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Parliament-Funkadelic Vocalist Fuzzy Haskins Dead at 81

Clarence ‘Fuzzy’ Haskins, vocalist and original member of Parliament-Funkadelic, has died at the age of 81. His former bandmates revealed the news on social media, writing, “Resting on the verge of getting it on, Clarence Eugene “Fuzzy” Haskins (born June 8, 1941-March 17th, 2023) of Parliament-Funkadelic!” No cause of death has been disclosed.

Born in Elkins, West Virginia, in 1941, Haskins got his start singing in the ’50s and ’60s in New Jersey in the doo-wop vocal group the Parliaments, which was led by producer George Clinton and later became known as Parliament-Funkadelic. In addition to writing and co-writing early P-Funk classics like ‘I Got A Thing’ and ‘I Wanna Know If It’s Good to You’, “He was a good drummer as well, as he proved on ‘Can You Get To That,’ which he also co-wrote,” according to a biography on Clinton’s website. “Some of Fuzzy’s best vocals appeared on Funkadelic’s 1972 LP America Eats Its Young, most notably on ‘Ms Lucifers Love.’ But singing wasn’t the only thing that Fuzzy brought to P-Funk. He was known, during live P-Funk shows, to don skin-tight bodysuits and gyrate against the microphone pole as he whipped the crowd into a frenzy, especially when they performed ‘Standing on the Verge of Getting it On.’”

Haskins remained a full-time member of P-Funk through the 1976’s Hardcore Jollies and briefly rejoined the group on their Live Earth Tour the following year. “By this time, he claimed he was through with singing all the ole dirty songs and began studying the Lord’s Word,” Clinton’s site states. He issued his first solo album, A Whole Nother Thang, in 1976, followed by Radio Active in 1978. Later in life, Haskins became a preacher and focused on recording gospel music.

Haskins was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with other core members of Parliament-Funkadelic in 1997. “Parliament-Funkadelic pushed boundaries further and further on classic albums like Mothership Connection and Maggot Brain, and set a futuristic pace for Black music,” Rock & Roll Hall of Fame spokesperson Dawn Wayt said in a statement. “But Clarence ‘Fuzzy’ Haskins kept things connected to their street corner harmony roots.” In 2019, Haskins  received a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy for his contribution to P-Funk.

“Fuzzy was not only a talented singer & musician, he was a leader & team player,” P-Funk member Bootsy Collins wrote in an email to NPR. “He was always a light at the party, the shows or wherever he would go. He commanded attention on stage & off. Not in a boastful way, but just being his natural Werewolf self. He could have played the Wolfman. That was an inside joke that got out there in the atmosphere. Fuzzy was so much fun to hang out with. But on stage is where he gave his full attention to entertaining the audience. He was dedicated to his family & friends but anybody that knew Fuzzy knows that he would give u the shirt off his back. He will be missed dearly. R.I.P. my friend.”

How Lights Can Instantly Make Your Home Feel Warmer

Lighting is an essential part of any home decor. It has the power to transform a space, create a mood, and evoke emotions. With the right lighting, you can instantly make your home feel warmer and more inviting. In this blog post, we’ll explore the different ways lights can enhance the atmosphere in your home and make it feel cosy.

Flexible LED Strip Lights

If you’re looking for a versatile lighting solution to create a warm and inviting atmosphere in any room, consider flexible LED strip lights. These lights can be used to create an accent wall, highlight artwork or create a soft glow under cabinets or shelving. They are also ideal for adding a warm and cosy glow to your bedroom or living room. LED strip lights are energy-efficient and can be controlled using a remote or smart device. You can choose from a variety of colours and colour temperatures to create the perfect mood in your home. They are easy to install and can be cut to fit any space, making them a flexible lighting solution for any home.

Warm White vs Cool White

The colour temperature of light plays a significant role in creating a warm or cool atmosphere in your home. Warm white lights have a yellowish hue and are similar to the colour of candlelight or firelight. They create a cosy and welcoming atmosphere that’s perfect for relaxing and unwinding. Cool white lights, on the other hand, have a bluish tint and are similar to daylight. They create a bright and energising atmosphere that’s ideal for workspaces and kitchens.

