#rockapella

[sweaterkittensahoy]

If you want a microcosm of how the collapse of the USSR had wide-ranging effects very, very quickly, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego had to carry a disclaimer from season 2 onward that read "all geographic facts were correct at the time of filming" because they'd film a season in a few months, and even in a few months, a lot of information changed.

And while I have you here:

[ottersmallpaws]

I guess the 90s are making a comeback, because I had a student ask me today if we had Carmen Sandiego when I was a kid.

Obviously, there was only one correct answer.

HIT IT, ROCKAPELLA!!!

[duckjapan]

REVIEW | "Carmen Sandiego" [2025 Ver.] | B3crew.com

As a kid, I absolutely loved all things Carmen Sandiego. The games, the PBS game shows, and even the Rockapella-featured music album were all staples of my childhood. But back then, the object of the game was to catch Carmen and her henchmen. For the first time ever, Carmen’s in your control, and now she’s gotta track down VILE to clear her name.

Yes, Carmen is still a notorious thief, but she’s got nothing to do with these new crimes. Alongside Player (AKA you!) and the ACME crime-fighting organization, Carmen trots the globe seeking clues and putting baddies behind bars. But it won’t be an easy task; the members of VILE are a lot smarter now than they were back in the 80s and early 90s. Not only do you have to figure out who is behind it and where they’re going next, Carmen will also have to solve puzzles to discover new hints.

Click here to read the rest of the review!

[simseez]

[peteneems]

[victusinveritas]

[jules-has-notes]

collaboration spotlight — Rockapella retrospective

Legendary a cappella group Rockapella were the recipients of the first lifetime achievement award from the Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards in 2014. This video was shown at the ceremony during the Boston Sings festival in April.

Since Deke Sharon was not only the founder of CASA and CARA, but also the musical director of The Sing-Off, he asked members of VoicePlay and Home Free to share some memories of Rockapella's influence on their own careers while they were on the road with the Sing-Off tour. Earl, Layne, Geoff, Tim, Adam, and Chris recorded a segment that begins at 7:26.

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Trivia

Rockapella's longtime beatboxer, Jeff Thatcher, produced 4:2:Five's first EP in 2001. He's also a visual artist, and has created several pieces of artwork for VoicePlay over the years.

4:2:Five recorded Rockapella's arrangement of "Hound Dog" for their 2004 album "Time Machine".

Layne has recorded and mixed tracks for Rockapella through his production studio, Rayne's Room.

Geoff subbed for Rockapella's bass, Ryan Chappelle, during their 2015 New Year's Eve show in Vegas.

Earl joined Tim Foust of Home Free, Jeremy Lister of Street Corner Symphony, prolific arranger Tom Anderson, and former 4:2:Five beatboxer Dave Baumgartner to record "Falling Over You" in 2021 as a 50th birthday tribute to Rockapella's original lead tenor, Sean Altman.

[cheesecake-crisis]

Rockapella's music video for Land of a Thousand Dances, 1996.