Yes, It's Monday Madness...

"There are times, when you need someone, I will be by your side.  There is a light that shines, special for you and me..."  The Light - Common & Bilal

Ladies and gents, I am back and in full effect feeling dope-girl fresh!  But before I continue -

Please take a moment to say a prayer for Travis Barker former drummer from Blink 182.  I LOVE that dude, he is a drumming monster.  When I heard about the plane crash yesterday, I had goosebumps.  My prayers go out to him, his family and everyone one else involved in the crash.

Being that I am still on vacay for a little bit before school starts, I had my little sis with me for the week.  Little sis, meaning in her twenties - not a ten year old.  She ran me ragged through Manhattan, shopping down the place, walking to and fro and just doing the do.  And let me tell you, I enjoyed every little bit of it.  She left me this morning and I miss her ass already.

HOWEVER, I am now back.  Back to focus on school, my NYC peeps, concerts, freelancing AND my blog.  So much to do and get to - especially musically, you know me.  I will be delivering some concert news (the ones I attend anyway), more "6 Questions With..." from some serious artists and sharing with you whatever I feel free to share.

So on that note, here is your first installation straight from NYC of Monday Madess - the news that made me cuss, cringe or shake my head:

1) I have no idea why people think or thought she is da 'ish: I never really liked this Kat DeLuna chick, and I have no idea why I am a hater.  Oh yes I do, she's just too extra for NO bloody reason!  Realistically, I just couldn't take that "Wine It Up" track.  She rates right up there with Acorn and T-Pain in de Arse as far as I am concerned.  I would rather down a broken glass milkshake sprinkled with needles on top, than hear any of them sing.  And just when I decide to share that sentiment, DeLuna is asked to sing the U.S. National Anthem in Dallas.  Oh my.  My girl is lucky she was not in the Caribbean, because we do not play.  Best believe she would have been PELTED off of stage!  If you are into self mutilation, then go right ahead and watch the accompanying video.  Go ahead, I dare ya...

2) Oh Michael...: I don't believe everything I read, really I don't.  But when something like this comes my way, I do feel that I should say something about it.  I was pretty unimpressed with the media when Michael Jackson's born-day came and went with not so much as a mention.  Yet Madge's b-day was damn near a holiday this year.  Mind you, I did not write anything on him either, so I am right in the mix.  And so it was quiet UNTIL this came out.  Why would you sell/auction off your or anyone else's draws?  And to make matters worse, the item in question were from the whole child molestation debacle.  The fact that they are still in an evidence bag wrapped with police tape, make me sick.  Read the whole blurb here. (mzvirgo.com)

3) Is anything sacred anymore?: I have a sense of humor just like the next one out there.  As a matter of fact, I am a bit sarcastic in my approach, but nonetheless, I love to laugh.  However, when I saw this I was a bit perturb.  In this day and age where nothing is sacred, it bothers an ol' school gal like me when I see things like this.  It just reinforces to me that marriage is nothing more than a joke to the young people out there.  Please correct me if I am wrong.  There are many ways to make your wedding funky and fun, without making a mockery of the sacrament by doing "that" to your dress and then some.  I know that some people can't afford and make do with what they have, but the same money used to spray paint or buy the paint, could have gone into buying or renting a tux for that T-shirt and cap wearing fool.  These young couples of today have so much to learn.  Apparently they do not watch enough TLC.  Check it out here. (C&D)

4) Tyra Baby: I usually do not have anything bad to say about Miss Tyra Banks, but I do have an opinion about some of the spreads she has done lately.   Her first spread was as Michelle Obama in Bazaar Magazine and now she is channeling Diana Ross in Mahogany inside V Magazine.  Miss Tyra is fashionably FIERCE in her own right, we already know this.  So why can't we see her in her own "themed" spread, rather than trying to channel everyone else and their mama?  I honestly did not fancy the two spreads at all and thought that some of the pics did not capture the essence of what Tyra was trying to portray, they were just boring "first lady" pics to me that anyone could have taken.  And do not get me started on the Mahogany one's either.  As much as I love Tyra, it would have been nice to see her doing HER, that's all I'm saying.

