Keepingitreal

The Forum "HIPHOP: Why the bad Rap?", Thursday, May 29, 2008

Conversations Book Club, in association with its literary partners, is pleased to present the thought-provoking panel discussion "HIPHOP: Why the bad Rap?" This will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2008 beginning at 6p.m. CST at the Richard Wright Library (515 W. McDowell Road) in Jackson, MS. Moderated by book club President Cyrus A. Webb, the public is invited as the following topics are discussed: What REALLY is Hiphop? Is there a difference in Hiphop the music versus Hiphop the culture?
Does hiphop's use of the "N" word and the "B" word contribute to its image? Hiphop's portrayal of women: Helpful or hurtful? Panelists include rapper Trill of C. O. D. Records, rapper G-Money of Off Da Chain Entertainment, rapper/poet/talk show host Berlinda White, E of Causin' Drama Entertainment and Bestselling author Dynah Zale (DRAMA IN THE CHURCH and HEAVEN SENT). Admission is free to the discussion, and light refreshments compliments of Conversations Book Club & the Richard Wright Library will be served. For more information, call the library 601.372.1621 or book club member Martin Perkins at 601.376.5215. Cyrus A. Webb can be reached via email at [email protected]. www.hiphopandbooks.com www.thebestbookclub.info

Dame Dash: Reportedly A Deadbeat Dad

Times may be getting hard for hip-hop mogul Dame Dash.  Last November, 'The New York Post' reported Dash was on the verge of going bankrupt due to owing everybody's Uncle Sam over $2 million in back taxes. Maybe it was too much 'Big Pimpin.' In April of last year, the former Roc-A-Fella Records honcho filed a lawsuit against his accountant, Barry Klarberg, for allegedly mismanaging his taxes over a four year period. These days, Linda Williams, the mother of his 16-year old son Damon Dash II has filed a petition against the ex-Jay-Z compadre, stating he owes her money.'TMZ' obtained a copy of the petition in which Williams claims Damon Jr. was, "living with not hot water [sic] or electricity for two months in his bedroom," in addition to not paying $3,600 for basketball camp. Damn, Dame! Williams went on to say her baby's daddy has been hesitant to carry over a promise to put $10 million into a trust fund for the teen. There was no word from Dash's rep at press time.SOURCE: BLACK VOICES

Parlour Exclusive: Usher–Aged to Perfection.

Our boy—ahem, our man—Usher, was in New York recently and Parlour got the chance to kick it with the triple-threat chiseled entertainer. Don’t even try escaping his single “Love In This Club,” and his album, Here I Stand, hits shelves May 27th. With wall-to-wall club joints and slow jams made for quickies, this latest disc should knock as hard as its 2004 predecessor Confessions. But there’s a more mature Usher at its helm. It’s still the same Ursh who used to drop his pants during shows, except he’s married now (for which he’s attracted some hate) and just had his first child, Usher Raymond IV. Along with addressing the haters, Usher also let Parlour in on the mind state of a married man and how he’s getting better with age. Parlour: Where’ve you been hiding? Usher: I need you to miss me [he smiles]. If I stay in your face all the time you’ll get tired of seeing me. I went to Broadway (Chicago, the musical), did a movie. I had a label and still do. But when I’m in another area of entertainment I’m missing what I do the most. So I’ll be on stage playing Billy Flynn but singing records that I came up with or doing new dance choreography. Or if I’m on the set and supposed to be in character, I’m somewhere off in the corner singing and dancing. P: How has your marriage and fatherhood affected your music? U: This album, to me, is a staple in time. I like to make music about where I am, but I also try to make records that will be like soundtracks to life. So that people will be able to relate to them, maybe one day grow from them, learn, love from ‘em. This one particularly is more special than all of the others. I know it sounds cliché to say that! But honestly it’s the pivotal moment for me as an artist, as well as a husband in a way, and a father. These are all new journeys for me, the most meaningful, because they’re the most rewarding. P: How exactly have you grown? U: The knowledge that rests in the mistakes slowly but surely become wisdom, so that’s really the process that I’m going through as a man. Where I stand as a husband, as a father, as an individual, as a businessman, is all a testimony to what I’ve been through and where I’ve been. SOURCE:PARLOUR MAGAZINE

