By Claudine Paul

The debut release by British newcomer Lolene, The Electrick Hotel, is one that won't leave any listening guest that is checking in feeling short changed.  Generously offering fifteen electro tracks of music, the singer's music is a combination of catchy animated high octave dance tracks and a few ballads to show the variety found in her hotel.  Lolene, who probably won't have to "fake it to make it," will have no problem finding room for one more in today's new Lady Gaga genre world of Pop Dance.

 Images courtesy of EMI Music Publicity

By Claudine Paul

British music mixers The Chemical Brothers - while many of their Electronica peers have disappeared into oblivion - prove that they are still doing what they do best with the release of their seventh studio title Further.   The pair's latest is a cohesive dance mix of varied tempos, melodic ambient sounds, and occasional vocals.  It's an easy listen, as a whole, without any mindless fillers.

Image courtesy of EMI Music Publicity

By Doshka Harvey

I'm really feeling the boy band Super Junior from South Korea.  I recently discovered one of their fresh performances on You Tube, purely by accident.

The popular group, consisting of 10 members, was formed in 2005 by a South Korean entertainment company called SM Entertainment.

Now, I do not really know why there needs to be 10 boys performing one song and I have absolutely no understanding of what they are crooning about, but I do know that they are all super cute, can sing, dance and have a rocking sense of fashion. 

The members of the group are:

Sungmin, Ryeowook, Heechul, Siwon, Yesung, Kyuhyun, Donghae, Eunhyuk, Leeteuk and Shindong (I love how Shindong, who has a bit more girth, manages to keep up with all the skinny boys in the band).

They are entertaining to watch and I can groove to them despite the language barrier, and that is all I need to enjoy them. 

Their fourth and most current album is called 'Bonamana.'  Check them out.  Trust me, they are worth it!

By Doshka Harvey

Corinne Bailey Rae's latest single is called 'Closer,' from her current album The Sea.

If you are seeking sensual, fun and intimate tunes to add to your music collection, especially with the summer weather abounding, then we highly recommend this cd.

Check out our previous review of her recording here.  Watch her as she perfoms the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

By Claudine Paul

Like all her other female music contemporaries on the U.K. music scene, up and coming singer VV Brown carves her own niche on her first international release Travelling Like The Light.  Brown travels back in time - particularly the 50's - for her brand of sound.  No heaviness can be found from beginning to end on this release.  Brown's output is just all around good feeling, and listening music.

Image courtesy of EMI Music Publicity

By Doshka Harvey

A great night was had last night in NYC at the Dockers 'Khakis Make the Man' event hosted by the very handsome actor Peter Facinelli.  Some of you may more readily know him as the character Carlisle Cullen, from the 'Twilight' movies.  While Peter played host, tunes for the evening were provided by none other than DJ Joel Madden from the band Good Charlotte.

'Khakis Make the Man' was sponsored by Dockers and Esquire in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Father's Day and to raise money for Habitat for Humanity.

Being an event for such a good cause, guests were able to make a donation to Habitat and get a pair of Dockers khakis which could be customized right away since stylists and tailors were standing by on site.  How clever!

Peter Facinelli

 Khaki sign

My colleague Judes schmoozing with the sexy model boys sporting Dockers

This sign displays (though not very clear from this image) the list of Khaki specialty cocktails for the evening such at the Khaki Daddy, Khaki-Licious and the Khaki-Tini.  Delish!

Actress Malinda Williams was in the house.  Looking beautiful as always.  She is actually in a movie due out later this year called "Nailed" with a star-studded cast that includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Jessica Biel, James Marsden and Tracy Morgan, just to name a few.

 Habitat for Humanity hard hat on display

 Here's a quick clip of Joel Madden djing.

Hilarious dialogue between me and Peter Facinelli:

Me:  Can I take a photo of you?

Peter:  Yes (he gestures for me to come closer).

Me:  Oh, no, I want one of you.  Not with me.

Peter:  You don't want one with me??? (He's funny!)

Me:  Yes, but I want one of you first for my site, then one of you with me second.

Peter:  Okay.

And, for the second photo he held the camera and below is the result.  LOL. Oh, Carlisle!  I mean Peter :)  Such a nice guy.

Great night for a good cause!

