“On My Way To Harlem,” another stand out track from Grammy®-nominated vocalist Gregory Porter’s album, Be Good, has been selected as the Pick of the Week on the Starbucks Digital Network for the week beginning March 27.
Visitors who sign on to use the free WiFi at any Starbucks store are automatically directed to the Starbucks Digital Network, where they can listen to and download the track for free.
Shot entirely on location in Baltimore, Maryland, director Pierre Bennu visually compliments Porter’s intense lyrics and smooth, soulful vocals with vibrant colors and whimsical storytelling, and sets it all against Charm City’s unique backdrop. As two lovers traverse their everyday lives amidst the mundane, Bennu draws on the power of everyday magic, the fear of loss, and the yearning for love in what he calls a “lullaby for your inner child.”
“The dance of love is something that can be done alone but it is also fun with somebody else,” says Bennu. “I wanted to show two characters; one who was so busy dancing alone, never looking to have a partner… and another so desperate for love that he would do whatever it took to get it. What that character finally realizes is that all he needed to offer forth was himself.”
To compliment his artistic vision, Bennu tapped the talents of Baltimore-based multidisciplinary visual artist Dirk Joseph, whose ‘magical props’ add significantly to the video’s playful and enchanting sensibility.
3 amazing remixes are now available for the track “1960 What?” After a spontaneous soulful house remix by Opolopo (the “kick and bass rerub”) surfaced on the internet, we decided to enlist him along with a couple of other producers, to do an official remix EP. Opolopo’s track has been getting love from blogs and DJs internationally, including airplay on the UK’s Jazz FM. Also representing on the EP is Peter McEvilley, the LA-based producer and electronic music artist who works as Peas, and who contributed a House mix, and the founder of Amsterdam’s Wicked Jazz Sounds music collective, Phil Horneman, who has contributed a Wicked Jazz Sounds radio edit. Take a listen!
The music video for “196o What?” is here! Take a look below and let me know what you think.
The video was produced by Lloyd Porter and directed by Shawn Peters – the same team that created the video for “Illusion”. We shot it on location in Detroit and wanted to capture gritty feeling of the present day Motor City, a city that was “burnin,” during the 1967 riots.This is the five minute music video format taken from a 20 minute short film to be released soon, which features interviews with many high profile Detroit personalities who comment on their experiences in the ’60s and beyond, including the very Reverend Sharon MacVean-Brown, the first woman rector of Detroit’s St. Matthew’s & St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church, who also appears in the music video.
Also available now are the remixes for this single.
In just a few days Gregory Porter will travel cross country to embark on the next phase of his career. Nominated for his first Grammy (Best Jazz Vocal Album), for the album Water, the artist’s schedule has been turn up to a whirlwind pace. The journey to the Grammys is no easy course. There are the many interviews, parties, shows and appearances that come with Grammy recognition. His name now ranks on a formal list of fellow notable nominees including: Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis and James Moody. A night when the entire industry comes together, Grammy night is just as important to the fashion world as it is to music and careers have been made and tarnished by wardrobe choices.
Although Porter had some ideas about his Grammy threads, he tapped Brooklyn based designers, Privélege, to put together a proper wardrobe, fit for a night out with the stars. Headed up by Kingsley Duah and Mario Rijfkgoel, Privélege represents a Brooklyn-based group of designers and stylists specializing in hand constructed, made- to- measure garments crafted onsite in their Fulton Street studio.
Opting for something different than the traditional black tux, Porter was seeking a look that was aligned with his personal style and that was comfortable, ” Confidence and security is that an artist needs for a performance. It goes a long way. I am looking forward to see what they put together and how it reflects my music.”
Positioned as a lifestyle brand, Privélege has a classic approach to styling and the group believes in maintaining the traditional standards of tailoring and customer service, ” We love style that is classic and timeless. Making others look good is our aim. Helping them create a lifetime wardrobe of investment pieces.”
With master tailor, Frank Hall on site garments are measured, marked and assembled right in the studio. Hall studied with a variety of designers including a number of Italian and French designers. When asked to describe their service, Rijfkgoel simply states, “It’s personal.” And it is. Their fabric is of the highest quality, sourced from vendors around the world and each piece is made to fit the individual client.
Look out for Gregory Porter during Grammy week styled by Privélege.
