The RE:GENERATION project has dropped another video showcasing a unique coming together of artistry. This time, find Mark Ronson along with Erykah Badu and members of The Dap Kings in New Orleans as they jam out to a swingy jazz tune!

Erykah Badu on Facebook | Twitter | Official Site

Mark Ronson on Facebook | Twitter | Official Site

RE:GENERATION on Official Site

On December 6th, The Roots dropped their first conceptual album, undun. The work focuses around a troubled young man named Redford Stevens and the short film above details the grim unraveling.

It’s clear that a lot of love was put into this project with carefully crafted cinematography that creates a profound investment in a storyline all to real. Pay close attention to the quotes, too, they warrant pause.

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Two great films just hit theaters.

Limelight goes back to 1980’s NYC nightlife. The film is about an NYC nightclub called Limelight, its owner Peter Gatien, and all the headlines that ensued from the club’s legendary and now infamous parties. Fun fact: Giant Step co-founder Maurice Bernstein was actually one of the original promoters for Michael Alig’s Disco 2000 party at Limelight in 1990, which was what helped raise enough capital to start Giant Step! Catch the trailer above.

For those that recall, we mentioned the Thunder Soul release with Jamie Foxx a couple weeks ago. To refresh, the film documents alumni from Houston’s famed Kashmere High School Stage Band and the 35-year reunion concert they play for their band leader. The beloved band leader, “Prof,” was responsible for breaking down color barriers and turning the school’s jazz band into a “funk powerhouse” to be reckoned with.

Limelight on Official Site

Thunder Soul on Facebook | Twitter | Official Site

Two films that you must see came out in NYC theaters today.

The Weird World of Blowfly is the story of Miami Musician Clarence Reid. Many may know Clarence for penning classic soul songs like, “Clean Up Woman” or perhaps from our 1991 show with the charismatic talent. The film shows him at age 69, carrying on with his dirty rapper alter ego of Blowfly, touring the world with his raunchy tunes and gold sparkle getup. He’s going to make it! Find the trailer above.

Sound It Out documents the “very last surviving vinyl record shop” in Teesside, North East England. The record shop thrives against the odds with the support of its local community. If you’re a fan of High Fidelity, either the book by Nick Hornby or the derivative film with John Cusack, you are going to love this! Catch the trailer below.

Today’s Showtimes

The Weird World of Blowfly
Quad Cinema
34 West 13th Street
New York, NY
‎9:55pm‎

Sound It Out
reRun Gastropub Theater
147 Front Street – Mezzanine
Brooklyn, NY
‎7:00pm‎ ‎10:00pm‎

The Weird World of Blowfly Official Site

Sound It Out Official Site

The Northern Soul scene of Britain holds a very special place dear to Giant Step’s roots and continues to resonate deeply. Above, you’ll find a classic Northern Soul dance tune, “Landslide” by Tony Clarke.

Photographer Elaine Constantine is understandably also enamored by this movement, claimimg her life was changed after she was first exposed to northern soul.

As such, the photographer has embarked on her first film, simply titled, Northern Soul. A bit on the film:

“…it recreates the atmosphere of soul clubs where rare records were spun, and dancers scattered talc to make moves easier. A huge underground scene, with strongholds in unfashionable northern towns like Stoke, Stafford, Blackpool and (most famously) Wigan, it developed its own codes, its own mythology.”

The Guardian details Constantine’s journey and her process so far with creating a work that is sure to go down in history. Hang tight – shooting begins in January 2012.

Facebook | Official Site

In celebration of the soon to be released film, Revolutions Per Minute (RPM), Robert Glasper and Pharoahe Monch will be headlining a free show on Tuesday, August 30th at Drom. Other performances will include Brooklyn experimental duo Live Footage and B Young. Finally, you’ll also get to catch an art exhibit by Samir Arghandwall.

As you might guess, the Glasper and Monch are involved with the film’s soundtrack. Legendary hip-hop producer, Nottz, has also contributed original music to the soundtrack. Not sounding too shabby at all.

Event Details
The RPM Show ft. Robert Glasper & Pharoahe Monch
Tuesday, August 30th
Doors 7pm
Show 8pm
18+

Drom
85 Avenue A (btw 5th and 6th)
New York, New York

Free w/ RSVP
RSVP@RPMTheMovie.com

Robert Glasper on Facebook | Twitter | Official Site

Pharoahe Monch on Facebook | Twitter

The African Film Festival is bringing the community a pretty rad free event. Partake in dance classes with “world-renowned choreographers and master teachers from Brazil, Senegal, and Guinea,” sit down for some storytelling, join a quilting workshop, or enjoy African films by emerging and established directors shown throughout the day.

If that wasn’t enough, get your grub on with the delicious African food vendors on site as well!

Event Details
Governors Island, Manhattan
Sunday, September 11
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

UPDATE: Due to Hurricane Irene, African Film Festival Family Day has been moved back (from August 28) to the rain date of September 11, 2011. Check the official Facebook and Twitter pages below for updates as the rain date approaches.

Facebook | Twitter | Official Site

David Guetta may be seen as a mainstream pop artist, but the superstar DJ actually started as a pioneer of underground house music in France. We just got a link to an interesting trailer to the soon to be released documentary about his life and rise entitled, Nothing But The Beat. It just goes to show where things can go, and love him or hate him, Guetta has certainly opened some doors for the music we love. We are also glad to see David Morales give some insight.

The movie will be released alongside David Guetta’s forthcoming album, also titled Nothing But The Beat, at launch parties worldwide. Below are the dates – stay tuned for more details!

Worldwide Launch Events
Aug 24 – Stockholm, Sweden
Aug 24 – Amsterdam, Netherlands
Aug 25 – Madrid, Spain
Aug 25 – Cologne, Germany
Aug 26 – Brussels, Belgium
Aug 29 – Paris, France
Aug 30 – Los Angeles, California
Sep 3 – New York, NY

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Having released their debut album, Black Up, last month, Shabazz Palaces is well on their on their way to creating a new space for their quirky sounds. Noisey.com has chosen to feature the duo for one of their awesome multi-part videos. Watch a candid interview as well as live footage from a performance at Neumo’s in Seattle.

In case you aren’t familiar with the duo already, definitely take a listen and see how Butterfly of Digable Planets has totally flipped his persona for this project.

Purchase Black Up on iTunes | Amazon

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Danish four-piece When Saints Go Machine are rad. The sound is just fresh; soothing yet still edgy, one could describe it as a mix of post punk, electronica, dance, and pop. Their debut album, Konkylie, released earlier this year and was recorded over the course of two years, in a remote home in the forest. The peaceful environment lent the group the ability to take meticulous care in recording this album, which is chronicled in the mini documentary above.

Definitely also take a listen to their “Church & Law” and “Add Ends” tracks on the YouTube videos after the jump.

Purchase Konkylie on iTunes | Amazon

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