Rod 2.0:Beta #gay #news #lgbt #gaynews

Über hip-hop producer Pharrell Williams will collaborate with Velvet Revolver. The boy who says "I'm Not a Sex Symbol" heads to South Africa and still no release date on his long-delayed solo debut, In My Mind.

· The NYPD says that the weekend club raids in Chelsea were not targeting gays: "The raids were conducted under court orders obtained by the police and signed by state justices under the city's Nuisance Abatement Law. The police sought the civil orders after an investigation that resulted in the arrests of 20 people involved in selling drugs, along with other crimes." Hearings are scheduled throughout the week.

· LOGO announces Logomotion, a cellphone video programming service. It will include shows such as Noah's Arc and Real Gay Stories.

· Report: Episcopal Church should slowdown on gay bishops and same-sex unions or risk massive revolt.

On the NEXT Rod 2.0: Archbishop Carl Bean

Over the weekend, we had the pleasure to interview the fabulous Archbishop Carl Bean for NEXT, which, as you know, is "the hippest guide to gay New York." Before he became a minister and founded the Unity Fellowship Church, Carl Bean was a prominent out and proud gospel singer. In 1977, he shot to fame on Motown with the iconic dance floor anthem "I Was Born This Way." But he gave it all up for the ministry. "I started getting these calls about friends who were getting sick. I had to do something. I had to help."

Carl Bean's vision produced many resources for gay men, such as the Minority AIDS Project and the Unity Fellowship Church. West End Records has just released a fabulous remix of "I Was Born This Way." More on the remix, the story behind the song, the archbishop's wonderful ministry, and, his new music project ... in the upcoming issue of Next.

BTW, did you know that one of the archbishop's pastors is a good friend of Rod 2.0?

I Was Born This Way (West End Records)

I Was Born This Way: Digital Downloads

Next Magazine

Unity Fellowship Church

EUR headlines the South Beach incident a la sexual harrasment: "Busta Rhymes Goes Buck Wild on a Gay Fan, Rapper Reportedly Loses Control After Brokeback Tap." Sigh. At least they're using "Brokeback" as an adjective. Just a few weeks ago we were pleasantly surprised by their gay-supportive book review.

· Jamaica: Donald "Zeeks" Phipps, the prominent suspect in a grisly double murder, denies prosecution claims that he is gay and killed the victims in a cover up. In April 2005, Rodney Farquarson and Dayton Williams were shot, burned and dumped. Supporters threaten violence if Phipps is convicted.

· "If the homosexual lifestyle is legalised in Jamaica the nation will face the wrath of God!" An angry letter to the editor of the Jamaica Gleaner two weeks after reports that high school girls had gone gay. Unfortunately, legalization and human rights are nowhere on the horizon.

· More on Jennifer Jones, the college senior elected "homecoming king." The student newspaper at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda MD, rallies to her defense: "School officials should uphold the result of the election even though homecoming kings are traditionally not female. Jones’ gender and sexual preference should not spur administrators to interfere with students’ opinions and personal lives."

From Rod 2.0: Cassandra Wilson CD Giveaway

Cassandra Wilson's newest release, thunderbird, will hit stores and virtual shopping carts next week. Cassandra's sexy, velvet-smooth vocals and jazzy compositions have earned her recognition as one of the country's leading singers.

Rod 2.0 readers do not have to worry about pre-ordering—thanks to Cassandra and Blue Note Records, we have limited copies for giveaway. On Friday, look for the details and win your copy.

Until then, take a look-see-listen to Cassandra's wonderful new CD, thundebird.

Ooh la la Goldfrapp

It's probably not a coincidence that Goldfrapp's third album is entitled Supernature. To the average listener, the word implies the British duo's over-the-top, decadent style that fuses razor sharp vocals, eighties-inspired synthesizers and incredible visuals. Other die-hard disco fans—possibly Rich at FourFour, or, Jason at the Midnight Lounge—will probably get the inside joke: Supernature was also the name of a landmark disco album by Cerrone in the late 70s.

In that sense, both albums are somewhat similar. "Ooh La La", the lead single from Goldrapp's new CD, reminds you of that brilliant Giorgio Moroder/Pete Bellotte, "Love to Love You Baby"-inspired sound. "Ooh La La" is a fabulous track; it's catchy enough for urban radio but the clever bass line and Alison's velvet-smooth lyrics demand mega-remixes and all-night dancing from the boys at Roxy and the Crobar.

The second single from this CD, "Number 1", s much more lush with that distinctive edge of British synth-pop that we fell in love with way back in the day with the Human League and Yaz. "Number 1" also has a killer music video that demonstrates why this group is packing dancefloors and auditoriums on both sides of the pond.

But the most pleasant surprise was actually Track 10, "Time Out From the World." It's much more melodic and deliberate than the other tracks. The ballad features a deep n' sexy reverb that is fused with a fierce violin accompaniment that made Cerrone and that other Supernature such a treat in the 1970s. Goldfrapp's Supernature will have the same impact.

