Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Ik (Bamecock Greenville band high on talent, low on originality by Phil Watson The Gamecock OUT OF ft. Music t They’re pop and they’re not afraid to admit it. Snap Robinson’s new album, Throw Away the Key is made of 13 pop songs. The Greenville band calls itself a “pop-rock quintet.” Many music fans won’t be able to get past the fact that the album is full of pop music. With all the horrid pop music out there to day, having the title “pop-band” can mean cer tain death in the music world. Marshall Barron plays guitar and is the lead vocalist. Blake Ross plays the keyboard. Patrick McAmish is the drummer. Adam Roberts plays guitar and is a backup vocalist. Bart Zweiigoron plays bass and is also a backup singer. The young band has been played on various radio stations in South Carolina, as well as in Oljio, Illinois and Texas. Snap Robinson is made up of talented musi cians, but it lacks an original style. All the songs on Throw Away the Key, flow smoothly and have good rhythm, but have a tendency to sound the same. However, that doesn’t mean the album is n’t good. The third track, “All That’s You,” really caught my attention. It had an enjoyable beat and classic love song lyrics. “Exhale” shows off Snap Robinson’s ability to harmonize on vocals. Lead singer Marshall Barron, along with back up vocalists Bart Zweigoron and Adam Roberts, harmonize well in “Exhale.” Another smooth song is “Charleston.” The guitar in the beginning of the song is similar to the guitar styling of England’s most humble rock band, Oasis. “Charleston” would have to be my favorite song off Throw Away the Key. This song is laid back and relaxing, which is nice. The song with the best intro is “The facto ry.” It has a catchy guitar intro, which kept me listening to the whole song with interest. Blake Ross’s keyboard playing is also a good touch to “The Factory/’ Deep lyrics and a great beat make this song one of the album’s best songs. The tenth track, “Negligent,” gives Barron a chance to put emotion into his singing. He has an angry voice in this song, yet keeps it under control. Many singers lose control of their voices when they use motion. Barron also sings with an angry, yet man ageable voice in “IOU.” The best part of this song was Ross’s keyboards. He provides a peppy background to the song. With the keyboarding in the background, this song sounded similar to many of Semisonic’s songs. The album’s last song, “Pocketfull,” was sim ilar to the rest of the songs with one exception. It has a barely audible voice in the background, repeating what Barron says. This voice is pur posely distorted and terribly annoying. If I could change one thing about the album, I would take out the echoing voice. Throw Away the Key is not a bad album. It’s obvious that Snap Robinson put some time and thought into their new album’s lyrics, unlike many pop bands. The songs are easy to listen to and are organized well. Overall, it’s a good al bum. The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspotlight@hotmail.com. I Special to The Gamecock Band offers refreshing album -* by Meredith Davis The Gamecock OUT OF When Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg took the MTV and rap ^ industries by storm in the early ’90s, listeners believed pure hip-hop music would never be able to prevail over the smut ty tracks and nasty lyrics such rap had promoted. To those same listeners who enjoy hard-core bass and catchy lyrics, welcome to some Southern Cali fare that doesn’t spout quips on weapons, hoes, and Hennessy. Meet Dilated Peoples, an L.A.-based underground hip hop group that holds on to the old-school sound and has that sacred element that keeps beat-loving purists satisfied — background tunes reminiscent of the early years. Dilated Peoples’ The Platform is neither breakthrough nor controversial, but it is refreshing. One track, “The Main Event,” matches deep bass, with a catchy melody, setting the trend for the rest of the album, promising staying pow er. The best of The Fugees’ The Score is captured here, with smooth emceeing and an overall low-key sound. “Years in the Making” is most clearly influenced by the Wyclef team, so anyone who mourns that album’s legacy will certainly cherish this group. Dilated Peoples finds more words to rhyme with “dilate” than they ever could have needed; but after all, they did require something to fill in those holes where words like “bitch,” “A.K.’Vand “69” would have been highlighted. Puff Daddy, they are not — and thank goodness for that. Original tunes? Decent lyrics? Sophisticated deejays using turntables in a way that actually enhances an album instead of destroying it? Who knew? Capitol Records took a risk with these guys, but