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“Music For The Movement/Black History Always” Set For Release February 26

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The “Music For The Movement/Black History Always” EP is set for release February 26. The EP is the second volume of the ongoing project between The Undefeated, ESPN’s content initiative exploring the intersection of sports, race and culture, and Hollywood Records. The EP aligns with ESPN’s “Black History Always” initiative which was announced yesterday.

Thematically, Volume II balances the realities of Black America’s continued struggles, while also celebrating Black beauty and offering messages of hope. The “Black History Always” EP is the follow up to “I Can’t Breathe/Music For the Movement,” which was released last fall and drew national attention from Associated Press and ABC’s Good Morning America.

Like Vol. I (I Can’t Breathe),”Black History Always” features reimagined, historically significant songs, as well as an original song and a spoken word piece, made by and for Black America with contemporary artists. The message of hope is that everyone sees the beauty and history in Black culture. Each track has original artwork, created by Black artists.

Though Black History Month is celebrated in February, Black history is made every day, and the EP celebrates that in music and art. With “HERstory” being made this month with former California Senator Kamala Harris becoming the first woman of color to hold the office of Vice President of the United States, the theme of Black History Always is even more significant.

Tobe Nwigwe’s interpretation of Melvin & The Blue Notes’ (featuring Teddy Pendergrass) “Wake Up Everybody,” is plaintive and celebratory at once, and is available now. The song explores society’s shortcomings and encourages humanity to fight for a brighter future in which we take care of our elderly, education is prioritized, and drug addiction is eradicated. Houston-based Nwigwe captured the nation’s attention with a transcendental live rendition of “Wake Up Everybody” on the Presidential Inauguration Committee’s “We Are One” livestream event.

Grammy-nominated Brent Faiyaz‘ original song, “Eden,” will be released February 12. This soulful R&B track ponders a common observation many have about their Creator; why doesn’t God simply intervene to make the world a better place? With subtle nods to police brutality and hardship, the song wonders whether the Black community’s prayers are going unanswered. Singer/Songwriter Faiyaz hails from Columbia, Maryland, and was recently named one of YouTube’s Black Voices for 2021.

Grammy and BET-nominated singer/songwriter Tinashe offers a contemporary recording of “I’m Every Woman.” Originally released in 1978, “I’m Every Woman” was Chaka Khan’s iconic debut solo single. The song embodies female strength and empowerment, and the connectedness of all women. At a time when Black women deserve their flowers the most, this record stands tall. Tinashe is from Lexington, Kentucky, and has collaborated with many artists, from Ty Dolla Sign to Britney Spears, making her a much sought-after R&B artist.

Grammy-nominated, critically acclaimed, and Gary, Indiana native, Freddie Gibbs recorded Gil Scott Heron’s “Winter In America.” Originally released in 1975, the song in an unapologetic examination of American colonialism, the absence of democracy, and racism. The song depicts America as a dystopian state in which, “Democracy is rag-time on the corner,” The forest is burned beneath the highway,” “Robins are perched in barren treetops,” and “No one is fighting because no one knows what to save.” Tragically, these themes still resonate today, over 45 years later.

Rounding out the “Black History Always” EP, is a spoken word piece from Roc Nation’s Infinity Song, aptly named “Undefeated.” The thought provoking “Undefeated” is an important call to action track expressing the urgent need for the reframing of the Black narrative and being the authors of Black history. Infinity Song is a five-piece sibling band that formed in 2014 in New York. All talented singers, songwriters and musicians, Infinity Song has collaborated with Jon BatisteKanye WestTori Kelly and many others.

The Undefeated is ESPN’s multiplatform content initiative exploring the intersections of sports, race and culture. The digital hub, www.TheUndefeated.com, which launched in May 2016, combines innovative long-form and short-form storytelling, original reporting and provocative commentary to enlighten and entertain African Americans, as well as sports fans seeking a deeper understanding of Black athletes, culture and related issues. In addition to its cutting-edge content, The Undefeated seeks to be a thought-leader on race, sports and culture in the country – convening insightful forums to discuss and debate topical issues affecting sports and race in America.

Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly’s ‘Live In New Orleans’ 40th Anniversary 2LP Reissue Out February 19, 2021

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MAZE Featuring Frankie Beverlyone of America’s best-loved R&B bands, will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their acclaimed 1981 double album Live in New Orleans with a 2LP vinyl reissue and two special digital releases on February 19, 2021 via Capitol/UMe. The album will be released in two physical forms: standard weight black double-LP and special white vinyl, an homage to Beverly’s all-white stage outfits and an acknowledgment to the audience members who in their own tribute faithfully wore all-white to Maze shows.

Live in New Orleans reached #3 on Billboard‘s R&B Albums chart and #34 on the Billboard 200 chart. With three sides recorded at New Orleans’s Saenger Theatre, it features extended live versions of their top 10 R&B chart hits “Feel That You’re Feelin‘” and “Southern Girl;” the definitive live versions of album cuts “Look At California” and “Joy and Pain,” probably their biggest song that was never a hit single – and it shows, as the band performance transforms into a thrilling audience sing-along. The studio side of Live in New Orleans includes the top 10 R&B hit “Running Away,” and the Maze anthem, “Before I Let Go,” the latter of which was covered by Beyonce for her 2019 Homecoming: The Live Album and was the topic of a dance challenge from the musician on social media.

To coincide with the 40th anniversary release of Live in New Orleans during Black History Month 2021 and the week of Mardi Gras, also releasing the same day are two digital remix EPs: Maze: The M+M Mixes and Joy and Pain: The Lifelines Remixes.

The M+M Mixes EP features all of the remixes created by M+M’s John Morales including Maze’s first R&B chart #1, “Back in Stride,” in a version longer than the original 12″, and “Too Many Games” (#5 US, top 40 UK), originally released only in the U.K. in 1985, and Morales’s 2017 remixes of “Before I Let Go” and “Joy and Pain,” that had only a limited release in Europe. Each remix also has a corresponding instrumental version, two of which are previously unreleased (see track list). All tracks are making their digital debut as well as their commercial US debut.

The Joy and Pain EP features the rare “Lifelines” remixes of the classic song by Hank ShockleeEric Sadler and Paul Shabazz, a.k.a. members of the production team The Bomb Squad, best known for their era-defining, multi-layered work with Public Enemy. These remixes, with Kurtis Blow doing a guest rap, were originally only issued on a promo 12″ in 1989 to promote the album The Greatest Hits: Lifelines that included some remixes – and now, except for the long version on that album, these tracks are making their commercial debut as well as their digital debut. The EP also includes a highly sought-after instrumental version of the original LP version of “Joy and Pain.”

The American soul band MAZE was founded by Frankie Beverly in Philadelphia in 1970 under the moniker Raw Soul. Upon moving to San Francisco in the mid ’70s and being introduced to Marvin Gaye, who took them out on the road as an opening act, they changed their name to Maze in part due to Gaye’s suggestion. Along with having roots in both Philadelphia and the San Francisco Bay area, Maze have always considered New Orleans their home base. Beverly has credited the city for the Gold status of their 1977 debut album, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, saying that the majority of copies were sold in Louisiana and the greater New Orleans area. With that in mind, Maze decided to record their first live album and fifth overall album, Live in New Orleans, at the Saenger on November 14–15, 1980. The studio tracks that make up Side 4 were recorded at the Automatt Recording Studio in San Francisco. The album was produced and arranged by Frankie Beverly for Amazement Music.

Live in New Orleans secured Maze and Frankie Beverly’s deep-rooted bond with New Orleans, and transformed it into an indelible, tangible delivery for the entire world to experience. They’ve since closed the annual Essence Fest in the city for more than 20 years.

Tracklists

Live In New Orleans (2LP Set)

Side 1
1.    You
2.    Changing Times
3.    Joy and Pain

Side 2
1.    Happy Feelin’s
2.    Southern Girl
3.    Look at California

Side 3
1.    Feel That You’re Feelin’
2.    The Look In Your Eyes

Side 4 – Studio Side
1.    Running Away
2.    Before I Let Go
3.    We Need Love To Live
4.    Reason

The Remix EPs

Maze: The M+M Mixes

1.    Before I Let Go / M+M Mix  8:50
2.    Joy and Pain / John Morales M+M Mix 11:11
3.    Back In Stride / Extended M+M Mix  9:34* [original 12″ version was 8:00]
4.    Too Many Games / Extended Remix  7:30
5.    Before I Let Go / John Morales M+M Mix Instrumental  6:56*
6.    Joy and Pain / John Morales M+M Mix Instrumental  11:14*
7.    Back In Stride / John Morales M+M Mix Instrumental  8:15
8.    Too Many Games / John Morales M+M Mix Instrumental  5:47