John Legend gives us his “Good Morning” face…

Recently, Parlour hit the studio to hear John Legend’s new as-yet-untitled album, slated for this fall. First reaction? The collection sounds nothing like him and Johnny is getting hornier as his catalog increases. From 808 drums to space age chords, this time the Ohio native is taking his audience closer to the urban solar system than the 1950’s renaissance he created on his last LP, Once Again. But don’t worry his first video should drop in early May so you’ll see what we mean. Nestled in New York’s Legacy Studios, Parlour sat down with the cuddly piano player to find out his top five artists, whether this album is aiming for MTV’s crowd and why his songs sound like he spent a few nights at the strip club. Got any ones, ya’ll? Parlour: These tracks seem a little more pop than your usual…Legend: The songs don’t sound like me. Once Again was mellower, this one’s production is a little more up tempo and more pop than the last one. In some ways, it’s more urban sounding than Once Again. Though I think the first album, Get Lifted, was blacker than second or third, this one is more commercial than the first two. P: Were you trying to make a commercial record this time? L: I was trying to make good songs and they came out this way. This is the mood I’m in right now. The mood of the last album was a romantically nostalgic and I feel like having more fun on this album. P: Can you explain the sexy edge of “Good Morning?” Did you write that tune after a nice breakfast, so to speak? L: I love “Good Morning.” I was writing with India Arie’s music director, Drew Ramsey, in Atlanta and he played a song called “Let’s Make Good Morning Love.” So I said, let’s change it around to say “Good Morning” so it wouldn’t be so obvious. It’s a good song for couples because anybody that sleeps with somebody knows that sometimes you wake up and you want to do it. SOURCE:PARLOUR MAGAZINE

NEW VIDEOS: CHRIS BROWN / THE DREAM / PLIES / METRO

Chris Brown releases a new video for his new single, “Forever,” which appears on the re release of his sophomore album, Exclusive. “Forever” was one of the works that Chris created after going back into the studio with Polow Da Don. The re release drops June 3rd and features collaborations with Keri Hilson, Bow Wow and Hurricane Chris.

Lawmaker vows thorough probe into Sean Bell shooting

NEW YORK (CNN) -- The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee on Monday met with the family of a man fatally shot by police just hours before his wedding, promising a thorough federal investigation of the incident. Three New York police detectives were acquitted Friday on all counts in the case of Sean Bell, an unarmed man killed in a hail of 50 police bullets outside a strip club on November 25, 2006. Bell's two friends, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield, were wounded in the shooting. "We are going to be putting together the federal strategy," said Rep. John Conyers, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and a Michigan Democrat. "This is important." "We want to make sure that justice is served and that a message is sent out, not just to law enforcement but to the young people of this country, that these kinds of tragedies have to end in this country," he said.The Justice Department said it was conducting an independent investigation to determine if the trio's civil rights were violated.The Detectives Endowment Association, the union representing Detectives Gescard Isnora, Michael Oliver and Marc Cooper, said they were trying to set up a meeting with Conyers as well because they believe the committee should "hear both sides of the story." "That's what's fair to the detectives and the American people," said Michael Palladino, president of the association.Bell's family, the New York chapter of the NAACP and civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton condemned the verdicts on Friday, with Sharpton calling the rulings "an abortion of justice." Watch Sharpton vow to pursue the case » SOURCE: CNN.COM

Is Jeremiah Wright a colossal disaster for Barack Obama or a press trick?