Supernature (Amazon)

Goldfrapp Jukebox (Goldfrapp)

News: Pharrell, Ultra Nate, Madonna

Random thoughts after looking at the production stills from Say Somethin', the new Mariah Carey music video that is being filmed in Paris on Les Champs Elysées. One, Mariah is wearing it out in those heels. Two, Pharrell has a neck tattoo and a bubble? Oh hell no. That means he deserves his own category at Rod 2.0! More production stills (and more bubble) at Just Jared. More Mariah and Pharrell at Oh la la.

Aria interviews "house music pioneer" Ultra Nate. The singer/songwriter has no problems with being labeled a dance diva. "The dance genre [is] an opportunity to actually try more diverse things since a dance track can have vibes or influences from any genre."

Midnight Lounge on the Mandisa remix.

Kelis has left her milkshake in the yard and now becomes "Bossy." Is she "the black Gwen Stefani, or is Gwen Stefani is the white Kelis"? Rocka returns to the virtual community with video and a few thoughts, namely "she can boss us around anytime."

"Not only is Cam'ron supergay, but he's lame and a hater." Nova analyzes probably what is the most over-used phrase in 'hood: The dreaded H-word. And for the record, yes, Cam'ron seems more than just a lil bit jealous. Not sure about him being gayish. He looks very straight here, no?

Joss Stone's new man is hot—almost as fine as Dwayne Wade.

First, let's clarify something from yesterday. We never said that Three 6 Mafia was the best original song. (So stop with the silly IMs, okay Myles?) However, it was great to see the AMPAS recognize that rap and hip-hop are valid cultural elements.

Moving on to the real fierceness: Miss Dolly Parton.

Watch her Oscar performance at Pop Culture Junkies—it would have been just as wonderful to see her win for Travelin' Thru. A gay like me first fell in love with Dolly in 9 to 5 and then at Twilo while listening to the Junior Vasquez Arena Anthem of Peace Train. The Houston Chronicle essays country stars like Dolly, Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris who are reaching out to gays: "Their careers aren't driven by hit records because country radio already ignores them." We all know that Dolly has always loved her gay fans. The living legend tells the AP that she based part of her feelings for Travelin' Thru on one of her employees who is a female to male trans. "I didn't know for years that this person had had a sex change. I know what a wonderful person he is, and I based some of my feelings (in the song) on my feelings for him and on knowing what he went through."

Novelist Fred Smith reviews the new Etta James CD, All the Way. "Etta covers Prince, R. Kelly, James Brown, and Marvin Gaye. A small departure from her projects of the past five years, primarily blues, but still a great project."

Queerty’s new editor is Real World alum/journalist Dan Renzi.

Inside of Every Cowboy ...

Just in time for Valentine's, Willie Nelson releases a gay cowboy song. "Cowboys Are Secretly, Frequently (Fond of Each Other)" was originally written in 1981. "The song's been in the closet for 20 years. The timing's right for it to come out," says the country music legend. By "timing" we're assuming he means all the Oscar hoopla over Brokeback Mountain. Yesterday, the song was released on Howard Stern and iTunes and The Malcontent has audio.

It's obvious that Willie Nelson has become gay-supportive. His cover of “He Was A Friend of Mine” accompanied Brokeback's closing credits and his manager also came out several years ago. But ... well, we're not quite sure what to make of some of these lyrics: Inside of every cowboy/there's a woman that would like to come out.

A.C. Coleman: "Phylosoulfree"

Aaron Coleman is an sgl artist whose music fuses spoken word, acid jazz, folk, and, eighties dance/electronica. Phylosoulfree is his debut CD—its pronounced "philo-soul-free" as in philosophy. The concept album and title reflects the singer/songwriter's formative years in the turbulent 1960s. "When I was at University of Houston in 1971, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, the beatnik poet of the 60’s, came and read from his work. His loose free-form style and his usage of the English language, left a mark on my psyche.

Phylosoulfree is produced and distributed by 2osos Productions, an independent artist community created by Coleman and producer David Eduardo Flores Perez. Twelve original tracks are presented on the CD. Plus, there's a bonus track, At the End of My Rope, available for preview at the website. Coleman's haunting yet mellow eighties vibe is reminiscent of Terrence Trent D'Arby. Track 5, The Only One, is retro yet one of the more uptempo numbers. Track 8, We Can Get There, has a similar aesthetic but is funkier—Narada Michael Walden influenced with a touch of Kraftwerk. The twelfth and final track is a (dance) remix of We Can Get There, heavy on the basslines and breaks.

If music were Aaron Coleman's sole passion, he probably would have opted for a much more commercial route. Instead, he is an accomplished writer, poet and HIV activist and wants to add A&R rep to his already-full resume. "My next ambition: To produce and promote local artists."

Phylosoulfree (2osos Productions) Interview with Aaron Coleman (Mandrake Society) Poet Profile (OutSmart)

Jody Watley's Makeover

There's a brilliant new interview with Jody Watley at the Midnight Lounge, one of the better new pop culture weblogs. The diva discusses "Makeover", her latest project: "The vibe is very progressive, with a nice mix of ambient grooves, bossa soul, dance, electronic soul." Jody also offers some insight into why gays—such as yours truly—are among her strongest supporters. "Gay men love strong, unique women. And, of course, you must have a signature style to inspire imitation! I was an outcast—or felt like one in school—so I also think there is a kindred spirit."

The Jody Watley Interview (Midnight Lounge)

Previously:

Save the Date (Rod 2.0)