*Previously Unreleased

Joy and Pain: The Lifelines Remixes

1.    Joy and Pain / Lifelines Remix 7″ feat. Kurtis Blow  4:17
2.    Joy and Pain / Lifelines Remix Radio Version feat. Kurtis Blow  6:56
3.    Joy and Pain / Lifelines Remix feat. Kurtis Blow  8:47
4.    Joy and Pain / Lifelines Remix Instrumental  8:32
5.    Joy and Pain / Original LP Instrumental  7:21

Laugh Out Loud Expands SiriusXM Audio Slate with Debut of New Programs, Including Podcast Inside Jokes with Kevin Hart

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oday SiriusXM and Laugh Out Loud, the multi-platform comedy brand founded by Kevin Hart, announced the launch of three new original programs including the debut podcast from Hart, Inside Jokes with Kevin HartThe news was first shared this morning on SiriusXM’s The Howard Stern Show. Hosted by the megastar actor and comedian, Inside Jokes will feature Hart in conversation with fellow top comics, including one of the biggest names in comedy history, Jerry Seinfeld, as the inaugural guest. The podcast airs this evening at 8:00pm ET on SiriusXM’s Laugh Out Loud Radio channel 96, and is available now on the SiriusXM app, Pandora, Stitcher, and wherever listeners access podcasts.

Known for its unfiltered, relatable, and hilarious content, Laugh Out Loud’s expanded audio slate continues to push forward the company’s mission of “getting the world laughing together,” through authentic and culturally relevant series that showcase innovative and groundbreaking multicultural voices moving the needle forward in comedy.

Available now, the Inside Jokes podcast brings audiences into an intimate conversation between Hart and some of the world’s funniest people for “ear-opening” dialogue, never-before-heard stories, hilarious moments, and of course, “inside jokes.” Following the series premiere with Jerry Seinfeld, the star-studded guest lineup slated for the coming weeks includes: Steve HarveyBill BurrZainab Johnson, Cedric the Entertainer, Desus & Mero, Nick KrollHasan Minhaj, and others. New episodes will premiere Wednesday nights at 8:00pm ET exclusively on Laugh Out Loud Radio channel 96 and will subsequently be released as a podcast. Click here to listen to Jerry Seinfeld reveal which comedian would be on his “Mt. Rushmore” of the greatest comics in history.

“I’m sitting down with some of the best voices in comedy to give my listeners the stories behind the jokes they hear on stage. Comedians have been through it all, and I’m excited that I’ll be digging deep into the lives of my peers for my first podcast,” said Chairman of Laugh Out Loud and Inside Jokes host Hart. “I also think our fans will love the slate of new LOL programming on SiriusXM and can’t wait to introduce audiences to the dynamic talents of Jazzy, Chris, and Vanessa.”

“The only thing funnier than Kevin Hart is Kevin Hart in conversation with another comedian,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. “I’m excited to present our Inside Jokes podcast to listeners across the globe, in addition to the new shows on SiriusXM, as we continue to collaborate with Laugh Out Loud to shape Kevin’s channel into the pinnacle of diverse comedy programming in audio entertainment.”

In addition to Inside Jokes, Laugh Out Loud continues to expand its audio slate on SiriusXM with the debut of two new shows: The Ladies Room with Jazzy, a roundtable-style program led by comedian and actor Jasmin Brown alongside four of her closest (and most hilarious) friends, Natalie FriedmanBriana LawrenceRenita Woodland, and Kiya Roberts; and Date Night with Chris and Vanessa, the weekly series where married couple actor and writer Chris Spencer (Jimmy Kimmel Live, Don’t Be a Menace) and casting director Vanessa Spencer (Entourage, Be Cool)  invite couples on a date night to unpack the issues everyone faces in relationships and family life. Ladies Room premiered January 25, with new episodes dropping Mondays and Wednesday at 7:00pm ET, while new episodes of Date Night air Fridays at 7:00pm ET, both exclusively on SiriusXM and the SiriusXM app.