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright couldn't have done more damage to Barack Obama's campaign if he had tried. And you have to wonder if that's just what one friend of Wright wanted. Shortly before he rose to deliver his rambling, angry, sarcastic remarks at the National Press Club Monday, Wright sat next to, and chatted with, Barbara Reynolds. A former editorial board member at USA Today, she runs something called Reynolds News Services and teaches ministry at the Howard University School of Divinity. (She is an ordained minister). It also turns out that Reynolds - introduced Monday as a member of the National Press Club "who organized" the event is an enthusiastic Hillary Clinton supporter. On a blog linked to her Web site www.reynoldsnews.com- Reynolds said in a February post: "My vote for Hillary in the Maryland primary was my way of saying thank you" to Clinton and her husband for the successes of Bill Clinton's presidency.

The same post criticized Obama's "Audacity of Hope" theme: "Hope by definition is not based on facts," wrote Reynolds. It is an emotional expectation. Things hoped for may or may not come. But help based on experience trumps hope every time." In another blog entry, Reynolds gives an ever-sharper critique of Obama: "It is a sad testimony that to protect his credentials as a unifier above the fray, the senator is fueling the media characterization that Rev. Dr. Wright is some retiring old uncle in the church basement."I don't know if Reynolds' eagerness to help Wright stage a disastrous news conference with the national media was a way of trying to help Clinton - my queries to Reynolds by phone and e-mail weren't returned yesterday - but it's safe to say she didn't see any conflict between promoting Wright and supporting Clinton. SOURCE OF THIS STORY:DAILY NEWS

 

TEDDY RILEY, B2K GET 'HYPE' FOR PARAMOUNT: Film about rival dance crews begins production in July

Producer Teddy Riley is about to new-jack-swing into Paramount's upcoming movie "Hype Nation," which follows dance battles between American R&B group B2K and Korean dance crew the Gambler. Riley will play a music director in the film, which begins shooting July 15 in the U.S. and then move to South Korea. Alex Calzatti ("I Am Cuba") directs the project for Young Film's Young Lee, a Korean American producer who has previously partnered with American hip-hop artists. The film is currently in search of a Korean female lead, according to Variety. Paramount plans to release the film worldwide in early 2009. SOURCE:EURWEB

Usher: 'Chris Brown Is The New Me'

Usher recognizes that it's time to pass the buck...let the young one do the flips and woo the young girls! In a recent interview, Usher notes that Chris Brown in on tap to take his place as the R&B hottie. He says: "All of this young energy is great for the industry. Chris is the guy who dances and sings, which is a lot like I do and did as a young artist as well. "If time serves us correctly, and artists are continuing to better themselves, then hopefully he'll follow the same path that I did."As long as he doesn't marry a...okay I'm going to stop, I know God don't like ugly. SOURCE:POP CULTURE JUNKIE

How to avoid the hazards of booking travel online

(Travel + Leisure) -- A couple of years ago, online travel-booking sites such as Expedia and Travelocity began issuing service-related manifestos -- the idea being that you could contact them with problems before or during your trip, much like you would a travel agent. But read further, and you'll discover that these are promises to provide good customer service, and aren't built to protect you from the fees and penalties you may incur due to last-minute cancellations. In fact, I've heard more complaints than ever lately, probably because we generally associate words like promise and guarantee with money back. Case in point: Roberta Sherman, a Travel + Leisure reader from San Francisco, recently booked a hotel stay in Cancún for $430 through Travelocity. When she missed her connecting flight from Dallas due to bad weather, she immediately called Travelocity to let them know she wouldn't make it to the hotel that night. Travelocity, in turn, told her to call the hotel, but despite the circumstances, she was charged the full amount. Could she have done anything to avoid this? Prepaid rates might be cheaper, but they come with tight restrictions Sherman had booked a room marked with a Travelocity "GoodBuy" tag. She prepaid the reduced rate, which had a 48-hour cancellation window. Expedia "Special Rate" hotels work similarly, in that you pay at the time of booking. But if you cancel or change your reservation with less than 72 hours' notice, you'll have to fork over a fee that's generally equal to the first night's room charge plus tax. According to a Travelocity representative, the guarantee to "make things right" kicked in the moment Sherman called from the airport. But since the agent reminded her of the penalty at the time of purchase and she agreed to it, they didn't feel obliged to negotiate a refund (after much persistence, however, she was reimbursed -- two months later). Lessons learned: Prepay only when the rate is a significant savings, and read regulations closely. Cancellation policies differ, especially with multi-component bookings Another T+L reader, Marcy Soltis of New York City, booked a Las Vegas air-and-hotel package through Orbitz in January 2007. When her midmorning flight was canceled, she called the site for help. After waiting on hold for 2 1/2 hours, an agent finally told her that Orbitz could refund the hotel charges, but that she'd have to deal directly with Delta concerning her flight. SOURCE: CNN.COM

