I hope the upcoming new project "Serial Thriller" has stronger production than Rebel Soul. Even though it has it's moments. The drum programming didn't exactly lock into Martin Luther's contributions. Because I think it's a damn shame that this guy isnt being heralded for his voice and musical talents in the same plateau that D'angelo, Maxwell, John Legend or Alicia has had. All of these artists who cherish great artistry did a disservice to the musical/artist community by not mentioning him on short lists or making it clear that he isn't just a SIDE MAN.

I really think Vibe/Rolling Stone/Mojo/NME etc missed the boat not doing a cover story on him. John Mayer but not Martin Luther? Something is wrong with that one. And you know it is when you hear a song like "Rise" And to boot the guy is a great lyricist who can intuitively paint a aural-visual emotional canvas for your mind about what he is expressing. Very few artists can do that.

Especially with a cameo like this:

http://www.imeem.com/peop...tly_weeps/

I am pulling for him. This guy literally floats with stylish effortless phrasing on a song. Very few can do that stripped down with no bells or whistles of technology in the track. I think I know why people don't mention him to Clive Davis or LA Reid or Andre Harrell even a person like Jay Z. These other artists would lose their damn job in a heartbeat. I am sure these people know he is an amazing guitarist with the Roots but they have no idea about his artistry as a vocalist/lyricist/songwriter/musician


It's time for Martin Luther to rise:

http://www.imeem.com/vinc...ther_rise/


Forget all these over saturated tin pop star threads and get in here and co sign with the quickness on Martin Luther.

Mars23 said:

Great to know. I find it fascinating that someone like Robert Fricke or Toure hasn't done a in depth piece on Martin Luther. Usually you just see reviews for Martin Luther. Especially with his screen cameo in "Across The Universe"

I really really feel strongly that a journalist has a missed opportunity not doing a piece chronicling the recording of his new project. It's such a no brainer. We can talk about Raphael Saadiq,D'angelo,Maxwell,John Legend,Alicia Keys,John Mayer,Robin Thicke,Beyonce,Cee Lo til the cows come home. But the guy has paid his dues.

You have to admit this crap is sad when we talk more about Janet,Madonna,Beyonce,. When we talk about entertainers more than we do all emcompassing musicians. Tavis, should have had Martin Luther on his show yeaaars ago.

No, I aint letting this thread die. Here's to Martin's new project sounding ill for 2009.

Trickology said:

I posted about him earlier this week. Question.
Do u think Martin sounds a bit like Amp Fiddler or Foley?

Graycap23 said:

My apologies I didn't see the thread
I think all three are different and relevant. Each of the three have different vocal registers. I think the common thread they share is the love for the trinity: Stevie,Sly,Hendrix. I think that clearly comes through in their performances. Foley is hard to judge because I havent heard any new material at all. He would be a hard one to pin down musically for 2009. Foley follows the risk/reward analysis for releasing a project I believe.

Martin Luther is a great artist...but there is a cat that could take it to the stage against any of the current artists mentioned on this thread, given the opportunity. And his name is....vM.

Sorry, had to do it.



vM
http://stereofame.com/victormckoy
http://victormckoy.ning.com
http://myspace.com/escapefromtrapcity
[Edited 11/14/08 14:09pm]

LOVE THIS DUDE Which reminds me - I dl'd the live album & still haven't listened, I gotta do that this weekend. He's incredible live

Has he ever been on Baisden After Dark?? I don't watch it (Baisden works my nerves) but he seems to have people on that not everyone's heard of. With enough exposure, ML could be huge (give or take some industry fuckery) I thought it was over after the Oprah appearance for Across the Universe


.
[Edited 11/14/08 13:47pm]

I checked you out vM. Not bad. Keep it up.


"Where's blackguitaristz?"

Thanks SPYZFAN1...I appreciate it.

The thing with artists like myself & Martin Luther is the typecasting the mainstream ("Hip-Hop America") puts on black male artists. Unfortunately, sometimes it overflows into the brains of underground music fans as well. It really is hard as hell for most of us to get the promotion & recognition we deserve...whether we're signed or not. And we do pay our dues, believe me.

I see the next decade as being THE DECADE for black male artists who actually give a damn about raw creativity & pure artistry...I'll let Two Quarters, Mr. Autotune & "The Voice of This Generation" have this one, it's almost over anyway.

vM
http://stereofame.com/victormckoy
http://victormckoy.ning.com
http://myspace.com/escapefromtrapcity

SPYZFAN1 said:

[Edited 11/15/08 16:49pm]

Martin Luther is defintitely in the blakrawk thang and that's that thang I dig most.

Trickology said:

Something is wrong with the fact that John mayer gets "props" at all.

Trickology said:

Do not get me started...

Martin Luther is the TRUTH! I am in love with his voice and I ain't even talkin' R&B here, I'm talkin' SOUL with just the right edge that not only makes him interesting, but takes it to the next level. I don't know why peeps are sleeping on this cat. And you wanna talk about a lyricist? What! Not to mention a first rate guitar player. It's a crime that he's so underrated.

I can't wait for the new album.

rebelenterprise said:

Well done young man...you've earned yourself a new fan.

John Mayer is much more mainstream than Martin Luther is though. That's why everyone knows who he is and not so much who ML is.

Rebel Soul is a fantastic record and I agree that the production wasn't top notch on it, but the songs and the musicianship were definitely there. When does the new joint come out?

Martin Luther is great,i definitely wait for that,anybody knows a date when it's coming out?

rebelenterprise said:

Keep doing, what your doing VM, i'm listening to your songs on stereo fame right now, that's great stuff

Not to change the subject, but guitarslinger44 made a good point about Mayer being more mainstream. The same can also be said about David Ryan Harris (who played with Mayer.)

There's so much unsung black rock/soul talent out there it hurts.

No hatin' on Mayer from me. He sounds good and had David Ryan HArris in his band.ML's success or lack of exposure has nothing to do with John Mayer. Just a matter of choice and knowledge.

Thanks to babynoz & marzellus for the love. And SPYZFAN1 is right, there's alot of us out there... Living in Atlanta is probably the hardest place to be the type of artist I am, being the mecca of "shit-hop" it is. My street-team IS me (no manager or PR). And there is a black funk/rock scene here ( http://web.mac.com/stratagemmusicmedia ), but it goes unnoticed under the shadows. It's really up to the listeners to say when enough is enough, referring to the nonsense being fed to us by the powers that really ain't fuckin' powerful anymore.

Like I said before, we're almost to that point (The music industry's "disintegration"), & the closing of this decade will bring a new direction, a new era. The underground will one day become the mainstream. It's not a dream, it's all up to us. Support is crucial...2009 is the year of the underdog. Much success to Martin Luther & every artist who does exactly what they want to do creatively & intellectually, without compromise.

vM
http://stereofame.com/victormckoy
http://myspace.com/escapefromtrapcity
http://victormckoy.ning.com
[Edited 11/18/08 13:46pm]