“At Laugh Out Loud, audio has been a key area of growth for us. Through our relationship with SiriusXM and presence across their multi-platform ecosystem (SiriusXM radio and streaming, Pandora and Stitcher) we’ve been able to continue expanding our audio business to meet the demands of listeners,” said Thai Randolph, President and Chief Operating Officer of Laugh Out Loud. “We’re committed to our mission to deliver comedy in color whenever, wherever and however our audience wants to laugh. Through our expansion with SiriusXM we are able to create more dynamic audio experiences via radio shows, podcasts, special listening events and more.”

Inside JokesThe Ladies Room, and Date Night join Laugh Out Loud Radio’s lineup of wildly popular shows, including Quake’s House and Straight From The Hart, the latter of which is one of Pandora’s top podcasts across all genres. The full original content slate is below, and more information can be found online at SiriusXM.com/KevinHart.

DATE NIGHT | Fridays at 7:00pm ET
Every week Chris and Vanessa invite couples (and sometimes single folks) on the show for a fun date to unpack the issues we all face in relationships and family life. Date Night with Chris and Vanessa combines comedy and expert insight to delve deep into the complexities of relationships for a show that brings an engaging blend of newsworthy issues, thought provoking ideas, and comedy with a purpose. #DateNight

INSIDE JOKES | Wednesdays at 8:00pm ET
Dive into the minds of some of the world’s funniest people with Kevin Hart in his new podcast, Inside Jokes. From rising stars to comedy legends, Kevin will pair with comedic tastemakers for “ear-opening” dialogue that takes listeners on a wild ride through some of the world’s top comedic minds. From chronicling their comedy club experiences to never-before-heard stories, each episode promises to be packed with punchlines, anecdotes, and of course, “inside jokes”. #InsideJokes

THE LADIES ROOM | Mondays & Wednesdays at 7:00pm ET
Jazzy and four of her favorite girlfriends gather together to spill tea, kiki, and disagree, about every issue under the sun from a fully female perspective!  No topic is off-limits, and nothing is censored. These are the conversations that women have been dying to share, and men can finally eavesdrop on!  Each coming from different walks of life, these five funny females are having the ultimate meeting in The Ladies Room, and you don’t want to miss it! #LadiesRoom

STRAIGHT FROM THE HART | Tuesdays & Thursdays at 7:00pm ET
Each week comedian and actor Kevin Hart and the Plastic Cup Boyz — Joey WellsNa’im Lynn, and Will “Spank” Horton — come together to talk life, comedy, and the world as they see it. #StraightFromTheHart

QUAKE’S HOUSE | Mondays – Thursdays at 4:00pm ET
Launched in 2018, Quake’s House features the L.A. comedian’s insightful and raw dialogue on everyday life, generational issues, trending news stories, and more. #QuakesHouse

Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud Radio is available to listeners nationwide on SiriusXM channel 96, the SiriusXM app, and at home with Amazon Alexa, the Google Assistant, or however they stream in their house. Streaming access is included for most subscribers. Go to www.siriusxm.com/ways-to-listen to learn more.

The Main Reasons Why You Need to Take Nutritional Supplementation

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To maintain a healthy lifestyle, you need to ensure that you have enough sleep, do regular exercise, and eat diet nutrition rich in fruits and vegetables. Most people keenly follow this procedure, and they believe it to be very healthy, and they don’t see the need for nutritional supplementation. Yes, by observing the healthy lifestyle procedure, you are likely to live a healthy life, but you also need to incorporate nutritional supplementation. Nutritional supplementation is also essential since it plays a significant role in the body. Below are the reasons why you need to have nutritional supplementation:

To Fill the Nutritional Gap

Essential nutrients from food alone are not enough. This may be due to poor appetite, strict dieting, and change of nutritional need, and depletion of nutrients at the time of consumption due to overheating or storage. Taking supplements will help bridge the gap so that you can maintain the proper balance of nutrients from food and supplements. This will improve the density of nutrients in your diet and ensure that you are getting the correct amount of nutrients according to your dietary need.

To Get Rid of Harmful Chemicals in Your Body

In modern farming methods, there is a lot of use of pesticides and herbicides in farms. These are chemicals that get into the food that people eat. There are also chemicals found in the water supply and the external environment due to pollution. These chemicals form free radicals that usually attack and destroy the digestive and immune systems. The supplements can get rid of harmful toxic chemicals found in the body that may destroy and cause other dangerous conditions in the body. The food that people eat is not able to get rid of the toxins in the body. You need a defined nutritional supplement to detoxify your body.