320 complaints of racial profiling and not one had merit, LAPD says

Los Angeles Police Department officials announced Tuesday that they investigated more than 300 complaints of racial profiling against officers last year and found that none had merit -- a conclusion that left members of the department's oversight commission incredulous. It is at least the sixth consecutive year that all allegations of racial profiling against LAPD officers have been dismissed, according to department documents reviewed by The Times. In 2007, the LAPD's Internal Affairs Group closed 320 investigations into allegations that officers stopped, questioned or otherwise confronted someone solely because of the person's race. Nearly 80% of the time -- 252 of the cases -- the claims were dismissed outright as "unfounded," according to an annual complaint report presented Tuesday to the civilian Police Commission. In the remaining cases, there was either insufficient evidence to reach a conclusion or no misconduct was uncovered. "A big, fat zero," said a visibly flummoxed Commissioner John Mack, who is African American and the former president of the Los Angeles Urban League. "In my mind, there is no such thing as a perfect institution . . . I find it baffling that we have these zeros." His disbelief, echoed by other commissioners, drew a quick response from Police Chief William J. Bratton. Unsolicited, he told the commission he would have his staff conduct a survey of other large, urban police departments, as well as the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, to back up his belief that the findings in the LAPD are similar elsewhere. SOURCE:LATIMES

People of Lesbos take gay group to court over term 'Lesbian'

A Greek court has been asked to draw the line between the natives of the Aegean Sea island of Lesbos and the world's gay women. Three islanders from Lesbos — home of the ancient poet Sappho, who praised love between women — have taken a gay rights group to court for using the word lesbian in its name. One of the plaintiffs said Wednesday that the name of the association, Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece, "insults the identity" of the people of Lesbos, who are also known as Lesbians. "My sister can't say she is a Lesbian," said Dimitris Lambrou. "Our geographical designation has been usurped by certain ladies who have no connection whatsoever with Lesbos," he said. The three plaintiffs are seeking to have the group barred from using "lesbian" in its name and filed a lawsuit on April 10. The other two plaintiffs are women.Also called Mytilene, after its capital, Lesbos is famed as the birthplace of Sappho. The island is a favored holiday destination for gay women, particularly the lyric poet's reputed home town of Eressos. "This is not an aggressive act against gay women," Lambrou said. "Let them visit Lesbos and get married and whatever they like. We just want (the group) to remove the word lesbian from their title." He said the plaintiffs targeted the group because it is the only officially registered gay group in Greece to use the word lesbian in its name. The case will be heard in an Athens court on June 10. Sappho lived from the late 7th to the early 6th century B.C. and is considered one of the greatest poets of antiquity. Many of her poems, written in the first person and intended to be accompanied by music, contain passionate references to love for other women. SOURCE OF THIS STORY:SFGATE

