Recently I spoke with Toronto-born vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Jeannie Laws, about her new EP, Introducing Jennie Laws, which hits stores today, May 13th (You can buy it now on eMusic.com, however the actual CD has one extra song). We also spoke about Canadian audiences vs. U.S. audiences, the "Professor Laws" section on her website, and her work as a songwriter/arranger for other artists. This disc is personally recommended for lovers of Amel Larrieux, Deniece Williams, and Van Hunt. Between our talk, enjoy audio snippets of the tracks, "Space", "Heavenly", and "So Deep", from the EP.

Visit www.jennielaws.com, and listen to our interview at www.mandrakefm.com or download the interview free at iTunes

Well, it's May, huh? Sorry for the lack of mixes during April. But love means never having to say you're sorry, and since I love you, you understand how life calls. In fact it's why I had to include this cool track from Nate Smith called "I'm Rushing Over" 'cause I felt you needed to hear it. The groove is tight and slightly nostalgic to 80's R&B, plus John Howard's voice is a winner.

Sliding from there into some broken-beat jazz-funkiness from Flowriders, "Russellology" speaks to all things literally heard, seen, said, and done. No, really. Hoodoo. Voodoo. I love jams like this, however you have to wonder what leaf blend the lyricists smoke sometimes.

Showing Dallas love, enjoy this fun slice of hip-hop as locals P.P.T. evoke Human League and Pet Shop Boys with fake accents to extend the joke. The song, "Love Crimes" from their latest project, Denglish, however is quite good. P.P.T. brings "party" to hip-hop music where people can actually dance, something that's been a long time gone.

Keeping this electronic mood, a fixture in the Boston music scene, Andre Obin, brings the track, "Angel Dust". While this single is available at iTunes and eMusic (like all the music I play), this is also going to be on his forthcoming disc from Moongadget imprint in June 2008.

House. For me, a live sounding house groove takes the expression of jazz and gospel music and allows you to slowly "go in" until you feel that spirit. The track, "In Your Phantom", by Missing Soul, is a fine example of what I mean. You can do it. Take your time. Do it right.

Rounding out the set is a young lady from Toronto that was discovered by Prince's manager, according to reports I'm reading. (Now which incarnation of the artist we know as Prince, I have no earthly idea.) Anyway, as the piano introduces the song, you come into a latin-inspired jazz number called, "So Deep" by Jennie Laws. She's got chops and nice songs. I'm digging it.

So along with your new Madonna, Portishead, and Jamie Lidell downloads, you've still got music to buy. Gas money? Nah! Besides you could have the coolest music collection on the bus ride to work.

Listen now at www.mandrakefm.com or download for free at iTunes.

Yep. It's the question many of you have asked, and many more in private. A discussion about using the adjective, "black" when describing our our own media. My guests are fellow Dallas blogger and playwright, Kristina Patrice, and fellow Dallas podcaster and tech maven, Theo Johnson. We also discuss social networking spaces for black people, and especially why Facebook sucks.

Stream it now at www.mandrakesocietyradio.com
OR subscribe to the show using this feed address at your favorite rss reader or iTunes (copy and paste it): http://mandrakesocietyradio.com/?feed=rss2

The Links:

Barack Obama's speech on race in Pennsylvania via YouTube.
Kristina Patrice main website, My Space page, and her blogs at D210TV.

Theo Johnson's podcast, "Now That's What I'm Talkin' Bout"

The Catch-22 of Buying Black Media (subscription req'd to read full article)

Listen at www.mandrakesocietyradio.com, or subscribe through iTunes.

A co-production with TEMPO Magazine in Dallas I recently spoke with Dennis Coleman, Regional Director of the Lambda Legal South Central Office in Dallas, Texas. Lambda Legal is the United States' oldest civil rights legal advocate working on behalf of LGBT people. In our talk, Dennis discussed the new Lambda Legal fellowship honoring the late Tyrone Garner and the five anniversary of the Lawrence v. Texas verdict.

Feeling discriminated against? Contact the Lambda Legal help desk.

Also, actor/excutive producer, Matthew Hatchette of Hatchette Films talks with me about his new film, "The Take", which stars John Leguizamo, Rosie Perez, and Tyrese Gibson. debuts April 11 in New York and LA.

Also check out Matthew Hatchette in Extra Ordinary Barry.

Dallas-based hip-hop act, Voicerock, rounds it out with "3 Strikes".

Listen at www.mandrakesocietyradio.com, or subscribe through iTunes.

You can listen to the show at www.mandrakesocietyradio.com, or iTunes.

A Saturday evening praise service at Reunion MCC in Oak Cliff, a music minister's calling, a parishoner's story, and my own exit from the church are weaved into this episode of Mandrake Society Radio podcast.