The Absorption of Nutrient Decrease with Increase in Age

Aging sometimes comes with a lot of challenges. When you get older, the level at which your body can break down food to obtain essential nutrients is decreased. Therefore, you may be unable to obtain the required nutrients from the food you have eaten even though you eat right. This may be because you are taking a lot of medication than you did while growing and your cells have become so tired to absorb the nutrients. Several modern medicines usually deplete essential nutrients. Nutritional supplements can help you reverse this kind of condition and rejuvenate back your cells to function normally.

To Prevent Future Health Issue

People are usually encouraged to stick to prevention instead of cure. Therefore, having regular exercise, regular checkup, proper dieting, and supplementation is the best remedy for prevention. Taking daily nutritional supplements will help rectify the conditions that would lead to a costly health issue.

Poor Diet

Skipping meals when incorporated with stress may lead to poor digestion. Poor digestion makes it difficult for your body to extract all the required nutrients available in the food. Although you cannot replace a low diet by taking supplements, it can help prevent the damages caused by poor eating habits.

 

Combating Vitamin Deficiency During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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In Canada, over 800,000 people contracted COVID-19. This novel virus arose in 2019 and has no intention of stopping soon.

However, there are ways in which you may boost your immune system to help fight the virus should you contract it. A vitamin deficiency causes your body to work in a less-than-ideal manner and you can get sick quickly or worse.

So what can you do to combat vitamin deficiency and improve your chances of getting better faster and keeping your body in the best shape possible? Read on to find out more!

What is Vitamin Deficiency?

A vitamin deficiency means that you don’t have enough of a certain vitamin for your body to work the way it should. Vitamins help build up strong bones, aid in injury recovery, rebuild cells, and help your immune system stay healthy.

Some signs of a vitamin deficiency are:

  • Mouth sours
  • Nails or hair that breaks easily, or hair loss
  • Vision problems
  • Bleeding gums
  • Skin problems such as dry skin or red and white bumps

Most of your vitamins should come from a healthy diet of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy products. However, not everyone can eat healthy 100% of the time, so vitamin supplements are a great substitution.

Most Common Vitamin Deficiencies

There are essential vitamins you need to keep your body as healthy as can be. Here are some common vitamin deficiencies.

  1. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a very common deficiency. Vitamin D plays a role in keeping your immune system stable, mood, controlling blood sugar, and more.

One of the reasons why a deficiency is so common is because Vitamin D is mostly generated by the sun, and many people do not spend enough time outside, or they take a supplement but it’s not enough to overcome a deficiency.

  1. Iron

While not technically a vitamin, iron is a mineral, yet its deficiency can hurt the body. Iron is essential because it helps carry oxygen to the blood cells via hemoglobin.

An iron deficiency leads to anemia, which means your red blood cells are not supplied with enough oxygen. On the flip side, too much iron can be dangerous as well, so do not supplement with iron unless your doctor gives you the OK.

  1. Vitamin B12

Your body needs vitamin b12, however, it cannot produce it on its own. Vegans and vegetarians especially are susceptible to vitamin b12 deficiency because you can obtain some of it from animal products.

Without vitamin b12 you may be subject to anemia, breathing problems, brain function, and fatigue.

  1. Vitamin A

Vitamin A is another essential vitamin, though its deficiency is not as common as the one mentioned above. Vitamin A aids in immune function, skin and tissue health, oral and vision health, and ensure your cells membranes are healthy.

A lack of Vitamin A can cause blindness in severe cases, or lead to eye damage. Similar to iron, too much vitamin A can be dangerous.

  1. Vitamin C

You might be more familiar with vitamin C than any other vitamin on this list. Vitamin C is often touted as the vitamin that boosts and improves the immune system. It also works as an antioxidant to combat free-radical damage in your body.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are one of the ways to ensure that you’re getting enough vitamin C in your diet. The reason so many people are experiencing a vitamin C deficiency is because of the lack of a whole-foods diet. The name for a vitamin C deficiency is called scurvy.

Buying Vitamins

While roaming the grocery stores, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype of all the vitamins lingering on the shelf. Getting your vitamins should not be so difficult!