5) Double edged sword: It's a damn shame, honestly it is.  This is what it has come to - arresting someone because we do not like the way they are dressed.  It is too bad that we cannot just put these kids (and grown ass men who think it looks cool), over our laps and give out some hot lashes.  Perhaps then some sense would come to light regarding wearing your pants over your ass and letting your underwear i.e. boxers or tightie whities show.  I HATE (which is a strong word that I do not like to use) to see young boys or men, walk down the road with their crisp jeans hanging off of the end of their butt cheeks.  And then they think that they can step to a WOMAN like that.  Not a little girl, I did say and will say it again - a WOMAN.  Wow...I remain speechless and that right there is a hard feat.  Yet on the other hand, there are more pressing issues to attend to.  Like are my people in the U.S. registered to vote?  And are my people in Canada ready for an election?  Check out the article regarding the clothing debacle here. (sohh)

Flashback of the day:  I was in a Donna Summer mood the other day and it still lingers in my head.  Miss naughty naughty.  Ride with me...

See y'all soon...

Tha Connoisseur 

Happy Born Day To Moi...

"Want to see an exhibition, better do it now before you get too old.  'Cause we're the party people night and day, livin' crazy that's the only way..."  Michael Jackson - Off The Wall

And that my friends, is exactly how I plan to do it up this Memorial Day weekend, because today (being Friday, since I wrote this late Thursday night) is the day that I give thanks for another year of life.  The big man upstairs is good all the time, all the time he is good.  A day of reflection on the things I have done to get to where I am today and things I need to do to continue on my path.  It is a run down of the good, the bad, the stupid and the ugly.  A day to thank my Mom, Dad (I miss you), siblings, family and friends, because they all are a huge part of the person that I have become.  A day to say THANK YOU to all of those who I am blessed to have in my life, to those who test me and cause me to get ignorant on the daily and to those who have been like an anvil, hanging around bringing the heavy vibes.  I mean after all, we do need balance.  What would we do without the haters?  So all in all, I would like to say Happy Birthday to all my May people, Happy Birthday to all my Geminis and Happy Birthday to me!

On that note, I had to do it up right today for the album of the week.  It would be absolute blasphemy if I did not do a write up on the album that means more to me than life itself.  This is my favorite album of all time and I am sure many of you out there feel the same as well...

My friend Chris Rizik, publisher of Soutracks wrote a piece on the anniversary of Thriller and what it means to us.  In his article, he stated, "I'd argue that Off The Wall was front to back his greatest release."  And let me tell you, I wholeheartedly agree with that statement.  Qunicy and Michael set out to make a good album, yet delivered a masterpiece.  In their eyes, it may not be Thriller, but in my eyes it may have well been.  I remember the day I received this album like it was yesterday.  My aunt in Brooklyn went out and purchased the album and mailed it to me in Montreal by express mail, for my birthday gift.  Yes I waited all the way 'til May to get it even though it was released in August, I had no perception or concept of time at blah blah years old!  So on May 23rd 1980, this album was mailed to me and there I was in my glee, playing the album over and over again all day long.  My mom was Michael-Jacksoned-out by the end of the day, but she still sat and sang or hummed every song with me (that's what mommies do).  And all I could do was sit and stare at my album jacket full spread on the floor in awe, wishing that I could be next to Michael in the picture with his arm around me.  And oh the hypnotizing effect those glowing socks had!  I still believe that the lyrics to all of the songs on the album are etched into my psyche and there they will remain.  Even though "PYT" from Thriller is my favorite pick me up song, it just doesn't have the same heartwarming effect as "It's The Falling In Love" with Patti Austin.  Michael had your ass in a frenzy dancing nonstop starting with "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough", then you chill a bit with "Rock With You" and then had your pulse going again with "Workin' Day And Night" and "Get On The Floor" back to back.  It was insane!  Then they decide to take it down a notch with "Off The Wall", listening to him blackmail his chick on "Girlfriend" and then having you want to console him on "She's Out Of My Life" (maybe because of the blackmailing?) And just when you started to feel sorry for his ass because his girl left him, he ups the ante with "I Can't Help It" and "It's The Falling In Love" and then you drink your Redbull so that you can ride out to "Burn This Disco Out".  Now is that brilliance or what?