To create a warm and inviting atmosphere, choose warm white lights for your living room, bedroom, and dining room. You can use cool white lights in areas like the kitchen, bathroom, and study, where you need bright and clear lighting.

Accent Lighting

Accent lights are like the unsung heroes of home decor, quietly but effectively transforming your space into a warm, inviting haven. Think of them as the spotlight in a cozy, intimate theater, turning each room into a stage where your decor pieces become the stars. By strategically placing accent lights, you can create a soft, ambient glow that envelops the room in warmth, making it feel more homely and welcoming. But it’s not just about illumination; it’s about setting a mood. And when it comes to your famous paintings, these lights work their magic by drawing the eye, enhancing the colors and textures of the art, and giving them a life of their own. 

Dimmer Switches

Installing dimmer switches is an easy way to adjust the lighting in your home and create a warm and cosy atmosphere. With a dimmer switch, you can control the intensity of the light and create a soft and relaxing glow. Dimmer switches also help to save energy and extend the life of your light bulbs.

Candles and Lanterns

Candles and lanterns are a great way to add warmth and ambiance to any room. They create a soft and cosy glow that’s perfect for relaxing evenings. You can place them on tables, shelves, or even on the floor to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. You can also use scented candles to add fragrance to your home and create a relaxing atmosphere.

Lampshades

Lampshades can transform the look and feel of a room. They can add colour, texture, and warmth to any space. Choose lampshades that are made of warm materials such as fabric or paper to create a soft and cosy atmosphere. You can also use lampshades to create a focal point in a room or to add a pop of colour to a neutral space.

Wall Sconces

Wall sconces are a great way to add warmth and style to your home. They create a soft and inviting glow that’s perfect for creating a cosy atmosphere in your living room or bedroom. Wall sconces are available in a variety of styles and designs, so you can choose one that complements your decor. They are also easy to install and can be used to create a focal point in any room.

Author Spotlight: Haruki Murakami

If you haven’t read any of the surreal and engrossing works by Haruki Murakami, you should consider doing so. The Japanese author has become a cultural sensation in the west, and his work is often mentioned by critics and booklovers.

Murakami: A Fashionable Author?

Murakami is one of the most famous writers from Japan, and nearly all of his works have been translated into English. The great thing about his novels and short stories is that they are highly accessible for new fans of Japanese literature, as there are many similarities between Japanese and western literature.

The extensive works of the 74-year-old are popular because they spark discussion and can often be interpreted in a myriad of ways. More people than ever are reading books now, as shown by PIA. Thanks to the rise of eBooks and social media influencers like Jimmy Fallon, reading is more popular among young readers than in previous years.

Murakami is considered fashionable because his works span a range of genres and themes. His style is so unique that you can’t really compare it to other popular authors. However, if you like his fiction, there are other Japanese authors recommended by Tokyo Weekender that explore similar themes. Discussing Murakami’s books in a bookclub or on social media will allow you to delve further into other Japanese authors such as Banana Yoshimoto, Mieko Kawakami, and Sayaka Murata.

Murakami often deals with the concepts of existence and interactions between random characters. His work paints an intriguing picture of Japan and the daily dilemmas that people face; loneliness, masculinity and the magic within mundanity. Murakami’s work is often coupled with strange things happen that are not usually explained, adding a sharp, compelling contrast to his novels.

The striking thing about Murakami’s immersive storytelling is that characters go about mundane tasks such as cooking food and listening to music, but the reader is completely absorbed.

The Best Murakami Books for Beginners

For anyone wanting to get into Murakami, many of his fans would recommend starting with his short story collections. The best of these is The Elephant Vanishes, which was released in 1990. It has sold more than 250,000 copies in the USA and features memorable entries like ‘Barn Burning’ and ‘The Second Bakery Attack’.

The first novel that many readers will pick up is Norwegian Wood, which is Murakami’s most famous work. It was published in Japan in 1987 and has since sold more than four million copies around the world. It’s also one of the least surreal in the author’s catalogue and acts as a good introduction to his writing style. Readers who are more interested in detective noir could pick up A Wild Sheep Chase and Dance Dance Dance.

