Atlantic City Weekly

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Let’s put a big bow on July 
with this month’s “Music Beat” winners.


Best Concert — Runners-up are Full Force and Dennis Edwards’ Temptations Revue at Gardner’s Basin held Saturday, July 16. The City of Atlantic City is doing an amazing job of booking talent and keeping things fun and well organized for their free “Summer in The City” series. Full Force and the Temptations drew a record crowd.


However, the winner for best July concert in Atlantic City (that I saw) goes to Sade. How good was Sade on July 2 at the Trump Taj Mahal? John Legend opened the show with a set that almost brought the house down. By the time Sade finished her opening performance of “Soldier Of Love,” I could not remember who opened the show. By the time Sade finished her second song “Your Love Is King,” she could have literally said, “Good night and God bless,” and I don’t think anyone would have argued that they had not gotten their money’s worth. Sade’s show was so extraordinary that she never performed her hit “Hang On To Your Love” and I didn’t complain. Sade’s show was so great that when she performed songs I didn’t know, they still stopped my heart. Her concert was, in my book, right up there with Stevie Wonder as the best I’ve ever seen and heard. 


Best New Talent Venue of the Month — This honor goes to Patti Harris’ “Incubator for Talented Youth” series at Kennedy Plaza. This year, dance icon Harris only had four weeks to present her talented youth and friends on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, but neither Harris nor her performers disappointed. For 11 years, Harris’ “Incubator” series has been a summer tradition, bringing new talent and seasoned pros to the Kennedy Plaza stage. Many of the pros had actually debuted as performers as youths over the years.


And now for “The Music Beat” Picks of the Week.


Music Beat Pick #1: Sarah Shosana Rosen — Rosen showed southern New Jersey why she is a rising star in the local production of Anything Goes. I think she was born to sing the American Songbook. Whenever and wherever she is performing, try to get a ticket.


Music Pick #2: The 2011 “Rhythm In The Park” concert series every Friday at the Tony Canale Park Amphitheater in Egg Harbor Township. While I have not checked out this series yet, I am looking forward to seeing the RB Express — a doo-wop group appearing Aug. 12. Though I grew up in the ’70s, I remember the successful ’50s musical revival thanks to movies and shows like Grease, Happy Days and American Graffiti. I’m sure I’ll enjoy BP Express, based on what I’ve seen of their YouTube performances. The EHT amphitheater has concerts throughout the summer ranging from pop to rock to jazz. For a full run down check out ehtgov.org.


Music Pick #3: 120 at Atlantic City’s inaugural “Grown and Sexy R&B Extravaganza” on Saturday, July 30, now being held at Trump Plaza. The Atlantic City trio 120 — comprised of Niko, Taurius and Baby Boy — will open for Case, Bobby V and Donnel Jones. 120 adds Saturday’s show to a long list of performances that include showcases on BET, NBC’s The 10 Show, and the AC Weekly “Local Music Guide” kick-off concert at Stockton’s PAC last fall. 


Date and time change notice: Please remember I am always looking for new talent to write about. I host and organize “The Music Beat Weekly” — now held every Wednesday night from 8-11pm at the Flagship Resort’s Blue Water Grille. We have already had several former Broadway performers stop by, including Malcolm Ali Davis (who played young Simba in Disney’s Broadway production of The Lion King). Now we also do a poetry slam each week before the main performances. It’s a great evening of family fun, great food and drink, and admission is free.


One final note: Last Saturday, July 24, the music world lost a great young talent in Amy Winehouse. I personally never fed into all the media hype because I never met her, but I am, however, good friends with her publicist, Tracey Miller, who lives and works here in the area. She offered this note on Winehouse’s passing. “I am heartbroken and sad. Amy was incredibly sweet, unassuming, funny and caring — a beautiful and amazing artist with exceptional talent, I was privileged to have known her.” 


Finally, this week’s column headline comes from our thermometers — and the classic 1980 album by Stevie Wonder of the same name. Motown Records was not audited by the Recording Industry of America before 1977. That would mean that Hotter Than July was Stevie’s first platinum LP, even though Wonder’s 1976 Songs in the Key of Life is one of the most influential recordings in history.

Raymond Tyler hosts the Alternative Soul Sunday Breakfast Club radio show each Sunday from 7–8am on 96.1FM WTTH - The Touch.

Amy Winehouse: 1983-2011