Ethnic problems at airports...

Do you think that ethnic problems are only present in the middle of the cities? What about the airports?

But what if you go to the airport wearing a T-shirt with non-English words printed on it? Or board an airplane while discussing the safety merits of particular seats? As we’ve learned from two recent news stories, what happens next might depend on people’s stereotypes about your complexion. And that raises questions about whether airlines, government agencies and other passengers need a refresher course on constitutional rights and plain old common sense.

Moby is frustrated!

Moby once confused a hotel receptionist who thought he wanted a groupie sent to his room. The musician phoned the hotel lobby to ask for a fan for his room because he was very hot. However, the receptionist at the hotel in Kiev, Ukraine, misunderstood and thought he wanted a fan of the female variety. Moby told the New York Post newspaper: "It was very hot in the hotel and they had no air-conditioning. At four in the morning, I called the front desk and asked if they could send up a fan. The guy put me on hold, and came back, and said, 'There are no fans.' "We had this long confused conversation and finally he said he was sorry, but there are no women in the lobby. He thought I meant a groupie. Eventually I was able to explain to him that I meant a plastic thing that spun in the air. So he was able to finally send up an actual plastic fan."

Kravitz looks to revolution

Lenny Kravitz will tour America in the New Year, as he prepares to unleash his new album.



The rock lothario returns with "It Is Time For A Love Revolution" in February, which will be preceded by a series of club shows in the USA.

The nine dates commence in Santa Monica, California on January 17 and conclude with a gig in New York City on February 1.

There are currently no details of UK shows to back the record, which follows 2004's "Baptism".

The tour calls at:

January 2008
17 Santa Monica, CA Santa Monica Civic
19 San Francisco, CA The Warfield
22 Denver, CO Paramount Theater
24 Minneapolis, MN Myth
26 Chicago, IL Riviera
27 Detroit, MI The Fillmore
29 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
31 Boston, MA The Orpheum

February
01 New York City Hammerstein Ballroom

"It Is Time For A Love Revolution", Lenny's 's eight studio album, is due out on February 5.

Frank Sinatra will have his own stamp!

John Potter, who called the crooner "an extraordinary entertainer whose life and work left an indelible impression on American culture."

"His recordings, concert performances and film work place him among America's top artists, and his legendary gift for transforming popular song into art is a rare feat that few have been able to replicate," Potter said.

The stamp image will be unveiled next Wednesday — Sinatra's birthday — at a ceremony in Beverly Hills, Calif.

While the stamp will be for first-class mail, the rate has not been announced. Currently the letter rate is 41 cents but the postal governing board is thought likely to raise the price next year.

Under new rules a hike in the letter rate would be limited to the rate of inflation, probably to 42 cents if it does go up in the spring.

During his career Sinatra won an Oscar, several Grammy awards and was recognized at the Kennedy Center honours in 1983. President Reagan awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985.

He was born in Hoboken, N.J. in 1915 and died in 1998. The Hoboken Post Office was renamed in his honor in 2002.

World Music Journalist Tom Terrell Loses Battle with Cancer

Tom Terrell's sister, Bevadine, informed family and friends today that Tom's battle with cancer ended this morning, November 29, at 5:05am. "I'm happy to say that Tom's final days were pain free and peaceful," said family friend Sean Barlow (Afropop worldwide). "He was constantly surrounded by his loving family and friends during his time in the hospital/hospice. The outpouring of love helped Tom stay positive and strong through to the end."

Tom discovered earlier this year he had prostate cancer that had spread to his bones. He was without health insurance which made his situation more difficult.

A DC native, Tom Terrell worked in the music industry mix since the early 80s. He served as Publicity Manager for Verve Records, NPR Commentator, liner note writer and contributor to Global Rhythm, Jazziz, Vibe, Trace and Essence, DJ at DC’s 9:30 Club and Alt Rock Champions WHFS-FM.

"You may have heard his idiosyncratic reviews of Afropop and world music CDs on NPR's "All Things Considered," said Sean Barlow. "He charmed ten million people at a pop! Tom was a pioneering world music journalist whose chops, taste and gregarious sense of humor won over his audience and colleagues alike."