How do you choose the criteria by which to buy vitamins or how to safely buy vitamins online may cross your mind, especially if you’re in quarantine. Either way, you must remember some specific key points when buying vitamins.

First, decide if you really need the vitamin. Overdosing on some vitamins may not cause harm, but others can, or might interfere with certain medications. Check with your doctor to see what the right dose is for you and if you’ll benefit from a supplement.

Look for safety labels and nutrition information. Labels with NSF International or US Pharmacopeia ensure that what’s actually on the label is in the vitamins themselves and that they’ve gone through testing. Many vitamins on the market are full of fillers and little nutrition.

Do your research! There are a handful of reputable companies, but others are not. If you find a product you’re interested in, visit the website to learn more about the company, its testing process, ingredients, longevity, and types of vitamins they carry.

Beware of any supplements that make grand promises to cure any illness, disease, or ailments. Most supplements are not regulated by the FDA, and you’ll see a warning on the label that states this. If the company is making bold promises, that’s a red flag!

What type of vitamin do you want to take? There are many vitamin pills or capsules and even multi-vitamin gummies for those who have trouble swallowing pills. Be sure to read the supplement label to see what other ingredients are included and how much of each vitamin you’re getting.

Are You Ready to Remedy Vitamin Deficiency?

Vitamin deficiency leads to many health problems, but with supplements and tweaking your diet, many deficiencies can be fixed. Start doing your research to see which vitamin you may need to help your body stay in the best shape to help fight COVID-19.

Like this article? Plenty more for you to read! Learn more about the music industry and much more by browsing through our blog.

 

10 Ways to Learn Foreign Languages Fast

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Foreign languages don’t only open you to the world of reading the classics and modern literature in the original. It is a valuable skill that improves your communication and increases overall cultural sensitivity. Or you may love a language and want to have more content to consume. As a person who begins to learn a new language, you have to become a researcher in the first place.

Language acquisition is a very demanding process, and you have to give your full attention without sacrificing your college attendance. You may ask for help from online essay writers to lend you a hand with your papers, as you are focusing on mastering the new language. The right balance between your degree and your passion would provide you with fruitful results.  

At the same time, be patient and work hard. Even though we promise these tips would boost your productivity, they are not the magic wand that unlocks all levels at once. Our tips are a guiding hand in this long journey because any learning process is a never-ending one.

Benefits of learning new languages

  • You boost your brains and train your memory;
  • You increase the ability to focus and think quickly;
  • improve your academic performance and writing skills; 
  • You also have the opportunity to improve your first language; 
  • You increase the chances of getting better career options; 
  • You strengthen your networking and have a possibility to meet with life-long friends from all around the globe;

 

10 Ways to Boost Your Language Learning Superpowers 

 

  1. Find a motivation

Of course, there’s no perfect formula for everyone. Someone learns a new language for their promotion, while another person would learn it because they want to read their favorite novel in the original language. Some people learn it to understand their friends’ culture better. Others find pleasure in the constant process of upgrading their skills. 

Either way, you have to have a motivation that would be your driving force. You should never start any project out of desperation or boredom. Usually, your excitement quickly wears off, and you get one more “task” on the shelf.

 

  1. Find materials

The first step to studying anything is to get access to knowledge. Find free databases and free of charge resources that allow you to borrow study materials and find the original textbooks. There’s plenty of remote-access options that allow you to start right away, without having to drive to the library or bookstore. Of course, you might get a preview first and then decide to invest in them if you want a physical copy. 

As well, access free platforms like Google podcasts and YouTube to watch and listen to something new everyday. 

 

  1. Focus on task management 

If you are a student, you know that you always have to prioritize your tasks and put your degree first. Never forget about your academic responsibilities and get in touch with an academic assistance website landing you a helping hand with an enormous workload. It would help to dedicate extra few hours to learn a language. Of course, it may be a tough moral choice to get extra essay help, but it is worth it when the situation demands too much from you. 

 

  1. Make baby steps 

Don’t expect to crack the language from the first attempt. It is effective to learn the first fifty most common words. If you love history, you may read how the language of your interest evolved. Pay attention to details and fun facts that would make our process an interesting quest. Get into the process not by demanding to pass an exam right away but by being curious and respectful of it.

Begin with something small and then proceed to larger amounts of information. 