The Links:

Mandrake Society blog post on Dallas WordCamp 2008
More about the organizationSDA Kinship
Visit the Reunion MCC in Oak Cliff

Additional music by:

Indigone Trio & Strings
"Visions" (mp3)
from "Indigone Trio & Strings"
(Ropeadope Digital)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

You hear this show at www.mandrakefm.com, or susbcribe for free at ITunes and download.

In case you don't know, I LOVE some Georgia Anne Muldrow, so the "To RE: (Samiyam Remix)" from the Pattie Blingh remix EP was loved instantly. Plus, the beats are wild. Go to eMusic and get the 3-song remix EP and trust that once you get the instrumental of this track, the cypher will begin.

Voicerock is based of Dallas, and I'm digging the track, "3 Strikes", from his EP, Growing Up, so here it is.

Aaron Holstein, better known VibeSquaD out of Colorado, reached out to me via MySpace, and this brother is a bassLOVER! Take a bite of the chunky groove, "Getting Grumpy", from his Return of the Puddin' People. He has more for you at MySpace and iTunes.

I love Yukimi Nagano's voice in the band, Little Dragon. I first heard her perform with fellow Swede, Hird, on the track "Movin' On" (speaking of which, when's Hird coming out with new music?) . This Little Dragon self-titled disc was brought forth in the last quarter of 2007, so more people need to hear it and groove. Here's the jazzy pop-swing of, "Turn Left".

Belgium is home to this next artist, Rexnico, in the mix. The ambient dubbiness of "Don't Make Noise (Rexnico's Phat Mix)" bring a drifting transition to the set.

Now, don't let the soft intro to Silence Factory's, "Sitting On a Cloud", fool you. A nice jazz groove unfolds and emerges in such a way that you will have to play it back to make sure you caught all that! A remix of this track could be its own EP.

Taking you out with some German ambient electronic via Rauschwerk (Paul-a. Kabat). This cat's got some nice tracks and you should have them. You really should.

What more can I say, people? I love you. I love IODA. Now, go buy some music. And save the licorice jelly eggs for me. I'll decorate my birthday cake with them on April 1 (no fooling!).

Enjoy the latest @ www.mandrakesocietyradio.com, or subscribe to the podcast in iTunes.

The Links...the links:

AfroErotik Episodes! The password is revealed! Comment on that page and you could win a DVD from Ty Lattimore Productions

Say What?! : new video podcast from Dallas' own, Q. Ragsdale

Tempo Magazine; New Dallas magazine

Sign up for the email newsletter for special contests and info

Community Calendar: Why do I have one and why should you care?

Music from Autolect: Between Good and the Deep Blue

Interview with journalist and author, Wyatt O' Brian Evans, discussing his new book, "Nothing Can Tear Us Apart"

Check out music from Duwende, Muhsinah, and these artists (courtesy of IODA)

Four80East
"The Drop" (mp3)
from "En Route"
(Native Language Music)

Buy at Best Buy
Buy at Barnes & Noble
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Mike Nock Project
"Patience" (mp3)
from "Meeting of the Waters"
(Jazzhead)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Listen now at Mandrake Society Radio.com or subscribe and download the show at iTunes or the Zune Marketplace.

Michael Ashanti begins the show with some gospel house from his disc, All of Me. Also, Austin-based R&B performer, Philip Alexander (pictured to the left), takes some time from recording to talk about bringing live soul music to Austin.

After doing some personal mental flossing about the Southern Voice article referring to the question of a Black Gay agenda, several members of the Legacy of Success Foundation talk about the organization and their Heritage Celebration event happening February 21-24 in Dallas, TX. Along the Heritage Celebration, catch me at The Quixotic World theater space this Saturday night, February 23, for networking and a movie, brought to you by the Men of Essence. In fact, go to the calendar to find what else is happening the weekend.

Finally, enjoy the sounds of the West Exit, courtesy of Magnatune.

What? More music? yep.

Abdul L'African
"Bohala" (mp3)
from "Gnawa Abdul"
(Jonkey Enterprises)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody

I'm grateful for another opportunity to talk with one of my favorite songwriter/vocalists, Kevin Sandbloom. I recently visited with Kevin during a tour stop in Arlington, TX. Along with talking about and listening to songs from his latest, MadLoveActivate, I share my thoughts on Grammy night performances, the talented and controversial vocalist, Tonex, and his Out the Box interview, African Muslim history in early America, and this song:

Ticklah
"Want Not" (mp3)
from "Ticklah Vs. Axelrod"
(Easy Star Records)

Buy at Easy Star Records
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Rhapsody
More On This Album

Avallable to listen to now at Mandrake Society Radio. Just stream from the website, or find the podcast at iTunes or Zune Marketplace.