Catch Trailer to Horror Film 'Quarantine' With Columbus Short

Horror films seems to be working these days for a number of actors. For one thing, if the film goes #1 at the box office, it gives a lot of exposure to the actors in the film, and for some, that's a whole new fan base. It's worked for Idris Elba in 'Prom Night' and Columbus Short and Steve Harris hope to grab some of that attention when their horror film, 'Quarantine' opens up this Fall. Television reporter Angela Vidal (Jennifer Carpenter) and her cameraman (Steve Harris) are assigned to spend the night shift with a Los Angeles Fire Station. After a routine 911 call takes them to a small apartment building, they find police officers Wilensky (Columbus Short) and McCreedy (Andrew Fiscella) already on the scene in response to blood curdling screams coming from one of the apartment units. Unbeknownst to them, a woman has contracted a rare strain of rabies. When they try to leave the building with those injured from a wild attack by the infected woman, they find that they've been locked in. Indeed, there are police, SWAT and CDC crews securing the building. But phones, internet, televisions and cell phone access have been cut-off, and officials are not relaying information to those quarantined inside.
Also featured in the film are Jennifer Carpenter, Jay Hernandez, Jonathan Schaech, Andrew Fiscella, Rade Sherbedgia, and Greg German. 'Quarantine' is a remake of a Spanish film called 'Rec'.Short was recently in the smash hit 'Stomp The Yard' and 'This Christmas', both which also featured Chris Brown. Harris was memorable as the no-good-cheating husband in 'Tyler Perry's Diary of a Mad Black Woman'. SOURCE: BLACK VOICES

Music Buzz: Chante Moore

Gold-selling R&B darling Chante Moore has inked a new solo record deal with Peak Records. She will unveil her first solo offering since 2000's 'Exposed' when her forthcoming release, 'Love The Woman' hits stores on June 17. The set is being led by the first single, 'Ain't Supposed To Be.' 'Love The Woman' also features Moore's cover of the Minnie Ripperton classic, 'Give Me The Time,' the song that was played when she walked down the aisle during her wedding to R&B crooner Kenny Lattimore six years ago. The 38-year-old vocalist reunites with her longtime musical mentor George Duke (Anita Baker, Regina Belle) on 'Love The Woman,' in addition to her collaborating with Raphael Saadiq (Mary J. Blige, D'Angelo) and Warryn Campbell (Mary Mary, Jamie Foxx) on the CD. Best known for hits like 'Chante's Got A Man,' 'Love's Taken Over' and 'Its Alright,' the San Francisco-bred singer released two duets compilations with her husband. In 2003 the couple released a collection of their interpretation of R&B classics on 'Things That Lovers Do;' and in 2006 the pair delivered a double-disc called 'Uncovered/Covered,' which included one R&B and a gospel CD. SOURCE:BLACKVOICES

MARIAH CAREY AND NICK CANNON SPUR MORE RUMORS: Pair spotted holding hands at another public event.

Sporting a ring on her left hand, Mariah Carey, 39, clung to Nick Cannon Saturday night at an afterparty for her new film, "Tennessee," sparking another round of dating rumors, reports People.com.  They held hands and stayed by each other's side in the VIP section of New York's Tenjune nightspot. Asked what he loved about Carey, Cannon, 27, said: "Everything." Cannon, who appears in an upcoming Carey video, has been cozy with the singer in at least two previous outings, including an event in Las Vegas on April 14.  While Carey won't comment on the Cannon rumors, she's all too willing to publicly profess her love for Jack, her Jack Russell terrier. "I'm in love with my dog," said the singer. "He is my special someone. I love spending time In her new film, Carey plays Krystal, a troubled diner waitress and aspiring singer who tackles personal demons on a road trip to Tennessee. "This is something very close to my heart," she said of her first major role since "Glitter" in 2001. "I'm very grateful to be here tonight. Some people come into our lives and take a chance, someone like Lee Daniels," who produced Tennessee. "I feel that everything happens for a reason." SOURCE: EURWEB

AL REYNOLDS PARTYING IN MIAMI: Plus, another 'source' blames money disparity for breakup.