All images © 2010 Doshka Harvey

By Doshka Harvey

The epic documentary Have You Heard From Johannesburg by producer and director Connie Field premieres today at the Film Forum in New York City with a 2-week engagement from April 14-27.

Nelson Mandela in the 1990's, as seen in Connie Field's Have You Heard From Johannesburg

It is a 3 part documentary broken up into 7 films recounting the struggle of what it took to abolish apartheid in South Africa and the movement that took place worldwide to defeat that racist system.

Peter Hain, the British activist, National Chairman of the young Liberals, and spokesman for the Action Committee Against Racialism on June 22 1971, as seen in Connie Field's Have You Heard From Johannesburg

Part 1:  Mon/Wed 1:00 & 8:45, Tues 8:45, Thurs 5:30, Sat-Sun 1:00

The Road to Resistance (58 mins.), Hell of a Job (58 mins.), The New Generation (58 mins.)

Part 2:  Mon/Wed/Fri 5:30, Tues 1:00, Thurs 1:00 & 8:45, Sat-Sun 4:30

Fair Play (95 mins.), From Selma to Soweto (90 mins.)

Part 3:  Tues 5:30, Fri 1:00 & 8:45, Sat-Sun 8:00

The Bottom Line (83 mins.), Free at Last (75 mins.)

Soweto Day Demonstrations at South African Embassy, New York, June 17, 1991, as seen in Connie Field's Have You Heard From Johannesburg

For more information go to: http://www.filmforum.org/films/haveyouheard.html

Images courtesy of the Film Forum pr department

By Claudine Paul

Singer Corinne Bailey Rae follows her first international success, Corinne Bailey Rae (2006), with new music title The Sea.  On her latest recording three years later, Rae aims again for the intimate, simplistic, and placid style of folk/soul/pop/funk sound that brought her world-wide fame.  Uplifting 60's inspired tracks this time, however, such as "Paris Nights/New York Mornings," "Paper Dolls," and "The Blackest Lily " are welcome anchors.

Image courtesy of EMI Music Publicity

By Doshka Harvey

The Repo Men are coming on March 19, 2010 starring Jude Law, Oscar winner Forest Whitaker and Liev Schreiber.  Hold on!  These aren't your usual repo men in search of cars.  They are set to repo your organs.  Set in a futuristic world, the movie seems to have a very Total Recall feel to it.  And, if you enjoyed that movie, you'll enjoy this. 

Just remember, if you chose to extend your life via expensive mechanical organs, but fail to pay your bill, the repo men, might come looking for you too.

 http://www.repomenarecoming.com

Image courtesy of Image.net, © 2010 Universal Studios, Photo Credit: Kerry Hayes

By Doshka Harvey

Matt Damon is back in another tale of conspiracy, intrigue and the search for the truth in the thriller Green Zone.  This time around he is U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller who leads his team into the Iraqi desert to find hidden weapons.  And, though this is not a Bourne movie it is bound to give all Jason Bourne fans the excitement they've been seeking since The Bourne Ultimatum in 2007.  

Green Zone opens Friday, March 12th. 

Image courtesy of Image.net, © 2010 Universal Studios, Photo Credit: Jasin Boland

By Doshka Harvey

Recently I had the great pleasure of chatting with actor/comedian Stephen Merchant.  You may recognize Stephen as the writing partner of comedian Ricky Gervais.  Together they are comedic geniuses who have created shows such as the original British The Office and Extras.

In an interview I did for Starpulse.com concerning the new animated series The Ricky Gervais Show based on their podcasts, Merchant was fun to talk to and indeed funny.

Check it out here:

http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2010/02/25/qa_stephen_merchant_from_the_ricky_ger

From left to right: Stephen Merchant, Karl Pilkington, and Ricky Gervais

  The show airs on Friday, 9pm on HBO

Image © Nicola Dove/HBO 

By Claudine Paul

Sade, Soldier Of Love (Sony)

It's been more than a decade since we've heard any new music from songstress Sade, but her new release Soldier Of Love picks up right where she left off.  Besides her seemingly eternal beauty, judging from the cover of her new release, the singer delivers the smoky sounds that she has long become known for.  The opening track, "Soldier Of Love," sets an easy mood that is found throughout the rest of her new album.