Gigs, gigs, gigs

Licking my lips in anticipation of the new Silverchair album to be released next week. Every since they released 'Diorama' I've been itching for another album. Given the way that their new single has been going, the album 'Young Modern' should go to No. 1 on the charts not too soon after it gets released.

Talking of Silverchair, they are playing their first indoor concerts in Australia in nearly 3 years!! Tickets on sale on 30th March. They're playing a show at the Enmore theatre on the 9th May (Wednesday night). I'm there for sure (if I can get tickets)!!

Also, managed to get my hands on Bloc Party tickets (Thanks Sam) for later in August. Should be sweet, although I'm not a big fan of the Hordern as a location. Just hope they play more stuff from 'Silent Alarm' and their singles which were released between the 1st and 2nd album. I'm not really feeling 'A Weekend In The City'.

Apart from 'The Roots' who are playing at the Enmore Theatre in April, there aren't many good hip-hop gigs happening. Not keen on rocking up there by myself so I might skip the Roots and wait till they come around next time. Otherwise, underground act J-Zone is coming and so is the more commercial Lloyd Banks (plus some of his G-Unit cronies).

Braggin Writes (Song of the Week)

Title : I've Never Seen
Artist : RZA Ft. Xavier Naidoo
Album: The World According To RZA
Year: 2003

I remember during my uni days (makes me sound old) I used to watch Channel 31 if I was studying late at night because they'd often show rare hip-hop music videos (alot of old classics). This was of course before the time of YouTube (where any music video from any era can be found). Anyways I switched on the television and it was halfway through a music video with what sounded like an R&B song. But then I recognised a face in the video, it seemed to be that of RZA. For those who don't know the RZA, he is one of hip-hop's greatest producers (in a league with DJ Premier, Pete Rock, J-Dilla, Dr. Dre, etc), the de-facto leader of the Wu-Tang Clan, composer of many movie scores (including that of Kill Bill) and musical genius.

I was a bit confused because I never knew he collaborated with R&B singers. Anyways, back to the song. I was instantly hooked on the song and the music video. I listen to mainly R&B and Hip-Hop and this song is one of the most heartfelt & beautiful R&B songs I've ever heard.

I'm really feeling RZA's lyrics in his little cameo...

Aiyo, shorty, I've never met someone so beautiful
From your hair follicle to your finger nail cuticle
Struck by the arrow of Cupid, this love is deep rooted
Like someone took my heart, sampled it and looped it

The singer is from Germany and his name is Xavier Naidoo. He's of Tamil/Indian/South African descent and has a really smooth voice. I'm not sure how many people have heard of this song before, but it went to #1 on the German Charts. If this song was released in the US or Australia I'm sure it'd blow up and go high on the charts too.

Watch the music video on YouTube and become a fan of the RZA & Xavier Naidoo.

There's also another version that went to #1 in Germany. The German title of the song is "Ich Kenne Nichts (Das So Schön Ist Wie Du)" . In this version, Xavier Naidoo switches halfway in the song f rom English to German, and RZA doesn't have a part in the song.

Enjoy.