(Chuck Kennedy-Pool/Getty Images) I've been spending too much time on Chinatown buses. When I hosted Pop Off! a party in D.C. with The General Store Inc ., I took the crackiest mode of transportation possible: Apex Bus . There is a level of decorum on the Boston to New York routes that the D.C. and Philly lines don't even pretend to bother with. Sparky ticket-takers in neon jackets spat bold-faced lies at me muttering, "5 O' Crock, 5...

In anticipation of the January 27 release of Johnny Cash Remixed , Compadre Records/Music World Music has created a podcast featuring interviews with Snoop Dogg and John Carter Cash, son of Johnny and June Carter Cash. Johnny Cash is an icon of American music whose work has touched every contemporary genre, from Rock to Pop, from Emo to Hip Hop. Twenty Johnny Cash classics (including "I Walk The Line", "Folsom Prison Blues" and 'Wide Open Road") were licensed from legendary Sun...

In 2008, Peter Hadar released his second album Well Dressed for the Art Show, a heady mix of splashy garage rock, drowsy soul anthems and more than a couple bedroom bangers. Abandoning the fashion world for the twinkly comfort of an MPC, he's got the typical soul music pedigree (churchy upbringing with a penchant for good ol' fashioned recklessness). His music sparks with glimmers of soul brethren like Kenna, Dwele and Rahsaan...

On Friday, January 23, Giant Step celebrates its first anniversary at The Florida Room in Miami with legendary hip hop pioneers De La Soul and Brendan O'Hara & The Big Bounce. The Grammy Award-winning hip hop group best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky, surreal lyrics on 3 Feet High and Rising will perform an exclusive live show. Free with RSVP here In 2008, Giant Step brought groundbreaking artists The Roots, Jazmine...

On April 14th, Easy Star Records will release Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band , a follow up to the Easy Star All Stars' highly successful reggae versions of Dark Side of the Moon and OK Computer . The album will feature guest vocals by an impressive range of artists, including Steel Pulse, Matisyahu, Michael Rose (Black Uhuru), Luciano, U Roy, Bunny Rugs (Third World), Ranking Roger (English Beat), Sugar Minott, Frankie Paul, Max Romeo and The Mighty...

Giant Step's New Year's Eve 2009 at The Florida Room was an unforgettable night with The Roots performing in an intimate space not much larger than your own living room.

Mr. Scruff is renowned for his funky musical wizardry. As a DJ he handily blends records from Fela Kuti to Bob Marley to long-forgotten soul gems. As a producer he creates a sensual brew of swampy downtempo and kicky dance beats. The man behind the music is just as sophisticated and quirky. Giant Step had a cuppa tea with Scruff and chatted about crappy sound systems, dancing fruit and all the other nonsense that goes on in clubs these days. MP3 Interview Descriptions: Part...

On Friday the 23rd, don't miss the New York debut of Kameron Corvet and Monica Blaire from Detroit, and Postman from Holland. Sound in Color will be a night of quality neo soul hosted by Maya Azucena, late night at Joe's Pub.

The holiday season is always a sickening deluge of parties, stiff "holiday cheer" (which I temper with stiff drinks) and a glut of obligations. In a year of highs (getting my own column, fluffing an increasingly enviable Afro) and lows (finally ending that relationship, trying not to strangle yokels at the day job) I needed the festive distractions of the silly season more than ever. I spent Thanksgiving in the ER grappling with my mother's decaying health taking breaks only to try to coax...

In a city of screeching hype, blasé insiders and tepid stage shows, I'm always on the hunt for that ol' razzle dazzle. So many thanks to Blitz The Ambassador who threw down one of the best shows I've seen in forever. He's a New York via Ghana MC who rocked the Knitting Factory with a whirl of sweaty, rumbling energy. Flanked by a dapper band, Blitz shamed the lot of these pansy-ass rappers, growling his rhymes, rocking an African drum solo and paying homage...