Felt 3 'Permanent Standby'

From the upcoming Felt 3 - Slug/Murs/Aesop Rock album 'A Tribute To Rosie Perez' on Rhymesayers in-stores November 17.

Slug, Murs, and Aesop Rock Schedule 'Felt 3' Minneapolis In-Store Appearance

Attention People of Minneapolis/St.Paul: Slug, Murs, and Aesop Rock announce an in-store appearance to support their new album 'Felt 3' out on November 17 at Fifth Element on the eve of the release (would imagine at Midnight.)

Fifth Element
2411 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 377-0044

More details here:
City Pages - Slug, Murs, and Aesop Rock announce Felt in-store appearance

Related:
Aesop Rock, Atmosphere's Slug, and Murs Heart Rosie Perez With New Album

CNN Report: Hip-Hop Studies Program At McNally Smith College St. Paul MN

from the press release about the program earlier this year...

St. Paul, MN, February 25, 2009 - McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, MN, has announced the introduction of a Hip-Hop Studies Diploma program. The program, which kicks off with the school's September 2009 fall semester, is the country's first accredited college-level diploma devoted to the study of hip-hop music and culture. The diploma course spans three semesters, which can be completed in one calendar year, and will be taught by leading hip-hop practitioners and other music industry veterans from McNally Smith's faculty. Toki Wright, a much honored emcee and organizer, is the coordinator for the new degree program and will be one of its prominent instructors.

Courses in music (including music theory), the language of rap and spoken word, music history (from the African diaspora to hip-hop's origins in the South Bronx in the 1970s to today), recording technology, rhythm studies, and the music business make up the core of the diploma's curriculum. Students will develop creative writing skills, learn techniques in beat production and engineering, as well as undergo hands-on experience in the art of DJing and turntablism. They will also get an in-depth look at the behind-the-scenes aspects of hip-hop in the music business. Hip-hop has a monumental global impact on television, cinema, alternative media and more. McNally Smith's Hip-Hop Studies Diploma, accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, will equip students with the skills and knowledge that are crucial in pursuing a career in hip-hop.

In addition to Toki Wright, McNally Smith's faculty includes a number of highly accomplished artists from the hip-hop world. Faculty members who will be teaching in the new diploma program include Dessa (a member of the Doomtree crew and published author), Sean McPherson (bassist and leader of the band Heiruspecs), Joe Mabbott (an engineer and producer for numerous projects, including multiple Atmosphere releases) and others. This well connected faculty will also bring in prominent guest speakers from the world of hip-hop. In addition to the outstanding hip-hop faculty, McNally Smith boasts state-of-the-art recording facilities and performance spaces unrivaled by most music schools. As part of the Hip-Hop Studies Diploma program, graduates will complete a final project that includes a recording project, a live performance and a portfolio that includes a business plan. This final project will bring together each of the different areas of expertise in the hip-hop business learned through the program.



Learn more about the school program here:
McNalley Smith

Prince Plays Rare Concert At Paisley Park Studios

(photo courtesy of David Joles at the Star Tribune)

Prince played a surprise private concert Saturday, October 24 at Paisley Park studios in Chanhassen, MN.

Show review and set list courtesy of Jon Bream at the Star Tribune Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minnesota and idolator.

Prince showed more versatility and musicality in his first hour onstage than Michael Jackson did in his entire career. He started with a bunch of tunes from this year's "Lotusflow3r" collection and then paraded through his hits, especially from the 1980s. In fact, there wasn't one tune from the '90s and only "Feel 4 U" from the '70s.

With his horn-less band, Prince has never sounded funkier at Paisley. He was talkative and humorous, loose and spontaneous, calling out songs and arrangements as well as an occasional "so-low" for himself on guitar. To witness that kind of organic musicmaking always feels special -- especially when it's a well-drilled, first-rate band like Prince's -- even if you have to put up with the bandleader frequently telling the sound guy how to adjust the mix.

Prince saluted the Time, the Doobie Brothers and the Jackson 5 in song and verbally acknowledged his debt ("I wouldn't be who I am without...") to James Brown, the Jacksons, Chaka Khan, Rufus, Stevie Wonder, Sly Stone, Joni Mitchell and Tower of Power. His pal Larry Graham sat in on bass for a series of Sly & the Family Stone tunes, and backup singer Shelby J, a powerhouse from the southern soul/gospel school, stepped out front on a couple of selections, most notably "The Arms Of An Angel."

Read more of the show review here:
Star Tribune - Paisley Park's night to remember





Prince's Paisley Park Set list:

No More Candy 4 U
Ol Skool Company
Stand (Sly Stone cover)
Turn Me Loose
I Want You Back (Jackson 5 cover)
Dance with Me
1999
Feel 4 U
Controversy
Sexy Dancer
Le Freak (Chic cover)
Shake That Moneymaker
Controversy
Why U Wanna Treat Me So Bad
Take Me with U
Anotherholeinthehead/Rock Lobster (the B-52's)
Guitar
Raspberry Beret
Arms Of An Angel (Sarah McLachlan cover sung by Shelby J)
Forever in My Life
Mountains
Shake Your Booty (Jackson 5 cover)
begins Sly Stone medley: Everyday People
I Want To Take You Higher
You Can Make It If You Try
Long Train Runnin (Doobie Brothers cover, sung by Shelby J)
Thankuforlettinmebemyself (back to Sly Stone)
Dancin' Machine (The Jacksons cover)
Sing a Simple Song (more Sly Stone)
Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry cover)

Encore #1
Uptown
Let's Work
Cool (The Time)
Kiss
Sometimes it Snows in April
The Bird (The Time, playfully introduced as "another ballad")
Jungle Love
Love Bizarre
Glamourous Life

Encore #2
Purple Rain

Atmosphere plays Soundset 2009 Minnesota footage posted