Angela Henry is queen of the sleuth novelists

Mar. 12 |   Mystery novelist Angela Henry (www.angelahenry.com) is about the freshest breath of air you’re likely come by in terms of light reading for a black audience.  None of that soft porn you constantly get as romance, or the pot-boiling...

Keith recalls how he and Lesli met — and the foul names she’d called him

Feb. 27 |     Making her way from the bed to the bathroom, Lesli called, “Honey, you there?” Keith blew cigarette smoke out. “Yeah, baby, I’m here,” he lied in what he hoped was a strong, assuring voice. Fact is, he was, as the saying goes,...

Black and Single Blues: Keith weighs commitment to the best of the best

Feb. 20 | When last we left our intrepid hero, he was wondering what the hell good it was doing to stand at the window and watch the street below as he pondered the future of his relationship with Lesli, who was still asleep in his bed. Not much, he decided....

Fragments of the Ark: Civil War saga tells of Black soldiers and survivors

Oct. 11 |     Gifted novelist Louise Meriweather followed Daddy Was a Number Runner with Fragments of the Ark (Pocket Books/Simon and Schuster) a fascinating work of “faction” — well-crafted, fictional characters in an exciting tale steeped...

Mint Condition: New CD an improvement, but not a return to glory days

Sep. 26 | Music @ the Speed of Life is an improvement on 2008’s E-Life, a static, paint-by-number disappointment from a band renowned for fresh, even innovative fare. But, not by much. With hints of Guy, Earth Wind & Fire and Kool & the Gang, Stokely...

GLBT characters of color on the big and small screens

Aug. 29 |   It’s hard enough finding straight people of color — including Black folk — on TV and film, never mind non-hetero depictions. Here’s a thumbnail sketch roundup of positive portrayals. In the interest of being thankful for small favors,...

Angie Stone’s upcoming CD makes her a Rich Girl

Aug. 29 |   Album has a wealth of great music, lyrics     Angie Stone mines a gem with her newest offering. Rich Girl, start to finish, kills in cold blood. The neo-soul bag is a perfect fit for Stone. R&B and gospel underpinnings give her...

Dave Chappelle sneaked into Twin Cities and left ’em laughing

Aug. 22 |   Dave Chappelle don’t have a lick of sense. For that matter, Tracey Ashley ain’t wrapped too tight, either. Between them both, August 2 at the Historic State Theatre in downtown Minneapolis was a gas. Tracey Ashley, new to Twin Cities audiences,...

Maternal memoir a moving coming-of-age story

Jul. 5 |   Photo courtesy of amokekubat.com Twin Cities-based author Amoke Kubat has penned a refreshing manuscript with her memoir Missing Mama: My Story of Loss, Sorrow and Healing (Respondability, Inc., $20). Indeed, it is welcome change of pace from...

Electric Ladyland DVD tells behind-the-scenes story of Jimi Hendrix

Jun. 12 |       Jimi Hendrix was one of the most famous Black men of his day. Yet he didn’t have a Black following. He remains, decades later, the most singularly influential rock guitarist to ever walk the earth. That includes Charley Christian,...