 

  1. Develop your style

If you have a possibility, find a tutor who would help you to reach the A1 level. Then you can let yourself float freely. Everything depends on how you manage the study process and your style of learning. Do not feel ashamed if you need extra assistance and a guiding hand. 

If you lack tolerance for interference in your rituals, then create a plan. Create a room for your lecture and decide which time is perfect for you. Make yourself a hot cup of coffee or tea and get into the miracles of a new language.

 

  1. Language is a process, vol.1

As a process, language demands constant practice. It is not enough to read some materials once a week or memorize ten words and then forget about them till the next practice. If you don’t actively apply newly acquired knowledge, your brain erases it. 

Sounds horrible but understandable. Our brain sometimes makes executive decisions without having a call with us. Otherwise, we would blast all those things we don’t need to remember. 

Read every day, listen to podcasts, and watch videos. Practice your spelling, memorize new words, do everything that makes you feel that you start to understand how this language works. Just remember: never stop. 

 

  1. Use apps for practice

Many apps you know promise to get you to the desired A1 level of language proficiency. For some people, this plan works. For some people, it’s just boring mechanical work that doesn’t help to improve. 

Nevertheless, these apps allow you to remember basic grammar things like word order and many common beginner-level words. It’s still good if it is a practice. 

 

  1. Don’t push yourself 

Sometimes you get the advice that you have to sit and learn until you don’t get it. We say, if you would force yourself, you would probably develop resentment rather than appreciation for language. 

If you create a hostile environment where you feel the pressure of getting the progress, your brain may shut down as a response to all the stress. Make it a pleasurable process, not a race. 

 

  1. Language is a process, vol.2 

You may quickly grasp the rules and grammar, but your learning never ends. It is a normal process to become fluent in a language and still discover something new even in ten years of using it. Sometimes we don’t even notice how we learn our native language through life. Something changes while something becomes obsolete. It just means that language is alive and doesn’t cease to exist. 

 

  1. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes 

Many people leave their dreams of mastering language because of the imposter syndrome or fear of making mistakes. Never be afraid to make mistakes. If you are traveling to the country where people speak the language you learn, you have to start practicing. 

Native speakers appreciate foreigners who try to master their language. If you make mistakes, they will help you to improve. Moreover, many native speakers make mistakes themselves because, well, we all do. 

The Next Batch In The 33 1/3 Book Series Are…

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The next batch of 15 books for the 33 1/3 series has been announced. From Kendrick Lamar to Britney Spears to Earth, Wind & Fire, they have a variety of new artists and albums to add to the series lineup. The series continues to release books as essential as the albums written about.

The following titles will publish from Fall 2021 through Spring 2023:
Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly by Sequoia L. Maner
George Michael’s Faith by Matthew Horton
Earth, Wind & Fire’s That’s the Way of the World by Dwight E. Brooks
Maria Callas’s Lyric and Coloratura Arias by Ginger Dellenbaugh
Marvin Gaye’s I Want You by Derrais Carter
Babes in Toyland’s Fontanelle by Selena Chambers
Living Colour’s Time’s Up by Kimberly Mack
Britney Spears’s Blackout by Natasha Lasky
ESG’s Come Away with ESG by Cheri Percy
The National’s Boxer by Ryan Pinkard
Minnie Riperton’s Come to My Garden by Brittnay L. Proctor
Cat Power’s Moon Pix by Donna Kozloskie
Labelle’s Nightbirds by Craig Seymour
Kraftwerk’s Computer World by Steve Tupai Francis
John Prine’s John Prine by Erin Osmon

Dua Lipa: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

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The defining disco diva of 2020 performs four songs from her album Future Nostalgia for NPR’s Tiny Desk quarantine series.

TINDERSTICKS announce album ‘Distractions’ for Feb 19th release

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Today Tindersticks share details of a new album entitled ‘Distractions’, which is set to be released on February 19th via City Slang. Along with the announcement, they follow December’s Television Personalities cover “You’ll have to scream louder” with a new single, “Man alone (can’t stop the fadin’)”.

The album’s opening track and Tindersticks’ longest song yet, “Man Alone (Can’t Stop the Fadin’)” rides a hypnotic bass pulse with Staples’ mantric vocals layered on top: teasing out the nuances from repetition, it leaves behind conventional song structure to create its own space.

