Farewell 2008...

"Get ready, tonight.  Gonna make this a night to remember..." A Night To Remember - Shalamar

I am actually looking forward to tomorrow night.  Another year has passed and I have no idea where it went to.  This year brought about phenomenal new friendships, amazing personal revelations and a blueprint for what I have yet to achieve come 2009.  I have so many dreams on the horizon and my list grows every time I cross out a completed goal.  I allow no one or anything to stand in my way, I am too ambitious for that.  I have also decided to do some end of year cleansing and cut off or let go some of the vampires that I have in my life.  It's all for the better, new beginnings and such for 2009.  Just living my life.

So with that cleanse in mind, I was going through some of my concert clips on Ivory and realized there are quite a few that I have not shared with you.  Instead of bringing you my top tens of 2008, I have decided to give you a taste of a few artists that you will be sure to read more about here in 2009 and a few snippets from concerts I thoroughly enjoyed this year.

1) Eric Benet at B.B. Kings killing his next single, "Chocolate Legs."

2) Lorenda Robinson from Brown Baby Girl broke down "What You Won't Do For Love" @ Billie's Black: 

3) At the Brown Baby Girl show, Kimberly Nichole made "Love Without A Limit" her own.

4) The beautiful Mika sang one of her new songs from her forthcoming album to be released next summer, entitled "Summer Love" @ Billie's Black:

5) Here is Grammy Nominated Wayna singing her nominated track "Loving You (Music) @ Billie's Black (sorry it's a bit dark):

6) And lastly, I saw the marvelous diva herself Chaka Khan.  I was grinning from ear to ear.  This was the ONLY snippet I was able to get because of her stage po-po at the front.

These are a handful of snippets from the slew of shows I was lucky enough to see this year. Earth, Wind & Fire, MAXWELL, GEORGE MICHAEL, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Billy Joel, The Police, PJ Morton, Big Daddy Kane, Wayna, Mika, Eric Benet, Monica, Dru Hill (yes, them), Mint Condition and the list goes on - it has been a very musical year.  Next year is only a day away.

On that note, I would like to wish everyone a safe and prosperous New Year.  May the New Year bring to you, everything positive that you put out in the universe to receive.  

See y'all soon...

Tha Connoisseur 

So Much To Share...

"They've got so much things to say right now, they got so much things to say..."  So Much Things To Say - Bob Marley

I have had a busy week, traipsing to quite a few shows last week.  So today, I decided to forfeit Monday Madness for a quick rundown of what was going on musically in my week.  Receiving my Monday rants and what not I am sure is quite rewarding on a dreary Monday morning, however I feel confident that you love receiving music tidbits even more!  You can hear my rants any day, since everyone knows that I have SO much to say.

First off, I mentioned that I was going to a ONUTSS listening party for Wayna and Mika.  And what a session it was.  Harlem diva Mika was up first with her sultry voice killing us softly with her tracks "Summer Love" and "Loving You Is Easy."  Mika's album is not released as yet, but will be available next summer.  She is hard at work on her baby and we were treated to a glimpse of what to expect.  I am looking forward to her release.  A voice that is smooth, controlled and seductive.  In the mean and in between time, you can catch her at Billie's Black on Friday November 21st.  If you would like more information on Mika, you can find it on her MySpace page here.  Ethiopian beauty Wayna took the stage with her honey-tinged voice and did the damn thing.  With the release of her new album "Higher Ground" riding Billboard's Hot R&B Single's list, it is just the beginning for the songbird.  Wayna shared her passionate version of Minnie Riperton's "Loving You" and a fun track entitled "Mr. Duracell."  If you do not have the album as yet, you can first visit her MySpace page to hear a few tracks and THEN go get it.  It is an eclectic blend of tracks with a touch of jazz, love, social commentary and soul.  It is presently on heavy rotation on Tangie.  I had an opportunity to chat it up with her for a bit and she is such a beautiful spirit.  I will have a "6 Questions With" coming up with her very soon.  Stay tuned.

Wayna and I

Next on the horizon, I was up at Frank's Cocktail on Saturday night covering Kameron Corvet, KuKu and Tomas Doncker.  There is sooo much to write on that, but lucky for me, I have a review to do for 4dasoul.com  I will let you know when the review is up.  But believe me when I say this - Kameron Corvet is not only VERY easy on the eyes, but the man can sing his ass off.  And boy can he strum the hell out of a guitar.  We all know how I am a stickler for a serious acoustic set.  He is a sweet and humble dude as well.  I think for me, when an artist is down to earth, easy to communicate with and just your average joe - it makes them even more likable.  I am a people person after all!  And that theme reverberated right through the line of artists Saturday night.  The acoustic sets from all three artists were CRAZY.  My girl, the talented and wonderful Monet went up and jammed with Kuku and Tomas Doncker on her flute.  It was just a funky good time.  I will not say anymore, but my review should be up soon.  Here is a group pic:

from left to right: Kameron Corvet, Monet, Tomas Doncker and KuKu.

Myself and Kameron Corvet

Monet, KuKu and Myself

Flashback of the day:  I am sooo in a hip hop mood, it's no joke.  I went to see Big Daddy Kane on Friday night and I am STILL floating.  I will most definitely have a write up for you on Wednesday, because I just can't let that night in hip hop history pass without addressing it.  So with that said, here is some BDK for ya - 

BDK review on Wednesday.  

See y'all soon...

Tha Connoisseur