taken on a life of its own.
Gizmo’s Red Balloon Drops Today!
We are incredibly excited to announce the release of Kenneth “Gizmo” Rodgers’ debut album on Revive Music entitled Red Balloon. The album features Gizmo along with an incredible group of specials guests including Derrick Hodge, Casey Benjamin, Nick Hakim, Jamire Williams, Anna Wise, Raydar Ellis, and more. The album is also produced by Derrick Hodge.
Derrick Hodge to Gizmo: “Give them yourself.”
Kenneth “Gizmo” Rodgers is releasing his highly anticipated debut album “Red Balloon” tomorrow and we’ve got the scoop on the recording process from the man who produced the record, the one and only Derrick Hodge. Read on below for the story on how they met and their process of working together.
Funk It Audio: The Robert Glasper Experiment ft. MF Doom
The audiophiles over at Funk It have dropped a gem in the version of a live recording from the iTunes Festival 2012 featuring the Robert Glasper Experiment joined by MF Doom for renditions of Doom classics “Figaro” and “Rhinestone Cowboy.”
10/2: Gizmo Red Balloon Album Release Party f. Casey Benjamin + Guests
Gizmo is set to unveil his debut sonic masterpiece Red Balloon, produced by bassist Derrick Hodge (Robert Glasper Experiment, Kanye West, Common) with glints of spoken word and soul, Red Balloon is a wondrous 13-track odyssey through the multi-faceted human experience. NYC record release will be held at DROM on Oct. 2nd f. saxophonist, Casey Benjamin, DJ Raydar Ellis, Nick Hakim and Joy Daniels.
Lionel Loueke: Honoring Your Heritage
Lionel Loueke is a different type of musician. Not bound by the conventional techniques and thought processes, Loueke has pursued music his entire life through an entirely original set of eyes. Even upon moving from Benin to Paris and on to Boston where where he was exposed to the history behind the music he pursued, Loueke managed to keep his mind open to the endless possibilities the music allowed him and that has translated into an unmatched sense of originality, rhythmic innovation, and musical bliss. On August 28th, 2012 Lionel will release his most recent endeavor entitled “Heritage” which features co-proudcer and pianist Robert Glasper, bassist Derrick Hodge, and drummer Mark Guiliana.
Gizmo ft. Casey Benjamin at the Breeding Ground NYC
With a fall release scheduled for Kenneth “Gizmo” Rodgers’ debut album entitled Red Balloon, the media from the recording sessions keeps pouring in and building excitement. It seems two Experiment musicians played a big part in mentoring Gizmo with Derrick Hodge producing the record and Casey Benjamin doing his thing on a couple of the tunes.
Gizmo Announces Release of Red Balloon on Revive Music
Recording artist Gizmo has announced the release of his debut record, Red Balloon. Vocalist, bassist and musical director for projects with Bilal, Meshell Ndegeocello and Lalah Hathaway, Gizmo’s debut Red Balloon (Revive Music) is produced by Derrick Hodge (Robert Glasper Experiment, Kanye West, Maxwell, Common) and features a mixture of jazz, experimental, hip-hop, funk, soul, rock and latin music.
The Robert Glasper Experiment x Jimmy Fallon
Check out the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Show from last night as the Robert Glasper Experiment performs its cover of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” off of their highly acclaimed new album Black Radio which features a slew of amazing special guests (Lalah Hathaway, Erykah Badu, Yasiin Bey, Lupe Fiasco, KING, Bilal, Meshell Ndegeocell, Ledisi, and more) as well as a number of both original compositions and covers.
Secret Show: The Robert Glasper Experiment in Brooklyn 6/22
The Robert Glasper Experiment are playing a last-minute secret show in Brooklyn. It looks like bassist, songwriter, and overall amazing artist Alan Hampton will be opening for them. Cop your tickets now!
Lionel Loueke Drops Heritage 8/28/12
Acclaimed and inventive guitarist, songwriter, vocalist Lionel Loueke will drop his latest endeavor, Heritage, August 28, 2012 on Blue Note Records. The album is co-produced by Robert Glasper who is also featured on piano with Derrick Hdoge on electric bass and Mark Guiliana on drums. Gretchen Parlato also adds in her flavor with some background vocals. In total, Heritage will feature seven compositions by Loueke, two by Glasper, and one co-written by the two of them. The title comes from Lionel’s personal ancestry.
Photo Essay: Robert Glasper Experiment by HUMAN Photography
He’s modern jazz. He’s innovative. He’s the future… I feel as though Robert has that baton – the baton that 20 years ago Bill Laswell and Herbie Hancock had in their hands runnin’ with it and all that came after it. His jazz chops are so on the ball they can start doing real progressive things! They can take those J Dilla chords and apply them to 7/8 meter. Especially when The Experiment is performing… they’re really doing some aggressive rhythmic stuff together. They’re really applying a lot of polyrhythms that really haven’t been executed before in hip hop or jazz. -Questlove on Robert Glasper
The Robert Glasper Experiment Black Radio
Jazz purists may be taken aback, but Glasper’s vision of melding the worlds of hip-hop, soul, and jazz is a thoughtful take on an idea that has been explored ad nauseum. Black Radio is Glasper’s vision of what the airwaves could sound like – a mixtape of sorts – that may not reignite a new movement to overtake popular radio as we know it today, but it’s a concept that should be applauded for a group of artists who believe in chops over charts.
Day One of Jazz’s New Year Zero: Robert Glasper Experiment Live at the Highline Ballroom
Jazz in 2012 is at a major breaking point. An artistic insurrection against the restrictive nature of the genre’s traditions is a loudening crescendo. Brooklyn-by-way-of-Houston pianist Robert Glasper is a commander in this revolt, however, he’s embraced one of those very traditions, serving, ironically as the cornerstone of both jazz’s dissolution and ultimate preservation: the super group. Miles had his second quintet, Herbie had the Head Hunters, and Chick had Return to Forever. Tuesday, February 28, 2012, saw the official arrival of the next great super group, the Robert Glasper Experiment (RCDC). The attendees of their performance at New York’s Highline Ballroom that evening bore witness to the band’s live unveiling of Black Radio, their star-studded debut LP, released earlier that day.
Robert Glasper Experiment f. Bilal & Lupe Fiasco on David Letterman
What an amazing time for music! Glasper has been a household name within the jazz community for almost 10 years now and the music has always been deserving of more and to be known by the masses. Glasper figured out a way to bring jazz to commercial audiences and this is only the beginning. Check out The Robert Glasper Experiment performing on David Letterman featuring guests Bilal and Lupe Fiasco. Musicians include Derrick Hodge (Bass), Casey Benjamin (Vocoder/ Vocals) and Mark Colenburg (Drums).