Tindersticks’ Stuart A. Staples comments on the track saying: “This song was always a journey but I wasn’t expecting it to be such a long one. We made a 6 minute version but it felt like it pulled off and stopped half way to its destination. This was the beginning of a long journey in itself, to find the route needed to complete it – probably the biggest challenge a song or piece of music has given us. It was delicate and slippery right up to the final mix, which lasted a week! For me the song has a strange connection to the drum machine, bass guitar and voice combination of ‘Indignant Desert Birds’ – mine and Neils first band when I was 17. It was important to me that the words of the song were not a coherent narrative, but passing thoughts along the way.”

Speaking about the accompanying video he continues: “In the back of a London cab driving through the city at night is a very special space for me. It has a particular kind of aloneness. This fascination grew over hundreds of nights leaving the the studio exhausted at 1am – Ladbroke Grove or St Johns Wood, through the city and over the river to South East London in an almost dream state. Retracing that journey, this film became a way of touching the city and the feeling of being both a part of and apart from it.”

Before lockdown halted their tour in early 2020, singer Stuart Staples was already nurturing seeds for a different kind of Tindersticks album. If 2019’s ‘No Treasure but Hope’saw these mavens of intimate, expansive mood song rediscovering themselves as a unit, the follow-up reconfigures that unit so that everything familiar about Tindersticks sounds fresh again. ‘Distractions’ is an album of subtle realignments and connections from a restless and intuitive band: rich in texture and atmosphere, it lives between its open spaces and filigree details, always finding new ways to connect with a song.

If it’s an album that resists easy summation, at least one thing is clear: though it isn’t untouched by the lockdown, ‘Distractions’ is not ‘a lockdown album’. As Staples says, “I think the confinement provided an opportunity for something that was already happening. It is definitely a part of the album, but not a reaction to it.”

More pertinently, the album has an element of reaction to its predecessor. For Staples, the intention with ‘No Treasure…’ had been to shift the focus from his studio sound to the bandmates as they sought new ways to approach known song structures from within familiar band dynamics. For ‘Distractions’, those dynamics shifted. “It was the opposite of No Treasure but Hope in the sense that everybody in the band used their musicality in a different way,” says Staples, “and we ended up in a different kind of shape.”

The result is a minimalist album, where every detail earns its place. Those details took seed from January to June 2020, before the band reconvened at Staples’ studio to scrutinise and develop them. Completed in September, ‘Distractions’ is both a knight’s move for the band and an album that upholds a career-long commitment to interior exploration – the sound of a band ever ready to stretch themselves.

Benny Sings Announces Music Out April 9 On Stones Throw Records

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Benny Sings has announced his new album Music, out April 9 on Stones Throw Records. Music follows Benny’s 2019 Stones Throw debut, City Pop, which has over 15 million streams and received support from KCRW, the BBC and NPR Music.

Today, Benny unveils a new song, “Nobody’s Fault” (featuring Tom Misch).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S80WMy6tno4 

Few musicians can claim to count Rex Orange County (with whom Benny co-wrote and performed on the platinum single, “Loving Is Easy”), Goldlink, Cornelius, Mayer Hawthorne, John Mayer, Rita Ora, Anderson .Paak, and Mac DeMarco as fans and collaborators, but the attraction isn’t hard to understand. Benny’s songs are sophisticated and easy to fall in love with, earworming melodies and sticky choruses the result of years of craft that have made him the ultimate songwriter’s songwriter, with a formidable solo career. And Music is his finest work yet.

Benny was busy in 2020 as he teased Music. This fall he unveiled “Rolled Up” featuring Mac DeMarco, which was shared by Pitchfork, Stereogum, HYPEBEAST and more. The title track, “Music,” was released early last year and Benny performed it on a rare return appearance to NPR’s Tiny Desk, with a (Home) Concert this summer. He also unveiled “Sunny Afternoon,” written with Grammy Award-winning songwriter, PJ Morton.

Benny says that the lyrics to “Nobody’s Fault” are about a person who, after being rejected, responds rationally, rather than in an emotional or sad way. “Therein lies an extra sadness for me: it’s more sad to see a person falling, and saying ‘I’m all right!’, than someone lying on the ground and crying. The guitar solo at the end is by Tom Misch. I’m a big fan of his music, so was very excited he wanted to join me on the song.”