Soul Afrodisiac–Sharing expressions from the soul...
Take Note!
Pictures and videos used on this site are all borrowed (well not all, some are actually mine) for everyone's viewing pleasure. They are not being used in a malicious matter, it is all in good fun and most likely to promote the good stuff found. Please don't threaten to sue, just ask me to take it down if it is a bother. If not, thanks for the borrow!!!
Hello my fellow Soulsters, Danalee and I have to apologize for the tardiness. This podcast was hell and 'ish to post for some reason, however I would not let a little ol' technological blip keep me from getting it to ya. Unfortunately you will notice that the topic(s) may be a bit older now since it was to post last weekend, but I am sure you will find it entertaining nonetheless. So please enjoy In NYC Vol #2.
Here is a quick guide to the places and sites we discussed in the podcast:
"Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds..." Redemption Song - Bob Marley
I am a bit late this week with my entry, but nonetheless I am here! I felt that it was time for a bit of a musical intervention on my part. After witnessing the debauchery of artistry that Mariah Carey displayed on Saturday Night Live (lip syncing et al,) I remain speechless and in shock when it comes to the state of music today. Why she is given a platform to share the mockery that is supposed to be a gift from the man upstairs, is beyond me. The fact that Mariah actually had the nerve to go on stage and sing (ha!) that mess that she calls a song was really an insult to her fans (yes, Rhythmic my friend, we are *HERE* once again!!) And then to whisper/talk that ghastly "Migrate" and feature of all people, T - Pain...let's just say I did not watch the whole thing and that was viewed on You Tube y'all. Too bad Janet Jackson was still sick!!! And believe me, I can go on ranting shamelessly about it, but it's not worth my time - SERIOUSLY. Today, I will stick to what I know best - Da Goodness!!!
On Saturday evening, it was an honor and privilege of mine to attend the 3rd Annual Indie Mixer at Billie's Black in Harlem. What an event that was my friends. This is a yearly event that is put together by Mike Ashley's Life and Soul Promotions and Dexter Myers Clever Strategies . It was my first foray here in New York City into the indie soul movement scene. Now I want to make this extremely clear, the indie soul movement is not something that just came about overnight. This is a band of people who come together because they are clearly passionate about what they do and what they believe in. Which unfortunately, is more than I can say for the major music labels out there. There is much more to the R&B and soul world than Beyonce, Usher and R. Kelly, let's be real now. I would call that more or less hip hop because the influences are dominating and unmistaken and that right there is a whole other conversation.
This "band" of people I refer to, are a soul community. First and foremost, they are a cumulative of fans who are - artists, producers, label owners, writers, promoters, DJ's etc who come together to continue spreading the word that there really is exceptional music still around. And in all honesty, you do not have to go far to enjoy it or see artists perform. And if we are going to sit back and have these major labels force feed us the regurgitative mess that they are calling R&B, then that's our faults. ESPECIALLY if we choose to complain and do nothing about it. In doing nothing, I mean sitting back not attending shows, CD launchings, purchasing albums etc all that are readily available at almost all times. This is New York y'all, there's no sleeping here! And for everyone else, there is no excuse - artists do travel you know!
I had the pleasure of meeting Pam and Detrel from ONUTSS (One Nation Under The Soul Shack.) The ladies are a bonafide team that continue to support and bring hot soul artists to the forefront. Detrel has become my Soul Commune sista and a great friend all around. Not to mention both of them showed plenty of love on Saturday evening. Here is a pic of Detrel and I, please check out their website for more info on upcoming artist showcases.
First pic is with the unparalleled Gordon Chambers who showed his love and also sang Happy Birthday to Mike Ashley. Also on hand and one of my favorites, the always smooth and mellow Eric Roberson.
And lastly, shown below is a man who works tirelessly along with everyone in unison to push the soul movement to where it truly should be. The Cool Cat himself, Mr. Terry Bellow. You can visit his site regarding the International Soul Music Summit. This is an event that all soul cats should try and attend. Check out the info.
I must also mention that the phenomenal Angela Johnson and Monet both performed. I unfortunately did not get to hear their whole set, however what I did hear was phenomenal. Eric Roberson stated that one of the most important things out of everything done, the meeting and greeting, the schmoozing and exchanging of cards - would be completion. The importance of following through is why these mixers are done and he is right. What good is it if you take a card and do not follow through with the person or at least keep in touch? I plan on doing just that, I plan to keep in touch and make movements with the wonderful people that I have met. I am a staunch supporter of good soul music, it is something that I don't take for granted or in jest. And as music connoisseurs, I think you should too. Support your indie artists, they are the wave of the future.
