As the Democratic National Convention wraps up and the Republican Party prepares to mount its huge opposing infomercial of American nationalism, artists and entertainers add their usual two-cents to the election. Indeed, two musicians from completely different musical genres have recently recorded songs in support of their favored candidates for the U.S. presidency. One is a folk rock and new wave pioneer, while the other is a country music singer – all of which could be seen as an unspoken commentary of the ever-going "culture war" that has permeated popular culture worldwide post-9-11. Here's the breakdown:

Musician/songwriter Dave Stewart of Eurythmics' fame has recorded "American Prayer" – a pro-Obama song originally written with Bono of U2. According to a blog Stewart authored at The Huffington Post (see here), he [Stewart] drew inspiration from Obama's historic candidacy and the fact that Obama will accept the Democratic nomination for the presidency 45 years to the day of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. The companion music video features cameos of Forest Whitaker, Whoopi Goldeberg, Joan Baez, Macy Gray and Joss Stone (among others) – a diverse cast of personalities which – according to Stewart – represent the broad fabric of America.

On the other side of the aisle (sigh), John Rich – one-half of the country music duo, Big & Rich – has recorded a pro-McCain song, titled "Raisin' McCain". In the highly jingoistic (and polarizing) fashion that became typical of a great many country artists, Rich has made an accompanying music video that taps into the post-9-11 'good 'ol boy' mantra that has been so (sadly) well utilized by bigoted....er...xenophobic...Right-wing musicians like Charlie Daniels, as well as the now-defunct Darryl Worley.

Two songs – many ideologies – one election...

Categories: Dave Stewart; Eurythmics; John Rich; Big & Rich; culture war; American Prayer Raisin' McCain; Barack Obama; John McCain; Charlie Daniels; Joan Baez

Ultra Naté returns beautifully with this excellent 2-Disc companion piece to 2007's outstanding, Grime, Silk & Thunder.

As the title suggests – specifically the "G.S.T. Reloaded" subtitle – 'Alchemy contains choice remixes of material taken from the aforementioned 'Grime. Some – like "Give it All You Got featuring Chris Willis (Bimbo Jones Mix)" and "Automatic (Tikaro, J. Louis and Ferran Remix 1.0)" – are concurrently available on digital singles, whereas others – "Love's the Only Drug (Morgan Page Mix)"; "Star (It's Showtime) (Funky Junction and SplashFunk Extended Mix)" and "Falling (Mark & Shark Mix)" – are newly available. In addition to the newer ones just mentioned, fresh remixes of "Lethal Shot", "Twisted" and "Scandal are included (remixed by Josh Peace, Lost Daze's Frank DeMaria and Anthony Saputo and Zoned Out for Peace Bisquit, respectively). And Ultra's brilliant electro-house collaboration with StoneBridge – "Freak On" – is present in its full club-length form. It is with the second disc, dubbed "The Sugar Sessions", that Ultra truly entices us with something altogether unique – inviting listeners to fully experience another aspect of her multi-talented person – that of DJ. Named for her weekly "Sugar" house music party engagements at Baltimore's Club 1722, "'Sugar Sessions" boasts a DJ mix by Ultra herself. And Naté's mixing is flawless!

Alchemy: G.S.T. Reloaded is a must-have for diehard Ultra Naté fans and dance music enthusiasts alike.

Turn it, Ms. Ultra!

Categories: Ultra Naté; Ultra Nate; house music; dance music