Tag: Questlove

Screening Room: ‘The League’

On By chrisbarsantiIn Film - New, Film-DocumentaryLeave a comment

I reviewed The League, the new documentary from Sam Pollard (MLK/FBI) for Slant:

The story of the Negro baseball leagues has the hallmarks of a feel-good story: determination, inventiveness, and relentless optimism in the face of unyielding hatred. But while Sam Pollard’s mostly straightforward and celebratory documentary The League doesn’t skimp on those elements, he also introduces knottier emotions that allow the film, which is executive produced by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, to escape two-dimensionality…

Here’s the trailer:

Quote of the Day: When Questlove Roller-Skated with Prince

On By chrisbarsantiIn OmniculturalLeave a comment

Prince_sign-o-the-times_250

From Questlove’s 2013 memoir, Mo’ Beta Blues, a story of that time Prince wanted to know if he wanted to go to a roller-skating party on Valentine’s Day.

Questlove, of course, said yes. He brought Eddie Murphy along. Then, after Prince asked Questlove to put his phone in coat check, he brought out his skates. And not just any skates:

Prince had the briefcase out on the floor. He clicked the lock and opened it, and took out the strangest, most singular pair of roller skates I had ever seen. They were clear skates that lit up, and the wheels sent a multicolored spark trail into your path.

He took them out and did a big lap around the rink. Man. He could skate like he could sing. I watched him go, so transfixed that I didn’t even notice Eddie Murphy appearing at my arm. “I’m going to go get your phone for you,” he said.

Soundbooth: ‘Wise Up Ghost’

On By chrisbarsantiIn OmniculturalLeave a comment

elviscostelloroots-wiseupghostcover1Apropos of nothing to do with music, it must be said that the cover for the new Elvis Costello and The Roots collaboration, Wise Up Ghost and Other Songs, is likely the album cover of the year. Clean with about being overly minimal, with an elegant serif typeface, it’s the sort of thing more bands should aspire to.

That remains true even if Elvis, Questlove and the boys are just paying homage to copying the cover for the classic City Lights edition of Allen Ginsberg’s first poetry collection Howl; a work that most likely had little direct influence on any of the artists working on this album.

When in doubt, steal well.