With that said, here is a blast from the past for the flashback video. Today's pick is an 80's gem that was NO JOKE when it came out.
See ya soon and I promise, I will be on time. Hope you checked out the podcast!
"Where's your head at? You have found yourself trapped in this incomprehensible maze..." Where's Your Head At - Basement Jaxx
Honestly, I am all over the place this week. For some reason, I am not sure whether I am coming or going. With 101 things milling in that tiny spectrum of my head that doctors call a brain, who knows where today's entry will take us. Let us begin...
A few tidbits:
I seriously cannot believe that I have waited THIS long to share this phenomenal find! There is a great community that has been created for soul music lovers, called Soul Commune. Think of it as Facebook with a FUNCTION. Those who know me, do know that it would take a really cold day in Hades to get me to sign up for Facebook or Myspace. And yes, hate is a harsh word and I was only taught to use it in extreme situations - this being one of them. But Soul Commune is a wonderful breath of fresh air. Especially for those who are into amazing soul music from sensational indie artists. Algebra, Heston, Kendra Ross, Mint Condition etc. If you are up on those artists, then this is the place for you to network if you are in the industry and to be a fan and hear some amazing music. Do check it out at www.soulcommune.com
Janet, Miss Jackson if ya nasty, has done it once again, she has come in with the #1 album on Billboard this week. Discipline happens to be Janet's 6th #1 album. See, a little discipline can't hurt nobody! Sorry, I couldn't resist.
My girl Erykah Badu is spreading the word on her album New Amerykah, Pt 1: 4th World War, which came in the #2 spot. If you do not have it, get it. Check out the country girl looking chic and doing her thing on the April cover of Essence magazine. My cuz put me on to some Erykah info that I am sure Erykah will be talking about in the Essence article. I had no idea (not that it's any of my business) that she was seeing Jay Electronica. Jay is an artist who happens to be one of the best kept secrets in hip hop. He has used the internet as his vessel to showcase his work and it seems to be working for him. When Erykah was asked to describe him as Jay Electronica the person, her reponse was "I wouldn't even call him a person, 'cause he's a weird looking cat. His ears are kinda pointy, he's got a square head, he kinda looks like he's an alien from somewhere - really. But in a rare beautiful way." Only Erykah can show her love for someone so eloquently. Here's a clip of Jay Electronica (with Erykah present) at a photo shoot for URB Magazine.
Can you feel the love?!
Next on my list - a little ranting. You didn't think I would write up a new entry without ranting did you?
There are two new songs that have caught my ear and for all the wrong reasons. They both seem to bury themselves in my temporal lobe and it would most likely take a lobotomy to get it wiped out out of my brain. The first one is "Love In This Club" by Usher featuring Young Jeezy. Yes, he's back after his "family time" or whatever we would like to call the "commotion" in his life during the past year. Anyhow, I am very perturbed when it comes to this song. Usher's first line in the song is, "I gotta do it for the ladies/and I gotta keep it hood." Really, the title alone bothers every fiber in my being. For a grown ass man who just got married and had a child, I was hoping for a little something more and different on this album. Yes Usher has his freakum moments, I just have high expectations that's all. And like with every other song that I detest, it gets stuck in my head and I can't help but turn it up loud and bounce to the beat. Yet on the contrary with this song, the other one that is really driving me to wrench out my eardrums with a screwdriver would be Mariah Carey's new track "Touch My Body." Turning on the radio hearing Mariah coo, "If there's a camera up in here, I'd best not catch this flick on YouTube" agitates me. Mariah once said that all she can do is make music she believed in. If this is a glimpse of what she believes in for her upcoming release, I don't know what to say. "It's Like That" from The Emancipation of Mimi was fun and fearless, where "Touch My Body" comes across as remiss and strewn together. Of course, it's going to be a number one song, you will see. However, I cannot say it will be on account of the strength or individuality of the music. Let us hope it is not a reflection of things to come. And just a side note, I am not usually this abrasive when writing about music. Music is something that I am passionate about and the whole movement right now is really causing me concern. But that is a whole other rant.
This week, I decided to add another piece to my blog called "Tha Jams." Tha Jams are a choice of 6 songs (that may change) that I will rotate every week. They are songs that may be in my head, my blog discussion or in my iPod. So for your listening pleasure, I did include the two songs discussed today and a few others that are on my playlist. Hope you enjoy as we go along!
And on that note, here is the flashback video of the day. Some good ol' down home soul.