now they are benefiting. “The Platform” has been heralded by, professionals in the music industry as one of the most ex citing albums of the year, and it will prove to be a valuable collection addition to any album-buying entrepreneur. The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspotlig ht@hotmail.com. Aretha Franklin, Berry Gordy, others pay tribute to famous soul singers by Nekesa Mumbi Moody Associated Press NEW YORK —Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, Erykah Badu and Bonnie Raitt were among the stars who paid trib ute to forgotten soul singers of the past at the Rhythm & Blues Foundation’s 11th annual Pioneer Awards. While superstars such as Stevie Wonder and the late Marvin Gaye were also honored Wednesday night, the bulk of the four-hour ceremony was dedicated to lesser-known acts such as the Chi-Lites, who faded into obscurity although their harmonies on hits such as “Have You Seen Her” helped define the sound of the ’60s and the ’70s. “It’s one the most important awards that we ever re ceived,” said Chi-Lites founding member Eugene Record. • “They (the R&B foundation) do things that are very un usual as far as helping artists who have fallen on hard times, and I don’t know any organization that does that for musi cians and entertainers.” In addition to bestowing long-overdue recognition, the foundation awards most honorees with cash—$20,000 for groups, and $15,000 for individual artists. Motown founder Berry Gordy helped boost the foun dation’s coffers, announcing a $750,000 donation to aid for mer acts from the legendary label who are struggling. “These are our pioneers, the people that we got something from, we benefit from, so we have to look out for them like all people do,” he said. “It’s everyone’s re sponsibility. It’s our legacy.” Some of the artists honored by the foundation in years past were cheated out of their royalties and received little during their brief celebrity. “Many artists did not get adequate compensation, and even today, find it very difficult to survive even though tlieir music is known and played,” said Mary Wilson, one of the original Supremes. “As human beings, they’re sort of for gotten. I think the Rhythm & Blues organization gives not only sort of an award, but also gives them something that they need inside, as human beings, to be respected.” Besides the Chi-Lites, the foundation gave pioneer awards to Huey “Piano” Smith, who performed on the hit “Don’t You Know It/High Blood Pressure”; Sylvia Robin son, who had a hit with “Love is Strange” in 1957 and years later helped start the rap revolution with the discovery of the Sugarhill Gang; Clyde Otis, who wrote and produced songs for artists including Nat “King” Cole and Dinah Wash ington; The Impressions, whose hits include “It’s All Right”; Johnnie Johnson, a legendary pianist who discovered and played with Chuck Berry; and Betty Wright, who may best be known for her hit “Clean Up Woman.” Wbnder received the lifetime achievement award, while Gaye's children accepted the Legacy Tribute award on his behalf. Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, re ceived the R&B Founders Award. The event also served as' a concert and jam session, as the honorees performed some of their biggest hits. Won der’s performance was perhaps the most rousing, as he sang a medley of hits like “Superstition,” and “I Was Made To Love Her,” with Raitt, Badu, Sister Sledge, Robinson and Dionne Warwick singing backup. Wbnder called for today’s performers to unite with past artists for an album that would feature old hits and give back royalties to those singers and their families. Though Wonder has received countless accolades, he said this award held a special significance for him. “It really is the essence of how I began,” he said. “I was an R&B artist, a rhythm and blues artist, and I have great respect and I am very proud of that. ” Find the Best Price on New and Pre-Owned Hondas www.rickhendrickhonda.com HONDA 791-5660 1650 Airport Boulevard » West Columbia, SC 29171 MEGA TANNING SALONS • State of the Art Giant Mega Beds • High/Medium Pressure Beds • • Super 10 Minute Beds • Giant 20 and 30 Minute Beds • • Ruva Beds and Stand Up VHR Booths • _CHOSEN AS ONE OF THE TOP TEN SALONS IN THE COUNTRY_ 275 Harbison Blvd 2113 Greene St 603 Columbia Ave. Next to Columbiana Mall Across fh2^nt*TX»t office Lexington Five Points NO APPOINTMENTS OPEN 7 DAYS_ 25GIANTJ3EDS _ ■ “ “ ™™ ™ ™ ™ ™" ■ i VISIT ! • i • First Time Customers Only Expires 9-30-00 * ; FREE VIP MEMBERSHIP | Show USC ID i Save $50 Expires 9-30-00 CoAfadl f\wb4 AN HISTORIC RESIDENCE Efficiency $445 One Bedroom $505 Two Bedroom $540 Rents include all utilities and cable TV. 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