The New York Daily News gossip pages have quoted another source close to divorcing couple Star Jones and Al Reynolds who pins the demise of their marriage on Star being the main bread winner.The paper's new "Full Disclosure" column stated Monday: The beginning of the end was reportedly last summer in Saint-Tropez, where the couple loudly fought on the beach over Star being Al's sugar mama. One friend recounted an incident where Al refused to pay for beach chairs, demanding that Star fork over the cash. "She paid for everything. He never even took out his wallet," the pal snitched. For the past year, the pair have been living separately, because of Al's job as a professor of social science at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens (they actually do give degrees; we checked). But Reynolds hasn't exactly been missing his wife's company. "When he is in Miami, he's always on the beach or at the pool at the Delano," a pal in South Beach tells us. Reynolds reportedly works on his tan all day, then parties hard at night. "He hits Mansion, Privé, Mokai and the Florida Room at the Delano four nights a week." And he isn't alone. "Al always has a posse of hot young dudes and scantily clad women with him," our spy says. "He brings strippers back from Gold Rush strip bar to the Delano and dirty dances all night long." SOURCE:EURWEB

TV's "CSI" Star Gary Dourdan Faces Drug Charges

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actor Gary Dourdan, who co-stars on the CBS television hit "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," has been arrested on suspicion of possessing cocaine, heroin and other drugs, police said on Tuesday.Dourdan, 41, was detained by police in the desert resort town of Palm Springs, about 100 miles east of Los Angeles, after he was found asleep in the driver's seat of a parked car before dawn on Monday, according to a police press release.The car had been parked on the wrong side of the street with the interior light left on, and Dourdan appeared to be disoriented and "possibly under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs" when approached by an officer, the statement said.The officer found substances believed to be cocaine, heroin, Ecstasy and various prescription drugs, as well as drug paraphernalia, police said.
Dourdan was arrested, booked for possession of narcotics and dangerous drugs and jailed for about five hours before he was released on $5,000 bail, police said.A native of Philadelphia, Dourdan got his start on the TV sitcom "A Different World" -- a spinoff of the "Cosby Show" -- and later had a recurring role on the Showtime cable network series "Soul Food."He also starred in the 1997 film "Alien: Resurrection." SOURCE:NYTIMES

Obama Expresses Outrage at Pastor’s Remarks

SOURCE: NYTIMES The following is a transcript of a press conference held by Senator Barack Obama in response to recent statements by his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., as provided by Mr. Obama’s presidential campaign and Federal News Service. SENATOR BARACK OBAMA: Before I start taking questions I want to open it up with a couple of comments about what we saw and heard yesterday. I have spent my entire adult life trying to bridge the gap between different kinds of people. That's in my DNA, trying to promote mutual understanding to insist that we all share common hopes and common dreams as Americans and as human beings. That's who I am. That's what I believe. That's what this campaign has been about. Yesterday, we saw a very different vision of America. I am outraged by the comments that were made and saddened over the spectacle that we saw yesterday. You know, I have been a member of Trinity United Church of Christ since 1992. I have known Reverend Wright for almost 20 years. The person I saw yesterday was not the person that I met 20 years ago. His comments were not only divisive and destructive, but I believe that they end up giving comfort to those who prey on hate and I believe that they do not portray accurately the perspective of the black church. They certainly don't portray accurately my values and beliefs. And if Reverend Wright thinks that that's political posturing, as he put it, then he doesn't know me very well. And based on his remarks yesterday, well, I may not know him as well as I thought, either. Now, I've already denounced the comments that had appeared in these previous sermons. As I said, I had not heard them before. And I gave him the benefit of the doubt in my speech in Philadelphia, explaining that he has done enormous good in the church. He's built a wonderful congregation. The people of Trinity are wonderful people. And what attracted me has always been their ministry's reach beyond the church walls. But when he states and then amplifies such ridiculous propositions as the U.S. government somehow being involved in AIDS, when he suggests that Minister Farrakhan somehow represents one of the greatest voices of the 20th and 21st century, when he equates the United States wartime efforts with terrorism, then there are no excuses. They offend me. They rightly offend all Americans. And they should be denounced. And that's what I'm doing very clearly and unequivocally here today. CONTINUE READING