For readers in search of a Murakami offering at the opposite end of the surreal scale to Norwegian Wood, Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World is an excellent choice. The story flits between two completely different characters, seemingly existing in opposite worlds. The 1985 book is referred to as one of Murakami’s best by The Resting Willow.

Murakami is one of the most famous authors in the world, and you should consider reading his books. The great thing is that he has penned a lot of fiction, so there are plenty of options for hungry readers to get through.

Five Tips to Spot Reputable Online Gaming Sites

Online and video games are a source of entertainment that fosters connection and interaction among people. Playing games on consoles, computers, or mobile devices is a beloved pastime for many. However, the competition for entertainment is fierce, not just from other games, but also from streaming and digital platforms. Therefore, when players encounter hacking or cheating, they may be inclined to abandon one game for another.

Nevertheless, online gaming is not without its hazards, particularly regarding dubious and fixed online gaming sites. The use of such sites can lead to severe negative consequences and side effects, including:

  • Malware and viruses
  • Identity theft
  • Data breaches
  • Account takeover
  • Cyber bullying
  • Phishing emails

To minimize such attacks, gamers can protect themselves by confirming a site’s legitimacy before entering any credentials. Also, they should refrain from opening unsolicited emails or text message links from unknown senders. To learn more about how to spot reputable gaming platforms, read on for our top five tips.

Watch for License and Encryption

First things first, online gaming sites that are legitimate put forth significant effort to safeguard your financial and personal data. This commitment starts at the website level, where SSL certificates protect data transmitted between your device and the gaming site’s servers.

In some instances, reputable gaming sites take additional steps to secure all data on their servers, thereby preventing malicious third-party actors from accessing it. An excellent example of such a site is IgnitonCasino.eu, which is licensed under the Curacao eGaming authority. More so, the site’s owners have gone the extra mile to provide added protection features such as SMS and reCaptcha validation, account verification, one account for one user policy, and cryptocurrency, among other measures.

That’s how you need to evaluate any website that captures your interest. At a minimum, you should examine the site’s homepage for licensing and regulation details, or search for a recognized authority’s logo.

Avoid Pirated Games

While we understand that games can be expensive, and times are tough, downloading pirated games is not a viable solution. Hackers often embed malware into “free” copies of popular games, making it incredibly risky to download them. It is always advisable to download games from official stores or safe websites.

Despite the popularity of certain platforms, such as Steam, vulnerabilities can impact users, making it crucial to remain vigilant. In December 2020, critical bugs within the Steam gaming client had to be patched after remote attackers crashed users’ games and, in some cases, even took over their computers. Thus, it is essential to stay alert as security issues can arise on any gaming client, no matter how popular it may be.

Read Online Reviews

In addition to taking precautions such as downloading from safe sites and official stores, it’s important to read online reviews to ensure that you don’t unknowingly download malware or other harmful software.

There are many resources available online where you can find user-generated reviews. As opinions on games can be subjective, it may be helpful to read multiple reviews from regular players in addition to or in place of professional articles. With some research, you’re likely to find discussions about the specific website that you’re interested in.

To further protect yourself, always be cautious about opening or clicking on links from unknown sources, pop-ups, or unsolicited messages. Pay attention to the website address, especially if you were directed to a site. If something feels suspicious or unusual, it’s best to steer clear.

Check Customer Support

Although the saying goes that a good website shouldn’t need customer support, the reality is that sometimes it’s necessary. After all, we’re only human, and issues can arise that we can’t handle on our own. When choosing a gaming site, it’s important to consider the quality of customer support provided.

Trustworthy sites offer responsive and helpful support, with representatives available 24/7 via live chat. These representatives work to resolve players’ issues, compensate for lost games, and give ample warning before suspending or closing an account.

Unfortunately, not all online gaming platforms are created equal. Some less reputable sites will shut down accounts without reason and replace real customer service representatives with bots. As a result, it’s important to do your research before committing to any particular gaming site.

Pay Attention to Details

Lastly, it is essential to be attentive to even the smallest details that may seem odd. Always trust your instincts, and if something seems off, it probably is.

