Click on alphabetical links above to view artists who have appeared in the NAMC.
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Kinnie Starr - A Different Day (Last Gang Records)
.jpg) Kinnie Starr (European/Mohawk) is a multidisciplinary artist who has
immersed her energy within several fields which include; music, visual
arts, women’s issues (she possesses a women’s Studies degree from
Queen’s University), leading youth workshops and being a yoga expert.
Starr is however most recognized for her musical output which began to
raise much notoriety within North America’s hip-hop community in the
late nineties. Over the last ten years the media has focused their
attention on her brilliant hip-hop/rap skills that express her various
philosophies and insights.
Her last two albums, “Anything” (2006) and “Sun Again” (2003) spoke
volumes on her ability to spin beats, poetry, rhymes and to collaborate
with other skilled musicians. Starr’s music has gained mainstream
attention and has appeared on television programs such as The L-Word,
Thirteen, Fashion Television Canada and in even in Zeller’s
advertisements (which is contrary to her earlier stances against
corporate culture). |
Her latest offering,” A Different Day” (produced by Chin Injeti)
focuses on the theme of love and the many directions it can take. The
album delivers less signature hip-hop/trip-hop sounds and instead
offers a stripped down, sometimes pop sound with much guitar (acoustic
and electric). If you’re a fan of Neko Case, Jenny Lewis or Feist, you
will connect to music on this album. This is a very much a transition
album as Starr seems to be maturing in her sound and is attempting to
rebuild her musical identity. The challenge has not led to stand-out
album but to several stand-out tracks. Typically when an artist is in
this phase of their career their next project is more focused and
engaging for the listener. Kinnie Starr is definitely a creative force
to keep watching for in the future. Support the cause and purchase a
track.
Recommended tracks:
1. High Heels | 2. A Different Day | 3. It’s All You
- Reviewer David McLeod, Executive Producer of National Aboriginal Music Countdown (09.22.10')
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Derek Miller - Derek Miller with Double Trouble
(Juksa Records)
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Renowned for his live, blues-inflected, roots rock sound, guitarist and
singer/songwriter/producer and actor Derek Miller (Mohawk/Six Nations)
first gained national attention when he toured with the iconic Buffy
Sainte-Marie in the late ’90s.
His raw, emotional style of playing
and ability to write songs led to more touring and recording with Keith
Secola & the Wild Band of Indians in support of their 2000 album
Fingermonkey. Two years later, Miller released his debut album, Music
Is the Medicine, which garnered a Juno Award followed by more extensive
touring.
By 2005, Miller found himself exhausted and struggling with
drug and alcohol dependency. He entered rehab and spent the next year
working to regain his physical, mental, and spiritual health: “I
entered rehab on the rez. It gave me a sense of pride in my identity,
it grounded me, and raised me up.” In 2007 he released The Dirty Looks,
which reinvigorated his reputation as a must-see live act. |
Featuring a total of 15 bed tracks recorded over a whirlwind, 12-day session in the musical mecca of Austin, Texas (to be featured as part of a companion documentary), Derek Miller with Double Trouble is the singer-songwriter’s latest album, a collaborative effort with the rhythm section of Stevie Ray Vaughan fame. For Miller, that experience of playing with Double Trouble “allowed me to see where I was as an artist and where I could be down the road.”
The music came to life in the Pedernales Recording Studio, owned by the legendary Willie Nelson. During the sessions, one of Miller’s songs was handed off to Nelson through groundskeeper Ed Russell. Written with the phrasing of a classic Nelson song, the track so excited the country outlaw he would ultimately appear on the album’s initial release, “Damned If You Do.” While the album delivers some of his best music to date, hardcore Miller fans may wonder whether a couple of songs sound a little too similar to his earlier work.
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Robbie Robertson - How To Become Clairvoyant
(Macro-Biotic Records/429 Records)
It’s been a long, 13-year wait for fans awaiting Robbie Robertson’s
(Mohawk/Jewish) fifth solo album. Musically, How to Become Clairvoyant
is many steps away from the native themes heard on two of his past
projects – the soundtrack Music for the Native Americans (1994) and
Contact From The Underworld of Redboy (1998) – recordings that remain
classics of the contemporary Aboriginal genre.
This new album
showcases some of Robertson’s song structure skills, closely associated
with his seminal work in The Band, enhanced by the talents of several
incredible guests, including guitarists Eric Clapton, Robert Randolph
and Tom Morello (of Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave), as well
as contributions from former Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor,
Steve Winwood and others.
The album drew its inspiration from a trio of songs Robertson and
Clapton wrote together two years ago. Free of movie-scoring commitments
(he’s worked on a total of 22 films), Robertson began recording in
London and Los Angeles.
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Clairvoyant shares personal and even autobiographical stories within a rich, moody soundtrack that perfectly surrounds Robertson’s deep, smoky voice. The overall impact is a thoughtful series of narratives, harkening back to his album Robbie Robertson (1987).
Several years ago at the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, I asked the Mohawk Elder of rock n’ roll if any new music was on the horizon, to which he smilingly replied, “I’m no longer on the assembly line.” This album comes from an artist who waited until the time was right; thankfully, that time has finally come. |
- Reviewer David McLeod, Executive Producer of National Aboriginal Music Countdown (04.14.11')
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