Syl Johnson: Different Strokes

An icon of blues, soul, funk and R&B, Syl Johnson has passed away at 85. Born in Mississippi and raised in Chicago, Johnson was a singer, songwriter, musician and producer whose lyrics often delved into complex social and political issues. His 1969 song “Is It Because I’m Black,” inspired by the murder of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr, was a piercing statement on race relations …

Merger of Two Black Holes Predicted

Astronomers are watching two highly eccentric black holes in a “gravitational tango” that might result in them merging—an event that astronomers have predicted but have never witnessed before. The cosmic incident could happen in 100 days or sometime in the next three years. Each of the black holes is estimated to be 70 times the size of our sun, and they are located in a …

Niagara Moon: Bad Vibes

A whimsical baroque-pop track reminiscent of the lush arrangements found within The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, “Bad Vibes” by Massachusetts-based singer and composer Niagara Moon is “a parody of paranoia” and “a satire of superstition,” according to the recording artist. The expressive song will appear on Good Dreams, Niagara Moon’s forthcoming album out on AntiFragile.