Some unscrupulous gaming operators will repeatedly ask new players to provide sensitive verification documents, and even require them to transfer them through unsecured channels.This is a serious red flag, and you should stay away from such websites at all costs.

The payment options the website accepts are a vital consideration as well. Whether it be by credit and debit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, or cryptocurrencies, reputable gaming websites must offer secure payment alternatives that are completed in a timely manner. This also holds true for the increasingly well-liked play-to-earn games.

It’s likely that a gaming website is unreliable if it has lengthy payout intervals or demands waiting periods before withdrawing money, especially if it takes three months or longer. As a result, it’s crucial to give gaming websites’ customer care a high priority.

Album Review: Yves Tumor, ‘Praise a Lord Who Chews but Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds)’

If there is a correct way to say the title of Yves Tumor’s new album, Praise a Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds), it’s without stopping for breath. Try it, and pay attention to the heaviness of the next out-breath, how quick it is to leave your body. You have to before you even consider the meaning behind that long string of words, which tease out some of the album’s themes but shouldn’t be treated as more than a poetic evocation. Hot Between Worlds is the first thing you feel right when it kicks off; people will point out the scream that opens ‘God Is a Circle’, but driving the song is a relentless, mechanical panting – nervous, sinister, eager, or ecstatic, it’s not clear, even as it’s the same sound that loops over. In the lyrics, Tumor drifts between self-conscious introspection (“There’s places in my mind that I can’t go/ There’s people in my life I still don’t know”) and an otherworldly kind of pleasure (“I feel like I’m fluorescent holding you”). This might be their definition of heaven, but it’s no resting place.

Tumor has evolved from experimental sound collagist to glam-rock star, but even as they have become more “hook-focused,” as the artist recently told Courteny Love, the sensual, elusive, and divine qualities of their music remain at its core, interacting in rich and captivating ways. Praise a Lord is not a drastic shift from 2020’s glamorously theatrical Heaven to a Tortured Mind, but it carries its creator’s boundless vision with the same urgency. Tumor is a master of tension and release, and on Praise a Lord, they linger in the space between the two in a way that feels physical more than just explorative. Listening to the record, you’re struck by sounds whose main influence must have been breath – and not just as rhythm, which is natural and common, but in giving texture to guitars (except on ‘Meteora Blues’, where the reference point is clearly just Smashing Pumpkins), direction to vocals (on the gripping ‘Echolalia’), and heat to deconstructed samples (the chaotic, chopped-up dance of ‘Purified by Fire’). Even when it feels out of control, the breath has an almost stubborn way of falling into constancy and comfort, and Tumor channels this palpable tendency to be pure and full into a deeper, more tangled yearning.

No single framework can do justice to the complexity of Tumor’s work, even if Praise a Lord, which was produced by Noah Goldstein and mixed by Alan Moulder, seems more intent on solidifying disparate sounds than stretching them further apart. ‘God Is a Circle’ perfectly encapsulates the liminal state Tumor keeps diving headfirst into, revealing bits of what they find and obfuscating others. By contrast, the following ‘Lovely Sewer’ is less multi-faceted, offering a more a more mundane picture of a relationship while still triggering the imagination: “You cannot start a war/ Just for the feeling/ What if our friends see/ We stared at our ceilings.” Tumor is known primarily as a sonic innovator whose mysterious, abstract lyricism is always in service to their (increasingly approachable) music, but their choice of words is often incisive and powerful more than simply aesthetic. The lyrics on ‘In Spite of War’ are vague but not inscrutable, with lines like “The absence of our isolation can tear our fears away” suggesting a certain longing for communion while betraying an inability to surrender to it.

In the album’s most pivotal moments, Tumor reaches for transcendence as much as they embrace primal desires. The title of ‘Heaven Surrounds Us Like a Hood’ brilliantly describes the feeling, and the song lives up to it. At once heady and anthemic, tender and vicious, it’s a thunderous frenzy that glistens with possibilities, breaking only for Tumor to declare: “This world feels so ugly when life makes a fool of us.” And maybe this explains their strange devotion to beauty, a human construct so fragile and important we’d rip ourselves open for it, like the key to a higher power. Tumor’s music doesn’t ache for any sort of godly destination, but it is transfixed by the potential for transformation, and Praise a Lord proves they’ll harness all the beauty and horror necessary to breathe life into each striking form.

