Articles written by Michael Irvin Arrington

After some well-received acting roles, Mos Def returns to hip hop with "The Ecstatic," a vast improvement over 2006's "True Magic."

Jul 23, 2009 - Michael Irvin Arrington

Never Forget, the CD compilation by Cornel West and Black Men Who Mean Business, showcases some of the most talented artists on the contemporary music scene.

Jul 16, 2009 - Michael Irvin Arrington

In one of the best baseball books in recent memory, Leigh Montville thoroughly reports on the life of arguably the greatest hitter ever, Ted Williams.

Jul 4, 2009 - Michael Irvin Arrington

Author Walter Mosley adds to his literary repertoire with his newest mystery novel by creating a new character in a contemporary context.

Jun 18, 2009 - Michael Irvin Arrington

Ben Folds enlists the assistance of some of the country's top college a capella groups to create new interpretations of his catalog.

Jun 15, 2009 - Michael Irvin Arrington

The release of WKRP in Cincinnati on DVD will take viewers back to a time when radio played a more pivotal role in popular culture and the music industry.

May 28, 2009 - Michael Irvin Arrington

Eminem's new album, "Relapse," lives up to ts name, as the rapper returns to the familiar territory of venomous attacks on his enemies and his signature lyrical flow.

May 26, 2009 - Michael Irvin Arrington

Christopher Titus recounts his divorce and new romance on his new album -- and, in doing so, reminds us that our everyday lives provide the best comedic material.

May 22, 2009 - Michael Irvin Arrington

The new CD from Stephen Lynch is a mixed bag in which many of the shorter cuts outshine longer jokes that take too long to develop.

Apr 14, 2009 - Michael Irvin Arrington

The first album from Melinda Doolittle shows that she is more than sufficiently talented to thrive in life after American Idol.

Apr 6, 2009 - Michael Irvin Arrington

Michael Eric Dyson, the "hip hop intellectual," lives up to that moniker in "Know What I Mean?" Along the way, he makes some important observations about race and gender.

Mar 3, 2009 - Michael Irvin Arrington

The newest release from former A Tribe Called Quest member Q-Tip is marked by strong beats and catchy hooks, but the rapper's lyrics create too few memorable moments.

Feb 18, 2009 - Michael Irvin Arrington

Maximum Exposure Two Thousand Eight, the new album from the former Boogie Down Productions leader, exhibits the best and worst qualities of the sizable KRS-ONE catalog.

Jan 3, 2009 - Michael Irvin Arrington

The most polarizing figure in hip hop shows that two pictures are worth thousands of words with an album that marks the beginning of his life after "Graduation."

Dec 2, 2008 - Michael Irvin Arrington

The newest CD from former House of Pain frontman Everlast is an artistic success, albeit heavy-handed at times.

Nov 17, 2008 - Michael Irvin Arrington

Bring Ya to the Brink, the newest CD from Cyndi Lauper, gives listeners one of the most original artists of the eighties -- but without the originality.

Nov 2, 2008 - Michael Irvin Arrington

Randy Newman's new CD reveals a veteran artist whose work is as timely as ever. "Harps and Angels" is a soundtrack for our times, covering themes of love and patriotism.

Oct 31, 2008 - Michael Irvin Arrington

John Mayer's two-disc set, "Where the Light Is," reveals a complex musician steadily working to expand his musical vocabulary.

Oct 24, 2008 - Michael Irvin Arrington

In a departure from the safe stylings of most smooth jazz, Brian Culbertson's "Bringing Back the Funk" shows that contemporary jazz can still be passionate and energetic.

Oct 24, 2008 - Michael Irvin Arrington

Candy Dulfer's newest CD contains a couple of sure-fire smooth jazz hits, but its stronger tracks are not plentiful enough to match the quality of her earlier work.

Oct 13, 2008 - Michael Irvin Arrington

Although it has a weak ending, Walter Mosley's new novel, The Tempest Tales, poses important questions about religion, race, and the afterlife.

Oct 1, 2008 - Michael Irvin Arrington

B. B. King's newest release, One Kind Favor, finds the legendary blues guitarist pondering his mortality amid tracks about life and love.

Sep 29, 2008 - Michael Irvin Arrington

The Boondocks, Season Two, is a must-see DVD collection because of its animation, voices, and bonus episodes.

Sep 21, 2008 - Michael Irvin Arrington

This article reviews The Unlevel Playing Field: A Documentary History of the African American Experience in Sport, edited by David Wiggins and Patrick Miller.

Sep 18, 2008 - Michael Irvin Arrington

This article review the book Against All Odds: The Struggle for Racial Integration in Religious Organizations, by Brad Christerson, Korie Edwards, and Michael Emerson.

Sep 18, 2008 - Michael Irvin Arrington

Exit 13, the newest CD from Def Jam rapper LL Cool J, shows the artist at the top of his game, deftly combining elements of old-school hip-hop and newer rhythms.

Sep 13, 2008 - Michael Irvin Arrington

This article reviews the book, Narratives, Health, and Healing: Communication Theory, Research, and Practice.

Aug 28, 2008 - Michael Irvin Arrington

This article reviews Jane Juska's book, A Round-Heeled Woman: My Late-Life Adventures in Sex and Romance.

Aug 28, 2008 - Michael Irvin Arrington

This article reviews Jay Neugeboren's book, Open Heart: A Patient's Story of Life-Saving Medicine and Life-Giving Friendship.

Aug 28, 2008 - Michael Irvin Arrington

This article reviews the newest CD from Grammy Award winning DJ Jazzy Jeff.

Aug 13, 2008 - Michael Irvin Arrington

This article reviews Tobymac's live CD/DVD set, Alive and Transported.

Jul 27, 2008 - Michael Irvin Arrington

This article reviews Snuff, Chuck Palahniuk's shortest and newest novel.

Jun 20, 2008 - Michael Irvin Arrington

This article reviews Greg Hoard's book, Joe: Rounding Third & Heading for Home, a biography of the late Cincinnati Reds pitcher and broadcaster, Joe Nuxhall.

Jun 3, 2008 - Michael Irvin Arrington