Altsounds — A lot of musicians pay lip service to having a plethora of far-flung musical influences, but then you listen to their music and it sounds like they've done their best to avoid them at any cost. Citing artists as diverse as Jorge Ben, Brian Wilson... more info

Totally Fuzzy — Amd said... SOUTH AFRICA VOL. 1 The first of four weekly post to coincide with the World Cup, discussing aspects of the event amnd featuring randomly-chosen songs from the host country: Nancy Jacobs & her Sisters – Meadowlands (1955) Mandoza – Nk... more info

MTV.com News — Stars from across the globe gather in South Africa to kick off the 2010 FIFA World Cup with a massive concert.By Mawuse Ziegbe Fergie performs with the Black Eyed Peas at the World Cup Concert Thursday Photo: Getty Images On Thursday (June... more info

MTV.com News — Skakira's official FIFA World Cup song 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)' has much company among 2010 soccer anthems.By Gil Kaufman Shakira kicks off the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday Photo: Michelly Rall/Getty Images... more info

Totally Fuzzy — The PopCulturist said... The Rare Stuff is delighted to present: The Definitive Del Amitri Rarities Series, Vol. 2*: The Waking Hours B-Sides *No, you didn't miss Vol. 1, we'll backtrack to that next. If you add up Glaswegian pub-rockers Del Amitri's... more info

Pitchfork — Photo by Spencer Tweedy In her 60-year career, gospel/soul legend Mavis Staples has worked with countless big names, including Bob Dylan, Prince, Ray Charles, Curtis Mayfield, the Band, and Booker T. & the MG's. Now she can add another name to tha... more info

MTV.co.uk News — G-Unit leader 50 Cent has disclosed that the music of late soul singers Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield  has proved the inspiration behind his upcoming album, Black Magic. He told Rap-up.com:... more info

Totally Fuzzy — a r n e l said... Nina Simone - 2 albums Louis Armstrong - 3 albums Curtis Mayfield - 2 albums A Tribe called Quest - 3 albums Scissor Sisters - 2 albums Chicago - 3 albums Billy Joel - 14 albums KT Tunstall - 2 albums http://bestfbothworlds.blogspot... more info

NME - Radar — The Buzz is the magazine’s weekly rundown of artists, scenes, labels and tracks breaking forth from the underground this week 1. Aloe Blacc’s ‘I Need A Dollar’ It’s easy to forget that hip-hop wasn’t always a competition to see whose rac... more info

Guardian Music — Barbican, LondonNext month, the Benin-born Angélique Kidjo will share a bill with Black Eyed Peas, Tinariwen and others at the World Cup's opening concert in South Africa. This London performance showcased her passionate performing style, razor-shar... more info