Off The Wall went on to become the third best selling album in 1980, the best selling r&b album of that year and believe it or not only garnered Michael one stinking Grammy.  Surprising, I know.  I know that Grammy's are the awards that are given to you by your peers, but really, I prefer the one's that come from the fans.  It's just too bad that they come in the guise of an American Music Award.  Anyhow, this album was graced by the likes of amazing writers, producers and singers of our time.  Paul McCartney, Rod Temperton and Stevie Wonder's writing skills,  Randy Jackson's technique, Patti Austin's vocals, David Foster and Quincy Jones' magic and these are just to name a few–but name it, they were there doing what they all do best.  And the end result is nothing short of a piece de resistance.  Of course I have a copy of the album on CD, but my album copy, the sentimental copy, has seen the best of times and the worst of times.  It is a bit battered since Michael had to dance with me all the time, but the album jacket has taken a lickin' and is still hanging on.  Off The Wall is the number one album in my collection and there is no other album that will ever take its place–believe that.

So the flashback of the day is OF COURSE Michael like we love to remember him– a dark skinned, slim, woman loving, dancing fool.  We just couldn't get enough of him...but honestly again, we miss you Michael!

MICHAEL JACKSON - DON'T STOP TIL YOU GET ENOUGH

Have a safe and wonderful long weekend...I know I will!

Tha Connoisseur 

Another Week In The City Has Passed...

"Making mistakes, is a part of life's imperfections..." - Level 42 

Another week has passed and this week was harder than others.  A lot of work and a lot of running to and fro.  The bad thing about having some free time on the subway or anywhere else, is that we tend to ponder about things lulling around in the far recesses of the brain (or as we like to say "soul search").  Sometimes the thought process is healthy and at other times, it can be as heavy as a shovel full of snow.  As human beings, we do have imperfections (even though many of us tend to wish or think we didn't) and that is unfortunately a part of life.   The only thing that we can do is learn from our mistakes and try to improve on our imperfections.  Even though our imperfections are part of your blueprint and make us who we are.  Know thyself - it's the only way that we can strive forward to anything positive.  Positive vibes, positive relationships and a positive life.

Alright, enough preaching!  I decided to touch on an album today that has touched our lives in more ways than one.  The album I am gushing about:  

Now I know that some of you out there are shouting and jumping up and down at the mere thought of back in the day sexy Michael.  With his Jheri curls and hairless chest, in his suave white suit Michael was the vision of a black angel (well in my eyes).  I still remember the first day I ripped open my Off The Wall album.  There was nothing in the world that was going to stop me from playing it all day long.  By the end of the day, I do believe my mother knew all of the words to the whole album.  Now when Thriller was released, that was a whole new ball game for music lovers and the landscape of music.  With innovative videos like the groundbreaking "Thriller", "Beat It" and "Billie Jean", videography has never been the same because he raised the bar.  I am sure you remember the night the video for "Thriller" premiered on MTV, Muchmusic (whatever station it was for you).  I still get little chills watching the video!  And with songwriting like "The Lady In My Life", Michael had every woman in the world thinking that he was singing to her.  To this day, my pick-me-up-when-I'm-down song is "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing").  And who can forget Motown 25, when Michael shared the Moonwalk with the world?  It was almost like time stood still.  Michael won 7 Grammy's for his incomparable work with Quincy Jones on Thriller.  That is surely a feat not to be taken lightly. 

And now comes the kicker - there is a re-release for the 25th anniversary of Thriller.  And yes ladies and gentlemen, I do have a problem with it.   Some things are just meant to be left alone.  I don't know about you, but with artists like Akon, Fergie and will.i.am remaking these classic tracks, it does not exactly send me running to the store to pick up the new copy.  Kanye West's remake of "Billie Jean" is not as bad, but honestly, we could have done without.  This is a case of - if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  Why mess with the best selling album of all time?  For nostalgia's sake and for that one new track by Michael, I will purchase the album.  But take a listen and let me know what you think.  I know you can find snippets of the songs online somewhere.  Do some digging and drop a note to let me know what you think about the "new" Thriller.

Quick mention - I reviewed the Jazzy Soul Collective concert I talked about in my last blog entry.  You can find the review on Soultracks, an amazing website for soul enthusiasts to keep up with what is going on with the soul and R&B scene.   You can click on Soultracks on my friends listing to your left.  It is under News and Opinions.

And yes, it's that time for our video flashback.  Today I decided to go back to a wicked vibe.  It's cold and snowy here, so I wanted to go for a feel good track.  Enjoy!

R.I.P. Flora "TeTa" Collymore - you are forever in our hearts and will be missed immensely.

Tha Connoisseur