I’ve been shooting promo and art work for Bobby “BobbyT” Thompson for quite a while now, and he’s got a new album out that’s cloaked in JJP work.  Here are a few to enjoy:

First, here’s the flagship image from the recent album art shoot for “By the Hand” that’s out TODAY

Second, from a promo shoot in the studio some years back:

Finally, here’s  a striking image from the promo shoot for “By the Hand” that we did down by the Potomac.  More in the gallery.

Get his new album here!

It’s never easy to expand your repertoire–much less, to do it in front of 100 friends, family, supporters, and critics.  On Saturday night, at Montserrat House in the District, Frank Mitchell Jr. successfully demonstrated that, in addition to being a world-class saxophonist, he’s a crooner, an ensemble leader, and an all-around cool cat.

You may recognize Frank as the bad-ass saxophonist from Thievery Corporation and See-I. In addition, his ensemble includes veteran musicians such as Rob Myers (TC, Fort Knox Five, See-I), Ashish ‘Hash’ Vyas (TC, See-I), Javier Miranda (See-I, Empresarios), Will Rast (Funk Ark), and Jeff Franca (See-I, Funk Ark).

Frank Mitchell Jr.’s bangin’ grooves and sweetly cutting vocals come in the form of original tracks like ‘Soul Sister Butterfly’, ‘Love Litigation’, and the already-iTunes-released single ‘Booty Lock‘.  Not to be missed.  Seriously.

So–keep your ears open for the full-length album coming soon from Frank on ESL, and the rest of the images from Saturday night here!

I shot Leeds-born, L.A.-anchored New Mastersounds for the first time in 2009 at the State Theater in VA, and I was immediately mesmerized by the quartet.

Yes, Eddie Roberts’ guitar and vocals are driven, sweetly vicious, lilting, inspired.

Yes, Simon Allen’s drums are steady thunder and waves.

Yes, Pete Shand’s bass is a silky, deep, liquid earthquake.

And, yes, Joe Tatton’s Hammond magically floats and hammers like so many colorful birds.

However, here’s the trick.  The magic is in the way this band works together to weave the soulful funk sound that brings the fans back every time.  So, when they rolled through the area last Fall at the 8×10 in Baltimore, I was pleased and psyched to help out and shoot the show.

It didn’t disappoint!

First, the crowd was treated to the silky voice of DeRobert Adams fronting the New Majority… and those horns!  Miqui and Micki would be back later to sit in with the NMS before the night was out…

After that, the NMS came out, and it was a non-stop, groovy funky train ride until the very end!

…and… one final one with the signature Eddie smile…

Anyway, the fellas are currently touring in Spain, but if intelligent, creative funk is the medicine you need, grab a ticket the next time they come through your town!

Finally, a deep thanks to the NMS for the access and a typically-awesome show!

Well, it was Bob Marley day this past Sunday, so I spent some time putting together a little mashup gallery of my favorite funk-ridden, soul-driven, roots reggae band, See-I!  Lead singers Zeebo and Rootz hold down a weekly residence called Rockers International (Live and Direct Reggae in the Gold Room–a.k.a. “church”!) at the Eighteenth Street Lounge.

The first images are from one particularly energetic Wednesday night back in October.  Here’s one of my faves from that night–Zeebo and Rob Myers killin’ it:

(Quick See-I trivia:  you may recognize Zeebo, Rootz, Rob, and Frank Mitchell from Thievery Corporation, as they tour tirelessly with TC to cities and festivals from Lollapalooza to Buenos Aires!)

The next images in the set are from See-I’s gig at Arlington Arts’ Artisphere in December.  Here’s a top-down with Rootz out front, opening up the night:

Artisphere is a large,  intimate space that begs fun crowd interaction… check out Zeebo gettin’ down with the crowd!

Frank showin’ the mic who’s boss, and new keyboardist Enea gettin’ serious:

Artisphere is growing quickly and steadily–thanks to Annalisa and crew for bringing See-I to Rosslyn for a huge Saturday night!

The last images are from a particularly colorful Rockers International night in January.  Extra light fun!

I love this one of Javier Miranda (congas!) and Rob:  (Another side note–if you dig the Latin feel, check out Javi’s Empresarios project.  Here’s a little gal of their Sabor Tropical release party project on their FB page, and more fun stuff there!)

Freestyle MC Flex Matthews is a regular guest with See-I–live and direct hip-hop!

Finally, here’s Zeebo, up-close-n-personal… feel it?  :)

Thanks to See-I and crew (2Tuff, etc.–you guys know who you are) for welcoming me as family.

See you at church sometime!

Last Thursday Jamie Foxx came by Perf 1 (in SiriusXM’s 1500 Eckington facility) to talk about life, music, and his latest album “Best Night of My Life”.  R&B singer Tank (old friend of Jamie’s) was in the house to do the interview for a studio audience which consisted of SiriusXM employees, the usual visitor suspects, and a group of college students from the Grammy U program.

Jamie and Tank get along famously, they each have new albums out (Tank’s is “Now Or Never”), and Jamie’s fast to interact with the audience, so the whole hour was nonstop fun!

Be sure to check out the full interview on SiriusXM’s The Heat!

Check out the full gallery here!

On Saturday night, Artisphere hosted Fort Knox Five for a great party to close out the Thanksgiving weekend.  Artisphere is Arlington Arts‘ new art space with three theatres, three galleries, a ballroom, and and outdoor terrace.  FK5 played in the ballroom and took advantage of two huge overhead screens for visual fun.  Here they are just getting started:

The space was short and wide, so the large space had an intimate feel:

Dancing was necessary and constant!

The band played hard (Rob getting down!)

…and had fun!

Here are a few fun shots to close out including great shoe fur, strategically placed FK5 stickers, and Mu:

Finally, thanks to Fort Knox 5 for putting on an great show, and the FK5 Massive for welcoming my mom to her first FK5 show!  She’ll be back!

Click through the setlist to see the rest of the gallery:

Washington, DC, November 3, 2010 - Rex Riddem opened for the SOLD-OUT Bassnectar show at the 930 Club last Wednesday–WHAT A SHOW!  The crowd piled in quickly, and Rex brought up the temperature with a cool DJ set, dropping classics spiced with pre-release joints off of Thunderball‘s  ”12 Mile High”, just released yesterday.

Now, for a little extra fun with floods and flashes, here are three different scenes transpiring in the same shot!

To finish his set, Rex brought special guest Mustabar to do some Nappy Riddem, including my favorite, “One World Sovereignty”!

I missed Emancipator at Earthdance in September, so I was stoked to see what was up with this rising star.  DOPE.  Super-silky, super-deep, dance/chill loveliness, with Emancipator on production and bass and Ilya Goldberg working a wicked viola.  I’m a convert.

Next, Bassnectar’s manager Elliot gave the rules.

1.  No glowsticks.

2.  No throwing of the water; only DRINKING of the water.

Pretty simple.

“What water?”, you say?

Well, when Bassnectar does this:

The crowd does THIS:

OFF THE HOOK.

And, the water?  About 5 cases, literally poured into the mouths of dehydrated fans by the awesome 930 club staff.

Great night.

BIG UP to Rex, Emancipator, and Bassnectar for putting on a basslover’s dream, and special thanks to Rex, JonH, and Elliot for the  hookup!

To see the rest of the gallery, click through these fans!