Diana Ross' 'Thank You' First Album of New Material in 15 Years

Photo Credit: Ross Naess

The last couple of years have been a rough ride for much of the world, but while the scourge of Covid-19 has taken much from us it has given back, too. 

Its latest gift is the first new music from Motown legend Diana Ross in 15 years — a 13-track opus featuring original writing from Ross as well as collaborations with in-demand producers, including pop-prince Jack Antonoff, entitled "Thank You."

“I spent the past year recording new music and this music is a reflection of the joy and the love and the gratitude that I feel every day," said Ross of the inspiration behind the effort in a statement. "It’s an album of great appreciation for life, and for all of you.

Ross, 77, explained that her love of singing kept her in good spirits during these unusual times, and the pandemic created a need in her to do something special with her music.

"For me there was an urgency in making a meaningful album, working with what is happening now in our world," she shared. "Through the power of music, we are creating a new kind of conversation that supports our choices and the decisions that we make."

Along with the release of the album, her first new studio material since 2006’s "I Love You," Ross released her first music video in a decade, something that would not have happened without a nudge from her sons Evan Ross (producer) and Ross Naess (photography), who both took part in the Amanda Demme directed collaboration.

“My sons gave me the confidence and encouragement to make this video. After spending almost two years not performing and not being in front of the camera, they supported me in easing back into being around lots of people," Ross stated. "I am filled with appreciation for the work that they all did to make this happen.”

Watch the video for the track "All Is Well"  below:

Easter Egg in Black Cowboy Movie "The Harder They Fall" a Tribute to Chadwick Boseman

Photo Credit: Netflix 

Rufus Buck (Idris Elba, center) escapes custody on a train with

the help of his gang associates Treacherous Trudy (Regina King)

and Cherokee Bill (LaKeith Stanfield) in “The Harder They Fall.”

"The Harder They Fall," the black-led western taking a fresh look at the genre is making a lot of noise on and off the screen for Netflix.

Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes at 87%, the movie which dropped Wednesday on Netflix following a limited theatrical run, has drawn high praise from critics, has a banging soundtrack and got co-producer Jay-Z to join Instagram — even if it was only temporary.

It certainly looks like director Jeymes Samuel has found the formula for success, though with talented
stars like Idris Elba, Regina King, LaKeith Stanfield and Jonathan Majors driving the action on the screen and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Jay-Z adding his clout to the soundtrack — the prospects of failure may have been somewhat lessened. 

Anytime you're dealing with a new take on a genre, especially one that involves race, America's not so politically correct path on the matter and redefining who and what people are and can be, using a mix of history and fantasy, the pressure is immense. Samuel's ability to rise above it and blend those elements into an empowering, educational and perhaps most of all fun piece of film is to be applauded.

And while the movie does an adept job of horning the past of black cowboys, albeit in a fictional framework, it is easy to connect the passions and problems that drive the protagonists with those Black people still are dealing with today.

So, it is only appropriate that in a nodding wink to the audience, almost too easy to miss if you're not looking for it, the film pays homage to the late Chadwick Boseman. The "Black Panther" star died in 2020 of colon cancer at the age of 43, and the filmmakers made sure the Disney/Netflix star was not forgotten.

The Twitter account for Strong Black Lead, Netflix's division dedicated to advancing Black stories, creators, and experiences, tweeted about the tribute:

Our favorite trivia from #TheHarderTheyFall might be the fact that the train is named after our forever king, Chadwick Aaron Boseman.

 Our favorite trivia from #TheHarderTheyFall might be the fact that the train is named after our forever king, Chadwick Aaron Boseman. 🖤 pic.twitter.com/wahEALnftR

— Strong Black Lead (@strongblacklead) November 3, 2021

Gap Band Co-Founder Ronnie Wilson Dead at 73

Ronnie Wilson, a co-founder of one of the seminal funk groups of the 1970s and 80s — the Gap Band — along with his brothers Charlie and Robert, is dead at the age of 73.

The performer, who was preceded by his brother Robert in death, who died of a heart attack in 2010 at the age of 53 following the group's official retirement after 36 years, suffered a stroke last week and his wife Linda Boulware-Wilson told TMZ that he died at his Tulsa, Oklahoma, home Tuesday morning.

"The love of my life was called home this morning, at 10:01am. Please continue to pray for The Wilson, Boulware, and Collins family, while we mourn his passing," Boulware-Wilson wrote in a Facebook post confirming the death. 

"Ronnie Wilson was a genius with creating, producing, and playing the flugelhorn, trumpet, keyboards, and singing music, from childhood to his early seventies. He will be truly missed!!!"

The Wilson brothers founded the band in the 1960s and named it after streets in their hometown (Greenwood, Archer, and Pine) in remembrance of the Tulsa race massacre. After years of steady work and some mild successes, the GAP band exploded on the scene in the late 70s and 80s with hits like "Burn Rubber on Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me),"  "Early in the Morning," and their signature hit "You Dropped a Bomb on Me."