The expression stomp originally started with two buskers dazzling the streets of Brighton, UK with music, their catchy performance hooking in bystaders to stop, observe, and listen. Created by Steven McNichols and Luke Cresswell in Brighton, UK, the musical STOMP debuted within the Orpheum Theatre in February 1994. The musical STOMP can also find some of its roots to Booth Theatres erected at the Village Fairs in the Middle Ages and Renaissance period- an old custom in that age. Unlike any other musical, STOMP pushes the idea of what constitutes audio. Eight nightly performers play basic and complex rhythms from every day items, for example six foot poles, sand, brooms, lids, litres of water, and aluminum bins. Through dance and audio, the group collaborates with every other to play audio, as well as giving individual self-expression. STOMP is a sensual mix of comedy, percussion, and lively movements. The musical STOMP is the unique creation of Steven McNichols and Luke Cresswell that captalizes on a ‘less is more’ idea. It is a passionate production, not easily classified into a specific musical or theatrical style. Via the absence of melodies, the audience listens to audio obtaining broken down into basics as eight chiseled and dynamic performers pound out rhythms with common items: poles, drumsticks, match boxes, water, brooms, bins, and lids. Ironically, the regular quality of these objects catapults STOMP to an artistic level not matched by other modern theatrical acts. The ease in which the cast manipulates their ‘instruments’ and body expands the imagination into a fantastic reality. Its set design is flashy and colorful at times; a more elaborate metal construction highlights instruments which are struck by performers harnessed from the ceiling. This restriction frees the cast to use their feet, legs, and arms to produce loud group rhythms that shake the rafters and audience with its intense, tribal rhythms. These in-your-face cadences are a powerful avenue for person and collective expression, leaving many on the edge of their seats. STOMP’s absence of fancy performer garments keeps the emphasis on what really counts: dance moves and musical rhythms, which become more complex with each subsequent scene. Subtlety is also used to balance out these raw rhythms.One scene is centered around performers tapping six foot poles, as they stealthily circle the stage, almost preying on each other with their sly moves and rhythms. Their sense of connection is palpable and sensual, cast eye contact igniting the anticipation, as you almost find yourself questioning who is going to ‘win’ at this musical game. Yet, everybody wins, the audience even asked into the performance via a cast member who initiates a clap-and-response session. Around two hours in duration, STOMP keeps one’s attention, making you wonder how items generally reserved for math problems, cleaning, and construction projects can entertain and create a powerful music group dynamic. In this age of modern technology, STOMP is a refreshing blend of primal instincts meeting musical genious, reminding us of the musical and rhythmic potential right under our noses. Find more information about the musical and buyStomp Tickets online

N-Dubz have added innovative bonus material to the CD release of their new album Against All Odds to encourage physical purchases of the record.

The album will host a new feature to enable an “augmented reality” performance within the sleeve, reports Music Week.

Each CD will come with a piece of paper embedded with 3D pictures, which, when viewed through a webcam will project 3D images of the band that pop up and talk to the viewer, before launching into a performance of new single ‘I Need You’.

The booklet will also include a special N-Dubz magazine with interviews, exclusive photos, a glossary of N-Dubz terms and a guide to the N-Dubz look.

Record label All Around The World also confirmed that the trio will shoot five alternative endings to the video for new single ‘Playing With Fire’, which features Mr Hudson. Fans will then be able to vote for their favourite to be used on the final edit.

As they recount the ups and downs of their antics in forensic detail, bandmate TULISA is left to play the voice of reason, attempting to usher them away from their wild ways.

N-Dubz release new single ‘I Need You’ on November 9. Their album follows on November 16.

From Prince to Marvin Gave, from rap to Rick James, black artists have incorporated increasingly mature and adventurous themes-culture, sex, politics-into grittier, gutsier music.

Particularly on Jackson’s own compositions, Thriller’s tense, nearly obsessive sound complements lyrics that delineate a world that has put the twenty-four-year-old on the defensive.

The albums aim was for every single to be a stand out track, and 7 of the albums 9 songs were released as singles. The exceptions being “Baby Be Mine” and “The Lady In My Life”.

In fact it was MTV who actually funded the 14 minute Thriller video which went on to become a record breaker in its own right after the record label had refused to fund a third album video, being fully satisfied with the albums success. The release of Michael Jackson Thriller video again sent album sales soaring.

As an adult solo artist Michael Jackson set his sights as high as possible and dreamed of creating the best selling album in the world.

Billie Jean is mentioned in passing in Thriller’s most combative track, the hyperactive “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” wherein Jackson also takes on the press, gossips of all kinds and other grief-givers. Here are the emotions.

Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins

There is much more to music figurines, wooden jewelry boxes, children’s jewelry boxes, and wooden keepsake boxes that meet the eye. Indeed, all mechanical music, including music boxes, has a unique history. Let’s continue to discover what that is.

After the creation of carillons, chiming watches, and barrel organs, musical movements made from carillons without bells or hammers began. After Antoine Favre’s creation of using a steel toothcomb, which could be plucked to make music (cylinder music box), initially no one thought of making a music box just to enjoy. However some, such as Phillppe Meyland did begin to make musical snuffboxes, and a group of watchmakers in 1810 and began to work on manufacturing small movements for watches and seals in Geneva. This resulted in the Geneva industry beginning and was started by the likes of Henri Capt, Les Freres, Long Champs, Morse Aubert, and Pierre Rochot. Sometime later in 1812, L.G. Jaccard, Jereme ReCordon started a similar product.

Once the mechanical music industry was started and settled, trade was brisk and further developments with musical boxes continued to improve until they reached their peak in 1870. It is interesting to note that by this time, there was virtually no music, which could not be played by a music box.

In 1890, a different musical mechanism began to impact the success of the comb and cylinder musical box. David Tallis in “Music Boxes: A Guide for Collectors” stated that: “Instead of putting the music onto a brass cylinder by means of pins, it was being set on steel discs, which were interchangeable and expendable. The polyphon had arrived and immediately caught everyone?s imagination with its unlimited repertoire of music. It was mass produced and soon took over the market which had previously been the sole right of the cylinder box manufacturer.”

Unfortunately, the success of the disc music boxes weren?t to last. The two main German companies for disc music boxes existed for 25 years, and the American Regina Company lasted a little longer, until 1919. The phonograph, a unique musical production, eventually took the place of the cylinder and Regina music boxes. Author David Tallis has this to say about the phonograph: ” It resulted from an invention which was made before that of the disc music box. In 1877, Thomas Edison made his phonograph. He put on a record made of tin foil and recited into the horn the first line of ‘Mary Had A Little Lamb’.”

Of course, it took time for the phonograph to develop where it could compete with the cylinder and disc musical boxes. However, by 1900, they were beginning to become more notable and very popular.

The history of mechanical music is truly interesting and like no other. So, the next time you play your music box figurine, wooden jewelry box, children’s jewelry box, and wooden keepsake box, you can remember what makes them so special.

Established in May of 2005, www.My-Music-Box.com is a music box gift store specializing in products such as inlaid ballerina music boxes for ballerina rooms décor, whimsical carousel music boxes, and musical jewelry boxes. The company provides interesting information for music lovers of all ages. Owner Monique Hawkins is also the author of the blog “What You Never Knew About Music” whatyouneverknewaboutmusic.blogspot.com , and owner of the eBay store “Monique’s Music Box” at: stores.ebay.com/Moniques-Music-Box Monique can be contacted at (540) 858-2885.