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Features

FEATURES

R.L. poised for success with J Records

Tanee Elston
May 29, 2002

The year of J Records continues as R & B singer R.L. debuts his first solo album called “RL:Ements,” which features some of the hottest artists and music in the industry. R.L., formerly of the group Next, has ventured out on his own as an “R & B thug,” which he likes to refer to himself as in his music. He starts off the album slowly, allowing listeners to get to know him through the track “Elements.” The vocals on this song are emotional and honest as he opens up to his audience about the elements he’s composed of.

FEATURES

Jazz musical lacks energy

Tanee Elston
May 29, 2002

Once in a while, your expectations can exceed the reality of a situation, and BoarsHead Theater’s production of “Ain’t Misbehavin‘” did just that.It was supposed to be a representation of the Roaring ’20s, but it lacked something called energy.

FEATURES

Weekend guide

Friday DTE Energy Music Theatre presents Eddie Money at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.

FEATURES

Love of music unites fans of all ages

There’s just something special and indescribable about music and the outdoors. I don’t know if it’s simply the elements combining with the melody of the bands, or feeling more alive than ever before while brushing up against thousands of other people simultaneously feeding off the energy in the air. Either way, your soul soars as you lose yourself in the sea of people, each there for the same reason as you - to grasp every single moment of life and draw it deep within where no one can take it away. After all, the most memorable episode in music history was a summer festival, and as many of you, I did not exist yet. The summer of 1969 brought new meaning to music and the values that it could possess for an entire generation of music-lovers.

FEATURES

Summer grooves

With the Memorial Day weekend, the Meadow Brook Music Festival kicks off its 39th season. The festival, which began July 23, 1964, has become a staple of the Michigan summer music scene.

FEATURES

Season draws top acts

Tanee Elston
May 23, 2002

This summer’s 2002 concert lineup is busting at the seams with an all-star lineup featuring some of nation’s most rocking artists. Diverse musical acts ranging from hard to classic rock, R & B, country to pop jam in the Great Lakes area.

FEATURES

Soluna ready to become next pop sensation

Tanee Elston
May 22, 2002

Soluna “For All Time” (DreamWorks Records) 2 1/2 records With the members of Destiny’s Child working on solo projects, DreamWorks Records’ new Latina pop group Soluna has all the makings to fill the void as the next girl group on the rise. One glance and you’ll realize it definitely has the look to make it.

FEATURES

Blockbuster weekend overshadows Cannes

I am beginning to worry that America is suffering needlessly from a bad case of tunnel vision. It seems that Anakin Skywalker’s weekend income compared to Peter Parker’s is headline news every night.

FEATURES

Deadsys debut album deserves a chance

Tanee Elston
May 22, 2002

“Commencement” is a combination of smoothly blended music and carefully written lyrics that metaphorically look into the depth of this group’s creativity. After five years of waiting on the music industry’s talent roster, Deadsy’s debut album kicks off with a lot of energy.

FEATURES

Chumbawamba should just quit

Ben Landes
May 22, 2002

England’s one-hit wonder Chumbawamba has returned with another album. Those of you who don’t remember the annoyingly overplayed and infectious 1997 anthem “Tubthumping,” off the groups 9th album “Tubthumper,” obviously didn’t own a radio or television. With the lyrics “I get knocked down/But I get up again/You’re never going to keep me down” - it’s a shame the band didn’t stay down.

FEATURES

Fans give saga its mystique

As critics around the world raise their respective thumb - or lower it, as many already have - in review of the new “Star Wars” film, it makes me wonder, why is it that this series has, for so long, captivated us all? Why do thousands of fans dress in Boba Fett costumes and Princess Leia hair-wraps?

FEATURES

E.L. Art Festival draws diverse crowd

Katie Byrne
May 16, 2002

One of the top 100 festivals in the country is right in MSU’s backyard.The 39th annual East Lansing Art Festival offers “something for everybody,” first-time festival coordinator Leslie Donaldson said.She said if you’re searching for music, art, food or just something to keep the kids busy this weekend, this festival is for you.“You can sample all sorts of different art forms,” Donaldson said.

FEATURES

Earshot, just more of a good thing

Ben Landes
May 15, 2002

For people paying attention to today’s music, it’s clear that it’s unfortunately falling into the same repetitive abyss and bringing nothing new to the table. But, this is not always a bad thing.

FEATURES

Hills music continues to educate

Tanee Elston
May 15, 2002

If music really has a purpose then Lauryn Hill is a symbol of its ability to have meaning. Her new “MTV Unplugged 2.0” album is passionate and honest. Since Hill graced the world of hip-hop as the lead vocals for the Fugees, everyone knew she was something special.

FEATURES

New Guy not worth the ticket, but better than expected

Cory Vowell
May 13, 2002

This is for all the people who won’t stand in line to see the teen comedy “The New Guy,” starring DJ Qualls (“Road Trip”). This is for all those who haven’t even heard of the film, but have seen the trailer dozens of times during commercial breaks on MTV.These tips are for all of you.

FEATURES

Common Ground announces first 10 acts

Tanee Elston
May 13, 2002

Kool and the Gang, The Guess Who and Foreigner were among the first 10 acts announced for July’s third annual Common Ground festival. The complete lineup, including times and stage, will be announced Wednesday, but Tesla, Vince Neil, Skid Row, Jackyl, Jo Dee Messina, Six Wire and Edgar Winter have been announced. Kevin Meyer, co-producer of Common Ground, said the event has developed as expected since its inception in 2000.

FEATURES

Exhibit features Pueblo works

An exhibit featuring water coloring and wood carvings of the ancient ceremonies of the Native American Pueblo Indian tribes opened Sunday at the Kresge Art Museum.“The Fine Art of Pueblo Ritual” is on loan from The Detroit Institute of Arts, and will be on display until July 26.“We don’t have very much Native American Indian Art,” said Kresge Art Museum director Susan Bandes.