Albums Out Today: Yves Tumor, 100 gecs, M83, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and More

In this segment, we showcase the most notable albums out each week. Here are the albums out on March 17, 2023:


Yves Tumor, Praise a Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds)

Yves Tumor is back with a new album, Praise a Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds), out now via Warp Records. Following 2020’s Heaven to a Tortured Mind and 2021’s The Asymptotical World EP, the record was produced by Noah Goldstein, mixed by Alan Moulder, and features contributions from Chris Greatti, Yves Rothman, and Rhys Hastings. Described in a press release as Tumor’s “most intimate and personal statement to date,” the album was previewed by the singles ‘God Is a Circle’‘Echolalia’, ‘Parody’, and ‘Heaven Surrounds Us Like a Hood’. Read our review of the album.


100 gecs, 10,000 gecs

100 gecs have followed up their 2020 debut 1000 gecs with 10,000 gecs. The new album, released via Dog Show Records and Atlantic Records, includes the previously shared singles  ‘mememe’‘Doritos & Fritos’, and ‘Hollywood Baby’. “When we were making the first album, we were just two friends that wanted to make an album, and it was like, ‘We’ll do the fucking goofiest shit and make it hot and whatever,’” Laura Les said in a recent interview. “And this one, I mean, it’s just a completely different context. We are still two friends that are just trying to make good songs. But I definitely think we’ve matured as people, a bit, since the first one.”


M83, Fantasy

Anthony Gonzalez has returned with the ninth M83 album, Fantasy. Released via their own Other Suns label, the 13-track effort was led by the single ‘Oceans Niagara’, before Gonzalez shared all six songs that make up the first chapter of Fantasy. “I wanted this record to be very impactful live,” he explained in a statement. “The idea was to come back with something closer to the energy of Before the Dawn Heals Us. The combination of guitars and synths is always in my music, but it’s maybe more present on this new record than on the previous ones. I wanted to be more present lyrically and vocally even if that was daunting at first. I thought if I could achieve that, this album will be more personal than those that came before.”


Unknown Mortal Orchestra, V

Unknown Mortal Orchestra have released their latest LP, V, via Jagjaguwar. Bandleader Ruban Nielson was inspired by West Coast AOR, classic hits, off-kilter pop, and Hawaiian hapa haole music during the making of the album, which was conceived during the pandemic in Palm Springs, California, and Hilo, Hawaii. “In Hawaii, everything shifted off of me and my music,” Nielson explained in a statement. “Suddenly, I was spending more time figuring out what others need and what my role is within my family. I also learned that things I thought were true of myself are bigger than I thought. My way of making mischief – that’s not just me – that’s my whole Polynesian side. I thought I was walking away from music to focus on family, but the two ended up connecting.”


deathcrash, Less

London slowcore band deathcrash have issued a new album, Less, which follows their 2022 debut Return. Out now via untitled (recs), the LP was recorded on the island of Great Bernera in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, and features the previously released tracks ‘Duffy’s’ and ‘Empty Heavy’. “The mission statement was to be super minimal,” singer Tiernan Banks explained in a press statement. “Just simple and beautiful guitar parts and to be really bare. To be… less.”


Black Honey, A Fistful of Peaches

Black Honey have dropped their new album, A Fistful of Peaches. It marks the third LP by the Brighton four-piece, following 2021’s Written & Directed. “If the vibe of Written & Directed was creating this whole Tarantino world and this safe space of me almost refusing help and saying I was fine, then with this album it’s the opposite,” frontwoman Izzy Phillips explained. “Lockdown had happened, I’d had two years of not writing anything and feeling like my entire purpose had gone down the drain, I’d been in intense therapy which was exhausting, and what came out was just me regurgitating things from my entire life and building my brain cells back to how they should be. I’ve had to be more honest and vulnerable with myself, but I feel like I’d be disservicing anyone who spends their time and passion and energy into this project to not fucking unveil it all.”


