Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 12 May 2000 — Page 23

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Publish it yourself Start with copyright, then proceed to R.R. Bowker By DELORES THORNTON Special to The Recorder Last of 3 articles The first thing you should do after you complete your manuscript is get a copyright. Some people say that you don’t need to register your work with the copyright office — that your work is protected from the time it's entered into circulation. However, take my word for it and get a copyright. Your peace of mind is worth more than you’ll ever know. And besides, it only costs $30 to get one. You’ 11 be filling out the form TX, available at most libraries and also online. You may also write to the Copyright Office at: 101 Independence Ave., S.E, Washington, D.C. 20559-6000. The forms asks questions like: What is the title of this work, name of the author, author’s nationality or domicile, nature of See PUBLISH, Page C3

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BOOK MVIIW I Left My Back Door Open Special to The Recorder In 1994, April Sinclair burst onto the literary scene with her first novel. Coffee Will Make You Black, which was published to rave reviews and received extraordinary response from readers. Entertainment Weekly called it "funny and fresh," Ms. magazine praised it as "downright hilarious," and Sinclair's main charactef, Stevie, was described as "one complex and extraordinary first novel heroine" (Glamour). In her follow-up novel, Ain 7 Gonna Be the Same Fool Twice (19%), Sinclair was again embraced by readers, and critics hailed it as "high-spirited and entertaining," and "honest, simple storytelling with a gentle bite." At Sinclair's bookstore readings around the country, her fans all wanted to know what she was going to write next. Now, in her eagerly anticipated third novel, / Left My Back Door Open (Perennial; May 2000/$ 13), Sinclair returns with the same crackling dialogue that made her previous books so beloved and introduces a brand new cast of characters. Readers meet Daphne (Dee Dee Dupree), a witty dynamic radio DJ; Jade, a New Age Chinese bellydancer; Sarita and her husband Phil, a couple in the 'hood, struggling to hold their marriage together; and Sharon, a single mother, who at age 42, comes bursting out of the closet announcing that she's a lesbian. Dee Dee, the novel's main character, who is searching for love in the “I Feel Your Pain'90s,” has several close friends, but only her cat to keep her warm during the long, cold Chicago winters. She jokes Sm BOOK, Page C3

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United We Funk All Stars play in the Murat Theatre as part of a tour dedicated to the lale Roger Troutman. United We Funk All Stars hit Indianapolis Funksters pay tribute to the late Roger Troutman,

Special to The Recorder The United We Funk All Stars plays in Indianapolis as a part of their 25 city national tour on May 12 at the Murat Theatre. The tour, dedicated to the late Roger Troutman, jump started in Charlotte, N.C., with a preview on the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show. The tour will stop in cities including Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles and Houston through June. Comprised of the hottest names in funk, artists whose music is loved around the world and is being sampled and reinvigorated by rap artists, Unitetj We Funk All Stars came together fbF’lXnjte^ which was released Jan. 28 on Mtyor Label/Pyramid/Rhino Records. This new album includes new music from The Dazz Band, The Gap Band, The S.O.S. Band, ConFunkShun, The Bar Kays, Rick James, The System and the late Roger Troutman. Of course, this "super" band will also be offering their

classic hits during the spectacular threehour musical revue. "United We Funk” offers new tracks by the above mentioned artists, ranging from the classic hardcore funk of Rick James and the Gap Band, to the smooth contemporary funk of the Dazz Band and the S.O.S. Band, to the signature vocals of Charlie Wilson and Mic Murphy. In addition, the album includes two tracks that are the last known recordings by Troutman. The album is also dedicated to Troutman, the innovative ZAPP frontman and soloist who was killed in April of 1999. "United We Funk" is the brainchild of Dazz Band members Marlon McClain and Robert Harris, who stress that the time is right for such a project. Interest in the music of key fui)k/R&B bands is at apatt-*-time high, judging by the success of comic Sinbad s annual 70s Festivals and even VH l's highly-rated "Behind the Music" series. All known as serious "party bands," says Harris, the United We Funk bands continue to tour regularly, and McClain and Harris felt that all audiences and the bands themselves would benefit from a

unified effort. "The music business has separated from artistry over the years," notes Harris, a recording industry veteran. "Every band has its horror stories. We thought that if we empower ourselves to do a project like this, we'll be in control of our own des-

tiny."

Managing the divergent styles and egos of the bands was not a problem, Harris adds, stressing the concept of unity. "Working together with all the bands has been a complete pleasure," he ^fyfc^For so long

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imv: ^ fcBovaird, who is executive officer; Steve Drimmer is chief operating officer, and Dazz Band veterans McClain and Harris are vice presidents. Major Label/Pyramid/Rhino Records is a distributed label through the WEA Distribution system. Visit www.majorlabelrecords.net for more

information.

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MUSICS! PK Da Brat’s 'Unrestricted’ ways reveal her total package .dm • ^ IrC, One may not approve of the verbiag^iB a lot of today’s music. I even find my self having less toleranc? for what some call “keepin’ it real.” f, we’ve all had ’You! mouth” favorites, whether it’s Eddie Murphy, Redd Foxx, MSttie Jackson or Andrew Dice Clay. itontaw One of my personal fa-

vorites is DaBrat.

smarter than the average "* BB ""**

rabbit by having the “Queen of Adult Music” Millie Jackson tell every-

one on her latest CD that if they don’t like what the two women do — they don't

care.

Just looking at the CD cover you see that DaBrat has grown. There is a mature and feminine side that she ex[ when she chooses. Physically and lyrically, the CD is phat. You cannot compare it to anything or anyone. It contains tracks for the club, the crib and tracks to just ride to. Jermaine' 1 Dupri and DaBrat’s new producers, AaMr * “Hitman” Pittman and Deric Argdettfe'V make sure of that. ’ J 'A

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Charles S. Dutton’s ‘Corner’ a hit on HBO Special to The Recorder “The Comer” tells the harrowing true story of men, women and children living amid the open-air drug markets of West Baltimore's Fayette Street. The six-hour miniseries — the first from HBO since its Emmy-winning “From the Earth to the Moon” runs through May. Acclaimed actor Charles S. Dutton, who grew up in the same East Baltimore streets where much of the show was filmed,' directs “The Comer,” which stars T.K. Carter (“A Rage in Harlem," and “Space Jam”), Khandi Alexander (“ER,” “NewsRadio”) and Sean Nelson (“The Wood," and “Fresh"). The miniseries chronicles a year in the lives of 15-year-old DeAndre McCullough, his mother Fran Boyd, and his father Gary McCullough, as well as other addicts and low-level drug dealers caught up in the twin-engine economy of heroin and cocaine.

Still in love with Al Green This is the first in a series ofprofiles of artists who will perform during rite 2nd annual Indy Jazz Fest June 14-18. Green will perform on Satu p.m. The quintessential "soul man," Al Green's lofty stature in contemporary music history is solid as a rock. A nine - time Grammy Award winner and inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with two platinum albums, four gold albums, eight gold singles, and dozens of unforgettable ones. Green has been Son GREEN, Pago C2

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Al Groan will perform June 17.

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