EW Picks 'One True Vine' for Summer Top Ten

The current Summer Music Preview issue of Entertainment Weekly picks Mavis Staples' One True Vine (ANTI-; June 25) as one of the "10 Biggest Albums of the Summer," along with releases by Beyonce, Kanye West, Queens of the Stone Age and MGMT.

The magazine said:

The R&B legend doesn't need friends in high places when Minnesota dream-rockers Low and singer Nick Lowe are onboard. Also helping out? Wilco frontman and fellow Chicagoan Jeff Tweedy, who handles production duties. But don't worry, you'll still hear some old-school Mavis; she's got Funkadelic covers and classic Staple Singers reprises, too.

Check out the issue on newsstands now.

New Mavis Track Streaming at Complex Media

Check out the track premier of "I Like The Things About Me" by Mavis Staples, exlcusively in Complex Media.

Click here to stream the track, a remake of the 1972 Staple Singers B-side (to "Be What You Are," Stax-0164) written by Pops Staples and Martha Stubbs.

Trombone Shorty Rises to The Occasion

At age 27, Trombone Shorty has achieved one of the primary artistic goals he set for himself as a young trombonist growing up in New Orleans: he has closed out the Acura mainstage at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

As USA Today put it:

For his 'Do to Me' finale, Andrews waded into the crowd--a Jazz Fest rarity that only Bruce Springsteen can pull off--and then exited the stage again holding aloft his instruments in triumph. It was a commanding performance that showed that the closing slot is probably his to keep for some time to come.

For more reviews, a slideshow of Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue's set, and fan photos from the performance, click here.

Check out the video from NOLA.com, below:

Boston Love - Life IS good

To honor those affected by the tragic events surrounding the Boston Marathon on April 15, our good friends at Boston-based Life is good will donate 100% of profits from the Boston Love Tee (left) to the One Fund Boston.

The One Fund was formed Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino to help the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred here in Boston on Patriot's Day nine days ago. As of today, the Fund has raised $20 million from over 50,000 donors. Of those gifts, nearly $5 million were online donations from around the world

Click here to show your Boston Love.

RMB/ALO Offer Free Music to Kick off Tour

ALO and Ryan Montbleau Band have put together a special 2-song compilation of free music to share with fans in celebration of their upcoming joint tour dates. Bringing a vibrant blend of intelligent danceable grooves, ALO and Ryan Montbleau Band are excited to embark on an 8-date double-billed tour that officially kicks off today, April 18th in Milwaukee, WI. The tour continues on through the month of April in the Midwest before heading to the Northeast with dates in NYC and Philly.

Tickets for the ALO and Ryan Montbleau Band are currently on sale.

To download the free 2-song compilation, click here.

ALO + Ryan Montbleau Band Tour Dates:

4/18 -- Turner Hall, Milwaukee, WI
4/19 -- Varsity Theater, Minneapolis, MN
4/20 -- Double Door, Chicago, IL
4/21 -- Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, OH
4/23 -- 8 x 10, Baltimore, MD
4/24 -- Highline Ballroom, New York, NY
4/25 -- Westcott Theater, Syracuse, NY
4/26 -- Some Kind of Jam 8, Schuylkill Haven, PA*
4/26 – Putnam Den, Saratoga Springs, NY^
4/27 -- The Blockley, Philadelphia, PA
4/28 -- Brighton Music Hall, Brighton, MA*

* ALO without Ryan Montbleau Band
^ Ryan Montbleau Band without ALO

Video Recap - Mavis Staples 'Memphis Soul' Panel with Michelle Obama

Mavis today appeared at the White House before a group of students who had come from California, Tennessee, New York, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C to participate in an interactive workshop called “Soulsville, USA: The History of Memphis Soul.”

Held in the White House's State Dining Room, Mavis joined Justin Timberlake, Sam Moore, Charlie Musselwhite and Ben Harper, all of whom are also participating in the "In Performance at the White House: Memphis Soul" event later tonight. First Lady Michelle Obama invited the musicians to join the students for a conversation about the truly American art form of soul music, and the hard work involved in being a successful musician and performing artist.



The entire 68-minute workshop can be streamed at: http://youtu.be/8hdme4SY0oY