Lakers 107, Nuggets 101

DENVER (AP) - Kobe Bryant scored 14 of his 31 points over the final 5 1/2 minutes Monday night, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 107-101 victory over the Denver Nuggets and a sweep of their first-round series. Pau Gasol added 21 points in the Lakers' first sweep of a playoff series since whitewashing New Jersey in the 2002 NBA finals, the last time they won it all. The Nuggets became the first 50-win team to ever be swept in the first round of the playoffs. The Lakers will meet the winner of the Utah-Houston series, which the Jazz lead 3-1, in the Western Conference semifinals.Kobe Bryant scored 14 of his 31 points over the final 5 1/2 minutes Monday night, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 107-101 victory over the Denver Nuggets and a sweep of their first-round series. Pau Gasol added 21 points in the Lakers' first sweep of a playoff series since whitewashing New Jersey in the 2002 NBA finals, the last time they won it all. The Nuggets became the first 50-win team to ever be swept in the first round of the playoffs.
SOURCE: FOX SPORTS

Johnson, Hawks tie series with Celtics

Forget about a Boston sweep. The Hawks are headed back to Beantown all tied up with the mighty Celtics. Joe Johnson scored 35 points - 20 in the fourth quarter - and Josh Smith added 28 points and seven blocks for Atlanta, which surprised the Celtics again 97-92 on Monday night to even the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. A Game 5 that many never expected to happen is now on, Wednesday night in Boston. The Hawks, who had the worst record (37-45) of any playoff team, overcame two double-digit deficits to beat a team that won an NBA-leading 66 games during the regular season.
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Howard, Magic finish off Raptors in five

Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy saw something different about Dwight Howard heading into the playoffs. The 22-year-old All-Star, usually the team's biggest jokester, suddenly got serious. So did his already-impressive numbers. Howard had 21 points, 21 rebounds and three blocks - his third 20-20 game in the series - and the Magic advanced to second round for the first time in 12 years by beating the Toronto Raptors 102-92 in Game 5 on Monday night.
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Al Green - Lay It Down

The legend of Al Green has continued to grow, nearly 40 years after he first hit the charts and decades since his commercial peak.  Green's early 70s Memphis-based work with producer Willie Mitchell has aged well and so has Green, who continues to boast an incredible range and vocal technique even as he enters enters his sixties.  He has consequently been deified by the newest generation of soul music singers, referred to in the same reverential tones as Donny Hathaway and Curtis Mayfield.  But unlike the latter two artists whose legacy has grown posthumously, Green's reputation has emerged while he's still laying it out there, sounding both relevant and vital in 2008. So it is entirely appropriate that Green would team up with a new generation of soul music's elite, including singers John Legend, Anthony Hamilton and Corinne Bailey Rae and producers James Poyser (Erykah Badu, Common) and Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson (the Roots), to work on his newest disc, Lay It Down.   Recorded in fresh surroundings in New York, the result is Green's most consistently satisfying album in three decades. Classic soulheads will find a lot to like on Lay It Down. The midtempo "Just For Me" and the loping "No One Like You" are quintessential Green, his falsetto rising over an omnipresent organ underpinning, with the Dap Kings horn section punctuating every phrase. Radio will most likely focus on the album's three duets, and they're all gems.  Ballads "Take Your Time" (with Corinne Bailey Rae) and "Stay With Me (By the Sea)" with John Legend find Green playing to the strengths of his partners, giving Bailey Rae a mellow, acoustic backdrop for her soft, folky vocals and providing Legend with the kind of retro pop track that dominated his Once Again album. But the real find is the funky Green/Anthony Hamilton duet, "You've Got The Love I Need," a brilliant Bill Withers-like cut that both artists simply rip up vocally, providing the album's finest moment. SOURCE: SOUL TRACKS