San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
NEW ALBUMS
Fantastic Negrito, “White Jesus Black Problems” (Storefront Records):
A three-time Grammy Award winner in the best contemporary blues album category, Oakland’s Fantastic Negrito is defining what modern blues music is through songs that capture the tenuous times that we’re living in. “White Jesus Black Problems,” his first album recorded at his West Oakland Storefront Records studio is the most ambitious material from the decorated musician yet.
Largely based on the real-life story of his white Scottish seventh great-grandmother, the songs weave a tale about her life as an indentured servant in colonial Virginia and the struggles that her marriage to his enslaved seventh great-grandfather, a Black man, yielded them.
“They Go Low” frames Negrito’s historical context into questioning the motives of America’s ruling class. “Oh Betty” is a Delta blues number directly inspired by his grandparents, and “Highest Bidder” picks apart the capitalist nature of the systemic racism that has plagued our country since the 18th century.
Negrito also created a film to accompany the music, which was scheduled to come out concurrently with the album on Friday, June 3.
Purity Ring, “Graves” (The Fellowship):
After a notable run of albums on the 4AD label, the “Graves” EP represents the ethereal Canadian electronic pop duo’s first release under their own imprint, the Fellowship.
Online extra
For The Chronicle’s playlist of this week’s picks, and to watch music videos of select songs, go to datebook.sf chronicle.com.
Megan James’ anatomically focused lyricism shines over production from Corin Roddick that culls from electro, trap and hip-hop influences. The album’s title track is a glistening number that they held on to for eight years before finally unleashing it into the world.
Purity Ring puts on one of the best live shows in the business, having dazzled the Bay Area in the past at both the erstwhile Treasure Island Music Festival and Oakland’s Fox Theater with an array of LEDlight-driven musical instruments. You can witness it for yourself on their scheduled return to the Fox on July 24.
Angel Olsen, “Big Time” (Jagjaguwar):
The prolific indie folk singer has just delivered her third album in less than four years. Written when
Olsen was coming out as queer and falling in and out of queer love for the first time, “Big Time” represents an illuminating time for the singer where she came to terms with the realization of who she is.
On the humbly gorgeous “Through the Fires,” which she called the album’s “centerpiece statement,” Olsen sings over a lush string trio and piano. She wrote the song to “remind myself that this life is temporary, the past is not something to dwell on, that it’s important to keep moving, keep searching for the people that are also searching, and to notice the moments that are lighter and bigger than whatever trouble
Long Live the Queens:
Attend a glamorous drag show featuring Heklina, Carnie Asada, Landa Lakes and Madd Dogg. With handcrafted cocktails and seasonal bites, sounds by DJ Works and postshow photo ops with the Queens.
7:30-10 p.m. Friday, June 10. $15, reservations required. Living Room Bar, W San Francisco, 181 Third St., S.F. 415-777-5300. marriott.com
National AIDS Memorial 35th Anniversary Quilt Display:
Nearly 3,000 hand-stitched panels of the Quilt, which honors and remembers loved ones lost to AIDS, will be on display at the AIDS Memorial Grove. The free public event begins with an opening ceremony, followed by the continuous reading of names of lives lost. There will be a closing ceremony at 4 p.m. Sunday where newly made panels will