Kosaya Gora, Kosogor

Kedr Livanskiy and Flaty have released their debut collaborative album as Kosaya Gora, which means “oblique mountain” in Russian. Spanning 14 tracks, Kosogor was recorded in a mobile studio the pair took through remote villages in their native Russia. “In one place, there was nothing but a forest, a cemetery and [a] ruined church,” Livanskiy recalled. “The wooden house we lived in was 120 years old, and this spirit is imprinted in some songs.” Livanskiy described the mood of the LP as “on the one hand, foggy and gloomy, and on the other hand, light.”


The Lost Days, In the Store

In the Store is the first full-length LP by the Lost Days, the collaborative project of Tony Molina and Sarah Rose Janko. Out now via Speakeasy Studios SF, the follow-up to their 2021 release Lost Demos was preceded by the title track and ‘For Today’. “It was really about an obsession with the first three Bill Fox LPs, and finding a newfound freedom in home recording with Sarah that set the concept in motion,” Molina explained in a statement. “The Lost Days was a collaboration in which we were tapping into our love of traditional songwriting. We felt that recording to cassette at our friend’s house was the best way to capture the songs.”


Other albums out today:

Genevieve Artadi, Forever Forever; EST Gee, Mad; The Van Pelt, Artisans & Merchants; Doug Paisley, Say What You Like; DJ Black Low, Impumelelo; Emiliana Torrini & The Colorist Orchestra, Racing the Storm; Kruelty, Untopia; Lil Keed, Keed Talk to ’Em 2T-Pain, On Top of the Covers; Flyying Colours, You Never Know.

Watch De La Soul Perform ‘Stakes Is High’ With the Roots on ‘Fallon’

Maseo and Posdnuos, the two surviving members of De La Soul, appeared on last night’s episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, performing ‘Stakes Is High’ with the Roots. They also sat down with Fallon to talk about the long-awaited release of their back catalogue on streaming services, a bittersweet return following the death of Trugoy the Dove at age 54 in February. Watch it below.

The Chemical Brothers Release Video for New Song ‘No Reason’

The Chemical Brothers have returned with a new single called ‘No Reason’. The track arrives with an accompanying video directed by Smith & Lyall and choreographed and performed by Gecko Theatre. Watch and listen below.

Back in 2021, the Chemical Brothers released the single ‘The Darkness That You Fear’. Their last album was 2019’s No Geography.

Doechii Releases New Song ‘What It Is (Block Boy)’ Featuring Kodak Black

Tampa rapper and singer Doechii has dropped her first single of 2023. It’s called ‘What It Is (Block Boy)’, and it features Kodak Black. Give it a listen below.

“This song is a fusion of nostalgia and pop vibes,” Doechii said of the new song in a statement. “I feel like I’m showing off a side of my vocal range with this one that my fans haven’t really seen yet. I love using the old samples of ‘No Scrubs’ and ‘Some Cut’ to mix in some playful energy as well.”

Doechii released her latest EP, she / her / black bitch, last year.

Donald Glover and KIRBY Release ‘Swarm’ Series EP Soundtrack

Donald Glover has released a new EP accompanying his new Amazon Prime Video series Swarm, which is also out today. The six-track EP features original music by the show’s fictional pop star Ni’jah, who is voiced by KIRBY. Childish Gambino is credited as an executive producer on the EP along with Michael Uzowuru. Check it out below.

“KIRBY has such a versatile sound and songwriting ability, she was able to elevate and amplify every moment she was a part of,” Glover said in a press release. “It’s been a pleasure to collaborate together, to bring this story to life sonically and I couldn’t imagine what this would sound like without her involvement.

“I fell in love with the idea of becoming the Ni’jah character,” KIRBY added. “What would she say in this scene? What would she sound like? It was liberating to go in and write & sing without any rules. There are people who are called ‘genius’ and people who truly are. After working with Donald, Michael, Fam & Riley I truly know the difference.”

Swarm follows a young woman named Dre  (Dominique Fishback) who is obsessed with one of the world’s biggest pop stars. Billie Eilish and Chlöe Bailey also appear in the series.